New Yorkers for Better Libraries Political Action Committee

What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?

A PAC is a legal mechanism for individuals to combine their financial resources in order to elect those who support the interests of the PAC. By contributing to a PAC, library supporters in New York can play a role in electing to state offices people who are willing to commit their full support to libraries.

Doesn’t a library PAC conflict with the perception that libraries are neutral places?

While libraries as institutions must remain neutral, library supporters should not be expected to be neutral. Many trustees and library staff currently contribute to individual poltical candidates and parties for a number of reasons – the library’s neutrality is not questioned.

Isn’t advocating for libraries the job of organizations such as the New York Library Association and the New York State Association of Library Boards?

501(c)3 organizations are restricted by IRS regulations from making financial contributions to candidates.

Will this mean that local library supporters won’t have to talk to legislators any more?

Not at all! It’s critical for you to meet with your state legislators; grassroots advocacy is the best advocacy asset we have. The PAC is just one more tool to support grassroots advocacy.

Who is on the Steering Committee?

Proven library leaders with experience in advocacy for libraries. The Steering Committee members believe in this concept so much that they are each contributing a minimum of $250 annually as well as their time to run the PAC.

Can my library contribute?

Tax dollars cannot be accepted. Donations can be personal and/or corporate.    Corporations are limited to $5000 annually. 501 (c) (3) organizations may not contribute to a PAC.

Which Political Campaigns have received contributions from NYLIB-PAC ?

• Canestrari for Assembly Committee
• Christensen Campaign Committee
• Citizens to Re-Elect Ken LaValle
• Citizens for Fred Thiele
• Committee to Elect Addie Russell
• Citizens to Elect Eddington
• Committee to Re-elect Aileen Gunther
• Committee to Elect Barbara M. Cook
• Committee to Re-Elect Joe Bruno
• Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee
• Democratic Senate Campaign Committee
• Foley for Senate
• Friends of Aubertine
• Friends of Amy Paulin
• Friends of Assemblyman David Koon
• Friends of Bob Reilly
• Friends of Carl Marcellino
• Friends of Catherine Nolan
• Friends of Craig Johnson
• Friends of Donna Lupardo
• Friends of Farley
• Friends of Faso
• Friends of Joan Millman
• Friends of John Flanagan
• Friends of Liz Krueger
• Friends of Michael Benjamin
• Friends of Senator Breslin
• Friends of Senator James Seward
• Friends of Senator Montgomery
• Friends of Susan John
• Friends of Michael Fitpatrick
• Friends of Neil Breslin
• Friends of Peter M. Rivera
• Friends of RoAnn Destito
• Friends of Senator Seward
• Friends of Silver
• Friends of Suzi Oppenheimer
• Leibell for Senate Committee
• McEneny for Assembly
• NYS Senate Republican Campaign Committee
• NYS Working Families Party
• Paterson for Governor
• Saland for Senate
• Sen. Caesar Trunzo Campaign Fund
• Team Gordon for Assembly
• The Towns Committee
• Valesky for Senate
• Volunteers for Bob Sweeney

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