Common Cause NY Executive Director Susan Lerner Testifies Today Before JCOPE

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Susan Lerner

June 7, 2012

212-691-6421

Common Cause NY Executive Director Susan Lerner Testifies Today Before JCOPE

On New Disclosures Requirements for 501c4 Advocacy Organizations

Common Cause NY Executive Director Susan Lerner testified today before the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) regarding the new requirement that 501c4 advocacy organizations disclose the sources of funding above $5,000 for their lobbying activities. Common Cause NY urged the members of JCOPE to institute the disclosures as soon as possible, starting with the reports which are due to be filed on July 15. The organization also supported disclosure requirements that would reveal the actual sources of funding for layered organizations, rather than disclosures that revealed an association or coalition as the funder.

JCOPE has not yet released proposed regulations regarding the newly enacted disclosure requirements, but has sought public input preparatory to drafted enabling regulations.