New York, NY – Today a state court ruled that the New York Public Campaign Financing Commission is invalid, in effect striking down the commission’s recommendations that created New York State’s first public financing program for candidates running for statewide offices and the legislature.
Lawrence Norden, director of the Election Reform Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, had the following comment:
“Albany can’t use today’s court ruling as an excuse to derail a public financing program that was promised to New Yorkers. Governor Andrew Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins have expressed strong support for public financing. They should pass and sign a bill to make this program law without delay. They already have the law the commission drafted after months of public testimony and expert input, which includes features that could make it a model for reform across the nation.
“The commission’s process gave voice to scores of voters and experts who see public financing as essential to restoring public participation and faith in New York’s democracy. For decades, Albany’s wealthiest donors have drowned out everyone else. By following through on their promise of public financing, the governor and lawmakers can give more New Yorkers a say in the decisions that shape their lives.”
To read the Brennan Center’s report, The Case for Small Donor Public Financing in New York, click here.
To learn more about the Brennan Center’s Money in Politics work, click here.
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