On April 5 the Connecticut House of Representatives courageously approved campaign finance reform for statewide races, passing HB 5102. Unfortunately, our State Representative, John Frey, voted against this bill. In last week's Press he explained his opposition to this bill and his preference for what I consider a far less effective bill, HB 5603.
Mr. Frey cheapened the debate by saying that I had not done my "homework." Well, my homework reveals that Mr. Frey only selectively quoted from that Hartford Courant/UConn poll where he said that, " 77% of Connecticut residents oppose the idea of using their money for political campaigns." The same poll found that 68% of Connecticut residents support putting limits on campaign spending for statewide races, something this bill will accomplish. My homework further reveals that the United States Supreme Court, in the landmark decision, Buckley vs. Valeo, said that the only way to legally limit campaign spending is to provide a system of optional public financing of campaigns. This is exactly why a majority of State Representatives voted for HB 5102. Ridgefielders who support this legislation are encouraged to contact our State Senator, Judith Freedman, who will have an opportunity to vote on this bill in the next few days.
Christopher Leonard, Chairman of the Ridgefield Republican Town Committee, wrote that Democrats are attempting "to confuse the public with horror stories primarily from federal campaigns..." One need not look outside of Connecticut for horror stories. The entire State was embarassed by the recent criminal behavior of the Connecticut State Treasurer, Paul Silvester, a Republican.
In following Mr. Frey's voting record in Hartford, we encourage Ridgefield voters to look beyond the "House Republican Office" press releases which appear in the Press each week. The actual voting record and the text of the bills are posted at: the Ct. General Assembly Web Site. For another outlook on these votes and other local issues try our local Democratic Party website. An informed electorate is in all of our best interests.
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