SENATOR BIAGGI ISSUES STATEMENT ON PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FINANCING COMMISSION PROPOSAL

BRONX, NY – On Monday, November 25th, the Public Campaign Financing Commission voted on their final proposal to create a public finance system for New York elections.

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester) issued the following statement:

“I want to extend my gratitude to the Public Campaign Financing Commission for their hard work on this issue. The public service they have done in dedicating their time to this issue is appreciated.

However, I am disappointed in the outcome. It is upsetting that their proposal to create a public finance system for New York’s elections does not meet the legislative intent of the Commission nor the political will of the people. The Commission was created to put forth a plan for public campaign financing that empowers everyday New Yorkers and reduces the influence of money in our politics – the existing proposal only scratches the surface in achieving that aim, failing to significantly lower contribution limits and maintaining an advantage for wealthy donors. 

But what is perhaps the most disheartening about this proposal is that it includes provisions that have nothing to do with public financing, and everything to do with advancing a political agenda. The Commission’s motion to increase barriers for third parties is completely unjustified, and does not fall into the scope of the body’s intent.

This proposal is half-baked and does not reflect the vision of the New Yorkers who testified at the Commission’s hearings, and who raised their voices throughout this entire process. Looking forward, the Legislature now has the responsibility to fulfill our promise to the people and get the job done. We must pass clean legislation that creates a robust campaign financing system that will reduce the dangerous influence of money in politics, diversify political power, and amplify the voices of all New Yorkers. The fight for fair elections must, and will, continue.”