Bill levels matching- fund playing field

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Senate this month approved legislation that will allow all candidates for general office, including independents, to be eligible to participate equally in the matching public funds program.
The legislation – S-2643A – was introduced by Sen. Erin P. Lynch, a Warwick Democrat. It will now go to the R.I. House of Representatives for consideration.
Under the public financing law, candidates can receive $2 of public funds for each qualified $1 of private funds, up to $500 from a single source within an election cycle, and $1 of public funds for each qualified $1 of private funds that exceed the $500 limit.
Currently, independent candidates for governor must first receive private contributions from a minimum of 250 individuals contributing at least $25 each, and candidates for the other four general offices – attorney general, general treasurer, lieutenant governor and secretary of state – must receive private contributions from a minimum of 100 individuals contributing at least $25 each. If passed, the legislation would apply those standards to all candidates, including nominees of political parties. &#8226