Thursday, August 25, 2016

NY Gov. Cuomo Signs Ethics Bill Despite Reform Groups’ Objections


New York Gov. Cuomo yesterday signed into law an Ethics bill he says will increase accountability and transparency.

Cuomo signed the bill over the objections of Government Reform groups who argue the new law does little to address the real problems plaguing the Capitol.

The new law requires Super PACs independent expenditure to disclose more about their donors and if there are any familial or work ties to candidates they are supporting.

It would also require groups that spend more than $15,000 advocating for an issue or candidate to disclose any donors that give more than $2,500. Under current law, the requirement covers only groups that spend $50,000 in a year and donors who gave them more than $5,000.

"New York is taking aggressive action to restore the people's faith in government and increase accountability and transparency in the electoral process," Cuomo said.

Cuomo said the new law addresses the controversial 2010 U.S. Supreme Court Citizens United decision that allowed political action committees to raise and spend unlimited amounts of cash as long as their efforts are not coordinated with the campaigns they are supporting.

Government reform groups had called on Cuomo to veto the bill, which the New York Civil Liberties Union called unconstitutional.

Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY, said the law does not address the root causes of corruption, including outside income earned by lawmakers and a loophole that allows businesses to give virtually unlimited amounts of campaign donations. "Common Cause/NY is deeply disappointed that Governor Andrew Cuomo has chosen to ignore the causes of systematic corruption in Albany, and instead wrongfully punish organizations' proper and lawful collaboration to more effectively advocate for their causes,” Lerner said.

Raising the specter of a lawsuit, Lerner said she believes the law “will not stand up on appeal.”











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