The Palm Beach Post has, well, an interesting post on a possible amendment flying your way, voters.
Sen. Mike Haridopolos' bills (SB 564, SJR 566) would put a constitutional amendment on the 2010 ballot abolishing state spending on campaigns for governor and Cabinet. Voters put the public financing into the state constitution in 1998.
Accepting public funds means adhering to more limits and a spending ceiling- not all candidates want to do that. Candidates like Obama with seemingly endless resources opt out- much to their success. Public funds though provide matching funds for candidates who don't have endless resources. They level the playing field. Just because public funds failed the McCain campaign in 2008 doesn't render public financing irrelevant.
But, hey, Obama said he would use them, then didnt, and he trounced McCain, who did accept the matching funds- instead of thanking their lucky stars that McCain had the extra bucks just make it to election day, let's declare the system irrelevant and do away with it! Whatever!
Of course, the legislature has to pass it by 3/5 for it to be put onto the ballot, which would require 60% approval by the voters.
Sen. Mike Haridopolos' bills (SB 564, SJR 566) would put a constitutional amendment on the 2010 ballot abolishing state spending on campaigns for governor and Cabinet. Voters put the public financing into the state constitution in 1998.
Accepting public funds means adhering to more limits and a spending ceiling- not all candidates want to do that. Candidates like Obama with seemingly endless resources opt out- much to their success. Public funds though provide matching funds for candidates who don't have endless resources. They level the playing field. Just because public funds failed the McCain campaign in 2008 doesn't render public financing irrelevant.
But, hey, Obama said he would use them, then didnt, and he trounced McCain, who did accept the matching funds- instead of thanking their lucky stars that McCain had the extra bucks just make it to election day, let's declare the system irrelevant and do away with it! Whatever!
Of course, the legislature has to pass it by 3/5 for it to be put onto the ballot, which would require 60% approval by the voters.
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