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.
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.
Investigating NY State’s Toxic Brew
News that Governor David Paterson has authorized Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to conduct a full-blown investigation into “political interference” by the New York State police is welcome....
What’s in a Name? Frankly, a Pretty Big Political Favor
Two weeks ago, state Sen. Frank Padavan received extra credit—quite inappropriately—from Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein when a cluster of public schools in Bellerose, Queens, was renamed for him....
It may be an overstatement to refer to any state constitutional question as “interesting” in the wake of a nationally publicized sex scandal, but we believe there are genuinely interesting issues of succession following Eliot Spitzer’s resignation…
Illustrations by Risko
Testimony to the NY City Council Re: Voter Assistance Commission
Testimony regarding registering New Yorkers with felony convictions to vote.
Letter to NYC Board of Elections Regarding Search for New Executive Director
A letter urging the NYC Board of Elections to seek an Executive Director with a history of nonpartisan election administration.
A comparison of the chamber’s old rules and those adopted in January 2007.
New York Really Needs Public Campaign Financing
In April, Gov. David Paterson shook off pressure to create a system of public financing of campaigns, claiming that there’s just no money in the budget for it. Two recent examples of questionable fiscal management might shed light on why....
Coalition Issue Brief: Campaign Finance Reform
Problems and solution to New York’s disgraceful campaign finance system.
Coalition Issue Brief: Redistricting
Elections are supposed to offer voters a choice in their representation. Unfortunately, the winners of New York State legislative elections are typically chosen in non-competitive elections. In fact, New York’s Legislature has one of the highest rates of incumbency in the nation.