Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

Public Campaign Finance Board

Public Campaign Finance Board

  • The New Public Campaign Finance Program Gives More Influence to Everyday New Yorkers and Less to Wealthy People Like Me — That’s Great, Let’s Make It Happen

    Gov. Hochul and other state leaders (photo: Mike Groll/Governor's Office)


    This November, New York launched a new public campaign finance program for statewide and state legislative candidates. By providing candidates with generous matching funds, the program aims to increase the influence of everyday New Yorkers in Albany. 

    I have put a lot of money into politics over the years — and I think that this program is  a great idea. I want every New Yorker to enjoy the same level of access and influence that I have, and I want

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  • Hochul’s Budget Offers Far Less Funding Than Requested by New State Public Campaign Finance Board

    Governor Hochul presents her budget (photo: Mike Groll/Governor's Office)


    Governor Kathy Hochul has included $39.5 million for New York's Public Campaign Finance Board (PCFB), a fraction of the funding the new agency requested to launch a long-anticipated public matching fund program for state campaigns.

    Candidates for statewide and state legislative office now have the opportunity to receive a public match on small-dollar donations, a program meant to reduce the influence of big money donors in elections. On Wednesday, the

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  • What's Next for New York's New State Campaign Finance System?

    Voters at the polls (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayor's Office)


    New York State's new public campaign finance program is preparing to award as much as $100 million in matching funds over the 2023-24 election cycle when the entire State Legislature will again be on the ballot.

    The bi-partisan Public Campaign Finance Board, part of the State Board of Elections, is seeking $114.5 million in the next state budget to fund the new voluntary matching program during its first election cycle. Most of the funding would go toward

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  • New York’s Next Shot to Strengthen Our Democracy

    may participates electoral

    The State Senate chamber (photo: Edwin J. Torres/ Mayoral Photo Office)


    American democracy is suffering a crisis of confidence. In too many states, the very mechanics of elections has become a partisan and polarizing issue, with deeply damaging results. This year New York has the chance to model a path forward, with a bipartisan commitment to strengthening democracy and providing the best possible systems for our citizens to be heard. 

    As appointees to the state’s new Public Campaign Finance Board, that commitment is

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