This was a good decision. My hat is once again off to Brad Lander for participating in the suit. I've developed a healthy respect for Brad since meeting him in 2008. Brad's work ethic is unbelievable, and damn it, I think he might be smarter* than me. The guy is everywhere.
On Thursday, April 4, 2013, Judge Swain of the U.S. District Court in Manhattan upheld key provisions of New York City's campaign finance laws, bringing the ongoing litigation concerning the constitutionality of the city's elections laws closer to an end. At issue in Judge Swain's order were two provisions: expenditure limit waivers for those candidates participating in the city's campaign finance program and the "sure winner" provisions, which were originally designed to prevent the overuse of public money in uncontested races.
Under the current system, a candidate running for city office may receive public funds, the exact amount of which is based on the office for which the candidate is running, and the amount the candidate raises privately from donors. If a candidate chooses to do this, the candidate is subject to an expenditure limit, which prevents the candidate from spending beyond a certain amount of money, counting both the public and private money the candidate has raised. However, if the candidate is running against a privately-funded candidate, and that privately funded candidate spends far beyond a certain threshold, the candidate who received the public money is no longer subject to the applicable expenditure limit and may spend additional money.
* I'm not a conceited person but I am proud of my IQ. And good looks. And legendary modesty.
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