Yesterday the Communications Workers of America (CWA), SEIU and the United Auto Workers (UAW) sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo praising him for his support of public financing of elections.

From the labor letter: "We write to thank you for your leadership and promised efforts to make public financing of elections for New York State a top priority in 2012. As leaders of workers and their families nationally, and in New York State, we are painfully aware of the influence that big corporate donations have on our democracy. Your New NY Agenda laid out an ambitious plan to change New York, including public funding of elections. We write to express our readiness to stand behind you in this campaign and achieve this important victory for democracy together."

Gov. Cuomo came out strongly in support of publicly financed elections in his state of the state address on January 4th. Cuomo's backing on this issue will be important in the effort to clean up Albany, which has a reputation for being one of the most corrupt state capitols in the country. A robust campaign is underway to turn this support into passing this long-overdue reform in the 2012 legislative session.