#campaign-finance

#campaign-finance

Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott has agreed to pay a hefty civil forfeiture after state regulators determined he unlawfully spent tens of thousands of dollars in campaign funds to further his "personal business future."

One was a fairly traditional super PAC, announced via a splashy press release, with multiple major industry players planning to donate over $100 million to boost AI-friendly candidates across the country. The other was far more unusual. Meta had quietly filed to create the Mobilizing Economic Transformation Across (Meta) California, a state-only super PAC that would allow Meta to spend its own money to run political ads on behalf of their AI interests - and only their interests.

If one of the old investigative journalism shows was publishing a story on this topic, they'd probably call the segment "Power Play: How Lobbyists Shape Transportation Infrastructure." The grandfatherly voice would open up with, "The corridors of power are often unseen, but their impact is felt by all." Dun dun dun. It's kind of their thing to sound over-the-top, but lobbying certainly deserves that sort of big-voiced, you-won't-believe-what-comes-next vibe. Lobbyists collect money from clients in order to buy legislation.

Streetsblog will spend Labor Day out on Eastern Parkway with the bands revelers (and politicians) at the city's annual West Indian Day Parade. We'll be back Tuesday with more award-winning local transportation journalism. Until then, check out the weekend's news: Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani suffered injuries in a car crash in New Hampshire. (NY Times) Even the New York Post is excited about this month's first ever Curbside Dining Week.

As the housing crisis and wealth inequality emerge as top issues for voters in New York City, mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani has called for higher taxes on the rich to pay for services and famously suggested that billionaires should not exist. Mamdani's viral campaign handily defeated Andrew Cuomo, New York's former governor, in a Democratic primary earlier this year. As expected, billionaires and billionaire-owned companies such as Airbnb and DoorDash are now spending big to defeat Mamdani and influence the race.

DoorDash has called the proposal "extreme" and said it "puts delivery and the benefits it brings at risk." And "when app lobbyists talk, many Council members pay close attention," writes The City's Claudia Irizarry Aponte.

The expenditures in question, made between 2012 and 2024, fall into two broad categories - a series of specific purchases totaling $94,824.33, either with no listed purpose or explanation as required by law or vague justifications for the expenditure.

The Campaign Finance Board on Wednesday voted to deny Mayor Eric Adams public matching funds for his reelection bid, citing failure to provide requested information and potential law violations.

"Speaker Adams’ campaign took a victory lap over the board's Friday decision, attributing her unlocking millions in matching funds to the energy and enthusiasm behind her candidacy."

"Over 250 people, including local officials, gathered at a rally inside the United Senior Center to protest the impending 70% rent hike, highlighting the center's crucial role in the community."

I think that last guy was right, referring to himself. Not the other guy, but the guy was on last.