The Alaska Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has just started circulating an initiative, for public funding for candidates for state office. The initiative does not discriminate for or against any candidate based on party affiliation. The text of the initiative can be seen here. The non-discriminatory aspect of the Alaska initiative matches the non-discriminatory characteristic of the existing “Clean Elections” laws in Maine and Arizona, but is in contrast to Connecticut’s law.
I will be surprised if the Lt. Governor’s office approves this petition for circulation. It appears to violate two rules for I&R in Alaska. It attempts to amend an oil tax to pay for a new funding system for election campaigns. Alaskans can’t allocate money through the initiative process, and we can only have a “single subject” petition. This makes me wonder if the sponsers are even reading the rules!!!