News from New York State Senator, Shelley Mayer, 37th District.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 7, 2019 SENATOR MAYER’S “RUN, MOMMA, RUN” BILL ADVANCED BY ELECTIONS COMMITTEE.   Senate Elections Committee Advances Senator’s Mayer’s Bill to Allow Campaign Funds to Pay for Childcare Costs Incurred as a Result of Campaigning. Albany, NY -- On Tuesday, May 7th, the New York State Senate Elections Committee advanced State Senator Shelley Mayer’s bill, S.2680, the Run, Momma, Run bill, which codifies into state law the right of candidates to use campaign funds for childcare expenses incurred as a direct result of the person’s candidacy. State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I strongly believe that younger candidates need to join in the political process and run for local, state, and federal office. The cost of childcare is already too burdensome on household expenses for many families, and this can deter a qualified parent’s ability to seek public office. The state legislature and local governing bodies would benefit from the added voices of young mothers and fathers who are grappling with issues we need to address. In NYS, women make up 51% of the population but hold only a third of the Assembly & Senate seats. This bill will remove one of the hurdles young mothers and fathers face when running for office.” In May 2018, the Federal Elections Commission ruled unanimously in favor of New York Congressional candidate Liuba Grechen Shirley’s appeal to the FEC to use campaign funds to pay for a caregiver for her two young children while she ran for office. In October 2018, the New York State Board of Elections released an advisory opinion that allows candidates seeking statewide or local office the ability to use campaign funds for childcare expenses incurred as a direct result of campaigning. Senator Mayer’s Run, Momma, Run Bill codifies into state law the right of parents to use campaign funds to pay for childcare expenses incurred as a direct result of campaigning. S.2680/A.1108 is sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal where it is under review by the Assembly Elections Committee.