House Bill 120, “Taxpayer Funded Municipal Campaigns,” is on the Senate Calendar today.  The bill made it through the House last week during the crossover madness. Sen. Don Davis, D-Greene, is sponsoring the bill in the Senate and says the bill does the following things: 1. Requires public support and acceptance of strict limits, 2. Promotes a free election process, 3. Public financing funds are strictly for elections and can’t be used for anything else, 4. Defines how the funds can be spent, 5.  Jurisdictions qualify based on Census numbers.

He says it’s all about a free and democratic process. Sen. Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph, stands to ask Davis some questions. How is Chapel Hill’s process working?  (BTW: Chapel Hill has not yet had an election under this pilot program.) Davis says we don’t really know yet, but he understands that larger jurisdictions want it. It’s still a work in progress since we used it as a pilot. Since there’s just one jurisdiction, it’s hard to judge. Tillman says the Chapel Hill  model is untested; we don’t know if it’s working. He questions whether this is an appropriate use of tax money.

Sen. Tom Apodaca, R-Henderson, asks about how this is free, as Davis said it would be in his explanation of the bill. Davis says he meant it would “free” up the process. Apadoaca asks where will the money come from? Davis says funds would come from the participating jurisdiction after a public hearing. He admits finally that funds would come from tax revenue. Apodaca says it is important to have fundraising experience as a candidate so when elected to public office one can manage the taxpayers’ money.

Sen. Eddie Goodall, R-Union, wants to know how this is voluntary to taxpayers. Davis says the process will be “free and open”and lead to fairer elections.

Goodall proposes an  amendment. He says if we are going to make this dramatic change, allow approval by referendum at the time of an existing election (so there will be no additional cost). 

Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, speaks on the amendment. He says the bill affects local elections only, and the General Assembly ought not make all decisions for them.

Local governements should be entrusted to make their own decisions. Sen. Dan Clodfelter, D-Mecklenburg, moves to make the amendment “lie upon the table,” effectively killing it. The vote on the motion is 30-20 (the vote looks to be strictly along party lines).

Sen. Andrew  Brock, R-Davie, asks about independent expenditures and party contributions and other campaign activites. Davis says all rules already in place would apply to these campaigns. Brock makes the argument that there are ways to game the system, and it’s a bad idea to expand a program that has not been tested.

Sen. Bob Rucho, R-Mecklenburg, asks if this system gives the incumbant an advantage. The Chapel Hill model sets a $500 limit. Does Davis think that is fair? Rucho says the limit gives a nonincumbant a disadvantage.

Rand says there is a lot of misinformation surrounding this bill, removes it from today’s calendar, and moves the bill to May 27.