April 2009

The Honorable David A. Paterson Governor of New York
The Honorable Malcolm A. Smith Majority Leader of the Senate	The Honorable Sheldon Silver Speaker of the Assembly
The Honorable Dean G. Skelos Minority Leader of the Senate	The Honorable Brian M. Kolb Minority Leader of the Assembly

To the Honorable David A. Paterson and Members of the Legislature:

On behalf of the Commissioners and staff of the New York State Commission on Public Integrity, I am pleased to present you with this 2008 Annual Report.

This report details the first full year of the Commission, which was created in 2007 when the New York State Ethics Commission and the New York Temporary State Commission on Lobbying were combined. Descriptions of investigations, training, enforcement activities, and advisory opinions, as well as the Commission's legislative proposals for the current year are included. The report also notes the significant increase in the number of lobbyists, despite just a small increase in total spending.

Like other State agencies, the Commission has had to perform its work with an increasingly restrictive budget, leading to cutbacks in personnel, travel and other expenditures. We have adjusted to these fiscal realities while continuing to fulfill our responsibilities as required by law. The Commission could not have successfully performed its work and met its challenges without the dedication and skill of its staff. Whatever credit is due, a large measure deservingly goes to these women and men.