Lawmakers approve ethics reform legislation for Ulster

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Print

KINGSTON —Ulster County lawmakers have voted to overhaul and improve the county’s ethics law ending four years of discussion in an effort to strengthen it.

“Over the past four years, the same core team of legislators has worked together toward a common goal,” said Democratic Chairwoman Tracey Bartels. 

The new law compels more stringent financial disclosure and expands upon the financial disclosure required of county government officers, employees, consultants and commission and advisory board members—whether elected, appointed, paid, or volunteer.

The law now requires filers to disclose if they have served as an officer of a political party, candidate’s campaign committee, or a political organization within the last five years. It also requires filers to disclose if they have served as an officer of a not-for-profit organization within the reporting year.

Under the new law, three members will be appointed by the county executive, one will be nominated by the chair of the county legislature, one by the majority leader, and one by the minority leader. The seventh member will be nominated by the Board of Ethics once all other members have been seated. All Board of Ethics appointments must be confirmed by the legislature.

Republican Minority Leader Ken Ronk he is “thrilled that we have gotten a bipartisan agreement on the new and improved Ulster County Ethics Law. Without proper ethics, the public can never have faith and confidence that their government is working in the best interest of all citizens.”




Popular Stories