Steve Englebright's Tea Party-endorsed Republican opponent, Ms. Deborah McKee, has posted an ignorant and offensive story on Patch that should be addressed.
Candidate McKee incorrectly states in her posting that Assemblyman Englebright, as Chair of the Government Operations Committee is "charged with enforcing ethics and transparency in government" and proceeds from this premise to condemn Assemblyman Englebright as "corrupt." Actually, as candidate for the Assembly, Deborah McKee should know that no legislative committee – nor any member of the legislature – is empowered to enforce any law. This fact follows from the separation of powers of the various branches of government as defined in the New York State Constitution. Assemblyman Englebright's chairmanship responsibilities relate solely to the process of creating new laws and it is the constitutional responsibility of other offices such as for example, the governor and the Attorney General to enforce the laws of our state.
Sadly, Deborah McKee's false accusations are consistent with the Tea Party's reckless approach to governance. Her dishonest attempt to smear the reputation of our Assemblyman in order to replace him with herself should not be rewarded.
