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Poll Shows Many New Yorkers Say Dealing With Corruption In State Gov't Should Be A High Priority

siena.edu

A new pollfinds that voters want corruption in state government addressed before lawmakers adjourn the 2016 session. 

A full 97% of those surveyed by Siena College say that passing new laws to curb the bad behavior of lawmakers is their number one priority as the legislature returns from a three-week break.

The majority want to see legislators convicted of felonies  stripped of their public pensions, but are split on whether outside income should be limited. 

The poll comes as news of a scandal involving Governor Cuomo’s former top aide  is emerging.

The former close associate Joe Percoco may be accused of accepting payments form developers involved in Cuomo’s economic projects.  Siena’s Steve Greenberg says the pressure is on the governor and legislature to act. 

“It’s up to all three of them to get it done,” Greenberg said. “That’s what the votes are looking to them to do.” 

The poll however finds that two-thirds of those surveyed don’t believe that Cuomo and the legislature will actually pass  any real reforms. 

Karen DeWitt is Capitol Bureau chief for the New York Public News Network, composed of a dozen newsrooms across the state. She has covered state government and politics for the network since 1990.