Remember back in 2005 when lawmakers nearly dislocated their arms patting themselves on the back for passing campaign-finance reforms? So what if the state Senate created huge obstacles for minor and third parties. Who cares if lobbyists and contractors were totally banned for contributing even nominal $100 amounts to statewide candidates like the rest of us. No wonder a US District judge declared the law unconstitutional last year. But maybe the biggest sin has been the steady erosion of the fund – unclaimed property in the state treasurer’s office -by Gov. Rell and Democratic lawmakers as they’ve worked away at the margins of the big budget deficit. There’s about $30 million left and $38 million has been confiscated in the budget crisis.
Anyway Connecticut Common Cause this morning is promoting the findings of a Zogby International poll they commissioned indicating that 79 percent of state residents support the Citizens’ Election Program. Fifty eight percent say the General Assembly should now amend the law so it can withstand further judicial scrutiny.
“Nearly 8 in 10 respondents indicated their support for public financing of elections—this is a message that the Governor and legislators can’t ignore,” said Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause Connecticut, in a statement this morning. “Voters want elections to be about them and not big money donors. Our state leaders must act now to amend the Citizens’ Election program so it is available to candidates for the 2010 election cycle and beyond.”
“This poll sends a strong message to lawmakers in Hartford – stop cutting the funds to the Citizens’ Election Program!” said Karen Hobert Flynn, Vice President for State Operations of Common Cause. “This poll shows, without a doubt, that support for the popular program cuts across political affiliation, ideology, income level and age.