Assemblyman to propose “three strikes and you’re out” bill
Republican Assemblyman Jim Tedisco is ready to play hard ball with campaign finance violators. Tedisco and two other lawmakers are hoping to introduce a “three strikes and you’re out” type of a bill for people who fail to file campaign financing reports with the state.
The possible legislation would send those who fail to file reports on three separate occasions to prison. This comes in the wake of serious scandals sweeping the state, including former state Senator Pedro Espada who was convicted of tax fraud and is awaiting sentencing. Espada owes around $30,000 in fines to the state, which the state is highly unlikely to ever see.
Tedisco says New York needs laws on the books that have teeth, so politicians are not willing to circumvent the rules. It does not seem likely for a bill of this nature to pass both houses of the general assembly, especially when the sponsor of the bill is coming from the minority party. However, Governor Andrew Cuomo is making a big push for campaign finance reforms, so an increase in penalties and enforcement is not impossible.
As Tedisco said, “Sunshine is truly the greatest disinfectant. That’s why we need to strengthen the laws to allow for full disclosure and transparency.”
Photo of Jim Tedisco courtesy of UpstateNYer on Wikipedia.
August 6, 2012 •
Governor Cuomo Signs Bill Expanding New York Procurement
New law allows municipalities to piggyback off current public contracts
Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed a bill he hopes will help ease the financial burdens facing some local governments within the state. Senate Bill 5525, which was passed by the state legislature in late June, allows all New York cities and counties to piggyback contacts from other cities and counties.
If a public contract already exists, a city or county may choose to use the contract already in existence, instead of having to solicit the work itself. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, the original contract must have followed all state and local laws involving the procurement of government contracts, including competitive bidding requirements.
The law takes effect immediately.
Guidelines to go through formal rulemaking process now
The New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics voted to approve draft regulations and guidelines for implementing the public disclosure requirement for lobbyists and their clients. The commission’s interpretation of the state’s new lobbying act states that starting July 1 certain lobbyists and lobbying employers must disclose individual funding behind their lobbying campaigns. The law would apply to donors of more than $5,000.
There will be two filed reports each year, with the first being due January 15, 2013.
Good government advocates were hoping that the law would be applied starting June 1, when the disclosure provisions were to go into effect. However, the commission said that a “fair and reasonable” reading of the law required the disclosure to begin in July.
These proposed regulations now have to be submitted through the formal rule promulgating process under state law. This means a public comment period and publication in the state register will have to occur before the rule officially goes into effect.
June 28, 2012 •
New York Legislature Passes Bill Aimed at Saving Counties Money
Bill awaits Governor’s signature
Both houses of the New York state Legislature recently passed a bill aimed at lowering procurement costs for municipalities. Senate Bill 5525 authorizes state municipalities to piggyback off existing public contracts entered into by the federal government, any state, or any municipalities within those states.
New York state municipalities will still have to abide by state contracting rules when utilizing this piggybacking ability. Therefore, the original contract must have utilized competitive bidding when necessary and the municipalities must still comply with the laws regarding minority and women owned businesses as well as any preferred source requirements.
The bill will now head to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s desk where he will decide whether to sign it into law or veto it.
Photo of the New York State Capitol by UpStateNYer on Wikipedia.
June 26, 2012 •
Supreme Court Declines New York City Campaign Finance Case
Appellate court ruled city’s laws constitutional
The United States Supreme Court declined to review a federal appeals case that held New York City’s campaign finance laws are constitutional. Tom Ognibene, a New York republican, challenged the city’s laws saying that the Citizens United decision effectively overruled the provisions.
In December, a federal appeals court disagreed with Ognibene, holding that the city’s rules prohibiting corporate contributions to political campaigns and requiring candidates to disclose all contributions from individuals and organizations were justified to prevent corruption in elections. The appellate court held that the Citizens United decision only applied to independent expenditures by corporations, not to contribution limits.
June 25, 2012 •
New York Legislature Ends Work Session
Legislators to hit campaign trail
The New York Legislature ended the working portion of its year late Friday night.
Legislative members will now head back to their respective districts to campaign in an election season that will see all 212 general assembly and senate seats up for grabs.
There is a chance that both houses could be called back to Albany for a special session following the November elections, but at this time, that does not appear to be a likely scenario.
June 14, 2012 •
NYCCFB Executive Director Testifies in Maryland
Offers insight to the Maryland Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law
Amy Loprest, Executive Director of the New York City Campaign Finance Board, testified before the Maryland Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law about the campaign finance program in New York City and its progression.
According to the Campaign Finance Board’s press release, here is Loprest’s concluding statement:
“The New York City Campaign Finance Program amplifies the voice of the average, low-dollar contributor and reduces the influence of big-dollar contributors. The result has been less potential for corruption and a remarkable broadening of participation in the electoral process. At a time when voter turnout is low and voters everywhere are increasingly cynical about government, we’re very proud that people from around the country are looking at our Program as a model for reform.”
Here is the full text of her statement.
Be sure to read: “Md. state commission targets campaign-finance loophole” in the Baltimore Business Journal.
May 22, 2012 •
New York Delays State Primary Election
State wants September 11 focus on remembrance, not politics
Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill today that will push back the state’s primary by two days, to September 13, 2012. The primary is traditionally scheduled for the second Tuesday after Labor Day, but this year that day is September 11.
Out of respect for those that attend annual September 11 memorials, the state decided to change the date of the primary. The state also moved the primary back two days in 2007 for the same reason.
The delayed primary date will push back all pre and post-primary report due dates by two days as well.
April 27, 2012 •
Campaign Finance News from New York City
Independent expenditure rules have been published by the CFB
The independent expenditure rules that were previously adopted by the New York City Campaign Finance Board were published in the City Record and have an effective date of May 16, 2012. The new rules will not be enforced for any election occurring prior to August 13, 2012.
The rules cover what type of expenditures and communications must be reported to the Board, which contributions supporting those expenditures must be reported to the Board, who must file with the Board, and when those reports have to be filed with the Board.
April 2, 2012 •
Today’s Government Ethics News
Here are the latest articles covering the federal government and the states:
Federal: “Lawmakers profit from positions in Congress” by Gary Martin in the San Antonio Express-News.
Federal: “Ethics committee: Sen. Vitter of Louisiana violated public trust in blocking Salazar salary” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.
Florida: “Senate to decide punishment on Norman ethics violation” by Brittany Davis in the Miami Herald.
Idaho: “Idaho Senate approves series of new ethics rules” by Alex Morrell and Todd Dvorak (Associated Press) in the Idaho Statesman.
Mississippi: “Lawmaker appeals $346K ethics violation order” in The Clarion-Ledger.
New York: “APNewsBreak: NY board won’t disclose hire record” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.
Ohio: “Cleveland lawmaker requests legislative group’s financial records after recent bribery charge” by Joe Guillen in The Plain Dealer.
South Carolina: “Blame enough to go around for ethics rank” in the Orangeburg Times and Democrat.
Texas: “Two-thirds of Texas congressional delegation named in report on ethics lapses” by Gary Martin in the Houston Chronicle.
April 2, 2012 •
Campaign Finance in Monday’s News
The Federal Election Commission, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy’s campaign finance plan, and the New York Legislature are featured. Here are today’s articles:
“Federal judge says Federal Election Commission went too far in shielding campaign ad donors” by The Associated Press in the Washington Post.
“US Joins Countries Not Enforcing Campaign-Finance Regulations” by Samuel Rubenfeld in the Wall Street Journal.
Connecticut: “Governor’s controversial campaign finance fix rejected” by Mark Pazniokas on CTMirror.com.
New York: “Albany to begin Act II of legislative session” by Jon Campbell in the Lower Hudson Journal News. Campaign finance will be on the agenda.
March 22, 2012 •
Stay on Top of Redistricting News
Here is a roundup of the latest articles from four states:
Arizona: “Arizona lawmakers OK money for redistricting panel” by The Associated Press in the Arizona Daily Sun.
Arizona: “Arizona redistrict panel to get more cash” by Mary Jo Pitzl in the Arizona Republic.
Florida: “Down to the wire, Senators propose last-minute changes to new Senate map” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.
Florida: “Florida Senate panel approves redistricting plan” by The Associated Press in the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Florida: “Fla. Senate panel approves redistricting plan” by Bill Kaczor in the Deseret News.
Kansas: “Kan. Senate delays vote on redistricting bill” by The Associated Press in the Salina Journal.
Kansas: “Kansas House votes down latest redistricting bill” by Fred Mann in the Wichita Eagle.
New York: “Between the Lines: Map Complete, Time to Sort Out Who’s Running” by Joshua Miller in Roll Call.
The final rules can be found online.
The New York City Campaign Finance Board has voted to adopt its final rules for the disclosure of independent expenditures.
The rules require the reporting of independent expenditures by individuals, organizations, corporations, and other entities in New York City elections.
The adopted rules are available here.
March 14, 2012 •
Redistricting News Roundup
Here are articles from four states:
Florida: “Lawmakers ready to tackle redistricting during special session” by Bill Kaczor (Associated Press) in Florida Today.
Florida: “Legislators return for special session to redraw rejected Senate map” by Mary Ellen Klas The Miami Herald.
Florida: “Senate Re-Redistricting Plan Is Flawed, Says State Dem Chair” by Brandon Larrabee in Sunshine Slate.
Kansas: “Kansas lawmakers face votes on redistricting plans” by The Associated Press in the Wichita Eagle.
Minnesota: “Redistricting maps give DFL advantage in legislative races, but …” by Eric Black on MinnPost.com.
New York: “An Update on New York Redistricting” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.
New York: “Silver bristles at Cuomo slap at NY Legislature” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.
New York: “New York: Redistricting End Is Nigh” by Joshua Miller in Roll Call.
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