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As the ranking minority member of the Assembly Election Law Committee, Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C,I,Ref-Lockport) appeared before the Public Finance Reform Commission at its hearing held in Buffalo today. Norris focused his remarks on the widespread public concerns that in creating the commission, the governor and state Legislature abdicated their authority, as well as how up to $100 million annually in taxpayer funds will be spent by an unelected, politically-appointed body.

“First and foremost, the venue for deciding the laws of public campaign financing and rules governing eligibility, political party qualifications and multiple party nominations or designations should not be delegated and vested with you,” said Norris to the commission. “Amendments to the Election Law and other statutes fall within the purview and debate of both the governor and the New York State Legislature – of the 150 elected Assembly Members and 63 elected Senators – not an appointed board.”

Norris reiterated his concerns made last spring when it was discovered that part of the State Budget’s notorious “big ugly” omnibus bill included language to create the commission. As part of the budget, the bill was concocted, negotiated and agreed upon behind closed doors by Albany leaders, and hidden in an extensive omnibus bill that was given to rank-and-file lawmakers just moments before they were asked to vote. This is another example of why the state budget process is in dire need of reform.

Norris voted against the bill, and since then his concerns have been reiterated by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. Norris said, “This is a significant reason why I voted against it – coupled with my grave concerns that the delegation of this statutory authority to this commission is constitutionally flawed. The State Legislature and governor are elected to amend statutes – not appoint commissions.”

During his testimony, Norris continued to express his concerns over the cost of public financing of elections. The commission would be allowed to hand out up to $100 million to candidates annually. This is a cost Norris believes taxpayers of New York State cannot afford. He said, “The state is $64 billion in debt and our resources are becoming more limited, as over one million taxpayers have left our state since 2010 – and more are leaving every day. Western New Yorkers are particularly overburdened with our state’s high taxes and cost of living. Every day my constituents express their concerns and need for improved roads and bridges and would like to see more money spent on their children’s education and our libraries. Footing the bill for political candidates they may or may not support from communities hundreds of miles away is not how my constituents want their tax dollars spent.”

Since its creation, the Public Finance Reform Commission has been lacking in transparency and accountability. As has been widely reported, the commission has failed to issue interim reports and there has been suspicion regarding some of the commission’s recent votes being changed. The commission’s report is expected to be made public on Thanksgiving Eve – another fact that has drawn intense public skepticism over the true nature, accountability and transparency of the commission.