A 2006 memo from the Public Policy and Education Fund of New York concluded that the cost of public financing of elections in New York would amount to, “less than 2 hundredths of a percent,” of the state budget and, “should not be a concern.”

That means the release of government back to the people of New York will cost a mere $1.50 per year per tax payer.

The report analyzed costs of public financing in Maine and Arizona – considering factors such as population, number of cities and cost of living – and used the data to make a cost prediction for New York.

The conclusions of this academic study are a far cry from the tired rhetoric of legislators, lobbyists and other political opponents of public financing, who claim that publicly funded campaigns waste tax dollars that should be appropriated elsewhere.

Considering the rewards of publicly financed campaigns – lessened influence of big money on our state politics and more time paid by candidates to the concerns of voters – can’t we afford to shed, “less than 2 hundredths of a percent,” of New York’s budget on this cause?