Connecticut 2018 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB05060

Introduced
2/9/18  
Refer
2/9/18  

Caption

An Act Concerning Citizens' Election Program Grants.

Impact

The impact of HB05060 is multifaceted. By halving the grants provided to candidates, the bill seeks to limit the financial resources available to political campaigns, particularly affecting those who rely heavily on public funding. Furthermore, the prohibition of Consumer Price Index adjustments to these grants means that any potential increases in funding that might keep pace with inflation will no longer be available. This could lead to a significant challenge for candidates, especially those from less affluent backgrounds who might struggle to self-fund their campaigns in the absence of adequate public support.

Summary

House Bill 5060 proposes significant amendments to the Citizens' Election Program in Connecticut. The bill aims to reduce the amount of grants provided to candidates under this program by fifty percent. This reduction reflects a broader effort to manage state resources and potentially respond to concerns over the sustainability of campaign financing within the state. The proposed changes come in the context of ongoing debates around election funding and the role of public financing in political campaigns.

Contention

Notably, the bill also prohibits grants to candidates who are unopposed in the general election campaign. This provision raises concerns as it could disenfranchise candidates representing smaller or niche parties who may not have the backing to secure a competitive primary or general election. Detractors argue that this stipulation undermines democratic participation and could further concentrate political power among established parties. The restriction on funding for unopposed candidates, coupled with the reductions in overall grant amounts, points to a potential shift in how political competition is structured in Connecticut, raising questions about equity in the electoral process.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

CT SB00263

An Act Concerning Citizens' Election Program Grants For Court-ordered Primaries And Elections And Funding.

CT HB05125

An Act Concerning Citizens' Election Program Grants And Early Voting.

CT HB05124

An Act Increasing Citizens' Election Program Grants In Light Of The Implementation Of Early Voting.

CT HB05452

An Act Concerning Various Campaign Finance Reforms.

CT SB00392

An Act Concerning Treasurers Of Candidate Committees And State Elections Enforcement Commission Complaints.

CT SB00017

An Act Funding The State-wide Firearms Trafficking Task Force By Reducing Citizens' Election Program Grants.

CT SB00385

An Act Concerning Energy Procurements, Certain Energy Sources And Programs Of The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

CT HB05466

An Act Concerning The Period Of Time During Which Elections-related Crimes May Be Prosecuted.

CT SB00252

An Act Concerning Referenda, Independent Expenditures And Other Campaign Finance Changes.

CT SB00258

An Act Concerning The Legislative Commissioners' Recommendations For Minor And Technical Revisions To The Government Administration And Elections Statutes.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.