Joshua Solomon reports in the Times Union Democrats in the state Senate are questioning whether public financing of campaigns will be ready to take effect in 2024 as planned. They are using the excuse of the delayed redistricting in the Assembly to put off the public financing of campaigns. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "Certainly the Assembly is going through redistricting.... It's a part of the things that people are talking about." Public financing of elections in 2024 would give Assembly candidates up to $350,000 in matching contributions from small donations in both the primary and general election. The idea is to reduce the influence of big-money campaign donors, and give small donations more weight. Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed budget has $25 million to fund the program and an additional $4 million to fund 54 new staff members for administration. Republicans oppose the program. Read more about this story in the Times Union.