State representatives voted to change a provision in the state’s campaign finance law Tuesday to give themselves more time to decide how to fix the law if a federal appeals court decides it is not constitutional.
Last fall, a judge for the U.S. 2nd Court of Appeals ruled that the law’s voluntary public financing provision would put minor-party candidates at an unconstitutional disadvantage against better-financed major party candidates. The state appealed the decision and is waiting for a response.
Under current law, lawmakers would have only seven days to act once a decision is made, or the state would revert back to old campaign finance laws. Prior to 2005, candidates were allowed to collect money from lobbyists, special interest-groups and state contractors.
Tuesday, both Democrats and Republicans said that part of the law needed to change.
The House of Representatives voted 137-12 to change the “reverter clause.” The changes would allow a 30-day window before reverting back to old laws if a court decision comes down between April 15 and Aug. 10, the day of this year’s primaries. After that time period, lawmakers would have only 15 days to act.
The bill would also allow candidates running for office to keep any money received through the citizens election program prior to any limitations or prohibitions taking effect.
Rep. James Spallone, D-Essex, co-chairman of the government administration and elections committee, called the bill reasonable and necessary. Rep. Lawrence Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk, agreed, but stressed that the bill does not fix any problems with the law.
“It’s just delaying the time bomb,” he said.
House Speaker Christopher Donovan, D-Meriden, said Tuesday that lawmakers have not agreed on how to fix the law yet. Discussions are ongoing.