New York - After a disturbing New York Daily Newsinvestigation published on June 1, 2009 entitled "City Council Members Get Campaign Contributions From Nonprofit Organizations They Funded," Alex Zablocki, Republican candidate for Public Advocate and Joe Mendola, Republican candidate for Comptroller, jointly announced a plan which they would implement when elected in November to stop ‘pay-to-play' politics.

Zablocki and Mendola's plan would:

- Make it illegal for the campaign of any elected official to accept contributions from directors, board members, officers or managers of any organization that has received over $2,500 in City funds as a result of the efforts of the elected official.

- Make it illegal for directors, board members, officers or managers of any organization that has received over $2,500 in City funds as a result of the efforts of any elected official to act as an "intermediary," as defined by the NYC Campaign Finance Board, on behalf of said elected official's campaign.

- Limit all contributions from unions to not more than $400.00 per candidate per election cycle.

- Make it illegal for the campaign of any elected official to accept contributions in excess of $400 per election cycle from lobbyists hired by any organization that has received over $2,500 in City funds as a result of the efforts of the elected official.

- Create an independent commission to review the rules of the Campaign Finance Board and issue recommendations to the Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller and City Council regarding loopholes in the campaign finance law and new ways to make the Campaign Finance Board more accountable and transparent.

The Campaign Finance Board regulates all local campaigns and, if it deems a campaign has met certain criteria, that campaign can qualify to receive $6 in City funds for every $1 raised.

Currently, the Campaign Finance Board restricts individuals from donating to campaigns that are "doing business" with the City - a law that was passed in 2007. (A database of individuals donors is available to the public at www.nyccfb.info.) The doing business legislation did not restrict contributions from unions.

Alex Zablocki said: "What the Daily News has uncovered is very disturbing. Two of my Democratic opponents in the race for Public Advocate, Councilmen Gioia and de Blasio, were both listed as having taken campaign contributions from people running groups that got millions of dollars in taxpayer money. This has to stop. Legislation passed by the City Council in 2007 came a long way to fix the 'pay-to-play' problem in our City, but more needs to be done. If elected Public Advocate, I will fight to make the Campaign Finance Board program more accountable to the people, reducing the limit on contributions from unions and restricting contributions from those who receive City funds."

Joe Mendola said: "The endless political patronage cycle of authorizing the payment of City funds and then receiving personal political contributions is alive and well based upon examining the records and political contributions of Democratic Comptroller Candidates Liu and Yassky. The conflicts of interest are astounding. With such a track record of engaging in 'pay to play' politics, how does either of them expect the people of NYC to seriously believe that they can act as a neutral care taker of City funds if elected Comptroller? The City no longer has the money to continue this sort of patronage system. It is time we elect professionals who will restore integrity, competence and transparency to the way our City finances are handled. That is precisely what my campaign is all about."

Alex Zablocki is the youngest candidate in New York City's history to run for Public Advocate. Alex has the unanimous support and endorsement of all five Republican County organizations. More information about Alex and his campaign can be found at www.alex2009.com or by calling 718-734-1093.

Joe Mendola is a lifelong New Yorker and the single father of 2 small children. He is a Columbia Law School graduate and has over 20 years experience in the private sector, specializing in compliance, fund management and risk abatement. More information about Joe and his campaign can be found at www.joemendola.com or by calling 917-359-5424.