NYS campaign finance reform

[bcdiogenes]

"The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law released new research that details the problems plaguing New York State's campaign finance system...

 

The new research, which was written and compiled by the Brennan Center's Ciara Torres-Spelliscy and Ari Weisbard, shows:

1. Aggregate contribution limits for individuals is $150,000 annually - or more than 3 times the median annual income for households in New York ($46,659). This limit is more than 10 times the $4,600 individuals can give to presidential candidates.

2. Although nearly half the states ban corporate contributions, New York allows up to an aggregate of $5,000 per year. However, affiliated and subsidiary corporations can also donate money, which effectively makes it legal for companies with complex corporate structures to multiply their influence.

3. New York allows unlimited donations to "housekeeping accounts" which accept money ostensibly to maintain party headquarters and staff and to hold activities that do not promote specific candidates. Others have reported that $53.2 million was given to "housekeeping accounts" between 1999 and 2006. The new report shows how one corporation was able to give $395,000 beyond the acceptable limit.

4. A lack of clear rules on how campaign contributions can be spent results in abuses that allow candidates to spend the money on personal items such as a pool cover or car expenses.

5. The state must eliminate "pay-to-play" conflicts that allow contractors to donate to elected officials who may have influence over state contracting and regulatory decisions. Similarly, contributions from lobbyists must be strictly regulated to reduce concerns about corruption.

6. The maximum civil fine for violating campaign finance disclosure rules is only $500 and those who illegally exceed the limits are not subject to any fines at all. Higher fines and additional enforcement staff are needed to act as more effective deterrents. "

 

I cut and pasted part of the report, for the full report please follow the following link: http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resou...aws_fall_short/

 

I think that #2 will be of concern to Libous. How else will the Maines boys be able to pay for everything? It's always fun to see companies from across the country contributing to the campaign for a NYS Senator that doesn't have anyone running against him!

 

Please, please, please contact your elected officials and tell them you want these issues addressed through meaningful campaign finance reform.

 

I don't think public/taxpayer money should pay for campaigns. I feel that people (not corporations) should be able to contribute limited amounts of money to campaigns. The current system lends itself to corruption - at worst, and the appearance of impropriety - at best.