Clean Election Update by Julie Archer

February 3, 2006

Clean Elections ...Legislation on Track

By Julie Archer, WVEC/WV-CAG

We had hoped to be able to report that the Senate Judiciary Committee had passed the “WV Public Campaign Financing Act” (SB 124) but due to unexpected delays the bill has not been taken up. Despite the delay your calls have been getting through to Senators, the bill is on track and we are optimistic that it will clear its first legislative hurdle of the 2006 session this coming week. Thanks to everyone who took time to call Judiciary Committee members (especially our swing voters) about this much needed reform! With that said – additional calls of support can only help our cause, so if you haven’t contacted your Senator there’s still time. A list of Judiciary Committee members is available at http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/senate/judiciary/sencomJUD.cfm.

Not only is the bill on track, but State Treasurer John Perdue – a Clean Elections supporter has agreed to provide $1 million from the sale of unclaimed property to help fund the program. This will provide the “seed money” to get the West Virginia’s program started and will likely be enough to provide public financing to those candidates who opt for and qualify for funds during the program’s first year. This is great news and we are extremely appreciative of the Treasurer’s support of our efforts to change the way campaigns are financed in the Mountain State.

Finally, the House companion to SB 124 was introduced this week. Sponsors of HB 4251 are Delegates Jon Amores (D-Kanawha), John Doyle (D-Jefferson), Mike Caputo (D-Marion), Bonnie Brown (D-Kanawha), Patrick Lane (R-Kanawha), Rick Staton (D-Wyoming), John Ellem (R-Wood), Don Perdue (D-Wayne), Richard Browning (D-Wyoming) and Cliff Moore (D-McDowell). Provided the Senate version maintains momentum it’s unlikely HB 4251 will be taken up, but it never hurts to thank our sponsors for their support.

We hope to have more good news next week. Thanks again for your calls! Check www.wvoter-owned.org for updates and resources. And, as always, feel free to call or e-mail me at julie@wvcag.org if you have questions or need more information.