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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

WA Rethinks Money in Politics – and Where it Comes From

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Friday, March 7, 2008   

Olympia, WA – You wouldn't have to be rich or have rich friends to run for local office in Washington state, under a bill now on Governor Christine Gregoire's desk. If the governor signs SB5278, the "local-option campaign finance" bill, cities and counties would have the option to set up public campaign financing, which means candidates for local offices could accept a fixed amount of public money for campaigning, instead of raising funds on their own.

Chris Chamberlain with the League of Women Voters says that would ease fundraising pressure on candidates and clear the way for them to have more time to listen to voters.

"It really goes to the heart of good government, and we're quite pleased. Public officials who run using public funds and aren't beholden to special interests are more responsive to the needs of individual constituents."

Chamberlain says a campaign fund would be a small fraction of a city or county's budget. She adds that the system would help keep campaign spending down, in addition to giving more people a chance to run for office. The bill would allow public financing for all types of local elections except school board races, but only if voters first approve the idea at their local level.

Opponents say it will allow more "fringe" candidates to clutter election ballots. Chamberlain explains there are precautions built into the system.

"A candidate does need to establish his or her credibility by initially going out and collecting small contributions from an established number of their own constituents."




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