Report Details Positive Effects of Public Campaign Financing in Connecticut

As some New York state lawmakers consider publicly financed campaigns to thwart public corruption in state politics, a liberal-leaning public policy think tank has released a report showing how a voluntary public financing system in Connecticut has contributed to a more "representative and responsive" Legislature there since its implementation in 2008.

J. Mijin Cha, a senior policy analyst for Demos — a New York City based good government group — and principle author of the report titled "Fresh Start: The Impact of Public Campaign Financing in Connecticut," along with Demos president, co-author of the report and former Connecticut Secretary of State Miles Rapoport and current Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill, cited significant changes in Connecticut's legislative process outlined in the report since the state implemented public financing in 2008.

According to a press release from Demos, the report combines "empirical data with interviews of current and former legislators to paint a complete picture of the promise of public financing program."