Video of Assemblyman’s remarks on taxpayer-funded campaigns
(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,I,C-Glen Head) voted against a proposal by the Assembly Majority today that would have created taxpayer-funded political campaigns.
The legislation would use anywhere from a conservative estimate of $220 million to a broader estimate of over $400 million in taxpayer funds to provide campaign contributions to those seeking political office. For Montesano, this would only exacerbate the recent string of corruption scandals that have rocked Albany and would misspend taxpayer money in the process at a time when our education system and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities could use a boost.
“The proposal for taxpayer-funded campaigns is a disservice to the voters and residents of New York State,” said Montesano. “We all want to have fairer, cleaner elections but the proposal laid out today is nearly identical to the failed public financing system utilized by New York City, which has seen over 20 elected officials investigated for abusing this program.
“The proposal utterly fails to level the playing field. It doesn’t address the real issue plaguing politics and government: the deluge of money from unions, special interests and other third-parties. Participation in this program is optional, meaning that big money and pay-for-play components can still run rampant while others are left in the lurch. There are other better, more meaningful ways we must act to reform our democratic process and clean up Albany that would better serve our state than using taxpayer funds to pay for political campaigns.
“The legislation we voted on today is also a gross misuse of our residents’ hard-earned tax dollars. The money allocated for political campaigns would be much better spent on things all New Yorkers would benefit from, like increasing aid to our schools and localities or fully restoring funding to the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and their caregivers. Simply put, we should not be using tax dollars on political campaigns at a time when so many New Yorkers’ could use tax relief and assistance.”
For video of Assemblyman Montesano discussing legislation creating taxpayer-funded political campaigns, please visit http://youtu.be/Yb7YMI_-r7k.
