New York state is on the cusp of making history — and that’s a good thing for women.

Earlier this year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo included a proposal for the public financing of state elections in his budget. The plan creates a system where public funds match citizens’ small campaign contributions to reduce the influence of big money in politics.

The alarming lack of women lawmakers and leaders has resulted in Legislatures that too often stand in the way of real reform. We have it within our power to remedy this by electing more women, but to do so we must first change the way elections are financed. As the Center for Women in Politics reminds us, “Beyond achieving fundamental fairness and democratic ideals, having women in office makes a difference.”…
Campaign finance reform benefits women