Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C,I,Ref-Schoharie) spoke this morning at a public hearing in Albany to discuss public financing of political campaigns. Members of the press, local elected officials and concerned citizens raised their voices about a controversial range of topics at the hearing. Tague’s primary concerns are twofold: first, that in one of the most heavily-taxed states in the country there will be more tax dollars taken from hardworking families to pay for these campaigns. Secondly, that it goes against a fundamental pillar of our democracy and opens up the door to a massive possibility of corruption.

“I am very much against this proposal,” Tague said. “Our forefathers bled and died to give us the freedom to choose our representatives in this country. I can’t see how giving the keys to the kingdom for campaigns to any government would serve those ideals. Also, we’re going to ask a struggling single mother, a hard-working middle class family or a college student burdened by debt to pay for campaigns that they may not even support? This is a terrible proposal and I urge every person to voice opposition to it.”