By MATTHEW DONDIEGO
Citing a 2011 report from the Center for Competitive Politics, the memo insists “the abuse of public funds is so severe and the record of corrupt practices and other misdeeds are so rampant, particularly in the city of New York, that such a system cannot possibly live up to the ‘clean’ moniker that has been assigned by its proponents.”
According to the party, public funds granted to candidates in the 10 years spanning the report who were subsequently investigated for misuse of taxpayer money totaled $13,924,189. The report reviewed candidates in public funding systems in New York City, Maine and Arizona.
“Public funding of campaigns only serves candidates and does nothing to help the citizens whose money is procured by taxes,” the memo reads. “It does not level the playing field, and certainly does not provide a benefit to New York’s citizen forced to support candidates they would not vote into office.”
