“Today the Campaign Finance Board (CFB) issued an advisory opinion in response to a request from good government groups. The request came as a result of an earlier advisory opinion in which it appeared that CFB had dramatically changed its interpretation of the rules regarding the political activities of membership organizations. We are gratified that with today’s opinion the CFB has made it clear that it has not changed its enforcement rules related to such activities and has indeed demonstrated its commitment to protecting the vitally important civic participation of membership organizations and others in our political process.

However, we, as well as good government groups such as NYPIRG, Citizens Union, Common Cause, and the Brennan Center still remain concerned that the CFB’s rules regarding independent expenditure reporting does not exempt the internal communications of membership organizations. We remain committed to passing a bill introduced by Council Member Mendez that would exempt these communications from the rule.

The Committee on Governmental Operations, chaired by Gale Brewer, will hear an amended version of the bill dealing only with the independent expenditure issue on Wednesday, January 16 at 1 p.m.”

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