Cuomo's New Law Aimed At Dark Money Also Hits Nonprofits, Good Government Groups

New York State has a new law to stop independent political groups from coordinating with candidates for elected office, but critics say the measure won't fix chronic corruption in Albany.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill on Wednesday, the last day it could be signed after passing both houses of the state legislature on the final day of the session.

The law prohibits coordination between candidates and independent expenditure groups and increases the disclosure requirements for political consultants and lobbyists. 

It will also make some non-profits identify large donors, a move the New York Civil Liberties Union said could discourage people from donating to groups involved in controversial advocacy, such as Planned Parenthood or gun rights groups.

Many good-government groups are also subject to the new rule, meaning they will have to disclose the identities of donors.

Susan Lerner of Common Cause said the bill is "overly broad."

"It seems to be designed to discourage virtually any non-profit entity from taking any position about any public matter," said Lerner, "and that's just not right." 

A spokeswoman for the governor dismissed the group's concerns.

"Everyone is all for transparency, except when it comes to them," spokeswoman Dani Lever said. "We are just surprised to learn that applies to self-appointed good-government groups, too."

With the Associated Press