Rep. Vail proposes campaign contribution reforms

HARTFORD — State Rep. Kurt Vail (R-52) hopes to save taxpayers millions of dollars and bring respect back into elections by changing the way Connecticut handles campaign contributions.

Vail, a freshman lawmaker representing Somers and Stafford, has introduced two proposals aimed at curbing the cash flow poured into Connecticut elections, including limiting political party expenditures on behalf of candidates engaged in the taxpayer-financed Citizens Election Program (CEP). H.B. 5052 would put a lid on currently unlimited party donations to $250,000 for gubernatorial races and $75,000 for any other statewide race.

In another bill, H.B. 5051, Vail proposes limiting individual contributions to state central committees to $5,000. The current limit is $10,000.

“We have seen what an inordinate amount of money can do to campaigns,” Vail said. “It’s constant negative attacks – sometimes from individuals or organizations who don’t even reside in our state – and it’s deterring Connecticut voters from being involved in the great democratic process. On top of it all, voters are being kicked while they’re down because they have to pay for it all through the CEP.”

The CEP, which funds gubernatorial and state Senate and House races, is a public finance program that awards candidates with campaign funding after hitting a specific private contribution threshold. The program was designed to allow candidates to compete without ‘dark’ special interest money, but has recently spun out of control.

Since 2008, the 1,185 taxpayer-funded CEP campaigns have cost $80.7 million, according to the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis. In 2014, Connecticut taxpayers funded $33.4 million in 326 publicly-funded campaigns.

The legislative session opened on Wednesday and the bills have a long, winding road before they can become law. Both of Vail’s proposals await an appearance in the legislature’s General Administration and Elections Committee.

“I’m optimistic that we can make a splash and heal the election process,” Vail said.