Momentum swings in Vitali's direction
House takes bold step in approving public financing amendment
The House voted, 176-23, to reconsider legislation (H.B. 584) that contains Vitali's amendment that would create the Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Public Financing Act. The legislation originally was defeated by a narrow margin in February. Upon reconsideration, however, House support shifted and the measure passed with Vitali's amendment, 106-91.
The amended bill, which outlasted several parliamentary tactics to quash it once again, now goes to the Senate for consideration.
"This is a landmark victory in a struggle that has lasted for years," said Vitali, who represents the 166th Legislative District. "We now have a tremendous opportunity to implement meaningful statewide campaign finance reform in Pennsylvania."
Vitali's efforts have garnered widespread support from activists and public interest groups since the measure was first considered last month.
Doris "Granny D" Haddock, a 90-year-old grandmother who walked 3,200 miles from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., to promote campaign finance reform, attended a Capitol rally Monday to support public funding for Pennsylvania's gubernatorial races.
"In a little less than a month, we have seen the momentum shift to the side of pushing for campaign finance reform in Pennsylvania," Vitali said. "We won a battle today, but we still have a long way. I hope the Senate grasps this opportunity and seriously considers spending limits and public funding in gubernatorial campaigns."
Vitali's proposed Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Public Financing Act would establish a public financing system for governor and lieutenant governor races in primary and general elections in Pennsylvania. Candidates who agree to spending limits could receive up to $7.8 million in public financing. The program would be entirely voluntary.
The public financing program would be funded by a voluntary $5 checkoff on Personal Income Tax forms and a General Fund budget appropriation. Individuals or political action committees could contribute no more than $2,000 to a candidate per election.
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. The past two New Jersey gubernatorial elections were decided by less than 1 percent.
Right now, 14 states have some sort of public financing system set up for gubernatorial elections. Pennsylvania is among the third of states that have no limits on political contributions. The state's campaign code has not undergone significant changes since 1978.
For details about Vitali's plan to publicly fund gubernatorial races or for information about other government reform issues, visit his Web site at www.libertynet.org/~vitali.