THOMAS P.

DiNAPOLI 110 STATE STREET

STATE COMPTROLLER ALBANY, NEW YORK 12236

STATE OF NEW YORK

OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER

October 24, 2019

Public Campaign Financing Commission

New York
Via Email
submissions@campaignfinancereform.ny.gov

Re: Public Campaign Financing for State Legislative and Statewide Public Offices

Dear Members of the Commission:

I write to express my strong support for the creation of a comprehensive system of

voluntary public campaign financing for all State offices to reduce the influence of special
interests and wealthy donors on New York State government. I firmly believe that public
campaign financing will strengthen our democracy and our political process by making it easier
for more New Yorkers to run for public office.

As a member of the New York State Assembly and since becoming New York State
Comptroller in 2007, I have urged the State Legislature to pass comprehensive campaign finance
reform. In May 2007, one of my first major initiatives as Comptroller was calling for a new
system of public campaign financing. The proposal, advanced over the next several legislative
sessions, included: spending limits, public financing through a newly-established State campaign
finance fund, individual contribution limits for participating candidates, and mandatory debates.
The proposal also provided for campaign finance program oversight by a new, independent
campaign finance board, established strict limits on how public campaign finance funds could be
expended, and imposed civil and criminal penalties for breaking the rules.

While New York State has a longstanding and proud tradition of progressive
government, it trails behind in this critical area. According to the National Conference of State
Legislatures, 14 states across the country offer some form of public financing for campaigns
(either a clean elections program or a matching funds program), reducing the influence of big
donors, while also providing greater opportunity for a more diverse pool of candidates.

New York City has operated under a voluntary, publicly-funded system for more than 20
years with many elements that could serve as a good model for the State. For example, the City’s
program matches small-dollar donations with public matching funds and limits spending. This
provides citizens, who do not have access to established political fundraising circles, with the
ability to raise money and compete in elections. Providing incentives for smaller contributions
also drives candidates to focus on grassroots donors. New York State’s high contribution limits,
which allow statewide candidates to accept donations higher than the median New York family’s
household income, does not lend itself to a system its people can believe is fair.
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It is imperative that we seek to stem the influence of campaign donations on the political
process and governmental decision making. Public campaign finance will allow candidates and
elected officials to compete on a more even playing field and to make decisions without the
undue influence of large campaign contributors, thus removing the perception of pay-to-play. It
encourages more people to enter the political process and fosters our ability to bring different
viewpoints and perspectives to Albany for the good of all New Yorkers. It is a sound investment
in a more open and transparent government.

On the separate issue of fusion voting, it has been my experience that New York’s current
system to allow multi-party endorsements for candidates is a net positive for our State. It is my
view that fusion voting provides greater opportunity for diverse opinions and coalition building
that strengthens the democratic process. While it may be appropriate to review current
thresholds, I strongly urge the Commission to continue to permit the fusion voting option.

I respectively suggest the Commission focus on changing the old ways of raising money
for campaigns in New York and recommend you review legislative proposals advanced by my
office as well as components of the New York City public campaign financing program.

It’s time for New York State to build a new foundation of public trust by enacting
meaningful campaign finance reform. I look forward to reviewing the Commission’s
recommendations for a comprehensive, thoughtful, and workable public campaign financing plan
that includes a matching program based on small donor participation. I thank you for the
opportunity to offer my comments.

Sincerely,

Thomas P. DiNapoli
State Comptroller