Public Financing of Elections: Where to Get the Money?

Publication Date: July 2003

Publisher: Center for Governmental Studies

Author(s): Tracy Westen

Research Area: Campaign Finance

Keywords: Public Financing

Type: Report

Abstract:

Report describes over 40 creative new funding sources to support public campaign finance systems. Based on interviews with dozens of state and national fiscal and campaign finance experts, ideas include income tax surcharges on millionaires, increased civil and criminal fines, surcharges on punitive damage awards, tax amnesty programs, public campaign financing bonds, 100% tax credits, "Democracy Endowments," "Patriot Credit Cards" and free time on city-operated cable television channels. It also includes detailed summaries of 27 state and 11 local public financing laws.