Connecticut Senate Bill SB00204

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/17
• Refer: 1/18/17

Caption

An Act Limiting Organizational Expenditures By State Central Committees.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would significantly change the landscape of campaign financing by imposing stricter controls on how much money state central committees can allocate to candidates. Advocates argue that these limits will help to level the playing field among candidates, ensuring that those with less access to resources can compete more effectively. Furthermore, supporters view these expenditure caps as a means to enhance public confidence in the electoral process by addressing concerns regarding the influence of money in politics.

Summary

SB00204 is a legislative proposal aimed at establishing limits on the amount of organizational expenditures that state central committees can make for candidates participating in the Citizens' Election Program. Specifically, the bill caps contributions to candidate committees at $10,000 for state senate candidates and $3,500 for state representative candidates. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to regulate campaign finance and promote fairness in election campaigns by reducing the potential for excessive spending by political committees.

Contention

Conversely, opponents of SB00204 might argue that limiting expenditures could infringe upon the rights of committees to support candidates effectively. They may express concerns that these caps could disadvantage well-qualified candidates who require more funding to reach voters and convey their messages. Critics may also contend that such regulations could lead to unintended consequences, such as pushing campaigns towards less transparent funding sources, potentially undermining the bill's original purpose of creating a more equitable electoral system.