Campaign Finance – Citizens Union

Governor Hochul’s FY 2024 Executive Budget Includes $39.5 million for New York State Public Campaign Finance Board; Fair Elections for New York Coalition Reacts

Today Governor Hochul introduced her FY 2024 executive budget. It includes $39.5 million for the state’s voluntary small donor match…

Statement from Citizens Union on Governor Kathy Hochul’s FY24 Executive Budget

February 1, 2023 - Citizens Union has issued to following statement from executive director Betsy Gotbaum in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s FY2024 executive budget, which was released earlier today

Coalition Letter Urges New York State Leaders to Protect and Strengthen Democracy in 2023

January 5, 2023 - Citizens Union joined over 100 voting, racial justice, labor, and good government groups to urge Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Heastie to continue leading on voting, election administration, and campaign finance reforms in the 2023 legislative session.

Advocacy Groups Respond to New York State Public Campaign Finance Board Budget Request for FY 2023–2024

December 16, 2022 - Yesterday the New York State Public Campaign Finance Board voted on its budget request for FY 2023–2024. The board’s commissioners approved a request totaling $114.5 million, including $100 million for future matching funds for participating campaigns and $14.5 million for program administration. The new program launched on November 9 and will provide public matching funds to participating candidates for state offices beginning with the 2024 legislative elections.

Memo of Support: Council bill requiring disclosures for independent expenditures in support of or in opposition to municipal ballot proposals, December 2022

December 13, 2022 - Memorandum of Support for Preconsidered Intro. T2022-2607A, Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to requiring disclosure of the identity of contributors to entities making independent expenditures in support of or in opposition to any municipal ballot proposal or referendum

Citizens Union’s testimony before the City Council Committee on Governmental Operations: New York City’s Campaign Finance Program in the 2021 Citywide Elections (December 13, 2022)

Letter to the Legislature on reforming campaign finance oversight and enforcement, March 2022

March 2022 - Group letter to the State Legislature to reform campaign finance oversight in New York, particularly in regards to the work of the Chief Enforcement Counsel and its relation with the State Board of Elections

Testimony before the New York City Campaign Finance Board – Post-Election Hearing, 2021 Election Cycle

Group Memo of Opposition to Council bill proposing changes to budget process for New York City Campaign Finance Board, November 2021

November 26, 2021 - a memorandum of opposition to Int 2429-2021, A local law to amend the New York City Charter, in relation to the budget of the Campaign Finance Board, which would reduce the budgetary independence of the Campaign Finance Board

Memo of Opposition to proposed legislation reducing mass-mailing blackout period before elections, October 2021

October 19, 2021 - Memorandum of Opposition to Intro. No. 0034-2018, A Local Law to amend the New York City Charter, in relation to the use of government resources during an election campaign. which would reduce the blackout period for sending official mass-mailings prior to an election

Statement from Citizens Union on the Passing of Father Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J., Founding Chair, New York City Campaign Finance Board

April 1, 2020 - Citizen’s Union, New York City’s leading good government group, issued the following statement on the passing of Father Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J:

Citizens Union Calls on Legislature to Reject Proposals Put Forth by the New York State Public Campaign Financing Commission

December 18, 2019 - We urge the State Legislature to reconvene and reject proposals put forth by the New York State Public Campaign Financing Commission

Statement Regarding New York State Campaign Finance Commission Report

The purpose of campaign finance reform is to reduce the influence of large contributions in our political system, to encourage…

Albany Passes Hsitoric Pro-Democracy Reforms, Long Championed by Citizens Union

January 14, 2019 - Today, the Senate and Assembly kept their promise to New Yorkers and passed historic reforms that will protect and expand voting rights in New York State. For too long, New York has had regressive voting laws that depress voter participation.

Citizens Union Announces Positions on Ballot Proposals for 2018 General Election

October 25, 2018 Download as a PDF For Immediate Release Media Contact: Jake Oliver [email protected] 347 361 9983 CITIZENS UNION…

Testimony on the 2017 NYC Municipal Elections

January 29, 2018 -Testimony to the New York City Campaign Finance Board On the 2017 Municipal Elections January 29, 2018…

Citizens Union Calls for Incumbent District Attorneys and District Attorney Candidates to Not Accept Campaign Contributions from Lawyers with Pending Matters

October 26, 2017 - This week, Randy Mastro, Chair of Citizens Union, sent letters to the District Attorneys of New York City, on behalf of the board.

Decision Not To Prosecute Does Not Give Green Light To Mayor To Conduct Business as Usual

March 16, 2017 - Nonprofit and political fundraising activity conducted so close to city hall decisions still not ethical.

Citizens Union Proposes City Law To Regulate New Breed Of Elected Official Formed And Affiliated Nonprofit Organizations

July 6, 2016 - Good government organization calls upon mayor de blasio and council speaker mark-viverito to enact legislation requiring such nonprofits be subject to the jurisdiction of the city’s campaign finance board. Law would require groups to register, disclose activity, limit contribution size from those with business before the city, and forbid fundraising by elected official. Law needed to curb return of “pay-to-play” culture of corruption at city hall where big money poses threat to honest government decision-making. Good government group also releases letter sent to conflicts of interest board asking if recent declaration that certain specific mayoral consultants are “agents of the city” should they be required to file financial disclosure statements.

Applauds Campaign Finance Board Action Against Illegal Campaign Spending By The Advance Group

October 9, 2015 - Increased Regulation of Independent Spending Needed at State Level.

Civics Groups Decry Albany’s Unfinished Ethics Agenda

June 26, 2015 - Urge governor, legislative leaders, to convene special session.

Civic Groups Applaud Bipartisan Assembly Vote to Close the LLC Loophole

May 14, 2015 - Our groups commend the New York State Assembly for its strong two-party action with its bipartisan vote today of 120 to 8 to pass legislation that closes the limited liability company (LLC) loophole.

Deadlock Results In No Action: NYS Board Of Elections Fails To Close LLC Loophole – Bad Public Policy And Bad For Democracy

April 16, 2015 - The LLC loophole keeps voters in the dark about contributors who pour millions of dollars into New York campaigns.

Civic Groups Call on NYS Board of Elections to Close LLC Loophole

April 13, 2015 - Ask Governor Cuomo to Publicly Voice His Support for Immediate Action.

On NY Councilmember Ruben Wills Corruption Charges

May 7, 2014 - With the news that Councilmember Ruben Wills has been charged with twelve counts of criminal misconduct, the “drip drip” of political corruption continues unfortunately to flow in New York.

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