OLYMPIA — With arguments boiling over into barbs about the bitter 2004 governor’s election, a divided state House took a small step Friday toward publicly financed elections by approving an optional local tax subsidy for candidates.
The measure, which now moves to the Senate, would allow cities, counties and other jurisdictions to provide local candidates with government financing.
Only local taxes could be tapped for the public campaign accounts, and the money could not be used in campaigns for state offices or school boards. Voters also would have to approve before any financing projects are put in place.
Friday’s vote of 56-38 closely mirrored the partisan split in the Democratic-controlled House, and debate over the measure quickly became testy.
Republicans said taxpayer-financed campaigns would force Washingtonians to support candidates with whom they might not agree.
“You cannot compel people to support candidates or causes against their will. That is the heart of our democratic system,” said Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger.
Chandler added that raising campaign money is a crucial early test of a candidate’s fitness for office, and short-circuiting that test by using government subsidies would encourage “fringe candidates.”
Republicans also worried the infusion of money would drive up the costs of otherwise inexpensive races.
Democrats, however, said public financing would help get special interest money out of local campaigns and would encourage more people to run for office. With purely private financing, many people can’t raise the “entrance fee” to enter politics, supporters said.
“I think this is a good way to see if the local voters and the local governments in Washington state want to try this and see if this will work,” said Rep. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, one of the bill’s sponsors.
Other news
Motorcycles: The House approved a bill that would let motorcyclists turn left on a red traffic signal if their bikes aren’t heavy enough to trip roadway sensors controlling the green left-turn light. Bikers would have to wait until the traffic light goes through a full cycle without recognizing them.
Prisoners: Lawmakers are considering a bill that would limit sending prisoners out of state. A House committee heard from inmate relatives Thursday who said prisons should help maintain family ties in Washington.
Emergency contraception: State lawmakers have tabled a bill that would have required druggists to dispense morning-after birth control pills despite any religious objection to abortion.
Greenhouse gases: A Senate bill would put climate change considerations in the state’s Growth Management Act. It would require local governments to assess the effect of greenhouse gas emissions when they make land use plans.
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