Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake announced Friday that he’s taking a job as a political consultant — without leaving office.
The first-term Democrat’s hiring at Hilltop Public Solutions comes amid calls for a ban on such outside income following the convictions of ex-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and ex-Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.
The state Legislative Ethics Commission approved the job, concluding that it would not conflict with his legislative duties.
Michael Benjamin, who preceded Blake in the same Assembly seat from 2003 to 2010, criticized the arrangement.
“This isn’t appropriate given the climate we’re in,” he said. “Not everything that is legal is appropriate for a sitting lawmaker.”
Blake, who worked on President Obama’s campaign, defended his new gig.
“Given my experience in the White House, I will be doing national and international consulting, and there’s a firewall where it will not conflict with my position with the state,” he said.
But Benjamin noted Hilltop could be required to register as an Albany lobbyist under rules being considered by the state.
Hilltop has close ties to Mayor de Blasio, having worked to elect him in 2013.
http://nypost.com/2015/12/12/bronx-pol-announces-side-job-on-same-day-as-skelos-conviction/
