Stand Strong, Spitzer

Yesterday's New York Sun analyzed the struggle between the Legislature and the Governor during the waning days of the legislative session. The Sun reports that some legislators “are predicting that Mr. Spitzer will break the logjam and downgrade his demands on a campaign finance bill.”

We urge the Governor to stand strong. Far from being a radical approach, the Governor’s proposal is a reasonable, carefully crafted package that would go a long way toward fixing New York’s broken campaign finance system. We must lower our contribution limits and close up the biggest loopholes that riddle the current law.

Pay raise or no pay raise, New York’s legislators should pass the Governor’s campaign finance reform proposal before the end of the session. And while compromise is an essential part of the legislative process, we should not allow the bill's detractors to water down these important reforms.