Why we need public financing of elections

Dear Editor, We are reminded daily of the stranglehold corporate chief executive officers and the superrich have on our democracy. Big banks, real estate, pharma and the fossil fuel industry are neck deep in writing policy and deregulating themselves at the federal level. They pour money into campaign coffers at every level. On the left, we know a key strategy to take on Trump is working from the bottom up, moving progressive local policies that put people before profits, protect the planet and invest in our communities.

Ulster County Executive Mike Hein has done just that. He’s proposed small-donor public financing of elections for Ulster County. The program is a huge success in Maine, Arizona, New York City and Connecticut. It has allowed more and different kinds of people to run for office. It’s lessened the dependence on big money in elections and is beginning to shift power from the wealthy few to the people.

No other county executive has been bold enough to introduce this kind of progressive proposal. We need to see leadership like this more often. Now we’ll need the county Legislature and Hein to work together to pass and implement the best law possible.

The League of Women Voters, Common Cause, New York Public Interest Research Group, Working Families Party and Citizen Action of New York, will be there in support. So will a majority of Ulster County residents who understand until you get big money out and people in, no level of government will truly be of, by and for the people.

Jessica Wisneski Deputy director, Citizen Action of New York

Olivebridge, N.Y.