The Campaign Finance Reform Commission, which meets Tuesday in Buffalo, has two issues of vital importance for New York State politics before it: enacting a system of public campaign financing and potentially banning the process known as electoral fusion. The Green Party believes these questions are linked with the larger question of how to democratize elections in New York.

The most pressing concern is the enactment of a system of full public campaign financing. This is crucial not just because of the corruption of New York State politics caused by campaign donations and the parade of elected officials indicted and removed from office because of this. By equating money with free speech we have privileged the wealthy and special interests that are able to donate more “speech” to candidates and parties.

Full public campaign financing would also increase the competitiveness of elections, provide third parties and challengers a more level playing field, and give elected officials and candidates more time to interact with constituents rather than campaign donors.