The New York Democratic Party used a special account with no contribution limits to haul in large contributions in the first half of this year from corporations with interests in front of the state government, including gaming company Caesars, real estate company SL Green, gig economy company DoorDash, and the powerful trade group Greater New York Hospital Association, according to a recent filing with the state.
The donations were made to a “housekeeping” account of the New York Democrats, a party fundraising account that can accept donations of unlimited size under New York State law. Donations from corporations to other candidates and party committees are capped at $5,000 per year.
Watchdog groups such as Reinvent Albany have warned that housekeeping accounts create a channel for “pay-to-play” influence with state lawmakers and policy makers. For decades, housekeeping accounts have proliferated among New York Democrats, Republicans, and other parties, with separate accounts formed for the state party, Senate candidates, Assembly candidates, and numerous county parties. In 2019, Democrats took trifecta control of New York government after a group of breakaway state senators was dissolved. In recent years, the state Democrats’ main housekeeping account has raised far more than its Republican counterpart.
According to state guidance, housekeeping accounts are allowed to use funds to “maintain a permanent party headquarters and staff and carry on ordinary activities,” not...
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