Lobbyist's past donors can stay secret

ALBANY -- The state's ethics regulators made a decision Tuesday that will keep secret the vast majority of millionaire donors who funded a business lobbying group that promotes Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and recently received $2 million from gambling interests.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics board decided that a state lobbying law passed a year ago requires lobbying groups to reveal donors who have contributed since July 1. It is the first time the groups will have to divulge their donors.

JCOPE commissioner Ravi Batra, the lone member critical of the measure, said in the meeting that the decision "cloaked" two years of donations to the business lobbying group, the Committee to Save New York, and masked its donors.

The law will require disclosure of donors who contribute $5,000 or more. The first report is due Jan. 15.

The Committee to Save New York, which at first resisted registering as a lobbyist, continues to refuse to voluntarily identify its donors. -- AP