The state should have no role in collecting money for political parties, and now, thanks to this legislature, North Carolina’s so-called “checkoff” program is history.
The wide-ranging elections overhaul bill approved by Republican legislators last summer and signed into law by Gov. Pat McCrory eliminated the option taxpayers had to earmark $3 of their tax payment for the previous year to their favored political party.
The tax “checkoff” program, started in the mid-1970s during post-Watergate campaign finance reforms, was swept aside as enough Republicans decided government shouldn’t accumulate tax money for parties. Now the money will remain in state coffers.
For all of the essential services state government should perform, “I do not believe soliciting funds for political parties is one of them,” said Rep. Dennis Riddell, R-Alamance and a sponsor of a separate bill to do away with the political party checkoff now offered by fewer than 10 other states.
It’s over, and its should be, as is public financing for appellate judicial campaigns.
