JURIST - Paper Chase: Federal lawsuit challenges New York City campaign finance rules

[JURIST] Real estate businesses have filed a lawsuit against the New York City Campaign Finance Board [official website] claiming that a new law that greatly restricts the amount that city businesses can donate to city campaigns violates the US Constitution. The suit, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York [official website] on Monday, alleges that the new campaign finance rules [NYCCFB FAQ] discriminate against minorities, who rely on financial backing from businesses for campaigns, and runs counter to the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech. The city argues that the law was formulated to help those without connections to wealthy business lobbyists by leveling the playing field.

The new rules, which took effect this month, reduce the amount that businesses can contribute from $4,950 to $400 in mayoral campaigns and from $2,950 to $250 in City Council campaigns. The New York Times has more.

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