September 11, 2015 •
New York State Rep. Under Investigation by Ethics Panel
State Rep. Angela Wozniak is being investigated by the Assembly Ethics Commission following claims of sexual harassment. A male member of her staff made the complaint against her. Wozniak’s attorney, Steven Cohen, would make no comment beyond stating the representative […]
State Rep. Angela Wozniak is being investigated by the Assembly Ethics Commission following claims of sexual harassment.
A male member of her staff made the complaint against her.
Wozniak’s attorney, Steven Cohen, would make no comment beyond stating the representative is cooperating with the ethics panel and fully expects her to be exonerated.
Photo of Rep. Angela Wozniak by KittyHawk2015 on Wikimedia Commons.
July 28, 2015 •
NY Senator John Sampson Convicted of Felony
Another New York state senator has been convicted of a felony, thereby losing his Senate seat. Democrat John L. Sampson was convicted of obstructing justice in connection with his efforts to avoid a federal investigation into alleged embezzlement of state […]
Another New York state senator has been convicted of a felony, thereby losing his Senate seat. Democrat John L. Sampson was convicted of obstructing justice in connection with his efforts to avoid a federal investigation into alleged embezzlement of state funds.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has not yet set a date for a special election to fill Sampson’s seat; however, it is anticipated the special election will coincide with the regularly scheduled November general election, where Thomas Libous’s Senate seat will also be on the ballot.
Libous was convicted of a felony surrounding allegations he lied to federal agents.
Photo of John L. Sampson courtesy of the New York Senate website.
July 23, 2015 •
NY Senate Deputy Majority Leader Libous Convicted of Felony
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Thomas Libous was convicted of felony charges resulting from a federal investigation into a job his son received at a politically connected law firm. Because he was found guilty, Libous is automatically removed from his Senate […]
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Thomas Libous was convicted of felony charges resulting from a federal investigation into a job his son received at a politically connected law firm.
Because he was found guilty, Libous is automatically removed from his Senate seat according to state law. His ouster leaves Senate Republicans with a slim majority and puts a renewed significance on the November 2015 elections.
Libous’ seat will be on the ballot on November 3, 2015, unless Gov. Cuomo calls a special election sooner.
Photo of Sen. Thomas Libous by Emmanuel Priest on Wikimedia Commons
July 23, 2015 •
Lawsuit Filed Challenging New York’s ‘LLC Loophole’
The Brennan Center for Justice, on behalf of several New York lawmakers, filed suit against the New York State Board of Elections, challenging a 1996 board ruling that treats limited liability companies (LLCs) as individuals. The ruling has the result […]
The Brennan Center for Justice, on behalf of several New York lawmakers, filed suit against the New York State Board of Elections, challenging a 1996 board ruling that treats limited liability companies (LLCs) as individuals. The ruling has the result of creating a loophole allowing LLCs to circumvent stricter contribution limits imposed upon other business entities, namely partnerships and corporations.
The board had an opportunity to overturn its 1996 ruling at its April 2015 board meeting, but board members split along party lines to uphold the ruling, thus prompting the Brennan Center for Justice to file suit.
Plaintiffs allege the LLC loophole allows special interest groups to funnel tens of millions of dollars into political campaigns without transparency. Corporate contributions are limited to $5,000 per calendar year; partnerships are limited to $2,500 per calendar year at the partnership entity level. Under the 1996 board ruling, LLCs can contribute substantially more than other business entities because they are treated as individuals.
The lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court of New York, County of Albany.
July 21, 2015 •
Executive Director of NY’s JCOPE Resigns
Executive Director of New York’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics Letizia Tagliafierro is resigning, effective July 31, 2015. Tagliafierro has served as the executive director since October of 2013. She is moving to the state Department of Taxation and Finance […]
Executive Director of New York’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics Letizia Tagliafierro is resigning, effective July 31, 2015.
Tagliafierro has served as the executive director since October of 2013. She is moving to the state Department of Taxation and Finance where she will be a deputy commissioner, leading the criminal investigations division.
The next meeting of the JCOPE is scheduled for August 4 and the commissioners are expected to begin a national search for a replacement for Tagliafierro.
July 15, 2015 •
Proposed Rules to New York City’s Lobbying Law
The Office of the City Clerk has proposed amended rules to chapter 1 of title 51 of the Rules of the City of New York pursuant to the enactment of Local Law 129 of 2013, which amended the city’s lobbying […]
The Office of the City Clerk has proposed amended rules to chapter 1 of title 51 of the Rules of the City of New York pursuant to the enactment of Local Law 129 of 2013, which amended the city’s lobbying law.
The rules propose the following: set forth the procedure for enrolling in e-Lobbyist; define the roles of principal officer, designee, and compliance officer; provide requirements for retainers and authorization letters; indicate when filing extensions may be obtained; set forth the procedures for obtaining a waiver of late filing penalties; establish enforcement procedures; and create an amnesty program.
The amnesty program sets forth eligibility criteria for lobbyists and clients who have not previously complied with the city’s lobbying law, allowing such individuals to come into compliance without penalty for a given period of time.
A public hearing was held and the proposed rules are still under consideration by the Lobbying Bureau.
June 26, 2015 •
NY State Assembly Ends 2015 Session
The New York State Assembly has ended its 2015 legislative session as of Thursday, June 25, 2015. The session was originally slated to end June 17, 2015, but final details of an omnibus bill related to rent regulations and property […]
The New York State Assembly has ended its 2015 legislative session as of Thursday, June 25, 2015.
The session was originally slated to end June 17, 2015, but final details of an omnibus bill related to rent regulations and property tax rebates were still being negotiated until almost midnight on June 25.
One unique provision of the bill grants Gov. Andrew Cuomo the authority to perform marriage ceremonies.
May 22, 2015 •
Suffolk County Legislature Passes Lobbying Resolution
The Suffolk County Legislature passed a resolution on May 12, 2015, to strengthen county lobbying law. Resolution 356 amends the definition of lobbying to include every person or organization retained, employed, or designated by any client to engage in lobbying […]
The Suffolk County Legislature passed a resolution on May 12, 2015, to strengthen county lobbying law. Resolution 356 amends the definition of lobbying to include every person or organization retained, employed, or designated by any client to engage in lobbying before the county.
The ordinance also changes the administering body of lobbying regulations to the Clerk of the Legislature.
The resolution becomes effective upon approval by the County Executive; such approval is expected as early as the end of June.
May 14, 2015 •
NY Senate Majority Leader Resigns after His Arrest
New York Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has resigned following his arrest on federal corruption charges. John J. Flanagan was formally elected to succeed Skelos on May 11, 2015. Skelos’ resignation comes just weeks after the resignation of Sheldon Silver, […]
New York Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has resigned following his arrest on federal corruption charges. John J. Flanagan was formally elected to succeed Skelos on May 11, 2015.
Skelos’ resignation comes just weeks after the resignation of Sheldon Silver, former Speaker of the Assembly, following Silver’s arrest on similar charges. Skelos will keep his seat in the Senate even as his prosecution is ongoing.
April 17, 2015 •
Change to New York Legislative Law Now in Effect
Senate Bill 2006 was enacted this week and effective immediately upon Gov. Cuomo’s signature. The bill amends lobbyist registration requirements by expanding the definition of municipality to include jurisdictional subdivisions with a population of 5,000 or more as well as […]
Senate Bill 2006 was enacted this week and effective immediately upon Gov. Cuomo’s signature. The bill amends lobbyist registration requirements by expanding the definition of municipality to include jurisdictional subdivisions with a population of 5,000 or more as well as school districts.
This change will have a large impact on interactions with local officials throughout the state of New York, potentially requiring lobbyist registration at the state level for interactions with local officials from municipalities with populations of 5,000 or more as well as with school district officials.
The registration threshold of $5,000 has not changed; however, Senate Bill 2006 has vastly broadened the spectrum of activity considered lobbying.
April 6, 2015 •
NY State Budget Includes Expansion of Lobbying Law
As part of the 2015-2016 state budget, the New York State Assembly passed a bill vastly expanding the application of the state’s legislative law. Senate Bill 2006-B amends the definition of municipality to include all jurisdictional subdivisions of the state […]
As part of the 2015-2016 state budget, the New York State Assembly passed a bill vastly expanding the application of the state’s legislative law. Senate Bill 2006-B amends the definition of municipality to include all jurisdictional subdivisions of the state with a population of more than 5,000, including school districts.
Jurisdictional subdivisions meeting this population threshold are now encompassed by lobbyist registration and reporting at the state level. As a result, communications with local officials once exempt from consideration as lobbying will now require disclosure to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics.
This provision of law takes effect immediately upon the governor’s formal approval, which is expected in the coming days.
February 20, 2015 •
NY Gov. Sets Date for Special Election: May 5, 2015
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called a special election for May 5, 2015, to fill the congressional vacancy left by former Rep. Michael Grimm. A federal judge compelled the governor to set a date for the election by February 20, 2015. […]
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called a special election for May 5, 2015, to fill the congressional vacancy left by former Rep. Michael Grimm.
A federal judge compelled the governor to set a date for the election by February 20, 2015.
Political parties now have 12 days to designate their candidates and a few short months to campaign.
Photo of Gov. Cuomo courtesy of Pat Arnow on Wikimedia Commons.
February 18, 2015 •
NY Gov. Cuomo Ordered to Call Special Election
A federal judge has ordered Gov. Andrew Cuomo to set a date by Friday, February 20, 2015, for a special election filling the congressional vacancy left by former Rep. Michael Grimm. Judge Jack Weinstein wrote in his opinion the constituents […]
A federal judge has ordered Gov. Andrew Cuomo to set a date by Friday, February 20, 2015, for a special election filling the congressional vacancy left by former Rep. Michael Grimm.
Judge Jack Weinstein wrote in his opinion the constituents of the 11th Congressional District, mostly covering Staten Island, are “bereft of an advocate to help them navigate the morass of government bureaucracy.”
Shortly after the federal court issued its opinion, the governor’s spokeswoman made a statement saying Cuomo will announce a date for the special election “shortly.” If Cuomo does not set a date by Friday, February 20, 2015, the judge will set a date “as promptly as the law will allow.”
February 10, 2015 •
NY’s JCOPE Issues Report, Recommendations for Statewide Ethics Reform
On February 2, 2015, the commissioners of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) issued a report to the governor and the Legislature outlining requested changes to existing ethics and lobbying laws. Among their recommendations are mandatory electronic filing for […]
On February 2, 2015, the commissioners of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) issued a report to the governor and the Legislature outlining requested changes to existing ethics and lobbying laws. Among their recommendations are mandatory electronic filing for lobbyists and lobbyist employers, disclosure of political consulting or fundraising activities undertaken by lobbyists, assessment of financial penalties for non-compliance with audits, and barring individuals or entities from acting as lobbyists if they have repeat violations of the Lobbying Act.
The report also notes the need for a review of the Lobbying Act to ensure all forms of government advocacy, including grassroots lobbying and strategic consulting, are being captured for reporting purposes.
According to the Times Union, Gov. Cuomo said he is willing to delay budget negotiations in exchange for an ethics reform package from the Legislature, incorporating the recommendations of the JCOPE.
The entire report is available here.
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