In the wake of the latest, in a series of campaign spending violations and after decades of a do nothing Legislature when it comes to campaign financing reform, the elecTed Campaign announced its plan to reform campaign spending laws.  

            After the Campaign Spending Commission’s recent sanction of a special interest group, Ted commented that, “This incident is yet another example of the influence that special interest groups have on local elections.  Special interest groups and lobbyists have controlled the Legislature and my opponent for too long.  Our schools, our health care and our economy have not benefited from this one sided, narrow vision and we’ve suffered for it.  The 2008 election comes down to a choice between someone who has always placed the desires of special interest groups ahead of the common good and my campaign, that stands up for the common good.  We should not accept this incident or the control of special interest groups over our elected officials.”

Ted’s new legislative proposal is simple and effective:

• Any person or organization that violates any campaign spending law can not contribute to any campaign for a period of two (2) years.  This includes all existing criminal penalties and administrative fines that may apply.
• Any politician that intentionally violates any campaign spending law forfeits his or her elected office and may not stand for election for a period of four (4) years.  If that politician has already left office, that person repays the government his or her salary, plus interest, that was earned for the last four (4) years of his or her term.  This penalty is on top of all other existing criminal penalties and administrative fines.

      Ted wants voters to know that, “The trust voters give elected leaders is paramount.  With one of the country’s lowest voter turnout, we need to restore the public’s faith in our elections and as a political leader, be worthy of their trust.  This simple plan, helps do that.”