Good Government
NYPIRG is a leading voice in the campaign to repair New York’s democracy. NYPIRG is a major advocate for eliminating barriers to voting, fighting for better ethics oversight and limiting the role of powerful interests in elections. In recent years, NYPIRG has fought for more secure voting systems, proposed new ethics standards based on “best practices” in other parts of the nation, and regularly released reports monitoring the power of interest groups in elections and policymaking. Due to NYPIRG and its allies’ advocacy over the years, campaign finance information for state and local candidates is now available on the Internet, lobbying of state agencies and local governments are now reported, voter registration requirements have been expanded, new penalties for ethical misconduct are in place, and the legislative and budgetary processes are more open. However, much more needs to be done in order to make New York a model for the rest of the nation.
Victories
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2010 - NYPIRG supports legislation that makes New York’s government more transparent through amendments to the Open Meetings Law, which gives the public the right to record, photograph, and webcast meetings of public bodies in New York State. In addition, NYPIRG-supported legislation makes it easier for voters to obtain absentee ballots.
2009 - NYPIRG successfully advocates for Public Authorities reform with the creation of an Independent Authority Office that will monitor the finances of these stealthy public bodies.
2008 - Under federal mandates to replace the state’s lever voting machines, NYPIRG successfully advocates for measures that would eliminate ATM-style computerized voting terminals that do not provide a verifiable paper audit trail.
2007 - NYPIRG supports legislation that strengthens the state’s ethics law. NYPIRG helps win significant improvements in New York City’s campaign finance law.
2006 - NYPIRG leads the push, along with other good government groups, for a law in New York City to prohibit gift giving and campaign contributions from lobbyists to New York City Council Members and strengthens the city's lobbying laws by providing more resources for enforcement and heftier fines for violators. At the state level, final approval of the Help America Vote Act includes NYPIRG-supported provisions to ensure accuracy in the use of new voting machines. Additional measures to strengthen the Freedom of Information Law are approved.
2005 - NYPIRG fights to pass legislation that strengthens the Freedom of Information Law by requiring state agencies to respond to requests for public records within 20 days. In addition, NYPIRG supports legislation that requires lobbying disclosures by those seeking government contracts. And NYPIRG supports legislation expanding the electronic reporting of campaign contributions by those running for local offices.
2002 - NYPIRG blocks legislation that would have weakened the Freedom of Information Law.
2000 - NYPIRG drafts and passes the Pro-Voter law in New York City, establishing one of the nation’s most far reaching municipal voter registration programs. Statewide, NYPIRG registers 50,000 New Yorkers to vote in the Presidential elections.
1999 - The state’s lobbying law is strengthened for the first time in 20 years. The law expands lobbying disclosures for those seeking to influence local governments and toughens penalties for violations.
1998 - NYPIRG’s efforts lead to major improvements in New York City’s campaign finance laws, helping make the program a national model.
1997 - NYPIRG supports passage of a law that mandates the electronic disclosure of campaign contributions to those seeking state offices.
1996 - NYPIRG leads the successful fight to require candidates running for citywide office in New York City who take public funds to face each other in public debates.
1993 - NYPIRG supports passage of a state law implementing the National Voter Registration Act (a.k.a. “Motor Voter” law). The new law requires state agencies to offer voter registration opportunities to members of the public and expands on federal mandates.
1988 - NYPIRG plays an instrumental role in the creation of New York City’s campaign finance law, reducing special interest contributions and providing clean public funds to candidates. Also in New York City, NYPIRG drafts language that establishes the state’s only public voter guide for elections.
1987 - NYPIRG presses for a major revision of ethics laws, including stricter financial disclosure of lawmakers’ and top policymakers’ personal financial assets.
1986 - NYPIRG helps win a state law restricting contributions from those seeking approval of government contracts in New York City; the law leads to the 1988 passage by the New York City Council of the most comprehensive campaign finance laws in the nation.
1984 - NYPIRG helps coordinate the Millions More October 4 national voter registration event in New York State. NYPIRG registers more than 50,000 new voters in a single week.
1975 - NYPIRG sues to halt pay bonuses to state legislators.
1974 - The Freedom of Information Law, which opens official records for public access, is one of three NYPIRG government reforms passed this year.
Campaign Finance Reform Research and Advocacy: NYPIRG monitors New York State and local governments and issues reports on special interest influence in Albany and New York City. In 1998, NYPIRG played a lead role in winning important changes to New York City's campaign finance law, widely considered the most comprehensive local reform program in the nation. In 2005, NYPIRG successfully fought to have candidates for local office throughout the state electronically disclose their fundraising in the same manner as statewide candidates. This year, NYPIRG is fighting to improve disclosure requirements, strengthen enforcement of campaign finance violations, and close several loopholes in New York's election law.
Election Reform Advocacy & the Help America Vote Act: NYPIRG plays a leading role in New York State to strengthen and protect the right to vote. Every year, college campuses with NYPIRG chapters register thousands of students to vote. We recently secured a major victory ensuring that the vast majority of New Yorkers will have access to secure, reliable voting machines for the 2010 elections.
Redistricting Reform: The New York State Legislature is infamous for drawing gerrymandered district lines in such comical shapes as "Abraham Lincoln Riding a Vacuum Cleaner" and "Bug Splattered on a Windshield." NYPIRG is pushing for creation of an independent redistricting commission, ensuring that legislative districts are drawn to best represent New Yorkers, rather than improve a legislator's shot at reelection.
Ethics Reform: Recent scandals in Albany highlight the need for a strengthened ethics commission, improved legislative financial disclosure reports, and a prohibition of "personal use" of campaign funds.
Fiscal Reform: New York State needs a more open and modern system of public finance. NYPIRG is pushing for greater government consolidation of services as well as better accountability of state spending. In 2009, NYPIRG supported legislation that established more independent oversight over state public authorities.