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We are deeply disappointed that County Executive Allan H. Kittleman has vetoed CB30. In November, the citizens of Howard County voted to pass Question A, an amendment to the County Charter creating the Citizens’ Election Fund and directing the County Council to finalize the program. We applaud the Council for responding with Council Bill 30 to finalize the program.. The new program will be in effect for the 2022 election cycle. To qualify for the program candidates for County Council and County Executive must turn down contributions over $250, all contributions from corporations, unions and PACs, and meet thresholds for small donations to demonstrate viability. Once they qualify they can receive limited matching funds for small contributions from Howard County residents. Marylanders from all political  parties and backgrounds agree that…

After public authorization and Council vote, Howard County becomes 2nd county in Maryland to enact reform   Ellicott City, MD  – The Howard County Council voted 4-1 on Monday night to pass Council Bill 30 (CB30) to establish the Howard County Citizens’ Election Fund. Howard County is the 2nd county in the state, after Montgomery, to establish a voluntary program for small donor financing of County Council and County Executive races.   The move comes after voters approved a Charter Amendment, Question A, on November’s ballot. The Charter Amendment authorized the Fund and directed the County Council to finalize the program. County Executive Allan Kittleman campaigned against Question A in the fall. He has not said if he intends to veto the bill, but with 4 votes, the Council has…

Council Bill 30 would finalize new campaign finance system initiated by Ballot Question A For Immediate Release THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017 Columbia, MD – On Wednesday, nearly 75 supporters of  the Howard County Citizens’ Election Fund program turned out for a rally and public hearing to support Council Bill 30 (CB30). In November, Howard County voters approved Question A, directing the Howard County Council to establish a new way to fund County Council and County Executive elections through a small donor matching program to limit large and corporate campaign contributions. Supporters gathered before the hearing to listen to speeches from Congressman John Sarbanes, Council sponsors Jon Weinstein and Jen Terrasa, community organizations and activists, environmental groups, and good government groups. At the hearing itself, all but one of the 20…

In November, Howard County Voters Passed Question A, Establishing the Howard County Citizens’ Election Fund Columbia, MD – On Thursday, Howard County Councilmembers Jon Weinstein and Jen Terrasa filed a bill, Council Bill 30, to create a new way to fund County Council and County Executive races with a small donor matching program. This move comes after voters approved a charter amendment in November to establish the Citizens’ Election Fund. The program will provide matching funds for small donor contributions to candidates who don’t accept large or corporate contributions. Montgomery County, MD passed a similar program in 2014, and the candidates are now filing to use the system for the 2018 elections. Congressman John Sarbanes, who endorsed Question A and represents much of Howard County, has also authored similar legislation,…

Fair Elections ballot initiative passes in Howard County. Columbia, MD – On Tuesday night, Howard County voters approved a charter amendment to bring balance to our democracy and make local government more representative and accountable to everyday people. The win lays the groundwork for a citizen-funded elections program for county council and county executive races. The new program will provide matching funds for small donor contributions to candidates who don’t accept large or corporate contributions. Montgomery County, MD passed a similar program in 2014, and the candidates are now filing to use the system for the 2018 elections. Congressman John Sarbanes, who endorsed Question A and represents much of Howard County, has also authored similar legislation at the national level, The Government By the People Act. The Fair Elections Howard…