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Take action to Protect the Citizens Election Program/Public Financing of Campaigns 10/27/09
League
Members Report That Some Legislative Aides Don't Understand!
Thanks to those LWV members who
contacted their officials about protecting the
Citizens Election Program. Several have reported
that the officials or their aides replied that the
State was appealing the ruling. Therefore, they
thought that no other action was needed.
They're wrong...and here's why and here's exactly
what must be done to save the Citizen's Election
Program.
While the Attorney General's appeal is proceeding,
YOUR LEGISLATORS MUST TAKE TWO ACTIONS:
- Step
1: Immediately repeal the "Reversion Clause" (Section
9-717) of the law that would send us back to the
pre-reform days of no clean elections.
- Step 2: Once the clause is repealed,
then
amend eligibility requirements to respond to the ruling.
Here are the facts:
- In late August, Federal District
Court Judge Stefan Underhill ruled that Connecticut's
Citizens Election Program, which provides public
financing for campaigns, discriminated against minor
party candidates.
- The judge issued an injunction
prohibiting the State from operating and enforcing the
program. Although a stay of the injunction has been
granted, enabling the continuation of the program for
now, the program is in serious jeopardy due to the
so-called "reversion clause" (Section 9-717). This
clause requires the State to return to its former,
inadequate pre-reform system of campaign finance in the
event of a successful legal challenge.
- The State is appealing the ruling but
the appeal will take months.
- The Government Administration and
Elections Committee held an informational forum with
speakers from the SEEC, Attorney General's office and
others regarding these issues. To view the meeting go
to: http://ct-n.com/ondemand.asp?ID=4850
Please contact your
legislators today and tell them to immediately repeal the
reversion clause (section 9-717) and then work on amending
eligibility and other requirements. They must act now to
protect the program.
Main Switchboard:
Senate Democrats
(800) 842-1420 or (860) 240-8600
Senate Republicans
(800) 842-1421 or (860) 240-8800
House Democrats
(800) 842-8267, (800) 842-1902 or (860) 240-8500
House Republicans
(800) 842-8270, (800) 842-1423 or (860)240-8700
You can find your legislators e-mail by going to: http://www.cga.ct.gov
Thank you.
 Jara
Burnett, President, LWVCT
Cheryl Dunson, VP, Public Issues
Christine S. Horrigan, LWVCT Government Director
tel: 203-288-7996
e-mail: lwvct@lwvct.org
www.lwvct.org |
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