As Historic Democracy Reform Bill Advances in Congress, Dutchess County Progressive Action Alliance Calls for Reform in New York
Following the passage of the democracy reform bill HR1 in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Dutchess County Progressive Action Alliance released the following statement calling on leaders in Albany to lead the nation by passing similar reforms in this year’s state budget: “We applaud the House of Representatives in taking a historic step by passing their sweeping democracy reform bill, HR1, which, crucially, includes campaign finance reform with a small donor match.”
“While the Senate is expected to stall progress on HR1, cities and states can lead the way. In a matter of weeks, leaders in Albany can keep a similar proposal in the state budget. Then everyone can look to New York as a model for the nation. This is the true test for the new leadership in Albany. 100% of Democrats in the House of Representatives support HR1. In Albany, the top three leaders have all authored Fair Elections proposals in the past — and majorities in each house are on record in support. The Governor’s budget proposal includes small donor matching.
“Small donor matching makes it feasible for more people to run for office, no matter how much money they have. Furthermore, currently elected candidates will not have to spend so much time and effort trying to raise enough money to make it through to the next election period. They can spend more time interacting with their constituents, listening to concerns, problem-solving, and crafting strong legislation. Public campaign financing eliminates the appearance of impropriety in terms of pay-to-play so that trust in government can be restored.”
“If it’s not in the final budget, it will be because those in power decided to take it out and accept the big-money status quo. Please include money in the 2019 New York State budget to allow for public campaign financing including small donor matching.”
Dutchess County Progressive Action Alliance is one of over 200 community, labor, tenant, immigrant, racial justice, environment, faith, good government, and grassroots resistance organizations who are building momentum to pass comprehensive campaign finance reform, including small donor public financing, in this year’s budget as part of the Fair Elections for New York campaign.
