New York Governor Vetoes Ethics Bill, Saying It Isn’t Real Reform

Mr. Paterson said the proposals, which would give the Legislature the power to appoint a commission to police itself, were insufficient.

“The only way to bring fairness and openness to government is to fundamentally reform the way Albany operates,” Mr. Paterson said. “We must bring fundamental change to the culture of Planet Albany, and finally put the interests of the people of New York ahead of lobbyists and special interests.”

The prospect that any efforts to overhaul the state’s ethics laws and impose reform on Albany will succeed this year is now uncertain. The proposal appeared to lack critical Republican support in the Senate to override Mr. Paterson’s veto. An override requires 42 votes, and the Democrats have a 32-to-30 majority.

With tensions between the governor and the Legislature running high, a compromise anytime soon seemed unlikely.