Governor Signs Ethics Bill Opposed by Good Government Groups

Yesterday, Gov. Cuomo announced that he has signed into law a bill that was negotiated behind closed doors and approved at the very end of the legislative session.  Chapter 286 of 2016 defies and prohibits “coordination” by independent expenditure groups; requires political consultants who also lobby to register with the state; expands the state’s “source of funding” reporting requirement; and imposes new reporting requirements on 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) groups, among other things.

Gov. Cuomo said:

“New York is taking aggressive action to restore the people’s faith in government and increase accountability and transparency in the electoral process.  These actions roll back the disastrous influence of Citizens United and prohibit coordination between candidates and independent expenditure committees. Through enhanced enforcement and increased penalties for political consultants who flout the law, this new legislation will root out bad actors and shine a spotlight on the sordid influence of dark money in politics. With this legislation, New York is raising the bar once again – and now it’s time for the rest of the nation to follow suit.”

Good government groups did not share the Governor’s view of the bill, and urged him to veto it.  They argued that the legislation does not address any of the real corruption issues facing Albany.

Read news coverage from the Albany Times Union, Buffalo News, the Daily News, TWC News, Gannett  and Politico NY.