This Times editorial endorses some of Gov. Paterson’s ethics and campaign finance reform proposals.  Among his “best ideas”:

To clean up one of the nation’s most notoriously corrupt campaign finance systems, he proposes encouraging much-needed competition by phasing in public financing of campaigns. That would mean limiting contributions to $1,000 instead of $55,900 for state races. Lobbyists would be allowed to pitch in only $250. He would end the scandalous practice of writing checks for party “housekeeping” that have no limits at all.