Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-19th District) voted against a proposal by the Assembly Majority today that would have created taxpayer-funded political campaigns. The legislation would use hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds to provide campaign contributions to those seeking political office. For Ra, this measure misuses taxpayer dollars at a time when many programs could use a boost, while failing to address the recent string of corruption scandals, since it utilizes a system far too similar to the broken campaign-financing system used by New York City.

"The legislation we took up today, unfortunately, fails to address the scandals and abuse of the system that has come to light in recent weeks,” said Ra. “The way this bill proposes using tax dollars to fund political campaigns matches the system used in New York City, which has been a home for political corruption, and does our residents a disservice. They should not have their hard-earned money go to finance political campaigns.

“Our tax dollars should be used on the programs we need in these difficult financial times. There were several areas in the budget, from schools to the developmentally disabled, which have absorbed cuts in recent years. Using our residents’ money to finance the ambitions of politicians is something that should not be a priority in our state.”

For video of Assemblyman Ra discussing legislation creating taxpayer-funded political campaigns, please visit http://youtu.be/hx2-yBaDIio.