The chair of the Assembly Ethics Committee is holding a re-election fundraiser days before she and other policy committees deliver the state budget, a move that has raised eyebrows in Albany’s tired pay-to-play culture. Thing.
Many of the people soliciting donations for such events are lobbyists and their clients who traditionally do business with the state, including items related to the state budget, which is due April 1. .
Brooklyn Democratic Rep. and panel chairwoman Jo Ann Simon will host an event Tuesday night at the Hollow Bar near the Capitol in Albany.
The newspaper said co-sponsors include Attorney General Letitia James and state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, and the asking price is $3,000. Invitation posted on actblue.com.
Suggested prices are $50 for “general and central staff,” $125 for one attendee, $250 for “guest,” $500 for “friend,” $1,000 for “supporter,” and $2,000 for “sponsor.” ing.
“What kind of message will be conveyed to voters by the Ethics Committee Chairperson’s statements?” [in this] Before Congress votes on the budget? asked a surprised Congress official.
Simon’s event is a microcosm of the fundraising frenzy that occurs from the start of the legislative session in January to early June, especially during election years and around budget negotiations.
A previous study conducted by the New York Public Interest Research Group found that between January and June, when the state Legislature was in session, even when the Legislature was not in session, the number of statewide elected officials, including the governor and state legislators, It was found that more than 170 fundraising events were held by officials. election year.
“For years, the Albany Legislature has been a fundraising goldmine for lobbyists and their wealthy clients,” said Blair Horner, executive director of the nonpartisan New York Public Interest Research Group.
Earlier this year, the Post reported that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Chairman Carl Heastie held a fundraiser on Jan. 8, the night before Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address.
But this questionable fundraising season has been a bipartisan extravaganza, with minority Republicans in the nation’s capital competing for campaign funds with Democrats in power at every level of state government.
Mr. Hochul did an amazing job of raising funds during the Congress.
Simon had no immediate comment.
