Good-government groups complained that the back-loaded structure of the contract, with a 6 percent pay increase in the last year, would cause fiscal havoc in the future.

Good-government groups warn that all the negativism may turn off voters to the whole political process.

Good-government groups have argued that tolls on the bridges would be fair, given the $300 million the city is spending to fix two of the bridges, the Manhattan and Queensboro.

Good-government groups and other news organizations have complained that by effectively reducing the number of Election Day projection and polling operations, the networks created more room for error.

Good-government groups, Democrats and editorial writers are calling him a hero for defying his party leadership, which wants to kill his legislation.

Good-government groups, citing what they say are loopholes in the law, have urged the Legislature to revise it.

Good-government groups used to joke that the Legislature turned over about as quickly as the average Politburo.

Good-government groups lamented the new commission yesterday, saying that Mr. Giuliani was tampering with a complex and nearly sacred document for political gain.

Good-government groups said that provisions favoring certain interests sullied the bill, the result of a lobbying onslaught.

Good-government groups are ambivalent.