Proposed Ban on Funds to Promote Politicians

POUGHKEEPSIE – On July 2, Dutchess County Republicans blocked yet another anti-corruption and good-government law when Dutchess County Legislature Chair Gregg Pulver (R-North East) removed a proposed law from July’s agenda that, if passed, would ban the use of taxpayer funds to promote politicians.

The law, put forward by Dutchess County Democrats, would, among other things, prevent local officials from appearing on taxpayer-funded mailings, something that happens regularly in Dutchess County.

“The Legislature is the branch of government that approves the appropriations of how money is spent; we cannot afford to serve as rubber stampers,” said Legislator Francena Amparo (D-Wappingers Falls).

Despite a similar law having been passed in Ulster and Westchester counties, the Republican-appointed County Attorney, Republican-appointed Legislative Attorney and Republican Chair of the Legislature claimed it would not be proper to pass such a law in Dutchess and thus should not be allowed on the agenda.

“Dutchess County spends tens of thousands of dollars on mailings and materials each year that have photos of local elected officials, usually the County Executive,” said Legislator Giancarlo Llaverias (D-Poughkeepsie). “We should be focused on helping the people of Dutchess County, not promoting politicians.”

Among the arguments against considering the proposed law was that it would interfere with the county executive’s “power to inform the public about government administration.”

“Are they suggesting that the county executive will refuse to do informative mailings unless a politician gets their headshot on it?” asked Minority Whip Kristofer Munn (D-Red Hook). “If that’s true, then we still need this law but we also need new people making those decisions as well.”

The Public Likeness law is only the latest in a long string of government reforms blocked by Republicans with similar excuses including campaign finance reform, term limits and a local prescription drug take-back law.

Legislators Munn Black offer the following and move its adoption:

WHEREAS, it has been a practice in government to use public funds in promoting elected officials on government facilities and signage, including Dutchess County website and other County property at various locations other than the particular official’s office or web page; and

WHEREAS, elected officials are otherwise prohibited by Public Officers Law 73-b from appearing in any advertisement or promotion, including public or community service announcements, published or broadcast through any print of electronic media (including television, radio and internet) by and private or commercial entity or any other entity that publishes such advertisement for a fee, if the advertisement or promotion is paid for or produced in whole or in part with public funds; and

WHEREAS, there is no true public benefit to the taxpayers when public resources are spent on the practice of placing the name and likeness of elected officials on public service announcements; and

WHEREAS, the appropriate expenditure of public money does not include this use, but rather should be used to fund government services to improve the welfare, health and safety of Dutchess County residents; and

WHEREAS, this practice amounts to free and inappropriate political advertising for incumbent elected officials not otherwise covered by State Law, and as Dutchess County has the power to regulate the expenditure of public funds on its own public service announcements; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that it is the policy of Dutchess County that on and after the effective date hereof, no County elected official shall appear by likeness, picture, or voice, be named, or otherwise be identified or referenced on any Public Service Announcement, Non-commercial and non-political advertising by Dutchess County promoting any County Services by any method of transmission including but not limited to television, radio, and the Internet, where same is paid for and produced in whole or in part with public funds of any kind including grant funds; and be it further RESOLVED, that this policy shall not apply to the appearance of an elected official’s name and/or likeness on his or her office or his or her official web page, or in the County Directory, and shall not apply to appearances during a declared state of emergency or otherwise required or permitted by law; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately, and move its adoption.

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