FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2019
Contact: Jake Oliver, jake@anatgerstein.com, (347) 361-9983

December 02, 2019, New York, NY— Citizens Union has issued the following statement from Executive Director Betsy Gotbaum expressing disappointment with the proposals released by the New York State Public Campaign Financing Commission:

We are disappointed that the state Public Campaign Finance Commission has released a series of recommendations that fall short of creating a political system that is fair and open to all New Yorkers.

Citizens Union has long called for sweeping reforms that would reduce the undue influence and corruption that New York State’s deeply flawed campaign finance laws make possible. We advocated for a public matching funds program, strict limits on campaign contributions, restrictions on contributions from entities doing business with the state, and an independent agency to conduct real oversight of the system. 

The commission had an opportunity to empower voters and strengthen democracy. Instead, the commission decided to protect the interests of Albany insiders. Their proposals include contribution limits higher than those for federal and New York City elections, no limits on contributions to party committees, no restrictions on contributors doing business with the state, and no independent oversight.
 
Additionally, the commission has spent much of its time debating fusion voting, a serious distraction from the task they were charged with, and ended up making it harder for small parties and candidates to run in elections.

We are hopeful that the legislature will reconvene and strengthen these proposals. New Yorkers deserve a political system that values every voice and engages every voter.

About Citizens Union
For 120 years, Citizens Union (CU) has been a force for transparency, accountability and ethics in New York’s City and State governments. A nonpartisan organization, some of our current initiatives include increased voter participation and civic engagement, greater police accountability, and an accurate 2020 census. Learn more at www.citizensunion.org.