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NYC Public Advocate

Bill de Blasio Public Advocate for the City of New York

Fund for Public Advocacy Announces Coyne-McCoy as Exec Director of Coalition for Accountability in Political Spending

July 26, 2011

$400K grant bolsters efforts to promote transparency

NEW YORK – Today, New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio announced former EMILY’s List Regional Director Kate Coyne-McCoy will become the first Executive Director for the Coalition for Accountability in Political Spending (CAPS). The coalition was founded in 2010 to rein in the undisclosed political spending let loose by the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling. Its initial efforts will be supported by a two-year, $400,000 grant awarded by the Open Society Foundations. It is a core project of the Fund for Public Advocacy, a non-profit affiliated with the Office of the Public Advocate.

“I am eager to put my skills and the relationships I have across the country to work at CAPS,” said Kate Coyne-McCoy. “Fighting for concrete changes in corporate policy and behavior in political spending is essential for improving and protecting our democracy. It is a fight CAPS will win.”

“As a pension fund fiduciary, CAPS has been one of my top priorities. Kate will be a truly wonderful addition to our team, and we’re thrilled to be bringing in new leadership and a fresh outlook,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.

“Promoting transparency and public accountability are two of the tenets of our mission here at the Fund,” said Reshma Saujani, Deputy Advocate for Special Initiatives and Executive Director of the Fund for Public Advocacy. “CAPS is a cornerstone project of that mission, and we are looking forward to working closely with Kate on it.”

The Coalition for Accountability in Political Spending was founded by Public Advocate de Blasio in 2010. Through the Coalition, elected leaders around the country have pledged to promote accountability and transparency in corporate political spending. It serves as a resource for company shareholders and public officials regarding the negative impact of using corporate treasuries to influence elections.
Members include:

• New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio
• New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli
• Illinois Governor Pat Quinn
• Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord
• North Carolina Treasurer Janet Cowell
• Los Angeles City Comptroller Wendy Greuel

The Fund for Public Advocacy was established in 2002 to reinforce and support the Office of the New York City Public Advocate in making government more responsive, accountable, and transparent. Other Fund initiatives include a round table series regarding Long Term Liabilities, the Immigrant and Minority Entrepreneurship Initiative which includes a survey to gather data on small immigrant, minority, and women owned businesses, and a study on Special Education Reform.