Letter: Pass Fair Elections bill
Voting at the Northport City Hall voting location in Northport, Ala. Tuesday. (Nov. 6, 2012) Credit: AP
New York has a historic opportunity to reform election laws. The 2013 Fair Elections Act, which provides for greater transparency and strictly enforced campaign finance laws, recently passed the State Assembly by a vote of 88-50. A public campaign finance system could be had for the cost of only $2 per person per year, according to the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute; a candidate's participation would be optional.
According to a recent poll, more than three-quarters of likely voters agree that reforming New York's campaign finance laws is key to cleaning up Albany, rooting out corruption and improving the work of state government. Public financing could increase the number and diversity of candidates for office, require more disclosure, and give low- and middle-income candidates the opportunity to run credible campaigns against well-heeled candidates. The proposal also contains limitations on election expenditures and campaign contributions.
Big-money donors have far too much influence in politics. Elected representatives are supposed to be responsive to their constituents' needs, not just those of their lobbyists and big donors.
The State Senate must act on this bill this month. Senate Majority co-leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) opposes the bill, making it unlikely to come to the Senate floor for a vote. The Senate should at least vote on this bill.
Lisa Oldendorp, Massapequa
Editor's note: The writer is the regional organizer for MoveOn.org, an advocacy organization.
