MC 803-08

 

 

 

Testimony – Local Bills Hearing

Montgomery Delegation to the General Assembly

December 13, 2007

 

 

Good evening. I am Diane Hibino, President of the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County.

 

The League of Women Voters of Montgomery County supports MC 803-08 Regulation of Local Campaign Finance Activity.  Campaign finance reform has been a high priority for the League at both the federal and state levels.  Thanks to this bill, we now have an opportunity to enact a local initiative.

 

The League of Women Voters believes that campaign finance reform should:

 

1) improve the methods of financing political campaigns to ensure the voter's right to know;

 

2) combat corruption and undue influence;

 

3) enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office; and,

 

4) promote citizen participation in the electoral process.

 

The League believes that public financing of campaigns is the most comprehensive and effective way to end undue special interest influence.  It also would level the playing field and encourage a greater number of qualified candidates to run for office.  Prospective candidates often are discouraged by the large war chests of incumbents.  In addition, the need to raise money for campaigning detracts from an incumbent's ability to focus on the job he or she was elected to do.

 

Montgomery County is noted for taking the lead on a number of programs that have not been addressed by the state or federal governments such as the smoking ban in public places.  Other governments have taken the lead on issues such as emissions and greenhouse gas control and, more recently, universal health insurance.  Perhaps, now is the time for Montgomery County to take the lead on the vitally important issue of regulating local campaign finance activity.  The League of Women Voters would strongly support a bill that includes public financing of political campaigns for elected office in Montgomery County and urges the other members of the Montgomery County delegation to do so as well.

 

Thank you very much for your consideration of our support.