Washington, D.C.—Public Campaign, the leading national organization dedicated to putting elections back in the hands of voters through Fair Elections-style campaign reform, today praised Gov. Andrew Cuomo for pledging to clean up Albany by enacting public financing of elections.

“Gov. Cuomo drew a line in the sand today for lawmakers in Albany and the Congressional leadership in Washington, D.C.—it’s time to put voters back in charge of our elections,” said Nick Nyhart, president and CEO of Public Campaign. “After a national election that saw unprecedented levels of special interest influence over our political process, this is a welcome relief.”

“Gov. Cuomo knows that it’s time to make our system work for working Americans, and the best way to do that is through creating a system that amplifies the voice of small dollar donors,” said Nyhart. “We’re hopeful that the New York Assembly, which passed public financing legislation previously, can work with the state Senate to restore government in Albany to one that is of, by, and for the people.”

Over the past 15 years, Public Campaign has worked with advocates to pass similar laws in eight states.

In the 2009-10 Congress, Public Campaign worked with Congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. to move the Fair Elections Now Act, legislation that allows federal candidates to run for office by relying solely on donations from people back home.  

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Public Campaign is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to raise the voice of everyday Americans through common sense reform of the way our elections are financed.