The legislature’s resident ethics panel has decided that it’s alright for Albany lawmakers to accept food and drink at lobbyist-sponsored events, nay it’s one of their “responsibilities.” In 2007 a law forbade officials from accepting gifts of more than “nominal value,” so some outside watchdog organizations are outraged by the apparent exception. "Legislators should be meeting with their constituents, but the issue is whether it has to be over complimentary shrimp and scotch," Public Integrity Commission Executive Director Barry Ginsberg told the Daily News. more ›

After leaving the State Senate, claiming he wanted to spend time with family and then taking a job with a company with many state contracts, former Senate majority leader Joseph Bruno has officially registered as a lobbyist. Bruno, now CEO of CMA Consulting, said that his registration with the NY State Commission on Public Integrity was to "guarantee maximum transparency." He's unable to lobby lawmakers for two years, but NYPIRG's Blair Horner says Governor Paterson should make sure "former-Sen. Bruno is not to be dealt with in any manner different than any other lobbyist." more ›