Bill Text: IN SR0008 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Study of public financing for campaigns.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - First reading: referred to Committee on Elections [SR0008 Detail]

Download: Indiana-2012-SR0008-Introduced.html

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Introduced Version

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SENATE RESOLUTION No. 8

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DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION

     A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council to direct a 2012 interim study committee to study public financing options for campaigns in Indiana.

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SIMPSON

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    January 10, 2012, read first time and referred to Committee on Elections

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Introduced

Second Regular Session 117th General Assembly (2012)

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 8

     MADAM PRESIDENT:

    I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:

    A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council to direct a 2012 interim study committee to study public financing options for campaigns in Indiana.

    Whereas, according to a Gallup poll from October 2011, over the past 14 years, Americans' trust in their state governments decreased from 68% to 57%, with the absolute low during this period being 51% at the end of 2009;

    Whereas, in Indiana during the 2009 legislative session, special interests spent more than $25 million lobbying lawmakers;

    Whereas, in 39 states contributions to candidates from individuals, political parties, political action committees (PACs), corporations and unions are typically limited. In the case of corporations and unions such contributions are prohibited outright. On the federal level, caps on contributions have existed since the 1970s;

    Whereas, in Indiana there are currently no limits on how much individuals and PACs can donate to candidates;

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    Whereas, 25 states have found it necessary to institute some form of public financing for campaigns through tax incentives, direct subsidies to candidates, and subsidies to political parties;

    Whereas, Indiana provides no options for candidates to obtain public funding for their campaigns and, as a result, many candidates rely on private donations from special interest groups: Therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the

General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

    SECTION 1. That the Legislative Council is urged to direct a 2012 interim study committee to study public financing options for campaigns in Indiana
    SECTION 2. That the Secretary of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Chair of the Legislative Council.