WILLIAMS, ARCHILA ANNOUNCE PLATFORM TO ADDRESS ABUSE OF POWER & CORRUPTION IN NYS GOVERNMENT

Proposal Includes new rules to bar politically-motivated changes to election laws immediately before elections, address widespread corruption in Albany

 Today, NYC Public Advocate and candidate for Governor Jumaane Williams joined his candidate for Lieutenant Governor Ana María Archila to roll out Ending Corruption and Ensuring Government Puts People First, a detailed plan to overhaul Albany’s system to get rid of corruption and put an end to abuses of power – ending politically-motivated changes to election laws in the immediate run-up to elections, getting big money out of state politics and creating a government accountable to the people. 

Williams and Archila discussed the new platform and more during a press conference today at City Hall Park. Video of the event can be found here, and the full platform can be downloaded here.

With their anti-corruption platform, Williams and Archila plan to:

Increase transparency and good government by ending the culture of insider dealing and political favor-trading in Albany, barring state-declared emergencies or court orders, creating a real statewide Database of Deals, executive nominations free of conflicts of interest; and passing the Budget Equity Act. The candidates also plan to create new rules to freeze election law in place 90 days before the election the proposed law impacts, barring state-declared emergencies or a court order.

Get big money out of politics by banning “pay-to-play” donations from companies and individuals doing business with the state or seeking state contracts, fully funding and implementing public financing of our elections, banning stock trading by elected officials, fully closing close the LLC loophole, ending the revolving door between government and corporate lobbying; and lowering contribution limits for all state legislative and executive races to $2,900. 

Provide greater oversight and accountability by giving the next Attorney General a “standing referral” and resources to investigate public corruption, establishing a truly independent ethics commission, holding accountable those who abuse power and protecting and empowering survivors of harassment. 

“Corruption, inaction and scandal have plagued Albany for far too long and it’s time for that to change,” said Jumaane Williams, NYC Public Advocate and candidate for Governor. “We need a government that finally works for the working families, not just the billionaires and corporate special interests who write checks to politicians in order to write policies that don’t have all New Yorker’s best interest in mind. This type of incumbency protection was clear under the Cuomo/ Hochul administration and remains even more clear under Governor Hochul’s administration today. Under a Williams/ Archila administration, we will shine light on Albany’s inaction so that Albany finally works for the people who make our state run.”

“Whether Black or white, Latino or Asian, from Upstate or Downstate, we all deserve an affordable place to live, a good job, access to health care, and a livable planet. But this version of New York will remain a dream while our state government is plagued by corruption and ethics scandals–a symptom of state leaders being controlled by billionaires and big corporations,” said Ana María Archila, candidate for Lieutenant Governor. “We need to shine a light on the darkness in Albany and stand up to the corruption that has for too long dominated our state’s politics. It’s these abuses of power and self-dealing that have prevented our government from giving New Yorkers what they need to live with dignity.”