Good-government advocates are criticizing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders for a budget agreement to test public campaign financing with the state comptroller race this year.
Six good-government groups released a statement Sunday that called the proposal flawed and urged Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and any potential opponent to refuse to participate.
The budget would authorize matching public funds of $6 for each dollar of eligible contributions with limits of $4 million each for the primary and general election.
DiNapoli also protested Sunday that he was excluded from the negotiations between Cuomo and the legislative leaders and has doubts the plan can be made fair and reasonable in such a short time.
Government watchdogs criticize the influence of money in state politics and want public financing for all statewide and legislative races.
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