Albany Times-Union , August 17th, 2006
Proposal Will Help Campaign Finance Law
I was very happy to see the "Only in New York" (Aug. 1, editorial) take on the State Legislature for our inaction on long overdue campaign finance reform in New York. However, the editorial merely scratched the surface.
Not only are there loopholes in how legislators like myself raise campaign funds, but the rules outlining how those funds can be spent are among the most lax in the country.
For instance, Howard Mills, former U.S. Senate candidate, was using campaign funds to pay for car and cellphone bills -- a year after his campaign was over, and long after Gov. George Pataki had named his as the state's supervisor of insurance. Mr. Mills is just one example of a systemic problem.
It is no wonder that the New York Public Interest Research Group and the Brennan Center have both faulted the State Legislature for our loose campaign finance laws, and labeled us the "most dysfunctional legislature" in the country.
Assemblyman Pete Grannis and I have introduced legislation (S.8004/A.11510) to ensure increased transparency and accountability in how campaign funding operates. If passed, it would add specific examples, and generalities where appropriate, that will draw a bright line regarding what state legislators can and cannot do with money we raise.
The purpose of campaign funds is clear -- to help those running for office get elected, and to assist with legitimate expenses related to official duties incurred when elected.
STATE SEN. LIZ KRUEGER
26th District
Manhattan