From the Senate State Affairs Committee on February 2, 2007
Click here for an ongoing analysis of why S1037 was held in the committee.
The committee action began:
Senator Langhorst presented S1037 which is called the Idaho Fair Election Act. He stated that the purpose of this bill is to increase voter participation, to strengthen public confidence in the democratic process, to encourage candidates to spend more time communicating with their constituents, and to focus on their jobs rather than raising money.
Sponsors of S1037 are: Clint Stennett, Kate Kelly, Mike Burkett, Edgar Malepeai, Elliot Werk, and Diane Bilyeu. Click each name to see where they get their money for election.
Here is their financial disclosure that the Secretary of State has for the Democrats who sponsored S1037: Stennett, Kelly, Burkett, Malepeai, Werk, and Bilyeu, Langhorst.
Here is the financial disclosure that the Secretary of State has for the Republicans who voted to hold S1037 in the committee:
Denton Darrington, Bart Davis, Robert Geddes, Joe Stegner, Brad Little, Michael Jorgenson, Joe McKenzie.
Click here to see where Senator Langhorst gets his money for election.
Click here to go to the committee minutes and decide for yourself if the arguments against Fair Elections make any sense.
Bart Davis argued against S1037. Click here and here to see where he gets his money for election.
Joe Stegner argued against S1037. Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Jorgensen made a motion to hold S1037 in committee. Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
A vote Aye is a vote against S1037.
The roll call vote on the original motion was taken.
Senator Darrington - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Geddes - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Davis - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Stegner - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Little - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Jorgenson - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Stennett - Nay Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator Malepeai - Nay Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
Senator McKenzie - Aye Click here to see where he gets his money for election.
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS
February 2, 2007 - Minutes - Page 7
The motion passed to hold S1037 in committee.
Next is how it happened.
Seven Republican Senators voted to hold S1037 in committee.
Two Democrat Senators voted to send S1037 to the Senate with a do-pass recommendation.
The committee minutes have the complete story.
Senator Langhorst commented that when Arizona first passed this legislation it was supported by 51% of the voters. Four years later the poll indicated that 65% approved, and the most recent poll indicates that only 18% of Arizona citizens oppose the public campaign method.
These individuals testified in support of S1037.
Jim Hansen, Executive Director, United Vision for Idaho
Reverend Betty Luginbill, retired citizen
Gary Allen, Attorney
Gloria Munoz, Idaho Hispanic Caucus
Dr. Calvin Leman, retired citizen
Reverend Ed Keener, Interfaith Alliance of Idaho
Bill Whitaker, National Association of Social Workers
Senator Langhorst summed up and stated we are talking about a system and we are all subject within it. The taxpayers are already paying for this, they just don’t own it. It is not about taxpayers paying for the election system, it is about taking it back and owning the system.
Senator Jorgensen made a motion to hold S1037 in committee and
Senator Stegner seconded the motion.
Senator Stennett made a substitute motion to send S1037 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
Senator Malepeai seconded the motion.
A roll call vote on the substitute motion of S1037 was requested by Senator Stennett.
Senator Darrington - Nay
Senator Geddes - Nay
Senator Davis - Nay
Senator Stegner - Nay
Senator Little - Nay
Senator Jorgenson - Nay
Senator Stennett - Aye
Senator Malepeai - Aye
Senator McKenzie - Nay
The substitute motion failed.
The roll call vote on the original motion was taken.
Senator Darrington - Aye
Senator Geddes - Aye
Senator Davis - Aye
Senator Stegner - Aye
Senator Little - Aye
Senator Jorgenson - Aye
Senator Stennett - Nay
Senator Malepeai - Nay
Senator McKenzie - Aye
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS
February 2, 2007 - Minutes - Page 7
The motion passed to hold S1037 in committee.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Example letter, email, or telephone conversation to Senators Stegner, Davis, Little, Geddes, McKenzie, Jorgenson, and Darrington
Example letter, email, or telephone conversation to Senator Davis. You can use this letter for Senators Stegner, Davis, Little, Geddes, McKenzie, Jorgenson, and Darrington.
Honorable Senator Davis:
I ask that you do all you can to assure that the Idaho Fair Elections bill gets a hearing in the State Affairs Committee. Then vote to send this bill to the Senate with a do-pass recommendation.
I am aware of the February 2 hearing of S1037. Kate Kelly has revised S1037 to better show that the bill’s intention is to allow each Idaho election to better reflect the wishes of its constituency.
Fair Elections allows candidates, who do not wish to accept money from corporations, PACs, or lobbyists, to run for office. This gives voters the opportunity to vote for a candidate, who may better represent the voters.
The Fair Elections Now bill is in the federal government, sponsored by Richard Durban and Arlen Specter in the Senate. John Larson will soon introduce a similar bill in the House. More than 60 million people - including the AFL-CIO, the NAACP, the League of Women Voters, the Dolores Huerta Foundation, the National Council of Churches and others - have announced their support of this legislation. This shows the nationwide number of people who want Fair Elections.
In Maine, 81 percent of all candidates for state office ran public campaigns in 2006.
Fair Elections is law in Arizona; Connecticut; Maine; New Jersey; New Mexico; North Carolina; Vermont; Albuquerque; and Portland, Oregon. Activists in 28 states are working to advance full public financing. Summary of these efforts.
The people want Fair Elections. In 2006, a bipartisan survey of voters nationwide by Lake Research Partners and Bellwether Research shows 74% of voters want voluntary public funding of federal elections. Eighty percent of Democrats, 78% of Independents, and 65% of Republicans support this reform.
This is what critics and supporters of Fair Elections say:
· Critics say that candidates do not spend a lot of time getting money from corporations,
PACs, and lobbyists.
· Supporters say that the time legislators do spend raising money is better spent communicating with their constituents.
· Critics say that the award of matching funds to publicly financed candidates chills the free-speech rights of groups that make independent expenditures and also coerce candidates into running with public funding.
· Supporters say that free speech in the current system may be affected by those who give candidates money, whether candidates realize it or not. Supporter’s perception is that funding sources may affect how a legislator votes. Supporters say that matching funds provide a level playing field, so that candidates can respond to attacks and ads made by independent groups.
· Critics say that the people should not pay for candidates' election.
· Supporters say that the people now pay for candidates’ election. Their perception is that they do not have representation in the current system, even though they pay for it by buying products and services from those companies that do give money to candidates.
· Critics say that Fair Elections is unconstitutional because it compels some citizens to pay for the speeches of candidates, whom they oppose.
· Supporters say that the law provides public funding that allows ordinary people to run for office and get their message out without becoming politically dependent on big campaign contributors. Supporters’ perception is that in government now, only the rich can decide what happens. Fair Elections is about taking special interest money out of the campaign, returning power to the people, having candidates participate in debates, and adding substance to issues, rather than just using slick advertisements.
Good Laws Caused by Fair Elections Are Evident in Maine
In 2000, the Maine Legislature approved a pharmaceutical program that gives families the chance to buy drugs at a discount. The law was upheld by the Supreme Court and went into effect in January 2004. In 2003, the legislature approved a health reform bill, known as the Dirigo Health Act, which provides health insurance to all Maine residents. Its primary features include controls on health care costs and initiatives to encourage high-quality care. It also subsidizes premiums for those who cannot afford to pay. Public funded legislators were free to support this legislation without any concern for the big-money special interests that might oppose such a law.
If I believed that the system we have now was working, I would not be asking you to pass the Idaho Fair Elections bill. When did you last talk with me about Fair Elections or any other issue?
If you want to learn more about those of us who want Fair Elections, please get in touch. Please get in touch with me before the hearing and tell me what you will do about Fair Elections and why you will do it.
If you want to get in touch with these Senators now, here they are. Click on their name to send them a message:
Senator Robert L. Geddes , Republican
District 31, Soda Springs 370 Mountain View Ave., Soda Springs, 83276 Home (208) 547-2423 FAX (208) 334-2320 Environmental Engineer
Senator Denton Darrington , Republican
District 27, Declo 302 S. Hwy. 77, Declo, 83323 Home (208) 654-2712 Farmer/Teacher
Senator Bart M. Davis , Republican
District 33, Idaho Falls 2638 S Bellin Circle, Idaho Falls, 83402 Home (208) 529-4993 Bus (208) 522-8100 FAX (208) 522-1334 Attorney
Senator Joe Stegner , Republican
District 7, Lewiston 216 Prospect Blvd., Lewiston, 83501 Home (208) 743-3032 FAX (208) 743-3032 Retired Grain Dealer
Senator Brad Little , Republican
District 11, Emmett P.O. Box 488, Emmett, 83617-0488 Home (208) 365-6566 Bus (208) 365-4611 FAX (208) 365-4615 Rancher
Senator Michael Jorgenson , Republican
District 3, Hayden Lake 2953 Point Hayden Dr, Hayden Lake, 83835 Home (208) 762-5514 Bus (208) 762-7784 FAX (208) 762-1485 Consultant
Senator Curt McKenzie , Republican
District 12, Boise McKenzie Law Offices, PLLC, 1004 W Fort St, Boise, 83702 Home (208) 468-1027 Bus (208)344-4379 FAX (208) 947-0014 Attorney
Honorable Senator Davis:
I ask that you do all you can to assure that the Idaho Fair Elections bill gets a hearing in the State Affairs Committee. Then vote to send this bill to the Senate with a do-pass recommendation.
I am aware of the February 2 hearing of S1037. Kate Kelly has revised S1037 to better show that the bill’s intention is to allow each Idaho election to better reflect the wishes of its constituency.
Fair Elections allows candidates, who do not wish to accept money from corporations, PACs, or lobbyists, to run for office. This gives voters the opportunity to vote for a candidate, who may better represent the voters.
The Fair Elections Now bill is in the federal government, sponsored by Richard Durban and Arlen Specter in the Senate. John Larson will soon introduce a similar bill in the House. More than 60 million people - including the AFL-CIO, the NAACP, the League of Women Voters, the Dolores Huerta Foundation, the National Council of Churches and others - have announced their support of this legislation. This shows the nationwide number of people who want Fair Elections.
In Maine, 81 percent of all candidates for state office ran public campaigns in 2006.
Fair Elections is law in Arizona; Connecticut; Maine; New Jersey; New Mexico; North Carolina; Vermont; Albuquerque; and Portland, Oregon. Activists in 28 states are working to advance full public financing. Summary of these efforts.
The people want Fair Elections. In 2006, a bipartisan survey of voters nationwide by Lake Research Partners and Bellwether Research shows 74% of voters want voluntary public funding of federal elections. Eighty percent of Democrats, 78% of Independents, and 65% of Republicans support this reform.
This is what critics and supporters of Fair Elections say:
· Critics say that candidates do not spend a lot of time getting money from corporations,
PACs, and lobbyists.
· Supporters say that the time legislators do spend raising money is better spent communicating with their constituents.
· Critics say that the award of matching funds to publicly financed candidates chills the free-speech rights of groups that make independent expenditures and also coerce candidates into running with public funding.
· Supporters say that free speech in the current system may be affected by those who give candidates money, whether candidates realize it or not. Supporter’s perception is that funding sources may affect how a legislator votes. Supporters say that matching funds provide a level playing field, so that candidates can respond to attacks and ads made by independent groups.
· Critics say that the people should not pay for candidates' election.
· Supporters say that the people now pay for candidates’ election. Their perception is that they do not have representation in the current system, even though they pay for it by buying products and services from those companies that do give money to candidates.
· Critics say that Fair Elections is unconstitutional because it compels some citizens to pay for the speeches of candidates, whom they oppose.
· Supporters say that the law provides public funding that allows ordinary people to run for office and get their message out without becoming politically dependent on big campaign contributors. Supporters’ perception is that in government now, only the rich can decide what happens. Fair Elections is about taking special interest money out of the campaign, returning power to the people, having candidates participate in debates, and adding substance to issues, rather than just using slick advertisements.
Good Laws Caused by Fair Elections Are Evident in Maine
In 2000, the Maine Legislature approved a pharmaceutical program that gives families the chance to buy drugs at a discount. The law was upheld by the Supreme Court and went into effect in January 2004. In 2003, the legislature approved a health reform bill, known as the Dirigo Health Act, which provides health insurance to all Maine residents. Its primary features include controls on health care costs and initiatives to encourage high-quality care. It also subsidizes premiums for those who cannot afford to pay. Public funded legislators were free to support this legislation without any concern for the big-money special interests that might oppose such a law.
If I believed that the system we have now was working, I would not be asking you to pass the Idaho Fair Elections bill. When did you last talk with me about Fair Elections or any other issue?
If you want to learn more about those of us who want Fair Elections, please get in touch. Please get in touch with me before the hearing and tell me what you will do about Fair Elections and why you will do it.
If you want to get in touch with these Senators now, here they are. Click on their name to send them a message:
Senator Robert L. Geddes , Republican
District 31, Soda Springs 370 Mountain View Ave., Soda Springs, 83276 Home (208) 547-2423 FAX (208) 334-2320 Environmental Engineer
Senator Denton Darrington , Republican
District 27, Declo 302 S. Hwy. 77, Declo, 83323 Home (208) 654-2712 Farmer/Teacher
Senator Bart M. Davis , Republican
District 33, Idaho Falls 2638 S Bellin Circle, Idaho Falls, 83402 Home (208) 529-4993 Bus (208) 522-8100 FAX (208) 522-1334 Attorney
Senator Joe Stegner , Republican
District 7, Lewiston 216 Prospect Blvd., Lewiston, 83501 Home (208) 743-3032 FAX (208) 743-3032 Retired Grain Dealer
Senator Brad Little , Republican
District 11, Emmett P.O. Box 488, Emmett, 83617-0488 Home (208) 365-6566 Bus (208) 365-4611 FAX (208) 365-4615 Rancher
Senator Michael Jorgenson , Republican
District 3, Hayden Lake 2953 Point Hayden Dr, Hayden Lake, 83835 Home (208) 762-5514 Bus (208) 762-7784 FAX (208) 762-1485 Consultant
Senator Curt McKenzie , Republican
District 12, Boise McKenzie Law Offices, PLLC, 1004 W Fort St, Boise, 83702 Home (208) 468-1027 Bus (208)344-4379 FAX (208) 947-0014 Attorney
My Letter about Fair Elections to People in Idaho District 3 Part of Kootenai County
Fair elections is a here and now opportunity to take a giant step in returning our government to a true democracy where candidates actually represent their constituents (rather than big business) and vote in their constituents’ best interest. “Impossible” you may be thinking. Or “There’s nothing I can do.”
Actually, you are in a unique position to help make this happen. Here’s how.
Senator Michael Jorgenson needs your help. On the Senate State Affairs Committee, he voted to hold the Idaho Fair Elections Act in the committee last February 2. That stopped Fair Elections in Idaho.
The people want Fair Elections. In 2006, a bipartisan survey of voters nationwide by Lake Research Partners and Bellwether Research shows 74% of voters want voluntary public funding of federal elections. Eighty percent of Democrats, 78% of Independents, and 65% of Republicans support this reform. When I testified for Fair Elections last February2, I did not know about this research.
Senator Jorgenson must not know that the people want Fair Elections. We can help our Senators by sending them information about Fair Elections and asking them to hear the Idaho Fair Elections Act in the Senate State Affairs Committee. Ask them to send the bill to the Senate with a do-pass in the 2008 session.
A committee chair can hold a bill in committee by not scheduling a hearing. Robert Geddes, Senate President Pro Tem, asked Curt McKenzie, chair of State Affairs Committee, to hear the Idaho Fair Elections Act last February. The committee will hear the bill in the 2008 session, if the people ask them to hear the bill.
Will you support the Idaho Fair Elections Act? Details about Fair Elections and how you can communicate with your Senator are at http://fp1.centurytel.net/democracy/
You may also get in touch with me.
PS
The voter survey research is at http://www.campaignmoney.org/polling
Details about Fair Elections are at http://fp1.centurytel.net/democracy/
Actually, you are in a unique position to help make this happen. Here’s how.
Senator Michael Jorgenson needs your help. On the Senate State Affairs Committee, he voted to hold the Idaho Fair Elections Act in the committee last February 2. That stopped Fair Elections in Idaho.
The people want Fair Elections. In 2006, a bipartisan survey of voters nationwide by Lake Research Partners and Bellwether Research shows 74% of voters want voluntary public funding of federal elections. Eighty percent of Democrats, 78% of Independents, and 65% of Republicans support this reform. When I testified for Fair Elections last February2, I did not know about this research.
Senator Jorgenson must not know that the people want Fair Elections. We can help our Senators by sending them information about Fair Elections and asking them to hear the Idaho Fair Elections Act in the Senate State Affairs Committee. Ask them to send the bill to the Senate with a do-pass in the 2008 session.
A committee chair can hold a bill in committee by not scheduling a hearing. Robert Geddes, Senate President Pro Tem, asked Curt McKenzie, chair of State Affairs Committee, to hear the Idaho Fair Elections Act last February. The committee will hear the bill in the 2008 session, if the people ask them to hear the bill.
Will you support the Idaho Fair Elections Act? Details about Fair Elections and how you can communicate with your Senator are at http://fp1.centurytel.net/democracy/
You may also get in touch with me.
PS
The voter survey research is at http://www.campaignmoney.org/polling
Details about Fair Elections are at http://fp1.centurytel.net/democracy/
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