The first ethics reforms of what we hope to be an eventual adoption of full public financing for elections are beginning to work their way through New York's legislature this week. Among these are new restrictions on lawmaker and lobbyist contacts, including a gift ban and a ban on corporate or lobbyist funded travel or paid speeches and would mandate a two year waiting period before legislative staff could become lobbyists.  The reforms under discussion also include broadening and strengthening the Legislative Ethics Committee oversight body. Governor Eliot Spitzer has made clear his intentions to work towards full public financing of elections as the ultimate goal of his series of reforms. Let's hope progress on these initial measures is a positive sign of things to come in Albany.