News
Governor Rell signs bill strengthening Campaign Finance Reform Law
By Gov Rell's Office
Apr 13, 2008 - 1:15:12 PM

Governor M. Jodi Rell has signed into law a bill that strengthens the landmark campaign finance reform legislation enacted in 2005 by expanding the authority of the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) and enabling the state’s public financing system to operate more smoothly.

“This bill will secure Connecticut’s position as a national leader in campaign financing reform and will ensure that our historic campaign finance reform legislation works as envisioned,” Governor Rell said. “In 2005, we took special interest money out of elections and put the elections where they should be – in the hands of our citizens.

“We are no longer simply talking about cleaning up our system. We are making it reality by emphasizing transparency in political campaign funding, encouraging citizen participation in the political process and limiting the role of private money in elections.”

The 2005 legislation created the Citizens’ Election Program (CEP). The CEP is a voluntary program which provides full public financing to qualified candidates for statewide offices and the General Assembly.

The new legislation:

• Enables the SEEC to allow participating candidates to spend supplemental grant money immediately upon receiving it
• Allows the SEEC to issue cease and desist orders for violations of statutes and regulations under its jurisdiction
• Allows the SEEC to order improper campaign contributions remitted to the Citizens' Election Fund (CEF). The CEF is the fund that provides grants of public dollars to participating candidates who qualify under CEP requirements

“These changes will result in a fairer, more efficient pubic financing system,” Governor Rell said. “And now that the State Elections Enforcement Commission has this increased authority, we believe more political action committees will adhere to the law.”

Administered by the non-partisan SEEC, the CEP was designed to encourage citizen participation and limit the role of private money in Connecticut’s political process. To participate in the CEP, candidates must agree to abide by contribution and expenditure limits and disclosure requirements.

The CEP was designed with various goals, including:

• to allow candidates to compete without reliance on special interest money
• to curtail excessive spending and create a more level playing field among candidates
• to give candidates without access to sources of wealth a meaningful opportunity to seek elective office in the State of Connecticut
• to provide the public with meaningful and timely disclosure of campaign finances

The new law also imposes a ban on contributions to committees associated with candidates for statewide or legislative office from client and communicator lobbyists when the General Assembly is in session.

An Act Concerning the Citizens’ Election Program takes effect upon passage, except for the provision limiting the sessional ban on contributions from lobbyists to contributions from client lobbyists, which is effective October 1, 2008.

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