Public Campaign - New York

Suggested Repairs

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:18:26 +0000

Kelly Williams and Andrew Stengel of the Brennan Center call out Albany lawmakers for shooting down ethics bills that could address major areas of concern for New York Voters. The pair chides state legislators for watering down recent ethics bills and encourages a number of reforms including full public financing of campaigns, like the Clean Elections program enjoying success in neighboring Connecticut.

Next Up, New York?

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:58:19 +0000

Depending on how the state legislative elections results shake out in New York come November we could be looking at much improved odds for passing a Clean Elections bill there in the coming year. New York Governor David Paterson (D) is certainly a supporter of Clean Elections, if not the most outspoken on the subject, and state activists are keeping up the drumbeat for movement on legislation -- see this letter to the editor in Binghamton.

Cash for Care

Katie Schlieper — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:13:42 +0000

Another letter in support of full public financing of campaigns in New York in today's Ithaca Journal. This one, by Christine Niskanen focuses on health care and the way debate about making health care more affordable and accessible has been corrupted by the campaign donations happening behind the scenes.

Clean Elections Comes First

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:02:16 +0000

Wanda Mead Campbell of Binghamton, New York has this letter published in today's Ithaca Journal pointing out the many badly needed policy decisions that will never happen so long as candidates for the state legislature must turn to special interests to raise campaign cash every few years. The only solution, she writes, is Clean Elections for New York.

Always Going Up

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:43:01 +0000

New York's is a relatively unregulated campaign finance system and while efforts to quell big money's influence and move towards public financing of campaigns are moving forward in New York City, when it comes to who heads to the statehouse in Albany, the traditional money tree is still being shaken. This article in the Uttica Observer-Dispatch explains why, even with the economy going sour, campaign raising and spending will keep going up.

Avella Goes for Clean Elections

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:57:51 +0000

New York City Councilman Tony Avella is prepping a Clean Elections bill for the city council to consider that would go a step beyond the city's current matching funds program to address the influence of special interest money in city elections.

Fresh Eyes

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:52:37 +0000

The decision on the Millionaire's Amendment by the Supreme Court seems to have stirred up a little fresh debate on the subject of campaign finance, and public financing of elections. From the editorial desk of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle to the letters page of The Tennessean people are wondering just how pervasive the influence of money on campaigns is, and whether full public financing of campaigns is the solution.

Views from All Over

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:01:17 +0000

Papers in New Jersey and Alaska are rallying behind Clean Elections, and the Albany Times-Union runs an op-ed urging New York Governor David Patterson and the state legislature to advance public financing of elections. Is it my birthday?

A Little Let Down

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:53:40 +0000

New York Governor David Paterson and his predecessor Eliot Spitzer got a talking to from groups interested in campaign finance issues and particularly public financing of elections. The state legislative session is about to adjourn with no significant progress made on the many campaign promises the two made to clean up Albany, and aggressively pursue a full public financing program for the state's elections.

Panel for Queens

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:20:13 +0000

For those of you in New York City, especially those of you in and around Queens -- there will be a Clean Elections panel discussion tomorrow, Thursday May 15th at 7pm at All Saints Church to discuss how campaign finance, Clean Elections, and the movement for social justice are related. Citizen Action of New York and the West Queens Independent Democratic Club are co-hosting, with the help of several other groups.