Category: Meetings

Legislative Update: Campaign Finance Reform in Ulster County – Part 2

Posted on by Penny

This is the second installment of our series on Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform in Ulster County. Read Part 1 here.

Ulster People Unanimously Passes a Resolution Urging our County Legislature to Enact Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform

Ulster People Talk Campaign Finance Reform

Campaign Finance Reform led the agenda at Ulster People’s general meeting in May.  Joan Mandle, a 20-year veteran of the struggle, updated us on the dysfunction in Albany. County Legislator Kathy Nolan discussed the comprehensive campaign finance bill she has proposed for Ulster County.  I reported on the progress made by the Legislature’s subcommittee charged with crafting legislation that will (hopefully) give Ulster County our first publicly financed elections.

Ulster People’s Resolution in Support of Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform

After the presentations, Ulster People voted unanimously to endorse the following resolution: 

Ulster People for Justice and Democracy supports the efforts of the County Legislature to pass a Comprehensive Campaign Finance Law.  The two proposals currently before the Legislature (Proposed Local Law 16 of 2018 and  Proposed Local Law No. 21 of 2018) represent a start, but they differ in important ways from each other and from what we would like to see in the final law.

Ulster People would like the final legislation to include:

  • $2500 in public funds to be distributed in total when a candidate has raised $500 in donations of $5 or more including at least 50 individual donations;
  • A 5:1 matching fund ratio;
  • A cap on individual contributions of $250.

This resolution has been forwarded to the members of the Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform Subcommittee.

Work in Progress

This resolution will not be our last word on the subject of Campaign Finance Reform. 

First, it concedes that our goal of a closed system, in which all campaigns are publicly financed and all candidates bound by the same spending limits, just isn’t realistic at this moment.  It is, however, an important step in the right direction.  

Second, it pertains only to those aspects of the proposed legislation that the subcommittee has already taken up– specifically local campaigns.  Statewide campaigns have yet to be addressed.    

How we got there:

The Cap on Matching Funds

The subcommittee has (tentatively) agreed to a $2500 cap on matching funds for local candidates.  That is based on the total amount the subcommittee members believe the County might be willing to budget and the assumption that $3000 (the $500 raised to qualify plus $2500 in public funds) is a reasonable amount to finance a competitive local campaign. 

Ulster People is okay with $2500–as a starting point, though we would like to see a higher number.    

Qualifying for Matching Funds

The subcommittee (tentatively) agrees that, to qualify for public matching funds, candidates must raise $500 in small donations (between $10 and $100), including at least 50 individual donations. 

Ulster People agrees that 50 individual small donations to a campaign demonstrates a reasonable level of community support and helps weed out frivolous or non-competitive candidates.  But we strongly encourage the subcommittee to adjust their definition of a “small donation” and consider allowing $5 donations to also be counted towards the $500 qualification.  It obviously would take more effort to raise $500 in $5 increments,  but supporters who think their $5 won’t make a difference might think differently when told that when matched 5:1, $5 becomes a more substantial sounding $30.  If the goal is more citizens feeling invested in a candidate and a campaign, why not make the minimum $5?  

The Matching Fund Ratio

After the second subcommittee meeting, Ed and I had an Aha! moment I think worth sharing.  We (Ulster People) had been advocating matching fund ratios of 5:1 or 6:1,thinking candidates would get more public money.  Not so.  

The same qualifying threshold ($500) must be reached, including the same 50 individual contributions, but the maximum any candidate will receive in public funds remains the same. All a higher ratio changes is how long it takes to get there.

The subcommittee has (tentatively) agreed to a 3:1 ratio.  50 donations of $10 each gets a candidate to the qualifying threshold of $500.  When matched at 3:1, $500 becomes $2000, only $1500 of which is public money.  There’s still $1000 left in matching funds and any number of ways to get there (100 $10 donations; 10 $100 donations).

Ulster People wants a 5:1 ratio—if for no other reason than to avoid the weeds.  When matched at a 5:1 ratio, the qualifying $500 would become $2500, maxing out the public funds available.   Done.  It’s simple and straightforward.  Give them the money and be done with the calculations. 

Individual Contribution Limits

Remember that the presumed goal of enacting campaign finance reform is to counter the overwhelming influence of wealth on our political process.  But candidates who opt into this public financing program are free to continue raising money even after maxing out their public money.  The only constraint is the legal limit on individual contributions.  The subcommittee has (tentatively) agreed to a limit of $500.

Ulster People believes that a $250 is limit is one we can live with, though we would prefer it to be lower.  A lower cap on individual donations doesn’t mean that some candidates with deep pocket donors won’t outraise and outspend their opponents, but it does make buying an election proportionally harder– and the voices of small donors are proportionally augmented.  

The subcommittee has yet to resolve some tricky issues, among them:  Who will be responsible for oversight?  How much will the county have to budget to keep the program adequately funded?  Does it make sense to introduce legislation at the local level first and at the statewide level sometime in the future?   

To be continued….

Make Your Voice Heard

The subcommittee has now met three times and are scheduled to meet next on June 13th (6-8 PM at the Library, 6th floor of the Ulster County Office Building).  Tracey Bartels, Chair of the UCL, and the two Ulster County Board of Elections Commissioners, Ashley Dittus (D) and Tom Turco (R), are scheduled to appear to discuss, among other things, how the program might best be overseen. The public is welcome and encouraged to come.

Join Our County Legislature Observers Group

The Ulster County Legislature (UCL) Observers Working Group attends Ulster County Legislative and standing committee meetings and reports back to our larger body. Our attendance at the Legislature’s regular sessions, at committee meetings and at scheduled public hearings is seen by our endorsed candidates as support and is much appreciated. It’s also a great way to find out what is on their agenda and get to know the individuals who represent us. Please consider going!

Upcoming meetings of the Ulster County Legislature

Series Navigation

Skip the Straw Law

Posted on by Penny

Not the Last Straw, but a step in the right direction.

On Thursday, May 9, the Ulster County Legislature’s Energy and Environment Committee approved passage of the “Skip the Straw Law”  (Proposed Local Law Number 20 of 2018:  A Local Law Requiring Restaurants And Fast Food Service Establishments Provide Plastic Beverage Straws Solely Upon Request).  The proposed law will be voted on by the full Legislature on Tuesday, May 21. As always, you are invited/encouraged to come make your voices heard.

This law does NOT ban plastic straws!  You can still have your plastic straws – all you have to do is ask.  It is no more than a gentle reminder to businesses and consumers that our oceans are facing a crisis we ignore at great risk.  

According to the Daily Freeman, “reaction to the measure has been split among legislators and the public.”  Some feel it is too autocratic and costly for businesses. Some feel it doesn’t go far enough and should include other single-use plastic items, like stirrers and cutlery.  But, as Majority Leader Jon Heppner pointed out, amending the law would trigger more public hearings, more debate – and more delay. “It’s a step in the right direction.

At Ulster People’s May 20 general meeting, I will be introducing a resolution in support of the Ulster County Legislature’s “Skip the Straw Law.”

Fun fact:  

According to the international Earth Day Network, if we don’t change our ways, by 2025, the oceans will contain one ton of plastic for every three tons of fish. By 2050, we’re looking at an ocean that will be home to more plastic (by weight) than fish.  

Corporations, municipalities, and even national governments are implementing bans on plastic straws.  Starbucks has committed to eliminating them by 2020, thereby eliminating more than a billion straws a year.  So have Hyatt, Hilton American and Alaska Airlines, and Royal Caribbean. The E.U. banned them in April. Seattle and Malibu have banned them in 2018.  San Francisco and New York are considering proposals. And on May 13, Ron DiSantis, the Republican Governor of Florida, vetoed a bill that would have prevented local governments from passing plastic straw bans: the Sanibel, Ft. Myers Beach and Miami Beach plastic straw bans stand!

Another Fun Fact:

Common wisdom says paper straws are 6 to 10 times more expensive than plastic. But public pressure has created new markets for reusable straws made of materials like paper, silicone, stainless steel, glass and bamboo.  And for a disposable alternative: I ordered a 200-Pack of 100% Plant-Based Compostable/Biodegradable Flexible Alternatives for $8.99 (about .7 percent more) from Amazon. Report to follow arrival.

Weigh in on Skip the Straw!

Please consider coming  to the May 21 meeting of the Ulster County Legislature when a vote will be taken on the “Skip the Straw Law.”  You needn’t speak – your presence alone reminds our legislators that we are paying attention and that we care. If you do decide to speak (please do!), remember to show up a few minutes early to sign up.

Ulster People’s next general meeting

(at which I will present my resolution to support the “Skip the Straw Law” to our voting members) will focus on Fair Elections and Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform at both the state and local levels. It is open to the public.   Please come!

Updates from Our Annual Meeting of the Members

Posted on by beccatron

On January 28, 2019 the voting members of Ulster People for Justice & Democracy convened for our Annual Meeting of the Members.

Photo of county executive candidate presentations

The meeting began with presentations from candidates seeking county-wide office. We heard from Dave Clegg, candidate for District Attorney; a representative from Bryan Round’s campaign for County Judge; and Marc Rider, Pat Ryan, and Pat Strong, all candidates for County Executive.

During the business portion of the meeting, voting member dues were set at $27 for the year, and a new steering committee was elected:

Chair
Rebecca Rojer
Vice Chair
Penny Coleman
Secretary
Ann Brown
Treasurer
Lanny Walter
Members at Large
Ed Kowalewski
Larissa Shaughnessy
Rick Vanden Heuvel

Additionally, the following working groups were determined to be active:

  • Ulster County Legislature Observers Working Group, chaired by Elisa Tucci and Tamara Telberg
  • Ulster County Electoral Field Guide Working Group, chaired by Penny Coleman
  • 2019 Endorsements Working Group, chaired by Thomas Brown
  • DA/Prosecutorial Reform Teach-In Working Group, chaired by Rebecca Rojer
  • County Legislature Teach-In Working Group, chaired by Elisa Tucci, Tamara Telberg, and Penny Coleman
  • Delegation to the Campaign for the NY Health Act, chaired by Charlotte Adamis
  • Delegation to the Fair Elections Campaign, chaired by Lanny Walter

Anyone interested in getting involved in a working group is encouraged to email connect@ulsterpeople.org to be put in contact with the working group chair(s). Our Calendar and Take Action pages are another good way to learn how to plug in to our work.

Our next general meeting will be held on Monday, March 11 from 6-8pm (location TBA).

An Invitation for Candidates Seeking County Offices in 2019 to Address Ulster People for Justice & Democracy

Posted on by Endorsements Committee

Ulster People for Justice & Democracy will host its annual Members Meeting on Monday, January 28 at 6pm at the Rosendale Rec Center. We invite candidates running for county-level offices in 2019, and interested in seeking our endorsement, to address our membership at this meeting.

Due to the accelerated timeframe of the special election, for candidates seeking the office of County Executive, we ask that you complete our Local Candidate Endorsement Questionnaire prior to the meeting. Candidates who have completed our questionnaire in prior years need not do so again, unless their positions on the issues have changed since they last completed the form.

Candidates running for other offices are asked to not fill out the questionnaire at this time, as our endorsement committee will release an updated 2019 questionnaire shortly.

We can accommodate up to 6 candidates at this meeting. Preference will be given to those running for county-wide office (County Exec, Justice, DA) and then to non-incumbents.

Candidates will be given 5 minutes to speak, with the possibility for Q&A and (based on how many candidates attend).

Please RSVP to connect@ulsterpeople.org.

In Solidarity,

Steering Committee of Ulster People for Justice & Democracy

 

Updates from Our Annual Meeting of the Members

Posted on by ulsterpeople

On January 24, 2018 the voting members of Ulster People for Justice & Democracy convened for their Annual Meeting of the Members. Members voted to adopt Bylaws and a Code of Conduct, as well as some minor adjustments to our mission statement. Voting member dues were set at $27 for the year, and a new steering committee was elected:

Chair
Rebecca Rojer
Vice Chair
Penny Coleman
Secretary
Bill Barr
Treasurer
Lanny Walter
Member at Large

Ann Brown

Additionally, the following working groups were determined to be active:

  • Healthcare Working Group, chaired by Charlotte Adamis
  • Ulster County Electoral Field Guide Working Group, chaired by Penny Coleman
  • Sheriff Election Working Group, chaired by Rebecca Rojer
  • Ulster County Legislature Observers Working Group, chaired by Elisa Tucci and Tamara Telberg

Anyone interested in getting involved in a working group is encouraged to email connect@ulsterpeople.org to be put in contact with the working group chair(s). Our Calendar and Take Action pages are another good way to learn how to plug in to our work. The next general meeting (recently postponed from February to March) is another opportunity to hear about all of our working groups and find out how to get involved.