David Lombardo reports in Capitol Confidential that ethics are back in Albany. Well, at least the Senate Ethics and Internal Governance Committee is back. After only meeting twice in the last two years under Republican leadership, Democrats have already led the committee to taking part in a joint hearing on sexual harassment in the workplace, and considering two bills. One proposal requires interpreters or assistive listening devices to be available for certain public hearings and meetings, and another bill would create a nonpartisan budget office to aid the state Legislature. In all, the Senate ethics committee is looking at 11 bills and a spokesperson for Chairperson Alessandra Biaggi said, “The first focus of the ethics committee is dealing with the issue of sexual harassment and ensuring that New York state is a leader in making sure everyone is safe at work,” Biaggi’s spokesman previously told the Times Union. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.