December 20, 2023
The Honorable Kathy Hochul
Governor of New York State
Executive Chamber
State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Hochul,
On December 7, 2023, the New York State Public Campaign Finance Board (PCFB) approved a budget request of $39.5 million to fund the Public Campaign Finance Program in FY 2024-2025. The program is the nation’s most powerful response to a political process dominated by mega-donors and a vital tool for everyday New Yorkers to be better heard in our elections. More resources are necessary to ensure that the program lives up to this promise. That is why we are calling on you to provide $59.5 million for the program in your executive budget.
The PCFB’s request is a start, but it does not sufficiently account for the Program’s remarkable growth. Enrollment in the Public Campaign Finance Program has grown by more than half in just the last two months since the PCFB calculated its budget request. To date, more than 160 candidates have already enrolled in the program, and we anticipate more to join before the February 26, 2024 deadline. The PCFB’s commissioners themselves acknowledged the growing enrollment in the program and the potential need for additional funding when they voted on the budget. Providing a modest increase over the PCFB’s request in your executive budget will help ensure that participating campaigns can count on the program’s ability to provide necessary resources to candidates.
Increasing the PCFB’s budget to $59.5 million would serve this goal. It would ensure $45 million is available for matching funds and $14.5 million for administrative support that will enable the PCFB to maintain the staffing and technical infrastructure necessary to run a reliable, publicly accountable program.
This funding, combined with reappropriations from last year’s budget, will put the program on strong footing for its historic first run. It will deliver on Albany’s promise to boost the voices of non-wealthy constituents in New York’s political process. And, it will give candidates and voters confidence in the program and the reassurance that it’s a viable option for financing campaigns.
We are grateful for your continued support of this vital program. Its success is important not only for the people of New York, but for all Americans who seek hope for our democracy. Your support alongside Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie will uplift the voices of ordinary New Yorkers and help ensure, as the law itself promises, “a government that is accountable to all of the voters of the state regardless of wealth or position.”
Sincerely,
Adirondacks Indivisible
Alliance for Quality Education
Alliance of Families for Justice
Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
Brooklyn Resisters
Brooklyn Voters Alliance
CCoHOPE INDIVISIBLE
Citizen Action of NY
Citizens Response Network of Wayne County
Citizens Union
Common Cause New York
Declaration for American Democracy Coalition
Dutchess County Progressive Action Alliance
East End Action Network
Empire State Indivisible
Indivisible Brooklyn
Indivisible Mohawk Valley
Indivisible New Rochelle
Indivisible Rochester
Indivisible Scarsdale
Indivisible Westchester
Inwood Indivisible
Labor-Religion Coalition of NYS
League of Women Voters of New York State
LINC – Long Island Network for Change
Long Island Activists
Long Island Progressive Coalition
Make The Road New York
Met Council on Housing
Metro New York Health Care for All
New York Progressive Action Network
New York Working Families Party
NYCC
NYDLC Legislative Affairs Committee
PEER/NYPAN Suffolk County
Progressive Schenectady
Public Citizen
Reinvent Albany
SMART Elections
Stand Up America
Suffolk Progressives
VOCAL-NY
WESPAC Foundation, Inc.
Westchester for Change
Click here to view the original letter on Fair Elections for New York’s website.
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