NY AG and New Disclosure Rules

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is holding public hearings on new disclosure rules for nonprofits engaging in politics. It's the first of four hearings that will occur throughout the state, followed by Albany, Buffalo and Long Island, to allow members of the public to comment on new regulations in person.

Schneiderman wants to require that nonprofits, including 501(c)(4) organizations registered with the state, report how much of their expenditures go toward federal, state, and local campaigns.

Groups that spend at least $10,000 to influence elections in the state must file itemized schedules of expenses and contributions, and groups that spend $25,000 or more must disclose that information for every contribution over $100.

"This would bring new transparency in city and state elections, anytime there’s over $10,000 spent," said a Schneiderman spokesman.

Mayoral hopefuls Christine Quinn, Bill de Blasio, and Bill Thompson are expected to share their thoughts at the first hearing.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!

Michael H. Drucker
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NY Senate Unfinished Business

Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has talked about Campaign finance Reform. but again, the legislature failed to act on any campaign finance legislation in 2012.

In May, many Democratic Minority State Senators joined reform advocates calling for the passage of S.3584-B, Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform. This legislation would lower New York's sky-high maximum contribution limits and require donations by lobbyists to be identified. It would also significantly strengthen penalties for violating campaign finance laws.

The legislation could reduce the influence of special interest money on the legislative process by establishing a system of public matching funds that would enhance the influence of lawmakers' constituents rather than lobbyists and trade groups.

The failure to act on this legislation leaves us with yet another election season where the voice of the voter can be drowned out by special interest money.









NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!

Michael H. Drucker
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NY Protect Our Democracy

Protect our Democracy is working to pass comprehensive campaign finance reform in New York State that includes lower contribution limits, small-dollar matching funds, and greater transparency and enforcement.

Mission
Our democracy is under attack by an unprecedented wave of special interest money, and New York State has one of the worst campaign finance systems in the country, with absurdly high contribution limits, limited enforcement, and gaping loopholes. Individuals can contribute more than $60,000 to candidates in a statewide election and unlimited contributions are allowed to political party’s “housekeeping” accounts by individuals and corporations. It’s a system that is built for the big donor, not the average voter.

Protect Our Democracy is working to reform New York's campaign finance system—to reduce the influence of money and special interests in state elections, engage more citizens in the political process, and create a model for national reform. Protect Our Democracy is leading an advocacy campaign, accompanied by targeted electoral efforts through Protect Our Democracy PAC, to build a majority for reform in the New York State Legislature.

One need not look far for a blueprint for reform. New York City’s campaign finance system, which includes public matching funds, is a strong model for statewide and national reform. In New York City, small donor contributions up to $175 are matched 6:1. Contribution limits are reasonable, and enforcement is consistent. Since this system was enacted more than twenty years ago, more New York City residents have taken part in the political process by voting and contributing to candidates, and special interest influence has decreased.

Protect our Democracy is working to pass comprehensive campaign finance reform in New York state that includes low-dollar matching funds, lower contribution limits, and greater transparency and enforcement. We stand with the 74% of New Yew York State voters who support campaign finance reform that includes lower contribution limits and a system of public campaign funding. (Source: January 2012 Siena Poll.)

Passing a campaign finance reform bill—including public matching funds—will require a targeted electoral and advocacy strategy to build a majority for reform in the New York State Legislature and grow outside momentum and pressure. We will work with the Cuomo administration, lawmakers, coalition partners, and New York voters to pass robust campaign finance reform in New York during the 2012-2013 legislative session.

Use the above link for more information about this project.









NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!

Michael H. Drucker
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NY Campaign Finance Reform

During his State of the State presentation on Wednesday, Governor Cuomo called for a system of public finance for campaigns.

"I'm going to be sending you a bill on campaign finance reform that puts public financing, matched contributions, lower limits and increased enforcement at the Board of Elections," Cuomo said toward the end of his speech. "Let's have elections that New Yorkers can be proud of also. Let's have campaign finance reform and let's do it this year."

Good-government advocates have long said New York's limits are out of whack: An individual may donate $60,800 to a gubernatorial candidate and a unlimited amount to a party's "housekeeping" committee.

In his 2010 campaign platform, Cuomo included a pledge to move toward public financing, where small donations are matched with a common pool of taxpayer dollars. But his declaration Wednesday surprised many with its prominence and strength.

"We've never seen this kind of up-front support from a governor before," said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause.

Cuomo has been a prodigious fundraiser, raking in $34.8 million for his successful 2010 run — four times that of his Republican opponent, Carl Paladino, according to an analysis by the New York Public Interest Research Group. He has continued raising at a brisk clip, holding a birthday party last month where guests paid as much as $2,500 a ticket.

Until now, Cuomo's reform rhetoric has focused in other areas; while Assembly Democrats favor public financing, Senate Republicans have historically opposed it.

He did broker a bill requiring legislators to disclose more of their outside income and creating a new commission to serve as the Capitol's ethics watchdog.

But with all this talk of public financing, many states and the federal government is talking about removing, and in some cases already removed, that little check box on state tax forms.









NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote!

Michael H. Drucker
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