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 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.

The New York City Campaign Finance Board’s newly approved rules permitting candidates enrolled in the public matching funds program to receive contributions via text message took effect January 20, 2015.

The rules permit public funds to match the text message contribution once those contributions are paid via the contributor’s phone bill.

The rules further establish record keeping requirements for text message contributions and a process to certify the identity of the contributor.

Photo of Manhattan courtesy of AngMoKio on Wikipedia.

The New York City Campaign Finance Board experienced a phishing attack of its email system this morning.

The board instructs any users who have received an email from any staff member referencing an “Invoice Paid” in the subject line to delete the message immediately. Call (212) 409-1800 with questions.

In its December 11, 2014, meeting, the New York City Campaign Finance Board approved rules implementing Local Law 116 of 2013, which permits candidates receiving public matching funds to receive contributions via text message.

The rules permit public funds to match the text message contribution once those contributions are paid via the contributor’s phone bill. The rules further establish record keeping requirements for text message contributions and a process to certify the identity of the contributor.

The rules will take effect 30 days after final publication in The City Record.

The New York City Campaign Finance Board has proposed rules regulating political contributions by text message. The rules set forth the eligibility requirements for public funds matching of text message contributions, the process of record keeping requirements for such contributions, and requirements of contributors to certify their identities when making text message contributions.

The rules are open for public comment until November 20, 2014. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.