Letter: Reform of CT Campaign Finance Laws Is Needed

To the Editor:

The League of Women Voters of Greenwich is relieved that state legislators rejected the Democrats’ budget proposal that would suspend our vital Citizens’ Election Program. This proposal effectively eliminated our nationally acclaimed program of partial, voluntary public financing, in which some 74% of state candidates participated in the 2014 elections. It ignored the demands of the voters for more accountability from candidates, not more dark money flowing into campaigns.

We remind everyone that in 2005, Connecticut proudly passed a strong campaign finance law, designed to reduce the influence of big money in elections and turn the state in a new direction, away from the scandal associated with the conviction and imprisonment of public officials. Let’s not return to the days of “Corrupticut.”

The League of Women Voters of Connecticut is committed to reforming our state’s campaign finance system -- to ensure the public’s right to know, combat corruption and undue influence, enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office and allow maximum citizen participation in the political process. We intend to urge closing loopholes, which have crept into the program.

We support Connecticut’s historic campaign finance law. We will continue to press for transparency and fairness.

Maryann Ferrara Ramos
Vice President, Advocacy, League of Women Voters, Greenwich