• reducing and limiting campaign spending
• limiting the flow of special interest money
• providing a fixed, equal amount of public finding to qualified candidates
• banning "soft money"
• encouraging debates
• improving disclosure
• strengthening enforcement
• Spending and Contributions

Although the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that campaign spending limits cannot be imposed on all candidates (Buckley v. Veleo), candidates may certainly volunteer to do so. The bill gives public funds to candidates who agree to limit their spending and contributions, and who collect a set amount of small contributions from voters (such seed contributions serve to establish the viability of the candidate). The spending limits are:

Election Governor Lieut. Attorney Comp- State Assembly District Governor General troller Senator member Attorney Primary $3,000,000 $1,000,000 $1.000,000 $1,000,000 $75,000 $37,000 formula General $6,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $150,000 $75,000 formula

Formula for District Attorney: Governor spending limit multiplied by county population, divided by state population.

Candidates who want to receive funding qualify by collecting a set number of $5.100 contributions from voters. They also may collect some seed money contributions of up to $100.00. Clean Money, Clean Elections candidates agree not to accept any other private contributions. There also will be a new limit of $ 1,000. 00 on campaign contributions to candidates, parties, and committees, with an aggregate limit of $25,000.00 for contributions by any one individual or entity, thus ending the powerful pools of "soft money" that has corrupted campaigns over the past twenty years.

Qualified candidates receive public finds equal to the spending limit for that election. The total amount of public finding is limited to 1/10 of 1% of the state budget in a four year election cycle. Qualified candidates can also receive additional funds, up to three times the spending limit, if opposed by well-financed independent candidates or issue groups. Money for clean elections will come from an income tax check-off, increased lobby registration fees, fines for election law violations, and if necessary, general funds.

Other Innovations

Clean money, clean election candidates agree to participate in at least two primary debates and three general election debates. The bill requires disclosure of the occupation and employer of contributors to candidates in state elections. The Board of Elections would also be restructured with enforcement powers.

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