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Buchwald Announces Support For Bill To Strip Convicted Officials' Pensions

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Assemblyman David Buchwald has announced that a bipartisan group of more than 60 assembly co-sponsors has signed on for the bill he introduced that would permit stripping state pension benefits from any public official convicted of a felony where the public's trust has been violated.  

Assemblyman Buchwald discusses a bill to cut pensions of public officials who violate the law and are convicted of a felony.

Assemblyman Buchwald discusses a bill to cut pensions of public officials who violate the law and are convicted of a felony.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Buchwald receives support from more than 60 assembly co-sponsors.

Buchwald receives support from more than 60 assembly co-sponsors.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Buchwald was joined by Chairman of the Ethics and Guidance Committee Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove), Senator George Latimer (D-Westchester), Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer (D-Yonkers) and members of the growing coalition in the legislature who co-sponsored the legislation.

“Government officials who betray the public trust should not collect a pension in the same way as those who serve honorably, and I'm pleased that over 60 members of the state assembly agree with me,” stated Buchwald.

“No matter how serious the offense, current law still assures most public employees that their state pensions cannot be challenged." 

"I promised Westchester families that I wouldn’t stand for this type of behavior, and now more than ever we need to act.”

 Assemblyman Buchwald’s bill is an amendment to the New York State Constitution aiming to strengthen the current “Public Integrity Reform Act,” which only strips pension benefits of convicted officials who first entered the State pension system after the law took effect in November 2011. Buchwald’s bill would apply to any public official, regardless of when he or she first held office.

To watch Buchwald describe the bill in more detail, click here.

Buchwald represents Bedford, Harrison, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, New Castle, North Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge and half of White Plains.

 

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