Secretary of State Trey Grayson praised members of the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs committee after the passage of Senate Bill 112.

 “The strong bi-partisan support for this legislation is heartening,” said Secretary Grayson. “I am encouraged by the broad support for this bill and the efforts of so many to focus our resources on more appropriate enterprises.”

 Secretary Grayson testified on behalf of the bill in front of the Senate State and Local Government Committee on February 9, 2005.  The bill would eliminate tax-payer funded gubernatorial campaigns in the Commonwealth.  Although in recent sessions of the General Assembly the legislature refused to allow taxpayer dollars to fund political campaigns, the framework of the laws has not been repealed.

 Secretary Grayson stated during his testimony, “Simply put: taxpayer funded political campaigns did not achieve what they set out to do.  When given the choice of funding education or healthcare for our citizens, or using taxpayer dollars to purchase attack ads and bumper stickers, I think the choice is clear.  It is time that we set our priorities straight and no longer fund welfare for politicians.”

 “This repeal is long over due, and it is my hope that the House will act expeditiously to send this bill directly to the Governor’s desk for his signature.”

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