Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics under legislation proposed by state lawmakers and the good-government organization Common Cause, disgraced ex-officeholders could face restrictions on the use of their campaign funds once out of office. The bill would apply to former officials who are impeached and removed from office, convicted of a crime while in office, or resign following the release of findings pointing to criminal conduct. If signed into law the measure would prohibit the use of campaign funds by the former official for political purposes and require them to close out the account within two years. At a news conference on May 10, in Albany, the lawmakers backing the bill — state Senator Alessandra Biaggi and Assemblymember Phil Steck — named former Gov. Andrew Cuomo as the most recent example of a former official that would be impacted by the law. Cuomo has accessed millions of dollars he raised while in office to fund TV ads meant to refute the sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct allegations leveled against him. "New Yorkers donate to candidates with the expectation that they will act with integrity and uphold the public trust should they assume office," Biaggi said. "When elected officials violate that trust, they should not be able to influence our politics with funds previously raised. ..." Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi in a statement called the proposal unconstitutional. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.