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Home ... ACT NOW TO SAVE PUBLIC FINANCING OF CAMPAIGNS 12/09/09

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ACT NOW TO SAVE PUBLIC FINANCING OF CAMPAIGNS 12/09/09

 

**********URGENT**********

 

ACT NOW TO SAVE PUBLIC FINANCING OF CAMPAIGNS

 

TELL YOUR LEGISLATORS TO FIX

THE CITIZENS’ ELECTION PROGRAM IN SPECIAL SESSION!

 

In late August, a Federal District Court judge ruled that Connecticut’s Citizens’ Election Program, which provides public financing for campaigns, discriminates against minor party candidates.  The State is appealing the ruling; however, we can’t wait for the appeals court decision.  We need to “fix” the law now so that the program is fully operable in 2010.

 

          Governor Rell has called the legislature to come back into session on December 15 to fix the program.  The Governor has outlined a proposal that we believe is a good starting point for negotiations.  Unfortunately, the Governor has also proposed cutting another $12 million dollars from the Citizens’ Election Program in order to balance the budget.*  On top of the cuts over the past year, this one will cripple the program. Candidates will not sign up for public financing if they believe that the money won’t be there or will be insufficient to run competitive campaigns. On 12/4/09, Senate and House Republican leaders went further by proposing to completely eliminate the fund.

 

The time for legislators to act is NOW.  Don’t let them gavel in and gavel out of the 12/15/09 Special Session without a fix for the Citizens’ Election Program.  They also must preserve what remains in the Fund.

 

Please contact SENATE PRESIDENT DON WILLIAMS, YOUR SENATOR AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE and tell them:

 

  • To work with Governor Rell in Special Session to “fix” the Citizens’ Election Program, and

  • To oppose any further cuts to funding for the program.

 

And while you are at it, why not contact the GOVERNOR as well?  Please thank her for her leadership in taking the initiative to fix the Citizens’ Election Program and urge her not to make any cuts in funding for the program.

 

Governor Rell  (800) 406-1527 or Governor.Rell@po.state.ct.us

Senator Don Williams (860) 240-8634 or Williams@senatedems.ct.gov

 

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

 

You made public financing for campaigns a reality in Connecticut.  Now, we need to safeguard that reform.  Please contact your senator, Senator Williams and Governor Rell today. 

 

Thank you.  Together we can make a difference!

 

Christine S. Horrigan, LWVCT Government Director

 

*(To read the Governor’s press release go to:  http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=3675&Q=451362)