2.4.2016
Fatimah Waseem, Howard County Times
Two Howard County Council members proposed a new publicly funded campaign system Monday that matches small campaign donations using public funds.
Proposed by Council members Jon Weinstein and Jen Terrasa, the resolution — called a "citizen funded campaign system" — is a major change to the county's charter. If the council passes the resolution in the beginning of March, the amendment will head to the ballots this year and take effect for the 2022 election cycle.
Pushed by the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision in 2010, which ignited a national conversation about the power of money in politics, publicly funded campaigns have picked up steam across the country. Joining nearly two-dozen states, Maryland lawmakers created an option for a publicly funded system in the campaign finance bill of 2013.
Weinstein hopes the proposal will urge more citizens to be involved in the democratic process.