Issue Position: Good, Honest Government & Campaign Finance Reform

Issue Position

As a former ethics officer for New York State government, Jenifer knows firsthand the importance of good, honest government that works for the people. She is an expert in the rules elected officials must follow to ensure that government truly serves the people.

Currently, Albany is awash in money from special interests, lobbyists, illegally coordinated independent campaign expenditures, and cynical justifications.

Limiting the amount of political contributions, restricting the type of individuals and entities that can make such contributions, increasing disclosure of donors and spending, eliminating or severely restricting outside income of legislators and for whom they can work, instituting a public finance system for campaigns, and closing carefully and cynically designed loopholes that allow for unlimited giving (and taking) through "housekeeping" accounts are all vital reforms that would dramatically increase public confidence in our government.

A broken legislative process has encouraged corruption, and eroded trust. There must be reform of how our legislature works. Particularly in the State Assembly, Committee Chairs must have more power to shape policy in their topical areas, and be able to hire their own staff.

Criminal and civil punishments for violating campaign finance and lobbying laws and regulations must be severe. Forfeiture of pensions, increased penalties, and enhanced sentencing provisions must all be passed. Investigative agencies - at all levels of government - need to be empowered and funded.

All relationships - familial or professional - between elected officials and non-profits or businesses that receive funding or incentives from government must be more fully investigated and prohibited, and no public officials should ever be allowed to financially benefit from their official actions.

When legislators and staff meet about a bill, policy, or procurement issue, minutes from the meeting should be posted online and available for public review. Schedules are often the clearest indication of an elected official's priorities, and should be disclosed in real time. Transparency is a vital tool in combating corruption.

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