Amy Loprest, Executive Director of the New York City Campaign Finance Board, testified about campaign finance reform before the New York State Senate Committee on Elections today.
"There are two main goals of the New York City Campaign Finance Program: to increase the role of small-dollar contributions in City elections, and to decrease the perception and possibility of corruption associated with large contributions.
The CFB’s record of tough-but-fair enforcement creates a culture where following the rules matters and compliance with the law is the norm, not the exception. In the 2009 elections, two-thirds of the more than 200 candidates registered with the CFB were not assessed a penalty.
New York City's matching funds program greatly increases participation in our elections by New Yorkers living in every neighborhood, in every public school district, along every subway line and every city street. Their participation is the key to a healthy democracy. Their participation ultimately determines whether candidates are accountable to the public interest."
The full testimony is available on the CFB website.