Public financing of elections 

Let's take a hint from the success New York City has had with publicly financed elections. Candidates must qualify, at which point small donations are matched with public funds. A brief history: http://www.nyccfb.info/press/info/history.aspx

Transparency is nice and all, but it'd be even better if lawmakers in Albany didn't owe special interests any favors (whether we know they do or not).