The Independent View: NY Senate Democratic Ethics and Campaign Finance Reform for 2018 Update

Last month, New York Senate Democrats put forward a series of Bills to combat Unethical Behavior by Public Officials and help restore New Yorkers’ faith in Political Campaigns. The Senate Republican/IDC Majority has repeatedly refused to act on any meaningful Bills to Reform Political Campaigns or Curb the influence of deep-pocketed Special Interests on the Electoral Process

The Nonpartisan and Nonprofit Center for Public Integrity gave New York State a D- Grade for Integrity of state Government. This grade, which puts New York 31st in the Nation for Public Accountability and Transparency, reflects the limited access to Public Information, Inadequate Oversight, and Shadowy State Budget Process. Additionally, no meaningful Ethics Reforms resulted from the arrests of former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R), former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D), and former Senate Deputy Leader Thomas Libous (R). This Low Ranking for New York State on an issue as critical as Good Government is Unacceptable, and that is why the Senate Democratic Conference has stepped up to clean up State Government and the Campaign Finance Process.

The legislation advanced by the Senate Democratic Conference would:

· Prohibit and Punish Undisclosed ‘Self-Dealing’: This Bill, S.124, introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman (27th District), will establish Criminal Penalties for Public Servants who steer Public Contracts or Funds to help benefit themselves, their Families, and/or their Business Interests.

· Close the LLC Loophole: This Bill, S.7149, introduced by Senator Brian Kavanagh (26th District), will make Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) subject to the existing Contribution Limits for Corporations. This Bill would also increase Transparency by requiring Disclosure of the Identity of Individuals with Membership interests in LLCs and attribute Contributions to Members of LLCs. Currently a Landlord can create a LLC for each building they own. Then increase the Contributions by that number of buildings.

· Require the Disclosure of Bundlers: This Bill, S.1085-A, Sponsored by Senator Gustavo Rivera (33rd District), will define what an “Intermediary” or “Bundler” is in State Law and require that these Individuals or Groups be Disclosed to the State Board of Elections when Bundling Contributions for a Candidate or Authorized Committee.

· Require Shareholder Approval for Corporate Political Donations: This Bill, S.4111, introduced by Senator James Sanders (10th District), will require Corporations to have a Majority of their Shareholders authorize any Political Spending. I would just allow each stock Holder to Opt-Out of using their Share Value Percentage to be used for Political Spending.

· Cap “Soft Money” Contributions: This Bill, S.4164, sponsored by Senator Liz Krueger (26th District), will end the practice of Special Interests being able to Dump Unlimited Funds into Political Committee Campaign Accounts and instead Implement a Cap of $25,000.

· Lower Campaign Contribution Limits: This Bill, S.3301, introduced by Senate Democratic Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (12th District), would Lower Contribution Limits for Statewide Candidates to $6,000 for the Primary and $6,000 for the General Election. Senate Candidates would be limited to $4,000 for the Primary and $4,000 for the General Election and Assembly Candidates would be limited to $2,000 for the Primary, and $2,000 for the General Election.

· Require the Disclosure of Employer and Occupation for Large Donors: This Bill, S.7129, introduced by Senator Brian Kavanagh (26th District), will require that Campaign Committees that receive more than $500 from a Single Donor provide the State Board of Elections with that Donor’s Occupation, Employer, and Employer’s Address.

· Establish a Public Financing System for State Campaigns: This Bill, S.7593, Sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (35th District), will create an optional Public Financing system for State Campaigns. Under this system, eligible Contributions to Candidates for Statewide Office up to $250 would be Matched at the Rate of $6 for every $1. Participating Candidates could only receive Donations of up to $2,000. Candidates who are Unopposed in a General or Special Election may not receive Public Funds. All unspent Public Funds must be Returned 30 days after the Election.

We need to take action now to Restore Power to everyday New Yorkers, and Stop Wealthy Individuals, Corporations, and Interest Groups from Drowning our Democracy with huge Political Spending.