Taxes are not for campaigns
June 11, 2008 · Updated 6:29 PM
The state House of Representatives has a bill in its State Government Operations and Accountability committee which would allow public funds (i.e. taxes, fees, penalties, etc.) to be used to fund local office campaigns. This is a path that should not be tread.
Mucking with the voter-approved Initiative 134, aka the Fair Campaign Practices Act, in this fashion doesnt allow for fair campaigns. Those incumbents in charge of the tax dollars would have a huge advantage over their challengers who likely wouldnt have access to these same funds.
When taxpayers unwillingly give up their hard-earned dollars to local government agencies, they expect that those dollars will be used for public services such as transportation, health and safety. They dont want to see their tax dollars going to support someones political campaign whom they may or may not support.
Incumbents, by virtue of their name recognition, already have an advantage when it comes to getting contributions. Putting their challengers even further in a funding hole goes against everything a democratic society stands for. The House members should recognize this and kill HB 1436 while its still under committee review.
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