This Massachusetts law was passed by ballot initiative in 1998, but repealed by the legislature as part of a budget package in 2003. Governor Mitt Romney and legislators argued that expenditures for public finance of campaigns could not be justified in a time of state budget shortfalls.… Read More
Maine’s campaign finance law, known as the Clean Elections Act is different from those in other states because those who agree to accept public funding must forego any private contributions (beyond a small amount of "seed money" and qualifying contributions) and run an entirely "clean" campaign.… Read More
In the wake of numerous high-profile state and municipal campaign scandals, the Connecticut legislature, in 2005, established the Citizens Election Program and corresponding Citizen Election Fund to publicly finance statewide elections. In 2006, the law was amended to correct flaws that added an unnecessary step for minority party candidates.… Read More
In Arizona, candidates who agree to accept very low amounts of private money receive a fixed and limited amount of public funds. A five-member, non-partisan election commission with real authority to enforce election laws administers the system.… Read More
After the controversial Presidential election of 2000, many communities were compelled to re-examine their voting equipment and consider alternatives. In addition the Federal government passed legislation in 2002 (Help America Vote Act)that created standards for voting equipment and funding to states to make the switch. In the rush to pass this new law some key elements were left out, such as a voter verifiable paper receipt.… Read More
A nice example of a Federal legislative initiative giving states the right to establish innovative voting systems. It was offered in 1999.… Read More
Proportional representation is a system for electing legislatures. In elections for a single, executive position, the winner-take-all principle still applies. However, Australian-style instant runoff voting (IRV) would eliminate the "wasted vote" or "spoiler" effects of third-party candidates in such elections. In our current system, voters are reluctant to choose a third-party candidate because they may take away votes from a more viable contender who is their second choice. This causes voters to cast their vote for the lesser of two evils rather than their top choice.… Read More
Genetically Modified Organisms have raised questions of safety across the world.
As Greg LeRoy (GoodJobsFirst)points out, “As states grapple with their worst deficits in more than half a century, policymakers seek better data to help with budgeting decisions. But most states spend the bulk of their economic development budgets almost invisibly, in uncollected taxes, a.k.a. ‘tax expenditures.’” He continues, “That makes it hard to see — much … Read More