File #: Res 1476-2012    Version: * Name: Establish a public campaign financing system for campaigns for the office of NYS Comptroller.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on State and Federal Legislation
On agenda: 8/22/2012
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation that would establish a public campaign financing system for campaigns for the office of New York State Comptroller.
Sponsors: Jumaane D. Williams, Gale A. Brewer, Margaret S. Chin, Letitia James, Ydanis A. Rodriguez
Council Member Sponsors: 5
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2013*Jumaane D. Williams City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
8/22/2012*Jumaane D. Williams City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
8/22/2012*Jumaane D. Williams City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
Res. No. 1476
 
 
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation that would establish a public campaign financing system for campaigns for the office of New York State Comptroller.
 
By Council Members Williams, Brewer, Chin, James and Rodriguez  
 
      Whereas, New York State does not currently have a public campaign financing system for candidates running for New York State Comptroller or other statewide public offices; and
Whereas, The current New York State campaign contribution limit for a candidate running in a primary and general election for Comptroller is $60,700, as compared to $5,000 for a United States Presidential candidate; and
Whereas, The current New York State limit on direct corporate contributions to
 
candidates is $5,000, as compared to an absolute ban on such contributions under New
 
York City and federal law: and
 
Whereas, In 2010 the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, holding that corporations and other groups may engage in unlimited independent spending on elections; and
      Whereas, The Supreme Court decision, combined with New York State's current contribution limits and lack of a public campaign financing system, has the potential to hinder electoral competition and increase the risk of corruption  by allowing wealthy individuals and corporations to spend large amounts to fund political campaigns; and
      Whereas, This is particularly problematic for the office of the Comptroller, since this office is responsible for overseeing the State's multi-billion dollar pension system, including making determinations regarding how these funds are to be invested; and
      Whereas, Public campaign financing provides candidates with resources to run competitive races, improves election transparency through more stringent disclosure requirements and reduces the risk of corruption and the appearance of impropriety by decreasing the potential for undue influence from wealthy contributors; and
      Whereas, A.08367-B, currently pending in the New York State Assembly, would establish a New York State public campaign financing system for campaigns for the office of New York State Comptroller; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation that would establish a public campaign financing system for campaigns for the office of New York State Comptroller.
 
AM
LS #3602
07/18/2012