Senate lifts ban on public financing of local campaigns

OLYMPIA -- The state Senate passed a measure Wednesday to allow communities the choice of whether they want to have public financing of local campaigns.

The measure removes the ban on use of public funds for local elections that has been in place since Initiative 134 was passed by voters in 1992.

That initiative regulated political contributions and campaign spending, but also prohibited the use of public money to finance campaigns for state or local offices.

Supporters say the measure is needed to help balance the playing field in campaigns. The legislation would require a local public vote before tax dollars could be used.

Opponents say people should use grass-roots efforts to get money in their campaigns and not rely on local taxes. The measure passed on a 29-20 vote and now heads to the House, where similar legislation passed previously.

Also passing the Senate Wednesday was a measure requiring the Department of Ecology to develop a greenhouse gas emissions disclosure labeling program.