Reform does work, New York
By Denise Merrill and Miles Rapoport, commentary
As New York policymakers, led by Gov. Andrew Cuomo,
consider a comprehensive package of campaign finance
reform, they should look at Connecticut to see just how
much a strong small-donor public financing program can
improve the legislative process and relieve lawmakers of
the burdens of high-donor, special-interest
fundraising.
As former and present Connecticut secretaries of state, we
are very proud of our Citizens' Election Fund, which began
providing voluntary public financing for our legislative
and statewide campaigns in 2008. As former legislators, we
understand intimately the fundraising aspects of standing
for election, and how frustrating special interest
influences can be to the legislative process.
Just as a comprehensive campaign finance program in New
York could do, the Connecticut model requires participating
candidates to raise funds from a minimum number of small
donors in their districts, making everyday constituents the
focus of a candidate's time and energy. Even after only
three election cycles, the evidence is clear that the
program is beginning to change the state capital for the
better.
Connecticut's legislators are able to spend more time
focused on the merits of proposals and on the needs of
constituents, and less time attending special interest
fundraisers, from which the larger donations flow. This is
beginning to shift the culture of policymaking in the state
and creating a more representative and responsive
legislature.
The program is also incredibly popular with both parties.
The 2012 election cycle saw a record number of candidates
participate in the program: 77 percent of elected
legislators used the voluntary program and all statewide
offices are currently held by public financing
participants.
When we were running for office, we spent numerous hours of
each day on the telephone and at events asking people for
large donations. Today, legislators are spending more time
with their constituents and hearing from a more diverse set
of voices, and it's resulting in public policies more in
line with the priorities of Connecticut's voters.
But you don't have to take just our words for it. A newly
released Demos report compiles the public financing
experiences of current and former Connecticut legislators,
and the results are compelling.
Consider Democratic Sen. Martin Looney, who has personally
observed the lessening influence of lobbyists. He
explained, "There is no longer the pressure to attend
events because there is no longer a need for the financial
connection. In the past, some lobbyists were more effective
than others and now... everyone has to compete based on the
merits of their proposals."
Republican state Rep. Al Aldinolfi noted the increasing
bipartisanship in lawmaking - particularly on big issue
votes - and credits a new and deeper concentration on the
issues.
He also extolled the value of putting small-donors at the
center of a campaign's plan, noting how before public
financing "you'd spend half of your time in the election
cycle calling up people, raising money instead of going out
and knocking on doors. Now, you're getting it from the
people and hearing what they want and not from special
interests."
While every state is unique, New York has the opportunity
to enact similar change. A comprehensive campaign finance
reform package that includes a small-donor matching system,
strong enforcement, and lower contribution limits promises
to improve the legislative process for policymakers and for
their constituents.
Public campaign financing is working in Connecticut and it
will work in New York.
Denise Merrill is the Connecticut secretary of the state.
Miles Rapoport is president of Demos and served as
Connecticut secretary of the state from 1995-1999. He is
also co-author of "Fresh Start: The Impact of Public
Campaign Financing in Connecticut," a report by the Demos
think tank.
See the article on Hartford Courant website