Local pol looks to end accumulation of power, pass “Spirit of ’76” bill

A number of politicians, on Thursday, January 21, stood at the New York State Capitol and called for the passage of  “Spirit of ‘76” legislation – which aims to stop the accumulation of power by legislative leaders at the source.

The bill – spearheaded locally by Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis – allows for a piece of legislation that has garnered the sponsorship of 76 members of the Assembly and 32 members of the Senate, regardless of party affiliation, to bypass committee review and move to the floor for a debate and vote.

“This legislation is about reducing the power of one individual to unilaterally stop bills that have major support,” said Malliotakis. “We have seen bills to adopt mixed martial arts and tackle human trafficking that have had well over 76 sponsors, the number required to pass a bill in the Assembly, stopped by the speaker from coming to a vote on the floor.”

Electeds were joined at the Capitol by Janice Grieshaber-Geddes – a mother who advocated for the passage of “Jenna’s Law” to end parole for first-time violent felons after her daughter, Jenna Grieshaber, was murdered by a parolee in Albany. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver stopped “Jenna’s Law” from moving to the floor despite the support of 130 out of 150 Assembly members.

“This act is one of a dictatorship, not a democracy,” said Malliotakis. “These bills should be brought to the floor for proper debate, discussion and vote.”