OLYMPIA – When Washington voters passed the Fair Campaign Practices Act in 1992, they imposed campaign contribution limits on elections for statewide and legislative offices. Limits on contributions to county, city and other local races were added later. School board races, however, have never been subject to any contribution limits. But a measure passed today by the state House would apply the same limits to those races as already exist for legislative, city and county races.
“This is about giving voters confidence in our democracy and keeping school board races free of undue influence from big money donors,” said sponsor Rep. Andy Billig (D – Spokane).
“In a race where total donations may be limited, a single large donation can have an unfair impact and create the opportunity for corruption.”
The problem is not just a hypothetical one. In a public hearing for the bill on January 12, Billig testified that in the last election cycle, there were 17 school board races around the state with contributions in excess of the $800 limit his legislation imposes.
The measure, House Bill 2210, has a long list of bipartisan co-sponsors. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.