|
For Immediate
Release
3/11/10
Senator Earll, Senator Costa Introduce PA Campaign
Finance Reform Measure
Places limits on contributions and prohibits use of
campaign funds for personal use.
Harrisburg – Senator Jane Earll (R-49) and Senator Jay Costa (D-43)
have introduced campaign finance reform legislation that would place
limits on campaign contributions and prohibit the use of campaign funds
for personal use.
"Pennsylvania is one of only 11 states that do not protect their
citizens, elections and government from the corrosive impacts of
unlimited campaign contributions," said Senator Earll. "This campaign
finance reform bill will help balance the influence in the process by
restricting expenditures and limiting campaign contributions made by
individuals and committees, as well as between the various types of
committees."
"Recent court decisions, both federal and state, have highlighted the
urgent need for the General Assembly to act now in the area of campaign
finance." Costa said, "It is vitally important that Pennsylvania renew
the process of reforming our campaign finance laws by placing reasonable
restrictions on political contributions and expenditures that are
overwhelmingly supported by the public."
"Campaign finance reform would go a long way in restoring the
public's faith in the system," said Senator Larry Farnese (D-1), who joined
Earll and Costa on the legislation. "We must eliminate the possibility
that large contributors are securing favoritism with a candidate, and we
must eliminate even the appearance of impropriety. I look forward to
an open dialogue with people from both sides of the aisle."
Senate Bill 1269 would amend the Pennsylvania Election Code to set
campaign contribution limits per election, including in-kind
contributions. The following is a partial list of contribution limits:
- $500 from any individual to any candidate for office in the
General Assembly, court of common pleas, county or local office or to
the candidate's committee or agent.
- $2,400 from any individual to any candidate for statewide
office, authorized committee or agent.
- $5,000 from a single political action committee to any
candidate for statewide office, the General Assembly, court of common
pleas or a county or local office, authorized committee or agent.
- Committee to committee contributions may not exceed $5,000
per election.
- Maximum $100,000 in contributions from committees for
office in the General Assembly, court of common pleas or a county or
local office.
- Maximum $250,000 in aggregate contributions from committees
for statewide office.
- No person who has a fiduciary contract for services with
the General Assembly may engage in campaign finance activity for
candidates of the General Assembly. (This includes contributions, fund
raising activities, or involvement in political action committees or
candidate political committees.)
- Penalty for violations of a contribution limit is a fine
equal to three times the amount of money which exceeded the limit.
The campaign finance reform bill also prohibits the use of campaign
funds for personal uses.
Personal uses include home mortgage, home rent, utility payment,
clothing purchase, noncampaign automobile expense, country club
membership, vacation or a trip of noncampaign nature, admission to a
sporting event, concert, theater, or other form of entertainment and
other such expenditures not specifically and directly necessary for the
conduct of a campaign.
The bipartisan campaign finance reform legislation has 15
co-sponsors. Senator Earll and Senator Costa expect public hearings on
the measure in the near future.
Contacts:
Catherine Washburn (Sen. Earll) 717-787-8927
cwashburn@pasen.gov
Hugh Baird (Sen. Costa/Sen. Farnese) 717-787-5166
Additional Information:
Reform
 Print this page
E-mail
this page
Back |
|
