This series contains the general subject files of Assemblyman Ernest Curto's office, including: letters, memos, newsletters, press releases, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, transcripts, reports, informational booklets, notes, original legislation, resolutions, petitions, resolutions, speeches, statements, maps, and constituent correspondence.
Researchers will find that a number of these subject files have to do with Curto's Assembly committee work and legislation. Curto served as chairman of the Assembly Mortgage and Real Estate Committee, and as such, this series contains a large volume of materials from his involvement in public hearings in 1960 and 1961 that examined the mortgage lending practices of banks across New York State. These materials include hearing transcripts and committee correspondence, as well as hundreds of surveys returned to the committee from banks and other lending institutions.
Curto also served on the Assembly Ethics and Guidance Committee that was organized in 1961 to investigate corruption charges against then Assembly Speaker, Joseph Carlino. It was alleged that Carlino acted unethically by introducing a bill that would require all homeowners in New York State to build fallout shelters while serving as a paid board member of a company which built nuclear fallout shelters. The materials kept by Curto on this subject include hearing transcripts, correspondence, press releases, and newspaper clippings.
Also, Curto collected a significant amount of material pertaining to the Power Authority of New York State's work in constructing a power-generating facility on the Niagara River. Curto kept information related to federal hearings on the project, and correspondence with the Power Authority, Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation, and the City of Niagara Falls. He also kept copies of monthly progress reports and annual reports published by the Power Authority, newspaper clippings, speeches, brochures, and other materials pertaining to the project. This material dates generally from the late 1950s to the early 1960s.
Another subject area on which Curto collected a large amount of information in the early 1960s was urban renewal. Researchers will find a number of reports and other statistical data produced by the State of New York, as well as correspondence, maps, memos, and other materials related to urban renewal and urban development projects.
Researchers should note that this series contains information related to legislation that Curto introduced that banned the practice of hiring professional strikebreakers in New York State. Curto maintained information on this subject in the subject files and also in the bills series, so researchers interested in the subject should examine the materials held in both places.