The New York Times writes on the recent proposal by New York comptroller Thomas diNapoli to publicly finance state campaigns, beginning with the next comptroller race. The paper praises the thrust of the proposal, but hopes that diNapoli, Governor Spitzer, and the legislature will work out something more ambitious and comprehensive.

Discussion of public financing for New York campaigns has heated up in recent months, fueled in part by Spitzer's enthusiasm for campaign finance reform work, but the Times wants more out Albany:

Public financing, in which smaller campaign donations from individuals would be matched in statewide races, would be a great idea for New York. And Gov. Eliot Spitzer has pledged to promote some kind of public financing as part of his general overhaul of state government. Mr. Spitzer argues, however, that coaxing lawmakers into reforming the present system takes top priority. Unfortunately, that shoves public financing, which would bring New York in line with more progressive states, into the future.

Viewed in that context, the DiNapoli proposal feels too much like a feint, one of many Albany press releases that goes no farther than the official state Web site.