Twenty-seven New York City council members sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) in support of his plan to create a public financing system for New York’s elections.

From the letter:

"As elected officials, and equally significantly, as past candidates for public office in New York City, we know firsthand the importance of a strong campaign finance system. While the City’s system has evolved since its inception in 1988, the matching funds program, low contribution limits, and pay-to-play laws have made it a model for jurisdictions across the country. The City's highly regarded program has withstood the test of time as an effective way to publicly finance elections with matching funds"

...

"After the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United, we face an era of unlimited and increasingly secret spending in our elections. Public financing programs are one way to help combat this potentially corrupting influence of big money in our politics

Gov. Cuomo advocated for public financing in his State of the State address in January. Just last week, a group of civic, business, and philanthropic leaders launched to increase the pressure on Albany to take up the issue. National labor unions and a broad range of issue-advocacy groups have also weighed in.

Are you a New Yorker? Send a message to your state lawmakers today!