Senate chooses status quo over campaign finance reform, raised $15.9 million in 2013

NEW YORK, NY (06/11/2014)(readMedia)-- As the legislative session draws to a close, comprehensive campaign finance reform remains stalled in the state senate. While polling shows broad public support for reducing money in politics, lawmakers prefer the status quo: sky high contribution limits, unlimited soft money, and the LLC loophole.

Common Cause/NY followed the money for an explanation, and found several clues to the senate's continued intransigence (attached).

The Republican conference remains the primary opponent of reform, raising the most money overall. All conferences raised the overwhelming majority of their funds from super donors ($5,000). However, the IDC and Senate Democrats openly support the Fair Elections package and Common Cause/NY does not condemn them for playing by the current rules of the game, however broken they may be.

"Yet again, lawmakers choose self-interest over the public interest. Comprehensive campaign finance reform would significantly curtail the influence of big dollar donors on our democracy. Unfortunately, opponents would rather feast at the trough than labor to earn the trust of their constituents." said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY

Highlights

• Incumbents raised $10.3 million, committees raised $5.5 million

• Small contributions ($175 or less) accounted for less than 2.5% of the total raised

• Large contributions ($1,000 or more) accounted for 69% of funds raised by incumbents

• Committees raised nearly 100% of funds from large contributions of $1,000 or more

• More than 50% of all committee fundraising comes from contributions of $16,800 or higher, well above the individual contribution limit.

• 26% of funds raised by incumbent Senators come from individual human beings

• 10% of funds raised by Senate committees come from individual human beings

• 74% of funds raised by incumbent Senators come from organizations/corporations

• 89% of funds raised by Senate committees come from organizations/corporations

Background

Common Cause/NY is part of the campaign for Fair Elections for New York. The campaign is focused on four key goals:

Public Financing of Elections – establishing a voluntary system to empower small donors by matching their contributions with public money, similar to NYC's successful system.

Lower Contribution Limits – bringing New York State's sky-high contribution limits down to reasonable levels.

Ending Pay-to-Play – saving public dollars by preventing contributions and bundling by contractors and lobbyists from influencing decisions about state business.

Stronger Enforcement and Transparency – ensuring that our laws are enforced in a fair, effective and timely manner, and that public matching funds are appropriately disbursed.