Connecticut House Bill HB05089

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/17
• Refer: 1/4/17

Caption

An Act Eliminating The Citizens' Election Program And Transferring Funds To State And Regional Fire Training Schools.

Impact

If enacted, this bill is set to have a significant impact on state laws concerning election funding. By dissolving the Citizens' Election Program, candidates who rely on public financing will have to seek alternative funding sources, which could alter the campaign landscape in Connecticut. The funds, redirected to fire training schools, aim to bolster public safety efforts and improve the training of emergency responders, reflecting a shift in priorities within state funding mechanisms.

Summary

House Bill 05089 aims to eliminate the Citizens' Election Program, which provides public funding for political campaigns in Connecticut. The legislation proposes to redirect the funds previously allocated for this program into the General Fund. The intention behind this shift is to enhance the funding available for state and regional fire training schools, thereby strengthening emergency services within the state.

Contention

The bill may encounter opposition from various advocacy groups and political actors who support the Citizens' Election Program. Critics argue that eliminating public funding for campaigns could lead to greater financial disparity in elections, favoring candidates with access to private funding sources over those without. The contention surrounding this bill thus revolves around the balance between using taxpayer dollars for campaign support versus investing in essential public safety training, highlighting competing priorities within state budget allocations.