Potential changes to New York's newly created system of publicly funded political campaigns is drawing rebukes from good-government advocates and Republican lawmakers alike. 

Democrats who control both chambers of the state Legislature are expected to introduce a bill this week that would lift the cap for public money that matches campaign contributions. 

Currently, contributions are matched with public money starting at $250 or lower. Lawmakers are expected to propose higher donations that would qualify for the same match. 

For now, no agreement has been reached on the specifics. 

"It's still a live discussion," Senate Elections Committee Chairman Zellnor Myrie said on Tuesday morning. "Time is short with many things on our plate, but it's still being discussed."

Publicly funded campaigns have been hailed by reform advocates as a way to limit the influence of big money in politics. But it could also have the effect of leveling the playing field, especially for non-incumbent candidates running for public office. 

Republicans, who have never had much love for publicly financed campaigns in the first place, decried the potential changes. 

"The only thing worse than taxpayer-funded political campaigns is a taxpayer funded incumbency protection program," said Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt. "This is blatant hypocrisy from Albany Democrats, who continue to show they put politics above all else."

The Brennan Center this week also highlighted editorial opposition to the measure. 

“By stepping back from the program as it was enacted, this innovative and voter empowering program that was enacted in 2020, the state is also steeping back from its role as a national leader on campaign finance reform,” Joanna Zdanys of the Brennan Center at NYU told NY1 this week. 

Lawmakers are considering raising the cap for matching funds. Right now, contributions are matched with public dollars at $250 per donor and lower.

Under the proposed changes, higher donations would also qualify for that same match. And critics say that goes against the spirit of the law, intended to discourage large donations.