by David Cruz
“The cops are coming, let’s go!” said Matt Edge, head of the grassroots group Money Out of Politics (MOP), shouting to his accomplice as they scurried out of Fordham Plaza.
In guerilla fashion, the activists hoisted a burlap sign in mid-afternoon with painted words that read “Klein, No More Empty Promises on Fair Elections #99.13%.” Six other banners were scattered throughout Klein’s 34th Assembly District, hung visibly around several overpasses along the Henry Hudson Parkway.
The signs referred to State Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein, put on the spot over his promise to uphold reforms in campaign finance. Governor Andrew Cuomo has also promised campaign finance reform, intending to earmark $200 million for public financing of political campaigns, a system similar to one adopted by the New York City Campaign Finance Board. Among the hallmarks would be a public matching system where small-time donors can see their contributions jump six-fold.
The measure, if earmarked in the budget by April 1st, could thus weaken an apparent influence of deep-pocketed contributors. Funds for the public matching fund would cost taxpayers $200 million annually. Klein has maintained he will stall on the Senate version of the budget until he gets the measure in the budget.
Republicans have maintained that the funds would essentially be a waste of taxpayer money used for robo-calls and attack ads. But Edge disputes the charge.
“If it were put in the budget it would cost a penny a day to taxpayers,” said Edge. “As a candidate and later as a politician if you win under the public funding system you’re able to say no to party bosses who control the fundraising apparatus, and you’re free to say no to the special interests because you got a way to independently raise the money through the small donor matching system.”
Klein waged a fight for campaign finance reform last year, introducing the Fair Elections Bill. While it was supported in the Democratically-controlled Assembly, the measure was voted down 32 to 30 in the Senate. Two Senate Democrats joined Republicans in killing the bill.
Despite Klein, a Democrat, having voted for the measure, Edge still blamed him for essentially doing little to prevent fellow Co-leader Dean Skelos, a Republican, from voting against the measure. Klein and Skelos, while allies, have come to blows over campaign finance reform. The latest attempt at reform the campaign finance presents a test for Klein and whether his influence in the Senate is overshadowed by Skelos.
And though Klein has publicly pledged reforms, Edge claims assurances appear to be an example of political pandering sin. He cited Klein’s campaign finance reform law, which would eliminate the Wilson-Pakula clause, a provision that clears a political party from endorsing a candidate from an opposite party.
“He’s put poison pills in the legislation that he knows, and anybody who’s looking closely, knows will never fly,” said Edge.
A Klein spokesman discredited MOP, labeling them a “fringe group” and “out of touch with the facts.” Good government groups have indeed praised Klein, including Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause/New York. In a statement, Lerner applauded Klein for “his willingness to stand by his principles.”
admin
Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.
English
Arabic
Bengali
Chinese (Simplified)
French
Spanish
While of course the issue is complex-in some ways its very simple:
Taxes were created to support creating resources for the people. Campaign finance, similar to the City, is such a terrible way to waste city dollars-especially now-still not over our 2008 recession
Anthony Rivieccio
Northwest Bronx Democrats
“Despite Klein, a Democrat, having voted for the measure, Edge still blamed him for essentially doing little to prevent fellow Co-leader Dean Skelos, a Republican, from voting against the measure.”
And that, ladies and gentlemen, shows you that these “grassroots” activists know nothing of the real world.
@1,379 who made the comment:
__________________________________
“Despite Klein, a Democrat, having voted for the measure, “Edge still blamed him for essentially doing little to prevent fellow Co-leader Dean Skelos, a Republican, from voting against the measure.”
And that, ladies and gentlemen, shows you that these “grassroots” activists know nothing of the real world. ”
__________________________
If it were not for Klien’s IDC wheelings and dealings, Republican Dean Skelos would probably not have been able to block Fair Elections from coming to the floor. To understand the “real world” requires one to understand the broader structural and procedural context that surrounds an up of down vote on a given bill.
@Anthony Rivieccio
We are in the recession largely because of the 5.1 Billion wall st. spent to buy the repeal of the Glass-Steagal Act. Trying to save tax payers the pennies it would cost to finance Fair Elections is WAY less then the cost of the the pay-to-play culture of corruption that is costing us billions, not to mention our democracy.
@1,379 who made the comment:
__________________________________
“Despite Klein, a Democrat, having voted for the measure, “Edge still blamed him for essentially doing little to prevent fellow Co-leader Dean Skelos, a Republican, from voting against the measure.”
And that, ladies and gentlemen, shows you that these “grassroots” activists know nothing of the real world. ”
__________________________
If it were not for Klien’s IDC wheelings and dealings, Republican Dean Skelos would probably not have been able to block Fair Elections from coming to the floor. To understand the “real world” requires one to understand the broader structural and procedural context that surrounds an up or down vote on a given bill.
@Anthony Rivieccio
We are in the recession largely because of the 5.1 Billion wall st. spent to buy the repeal of the Glass-Steagal Act. The pennies it would cost to finance Fair Elections is WAY less then the cost of the the pay-to-play culture of corruption that is costing us billions, not to mention our democracy.