Cuomo to Legislators: No More Mr. Nice Gov Unless There’s Ethics Code

Governor Cuomo says he’s serious about getting a tough ethical code through the State Legislature this year—so serious that he’s willing to give up his fifth consecutive on-time budget to do it.

“I think that’s safe to say because these reforms are going to meet with significant resistance,” he said of his five-point plan to increase disclosure by legislators of outside income and campaign contributions, tighten rules on personal use of campaign funds and per-diem reimbursements, and take pensions away from veteran lawmakers convicted of corruption. “But I am okay with that.”