Campaign Finance Folly Op-Ed

The money for publicly financed campaigns must come from a tax hike, which would be unwise, or from cutting municipal programs and services. People would not like it if New York City in effect told some youngster, ''We took away your hot meals because the borough president faces a primary...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe New York times
Main Authors Council., Walter L. McCaffrey, Walter L. McCaffrey, a Democrat, represents the 21st district of Queens on the New York City
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York, N.Y New York Times Company 12.01.1988
EditionLate Edition (East Coast)
Subjects
BUDGETS AND BUDGETING
ELECTIONS
FINANCES
LAW AND LEGISLATION
MCCAFFREY, WALTER L (COUNCILMAN)
NEW YORK CITY
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Summary:The money for publicly financed campaigns must come from a tax hike, which would be unwise, or from cutting municipal programs and services. People would not like it if New York City in effect told some youngster, ''We took away your hot meals because the borough president faces a primary election and we need the money for television commercials.'' My constituents are already displeased by Mayor's Koch's plan to increase taxes on their homes. To then take some $30 million of these funds to finance political campaigns would be a disgrace. Finally, a major rationale for public financing is that it would restore confidence in the city government. That's foolish. The public's trust is earned over time. It can't be regained in a flash through public financing. The people are smarter than that.
ISSN:0362-4331