Money Talks, by George!

     The Cortland Contrarian believes that our New York State Legislature needs to plug loopholes in campaign finance reporting and completely overhaul current campaign finance law. To that end, we highly recommend The Case for Campaign Finance Reform for New York State, a proposal made by the League of Women Voters of New York State. There are 31 short pages in the report with statistical information attached. You will need Adobe PDF to open this report. The report contains many useful observations and suggestions to restore public trust in our political processes. If you don't have time to read it now, come back later.
     Detailed information on absent or late campaign finance reporting in New York State can be found at: Tax Watch--NYPIRG Report on Campaign Finance.
     Assemblyman James Tedisco has proposed a "three strikes law" to reform the widespread truancy on campaign finance reporting in New York State. Click here for Albany Times-Union article.
     NYSUT spent $4.5 million on political campaigns on state elections in 2012. Click NYSUT for Albany Times-Union article.
     Former New York Governor George Pataki had more than two PACs under his control after he left office. He established a Virginia PAC because New York State law limited campaign spending to a specific amount. Read article in Washington Post. This year Pataki launched a new super PAC, called Tipping Point, to help Republicans in New York Congressional races.
     The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that political campaign donations are a form of free speech. Money talks, by George!

Recommended:
$2.3 million, 37 votes, Albany Times Union
http://www.jcope.ny.gov/pubs/POL/2012%20FINAL%20ANNUAL%20REPORT.pdf.  NYS Lobbying report for 2011 and 2012.