Critics were also concerned that the approval of the referendum will undercut current campaign finance reform legislation passed by the New York City Council in September. The mayor originally vetoed the legislation, but the council overrode the veto in October. Ian Michaels, press secretary at the Campaign Finance Board, said the mayor's referendum and the City Council legislation were headed on a collision course. The referendum's requirement that all corporate contributions be eliminated does not agree with the council's candidate reward system. The legislation would give candidates declining corporate contributions four times as much money in matching funds.
Nothing is more important than campaign finance reform.
Download Real Player 5.0 New Yorkers discuss the referendum issue.