Responding to the torrent of money unleashed by the disastrous Citizens United decision, state governments are on the front lines fighting for disclosure laws to limit secret money in electoral races. One state, Connecticut, is poised to end secret money in state campaigns with a bill that has been called "disclosure on steroids," and supporters of Progressives United are aggressively advocating this needed measure.
Unfortunately, while the bill passed both houses of the General Assembly, Governor Dannel Malloy has yet to sign the disclosure law. If he does not sign the bill by Friday, it will face a pocket veto, effectively killing the legislation.
The bill, HB 5556, is one of the strongest disclosure-oriented responses to Citizens United in the country, requiring corporate or nonprofit boards of directors to vote every time their organization spends more than $4,000 on political expenditures. The results of the vote would have to be posted on the group’s website within 48 hours, greatly expanding transparency in corporate funding.
Connecticut has a strong history of public financing, establishing the Citizens' Election Program (CEP) in 2005. The CEP provided $3 million in public financing to candidates who raise $250,000 through seed donors, reducing the influence of special interest money. Governor Malloy himself knows the value of public financing -- he’s the first governor in Connecticut history to be elected with public funds.
Progressives in Connecticut have used a simple tool from Progressives United to call Governor Malloy’s office and tell him that the disclosure law must be passed. This is a crucial time for progressives fighting for clean elections to take action. If you live in Connecticut, call Governor Malloy’s office and tell him to sign HB 5556 -- before it’s too late.