Casino Proposal and Other Ballot Questions for November 5th

For the general election coming up on November 5th, 2013, there will be ballot questions. The one that is getting the most press is on the casino proposal.  

Here are some links, please check back soon for more:

Ballotpedia's page on the casino proposal

NY Times article, Thomas Kaplan, 9/30/13

Other Ballot Questions:

Page on proposed Constitutional Amendments at the BOE's website

Instant Runoff Voting Proposed for New York

The high cost for the Oct. 1st, 2013 run-off election in NYC has renewed the discussion around Instant Run-off Voting.  We'll be discussing this issue at Linkup at 7pm on Oct. 2nd at Peculier Pub near NYU (click here).  Here's a few links:

High-Cost Runoff for Public Advocate’s Post Prompts Calls for Reform
Kate Taylor in the NY Times, 9/29/13

NYS-IRV - Citizens for Instant Run-off Voting in New York State

Wikipedia page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant-runoff_voting

A Proposal for New York: Instant Runoff Voting
Letter to the Editor of the NY Times From Dick Dadey, Exec. Dir of Citizens Union

City Council Elections Bill Would Move NYC To Instant Runoff Voting
Ellen Durkin in the Daily News, 6/12/13

Opinion: Instant-runoff voting – right reasons, wrong reform, April 4, 2011

A Split Vote on Alternative Electoral Systems
Carl Bialik in the WSJ, May 13, 2011

Report on LInkup with Jerome Rice from 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care

At our Linkup (formerly called meetups) on September 4th, 2013, we discussed latest N.Y.P.D. controversy - labeling entire mosques as "terrorist enterprises" - in order to do surveillance of imams and members, even with no evidence of wrong doing.  

In late August, the AP obtained documents showing that the NYPD has secretly labeled entire mosques as terrorism enterprises, which allows police to use informants to record sermons and spy on leaders:  "Designating an entire mosque as a terrorism enterprise means that anyone who attends prayer services there is a potential subject of an investigation and fair game for surveillance."  Read the whole AP article here. 

Jerome called the NYPD's tactic of labeling entire mosques as terrorist enterprises a "slap in the face" and said it is not just a question of religion being targeted, its a question of privacy.  Many people, when they are trying to get their life together, go to talk to a clergy member and confide in them; surveillance at place of worship is a violation of this privacy.

Candidates for Comptroller Answer Our Questionnaire

Scott Stringer and Eliot Spitzer, the Democratic candidates for Comptroller, have answered our candidate questionnaire, and voting is open from now until Monday Aug. 19th at midnight for the DFNYC Comptroller Endorsement.  Click here for the ballot.

Check below for their answers:  We'll post them as soon as we receive them!

Democratic primary: Tues. Sept. 10th.  (Winner will most likely be the next Comptroller.)

Forum Tuesday Aug. 13th:   Democracy for NYC co-hosted a forum with Living Liberally & Act Now NY. Pictures and video are linked from the front page of our website, click Home, above left.

DFNYC Endorsement Vote: Click here for rules and ballot.

~~~~~

Democracy for NYC's 2013 Candidate Questionnaire - Comptroller

(Candidates' Answers will be listed in alphabetical order.)

1. Shareholder Power. One of the most significant powers of the NYC Comptroller is management of NYC’s five pension funds, valued at approximately $140 billion, which are invested in stocks and other assets.  Would you seek to use this power as an activist shareholder, for the purpose of making corporations and Wall Street more responsible and ethical? How would you seek to accomplish this? Each pension fund has its own Board of Trustees with decision making authority. Please include in your answer your experience in working with Boards or other groups to change or improve policies.

Eliot Spitzer: 

Part of protecting those pensions is realizing that as pensioners, the workers of New York City own the companies in which the pension funds invest.  As owners, New York City workers are entitled to responsive governance.  If I am fortunate enough to be elected comptroller, I’ll use our ownership power to ensure that the companies in which we invest behave responsibly.

2. Qualifications. The role of Comptroller will require expertise in financial strategy and investing, knowledge of markets, as well as experience in effective management and cooperation with others, including shareholder groups, Boards, and government agencies to effect positive change. Please briefly give your qualifications for the position of Comptroller.

Eliot Spitzer: 

As AG, I brought numerous cases against the Wall Street financial institutions, using new and creative means to expose and prosecute malfeasance.  You can’t do that without a deep understanding of the banks and capital markets.  Moreover, we turned the office into one of the best law firms in New York, with over 600 lawyers.  It’s this track record that qualifies me to be New York City’s Comptroller.  I know what it is to take an agency and leverage its formerly unused powers to protect New Yorkers, regardless of their background.     

3. City Contracts - Accountability. Would you seek to actively use the power of the Comptroller's office, as currect Comptroller John Liu has done, to review city contracts (including those entered into before his tenure), to ensure they remain within budget constraints, at the most competitive pricing, and that vendors are paying their fair share of taxes to the city? 

Eliot Spitzer: 

Reviewing City contracts has always been a function of the comptroller's office.  Though it has been difficult for comptrollers thus far to get the courts to uphold contract rejections, except in cases of fraud, I will vigorously review all contracts to ensure that terms of service and payments are appropriate and that vendors are in compliance both with the terms of the contract and with the law.

4. Relationship with State & Other Comptrollers. As City Comptroller, how would you view your relationship with the New York State Comptroller, and the officials that control pension funds in other States? Do you feel these relationships could be used advantageously for common goals, such as curbing irresponsible risk taking on Wall Street or supporting sensible budget policies for properly funding pensions (as opposed to simply redoing the math to assume the market will go up)?

Eliot Spitzer: 

When any group of people bands together with a common purpose, it can be a powerful force. As AG, I worked with Attorneys General around the country to protect our constituents against fraud and malfeasance by banks and large corporations.   As for the current state comptroller, I think he’s done a fine job.  We’ve had our differences, but that’s to be expected with two opinionated people. I have every confidence that we will work well together.

5. We can’t believe we have to ask this.  In light of some of the past scandals with pension funds in New York State, do you agree not to accept personal favors and gifts from people or corporations that are likely to be seeking favorable treatment from the Comptroller’s Office?

Eliot Spitzer: Of course, and I will make sure that my staff also complies with the ban.

Scott Stringer: Yes.  In addition, I will strengthen Conflicts of Interest training to ensure all trustees, veteran and new, fully understand and comply with their ethical obligations.

6. NYC Council Member Items – Slush Fund. Do you think the powers of the City Comptroller should be used to change or improve the use of City Council member items, including the “slush fund” as described in a NY Times OpEd, to make it more fairly distributed, properly used, and less dependent on the discretion of whomever holds the position of Speaker?

Eliot Spitzer: I support reforming the system of member item disbursement to one based solely on community need.  There’s no excuse for city council members using taxpayer dollars to benefit their families and political allies at the expense of New Yorkers in need.  I will use the power of the comptroller’s office to ensure that city council member items are subject to appropriate scrutiny and awarded only to legitimate groups and projects.  

Scott Stringer: 

As Borough President, I issued a groundbreaking report in 2011 on the City’s member items, which showcased how certain Councilmembers received far more funds than others and that allocations were not in line with the varying needs of our communities. Since then, it has only become clearer that the system is fraught with corruption and in need of an overhaul.

The $50 million of member items should be put to work on behalf of working class New Yorkers, not used by Council members as a personal piggybank to maintain their political support.

7. Protecting Tenants - Divesting in "Predatory Equity".  Former Comptroller Bill Thompson

stopped the city's pension funds from investing in "predatory equity"; specifically private companies that would buy buildings with rent-regulated apartments at inflated prices, with the goal of trying to evict rent-regulated tenants who have lived in these apartments for several years, most of whom cannot afford market rate rents. Do you agree with this ban on investing city pension funds on firms that seek to undermine affordable housing laws?  (City Limits article - March 3rd, 2008)

Eliot Spitzer: 

Yes, I support the ban on investing city pension funds in firms that seek to undermine affordable housing laws.  This is exactly how the powers of the office should be used to protect New Yorkers.

8. Cable & Internet Companies - Options & Customer Service.  There are many areas of NYC that still lack quality options for cable television and internet service.  In addition, many customers have had
horrible service experiences, for example waiting at home during a 4-hour "window" for a cable technician who never shows up, only to be told that the appointment can't be rescheduled for a week, and the customer will receive nothing more for this trouble and lack of service than a small bill credit. The Comptroller's office has significant regulatory authority over telecom companies, including auditing and approvals of upgrades and expansions to existing systems. Would you use this power to ensure that broadband companies expand service to all areas of NYC and actually provide better customer service, (not just transparency about their service) and face real penalties when they fail to do so?

Eliot Spitzer: 

Yes, I will use my position on the NYC Franchise Concession and Review Committee to ensure that broadband companies expand service to all areas and provide better customer service, and face real penalties if they fail to do so.  

9. Your Ideas. Are there other ways you would seek to use the Comptroller's office to help push and support a progressive political agenda in the city?

Eliot Spitzer: 

The comptroller’s office is responsible for protecting the City’s pension funds to ensure that those who have paid into the pensions get the benefits they have contracted for and deserve.  Part of protecting those pensions is realizing that as pensioners, the workers of New York City own the companies in which the pension funds invest.  As owners, New York City workers are entitled to responsive governance.  As Comptroller, I’ll use our ownership power to ensure that the companies in which we invest behave responsibly.  Second, the comptroller’s office watches how the City spends taxpayer dollars.  Whether it’s public schools, the MTA, or NYCHA, the comptroller’s job is to make sure that money is spent effectively and efficiently.  And that’s why I’m running for Comptroller – not to count the money, but to make the money count.

Bully Pulpit Questions: Issues where the Comptroller has a voice but not a vote:

10. Home Rule for NYC. One of the biggest obstacles to enacting policy for New York City is that we do not have "Home Rule"; so many issues that affect New York City are actually decided by Albany, leaving NYC in the precarious position of begging Albany for action.  Examples include rent-stabilization laws that protect tenants, congestion pricing, taxation, and even some parking policies. Will you advocate for stronger home rule for NYC? Both Democratic candidates have served in state government. Please tell us what, if anything, you did during your time of service in favor of Home Rule for New York City.

Eliot Spitzer: 

I will advocate for stronger home rule for the City, especially on issues affecting housing and transportation.

11. Getting Big Money Out of Politics. Large donors have a huge amount of influence in local and national politics due to their campaign contributions. While NYC’s matching funds program is seen as one of the most innovative public funding campaigns in the country, many DFNYC members feel that big money donors still have too much influence, candidates still spend too much time fundraising, and the matching funds come to the campaigns too late to make a real difference in how we run elections.  Would you support a change to full public financing of campaigns, similar to the Clean Money Clean Elections programs in Arizona, Connecticut and Maine? Do you feel that Citizens United, the Supreme Court case that strengthened corporate personhood and struck down many campaign finance laws, was wrongly decided?

Eliot Spitzer: 

There is no question that large financial interests have had a corrupting influence on politics. While I believe that Citizens United was properly decided on First Amendment grounds (a position shared by the ACLU), I understand that many progressives disagree on the Constitutional grounds of this decision. 

However, Citizens United is the law of the land and unlikely to change.  We can make real progress on campaign finance reform by creating a level playing field when it comes to candidate contributions. That is why I have supported - and will continue to support - public financing for campaigns.

Scott Stringer: 

Citizens United’s interpretation of the First Amendment is wrong and dangerous. The flood of corporate and special interest money in our elections—especially without disclosure—threatens to undermine the public’s trust in government.I support the matching program and low contribution limits in NYC and consider our system a model.

Eliot Spitzer: 

In January I wrote an op-ed in the Times Union on this very topic.  In it I pushed for a federal transactions tax of which 1/3 would go to the states.  I argued that New York State should use this money to fund education aid. A tax of less than half a percent on every $100 of stock sales or sales of other financial instruments including bonds, derivatives and options could easily generate $250 billion to $300 billion in annual revenue.  And it would tax HFT.  We need creative solutions that can solve for myriad issues.  I think this is one such solution.