'Fair Elections' Act passes Assembly
Dozens of protestors filled the hallway of the Capitol with chants of "let the people in" during a Senate hearing on public financing of elections after they were barred from entering the public hearing. The hearing examined the abuses within the New York City taxpayer funded system. Just hours before, the Assembly passed its "Fair Elections Act" (A.04980-c) 88-50, mostly across party lines.
The system proposed by the Assembly Democrats mirrors the New York City system that matches campaign donations with $6.00 of public money for every $1.00 raised by a candidate. If implemented the legislation would also create an independent oversight board to oversee the finance process.
The May 6 hearing, held by the Senate Elections Committee, opened with Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk, D-Duanesburg, suggesting the hearing be relocated to a larger hearing room so the public could attend. The motion was supported by Sen. Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan, and Sen. Diane Savino, D-Staten Island, but the room change never happened.
Held in room 124 of the Capitol, members of the press corps were initially barred from the room by the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms until Senate Republican spokesman Scott Reif allowed journalists inside the meeting room
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2013-05-13-83753.113122-Fair-Elections-Act-passes-Assembly.html
