LABORING TO REVISE NEW YORK CAMPAIGN FINANCING
Unions tied to Cuomo key part of bid to push Legislature on reform
ALBANY — Two key unions with ties to Gov. Cuomo and the state Senate Democrats will be part of a major push to create a statewide campaign public finance system similar to the one in New York City.
The Communications Workers of America and Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union say the issue will be among their priorities in 2019 now that Democrats will control the state Senate.
The unions are part of a group called Fair Elections for New York that will be pushing for campaign finance and electoral reforms to be among the first issues tackled by the Legislature in 2019.
“Given the changes in the Senate and in Albany, we feel there’s more a possibility of getting it done, so it’s an increased priority this (coming) year,” said 32BJ Political Director Alison Hirsh.
“We need to change the rules of the game, the rules of our democracy, and make it more accessible for working people to really participate at all levels, including running for office.”
Cuomo has regularly included a public financing plan in his budget proposals. Legislative Democrats have also pushed the issue.
But the Senate Republicans who controlled the chamber blocked the measures from getting passed. A pilot program that affected just the state controller’s race in 2014 was a failure.
With the Republicans having lost eight seats in this month’s elections, the Democrats come January will control at least 39 of the Senate’s 63 seats, raising hopes of activists that initiatives like public financing, early voting and same-day registration will be passed.
“The governor has long supported public financing,” said Cuomo spokesman Richard Azzopardi.
The unions and the other groups that are part of the Fair Elections for New York coalition will send a letter Monday to Cuomo and legis-
lative leaders pushing for a 6-1 small donor public financing system for all statelevel and district attorney races, lower contribution limits and closing a so-called limited liability companies loophole that allows businesses to donate virtually unlimited amounts.
Under the 6-1 proposal, the state would pitch in $6 for every one dollar contributed by small donors to eligible campaigns.
And while the public financing system would be based on New York City’s program, the groups want to avoid copying the city’s Campaign Finance Board that they say has been too punitive and instead create a “functional, fair administrative agency” modeled after Connecticut’s Citizens’ Election Program.
“The influence of big corporate money on political decision making is something we are really fighting against,” said Communications Workers of America District 1 Political Director Bob Master.
Republicans have long argued taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook to finance political campaigns.
The letter going out Monday from Fair Elections for New York, which is made up of unions, government reform groups, religious organizations, progressive activist groups and tenant organizations, urges lawmakers to “make voting rights and comprehensive campaign finance reform, led by a system of public financing of elections, the first order of business in the 2019 New York State legislative session.”
In addition to public financing, the groups are calling for passage of a voting rights package that would authorize automatic and same-day voter registration, early voting, and the prevoter registration of 16- and 17-year-olds.
It would also put into law an executive order signed by Cuomo this year that allows parolees to vote.
“The incredible grassroots energy that just elected a new Senate will support them in finally reducing corporate power in Albany and elevating the voices of everyday New Yorkers,” said Karen Scharff, executive director of Citizen Action of New York.