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ABOUT NYCCEOUR MISSIONWe are committed to passage of Clean Money Clean Election legislation in NYS that provides a non-partisan approach for full public funding of campaigns for all qualified candidates who refuse private money and abide by spending limits. We want to ensure that all Americans, regardless of wealth, have an equal voice in the political system and that qualified candidates are not discouraged from running because they do not have access to the money needed for a competitive campaign. OUR GOALOur primary goal is to take back democracy by enacting into law the Clean Money Clean Elections bills that have been introduced the New York State Senate (S2401) and Assembly (A5506) Similar laws have already been passed in Maine, Arizona, and several other states With Clean Elections, both voters and candidates benefit. Voters take back the principle of “one person one vote” and candidates no longer have to raise money to run for office. Once in office, they are beholden only to the citizens who elected them. We support this legislation through speaking engagements, the media, public meetings, house parties, and other events. We will work with all people and organizations who support these goals.HOW CLEAN ELECTIONS WORKSClean Elections is full and equal public funding of all qualified candidates who refuse private contributions and abide by spending limits. In keeping with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Buckley vs Valeo, which basically says money is equal to speech, Clean Elections is a voluntary system. Those who choose not to participate are free to opt out. If they opt out, they cannot have any public funds. Clean Election candidates qualify for public funding by demonstrating community support before the primary. They do this by collecting a certain number of $5 contributions from individuals in their own district. Once qualified, they do not have to raise another cent. They can spend all their campaign time communicating with the voters. Clean Elections would cost New Yorkers about $3 each per election cycle. In return, the billions that now go to tax breaks and subsidies for big contributors could be available for healthcare, education and schools, the environment, fire and police departments, infrastructure such as roads and bridges, etc. Although the bill has been introduced in both the Senate and Assembly, very few New Yorkers know about it because the media have virtually ignored it. Once the people are informed, we are certain they will demand its passage because they know big campaign contributors trump the will of the people. OUR STRATEGYNYCCE is determined to let New Yorkers know about the Clean Elections bill. And we have joined forces with organizations throughout the state to get the message out. With an informed electorate comes a powerful base of citizen and voter support. We will then mount massive campaigns to ensure that the bill becomes law. WHAT CAN YOU DO?For one thing, you can come to NYCCE meetings and meet others working to take back democracy from big-money interests. If you are not a “meeting goer”, there is still a lot you can do. This includes helping with phone trees, tabling at flea markets or fairs, gathering petitions, writing letters to the editor, hosting a house party with a NYCCE speaker, or having an organization you belong to host a NYCCE presentation. Whatever your talent and expertise, it is welcome and needed. Also, we need funds to function effectively. Every dollar you can send will help. Checks can be mailed to: NYCCE, POB 187, Palenville, NY 12463. WHO WE ARE:We are a non-partisan, non-profit organization of citizens who are very concerned about money’s assault on our democracy. We come from all walks of life, realizing that with ever more money pouring into campaigns, money corrupts our political system every day on every level. We also realize that this is not the fault of individual politicians as much as our system of private campaign funding whereby the will of the people is negated by the wealthy few who contribute the most.LOCAL CHAPTERSChapters are located geographically, as this is truly grass roots organizing. Local chapters can differ, but their main purpose is to educate the public and politicians and encourage local government bodies to pass resolutions in support of proposed state legislation which would implement public funding of campaigns.STATEWIDE INFORMATIONFor more information on Clean Elections statewide, contact Citizen Action of New York - www.citizenactionny.org |