By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-965535.mp3
Albany, NY – Money left over in campaign fund accounts is being targeted by legislators and good-government groups eager to make rules about how the money would be used when the race to office is over. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
According to published reports, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has an agreement with individuals he has appointed to serve in his administration that they will not accept additional funds or spend money from their existing political accounts. Sources close to Cuomo say he is satisfied with current laws governing gifts and how campaign funds are spent - but two legislators have introduced bills that would change that: Assemblyman Bob Reilly's legislation would require accounts be closed out within six months after the person no longer holds "candidate" status, either returning the money to contributors or giving it to charity.
Barbara Bartoletti of the League of Women Voters agrees.
Another bill offered by Assemblyman Kevin Cahill is a bit more lenient, requiring closure of a campaign fund four years after the politician leaves office OR concludes a campaign, according to Conor Bambrick, Cahill's legislative director.
Barbara Bartoletti stresses there are many important aspects of campaign finance laws terribly lacking in New York State.
The Albany Times Union cites two Cuomo appointees with open campaign accounts considered "active" by the state Board of Elections include: Former Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton and Former Schenectady County Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage: both tell the newspaper their accounts have been or will soon be closed.