For years, Assembly Republicans have been pushing for reform of the State Legislature. Assemblywoman O'Connell and her Republican conference colleagues on Jan. 10 were granted some of their calls for reform of the State Assembly.

"I am very excited about the passage of the reforms we have been pushing for all these years," said O'Connell. "Although we still have a long way to go, this is a significant first step toward a more open and efficient government."

Included in the package of reforms passed this week are those to:

* End the practice of empty-seat voting by requiring a slow roll-call vote on each bill.

* Require budget conference committees to convene.

* Require actual meetings of the Rules Committee with published agendas that are open to the public.

* Relax motion to discharge rules to allow rank-and-file members to more easily bring legislation to the floor.

* Expand the time for unlimited resolutions and bill introductions.

The assemblywoman has been a dedicated advocate to end the practice of empty-seat voting. According to O'Connell, many members each day would sign in, then leave the chamber and never actually vote on a bill. She says this very crucial step will greatly increase assembly efficiency.

O'Connell has pledged to continue her fight for reform. She and her Republican conference colleagues plan to introduce a package of amendments to the new assembly rules next week that would further open assembly operations and "level the playing field" between majority and minority members. Some of the reforms would:

* Require committee memberships to reflect the ratio of majority to minority members in the assembly.

* Allow the ranking minority member of a committee to call public hearings.

* Require a supermajority (2/3) vote for final passage of bills that impose, continue or revive taxes.

* Revamp state budget procedures.