New York voters rejected a ballot question calling for a constitutional convention. If passed, a constitutional convention would have been set for 2019 and would have allowed a total review of the New York Constitution. The question is automatically added to the ballot every 20 years.

On the other hand, voters approved a proposal revoking the pension of a public official convicted of a felony and another proposal creating a forest preserve land bank for qualifying local projects.

In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio won a second term as Mayor. De Blasio’s victory marks the first time in 32 years a Democratic mayor was re-elected in New York City.

Additionally, Democrat Byron Brown won his fourth term as Mayor of Buffalo.

The New York Legislature’s two-day special session adjourned sine die on June 29, 2017.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the special session to enact legislation extending mayoral control over the city of New York’s school district. The legislation extends city control over the city district for two years.

Barring another special session, the Legislature is set to return in January 2018.

The 2017 legislative session adjourned shortly before midnight on June 21, 2017.

Lawmakers adjourned the session without a deal to extend New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s control over New York City Schools. The current agreement lapses on June 30, 2017.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie stated there is no plan to return as the Assembly is comfortable with the bill they passed in May.

Heastie’s statement is available at http://assembly.state.ny.us/Press/20170622/.

On June 15, 2017, the New York City Campaign Finance Board approved rules to be effective on July 23, 2017.

Under the new rules, a candidate does not have to inquire whether a contributor is doing business with the city and prohibits matching public funds for contributions intermediated by individuals doing business with the city.

The final rules are available at http://www.nyccfb.info/pdf/CFB_Notice_of_Final_Rulemaking_6-15-17.pdf.

Several bills related to campaign finance were recently passed by the New York City Council.

Int. No. 1345-A will prohibit donations above $400 per year from people who are lobbyists, have city contracts, do business with the city, or non-governmental entities controlled by a local elected official or their agents. Int. No. 1352 will require a notice regarding the contribution limits for persons doing business with the city be provided to contributors. Additionally, Int. No. 1361-A will require contributions in a special election be counted towards the threshold for eligibility and matching for public funds candidates.

Some of the more technical bills will require public funds candidates to deposit contributions by a certain date (Int. No. 1351-A), mandate the Campaign Finance Board to prepare electronic disclosure reports to meet state disclosure requirements (Int. No. 1349-A), allow candidates to return campaign contributions to protect their reputational interest (Int. No. 1353-A), and require the doing business database to display the date a person is considered doing business with the city (Int. No. 1361).

The bills are awaiting the mayor’s signature and are effective as listed in the respective bills.

On November 17, 2016, The New York City Campaign Finance Board approved rule changes from September.

The purpose of the new rules is to reduce coordination between campaigns and independent expenditure groups by adding two new factors to determine coordination between the two groups. Another rule codifies an advisory opinion stating once an individual has been compensated for a service, he or she may no longer be considered a volunteer for the previously compensated service.

The entire notice of the final rules can be found here. The final rules will be published in The City Record on November 25, 2016, and will be effective on December 27, 2016.

On November 16, 2016, Gov. Andrew Cuomo released a statement proposing plans to limit campaign contributions and close loopholes for those doing business with the state.

In response to contracting scandals at state universities, Cuomo intends to appoint inspectors general to investigate fraud and abuse at the State University of New York and the City University of New York.

Furthermore, Cuomo will appoint a chief procurement officer to review all state contracts and grants for the purpose of re-establishing public trust. The entire statement can be accessed here.

Photo of Governor Cuomo courtesy of Pat Arnow on Wikipedia.

The New York City Council plans to hear legislation aimed at limiting contributions from contributors who have city business to groups directed or affiliated with an elected official.

The bill, yet to be released publicly, will likely limit contributions to hundreds of dollars and require city or public officials to report contributors annually.

The bill will likely be introduced to City Council within two weeks.

The Office of the City Clerk released an advisory opinion to clarify language in the city administrative code.

Pursuant to Administrative Code §3-211(c), “lobbying” or “lobbying activities” include any attempt to influence any determination made by an employee of the city with respect to the terms of the acquisition or disposition by the city of any interest in real property, with respect to a license or permit for the use of real property of or by the city, or with respect to a franchise, concession or revocable consent.

Due to the above language, builders were concerned obtaining a building permit would be considered lobbying activity. In Advisory Opinion 2016-1, the city clerk concluded an application to the Department of Buildings (DOB) for work permits and any ensuing communications with employees of the DOB are not lobbying or a lobbying activity under the Administrative Code.

Photo of New York City by AngMoKio on Wikimedia Commons.

Rose Gill Hearn, chairwoman of the New York City Campaign Finance Board (NYCCFB), will step down in December.

In Hearn’s September resignation letter, she stated her heavy work load from her primary job as the reason for her departure as chairwoman.

The chairperson of the NYCCFB is appointed by the sitting mayor and serves for five years.

Photo of New York City by AngMoKio on Wikimedia Commons.

The New York City Campaign Finance Board has proposed several rule changes.

Dependent on any amendment to the proposed rules, the board aims at reducing coordination between campaigns and independent expenditure groups by adding two new factors to determine coordination between the two groups. Another proposed rule codifies an advisory opinion stating once an individual has been compensated for a service, he or she may no longer be considered a volunteer for the previously compensated service.

The entire notice of proposed rules can be found at http://www.nyccfb.info/law/rules/proposed-rules. As the public comment period is over, the board will consider feedback and likely adopt the final rules in October. The final rules are required to be published by the city clerk and would become effective 30 days from publication.

Photo of the New York City skyline by AngMoKio on Wikimedia Commons.

The New York City Campaign Finance Board has launched a new online tool to track individual contributions to participating 2017 candidates.

The visualization of individual contributions is searchable by office, candidates, geography, and filing period.

The interactive map may be found at http://maps.nyccfb.info/.

The New York City Council is scheduled to review a package of eight campaign finance reform bills on May 2, 2016. The bills seek to increase transparency and prevent lobbyists from bundling contributions to candidates.

The bills are based on recommendations made by the New York City Campaign Finance Board in their 2013 post-election report. The legislation package was introduced with the goal of having reforms made prior to the 2017 municipal election cycle.

Photo of the New York City Hall by Momos on Wikipedia.

City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito has agreed to pay $7,000 to settle charges of campaign finance violations. Mark-Viverito was accused of accepting free consulting advice from a lobbyist in her efforts to land her position in 2013. In addition to the $7,000 fine, Mark-Viverito must pay over $3,700 to the Advance Group, who was the consulting organization giving her free advice.

Along with Mark-Viverito, Scott Levenson, the Advance Group’s president and a registered lobbyist, was also fined $4,000 for his role in the matter. The Advance Group was previously fined $15,000 by the New York City Campaign Finance Board and $10,800 by the state of New York for other violations in the 2013 elections.

Photo of City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito by wiscDennis on Wikimedia Commons.