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8 "Working Days" Left
June 12, 2006

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With just 8 "working days" left until the formal end of the legislative session, one key reform hangs over the heads of the Governor and legislative leaders – ethics reform.

The ethics reform that cries out for action is elimination of the “personal use” of campaign contributions by elected officials. A sizable majority of state lawmakers rarely face a serious electoral challenge. So when they raise big campaign warchests, what do they do with the money? Too often it’s spent on activities that have nothing to do with running for office. It’s spent on cars, trips, meals and other non-campaign activities.

Should donations given to lawmakers to campaign for office be spent on luxury cars, country club memberships or trips to exotic locales? Should lawmakers be allowed to collect taxpayer-provided subsidies to cover housing and meals when they are in Albany and then use campaign contributions to cover those very same meals as well? 

No, they should not.  And in much of the rest of the country, personal use of campaign funds by state lawmakers would not be allowed.  In a survey released by civic groups last week, it was revealed that at least 30 states have stronger restrictions on the "personal use" of campaign money by elected officials than New York.

Why does it matter?  The vast bulk of the campaign contributions come from groups with issues before government.   Should these special interests be allowed to subsidize the lifestyles of policymakers?  They should not. Yet in New York they are allowed to do so.  According to what the State Board of Elections told the Albany Times Union about the “personal use” of campaign contributions by officeholders, "Unless you out-and-out stick it in your pocket and walk away, everything's legal."

It shouldn't be. 

Of course that’s not the only ethics issue that needs to be changed. Lawmakers need to end Albany’s “pay to play” culture by banning campaign contributions from lobbyists and those seeking government contracts. They need to tighten the state’s gift ban, prohibit honoraria, and improve ethics disclosures and training.

And lastly, lawmakers should create an independent ethics commission. Right now legislators meet in secret to hear ethics complaints against their colleagues. A commission in which the Governor appoints three of the five members investigates complaints against the executive branch. New Yorkers deserve an “ethics cop” that is independent and free from even the appearance of political pressure. An independent ethics commission provides just such an “ethics cop.”

Eight working days is not a lot of time, but there is still a lot to accomplish. Lawmakers ran for re-election in 2004 promising to reform New York State. Time will tell if they deliver on those promises.

That’s all for now. I’ll be keeping an eye on the Capitol and will talk to you again next week.

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