News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Bill Levels Political Playing Field

Places All Candidates Under Same Fundraising Rules

For Immediate Release: February 19 , 1998 Contact: Portia Parker, Assistant to Senate President Mike Miller, at (907) 465-4711.

Juneau – The Senate Thursday passed legislation to create one set of campaign fundraising rules for all political candidates running for state office including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Legislators. Senate Bill 275, sponsored by Senate President Mike Miller (R-North Pole) passed unanimously.

Current state law allows candidates who are the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor to raise funds and receive campaign contributions during regular and special legislative sessions while legislators are prohibited.

"We need to make restrictions on campaign fundraising fair for all people seeking public office," said Senate President Mike Miller "Without these proposed changes, certain elected officials can raise campaign funds year-round. This gives them an unfair advantage over other candidates who are running for the same position but are restricted from raising money until the legislative session is over."

Senator Dave Donley (R-Anchorage), who spoke in support of Senate Bill 275 during today’s Senate floor debate, said it’s a small minority of states that actually limit campaign contributions during legislative sessions. Of those that do, the vast majority of them include all state officials.

"Alaska has some of the most restrictive campaign finance reform laws in the nation – if not the toughest in the nation," Donley said. "We ought to be very proud of our laws."

Miller noted that Both Republicans and Democrats united today in passing this bill. "It passed the body on a unanimous vote which shows everybody believes it is important to promote fair play by eliminating loopholes in current law. Leveling the playing field is the right thing to do."

Senate Bill 275 contains an exemption from these fundraising restrictions during the 90 days immediately preceding an election in which the person is a candidate for state office.

# # #

Broadcast Note: Radio actualities are available by calling 800/478-6540.
= Mike Miller, 73 K = Dave Donley, 42 K