On the first day of the Fair Elections Action Week, the Gotham Gazette urges attention to Clean Elections public financing proposals in New York, where Democratic Governor Eliot Spitzer, a supporter of Clean Elections, and the Republican-controlled state Senate have crossed swords over the virtues of such a system.

Jessica Wisneski of Citizen Action of New York talked with the Gazette about the ongoing struggle to win Clean Elections in New York:

“We can see it more clearly here than in other states as to how campaign contributions affect the decisions our leaders make,” said Jessica Wisneski of Citizen Action, who is leading the statewide effort here. In New York, a candidate running for an Assembly seat can raise almost twice as much as a candidate for United States Senate.

Citizen Action sees Clean Elections as the way to insulate officials from the influence of donations from special interests. The proposal would provide full public funding for candidates who choose to refuse private contributions and agree to spending limits. To qualify, they would need to raise a certain number of $5 contributions from their prospective constituents.

Activists in New York and in many states around the country will be using this week to bring attention to the need for full public financing of elections. Be sure and check the map on the Fair Elections Action Week website to find out about any events happening near you.