Ethics and Campaign Finance Update

The New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) approved the first public funds payments of the city’s 2013 elections, authorizing $23,296,484 to be paid to 75 candidates.

In the biggest news, CFB delivered what some are describing as “crushing blow,” the New York City Campaign Finance board today ruled that mayoral candidate (and current City Comptroller) John Liu is ineligible for public matching funds.  The report upon which the decision is based is available here.  (Read news coverage from the Daily News, the New York Times, the NY Post, WNYC and Crain’s.)

The New York World identifies the biggest winners of the public funds awards — campaign consultants.

Common Cause NY wants the Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption to look into the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), due to “serious questions about the potential influence of tens of millions of dollars in campaign contributions on public policy relating to real estate and development in New York City.”

The Daily News editorial board wonders where JCOPE stands in terms of its investigation of State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who was the subject an ethics complaint last November.

In the Times Union, Jim Odato provides something of an update on JCOPE’s effort to hire a new Executive Director.

Finally, State Senator Diaz’s latest “What You should Know” column urges the Moreland Commission to investigate certain (unnamed) state and city political commentators.