Online political advertising was seen «
initially as a force for good,» because it offered a lower cost way for candidates to advertise and could serve as a counterweight to the influence of big political donors, said Ellen Weintraub, a veteran Democratic commission member who now serves as its vice chairwoman
Deputy Senate Majority Leader John DeFrancisco, meanwhile, expressed frustration over what he saw was a shifting set of priorities dictated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who
initially proposed the amendments,
as well as urged lawmakers to fund a hate crimes task
force and back a memorandum of understanding
for affordable housing money.