Brooklyn Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie, chair of the Senate Elections Committee, has welcomed last Wednesday’s appointments to the Public Finance Commission.
“This last legislative session showed what happens when we elect candidates powered by the grassroots,” said Myrie, who represents the 20th Senatorial District in Brooklyn. “The Elections Committee’s hearing on public financing hearing made it even clearer that New York is in dire need of strong campaign finance reforms that reduce the influence of special interests and magnifies the voices of everyday New Yorkers.
“This is why it is critical that we have a public financing commission that has the skills and expertise to do the job,” he added. “With Ms. Getachew’s experience on good government reforms, Mr. Nonna’s experience serving in local government, and Mr. Berger’s extensive election law expertise, I am confident that the Majority Leader’s appointees will equip the commission to succeed.”
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb on July 3 announced the members of the Public Campaign Financing Commission.
Established as part of the fiscal year 2020 Enacted Budget, the Commission will have the binding power to implement public campaign financing for legislative and statewide offices, authorizing up to $100 million annually in public funds.
The commission will determine specific aspects of the public financing system, including eligibility thresholds, public financing limits and contribution limits for participating candidates.
The governor said the commission’s findings will be due in a report by Dec. 1, 2019 and will be binding unless modified by law within 20 days.
The commission comprises 10 members: Two appointed by Cuomo; two appointed by Stewart-Cousins; two appointed by Heastie; one at large seat jointly selected by the governor, the Assembly Speaker and the Majority Leader; and one appointee each for the two minority leaders.
Stewart-Cousins appointed DeNora Getachew, New York City executive director of Generation Citizen.
Getachew was previously Campaign Manager and Legislative Counsel for the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program and Policy Director for the Public Advocate’s Office.
She also appointed John Nonna, county attorney for Westchester county and co-founder of the Democratic Lawyers Council.
Nonna previously served as a Westchester County legislator and as mayor of Pleasantville.
