HARRISBURG, Feb. 16 -- State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware, said last night's vote on public funding for gubernatorial races in Pennsylvania is an opportunity to mobilize private citizens and public interest groups on the issue of statewide campaign finance reform. "The debate and vote on the House floor give us the momentum to push for meaningful statewide campaign finance reform for the first time in more than 25 years," Vitali said. "The challenge is to build on that momentum."

At a Capitol news conference today, Vitali said he will work with legislators and public interest groups during the next four weeks to raise public awareness of the need for campaign finance reform in Pennsylvania. Vitali has entered a motion to reconsider the measure (H.B. 584) that includes his gubernatorial public financing amendment so the issue can be brought before the House for another vote. That vote could come as early as March 13, when the House returns to session after four weeks of hearings on the state's proposed 2000-01 General Fund budget.

Vitali also is working with several state legislators and advocates for campaign finance reform to stage a rally next week at the Capitol to demonstrate the widespread support for his proposal. The House voted 98-95 Tuesday in passing Vitali's amendment that would create the Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Public Financing Act, which would establish a public financing system for governor and lieutenant governor races in primary and general elections in Pennsylvania.

Shortly after passing the amendment, however, Republican House leaders, surprised by the passage, lobbied hard against the amended measure (H.B. 584) and secured enough votes to kill the legislation, 97-97, with the vote predominantly along party lines.

"We now have a list of members who don't support campaign finance reform," said Vitali, who represents the 166th Legislative District. "That gives us a tool to take to the public so they can contact the opponents and tell them how important this legislation is." Vitali modeled his measure after New Jersey's public financing system, which is considered among the finest in the nation because it attracts quality candidates, focuses more attention on issues important to the public and gives voters a real choice in elections.

Right now, 14 states have some sort of public financing system set up for gubernatorial elections. Pennsylvania is among the third of the states that have no limits on political contributions.

For more information about Vitali's proposal (H.B. 1650) to publicly fund gubernatorial races, or to learn more about other government reform issues, visit his legislative Web site at www.libertynet.org/~vitali.

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