Legislature would permit public funds for local candidates

OLYMPIA — Candidates for local office could get public money to support their election bids — but only if the voters sign off first — under a bill that cleared the Legislature on Tuesday.

The state House gave final legislative approval on a 51-43 vote, after a long debate that showed strong philosophical differences between majority Democrats and minority Republicans.

Under the bill, cities, counties and other jurisdictions could provide local candidates with government financing, but only after getting approval for such a program from local voters.

Only local taxes could be tapped for the public campaign accounts, and the money could not be used in campaigns for state offices or school boards.

GOP opponents declared the plan tragic, horrible and even un-American, because taxpayers might end up financially supporting candidates with whom they disagree.

Critics also argued that the ability to get donor support is an important test of a candidate's work ethic, viability and fitness for office. In the end, 10 Democrats joined the House GOP in voting against the bill.

Rep. Joyce McDonald, R-Puyallup, quoted Thomas Jefferson in arguing that public campaign financing was akin to the British system rejected by America's founders.

"People are free to give, and they're free not to give," said McDonald, R-Puyallup. "We ought to leave it that way."

Democratic supporters, however, said public financing could help reduce the influence of special-interest money in local campaigns and might encourage more people to run for office.

"By making sure that the common people can support and have a fair election, races will not be decided by the person with the biggest checkbook," said Rep. Mark Miloscia, D-Federal Way. "Checkbook democracy is the wrong kind of democracy."

Republicans tried unsuccessfully to amend the measure several times, though a few of those votes were very close.

The GOP's proposed changes included a prohibition on public financing for unopposed candidates, disclosures of taxpayer financing on campaign materials, and a requirement that candidates repay any subsidies if the money is illegally used for personal gain.

It's unclear whether Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire will sign the bill into law.