Thomas Kaplan is reporting in The New York Times a panel appointed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued its assessment of the state’s political culture Mon., Dec. 2, saying it found evidence of probable wrongdoing. The Commission to Investigate Public Corruption also recommended sweeping changes to state elections, ethics and campaign finance laws. The panel was appointed by Cuomo in July following a series of scandals involving members of the Legislature. The report offered a bleak picture of New York’s government, describing a political system in Albany where money is dominant and misconduct has become commonplace. Among its recommendations, the commission called for an overhaul of campaign fund-raising laws, including further limiting the amount of money that can be contributed and putting in place a system of public financing for elections like the one used in New York City. The commission was led by William J. Fitzpatrick, the Onondaga County district attorney; Kathleen M. Rice, the Nassau County district attorney; and Milton L. Williams Jr., an attorney. Read the full story in The New York Times.