Simply Put The Speaker is Wrong

And so is any member of the Council of color that did not speak up against this new revision to the city’s campaign finance law in the democratic caucus meetings (you know who you are).

This law is wrong for the very basic fact that it is local government trying to determine which political speech ought to be heard the loudest and that is emphatically wrong.

But there are other reasons:

1. Limiting contributions for some while doing nothing the decrease the very clear advantage of wealthy candidates like Mayor Bloomberg is unconscionable;

2. The law creates a protected class that needs little protection when it comes to elections: labor unions. They are some of the most powerful folks in the process as is - with their already considerable advantage in manpower, get-out-the-vote efforts and endorsements

3. This law not only limits who and how much can be contributed but it also takes money away from candidates. As the bill no longer holds exempt the costs related to compliance and fundraising that were exempt just last election cycle. This will costs candidates who can least afford it upwards of $20,000 that were once used to talk directly with voters and field activities will now have to be saved to pay lawyers as they maneuver through the complex Campaign Finance Board that is also a creation of law by the Council. (How many candidates do you know have $20,000 lying around after an election to pay for lawyers and compliance?)

This law is violation of speech but it also hurts candidates of color in the city disproportionately. Look at the campaign filings of the candidates of color in NYC and see who were the contributors who wrote checks of $2,000 or more (City Council only) - they are the labor unions, the lobbyists and so-called “people who do business with the city”. (Which could be a daycare provider).

Most people who live in communities of color in this city cannot afford to write their city council candidate of choice a $2,000+ check and pay their bills at the same time. This may not be an issue for those who live on the Upper East Side or West Side of Manhattan, but it is for those who live in Harlem and the South Bronx and in Central Brooklyn.

If the unions are the only remaining source for the larger contributions for candidates of color in NYC - how likely will it be that they can afford to take positions that may hurt the unions, even if they are good for the city? (I would say unlikely at best).
One of the few folks sticking their neck out there to oppose this unfair law is lobbyist Sid Davidoff who said "This is one of the more serious infringements on civil rights that I've been involved with in the city. It is a serious issue. It involves thousands and thousands of people in the city and their families in terms of their ability to be involved in the electoral process.” He is right and we should stand with him. And so should candidates of color, elected officials of color and communities of color, because what is true in Chelsea is not necessarily true in Harlem.