Community Corner

Letter: Large Campaign Donations 'Absurd'

Chappaqua resident writes in favor of Democratic state Senate challenger Justin Wagner.

(Editor's Note: The following is a response on Justin Wagner's recent campaign stop in Chappaqua, where he discussed the issue of campaign finance reform.)

I read The Patch’s coverage of state senate candidate Justin Wagner’s event in Chappaqua supporting campaign finance reform.

It is absurd that candidates for the state Senate can accept checks larger than $10,000 from anyone – even lobbyists. And for the politically connected, even that limit can be circumvented by using loopholes in the campaign finance law or by forming “independent expenditure” groups.

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The system, as it stands, invites a kind of legalized bribery, and I admire that Justin Wagner has the political courage to stand up and call for reform.

I only recently learned that those of us who live in Chappaqua have been redistricted. I would encourage the people of Chappaqua to research both candidates as there are huge differences between Justin Wagner and Greg Ball. The only mail I receive from Greg Ball highlights the one issue he and Justin Wagner agree on and that is to protect the environment by preventing fracking. He never highlights the vast differences they have on every other issue.

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For those who are concerned about fracking it should be noted that it is Greg Ball's party who controls the Senate by a seat right now and it is his party that prevents any anti fracking vote from occurring. If this issue it is important to you it will not be helped by Greg Ball's support but rather by replacing him which would change control of the state Senate and a vote on fracking could then take place.

Laura Porter

Chappaqua NY 10514


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