The New York Assembly Speaker says chances for Gov. Paterson’s ethics reforms are slim.
The governor’s proposal would combine the Commission on Public Integrity, which oversees executive branch ethics, with the Legislative Ethics Commission. Both commissions have been the subject of criticism. The governor’s overhaul is backed by watchdog groups and received some major help on Tuesday when the Senate introduced a similar measure, written by Senator Daniel L. Squadron of Brooklyn and co-sponsored by 18 other Democrats.