Finance Space

ALBANY, N.Y. – Gov. David Paterson introduced a proposal for campaign finance reform Wednesday, but good government groups doubted it would pass in the final days of the Legislative session.

Paterson’s measure would lower contribution limits and close a loophole allowing limited liability companies to contribute far more than individual companies. It would also give the state Board of Elections more enforcement power, and would add a fifth member to the board to eliminate the gridlock of an even political split.

“Too often, decisions in Albany are shaped by wealthy donors and special interests,” Paterson said in a written statement. “We need to change that and restore New Yorkers’ confidence in how Albany does business.”

At the same time Paterson released his proposal, reform groups released a “report card” objecting to what they described as broken promises by the Legislature and the governor.

The groups praised some government efforts, including ethics reform in 2007 that toughened penalties and lobbying reform that strengthened the ban on gifts to legislators.

But they had other complaints, including a lack of campaign finance reform and the elimination of the Lobbying Commission, which had its responsibility transferred to the Commission on Public Integrity.

“We are working on a comprehensive package of campaign finance reform legislation,” said Dan Weiller, a spokesman for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Mark Hansen, a spokesman for Senate majority Leader Joseph Bruno, said the Senate has been working on reforms.

“Families in New York want reforms that will help their wallets and pocketbooks and help them keep their jobs,” he said. “New Yorkers want reforms that the Senate majority is pushing for, such as more property tax relief, more openness and accountability on school district spending, a cap on spending by state government and suspending the gas tax to provide relief at the pump.”

Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group said with only nine days left in the legislative session, lawmakers should be passing reform legislation instead of introducing new bills.

“The sweeping reform that was promised in November 2006 has simply not occurred,” he said.

NYPIRG and other groups didn’t have sympathy for Paterson’s unusual position of becoming governor in March after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer was linked to a prostitution ring and resigned.

“The advocacy groups would be far better served by getting their members and New Yorkers across the state to rally behind the governor’s bold package, and help the governor get this bill passed by both houses, so that he can sign it into law,” said Risa Heller, a Paterson spokeswoman. “One thing is for certain, constant naysaying will not lead to progress.”

Barbara Bartoletti of the League of Women Voters said politicians sometimes introduce “bills to cover their butts” at the end of session.

“This obviously has been an atypical legislative session year,” Weiller said. “On the question of waiting until the end of session, it would be inaccurate to suggest that legislation introduced in June is not good, or doesn’t effectively address issues of importance to the people of the state of New York.”

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Tags: Finance