Meeting Recap: CFB Raises Spending Limit in Mayoral Race and Approves Enforcement Matters

04/29/2021

The NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) voted to increase the expenditure limit for all candidates participating in the matching funds program in three primary races today. In addition, the Board voted on enforcement actions, a public funds petition, and to release proposed rules for public comment. A video recording of the meeting will be available on the CFB's Youtube channel.

The Board voted to increase the spending limits that apply to candidates participating in the matching funds program in the Democratic primary races for Mayor, City Council District 17, and City Council District 41. According to the Campaign Finance Act, the spending limits increases by 50% if a candidate who is not participating in the matching funds program raises or spends 50% of the normal spending limit for that election. If a non-participating candidate spends three times the normal spending limit for that election, then the spending limit is lifted entirely. The Board voted to raise the spending limits in the following Democratic primary races:

• For the office of Mayor, the spending limit increases from $7,286,000 to $10,929,000.
• For City Council District 17 the spending limit is lifted entirely from $190,000.
• For City Council District 41 the spending limit increases from $190,000 to $285,000.

All fundraising and spending data in the 2021 election cycle is available in the CFB's campaign finance summary.

The CFB reviews campaign disclosure statements to see if expenditure limit relief is warranted and notifies the affected campaigns. Candidates may also petition the CFB if they believe that a non-participating opponent has triggered expenditure limit relief. Candidates should never assume that their expenditure limit has been increased or suspended unless they receive written confirmation from the CFB.

Other Business at Today's Meeting

7-09 Petitions for Public Funds Payments
The CFB voted to deny a 7-09 petition filed by City Council District 46 candidate Tiffany Tucker-Pryor disputing a non-payment of public matching funds. The CFB's candidate services staff will provide guidance to the campaign in preparing their next disclosure report.

Vote to Issue Proposed Rules for Public Comment
The Board voted to issue for public comment proposed amendments to several of its rules regarding expenditures made for the purpose of furthering a candidate’s selection as Speaker of the City Council. Candidates who receive public funds may make post-election expenditures only for very narrow purposes related to winding down the campaign and responding to the post-election audit. However, in recognition of the fact that a significant portion of expenditures related to the Speaker’s race may be made after the election, the CFB is allowing elected candidates who received public funds to make such expenditures either from a segregated account, or from a transition and inauguration entity.

2017 Enforcement Matters

The CFB determined that two campaigns from the 2017 election cycle committed violations and assessed penalties for those violations; the campaigns are also required to repay public funds. Refer to the tables below for more details.