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NYS Lawmakers Move Forward On Anti-Corruption Legislation, Fantasy Sports, As Session Ends

wshu.org

(AP) Top lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo have reached a deal on a proposed Constitutional amendment to strip the state pensions from lawmakers convicted of corruption. The Constitutional amendment requires voter approval.

The compromise announced Friday night would also strengthen laws prohibiting campaigns from working with so-called independent political organizations, which can spend limitless amounts of money, as a way to circumvent campaign finance limits.

Additionally the legislation would make changes to disclosure rules, requiring political consultants to identify clients while expanding reporting requirements to cover smaller lobbying efforts.

The changes wouldn't go nearly as far as the reforms government reform advocates say are needed to address Albany's chronic corruption problem.

Nevertheless, Cuomo says they will increase government transparency.

A bill legalizing, regulating and taxing online daily fantasy sports in New York state is on its way to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The Senate passed the legislation early Saturday morning as lawmakers worked to end their 2016 session. The Assembly has already endorsed the measure.

It was introduced after New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said last year that the games amounted to illegal gambling.

The largest commercial fantasy sports operators, FanDuel and DraftKings, agreed in March to stop taking bets in New York as lawmakers took up the issue.

Cuomo, a Democrat, has not said whether he supports the legislation.

Lawmakers had earlier agreed to proposals to combat opioid addiction, expand breast cancer screening and change alcohol laws to allow bars and restaurants to sell alcohol before noon on Sundays.

"Sensibly reforming these laws will support the economic vitality of thousands of small businesses while also responding to the growing demand of New Yorkers who wish to enjoy a simple freedom on Sunday morning," said Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle, D-Rochester.

The final significant deal of the session came when legislative leaders and Cuomo agreed to a one-year extension of the policy giving the mayor of New York control over his city's schools. Mayor Bill de Blasio had sought a seven-year extension of the policy, first enacted in 2002. Cuomo and Assembly Democrats supported a three-year renewal but Senate Republicans insisted on one year. The Republicans also successfully added a requirement that city schools publish information on their spending.

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