Groups: Status quo must change in Capitol

Good-government groups will pressure state senators when they return to Albany this week to force Republican leaders to accept public financing of campaigns and other proposed reforms.

The Brennan Center for Justice, the New York Public Interest Research Group, Common Cause and the Citizens Union all urged Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and legislative leaders in writing to negotiate the long-blocked measures.

"Surely you must agree that the status quo cannot be an acceptable position to restoring public integrity to the Capitol and increasing public confidence in the Legislature," the groups wrote to Senate co-leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre). Skelos argues that funding is needed more urgently for schools and tax cuts.

-- Michael Gormley