campaign finance reform

IDC Takes Proposed Campaign Finance Bill On The Road

Allison Dunne — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:57:31 +0000

A group of New York state Senators held a public hearing Wednesday on a proposed campaign finance reform bill. They say with the most recent lawmaker names that have emerged in connection with a federal corruption investigation, the need for such reform is all the more urgent.

Congressional Corner with Paul Tonko

Alan Chartock — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:50:00 +0000

Campaign finance reform has become a perpetual goal for reformers.

In today’s Congressional Corner, New York representative Paul Tonko, a Democrat who represents the 20th district, tells WAMC’s Alan Chartock that he is hopeful a supportive bipartisan coalition can be cobbled together in the House.

NYS Senator Says The Need For Reform Is Urgent

Allison Dunne — Wed, 08 May 2013 03:22:42 +0000

A New York State senator from the Hudson Valley says he is disgusted by the latest political corruption case. His colleague, Democratic Senator John Sampson, faces several charges, including embezzlement.

Democratic Senator Terry Gipson says the Sampson case is another example of why there is an urgent need for comprehensive campaign finance and ethics reform in New York.

Sampson is the latest in a number of elected officials to be charged with political corruption this year.

Divisions Remain On Public Campaign Financing

Karen DeWitt — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:43:00 +0000

Recent bribery scandals involving state legislators have fueled discussion on campaign finance reform at the Capitol in Albany, with several politicians and advocacy groups pressing for publicly financed campaigns. But a key faction in the legislature, Republicans in the state Senate, remains opposed.

Push Is On For NY Fair Elections

Dave Lucas — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:58:52 +0000

Proponents of fair elections, particularly in New York, argue that ordinary citizens are denied a real chance at being heard in an election because running for office is expensive and the average citizen is unable contribute substantial sums of money to help fund any given campaign.

Supporters say a fair elections law would restore trust in government by giving prospective candidates for office access to public funding. For example: for each dollar raised, a taxpayer-financed public fund would match that dollar with six dollars.

NYS Assembly weighs in with ethics bill

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:54:55 +0000

At the New York State Capitol, lawmakers are scrambling to put forward plans to react to the latest twin corruption scandals involving bribery charges against a State Senator and Assemblyman. As Karen DeWitt reports, Tuesday it was the Assembly Democrats’ turn to weigh in. Governor Andrew Cuomo also rolled out two more components of his own reform plan.

NYS Senator Announces Campaign Finance Reform Legislation

Allison Dunne — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:50:06 +0000

A New York State Senator who is part of the Independent Democratic Conference will announce the IDC’s campaign finance reform package later this afternoon. The proposals come in the wake of a far-reaching political corruption scandal in the state.

Karen Scharf, Citizen Action of New York - passing campaign finance reform in NY

Brian Shields — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:45:19 +0000

A television ad, urging the state legislature to pass campaign finance reform this year, is airing statewide in New York. A number of groups are behind the spot which shows people with tape over their mouths, indicating how the average citizen is silenced compared to big money donors. Karen Scharf is the executive director of Citizen Action of New York. She spoke with WAMC’s Brian Shields.

Campaign Finance Bill Debated in Vermont Senate Committee

Pat Bradley — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 22:30:00 +0000

A Vermont Senate Committee on Tuesday delayed a vote on a bill to tighten the state’s campaign finance laws.

Cuomo tackles campaign finance reform in telephone town hall

Dave Lucas — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:15:00 +0000

With a new poll showing his favorability rating slipping, Governor Andrew Cuomo made an appearance by telephone last night to weigh in on fair elections in New York.

Billed as a Fair Elections Telephone Town Hall with Governor Cuomo, it provided a vehicle for the state's top executive to argue his case for a campaign finance model that mirrors one in place in New York City.