Times Union Calls for Better Enforcement of Election Laws

Following up on its weekend article about “how the state fails to adequately police those who abuse campaign finance laws,” the Times Union’s editorial board calls on the state to better enforce its campaign finance laws.

The article focused on disgraced former State Senator Pedro Espada, whose various campaign accounts owe more than $30,000 to the State Board of Elections for missed filings. It also discusses some of the criticisms lodged against the State Board of Elections by NYPIRG last month.

Today’s editorial calls on the Legislature to change the status quo, urging “more vigorous enforcement of the existing campaign finance laws and much more complete disclosure of campaign contributions.”

This is not a new issue, as NYPIRG and other “good government” groups have long described the State Board’s campaign finance enforcement efforts as “virtually nonexistent.”