Bill gives communities choice to opt for public campaign-funding

January 25, 2008

OLYMPIA – Local communities, with the consent of local voters, could choose to publicly finance their local political races, according to legislation that won approval in the House of Representatives today (Friday, Jan. 25).

State Rep. Sam Hunt, one of the sponsors of the measure (House Bill 1551), said the bill “represents the simple, evenhanded principle of local control.

“It comes down to the commonsense notion that local people, if they so desire, should have the right to design their own programs for funding their local political campaigns,” said Hunt, D-Olympia. “Local government is often called the laboratory of government ideas, so permitting local governments to try public funding makes sense.  It is all about letting the local people decide.” 

Hunt and other supporters of the measure pointed out in floor debate today that providing this option for local communities will allow candidates to spend “more time debating issues and less time raising money.

“Yes, more time actually debating issues and less time raising money – what a concept!” said Hunt, who chairs the House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee in which the legislation received its initial hearing.

“Public funding would prompt more people to toss their hat in the ring for local offices.  It would equal the playing field for incumbents and challengers.”

The House adopted amendments requiring that only local public funds (no state or federal money) could be used in the program, and stating that no local public funds could be used for local school-board races.

Approved by a vote of 56-38 today, the legislation now moves to the Senate for more discussion.