Statement from CFB Chair Rose Gill Hearn - May 14, 2015
Today’s remarks represent the beginning of the public phase of the Board’s post-election audits for the 2013 election cycle. Reviews of campaigns with limited campaign activity have already been completed. By the end of this process, the CFB staff will complete full audits for nearly 200 campaigns. I want to take a moment to acknowledge and commend the work that the CFB’s audit and legal staff members have done, and will continue to do, on this vital part of the program.
These audits are essential to the health of our City’s public financing program. They ensure that all candidates play by the rules. They’ve already ensured that the 149 candidates who received more than $38 million in public funds used that money appropriately. The audits provide New Yorkers with the accountability that they expect for their investment in the political process.
Turning from celebrating our program in New York City, to more sobering news out of Albany.
Since the Board last convened, another prominent lawmaker has joined the ranks of New York State legislators charged with corruption. On May 2nd, Senate Majority leader Dean Skelos was arrested on federal corruption charges, making him the fifth consecutive Senate majority leader to stand accused of criminal corruption.
This development unfolds in disturbing proximity to the January arrest of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Thus, only three months apart, and within a single legislative session, top leaders in both chambers have been arrested on federal corruption charges. New Yorkers demand to know when the egregious betrayals of their trust by their public servants will end.
Despite blatant, long-term patterns of misconduct, Albany remains fertile ground for corruption and lawmakers have not taken the full action this crisis requires. In late March, lawmakers adopted a state budget containing reforms that do not go far enough and contain loopholes.
There is still time for lawmakers to pass comprehensive and more robust ethics and campaign finance reforms before the end of this legislative session in June. The Board hopes our representatives in Albany will take the bold action needed to restore voters trust in New York’s political process.