The science is clear: Gifts, including campaign contributions, influence the decision-making of elected officials. In a new report, “Buying Influence Works,” Reinvent Albany presents notable studies by economists and behavioral scientists that demonstrate how gifts affect the choices of politicians, doctors, and researchers.
New York’s elected leaders like to say that “campaign contributions have no influence on government decisions – period,” but decades of quantifiable research on reciprocation show that gifts influence the decisions people make. When people receive even a single small gift, they try to return the favor.
While it is no surprise that influence can be bought, this research is another reminder that NYS government is extremely vulnerable to corruption. The 2022 gubernatorial election was one of New York’s most expensive ever, and many large donors had business before the state. New York’s contribution limits for statewide office are also among the highest in the country.
Though New Yorkers continue to report deep distrust in their elected officials, the state still has not passed a single pay-to-play law. As of 2023, CEOs seeking contracts from the state are free to donate up to $18,000 to the Governor, Comptroller, or Attorney General.
See below for the full report, or click here to view the report as a PDF.