Momentum builds for people's elections in NC

North Carolina is poised to take a very important step towards "clean elections," reforms that get special interest money out, and a people's voice in.

Democracy North Carolina and N.C. Voters for Clean Elections are leading the charge for legislation to allow public financing of elections in select counties. As the AP reports:

Buoyed by the success of a program for appellate court candidates, campaign reform advocates urged lawmakers Wednesday to approve a similar voluntary public finance pilot for four legislative races in 2008.

Under the bill recommended by the House, candidates in the races who agree to fundraising restrictions from outside contributors would qualify to receive $50,000 to run for a House seat and $75,000 for a Senate seat. Additional "rescue funds" would be available to a qualifying candidate when an outside group or nonparticipating candidate start outspending the candidate.

Twelve of the 16 candidates for the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals qualified for the voluntary public financing program in 2004. Now it's time to try the concept in legislative elections to attempt to reduce the costs of election campaigns and the influence of special interests, according to speakers at a news conference.

"We believe or campaign finance system is fundamentally flawed," said Beth Messersmith, president of N.C. Voters for Clean Elections. The bill, she added, is "small next step just to see that it works in North Carolina."

As Progressive States points out, polls show that big majorities -- nearly 3/4 of the public -- support public financing of elections. While those in hock to big money claim it will cost taxpayers more money, the public sees the real trade-offs involved:

77% said that special interests would not receive as many favors, tax breaks and deals from politicians [under public financing of elections] ...

Public financing of elections are NOT a policy that will increase government spending; in fact, it's almost guaranteed to pay for itself many times over with less tax and government contract giveaways and more honest, cheaper services. 77% of the public recognize that our present system of legalized bribery costs the public every day, so replacing it with public financing will be a cost-saver.

If you live in North Carolina and want to support this incremental effort at fundamental reform, visit the Democracy NC website for more details.