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Conn. Senate Passes Campaign Finance Bill NewsMax.com Wires HARTFORD, Conn. -- The state Senate on Wednesday approved some of the most sweeping changes in campaign finance laws in the country, including tight restrictions on contributions and a voluntary, publicly funded election system. Later in the evening, the House took up the bill, which was being watched closely around the nation. The legislation would be the first to enact a public financing system that applies to all statewide races, including those for the Legislature. The bill "does things that no other state in this union has done. It will give us the cleanest, most comprehensive system," said Democratic Sen. Donald DeFronzo, co-chairman of the Government Administration and Elections Committee. The Democrat-controlled Senate voted 27-8 in favor of the bill. Four Republicans supported the legislation, which would take effect on Dec. 31, 2006. Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell said she will sign the bill into law if it reaches her desk. The bill allots about $17 million each year in public funds for political campaigns. To reduce the influence of special interests, the bill bans political contributions from lobbyists and state contractors. Story Continues Below
It comes in the wake of a corruption scandal last year that sent former Republican Gov. John G. Rowland to prison and led his former co-chief of staff and a major state contractor to plead guilty in federal court. Two mayors in the state have also gone to prison in recent years. Democratic House Speaker James Amann said he believes the reforms will ultimately make legislators and other politicians more accountable to constituents. "The knuckles are going to get a little bloodier," said Amann, referring to the door-knocking candidates would have to do to raise money under the proposed laws. Other states have created public financing for just a few elected offices, such as the governor and lieutenant governor in Vermont, top judges in North Carolina, and a regulatory commission in New Mexico that oversees corporations. New Jersey recently passed a trial public financing program that affected two legislative seats this year and will apply to four in 2007. Maine and Arizona have public financing systems created by ballot initiatives.
© 2005 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Editor's note: Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
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