Cuomo Wants New Limits On Secret Campaign Funds
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he wants to stop independent political organizations from hijacking elections by improperly coordinating with candidates.
The Democratic governor on Wednesday announced a legal opinion and legislation that he says will address problems caused by the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision.
"I am troubled by the drip, drip, drip, drip," Cuomo said. "Remember the entity is supposed to be independent. No coordination. No cooperation."
That ruling prohibits restrictions on independent political spending, allowing wealthy donors, organizations or candidates themselves to create independent groups that can skirt many campaign finance rules.
Good Government Advocate Dick Dadey said he feels this just scratches the surface.
"Does this address the core need of fighting corruption in Albany? No, it does not," he told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell.
The administration's legal opinion seeks to prevent coordination between independent groups and candidates by clarifying ambiguities in current law.
The legislation would go further by enacting what Cuomo says would be the nation's strongest law prohibiting coordination.
Republican Senate Leader John Flanagan says he welcomes the chance to review Cuomo's proposal, which comes days before lawmakers plan to adjourn.
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