Bill to kill Suffolk public campaign financing headed for vote Wednesday

Suffolk lawmakers are at odds over whether to end a new public campaign finance program that would provide $2.6 million a year to underfunded candidates for county office as a final vote on the issue looms this week.

County Executive Steve Bellone held a rally in Hauppauge Friday to urge the county legislature to preserve the program to enable "grassroots candidates to run for office and challenge the status quo."

Bellone said, "when we invest in a system like this — one of publicly financed campaigns — we help shift the balance of power. We empower citizens to participate in the democracy."

But Republican legislative leaders say the money could be better used to fund county public safety initiatives.

"We're using county revenues to support candidates in elections that the taxpayer might not want to support," said Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst).

McCaffrey is among backers of a GOP-sponsored bill to repeal the campaign finance program. The repeal measure is scheduled for a vote Wednesday in the Suffolk County Legislature, which Republicans control with an 11-7 majority.

Ten votes would be required to approve the repeal measure.

Bellone did not respond to a question Friday about whether he would veto a repeal. Twelve votes would be required to override a veto.

The legislature, under a prior Democratic majority, established the campaign finance program in 2017.

Money to fund the program, which goes into effect for the 2023 election cycle, comes from Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. revenues. 

Backers said the program would boost candidates who lack the support of big donors such as corporations, real estate developers and unions.

The program establishes a 4-1 public match with individual contribution limits and a campaign finance board to ensure participating candidates comply.

Candidates for county executive and county legislature are eligible to access public matching funds through the program.

Public matching funds may only be used for election efforts such as mailings, political literature, polling and staff, officials said. 

Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-Wyandanch) called on fellow lawmakers not to end the program before it has been given a chance to be up and running.

“Contrary to popular belief, the program does not use taxpayer dollars. Instead, it would be funded through county proceeds from the video lottery terminals at Jake's 58 casino. I believe we have a duty to at least see the program in action before making any decision on its future,” Richberg said. 

Legis. Robert Trotta (R-Smithtown) abstained from a committee vote on the repeal legislation last Thursday but told Newsday on Friday he would vote against ending the program.

Ian Vandewalker, senior counsel for the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, said public campaign finance programs such as Suffolk's engage "more diverse people in the political process, because their voices will matter more than before."

"With attacks on our democracy increasing by the day, Suffolk must set an example for the nation by protecting this vital program against last-minute attacks,” Vandewalker said. 

McCaffrey, who voted against the original bill to establish the campaign finance program, said the money for the program, "can be better used" for initiatives including "ShotSpotter technology that would help reduce gun violence in many of our communities."

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.