The issue of taxpayer-funded campaign brochures for incumbent legislators was raised in the comments to the previous post.
Here in the 43rd legislative district, we received brochures from Speaker Chopp, Sen. Thibaudeau and Rep. Murray all congratulating themselves on spending more of our money, much of which went for projects that fail to convince me of their usefulness. But at least Thibaudeau and Chopp sent only one brochure to each household. Ed Murray mailed brochures to both my wife and me.
Reasonable constituent communications is appropriate, but you'd think these people could figure out how to keep us informed without wasting so much money and trees.
I have always wondered if the latter referred to the paper or the union....
Posted by: Eric on June 1, 2006 02:43 PM
Least they could do is scrub their opponents of their mailing lists.
Posted by: Gentry on June 1, 2006 03:00 PMCampaigns are about time-management, and it's not worth the $.50 savings to take the time to take your name off the list.
Posted by: Willis on June 1, 2006 03:12 PMWhen you open the COSTLY brochures up, does it fit the bottom of an average birdcage??? Posted by: Mr. Cynical on June 1, 2006 04:41 PM
Seriously though, I spent about 17 cents per vote. My opponents spent about $2. I didn't waste too much time... don't worry.
Posted by: Gentry on June 1, 2006 05:11 PMAt the state level, RCW
42.52
Ethics in public service.
provides guidelines that restrict informative mailings from legislators during an election year “no later than 60 days after the end of a regular legislative session”
At the federal level, the cut off date for mailings prior to elections for incumbents running for office is 90 days. Federal Franking office 202-225-9337.
Clark County Commissioners mailed a 3 ½ page “Summer/Fall 2005 update from your county commissioners to “residential customer” to about 164,053 recipients on August 29 & 30, 2005. County records indicate this cost taxpayers approx. $29,156. This is only 68 days prior to the election, and these laws were written before mail in voting! It is only about 45 days prior to mail in ballots being sent.
Is it in the public interest for local elected officials such as county commissioners to send “informative mailings” featuring candidates for office during election season in which the featured official is also a candidate for office?
According to the PDC, this use of public funds is A-OK for local govt. Emboldened by the blessing of the PDC, the commission actually codified this use of public funds via a resolution adopted April 11, 2006 announcing that future mailers could be sent 60 days prior to a general election, which is really 45 days prior to the general election in our mail voting county.
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/04122006news19732.cfm
The local MSM also praised this use of public funds just prior to general elections.
http://www.columbian.com/opinion/news/04132006news20011.cfm
Until this loophole for local govt. is closed, Sound Politics is the only means citizens have to expose this misuse of public funds for political advantage.
If they really want to get my attention with one of these mailing, they should include a check for my monorail tax, and take the money from the SMP administrators personal bank accounts.
(not holding breath)
Posted by: Jason Woodruff on June 1, 2006 09:49 PMIf they should be allowed is an interesting question. I tend to get complaints from those who do not get them and believe I am not keeping them informed. Given there are two Universities, an Arts College and a community college there are numerous households in my district with several unrelated people living under one roof. They have complained in the past when a newsletter only comes to one of the register voters. In addition I also hear from numerous lesbian and gay couples where one partner receives a newsletter and the other does not. The rules governing newsletters are strict and allow legislators to mail to some registered voters or to all (it does not allow a voluntary system because the newsletter would become a source of campaign information). For those who want to receive a newsletter the choices given are not very good. For those who believe no one should get a newsletter the choices are all bad.
Posted by: Ed Murray on June 2, 2006 03:50 PM
Do you find that more people with an axe to grind question you about your newsletters, or "fans"?
It has been my experience that they are fluff not to be taken seriously when sent by representatives that I respect, and offensive propaganda that I'd rather not be "subjected to" when they come from my political polar opposites. This appears to be the case with some others here as well (like unkle witless, who must live in a shoebox ;'}.
Personally, I think they are a wasted effort...
Posted by: alphabet soup on June 2, 2006 04:14 PMThe price of snacks at the food service at the Capitol?
The quality of the toilet paper used in the johns of legislators?
I LOVE the newsletters from my legislators, and read them completely. They always remind me of an issue I need to discuss with them, great way to keep in touch, and very cheap for the communication value.
This site has more whiners and complainers than I ever thought existed in an area with good employment, nice people, and a wonderful / beautiful / great setting and lots of free recreation.
Go outsedie and plant a garden. Spend the weekend have some fun, GET a life.... enlarge your world. Take some food to the food bank.
And by the way - Ed Murray is a total politcal ace. And will poll 80 percent in his race this fall. His contacts with all his constituents is the best in the state......and I like peole who take their election and constituents seriously.
Cheers to Ed from George.
Posted by: GEORGE on June 3, 2006 11:50 AMi have not posted here for monthxs - the homphoibia is pathetic - and the small flat world perspective is amazing.
Another project - call you mom. Call all your older relatives once a moneth. Long distance is cheap and they will relish the contact.
Get off the computer dealing with trivia - waste of your lives.
R's are going down the tubes all across America - will Bush declare martial law to stop the elections?
Will Cheney go to prison eventually as a War Profiteer .... Good chance......
I have a new issue for you all - it is legal to be a non believer, even a pagan, or a jack christian .......
Posted by: George on June 3, 2006 03:46 PMI see your spelling has improved...you only misspelled three-fourths of the words in your rant.
atta boy-george!
Posted by: alphabet soup on June 3, 2006 04:51 PM(I thought I'd add that in to satisfy your unnatural attraction to "homphoibia" ;'}
Posted by: alphabet soup on June 3, 2006 04:54 PM