1998 Minnesota Statutes

     10A.40 Legislative findings of fact; legislative intent. 

    Subdivision 1.    Campaign financing; findings of fact.  
 The legislature finds that: 

    (1) the spending on campaigns for congressional office has 
 increased to a disgraceful level and continues to rise; 

    (2) the need to raise campaign contributions has caused 
 Minnesota congressional candidates to aggressively solicit 
 contributions from special interest groups and out-of-state 
 sources, which diverts them from meeting Minnesota voters and 
 publicly debating the pressing issues of the day; 

    (3) the current practice of congressional campaign 
 contributions and spending, along with ethical scandals in 
 Washington, D.C., have created a public perception of political 
 corruption and undue influence by wealthy special interests; 

    (4) the United States Congress has debated necessary 
 reforms for years but has failed to act, and the Federal 
 Elections Campaign Act does not provide a means to encourage 
 congressional candidates to voluntarily limit the amount of 
 money they spend in campaigns; and 

    (5) as a consequence, Minnesota's representation in 
 Congress is jeopardized and the public's confidence in our 
 elected congressional representatives is weakened. 

    Subd. 2.    Purpose.  (a) In order to redress the 
 problems described in subdivision 1, it is necessary to 
 encourage congressional candidates to voluntarily limit the 
 amount of money they spend on campaigns.  A further purpose is 
 to achieve the same successful results in congressional 
 campaigns that have made Minnesota's state campaign spending 
 system a model for the nation in the 15 years since its adoption.

    (b) Laws 1990, chapter 608, article 4, is intended to 
 address the problems described in subdivision 1 as follows: 

    (1) by establishing voluntary limitations on campaign 
 spending, candidates are discouraged from escalating campaign 
 spending through the current means of financing campaigns, and 
 campaign spending will likely be curtailed; 

    (2) by providing an alternate source of financing, 
 congressional candidates will be less susceptible to political 
 corruption and less dependent on special interests, which will 
 enhance the public's confidence in their congressional 
 representatives; 

    (3) by allowing candidates to focus on public issues rather 
 than fundraising, the public will be better served in its 
 representation and its opportunity to select the better 
 candidate; 

    (4) by reducing the influence of special interest groups 
 and out-of-state contributions, the integrity of the process and 
 the confidence of the public in their public servants will be 
 enhanced; and 

    (5) as a consequence, Minnesota will build on the success 
 of its system of voluntary expenditure limits. 

    Subd. 3.    Legislative intent.  In enacting sections 
 10A.40 to 10A.51, the legislature intends to provide a system to 
 encourage voluntary campaign expenditure limits that, in concert 
 with the existing federal law and rules, will provide a 
 comprehensive system of campaign and election regulation.  The 
 legislature does not intend to enact legislation that is in 
 conflict with existing federal law, and does not intend to 
 regulate where specific federal laws have already been enacted. 

    HIST: 1990 c 608 art 4 s 1