Connecticut House Bill HB05350

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/15
• Refer: 1/14/15

Caption

An Act Reducing The Amount Of Certain Grants Awarded Under The Citizens' Election Program.

Impact

The passage of HB 05350 would directly influence the funding landscape for state electoral campaigns. By lowering the available grants, the bill is expected to impact the ability of candidates, particularly those from underrepresented groups or with fewer personal financial resources, to mount viable campaigns. This change could lead to a landscape where only candidates with substantial personal funding or strong fundraising capability can compete effectively for these legislative positions, potentially diminishing the diversity of candidates.

Summary

House Bill 05350 proposes amendments to the Citizens' Election Program by significantly reducing the financial grants that are awarded to qualifying candidates running for the offices of state representative and state senator. Specifically, the bill reduces the grant amount for state representatives from $27,850 to $15,000, and for state senators from $94,690 to $35,000. The primary intent behind this legislation is to decrease the financial resources allocated for campaigns under this program.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 05350 involve concerns over the implications for campaign equity and access. Critics argue that reducing financial support for candidates might discourage individuals from running for office, thereby concentrating political power within established figures who have greater access to private funding. Proponents may argue that this bill is a necessary adjustment to ensure fiscal responsibility within the election funding framework, although the balance between fiscal measures and democratic access remains a critical debate.