The possibility of campaign finance reform in New York State led the group Citizens Union to convene recently a panel of experts to discuss the topic.  The forum, with highlights published by the Union’s sister publication Gotham Gazette, included Blair Horner, legislative director of New York Public Interest Research Group; Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause; Dan Cantor, executive director of Working Families Party; Michael Malbin, executive director of the Campaign Finance Institute; and Assembly Member Adriano Espaillat, a Democrat who represents New York’s District 72. Please visit the Gazette’s write up here.  The forum provided a solid introduction to New York’s current system and some possible reform alternatives. As a start, here are some numbers to consider from PIRG’s Horner.  Less than 1 percent of New York state residents write contributions to candidates in a given year, and those that do can surpass the $94,200 limit on giving by making soft money contributions to a candidate’s “housekeeping account,” said Horner. “It’s about big donors writing big checks to lawmakers under the assumption that the favor will be returned during the legislative or regulatory process,” said Horner.  New York candidates “can use campaign contributions for their own personal expenditures … lease a luxury car, pay for country club memberships, go for trips abroad,” noted Horner.  This system has led to uncompetitive elections in the state with just 35 incumbents losing in roughly 2,500 contested general elections since 1985, Horner reports. “(B)ig donors don’t give big money because they feel charitable. This is American capitalism, people expect something in return, and sadly I think they get it.”  Come on Blair, don’t be a cynic. New Yorkers are extraordinarily satisfied with their representation in Albany.