County Voting

While Republicans in the Senate staged a filibuster to stop the possibility of campaign finance reform, the Suffolk Legislature, which is dominated by Republicans, forged a measure making public financing available in county elections. It is proposal one on the ballot.

In the form of an amendment to the County Charter, it would require candidates to eschew political action committee contributions in order to receive public money, and it sets other limits on the funds that can be raised privately.

While it is voluntary, on the part of both the candidate and the taxpayer, who could elect to provide up to $5 for campaign funds through the property tax, it is a positive step in much-needed reform. It is to the County Legislature's credit to have pioneered such legislation and it deserves a "yes."

The second proposal on the ballot, while arcane, also is worthy of support. If approved, it would help keep an obscure arm of county government, the Suffolk Electrical Agency, representative.

Proposal three (county proposition three) also is an amendment to the County Charter. It would allow the sale of $62 million in bonds to finance the purchase of open space, parklands (except golf courses), and farmland development rights, in addition to the development of a natural science center. Only a Machiavellian East Ender, fearing anything good coming from Suffolk could harm the Peconic County movement, could be opposed to this measure. Sixty-two million dollars is not a huge sum given the value of the kind of land the proposal seeks to save. Furthermore, it is meant to be spent over seven years. It should pass overwhelmingly.