
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 2, 1990                   TAG: 9005020480
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FINANCING FOR POLITICAL RACES NEEDS REFORMING

REFORMING the campaign finance system is crucial if we are to avoid a repeat of the dismal voter turnout for elections at every level of government.

The League of Women Voters of the Roanoke Area and Montgomery County believes that meaningful reform should restore the integrity of the electoral process; restore the power of individual participation in democracy by diminishing the influence of large contributions and PACs; restore the attention and energy of our public officials to the jobs we elect them to, rather than to full time fund-raising.

Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell is expected to bring a Senate bill on campaign reform to the floor this week. The final bill should deal with certain key elements to ensure effective campaign reform.

The Roanoke Area and Montgomery County LWV calls on Sens. Warner and Robb to support:

Public benefits (including media access) for candidates who agree to spending limits;

Strict limits and full disclosure of all practices designed to circumvent existing campaign laws;

Limitations on the congressional mailing privilege and extension of some form of postal benefit to viable challengers to an incumbent;

Repeal of the "grandfather clause" that permits some members of Congress to convert unspent campaign funds to personal use after leaving office. ELIZABETH FETTER Chairman of the Board League of Women Voters of the Roanoke Area JUDY SNOKE President, League of Women Voters of Montgomery County

by CNB