Campaign Finance Reform

City Council Speaker Peter Vallone and Public Advocate Mark Green have proposed a landmark campaign finance bill that is under consideration by the City Council Governmental Operations Committee. The bill, which is supported by ADA (as well as NYPIRG and other good government organizations), would change the face of New York City elections, and give us one of the best systems of public campaign financing in the country.

 

What the bill would do:

 

Lower contribution limits. Citywide maximum donations would drop from $8,500 to $5,000, Borough Presidents from $6,500 to $3,500, and Councilmembers from $3,950 to $2,500.

 

Increase public matching funds. Candidates who forsake corporate contributions would receive $4.00 in matching funds for every $1.00 raised from fellow New Yorkers in donations of $250 or less.

 

Increase disclosure. PACs that contribute to a candidate would be forced to disclose contributions to the Campaign Finance Board.

 

Ban incumbent use of government resources to pay for advertisements near election day. In the last election year Mayor Giuliani spent over $1,000,000 in taxpayer money for ads for recycling and tax-free clothing week, featuring himself. The new law would close this loophole.

 

The law is not perfect, and we would like to see lower limits in some cases, but we at ADA are pleased that there is a campaign finance law with teeth actually on the table.

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