NEWS FROM ASSEMBLYMAN JEFFREY DINOWITZ

Assemblyman Dinowitz Calls on NY Senate to Close LLC Loophole

Legislation reduces the influence of big money in political campaigns

   Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz called on the New York State Senate to pass a bill reducing the ability of deep-pocketed special interests to make unlimited campaign donations. The legislation, which has already passed the Assembly overwhelmingly, would bring LLC’s in line with other corporations by creating a uniform law that restricts LLCs to the same $5,000 aggregate contribution limit. This would increase transparency in elections and accountability in government by protecting against individuals contributing above the legal limits.

Assemblyman Dinowitz said, “Currently, LLCs provide a loophole for special interests to make unlimited, and often anonymous, political donations that drown out the voices of ordinary voters. Closing this loophole will prevent the rich and powerful from skirting around contribution limits to unfairly buy influence and access.”

Under existing election law, individuals and corporations can make multiple contributions to the same candidate, political party or campaign committee by creating an unlimited number of LLCs. The law treats each LLC as an individual donor, even though more than one LLC can be controlled by the same individual. This makes it extremely difficult to determine the true contributor. Further, the Supreme Court’s 2014 ruling in McCutcheon v. FEC removed aggregate limits on individual donations, effectively allowing LLCs to make unlimited political contributions.   

Big money campaign contributions have a corrosive effect on our electoral system and a corrupting influence on our government,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “Candidates chasing large donations from well-heeled contributors looking for special access or influence are less able to represent all of their constituents. Our democracy will only suffer as a result. This legislation helps ensure that everyone is playing by the same rules when it comes to political contributions.  I am proud to co-sponsor this critical legislation.”

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Assemblyman Dinowitz Helps Pass Gender Protection Legislation 

     Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz announced that the Assembly passed legislation he co-sponsored prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or expression - the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) (A.4558-B), sending the message that intolerance has no place in New York State.

“Across the country, transgender individuals are facing an assault on their basic human rights,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “From absurd laws dictating what bathrooms transgendered people can use such as in North Carolina, to giving health professionals the right to refuse treatment of LGBT persons, as they are trying to do in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma; these laws are acts of ignorant bigotry, and clearly illustrate why New York must stand up to discrimination and lead the nationwide fight for transgender equality.”

In addition to prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or expression, the GENDA Law, authored by my colleague, Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan), amends various provisions of the Penal Law and the Criminal Procedure Law to add "gender identity or expression" to the list of factors that constitute a crime a hate crime.

“Sadly, transgender individuals often experience housing and employment discrimination, are refused service, and in extreme cases, face physical violence because of how they express their gender identity. While New York already protects against discrimination on a number of bases, it has not yet extended this important protection to transgender people,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.  “It’s time for the Senate to join us in extending protections to all New Yorkers.”