Clean Elections

Cleaning Up Albany : Campaign Finance Reform

A public campaign finance system in New York would be the most important political reform in a generation, leveling the political playing field between those who have lots of money to spend to to influence politics, and those who don't.

How to do it:

The State Assembly passed the ‘Campaign Finance Reform Act ‘ ( A.11507-A/ Silver), in June. This measure would provide public matching funds to candidates who agree to limit private contributions to their campaigns and cap campaign spending, along the lines of the groundbreaking New York City Campaign Finance Law.  Individual donations would be capped at $2,000.  Donations from state residents up to $250 would be matched at a rate of $4 for every $1 raised.  

The bill limits spending for participating candidates to $350,000 for State Senate races and $150,000 for the State Assembly, a fraction of the millions that were spent in two recent special elections for the State Senate.

To qualify, candidates would have to demonstrate their support by raising a minimum number of matchable small dollar contributions, 100 for State Assembly and 250 for State Senate.

How to pay for it:

A voluntary $5 check-off on state income taxes would pay most of the costs of providing public campaign funds to qualifying candidates.

The rest would be more than paid for by ending the billions of dollars of corporate welfare that special interest money creates. In other words, not only would public campaign finance empower New York 's working families, it would cut down on government waste and help balance the budget.

Where things stand:

The Assembly passed the Campaign Finance Reform Act in June, in order for it to become law, the Senate must pass similar legislation, and the Governor must sign it ( and if all this happens next session, the Assembly will have to pass a bill again ) .

What it would mean for working families:

Imagine Albany without the corrupting influence of money. Imagine if politicians spent their time debating legislation, instead of fundraising for their next campaign.

Public campaign finance would mean the interests of big money donors, like health insurance companies and real estate titans, would no longer trump those of ordinary voters.

Details of the Campaign Finance Reform Act:

Governor: Must collect not less than $900,000 from at least 9,000 matchable contributions made up of sums of up to $250 per individual contributor who resides in New York State .

Lt. Governor (primary only), Attorney General and Comptroller: Must collect not less than $300,000 from at least 3,000 matchable contributions made up of sums of up to $250 per individual contributor who resides in New York State .

Senate: Must collect not less than $25,000 from at least 250 matchable contributions made up of sums of up to $250 per individual contributor who resides in New York State including at least $12,500 from at least 125 individual contributors who reside in the Senate District in which the seat is to be filled.

Assembly: Must collect not less than $10,000 from at least 100 matchable contributions made up of sums of up to $250 per individual contributor who resides in New York State including at least $5,000 from at least 50 individual contributors who reside in the Assembly District in which the seat is to be filled.

Expenditure Limits: