Hochul’s millions and disclosure

Kathy Hochul faced a money challenge Aug. 24 when she became Gov. Hochul. The Friends for Kathy Hochul lieutenant governor fundraising committee had only $1.3 million and she would need much more to credibly run in the June primary against challengers like Attorney General Tish James.

The governor solved the problem by raising more money faster than anyone had ever done, only shy of Mike Bloomberg writing checks to himself. The tally will be disclosed on Jan. 18, but it could be $15 million or $20 million. On Nov. 12, 80 days in, Hochul said that she had collected $10 million, averaging $125,000 a day. Four weeks later, James dropped her campaign.

Hochul’s schedules through Oct. 9, published last week, show how she managed such a giant haul so quickly. In her first 46 days as governor, amid all kinds of government doings, there were 64 labeled “private event,” meaning generally something political, including fundraising. Some days had multiple “private events,” like Sept. 29 with seven, which was topped by eight the next day, the most ever.

On Oct. 5, her Project Sunlight Training — that’s New York’s transparency regime for public officials — was followed immediately by two private events. On Oct. 7, Hochul had a 3:30 ethics discussion with five good government group leaders. Then there were private events at 5:30 and 7:30.

The Albany Times Union reported last week that Hochul hadn’t listed any lobbyist meetings in the Project Sunlight database, as discussion of legislation is exempt. Hochul often says at press conferences that she doesn’t discuss legislation publicly, but does she discuss it with lobbyists? Project Sunlight must be broadened to include legislation.

Some of Hochul’s millions came from lobbyists and their clients, as the Times Union also reported, but fundraisers cannot be opportunities to pitch causes. If a donor grabs Hochul’s elbow to push a bill, she should beg off for a meeting with her office (a meeting that should be disclosed). Farming out fundraising to vested interests is not in the public interest.