March 2 Leg Act News
- Mar 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 11
If you are interested in joining the Leg Act Committee or want to submit something to our newsletter, send an email to TCDC at TIOGANYDEMS@GMAIL.COM or MARITA FLORINI at FNPMAF1@GMAIL.COM.
Citizens United and the Effect of Money on Politics
By Marita Florini
Citizens United is a conservative organization that challenged campaign finance rules in 2007. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court upheld the right of this organization to distribute a film criticizing then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. But the Supreme Court did not stop there. They took the opportunity to erase prohibitions on corporate “independent spending,” which is money that does not go directly to a candidate or party (Brennan Center for Justice, January 29, 2025). Subsequently, lower courts invalidated fundraising and spending restrictions for groups called Super PACs, which claim to be separate from candidates but in fact support or oppose candidates. Supreme Court and lower-court decisions view money spent to influence voters as a type of “free speech.”
We are living with the result of these rulings, the prime example being Elon Musk’s political contributions. He formed a PAC that spent over $291 million in the 2024 campaign. There were others, as shown in Who are the Biggest Donors? OpenSecrets.
There is also “dark money,” that is, money which does not disclose its source, but is instead funneled through donors who are reported. These donations topped $1 billion. In 2010, spending restrictions were lifted from PACs. From 2010 to 2022, PACs spent $6.4 billion on federal elections, and in 2024, they donated a record $2.7 billion.
Those looking to overturn Citizens United would have to attempt a new constitutional amendment or new rulings by the Supreme Court. Twenty-two states and hundreds of cities have supported a constitutional amendment to overturn this legislation.
Strong disclosure laws, such as the Washington State Disclose Act (2018), could control spending by requiring PACS to disclose their large donors. The Brennan Center for Justice also advocates for stricter rules to prevent Super PACs from coordinating directly with candidates and parties. Existing laws need better enforcement, but the Brennan Center alleges dysfunction of the Federal Election Commission, causing oversight to lapse.
Fourteen states and many cities and counties offer some form of public financing for candidates. New York State has a Public Campaign Finance Board that allows the state to match small-donor contributions, thus enabling more money for candidates.
Voters have consistently shown that they want limits on money in politics. The organization America’s Promise, which researches public opinion trends and demographic data, reports that voters don’t see unlimited campaign spending as free speech; they prefer that voters and elected leaders set rules on money in politics. This is consistent with earlier studies by the Brennan Center of Justice and the Pew Research Center.
Concerns About Home Care Services in New York State
By Marita Florini
Home care aides have long been necessary to help seniors and people with disabilities stay at home rather than living in a nursing home. In the Nursing Home without Walls model, the goal was to support folks in their own residence, as it was seen as more cost-effective and improved quality of life.
For Medicaid patients, home care was traditionally available but began to focus on the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, or "CDPAP", which was managed by many companies that oversaw the client’s care and assured it was appropriate and consistent. Last year, New York State partnered with a single company, Public Partnerships Limited (PPL), to manage all CDPAP for the state. There have been concerns about this company and their management of home care aides, resulting in an allegation that at least 88,000 older and disabled New Yorkers and 150,000 care workers have fled the program. Additionally, lawmakers have little to no concrete information on PPL spending or verification that Medicaid payments are going towards their intended purpose.
The Home Care Transparency Act requires accurate reporting to protect medical assistant recipients (such as home health aides) and to assure appropriate use of funds. The Caring Majority, a coalition of individuals including people with disabilities, older adults, family caregivers, and home care workers, penned a letter requesting specific language to address issues with PPL and the lack of transparency in Medicaid financial dollars. They advocate for quality and improvement in long-term care jobs and work to expand access to affordable, accessible services. They want to promote and maintain dignity, self-determination, and justice for all. The letter notes the importance of the Home Care Transparency Act to consumers and health care workers, as well as financial expenditures.
The Legislative Action Committee of TCDC supports this letter and is sending a copy with our signatures to Governor Kathy Hochul, Speaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie, and Majority Leader of the Senate Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
Action Alerts/Events
Call Your Representatives
Congressman Nicholas Langworthy, 202-225-3161
Senator Schumer, 202-224-6542
Senator Gillibrand, 202-224-4451
NYS Assemblyman Christopher Friend (R) 518-455-4538
NYS Senator Thomas O’Mara 518-455-2091
5calls.org is an app you can download on your smartphone or access via their website. Each day, they provide a summary of major concerns that encourage people to voice their opinion, opposition, or support.
Call Governor Hochul 581-474-8390, Assembly Speaker Heastie 518-455-5459, and Majority Speaker Stewart-Cousins 518-455-2585 to insist on transparency in Consumer-Directed Home Care Assistance Programs. Urge them to support consumers requiring such services and their caregivers.
Deescalate/Restrain/Reform ICE - Continue efforts to oppose inappropriate ICE actions. Call Congressman Langworthy and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand.
Keep up the pressure to demand the release of the full Epstein files. WE SUPPORT THE FULL RELEASE OF THE EPSTEIN FILES REGARDLESS OF WHO IT IMPLICATES. Call House Reps and Senators; demand they show up at hearings and do their jobs.
MONDAYS AT THE COURTHOUSE. Every Monday from 3:30 - 4:30, there is a dedicated effort to protest. Please join us for an hour. Bring a sign!
Continue to get signatures on your petitions! Questions? Contact Joan Davis jdavis719@live.com.
March 17, 2026 - 6:30 pm TCDC Monthly Meeting, Owego Elks Club
March 28, 2026, 1 - 3 pm Historic Tioga County Courthouse NO KINGS Rally
Please register for the event and mark your calendars! We will march from the Ahwaga Park (next to 218 Front St) up Front St to the bridge. Gather at 12:30 at the park. If you cannot march, we will meet you at the bridge and courthouse.
Tell your friends, family, and neighbors!
Have a sign-making night!
Write a protest song, practice a chant, plan to be loud and visible!
Meet and learn more about local candidates!
Register to vote!
Run for Something!
Do you want to run for office? The deadline to declare a candidacy is approaching.
CALLING ALL TIOGA County DISTRICT 3 ( APALACHIN) DEMOCRATS. WE NEED YOU TO RUN FOR DISTRICT 3 County LEGISLATOR.
Jo Ellen Rose is the only Democrat on the Tioga County Legislature and could use your help. Interested? Contact Joan Davis Jdavis719@live.com.
