Public financing advocates target key NY senators
Campaign finance advocates target key NY senators to get vote on public financing of campaigns
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- A bipartisan group of business leaders and good-government advocates are trying to pressure the Independent Democratic Conference to force a vote in the Senate on public financing of campaigns in New York.
Business operators, the Sierra Club, former Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, and former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley are among those trying to pressure the conference.
The four-member IDC shares control of the Senate majority with Republicans.
Senate Republicans oppose using public money to fund campaigns, saying the scarce funds could better be used for schools.
The advocates are buying newspaper ads in Westchester and Staten Island to pressure members of the IDC, which supports public financing.
The Democrat-controlled Assembly and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo are backing a voluntary system to limit the influence wealthy special interests in politics.
