Addabbo Introduces Campaign Finance Reform Package of Bills

New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. introduced a package of election reform bills aimed at eliminating corruption and increasing transparency.

“As the former Senate Election Committee chair, I understand the importance of introducing comprehensive measures to strengthen campaign finance procedures and transparency in New York State. During my Senate tenure, I have received valuable feedback from individuals which has helped us determine ways we can improve the voting process,” said Addabbo. “As somebody who was elected to the New York City Council with public financing prior to serving in the Senate, I am fully aware of the integrity of such systems,” Addabbo said.

The package of bills would:

·         Increase the disclosure of contributor employment and campaign expenditure information (S.3073);

·         Ensure that business entities receiving or renewing state contracts cannot directly or indirectly make expenditures for political purposes, which could influence their ability to receive such a contract or renewal, and would in effect involve the use of public funds to buy such influence (S.3074);

·         Increase the transparency of candidate fundraising and expenditures by limiting to one the number of authorized committees a candidate may have (S.3094);

·         Provide transparency to voters pertaining to the source of the candidate’s campaign funding (S.3095);

·         Provide for the disclosure of intermediaries such as bundlers, as well as the source and amount of the contributions they deliver, and the employment information of contributors of $100 or more (S.3096)

“The voting reform measures passed by the Senate in January, along with these campaign finance initiatives, demonstrates our commitment to strengthen democracy and increase the diversity of donors,” Addabbo added. “These initiatives eliminate the opportunity for large campaign donors to influence elected officials while also restoring power and transparency to the people they serve."

The package of bills were referred to the Senate Elections Committee with the exception of S.3074, which was sent to the Senate Finance Committee.