State Senate Kills Campaign Finance Bill

CONCORD, NH - A controversial campaign finance law went down to defeat in the state Senate on Feb. 18, 2016.

SB 518 would have established a 2.5 to 5 percent fee, depending on the amount of money raised, on all political committees, political advocacy organizations, and candidate’s campaign committees in order to fund $500,000 in bi-annual enforcement funding of campaign finance laws.

State Sen. Regina Birdsell, R-Hampstead, who also represents Windham, stated that the Senate made the correct decision in voting down the bill because it would have put a price tag on speech.

“Taxing political candidates or advocacy organizations on money spent to promote their position or cause is unconstitutional because it restricts an individual or organizations ability and right to free speech as is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution,” she stated. “The Senate made the right choice today to standby this protection and I am proud of their commitment to fighting for this right.”

However, state Sen. Dan Feltes, D-Concord, said the vote was a mistake.

“The preamble of the Constitution begins with the words ‘We the People’, not ‘We the Politicians, PACs and Super PACs.’ New Hampshire recently received a D minus grade from the Center for Public Integrity because we do not have the resources to enforce our lobbying laws, campaign finance and disclosure laws, and election laws,” he stated. “Enforcing our laws is fundamental to the health of our democracy, and SB 518 sought to do just that with an enhanced registration fee for politicians, PACs and Super PACs. I am disappointed the Senate rejected this common sense measure, with argument parroting misguided and misinformed Union Leader talking points.”