Unions outstrip REBNY PAC in city election spending: OPINION

While the Real Estate Board of New York-backed Jobs for New York political action committee has thrown plenty of cash at City Council races, unions have collectively dominated PAC spending in the races for mayor, city comptroller and council.

The collective expenditures of the unions, wrote columnist Greg David in an opinion piece for Crain’s, are more than matching Jobs for New York‘s output.

“So when politicians like Brad Lander and groups like Common Case decry the spending of special interests but single out only the real estate sector, it is clear they have a different agenda than fairness,” David wrote.

Jobs for New York is the single biggest PAC spender with $3.36 million, closely followed by the Teachers Union with $2.28 million and NYCN4S with $773,737.

According to David, NYCN4S, organized by the president of Communications Workers Local 1180 and funded by “anti horse-carriage zealots,” is out to undo City Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s mayoral candidacy.

Progress New York, with $299,046 collectively thrown at city races, is out to undo Eliot Spitzer, David wrote.

He added: “By all means, let’s require additional disclosure of the efforts to influence elections — by all those who are playing the game.” [Crain’s] — Julie Strickland