Over the past few weeks, Fayetteville state Rep. Rick Glazer, a Democrat, has been leading the charge to pass House Bill 120, along with fellow Fayetteville Rep. Margaret Dickson, also a Democrat, who also is a primary sponsor.

This bill would allow North Carolina cities and towns to require taxpayers to fund campaigns for candidates who choose to run for municipal office. This bill would expand a controversial program of forcing taxpayers to fund campaigns all across North Carolina, which is already in place for judicial and some Council of State races.

Rep. Glazer believes this bill will improve the electoral process by limiting the influence of certain campaign donors. Supporters of this bill argue that it will raise voters’ confidence in our electoral system and decrease the cynicism that surrounds elections.

Americans for Prosperity, a statewide taxpayer watchdog group, opposes this legislation for several reasons. We believe taxpayers should not be forced to fund candidates whose positions they do not agree with. We believe forced political speech is unconstitutional. We believe in these difficult economic times that the taxpayers can simply not have another burden placed upon them.

The grassroots members of Americans for Prosperity have made hundreds of phone calls and sent thousands of letters and e-mails to members of the General Assembly, asking them to oppose this legislation. Rep. Glazer and the supporters of this bill have been working equally hard to pass it.

Waning support

On April 8, the bill passed one of two required votes in the N.C. House. With several members absent, the bill passed 60 to 52. Since that time, support for the bill has greatly eroded, as voters ask why their tax dollars should fund politicians instead of filling potholes and making infrastructure improvements.

While we disagree with Rep. Glazer with regard to this legislation, we do not question his intentions. He is a principled person who sincerely believes HB-120 will improve our electoral system. His goals are honorable, even though we sharply disagree on the merits of taxpayer-funded campaigns, including the need, constitutionality and end result of this proposed legislation.

AFP believes that a majority of the 120 members of the House of Representatives agrees with our position and now opposes this bill. In keeping the bill on the calendar day after day without bringing it to a vote, it appears that Rep. Glazier is seeking any way possible to pass the bill, including waiting until the right mix of members is present to bring the bill forward.

It seems ironic that a bill intended to reduce voter cynicism from the electoral process is being purposefully held up for days in the hope that enough opposing members are unexpectedly absent, allowing the bill to narrowly pass despite not having majority support.

Rep. Glazier should announce once and for all a specific day and time when this bill will be heard on the House floor, allowing plenty of time to ensure all members will be present to represent their constituents. A full debate and transparent vote should then take place.

Rep. Glazier should not attempt to win at all costs. If this bill cannot pass with clear majority support, it should be sent back to committee until the end of this two-year legislative session. To do otherwise would simply add to the lack of confidence and cynicism Rep. Glazier says he is trying to stop.

Dallas Woodhouse is the state director of Americans for Prosperity.