There's More Than Bad Seeds To Augusta's Problems

Bad ‘seeds’

New campaign rules in Maine, enacted by the 124th Legislature this spring, now require gubernatorial candidates seeking public financing to find 400 donors who will make $100 “seed money” donations in addition to the previously mandated 3,250 supporters who make $5 qualifying contributions.

The “seed money” stipulation erodes the intent of the Maine Clean Election Act and “subverts the will of the people,” as Green Independent Party candidate Lynne Williams accurately asserts. It consolidates power for established party machines and further distances voters from the individuals they elect to represent them.

It’s hogwash for lawmakers to claim that Maine needs this “seed money” to keep solvent the public campaign financing fund. Had legislators — the majority of whom took advantage of Clean Election Act funding to win their seats — not repeatedly raided the fund to compensate for their inability to balance the state budget, there would be plenty of money for the type of wide open and balanced gubernatorial race that would benefit all Mainers, not just Democratic and Republican insiders.

Follow here.