Is this the year NY government rids itself of corruption and scandals?

Public financing of campaigns has long been a flashpoint in Albany, and Republicans who controlled the Senate had blocked it. But now Democrats, who largely support it, are in power.

New York City has a similar system already in place. If approved, New York would be the first state to establish a public campaign finance system.

"I think that is definitely a piece that must happen, and there is no better time to deal with that than now," said Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, D-Pelham, Westchester County.