Clean Elections
Hartford Courant - July 9, 2010
In a high-stakes, big-money battle, Republican gubernatorial front runner Tom Foley filed court papers Friday to block the payment of more than $2 million in public money to the campaign of Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele and his running mate, Mark Boughton.
A judge did not grant an injunction in the case, and a hearing has been set for 2 p.m. Monday in civil court on Washington Street in Hartford.
The court filing prompted an angry response from the Fedele campaign, saying that Foley was trying to change the subject because he has been in the news lately for two arrests years ago.
"I think Mr. Foley's action today is baseless. It's a political ploy,'' Fedele spokesman Christopher Cooper told Capitol Watch. "He's looking to change the subject. If he can't win by campaigning, he'll try to win by suing. ... It's an instance in which Tom Foley shows he thinks he's above the law. It's nothing more than a delay tactic and a political tactic.''
State To Appeal Campaign Finance Law Ruling
By EDMUND H. MAHONY | The Hartford Courant | 5:22 PM EDT, August 28, 2009
Connecticut elections officials reacted with sharp criticism and promised an all-out legal fight Friday after a federal judge threw out the state's landmark campaign finance law, saying it puts minor-party office seekers at an unconstitutional disadvantage when they challenge traditionally better-financed major-party candidates.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Connecticut Campaign Finance Law
By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN
Associated Press Writer
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) _ A federal judge says Connecticut's public campaign finance law, seen by some as a possible national model, is unconstitutional because it discriminates against minor party political candidates.
Judge Stefan Underhill ruled late Thursday that a part of the law that provides a voluntary public financing scheme for candidates for statewide offices and state lawmakers puts an unconstitutional burden on minor party candidates' First Amendment right to political opportunity.
He says the program, known as the Citizens Election Program, enhances major party candidates' strength beyond their past ability to raise contributions.
The Green and Libertarian parties and others sued the state, arguing the law makes it difficult for minor party candidates to meet the criteria for getting public funds for their campaigns.
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said the state will appeal the ruling to the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and will seek a stay of the ruling so that the program can continue operating.
The Fair Elections Now Act, introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman John Larson, aims to reform campaign financing for elections at the federal level.
- A letter from Congressman Larson and three of his colleagues in the House describes the significance of the bill:
- "There is no question that public confidence in Congress is being eroded by the perception that big contributions from Washington insiders have come to dominate our campaigns.
[...]
"...we must look for ways, together, to restore public trust. That is why we have come together in a bi-partisan manner to introduce HR 1826, the Fair Elections Now Act (FENA), to provide voluntary public financing for Congressional campaigns.
[...]
"The Fair Elections model is similar to the system already in place in Connecticut...it is voluntary and is designed to leverage small donor contributions by providing a 4 to 1 federal match of contributions below $100 from residents of a candidates's state.
Connecticut's public financing program -- The Citizens' Election Program -- enables our representatives in state government to spend more time listening to constituents and less time raising money. It also opens the door of possibility for concerned citizens to run for state office if they meet the fundraising threshold.
Public financing of elections is working for state government in Connecticut, and it looks as though Congressman Larson's Fair Elections Now Act could work as well at the federal level.
Click these links to learn more about HR 1826, Fair Elections Now Act (FENA), and about the Citizens' Election Program.
Forbes - November 19, 2008
Karen Houghtaling, a Waterbury waitress and receptionist, fell 74 votes shy this summer of defeating a veteran state representative in the Democratic primary.
Her supporters said Wednesday the political newcomer wouldn't have been able to wage such a tough fight against Rep. John "Corky" Mazurek if not for Connecticut's new, voluntary public financing system.
"Here's a person who was interested in running in her democracy. She had the chance to run," said Rep. Christopher Caruso, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the legislature's elections committee. "Under the old system of ad books and money from lobbyists and special interests, she wouldn't have had the money to do it."
The state's Elections Enforcement Commission held the first of two hearings Wednesday to gather comment on the initiative, known as the Citizens Election Program. A second hearing is scheduled for Dec. 5.
For the most part, both successful and unsuccessful candidates, and their campaign managers, had high praise for the system - considered the most far-reaching state public financing system in the country.
New York Times Editorial - August 6, 2008
This election season, Connecticut may finally erase the taint of political corruption it acquired after scandals sent two mayors, a former governor and a state senator to prison. Public disgust led to a law establishing a voluntary public campaign financing system for state officeholders. This is the first full year of the new system, and participation is excellent: only 10 of 225 candidates have indicated that they will not use taxpayer money.
The rest of the country will be watching to see how well the system works. Though not perfect, it’s a great improvement over the status quo. Public financing has invigorated democracy in New York City and states like Arizona and Maine.
In Connecticut, candidates must first obtain a minimum number of $5 donations in private money from district voters before qualifying for public money. They must also agree to limit spending, and they may not accept donations from state contractors or lobbyists. To keep the playing field level, larger grants are available to candidates whose opponents refuse public financing.
Greenwich Time - January 26, 2008
By Neil Vigdor
Staff Writer
January 26, 2008
Connecticut, which uses the same voting machines blamed for discrepancies in the New Hampshire presidential primaries, has a number of added safeguards to prevent similar problems on Super Tuesday, state election officials said.
"We have many checks in place to ensure the integrity and security of the election process," Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz said in an interview.
Bysiewicz said she had no reservations about using the fax-like machines known as the Accu-Vote system, which read blackened ovals on paper ballots that resemble standardized test answer sheets.
The new devices replaced mechanical lever machines throughout the state in the November municipal elections without any significant irregularities, Bysiewicz said.
But their accuracy has been called into question in New Hampshire, where one recount just ended and another is under way. Both were initiated by longshots from each party, though.
VoteTrustUSA - January 22, 2008
By Connecticut Citizen Election Audit Coalition
January 22, 2008
Four good government groups have proposed 18 recommendations to improve the state’s post-election audit process to assure the integrity of the vote in Connecticut.
The Connecticut Citizen Election Audit Coalition recommended 18 steps to a more effective and meaningful post-election audit process for all future elections in the state. The group’s report summarized the observations of more than 50 impartial citizen observers at 31 state-mandated post-election audits conducted by local officials following November’s municipal elections. Observers came from the membership ranks of the coalition partners—the League of Women Voters of Connecticut, Common Cause Connecticut, the Connecticut Citizen Action Group, and CTVotersCount.
Newsday - November 15, 2007
HARTFORD, Conn. - A new report says it's easier for the public to learn about state contracts, economic development subsidies and lobbying activities in Connecticut than any other state in the country.
The Washington, D.C.-based Good Jobs First organization released its study of the quality and quantity of state government disclosure on the Internet. The Nutmeg State ranks Number 1.
The group promotes corporate and government accountability. It looked at how easy it is to find information on the web, such as the state contracts awarded to specific companies. In the wake of the corruption scandal that ensnared former Gov. John G. Rowland, Connecticut has tried to make it easier to find such information.
But Tom Swan, director of Connecticut Citizen Action Group, says the state still lags behind in reporting economic subsidies.
Newsday - November 15, 2007
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