NYPIRG asks JCOPE to review spending by state's political parties
By DAN O'REGAN
The New York Public Interest Research Group is calling on the Joint Commission on Public Ethics to review the lobbying activities of New York state's political parties. In a letter sent to the Commission's Executive Direction, Letizia Tagliafierro, NYPIRG cites examples of several state parties trying to influence the passage or defeat of legislation.
According to article 1-A of the Legislative Law, or "Lobbying Law," the rational for its reporting requirements is "to preserve and maintain the integrity of the governmental decision-making process in this state, it is necessary that the identity, expenditures and activities of persons and organizations retained, employed or designated to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation."
NYPIRG seeks to require the Democratic, Republican, Conservative and Working Families parties to register as lobbyists and report their lobbying as required under state law because of activities from the parties that have been oriented toward the passage of state legislation.
The letter cites a May 2013 report in the Wall Street Journal which says, "The state Democratic party was set to spend more than $1 million on TV ad campaigns designed to promote and execute two central planks of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's agenda, according to people familiar with the matter."
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2013-11-20-85892.113122-NYPIRG-asks-JCOPE-to-review-spending-by-states-political-parties.html