ALBANY - Campaign finance reform, one of Gov. Eliot Spitzer's top priorities in the waning days of his first legislative session, may be taken off the table Tuesday by the Senate's Republican majority.
The Senate GOP will hold the first meeting on campaign finance in its Elections Committee after fending off the Democratic governor on the issue by promising public meetings.
After the committee hears from an elections law scholar, Sen. Joseph Griffo, an Oneida County Republican, “is expected to announce a statewide series of campaign finance reform round-table discussions,” according to the meeting announcement.
Senate majority spokesman Mark Hansen wouldn't say if those meetings would be done in time for a bill to be drafted and passed in the session scheduled to end June 21.
“I think this is posturing,” said Barbara Bartoletti of the League of Women Voters, which has pushed campaign finance reform as the key to reforming Albany. “There are eight days left in the session. Our lax campaign finance laws and the lack of enforcement can't wait for another year. ... This should have been addressed a year ago.”
Shortly after the Senate Republicans announced their meeting, the good-government groups announced a press conference to be held just before it.
Spitzer had no immediate comment.
Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has said he supports Spitzer's proposal to dramatically reduce campaign spending limits. But Bruno has questioned the need for reform and noted that Spitzer can rely on his personal wealth and power as elected incumbent governor to raise campaign funds.
The conflict arose late Monday after a quiet day in which no public statements were made on the state of closed-door, late-session talks.
The Senate Republicans' meeting announcement put Spitzer on notice that the conference is either planning to - or threatening to - block Spitzer's campaign finance reform.
Spitzer spokeswoman Christine Anderson declined comment.
Spitzer and lawmakers have held public leaders meetings in an attempt to avoid Albany's notorious late-budget negotiations in which disparate issues are settled in one big deal, then rushed to a vote in the closing hours of the session with little debate or public review.
Some of the biggest items on the table include a capital budget of $600 million to $900 million for statewide projects to be built over several years, although as little as $60 million of which might be spent in the current budget. Also, expansion of the DNA data base to include samples from all criminals, proposed tax cuts for businesses and senior citizens and raises for lawmakers and state judges.
Another leaders meeting is expected later this week.
After the committee hears from an elections law scholar, Sen. Joseph Griffo, an Oneida County Republican, “is expected to announce a statewide series of campaign finance reform round-table discussions,” according to the meeting announcement.
Senate majority spokesman Mark Hansen wouldn't say if those meetings would be done in time for a bill to be drafted and passed in the session scheduled to end June 21.
“I think this is posturing,” said Barbara Bartoletti of the League of Women Voters, which has pushed campaign finance reform as the key to reforming Albany. “There are eight days left in the session. Our lax campaign finance laws and the lack of enforcement can't wait for another year. ... This should have been addressed a year ago.”
Shortly after the Senate Republicans announced their meeting, the good-government groups announced a press conference to be held just before it.
Spitzer had no immediate comment.
Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has said he supports Spitzer's proposal to dramatically reduce campaign spending limits. But Bruno has questioned the need for reform and noted that Spitzer can rely on his personal wealth and power as elected incumbent governor to raise campaign funds.
The conflict arose late Monday after a quiet day in which no public statements were made on the state of closed-door, late-session talks.
The Senate Republicans' meeting announcement put Spitzer on notice that the conference is either planning to - or threatening to - block Spitzer's campaign finance reform.
Spitzer spokeswoman Christine Anderson declined comment.
Spitzer and lawmakers have held public leaders meetings in an attempt to avoid Albany's notorious late-budget negotiations in which disparate issues are settled in one big deal, then rushed to a vote in the closing hours of the session with little debate or public review.
Some of the biggest items on the table include a capital budget of $600 million to $900 million for statewide projects to be built over several years, although as little as $60 million of which might be spent in the current budget. Also, expansion of the DNA data base to include samples from all criminals, proposed tax cuts for businesses and senior citizens and raises for lawmakers and state judges.
Another leaders meeting is expected later this week.
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