New York City Council overrides mayoral veto on campaign finance

New York City Council overrides mayoral veto on campaign finance
TIMOTHY WILLIAMS, Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

(12-15) 20:34 PST NEW YORK (AP) --

The City Council overwhelmingly overrode a mayoral veto Wednesday on a bill that grants extra public money to people facing wealthy self-financed candidates like Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who spent $74 million of his money to win election in 2001.

The legislation increases the matching funds for office seekers running against wealthy candidates who opt out of the campaign finance system from $5 for every $1 privately raised to $6 for every $1.

Also, the total amount in public funds available to a candidate under the campaign finance system would increase from $3.8 million to $7.2 million.

Absent lengthy legal battles, the legislation could become law in time for next November's mayoral election, when Bloomberg plans to seek a second term.
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/12/15/national2334EST0793.DTL

Back off, Bloomie. Democracy, remember?