Political Action Committee (PAC)

The 1991 Voting Body amended the bylaws to create the NYSNA Political Action Committee (NYSNA-PAC). The PAC was officially established in July 1992. Its purpose is the advancement of NYSNA’s legislative agenda.

Leadership of the NYSNA-PAC is vested in an eleven member board of trustees who report and are accountable to the NYSNA Board of Directors. The PAC trustees make recommendations for endorsements and oversee distribution of contributions to the campaigns of endorsed candidates in accordance with NYS Election Law.

Principles of the Endorsement Process

• Legislative and state-wide races shall be evaluated to determine appropriateness for consideration within the NYSNA-PAC endorsement process.
• Candidates shall be evaluated if NYSNA-PAC chooses to consider an endorsement in a particular race. Information is solicited from a variety of sources, including NYSNA members and districts.
• Candidates are evaluated using established criteria; it is understood that not all candidates hold positions consistent with all NYSNA policies and positions. The NYSNA-PAC Board of Trustees shall prioritize the issues selected as criteria for endorsement.
• NYSNA-PAC Board of Trustees reaches decisions by consensus and presents its recommendations to the NYSNA Board of Directors.
• NYSNA-PAC decisions shall be communicated to the candidates and to membership.

Candidate Endorsement

• Candidates are evaluated on positions taken in support of, or in opposition to, NYSNA policies and positions.
• Qualified candidates from groups under-represented in elected office (RNs, women, minorities) are given special consideration in the endorsement process.
• Regardless of party affiliation, candidates receive equal consideration.
• Legislators may exert strong personal and political influence on the outcome of bills at a decisive moment without public record of her/his action. Examination of voting records is combined with other methods of evaluation to fairly and accurately reflect a legislator's performance.
• The policy position of candidates is considered in determining NYSNA-PAC endorsements:
  • This information is compiled from the candidate's written and verbal statements on issues of importance to RNs. Candidates may be asked to complete a questionnaire prepared by the NYSNA-PAC, and/or participate in an interview.
  • Assessment of the candidate's policy positions may be made by members identified by NYSNA-PAC and communicated to the NYSNA-PAC Board.
• Solicitation for comments appears periodically in NYSNA's official newsletter, New York Nurse. NYSNA members are encouraged to submit comments regarding candidates to the NYSNA-PAC for endorsement consideration.

Candidate Evaluation Criteria

A. Incumbent legislators:

1. Voting records on selected issues relevant to NYSNA's positions and policies.
2. Sponsorship of major nursing/healthcare legislation.
3. Accessibility to RNs and NYSNA lobbyists.
4. Appointment as chair of a legislative committee, subcommittee, or task force relevant to NYSNA's legislative goals.
5. Appointment to serve on a legislative committee, subcommittee, or task force relevant to NYSNA's legislative goals.
6. Leadership position in the Legislature.
7. Public statements in speeches, literature and campaign platforms supportive or unsupportive of NYSNA's perspective on health issues.
8. Past endorsement by NYSNA-PAC.
9. Recommendation of NYSNA staff.
10. Membership recommendations.
11. Electability.
12. Political potential.
13. Political party affiliation.

B. Non-Incumbent legislative candidates:

1. Recommendation of NYSNA members and staff.
2. Electability.
3. Accessibility to RNs and NYSNA lobbyists.
4. Public record reflects a major focus on health issues.
5. Positions and public statements in speeches, literature, campaign platforms and interviews which are either supportive or unsupportive of NYSNA's perspective on health issues
6. Political potential.
7. Political party affiliation.

Endorsement Categories

Level III (Highest Endorsement) — Significant financial assistance and/or “in kind” contributions.

Level II — Financial and or in-kind contributions* of a more moderate nature.

Level I (Name-only endorsement) — Candidate endorsement and announcement of same.

No Endorsement — NYSNA-PAC remains neutral.

*in-kind services include (but are not limited to): consultation, volunteer organization, phone banks, campaign literature, mailings, graphic design and photocopying.

Approved by the NYSNA Board of Directors, July 23, 1992
Adopted by the NYSNA-PAC Board of Trustees, August 13, 1992

For more information, contact Governmental Affairs at 518.782.9400, ext. 283 or by e-mail.

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