NY Reform
The Brennan Center's flagship issue in New York is legislative reform. In 2004, the Center released a landmark report documenting in detail the pervasive dysfunction in New York's legislative process and offering a blueprint for reform. Our 2006 update detailed the reforms made by the Senate and Assembly in 2005 and concluded that the broken legislative process has not been substantially fixed by either chamber. The report recommended strengthening the committee process; ending the stranglehold leadership has over bills getting to the floor, institutionalizing the use of conference committees, and ending leadership control over resources and staff.We also work toward reform in the areas of campaign finance and redistricting in New York. In 2006, the Brennan Center released Paper Thin, a report that revealed the glaring weaknesses in the state's campaign finance laws. Our attorneys partner with elected officials and allies to draft and advocate legislation that would place meaningful restrictions on the flow of money into New York's campaigns, with the ultimate goal of moving toward public financing. Brennan Center staff has also done research and testified to legislative committees on the need for a fair and meaningfully independent redistricting process.
In 2006, the Center led a coalition of civic groups urging Governor Pataki and legislative leaders to embrace a package of eight lobbying and ethics reforms. The coalition released an analysis of New York's laws regulating this area, with a set of proposed reforms crafted into a model bill.
ReformNY
The Brennan Center for Justice has long maintained a blog for all our NY State reform news. Click here to read the ReformNY Blog.
Campaign for Fiscal Equity v. State of New York
The Brennan Center’s amicus brief in this case argued that the inadequate representation provided by the New York State Legislature justified judicial intervention in the funding of the state’s public schools.
The Brennan Center and other good government groups submitted an amicus brief in support of an ultimately successful effort to shed light on New York legislators’ pet projects.
Five years since the Brennan Center called the New York legislature the “most dysfunctional in the country,” the situation has not improved. “It’s gone from dysfunctional to laughable,” says Larry Norden. “It’s embarrassing.” Follow the Brennan Center’s efforts to reform New York politics on our blog, ReformNY.
Last Friday, the NY Senate Elections Committee held a hearing to discuss election reform bills currently before the Senate....
Progress on Committee Hearings
One of New York’s legislative shortcomings of particular concern to the Brennan Center is the lack of committee hearings....
Illustrations by Risko
Stregnthen NYS Senate’s Proposed Rules
Coalition of organizations calls on Albany to further strengthen their rules.
Study Presents New York State Senate with First Test on Reform
In an update to reports released in 2004 and 2006, the Center’s study finds that the legislative process in Albany remains broken, and offers concrete recommendations for reform.
Brennan Center Testimony for the New York Senate Elections Committee
On June 3, 2009, Ciara Torres-Spelliscy provided testimony for the New York Senate Elections Committee on New York State’s campaign finance problems and some of the constitutional issues related to campaign finance regulations
Testimony of Lawrence Norden Regarding New York State Senate Rules Reform
Testimony before the New York State Senate Temporary Committee on Rules Reform on the findings of the Brennan Center’s 2004, 2006, and 2008 reports on the New York State Legislature and the Center’s recommendations for reform
Strengthen the Senate’s Proposed Rules
Coalition of organizations call on Albany to strengthen their rules.
The Brennan Center’s Senior Fellow discusses the dysfunction in Albany on WABC’s “Up Close” hosted by Diana Williams.
Albany Needs a Whole Lot More Sunshine
New York’s huge budget deficit—$15.4 billion in the next 15 months—will force difficult choices in terms of government services and tax policies for years to come. To engage intelligently in that debate, New Yorkers need far more information than we now receive from Albany.
Bruno Breezes Through State’s Revolving Door
Discusses Sen. Joseph Bruno’s quick and questionable transition into the private sector after years of service in the New York Senate. Bruno now works for an information technology company that has contracts with several executive branch offices and agencies.