A Statute of Libery: How New York City's Campaign Finance Lawis Changing the Face of Local Elections

Publication Date: November 2003

Publisher: Center for Governmental Studies

Author(s): Paul S. Ryan

Research Area: Campaign Finance

Keywords: Public Financing

Type: Report

Coverage: New York

Abstract:

New York City's successful public campaign financing law is a "statute of liberty," attracting new participants and competition in city elections and offering a model for other cities to follow across the United States, according to this CGS study. However, the emergence of wealthy candidates and independent expenditures, coupled with weak state campaign finance laws, have created loopholes in the city's program that lawmakers must close if New York City is to remain among the nation's reform leaders