New Moreland Commission Announced!
On Wednesday Governor Andrew Cuomo and Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice appeared at Hofstra University to announce the creation of a new Moreland Commission charged with investigating Public Corruption. Specifically the Moreland Commission will "probe systemic public corruption and the appearance of such corruption in state government, political campaigns and elections in New York State."
Earlier that same day the Governor made the formal announcement at the State Capital along with NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman who deputized the commission members as Assistant Attorneys General "…giving the Commission broad-based authority to investigate all matters that ‘involve public peace, public safety, and public justice.’"
I was honored to attend the Governors Long Island announcement and to have had the opportunity to personally offer my gratitude to Governor Cuomo for implementing a measure that is designed to root out corruption and provide recommendations that will serve to restore public trust in State Government. I was pleased to see the Governor follow through on his promise to take this action in response to the failure of the legislature to enact real ethics reform this legislative session.
Background
The Moreland Act, passed by the State Legislature in 1907, permits the Governor, or those appointed by the Governor (a Moreland Commission), to examine and investigate the management and affairs of any department, board, bureau or commission of the state. The Moreland Commission has the power to issue subpoenas and administer oaths to aid in their investigations. The State Board of Elections will be a focus of this commission.
For too long we, as New Yorkers, have felt powerless over the culture of corruption that has pervaded our Government and political systems. Almost daily, as I walk door to door, voters tell me that they are fully aware of the rampant corruption in the political and Government systems but they do not feel that there is anything they can do about it.
However, under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, we now have hope for a better Government in New York State. Governor Cuomo took a bold and laudable step last week by implementing this second Moreland Commission in less than one year.
The last Moreland Commission was charged with the task of investigating electric utility storm preparation and response in the wake of superstorm Sandy. This commission achieved fantastic results. Last week they issued their final report that included a recommendation for a criminal investigation into a consulting firm associated with LIPA.
Based partly on the results of the Moreland Commission on Utility Storm Preparation and Response, the Governor was also able to push through legislation to drastically restructure LIPA. Due to these bold measures, some of those responsible for the wrongdoing perpetrated against the public may finally be held accountable and Long Island ratepayers may finally get relief from a system that has failed to earn the public’s trust.
From the words of R. Buckminster Fuller "If humanity does not opt for integrity we are through completely. It is absolutely touch and go. Each one of us could make the difference."
Governor Cuomo has again opted to ensure integrity in our Government. Once again the Governor has appointed a remarkably talented team consisting of 25 Commissioners, the Executive Director (a native Long Islander whose great work in the former Moreland Commission earned her a 2nd tour as Executive Director of this new Moreland Commission) and other esteemed members.
The governor is doing his part to "opt for integrity." It is now up to all of us to both support the Governors Moreland Commission on Public Corruption and to hold our elected officials and political party leaders up to the highest ethical standards to ensure that we elect true public servants who themselves "opt for integrity."
The following is what we need to do now as citizens to help provide for a better future for New York:
Short Term Solutions
We must not only support the work of the Moreland Commission -a commission that includes Long Island’s own Nassau County DA, Kathleen Rice who will serve as a co-chair- but we must also advocate for the anticipated legislative recommendations of the Commission. I am confident that this commission, with its all-star bipartisan team, will not let us down but instead renew our pride in New York.
Additionally in order to hold those involved in government and the political process up to the highest standards, we must all be part of the solution. If you are aware of any instances of government or political corruption, don’t ignore it, report it to the commission.
Long Term Solutions
Real long term reform requires electing good qualified candidates who are seeking public office for the purpose of public service, not self service. Knowing the candidates is key to ensuring that we elect the right people. Candidates running for the right reasons truly understand the issues related to the office they seek, they have a record of volunteer service in the community they wish to represent, they have advocated publically for important issues, they are able to personally relate to the experience of owning or renting a home in the community and they have developed relationships with members of the local business community.
Do not trust the political system and the political parties to ensure candidates meet this litmus test; we have been let down too many times. We, the voters, must hold candidates for public office up to these high standards in order to earn our vote. In a later blog I will discuss this litmus test in greater detail.
Final Words
As citizens of New York, we have the responsibility to join our Governor and "opt for integrity" and we must each personally take action in order to ensure that public trust is fully restored to our Government and the political process. Let’s work together to support the Moreland Commission on Public Corruption along with their resulting legislative recommendations and let's elect better candidates to public office. Remember its public service, not self service!
On Wednesday Governor Andrew Cuomo and Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice appeared at Hofstra University to announce the creation of a new Moreland Commission charged with investigating Public Corruption. Specifically the Moreland Commission will "probe systemic public corruption and the appearance of such corruption in state government, political campaigns and elections in New York State."
Earlier that same day the Governor made the formal announcement at the State Capital along with NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman who deputized the commission members as Assistant Attorneys General "…giving the Commission broad-based authority to investigate all matters that ‘involve public peace, public safety, and public justice.’"
I was honored to attend the Governors Long Island announcement and to have had the opportunity to personally offer my gratitude to Governor Cuomo for implementing a measure that is designed to root out corruption and provide recommendations that will serve to restore public trust in State Government. I was pleased to see the Governor follow through on his promise to take this action in response to the failure of the legislature to enact real ethics reform this legislative session.
Background
The Moreland Act, passed by the State Legislature in 1907, permits the Governor, or those appointed by the Governor (a Moreland Commission), to examine and investigate the management and affairs of any department, board, bureau or commission of the state. The Moreland Commission has the power to issue subpoenas and administer oaths to aid in their investigations. The State Board of Elections will be a focus of this commission.
For too long we, as New Yorkers, have felt powerless over the culture of corruption that has pervaded our Government and political systems. Almost daily, as I walk door to door, voters tell me that they are fully aware of the rampant corruption in the political and Government systems but they do not feel that there is anything they can do about it.
However, under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, we now have hope for a better Government in New York State. Governor Cuomo took a bold and laudable step last week by implementing this second Moreland Commission in less than one year.
The last Moreland Commission was charged with the task of investigating electric utility storm preparation and response in the wake of superstorm Sandy. This commission achieved fantastic results. Last week they issued their final report that included a recommendation for a criminal investigation into a consulting firm associated with LIPA.
Based partly on the results of the Moreland Commission on Utility Storm Preparation and Response, the Governor was also able to push through legislation to drastically restructure LIPA. Due to these bold measures, some of those responsible for the wrongdoing perpetrated against the public may finally be held accountable and Long Island ratepayers may finally get relief from a system that has failed to earn the public’s trust.
From the words of R. Buckminster Fuller "If humanity does not opt for integrity we are through completely. It is absolutely touch and go. Each one of us could make the difference."
Governor Cuomo has again opted to ensure integrity in our Government. Once again the Governor has appointed a remarkably talented team consisting of 25 Commissioners, the Executive Director (a native Long Islander whose great work in the former Moreland Commission earned her a 2nd tour as Executive Director of this new Moreland Commission) and other esteemed members.
The governor is doing his part to "opt for integrity." It is now up to all of us to both support the Governors Moreland Commission on Public Corruption and to hold our elected officials and political party leaders up to the highest ethical standards to ensure that we elect true public servants who themselves "opt for integrity."
The following is what we need to do now as citizens to help provide for a better future for New York:
Short Term Solutions
We must not only support the work of the Moreland Commission -a commission that includes Long Island’s own Nassau County DA, Kathleen Rice who will serve as a co-chair- but we must also advocate for the anticipated legislative recommendations of the Commission. I am confident that this commission, with its all-star bipartisan team, will not let us down but instead renew our pride in New York.
Additionally in order to hold those involved in government and the political process up to the highest standards, we must all be part of the solution. If you are aware of any instances of government or political corruption, don’t ignore it, report it to the commission.
Long Term Solutions
Real long term reform requires electing good qualified candidates who are seeking public office for the purpose of public service, not self service. Knowing the candidates is key to ensuring that we elect the right people. Candidates running for the right reasons truly understand the issues related to the office they seek, they have a record of volunteer service in the community they wish to represent, they have advocated publically for important issues, they are able to personally relate to the experience of owning or renting a home in the community and they have developed relationships with members of the local business community.
Do not trust the political system and the political parties to ensure candidates meet this litmus test; we have been let down too many times. We, the voters, must hold candidates for public office up to these high standards in order to earn our vote. In a later blog I will discuss this litmus test in greater detail.
Final Words
As citizens of New York, we have the responsibility to join our Governor and "opt for integrity" and we must each personally take action in order to ensure that public trust is fully restored to our Government and the political process. Let’s work together to support the Moreland Commission on Public Corruption along with their resulting legislative recommendations and let's elect better candidates to public office. Remember its public service, not self service!
Jennifer J. Maertz, Esq. holds a B.S. degree from St. Johns University, a JD from Touro Law, and an MBA from NYIT. Jennifer is a 2013 candidate for New York State Assembly in the 2nd Assembly District on the north fork of Long Island and part of Brookhaven Town. Jennifer is currently President of the East End Women’s Network, Treasurer of the North Shore Youth Council and a board member of the Rocky Point Civic. She is an activist for ethics reform, women’s rights & equality, smart energy policy, and other state government policy initiatives.
Find out what's happening in Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here
