Public campaign financing draws fire

State Rep. John Hetherington (R-125), who represents most of New Canaan and part of Wilton, reacted sharply to the action of the General Assembly on July 30. The action provides an additional $3 million in public funds to each gubernatorial candidate participating in the Citizens Election Program. This means a total of $6 million of new money on top of $2.5 million previous distributed to each candidate participating in the program.

“This is a direct affront to the people of Connecticut,” Mr. Hetherington said. “Teachers are facing layoffs, our unemployment compensation fund is insolvent, federal funds are uncertain, and Connecticut is looking at a $3-billion+ deficit next year. Yet we are giving $6 million more of our money to politicians so they can keep your mailbox full and provide you with robocalls at dinner time.”

The additional money is contained in Senate Bill 551 that was produced in response to a federal appeals court decision holding certain parts of Connecticut’s Citizen’s Election Program to be unconstitutional. In the debate, Mr. Hetherington also objected to the fact the bill was brought out without a public hearing.

“There was plenty of time for a committee hearing,” he said. “That would have allowed taxpayers to have had their say.” Mr. Hetherington is ranking member of the Government Administration and Elections Committee that would have cognizance over the measure.

During consideration of Senate Bill 551, the majority rejected an amendment that would have denied grants to candidates who have no opponent.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell was also displeased with the measure.

“I cannot in good conscience endorse an additional $6 million in public funding that will be used by candidates to bombard each other — and the public — with a relentless series of negative messages from now until November. The public is already fed up with the nasty, negative campaign ads that are playing almost non-stop on TV and radio. Now legislators want to give away even more public funds — as much as $6 million — to keep these attacks going.

“A possible budget deficit is looming for this fiscal year. I will have to make some difficult decisions, decisions about cuts to many necessary programs and services. I will not hesitate to make these difficult decisions but I cannot, in good conscience, consider cuts in aid to the elderly, poor or disabled while the legislature adds millions of dollars in funding for politicians.”