[Albany News]
New York Senate Majority Leader: “Dark money routinely pours in to control public opinion, misinform voters, and benefit special interests.”
Photo: Facebook
New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins released a statement yesterday warnin about the corruptive influence of “dark money” in New York politics…
“New York’s electoral system is in desperate need of reform. Dark money routinely pours in to control public opinion, misinform voters, and benefit special interests,” said Stewart Cousins. “The Senate Democratic Majority passed historic reforms this past session, including closing the LLC loophole and improving government transparency, but more must be done. I am proud to appoint DeNora Getachew and John Nonna to the public financing commission and agree with the Governor and Assembly Majority on the selection of Henry Berger as a commissioner. I am confident this commission will enact a public financing plan that will make our elections fairer.”
BACKGROUND on Senate Majority Appointees:
DeNora Getachew
· Currently works as the New York Executive Director for Generation Citizen, and organization that focuses on empowering young people to become engaged and effective citizens.
· Former Campaign Manager and Legislative Counsel for the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, where she managed advocacy initiatives aimed at improving our nation’s democracy and voting system — including reducing the influence of money in politics.
· Report written by DeNora on public financing: Breaking Down Barriers: The Faces of Small Donor Public Financing – https://www.brennancenter.org/publication/breaking-down-barriers-faces-small-donor-public-financing
· Served as Policy Director for then Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Policy Director and Legislative Attorney for Citizens Union of the City of New York/Citizens Union Foundation and began her career as the Legislative Attorney for the New York City Council’s Governmental Operations Committee, where she authored legislation to improve the city’s campaign finance system.
· Received her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and her B.S. from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY
John Nonna
· Co-Founder of New York Democratic Lawyers Council and longtime voice for Civil Rights
· Currently serves as the Westchester County Attorney.
· Served as an elected official in local government including seven years as Mayor of Pleasantville, New York and as a Westchester County Legislator.
· Graduated from Princeton University and New York University Law School where he was elected to Order of the Coif and served was an editor of the Review of Law and Social Change.
