Gov. Eliot Spitzer and legislative leaders haven't yet drafted a bill to overhaul the system of campaign financing. And doing so seems futile for the moment, now that the freshman governor and the Republican majority in the Senate are in mutual attack mode.
But you can click below for a brief outline of Spitzer's proposals, provided by his office, just to see what the fuss is about.
James T. Madore
Contribution Limits
1. Significantly lowers the maximum contributions that individuals and PACs may contribute to candidates as follows:
Individuals and PACs may currently contribute $55,800 to each statewide candidate (i.e. Governor, Lt. Governor, Comptroller and Attorney General). The proposal reduces this amount to $15,000.
Individuals and PACs may currently contribute $15,500 to a senate candidate. The proposal reduces this amount to $11,500.
Individuals and PACs may currently contribute $7,600 to an assembly candidate. The proposal reduces this amount to $4,600.
The proposal also includes a "millionaire’s provision." This provision is included to level the playing field and protect candidates from being disadvantaged by wealthy opponents. Under this provision, a candidate facing a self-financed opponent would be allowed to receive double the amount of the contribution limits. The exception would be triggered when the opponent’s self-financing hits 20 times the contribution limit. The candidate would then be able to use the higher contribution limits but only to raise the amount spent by the self-financed opponent.
2. Significantly lowers "Soft Money" contributions that individuals and entities may make as follows:
Lowers the contributions that individuals, PACs, or unions can make to party committees to $50,000 per year. (Currently contributions are capped at $94,200.)
Lowers the contributions that individuals, PACs, corporations or unions may make to housekeeping accounts to $50,000 (Currently unlimited contributions are allowed.)
Lowers the total amount that an individual can contribute to candidates, party committees, housekeeping accounts and PACs combined to $100,000 per year (Currently $150,000).
Lowers the total amount that a PAC can contribute to candidates, party committees, housekeeping accounts and other PACs combined to $350,000 per year. (Currently unlimited)
Significantly lowers the amount an individual/PAC can contribute in primaries and general elections for local public officials such as mayor, county executive, city council. (The actual amount would vary based on an existing formula but in no event would the allowable contribution be less than $1,000 or greater than $2,300).
3. Contribution and Fundraising Prohibitions
Ban contributions from corporate subsidiaries and LLCs. (This provision closes a current loophole that prohibits corporations from giving more than $5,000 per year, but allows corporations to donate through subsidiaries. Also closes a loophole that allows wealthy individuals to give through LLCs).
Prohibits contributions from registered lobbyists and members of their household
Requires additional disclosure and reporting
Disclosure of additional information about contributors
Requires an additional filing in April to report on contributions received
Requires the reporting of bundled contributions from registered lobbyists
4. Expenditure Limitations
Imposes greater restrictions on the way that campaign funds are used, including greater restrictions on personal use of campaign funds.
5. Board of Elections Reform
Adds a fifth Board Member
Expands the board jurisdiction to pursue violators
Adds additional violations to the election law statute
Penalties
Increases penalty for failure to file to $1,000 (currently $500).
Imposes civil penalties of up to $10,000 for newly added violations:
accept excessive contributions
use campaign funds for personal use
political committee violations of the election law