Appeared in Albany Times Union June 16, 2008
Gov. David Paterson has released a campaign finance proposal that was about real and needed reforms for the state. Despite this very important moment, meaningful chances for reform this year are fleeting because the Legislature is adjourning on June 23. So what should we make of this belated proposal?
Pressure was mounting on Paterson to do something reform-minded before the session ended, and campaign finance reform was already under discussion. Paterson had three choices: Do nothing; re-propose what Eliot Spitzer almost won approval of last year, which was a good start but still deeply flawed; or aim really high.