I agree with the Reflector (Our Views, Aug. 30 ) that state ethics laws must be tightened and punishment tough enough to deter wrongdoing. However, a better alternative is to expand optional public campaign financing now offered to candidates for state-level judgeships and several Council of State races. This seems to be the only alternative to our broken campaign finance system which results in endless fundraising rather than a focus on constituent needs.

My compliments to our two U.S. House representatives, G.K. Butterfield and Walter B. Jones, who are co-sponsoring H.R. 1826, the Fair Elections Now Act, to provide optional public campaign financing to congressional candidates. Having the voter in control in all elections rather than narrow special interests will be good for democracy and good for policy.

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