State Assemblymember Jim Brennan announced the passage of the 2013 Fair Elections Act on Tuesday, May 7th. The bill passed 87-49. It provides for a public funding system for elections, including primaries as well as the general elections, for both the state legislature and the statewide offices of Governor, Attorney General, and Comptroller. Delegates to Constitutional Conventions are also included. A new Independent Enforcement Counsel’s office is being created to oversee and regulate special election laws that govern the new system. The new system would be similar to public-financed elections in New York City, a successful program for 20 years. Candidates would be allowed to raise private contributions and receive matching public contributions of $6 for every $1 they raise in contributions of up to $250. It would require candidates to build a broad coalition of contributors by requiring a certain number of small-dollar donors – individual persons from a candidate’s district – to ensure that large-dollar donors do not have undue influence.
“Creating a small-donor base of contributors that can be matched with public dollars is healthy for democracy,” said Assemblymember Brennan. “The Assembly has passed bills providing public financing of elections repeatedly for more than thirty years,” he added, “to empower ordinary voters and make sure that large contributions from special interests do not have undue influence.”
The act also provides for increased disclosure of independent expenditures and a special Independent Enforcement Counsel to enforce the new law. They system would begin with the Comptroller’s office in 2014, the Legislature would be added in 2016, and statewide offices in 2018.
“Public financing will make elections more competitive and bring new blood into the Legislature and help restore confidence in the political process,” Mr. Brennan said. “I call on the State Senate to pass this legislation.” Public financing of elections has languished in the State Senate for 30 years.
- Assemblymember Jim Brennan Reports to the People - Fall 2013
- The Names, Numbers & Information to know in the 44th Assembly District
- Brennan Releases Report Examining Performance of New York City Schools under Mayoral Control; Report Shows Minimal Progress from 2003-2011 on National Exams
- New York State Assembly Passes Public Financing of Elections
- Brennan Seeks Answers to MTA’s East Side Access Cost Overruns and Delays