In New York State, the Working Families Party[WFP] is a third party with automatic ballot status. The WFP is among some third parties which have been criticized for using the “fusion” approach a lot, ie: cross-endorsing major party candidates instead of running their own candidates.
from onthewilderside
Is Working Families the Rent Is Too Damn Low Party?*
posted by Ian Wilder
Quotation from City Hall article:
Erratic Reported Rent Payments From WFP Mark Last Decade
Average of just $1,486 per month for offices, one check for rent written to “401 K PMTs”
The Working Families Party may have worked on behalf of New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet while dealing with the city’s famously high rents, but the party has apparently not had to worry much about its own rent payments. Over the last 10 years, the party has reported paying just $178,376.90, or an average of $1,486 per month for an office space that now contains space for its 15 full-time employees and a base of operations for the 142 employees of Data and Field Services (DFS), the secretive for-profit company the party owns.
A review of the Party’s expenditures in public documents filed with the state Board of Elections over the last decade which were reported as rent shows an erratic pattern of payments made to several different landlords, and none marked as going directly to Flatbush Fulton Realty Associates, the owner of its current space at 2 Nevins Street in Brooklyn. Some years, the WFP appears to have paid no rent at all, based on the data filed with the Board of Elections.
* Ed. note: In 2006, an independent candidate for NY governor ran in the Rent is Too Damn High Party. The Board of Elections removed the word “Damn” from their name. – Ian Wilder
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Related Story from IPR archives:
No clear line between Corporation and Working Families Party
12 responses so far ↓
1 Third Party Revolution // Aug 19, 2009 at 2:43 pm
It would be interesting to see a two-way race between WFP and RITDHP.
2 Kimberly Wilder // Aug 19, 2009 at 4:50 pm
The Rent is Too Damn High Party has an awesome website…Great music!!!
http://rentistoodamnhigh.org/index.html
3 Third Party Revolution // Aug 19, 2009 at 7:09 pm
And speaking of the website, it says that Mr. McMillan was kicked off the ballot for the Democratic Party’s primary.
4 Third Party Revolution // Aug 20, 2009 at 12:08 pm
To tell you the truth, the music is really catchy.
5 Peter Orvetti // Aug 21, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Serious question, regarding the “The Rent is Too Damn High Party”: Does NYC have any restrictions on what a party can call itself, regarding objectionable language? “Damn” is pretty tame, of course, but I’m surprised they permit it. Could it be “The Rent is Too Fuckin’ High Party”, or “I’m Paying Too Much For This Shitty Apartment Party”?
6 Third Party Revolution // Aug 21, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Apparently his website is not working well right now.
7 Richard Cooper // Aug 21, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Paying no rent or below-market rent would be considered receipt of a contribution in kind that would be reportable under NY law.
8 Jimmy McMillan // Sep 28, 2009 at 1:32 pm
New York State will pay for what they did in 2006 when they took the word “DAMN” out of our party name in court. Now! 09/ 28/ 09 the NYC board of elections are attempting to do the same thing. We gave them a legal notice on 09/28/09 Go! http://www.rentistoodamnhigh.org click on “Press Release”
9 Third Party Revolution // Sep 28, 2009 at 2:00 pm
In my opinion I see the whole removing the word damn problem to be a violation of freedom of speech.
10 paulie // Sep 28, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I think if the damn case is resolved in favor of damnation, I’ll see whether my new Taxes Are An Infected Woundfuck Party will fly as well.
11 Third Party Revolution // Sep 28, 2009 at 3:09 pm
If you make a website for that, make sure you put on some catchy music.
12 paulie // Sep 28, 2009 at 3:17 pm
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