It appears that the state of New Jersey ingested an unknown quantity of Public Financing Growth Hormone, a biochemical relative of the Human Growth Hormone (HGH) best known for causing Barry Bonds' head to swell and helping Floyd Landis win the Tour de France. Luckily, unlike HGH, PFGH has a highly beneficial effect for society:
expanding the number of candidates running for elected office using public funds, rather than relying on networks of wealthy private donors to fund their campaign.
The Clean Elections concept has taken hold among voters in New Jersey, where at least 16 of 20 legislative candidates have qualified for a share of $7.6 million in public campaign-finance money, authorities said Monday.
Clean Elections was designed to reduce special interests' influence on New Jersey politics. Donors who give generously often later are awarded no-bid government contracts, a practice known as pay-to-play. Good-government advocates say that pay-to-play costs taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
To sign on, candidates had to agree to collect at least $4,000 in individual $10 donations, then swear off private funding and any kind of help from their county committees. They then would be eligible for at least $50,000 in grants, plus installments based on total donations and the degree of competition within the district.
Here's the best part: New Jersey may take another injection of PFGH soon, a real win for the voters and citizens of New Jersey:
On Monday, [Assembly Speaker Joe] Roberts said the Legislature would expand the program in 2009, to include primary races and more legislative districts.
The expansion of the program will be critical for its long term success. These are positive signs from the Garden State.
