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Idaho's current campaign finance system, which permits private
contributions, is not inherently corrupt and works just fine. Votes are
not for sale, regardless of how much money an organization or person
contributes to their campaign. |
The
intention behind Senate Bill 1037 was not to indicate that we have a
corrupt system in Idaho; the idea was that there is a better system
available. One benefit of this system is that public financing returns
more time to candidates to personally reach out to voters and encourages
a more direct dialogue between elected officials and voters. It enhances
the candidate pool, especially for new candidates who may need the extra
support and encouragement to run. And last but not least, this system
feeds the "market place of ideas" by giving candidates the tools to get
their messages out.
Public
campaign financing in these states is not perfect, and the states are
challenged to iron out those flaws. Yet this system is ensuring clean
money, protecting clean elections and restoring more confidence in our
leaders than any other existing campaign finance system. This system
supports our core democratic values of a responsive and a responsible
government.
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This system is relatively new, but it is working well in other states.
Ten states have this type of financing for various elected positions,
but Arizona and Maine have this funding available for all their
statewide and legislative candidates. A decade has passed since the
introduction of this funding in Maine and over eighty percent of their
candidates use this system. After only five years, forty-three percent
of Arizona's candidates chose to use this system of funding. It is used
equally by both Republican and Democratic parties and sometimes third
parties have utilized this funding too.
Funding for the bill is acceptable. In addition to voluntary
contributions from the public, Senate Bill 1037 supplemented this
program by an additional 10% surcharge on civil penalties. This would
give the fund roughly $ 4-7 million annually. It would not be funded by
tax dollars. With the element of public funding, some have labeled
similar legislation, "welfare for politicians." I argue that many of
our public institutions and services are funded by public dollars:
roads, public safety, schools, research grants etc. This system would
permit the public to own the campaign process by protecting our republic
from being taken over by special interests.
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Remove language in S1037 that
suggests the current system is corrupt. Send S1037 to the Senate. |
