Senate failing to fix state campaign finance
We share your frustration with the failure of Albany to enact meaningful campaign finance reform (”Only in New York,” Aug. 1 editorial). The Brennan Center’s finding that state’s campaign finance law is a disgrace is consistent with every independent analysis of the system. We disagree; the state Assembly is to blame.

The Assembly has approved campaign finance reform legislation for years that would dramatically lower contribution limits, ban soft money, strengthen disclosure and enforcement and create a voluntary system of public financing that would allow average New Yorkers the opportunity to run for office.

The Assembly pledged to go to a conference committee if the Senate approved Governor Pataki’s reform legislation. The governor proposed in 1999 legislation similar to the Assembly bill, without the public financing option.

Unfortunately, the governor never pushed the Senate to act or rallied the public for change in this area. As a result, there has been little improvement in the state’s system of campaign finance.

New Yorkers should expect action on this issue. But the failure to act lies with the Senate.

BLAIR HORNER
Legislative Director
New York Public Interest Research Group
Albany

I don’t care who is to blame, the system is broken, fix it.