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Something exciting is shaping up to be a real possibility for the upcoming Legislative Session. In order to make it work, it needs the help of all who believe the political process of this democracy of ours needs to be protected, expanded, and enhanced.
And it could change the way Concord does business. It would change the way New Hampshire candidates go about their fundraising. It would reduce the rush for cash that we've seen in recent election cycles. It will make it possible for more candidates of "limited means" -- whether personal finances or "contacts" -- to be able to run for office. Those would all be good things.
"Granny D" is a national treasure. She's walked the nation, walked on Washington, and now she's walking on Concord. Again, actually -- she's done so several times before.
During the past 18 months or so I and others have been working alongside Granny D on her concept of "Clean Elections." Essentially, it is the idea that people running for office should be able to get funding from sources other than lobbyists and other special interests. Many Democratic and Republican Presidential candidates visiting New Hampshire have been strongly critical of the influence of financial donations from lobbyists and big money in national elections. That problem, of course, occurs in state elections as well.
The cause of Granny D should be high on the agenda for New Hampshire Democrats and Republicans during the upcoming Legislation Session. A bill is currently in the Legislature, and a special subcommittee of the House Election Law Committee has held meetings on it during the past several months, including some hot days of Summer. A citizen group has also been working on the bill. Three meetings are planned for September -- more on that soon.
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Dedicated to passage of the bill are members of both political parties and various political philosophies. Already speaking for the bill have been former Governor Walter Peterson, former Democratic U.S. Senate nominee John Rauh, former Republican Gubernatorial candidate Jim Rubens, former Democratic Gubernatorial nominee Paul McEachern, former State Senator Clif Below, and lots of others. You get the picture -- this is a serious bill, with dedicated supporters.
John Rauh, by the way, has created the national organization "Just 6 Dollars" and "Americans For Campaign Reform," working for public funding for national candidates. He and his supporters and staff are doing incredible work in Washington, and are helping on our cause here.
The legislation, which we are now calling the "Fair Elections" law, is House Bill 794, and it is referenced briefly below, quoting its "analysis" as printed in the legislation. It is undergoing a redraft, making it more complete and effective. We have reviewed similar laws in a dozen other states, including Maine, Arizona, and Connecticut, to make our New Hampshire bill the best model of all.
A similar bill almost passed in the year 2000, when the State Senate approved it, and it came within 28 votes of passing the House. Governor Jeanne Shaheen had indicated support for it. It was also introduced in 2005, but with Republican control of the Legislature it had tough sledding.
House Bill 794 is sponsored by, among others, former State Senator Peter Allen, State Senator Jackie Cilley, and two of our longest-serving "older" House members -- Representatives Betty Hall and Barbara Hull Richardson. Although the sponsors are all Democrats, we're looking for broad Republican support as well.
Fair elections are good for New Hampshire. And for Granny D, who has successfully spoken out for this legislation in other states and in Washington, we're going to try to deliver a victory in her home state during her 98th year!.
HB 794-FN -- AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to campaign contributions and expenditures.
SPONSORS: Representative Jim Splaine, Rockingham #16; Representative Dana Hilliard, Strafford #2; Representative Barbara Richardson, Cheshire #5; Representative Peter Allen, Cheshire #6; Representative Betty Hall, Hillsborough #5; Senator Jackie Cilley, State Senate District #6.
COMMITTEE: House Election Law
ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a fund to provide campaign financing for eligible candidates for governor, councilor, and state senator. Candidates qualify for the financing by collecting a requisite number of $5 contributions and complying with other provisions of the financing law. The candidate will then use money received from the fund instead of private contributions to finance the candidate's campaign.
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