In an open letter to the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), nearly 60 business and civic leaders called on Senate Co-President Jeff Klein and the IDC to bring campaign finance reform legislation to a vote on the floor of the State Senate.

On the same day as the State Senate’s Independent Democratic Conference hearings on campaign finance reform, community leaders from across the state called on the Senate to go further by scheduling a vote to bring real change to Albany.

We are saddened by the untimely passing of Bob Edgar, President of Common Cause. We were honored to work with Bob through the years in the fight to renew American democracy. His optimism and high ideals were powerful forces. We extend our deep condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues at Common Cause.

The Brennan Center, with a coalition of advocacy groups, today called for comprehensive campaign finance reform with public financing at its core. With the most recent elections scandal, there is an urgent need to empower everyday New Yorkers to take back their democracy.