The New York City Council's Finance, Higher Education, and Government Operations Committee held a budget hearing on May 15, 2025, focusing on the Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget. Key discussions centered on the Campaign Finance Board (CFB) and its audit processes, staffing, and enforcement of campaign finance laws.

Executive Director Ryan emphasized the importance of streamlining the audit process, noting that the CFB plans to increase its audit team from 52 to 61 staff members. This increase aims to enhance efficiency, as previous attempts to expedite audits by merely adding more personnel had not yielded the desired results. Currently, the CFB has completed 43% of audits from the 2021 election cycle and 20 audits from the 2023 cycle, with a significant backlog still in progress.

The committee raised concerns about the status of audits, particularly regarding the Eric Adams campaign from 2021, which has faced scrutiny over multiple extension requests for documentation. Ryan clarified that new policies limiting extensions for candidates would apply to future elections, aiming to ensure accountability and timely audits.

Another significant topic was the CFB's new policy on suspected intermediaries, which has led to the denial of matching funds for campaigns that fail to respond to inquiries about potentially improper contributions. Since the policy's implementation, 587 matching claims have been flagged, indicating a proactive approach to enforcing campaign finance regulations.

The hearing also touched on the challenges of enforcing campaign finance laws, particularly regarding independent expenditures and the influence of super PACs. Ryan acknowledged the complexities involved in determining whether a campaign has improperly coordinated with outside entities, emphasizing the CFB's broad subpoena powers to investigate such matters.

In conclusion, the hearing highlighted the CFB's ongoing efforts to improve its audit processes and enforce campaign finance laws effectively. As the 2025 election approaches, the agency is focused on addressing backlogs and ensuring compliance with new regulations to maintain the integrity of the city's campaign finance system.