Executive Director of the New York City Campaign Finance Board Amy Loprest testified before the New York State Senate Independent Democratic Conference today on campaign finance reform at the state level.
"The New York City public campaign financing program is designed to increase New Yorkers’ participation in elections. The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the program has succeeded. Statistics from recent elections show that the matching program sharply limits the role of big donations from special interests in City Elections.
Unfortunately, New Yorkers have grown disconnected from their state government in Albany. The cycle is all too familiar: porous campaign finance laws breed cynicism, causing voters to tune out. With no one watching, corrupt actors escape accountability and it becomes much more difficult for good people to be effective. New York City was in a similar cycle 25 years ago, but the Campaign Finance Act and the public matching funds program have helped reverse the trend."
The full testimony is available on the CFB website.