News & Notes from NYC Public Advocate Bill de Blasio...

FDNY CUTS PUT RESPONSE TIMES OVER NATIONAL "RED LINE"

May 21, 2011

Public Advocate De Blasio: 18 of 20 Cut Companies Won’t Meet Basic Standard

A report released today by Public Advocate Bill de Blasio shows the cuts to 20 fire companies in Mayor Bloomberg's Executive Budget will seriously imperil emergency response times. According to the report, 18 of these companies will exceed a national 4-minute standard after cuts are implemented—-some by over a full minute. The National Fire Protection Association urges a 4-minute response to prevent fires from spreading beyond a single room, after which the risk of civilian death triples and property damage increases more than eight-fold.

"The neighborhoods targeted by these cuts will see their safety go up in smoke," said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. "If the Mayor succeeds in cutting these companies, some communities won't meet the response times needed in places like Fargo, North Dakota, let alone a city where we need to fight fires on the upper floors of big apartment buildings."

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley (D-30, Queens), Chair of the Fire & Criminal Justice Committee stated, "In addition to the findings in this study, the FDNY is not counting the time the 911-caller is spending with the 911 operator which could be up to two minutes. Response times are significantly higher than what the Administration is reporting--and these false response times are being used to justify closing fire companies.  The Administration's policy for reporting response times is misleading, inaccurate and dangerous."

The Public Advocate's report is based on response time increases estimated by the FDNY. The National Fire Protection Association standard is modeled on responding to a fire at a two-story, single-family home where firefighting can commence soon after crews arrive. In a dense city like New York, firefighters require additional minutes to ascend multi-story buildings, making any response times above the national standard even more alarming.

Read the report at:http://advocate.nyc.gov/files/DeBlasio_Fire_Company_Closures_Brief.pdf

Read it on Scribd at:http://www.scribd.com/doc/55945084/Public-Advocate-de-Blasio-Report-on-FDNY-Budget

STATEMENT BY PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO ON FIREHOUSE CLOSURES

May 19, 2011

“The list of fire company cutbacks shows what the Mayor’s budget really means for the safety of New Yorkers and their families. In my own neighborhood, Engine Company 220, which is a block from my house, now faces an estimated 30-second jump in response time. As Fire Commissioner Cassano has acknowledged, higher response times mean greater risks for New Yorkers. I will fight to keep every one of these firehouses open so that no family is put in harm’s way.”

STATEMENT BY PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO ON EXTENSION OF “TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS” FOR HAITIANS IN U.S
May 17, 2011

“I applaud President Obama and Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano for extending Temporary Protected Status to Haitian nationals living in the United States through 2013. Thousands of Haitians living in our city will be better able to support their friends and families as Haiti continues to recover. Haiti still remains in desperate need of assistance, and I encourage all New Yorkers to continue showing their tremendous generosity by donating to relief efforts.”

New Yorkers can make donations to Haiti relief efforts through the following organizations:

International Rescue Committee

https://www.rescue.org/donate/donate-now-haiti

Clinton Foundation Relief Fund for Haiti

www.clintonfoundation.org/haitirelief

International Red Cross

Mail a check with “Haiti” in the memo line to:

American Red Cross

P.O. Box 37243

Washington, DC 20013

STATEMENT BY PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO ON DOE PLEDGE TO REDO COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNCIL ELECTIONS
MAY 13, 2011

“The Department’s revamped plan for CEC elections is only a partial victory for parents. I remain deeply concerned that a few days are insufficient to fully investigate what went wrong with this year’s elections, and that there may still be parents who were blocked from the ballot without just cause. While it was the right decision to postpone elections and restart voting, we need a lot more consideration from Tweed including a plan that ensures parents their rightful place in school decisions.”

STATEMENT FROM PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO ON TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER IN BRANDEIS HIGH SCHOOL COURT CASE

MAY 13, 2011

“As a public school parent, I do not see any sense in spending taxpayer dollars to renovate Brandeis until the outcome of this lawsuit is settled. The Department of Education should take this decision as an opportunity to find a more appropriate home for Success Academy, and to enable the students at Brandeis to continue to thrive.”

STATEMENT FROM PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO ON ARRESTS OF SUPSECTS PLANNING TO ATTACK MANHATTAN SYNAGOGUE
MAY 12, 2011

“As President Obama has said, we need the vigilance and dedication of City and State government to successfully fight terrorism. Today local law enforcement has once again protected our city by dismantling a hateful and anti-Semitic plot to attack a synagogue. I commend all officers involved as well as Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Ray Kelly and District Attorney Cyrus Vance for their leadership in keeping New Yorkers safe.”

AN OPEN LETTER CHALLENGING BRADLEY A. SMITH OF THE CENTER FOR COMPETITIVE POLITICS TO A CITIZENS UNITED DEBATE
MAY 11, 2011

The following open letter has been sent to Bradley A. Smith of the Center for Competitive Politics in response to an op-ed in today’s New York Post. Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has invited Mr. Smith to debate the impact of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling, and its relevance to New Yorkers.

May 11, 2011

Dear Mr. Smith,

The protection of our democratic process is the responsibility of all citizens. As New York City’s Public Advocate, I take that charge especially seriously.

Your assertion in today’s New York Post that the excessive corporate political spending let loose by the Citizens United ruling doesn’t matter to New Yorkers proves just how little you know about our city. For us, this is both a matter of economic interest and a moral imperative.

As a trustee of a $40 billion pension fund, I know firsthand that the rash political ventures of corporate America can have major consequences for the retirement and security of thousands of working people in New York. Citizens United has opened the way for companies to make political contributions right out of the corporate treasury, and by extension, out of our pension investments. The financial future of hard-working retirees shouldn’t rest on the political whims of corporate executives.

To contend that New Yorkers and Americans don’t care about the corrosive influence of money in our elections is blatantly untrue. Our city has blazed the trail of campaign finance reform by instituting a system of public matching funds that helps serious candidates of any income level to run for office. Just last fall, NYC voters overwhelmingly enacted a ballot measure to require disclosure of independent expenditures in City elections. There can be no question where New Yorkers’ hearts and minds are on this issue.

In short, the avalanche of corporate money into our political system does matter to New Yorkers, and all the more so because it happens in our own back yard. Just yesterday, American Crossroads—Karl Rove’s latest assault on democracy—announced its intention to drop $350,000 on a single special election for an upstate New York House seat.

I would welcome the chance to challenge you on these points so New Yorkers can see and judge for themselves. I invite you to debate in person the impact of Citizens United on our political system in New York and nationally.

I believe you will find New Yorkers both interested, and opinionated, on this critical issue.

Sincerely,

Bill de Blasio

Public Advocate for the City of New York

STATEMENT BY PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO ON TEACHER LAYOFFS

MAY 6, 2011

“Despite the fiscal challenges we face, the Mayor is making the wrong choices for our children’s future. Even a cursory look at the millions we spend on teacher recruitment and technology consultants shows that the Administration has not made a real effort to strip down other expenses before firing teachers. The Administration also cannot afford to continue making the political fight around Last In/First Out a higher priority than keeping teachers in the classroom. As a public school parent I am outraged by how these choices jeopardize the stability of our schools. I will be organizing parents across New York City to demand that this budget makes our children the number one priority.”

STATEMENT BY PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO ON MAYOR BLOOMBERG PICKING NISSAN TO BE TAXI OF TOMORROW
MAY 3, 2011

“The Taxi of Tomorrow should be creating the jobs of today for New York City, New York State and America. Instead, the Administration is giving away a $1 billion contract to a company based overseas without seeking any commitments for investment in our local and national economies. This failure, along with potential conflicts of interest between the TLC’s hired consultant Ricardo Inc. and Nissan, cast serious doubts on the legitimacy of the Administration’s final decision and its focus on bringing New York City out of the recession.”

STATEMENT BY PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO ON INSPECTIONS OF ILLEGALLY SUBDIVIDED APARTMENTS
May 2, 2011

“Illegally converted apartments are a clear hazard to the safety of New Yorkers. It should not take the Department of Buildings weeks to dispatch inspectors, only to have many of them stymied by locked doors. The Department must accelerate its inspection process and increase its attempts to gain access to illegally subdivided units. We need to hold irresponsible landlords accountable and shut."

Koch Bros - It's the Evil Thing - The Other 98%

Tired of the Koch Brothers buying our political system?


Watch this kick-ass video.

Join the campaign to push Koch money out and bring democracy back in - sign up below to join The Other 98% as we fight Koch money wherever it shows up - and maybe take part in some more awesome creative agitation...


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(This video was shot and Edited by Eric Perlman Conceived by John Sellers and Agit-Pop Produced and Directed by Church of Great Rain Adrienne Silvey-Mildon, David Godsey.)

Sen. Sanders Calls for Constitutional Amendment to Overrule Citizens United | Raw Replay

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Appearing with MSNBC’s liberal opinion host Cenk Uygur, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said he would support a constitutional amendment that overrule the Supreme Court’s controversial “Citizens United” decision that repealed nearly 100 years of campaign finance law.

The decision permits corporations to anonymously give unlimited sums of money to groups not officially connected with presidential campaigns.

The Washington, D.C.-based Committee for Economic Development suggested last year that the ruling could have the effect of turning corporations into miniature political parties, leading to what one of the Center’s trustees called the eventual corruption of American democracy.

“We have to pass a constitutional amendment to end [the] Citizens United ruling that brings forth the radical opinion that a Corporation is not a person and a handful of billionaires cannot pollute and take over the political system by spending unlimited sums of money in secret to elect candidates who support their agenda,” Sanders told Uygur.

This video is from MSNBC, broadcast Wednesday, May 18, 2011.

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law - Symposium Re: Accountability After Citizens United - April 29th

The Brennan Center for Justice held a day-long symposium on Accountability After Citizens United at the Greene Space at WNYC in New York City on April 29th. The symposium explored the current debate between shareholders and corporate managers over corporate political spending, new strategies to promote accountability through regulatory pressure points, and the constitutional tensions between the rights of associations and the rights of individuals.


Opening remarks by Brennan Center Executive Director Michael Waldman and keynote address by Hon. Cynthia L. Bauerly, Chair of the Federal Election Commission.





Panel 1: Can Shareholders Save Democracy?

Moderated by Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, with panelists William T. Allen, John Coates, Robert Jackson, Jennifer Taub.





Lunchtime remarks by Charlie Kolb, Committee on Economic Development. Introduction by Wendy Weiser, Director of the Brennan Center's Democracy Program.





Panel 2: Regulatory Pressure Points: New Strategies for Accountability

Moderated by Mimi Marziani, with panelists Ellen Aprill, Marc Elias, Bruce Freed, Holly Schadler.





Panel 3: The First Amendment Rights of Associations and Individuals

Moderated by Mark Ladov, with panelists Frances Hill, Dale Ho, Glenn Magpantay, Daniel Ortiz, Tobias Wolff.





Closing remarks by Sanford Lewis, Strategic Counsel on Corporate Accountability.

SEC Gives Shareholders a Voice on Corporate Campaign Spending by Ciara Torres-Spelliscy - Brennan Center for Justice

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The SEC has just issued an important post-Citizens United  no-action letter that will enhance the ability of shareholders to have more of a voice when publicly-traded corporations spend money on politics. In doing so, the SEC recognized that shareholder accountability over corporate political spending is a significant policy issue that can’t be barred from a proxy statement under the ordinary business exclusion.

The no-action letter came after Home Depot tried to keep a shareholder resolution on corporate political spending off of this year’s proxy statement. The SEC said the shareholders would get a chance to vote on the matter. This action provides shareholders with greater protections when corporations spend their money, in the form of general corporate funds, on politics.

The substance of the Home Depot proposal, submitted by NorthStar Asset Management Funded Pension Plan, is the following:

Shareholders recommend that the Board of Directors adopt a policy under which the proxy statement for each annual meeting will contain a proposal describing:

• the company's policies on electioneering contributions,
• any specific expenditures for electioneering communications known to be anticipated during the forthcoming fiscal year,
• the total amount of such anticipated expenditures,
• a list of electioneering expenditures made in the prior fiscal year, and
• providing an advisory shareholder vote on those policies and future plans.

NorthStar’s supporting statement requested that management provide an analysis as to whether Home Depot’s political spending was in line with its values and policies, and any risks it might pose to the company’s reputation, brand, or shareholder value.

This shareholder proposal was based in part on draft legislation written by the Brennan Center last year which became the Shareholder Protection Act in the 111th Congress.

The SEC rejected all of Home Depot’s objections to the inclusion of this shareholder proposal on the 2011 proxy statement.

This SEC no-action letter means shareholders can assert self-help on a company-by-company basis, not just on transparency of political spending, but also on an advisory shareholder vote on such spending. This is a big step in the right direction for giving shareholders more protections after Citizens United allowed corporations the ability to spend other people’s money in politics.

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The Story of Citizens United v. FEC (2011) - The Story of Stuff

Season Two launches on March 1st with The Story of Citizens United v. FEC, an exploration of the inordinate power that corporations exercise in our democracy.

The Story of Citizens United v. FEC, released on March 1st, 2011 at storyofcitizensunited.org, explores the history of the American corporation and corporate political spending, the appropriate roles of citizens and for-profit corporations in a democracy and the toxic impact the Citizens United decision is already having on our political process. It ends with a call to amend the U.S. constitution to confirm that people—not corporations—make the decisions in a democracy.

Join the movement and our community: Please consider a tax-deductible gift to support the distribution of The Story of Citizens United v. FEC.
 You can make a secure contribution HERE.

Justice Thomas Too Close to the Koch Brothers? - Rachel Maddow Show

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Conflict of Interest Questions Continue to Swirl Around Justice Clarence Thomas
Common Cause submitted a letter to the Department of Justice on January 19th raising questions about whether Justices Clarence Thomas or Antonin Scalia had attended closed-door strategy and fundraising sessions sponsored by Koch Industries.

The Supreme Court responded that Justice Thomas' involvement was limited to "a brief drop by." But that answer, coupled with a Common Cause review of financial disclosure statements, raises more questions than it answers.

Read more in the New York Times.

Press release: Feb. 14 letter to the Supreme Court clerk

The Story of Citizens United v. FEC - The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard

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http://storyofcitizensunited.org ---- Season Two launches on March 1st with The Story of Citizens United v. FEC , also our first film for 2011, and it's an exploration of the inordinate power that corporations exercise in our democracy.

I know you are but what am I?

by Annie Leonard

I’m a person.

Chances are if you’re reading this you’re a person too.

Exxon? Not a person.

But one year ago today, five members of the U.S. Supreme Court got this simple truth all wrong.

In the case Citizens United v. FEC they ruled that the limited existing restrictions on corporate spending on U.S. elections were unconstitutional because corporations are entitled to the same first amendment speech protections that individual citizens–people–enjoy in our democracy.

And boy did corporations put this ruling to good use:

According to a new report by our friends at Public Citizen, spending by outside groups during the 2010 midterm elections in the United States jumped to $294.2 million, up from just $68.9 million in the 2006 cycle. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce alone spent $31.2 million to influence election outcomes.

That means that unless we act, our concerns–from good jobs to clean air to safe products–will take even more of a backseat to the concerns of Walmart, Exxon, and Dow than they do now.
Which is why on March 1st we’re launching Season Two of our on-line movie series with The Story of Citizens United v. FEC: Why Democracy Only Works When People are in Charge.

I made The Story of Stuff back in 2007 because I wanted people to understand that there’s a system behind the way we make, use and throw away Stuff. Many of us spend so much time feeling guilty about the consumer choices we make in life that we sometimes forget an important truth: the choices that got us into our current environmental and economic mess had very little to do with which light bulb or shampoo we buy.

It wasn’t you or I who decided to gut public transportation funding in favor of the interstate highway system, or to turn a blind eye to oil rig safety, or to put carcinogens in our products. At least, I didn’t!

I founded The Story of Stuff Project because I knew we’d never be able to take on and change this system unless people got engaged–not only as conscious consumers, but also as active citizens. Unfortunately, there’s a big obstacle in our way: corporations have way too much influence in our democracy.

Our team believes that getting corporations out of our democracy (and getting people back in) is critical to making progress on a huge range of issues that we Americans, and many others around the world, care about.

So on March 1st, we’re jumping in.

Citizen Jane Explains the Impact of Citizens United

Citizen Jane explains how Citizens United v. FEC reversed more than 100 years of settled law and gave corporations the same First Amendment rights as people.

Tell congressional leaders to support and pass a constitutional amendment to ensure the government has the authority to limit corporate influence in elections. Click here...

Assemblymembers and Advocates Call for Publicly Financed Voter-Owned Elections in Wake of Citizens United Anniversary

Letter to Senate, Assembly Signed by Over 50 Organizations Saying New York Must Lead by Putting People, Not Big Money Corporations, In Control of Elections, Restore Trust in Government

Members of the New York State Assembly joined advocates from good government groups, labor, issue advocacy organizations and citizen activists today as they called for passage of a publicly financed voter-owned elections system for statewide and legislative races in New York.

In a Siena poll release last week, 70% of New York voters supported creating a system of publicly financed voter-owned elections. Governor Cuomo has repeatedly noted his support, as well.

As the one year anniversary of the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision that allowed corporate and special interests to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence our elections passed last Friday, New Yorkers were again reminded of the need to truly reform our elections system, putting the voices of people before those of wealthy corporate interests. Voter-owned elections are the best way for our elected officials to restore the public’s trust in government.

Organizations presented a letter addressed to Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, signed by over 50 organizations from across New York calling for the passage of publicly financed voter-owned elections during this legislative session. 

“New York can’t afford to wait any longer to enact a system of publicly financed voter-owned elections,” said Jessica Wisneski, Legislative Director of Citizen Action of New York. “Voters don’t trust that their government is working for their interests. 70% of the public wants to take their elections back from big money corporations, Wall Street bankers, and their lobbyists by establishing a system of voter-owned elections for statewide and legislative campaigns. Citizen Action commends the Assemblymembers who are standing with us today who have taken action to stand up for democracy by restoring integrity to our electoral process.”

"No single reform has the power to reshape Albany like campaign finance reform -- removing money from the political process will open the door to competitive elections and shut the door on donor driven decision-making," said Assemblyman Rory Lancman.

[Assemblyman Lancman was on the Susan Arbetter show on Capitol Pressroom to discuss campaign finance reform.  The show airs across the state and in the Capitol Region on WVCR-FM 88.3.  The Assemblyman discussed public financing of campaigns. Click below to listen (9 mins 13 seconds)...

 

"In the year since the Citizens United decision, we have already seen corporate money begin to flow in ways that are troubling for our democracy," said Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh who chairs the Assembly subcommittee that oversees election operations and voting rights. "The ability of special interests to drown out the average citizen’s voice has never been greater, and the need for common sense campaign finance reform, including public financing of campaigns, has never been more pressing. It’s not an overstatement to say that our democracy depends on it."

"Campaign finance reform is a critical step that we must take toward making our government more transparent and less captive to special interests,” said Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in government and the distinguished advocacy groups represented here today to make this a reality."

"If we are really going to reform Albany, we've got to start with where all of us start when we run for office--with the way campaigns are financed," said Assemblymember Francisco Moya. "Publicly financed elections allow for more accountability, transparency and time to focus on the most important part of our job, the voters and the issues they care about."

"If the State is going to see the kind of reform that Governor Cuomo has called for, and that the people of New York expect, we need to change the way elections are financed, and that begins with public financing of elections," said Lawrence Norden, a senior counsel at the Brennan Center. "The best way to end expensive give-aways to special interest is to counteract the corrupting influence they gain by financing our elections."

"Public Campaign applauds the members of the New York Assembly and advocates who are pushing for a publicly financed fair elections system to combat the influence of big money interests in politics." said Nick Nyhart, President & CEO of Public Campaign. 

"Citizens United made a bad problem worse, and in order to put voters back in charge, the entire state legislature should pass an alternative small-donor driven system of funding elections this year."

“New York’s political landscape, with its sky-high campaign contribution limits, is easily dominated by big money contributors – a situation compounded by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, as we saw in last year’s election. To his credit, Governor Cuomo recognizes that this situation is toxic to a well-functioning state and has pledged to help end it by his support for public funding of elections for state races. There is great momentum for making this pledge a reality now, while the excesses of the 2010 election are still fresh in everyone’s memory. Common Cause/NY, as a long-time advocate of public funding for New York State urges Governor Cuomo to work with these Assembly Members, our coalition and the thousands of supporters for public financing around the state to pass a public funding bill early in the session,” said Deanna Bitetti, Associate Director, Common Cause/NY.

"Putting in place a system of public financing of elections is the single best way to combat the negative consequences of the Citizens United decision and reduce the improper influence of large private contributions," said Dave Palmer, Executive Director of the Center for Working Families.

"Extraordinarily well financed special interests, whose narrow interests are far too often adverse to the interests of the people of our state, will continue to exert undue and detrimental influence until such time as we finally adopt a state wide system of public financing of elections," said Assembly member Charles Lavine (13th Assembly District).

"Public financing is needed now more than ever in the wake of the Citizens United court decision which has allowed unregulated, undisclosed, and unrestricted private spending to dominate politics," said Assemblymember James F. Brennan.

"It's never been more important, with the vast amounts of corporate money being poured into elections, that we enact public financing of campaigns this year," saidAssemblywoman Barbara Lifton.

"We need public campaign financing to make sure candidates who don’t have personal wealth or support from wealthy contributors can get their message out and compete effectively with wealthy or well-funded candidates," said Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried.

"With unchecked spending and appallingly high contribution limits, corporate interests have used their power of the purse to unduly influence elected officials on issues ranging from the environment to affordable housing," said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF). "I am proud to support legislation requiring stricter contribution limits, instituting public financing for state elections and tougher regulations governing lobbying practices. New Yorkers deserve honest, transparent government and it’s time to finally act on these reforms. Albany has been marred by scandal in recent years, but this session offers us a chance at redemption. Competitive publicly financed elections will mean more incumbents challenged at the ballot box but fewer of them leaving in handcuffs. Competitive publicly financed elections will lead to housing policy formulated for tenants and not landlords. Competitive publicly financed elections will lead to gas drilling policies crafted by the people drinking our water and not those polluting it. New York can restore its standing as a progressive leader but we have to fix the way we finance campaigns first."

MoveOn.org Meeting with Congressman Joe Crowley on January 11th...

Standing from the right: Joe Sherman, Bill Krum, Rep Crowley, David Quintana and Joe Lauria - Seated: Raphael Schweizer, Zo Halton and Paco Lugovina  - Click on image to enlarge

On Tuesday, January 11^th, members from the Bronx and Queens MoveOn.org Councils met with Representative Joe Crowley at his Bronx office on Bruckner Blvd to discuss our progressive values and seek his assistance and commitment to pursuing them during the upcoming Congressional legislative session.

Among the items we presented and discussed with Congressman Crowley were:

• An extension of unemployment benefits for 99'ers and a federal job training bill to get american back to work...
• Green Energy Initatives to help America be a leader in clean energy policies and end our use of foreign oil...tied into this was the need to a new commitment to rebuilding our roads, bridges and infrastructure...
• An end to the endless wars in Iran and Afghanistan and to use the money towards domestic policies...
• A repeal of the onerous and Un-American Patriot Act...which goes against the Bill of Rights and numerous other Constitutional guaranteed rights of all Americans...
• Cleaning up federal campaigns including campaign finance reform, enactment of the Disclose Act and a repeal of the Citizen United bill...
• Comprehensive federal Gun Control and reenactment of the Assault Weapons Act and the Brady Bill...
• Healthcare reform including fighting back against the Republican's repeal of the recently passed bill and making it even more progressive with the inclusion of single payer option...
• We stressed the need for a comprehensive Immigration policy and to seek the passage of the Dream Act...
• Mental health issues were discussed in regard to the recent Gabrielle Giffords tragedy in Arizona...

Congressman Crowley was supportive on many of the issues and vowed to push against the wrong-headed incoming Republican majority's agenda...He also agreed to work with us and meet with us in the future to assist us realizing our goals for a better America...

Click on image to enlarge

Public Advocate De Blasio Demands Disclosure from Gov. Pataki’s 501c(4): Revere America...

De Blasio Challenges Former Governor Pataki to Publicly Debate Why Revere America’s Contributors are Hidden from the Public

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, along with Representatives Yvette Clarke, Carolyn Maloney, Gregory Meeks, Jerrold Nadler, José E. Serrano, Nydia M. Velázquez, and Anthony Weiner, today demanded that former New York State Governor George Pataki disclose what corporations are funding his 501(c)(4) organization, Revere America. The request sent to Governor Pataki, who is the Chairman for Revere America, highlighted his past public commitments to restrictions and disclosure on unlimited spending by outside interest groups.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Revere America has spent $2,184,212 nationwide, including $695,054 in New York State this election cycle under Pataki’s chairmanship, all while refusing to disclose any of its contributors to the public. The Public Advocate challenged Governor Pataki to participate in a public debate about his decision to keep the source of Revere America’s funding secret.

“As Governor, George Pataki defended our democracy, now he’s undermining it,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. “Revere America is funneling millions of dollars into our elections, all while hiding any corporate contributions from the public eye. If Governor Pataki refuses to reveal the sources of his funding, he should at minimum be willing to participate in a public debate so he can explain why he is keeping shareholders, consumers and the New Yorkers he used to serve in the dark.”



Demand Disclosure: Revere America from Bill de Blasio on Vimeo.

“The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United was an astounding example of judicial activism,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler. “The justices answered a question they were not asked and struck down a century of law prohibiting independent expenditures by corporations and unions using their general funds in favoring or opposing particular candidates. And as predicted we have seen corporations draw on general treasury funds to finance candidate advertising without any transparency, this is bad for our country and democracy. I join with my colleagues in government and demand accountability and disclosure of all contributions that have been used to support election-related advertising.”

Take action NOW...send an email to Pataki demanding disclosure


Last week, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio sent formal requests to sixteen non-profit organizations and trade associations on all sides of the political spectrum, including Revere America, requesting disclosure of any corporations that are contributing to their electioneering efforts. From September 1st to October 8th, these organizations have spent over $22 million, according to electioneering reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Governor Pataki’s actions as Chairman of Revere America stand in sharp contrast to his initiatives and statements as Governor. While serving as Governor he publicly stated, “You have to restrict what individuals can do with unlimited amounts of their own money or what interest groups can do in a way that now is completely unaccountable.” Additionally, following through on a campaign pledge, Pataki also introduced a campaign finance reform package that included dramatically lowering contribution limits, enhancing disclosure and cracking down on sham issue ads.

Today’s action is part of an ongoing campaign by Public Advocate de Blasio to reduce the impact of the Citizens United decision on the electoral process. It builds upon the work the Public Advocate has done over the past several months – most notably using public actions or negotiations to persuade corporations like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley to adopt policies against spending treasury dollars in elections.

The New York City Public Advocate is the second highest citywide elected official and serves as a trustee for the New York City Employees' Retirement System, which manages more than $30 billion in assets, one of the largest funds of its kind in the nation. Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United eliminated longstanding restrictions on corporate spending in elections, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has been pressuring corporations to reform their political spending practices to reduce the impact of the decision.

NATIONAL COALITION LAUNCHED IN RESPONSE TO CITIZENS UNITED

CITY, STATE ELECTED LEADERS FORM COALITION FOR ACCOUNTABILITY IN POLITICAL SPENDING (CAPS)

New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, North Carolina State Treasurer Janet Cowell and Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel today announced the creation of a national coalition to reduce the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

The Coalition for Accountability in Political Spending or CAPS will coordinate efforts in different cities and states across the Country to ensure transparency in the expenditure of corporate funds for campaign advertising in the wake of Citizens United. Specifically coalition members will demand accountability from companies that receive public investments or apply for government contracts. In addition CAPS will advocate for legislation on the local, state and federal level to create greater disclosure of corporate political spending. More information on CAPS can be found at its new website: www.SaveOurElections.com

“We are launching a coalition of leaders from across the country to protect our nation’s democracy from being undermined by limitless corporate spending,” said New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. “The closer we get to Election Day, the more evidence we see of corporate dollars being secretly poured into races around the country. I am proud to be joined by leaders from cities and states across America in forming CAPS to fight back against this disturbing trend and demand greater accountability and transparency from the corporate world.”

“I have an obligation to the people of Pennsylvania to provide careful financial stewardship,” said Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord. “This role prompts me to highlight concerns about an 'agency' problem -- in which managers are at odds with shareholders -- due to the contentious Citizens United decision. Investors must now worry that shareholders will not know what managers are doing with corporate resources. Secret political spending clearly damages any drive for transparency and accountability.”

“One issue that unites Americans – Democrats, Republicans and Independents – is that they want to slow the flood of corporate special interest money into campaigns,” said City Controller Wendy Greuel. “This coalition is the first step in actually doing something about it, by holding these big money interests accountable. I want to applaud my longtime friend New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio for spearheading this effort.”

“Now more than ever we need to curb the influence of corporate money in elections,” said New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. “We've all seen what happens when Wall Street is given free rein. As New York State Comptroller, I've worked on behalf of taxpayers to ensure that companies the Common Retirement Fund invests in are held accountable for their actions. CAPS is a extension of that work. When corporations buy elections, all Americans lose. CAPS is a vital counterweight to the outsize influence corporate money and corporate power on our political process.”

According to FEC electioneering reports, 501(c) groups have been buying ads in many of the coalition members’ states:

• Illinois: At least $340,000 in spending reported in September by Americans for Prosperity, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and America Future Fund
• New York: At least $1.4 million in spending reported in September by Americans for Job Security, Revere America, The 60 Plus Association, and NARAL Pro-Choice America
• Pennsylvania: At least $2.4 million in spending reported in September by The 60 Plus Association, the National Wildlife Action Fund, Club for Growth Action, Americans for Job Security, VoteVets.org, and the League of Conservation Voters.

Two weeks ago, U.S. Senate Republicans blocked the DISCLOSE Act for the second time this year. This legislation, which would require corporations to reveal their roles in political ads and prohibit companies from underwriting “electioneering communications,” would counteract the effects of Citizens United.” The blockage of this legislation further undermines years of campaign finance reform dismantled by Citizens United and highlights the need for voluntary action by corporations to help reduce the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision.

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Goldman Sachs Pledges Not to Spend on Political Ads by Javier C. Hernandez- NYTimes.com

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Facing pressure from critics of Wall Street to limit its role in elections, Goldman Sachs has pledged not to spend any of its vast corporate reserves on political advertising.

The move was an unexpected sign of restraint after a major Supreme Court ruling this year that gave corporations the power to devote unlimited amounts to electing or defeating candidates for federal office.

The investment bank quietly revised its statement on political activities on its Web site last week, adding a sentence addressing the powers that were granted under the Supreme Court decision in January, known as Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. “Goldman Sachs also does not spend corporate funds directly on electioneering communications,” the firm said in its statement.

Those communications are generally interpreted to mean advertisements on radio and television broadcasts in the run-up to an election.

The decision came after weeks of talks with the New York City public advocate, Bill de Blasio, who has lobbied for greater transparency from companies seeking to sway the outcome of elections.

The investment bank, not usually known as an ally of grass-roots causes, declined to comment on its position.

Mr. de Blasio hailed Goldman’s pledge as game-changing and, given the firm’s stature, he said, it could prompt other companies to follow suit.

“This could be one of those moments that determines whether we are going to have a political system literally dominated by corporate money, or some ability by the people at the grass roots to determine the outcome of elections,” Mr. de Blasio said.

Critics of the Citizens United decision, including President Obama, said it would allow corporations to drown out competing messages and corrupt the political system. But the Supreme Court said in its 5-to-4 decision that it was upholding a central tenet of the Constitution: the right to free speech by anyone, including corporations.

Federal law prohibits corporations from donating directly to candidates for federal office, but, the court decision said, they may pay for advertisements supporting or opposing them. Goldman employees may make personal contributions, but the firm requires that they first submit them for approval.
Campaign finance experts said companies like Goldman still had other means of exerting political influence.

Goldman, like many large companies, operates political action committees at the state and national levels that could raise money for the purpose of influencing political races. In addition, companies are free to spend money to advocate positions on specific issues, like health care, gun control or financial regulation.
“This doesn’t mean they are disarmed,” said Richard Briffault, a law professor at Columbia University who specializes in campaign finance.

Lawrence A. Mandelker, a New York lawyer who specializes in campaign finance law, said Goldman’s position might persuade other businesses to abstain from political spending.

“It’s a precedent that can be cited to other companies, suggesting that they too decide not to exercise the right to spend unlimited amounts,” he said.

Some corporations have already started taking advantage of the new powers afforded by the Supreme Court. Target, for instance, recently donated $150,000 to a group that is running ads in support of a Republican candidate for governor in Minnesota who opposes gay marriage. Employees and gay rights advocates have criticized the donation.

Indeed, entering the political sphere comes with certain costs, including the potential for backlash from investors, the public and politicians.
Mr. Briffault said that some companies might be put off by those dangers, and that others might not be willing to tolerate the intense back-room lobbying for their support.

“It’s not clear that corporations are going to be zooming to take advantage of this,” he said.