A citizen initiative on the November ballot has drawn both praise and criticism from local lawmakers.

Supporters of Question 1 – which, if passed, would strengthen the Maine Clean Election Act, add transparency requirements to political advertising and increase penalties for violating campaign finance laws – say it evens the political playing field by ridding campaigns of big-money donations from corporations, special interest groups and lobbyists, while opponents of the initiative have called it, and the Clean Election Act in general, “welfare for politicians.”

The Maine Clean Election Act was enacted in 1996 to provide public campaign financing for candidates running for governor, state senator and state representative. The measure on the Nov. 3 ballot would increase public funding for candidates who choose to use the state’s Clean Election program from $2 million a year to $3 million a year, with the additional money coming through the elimination of $6 million in corporate tax breaks.

Rep. Justin Chenette, D-Saco, is one of Question 1’s supporters. Earlier this month, Chenette – a digital advertising executive for the Journal Tribune – and Sen. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, held an informational forum for voters on Question 1 and the Clean Election Act.

“It allows time for people to talk one-on-one with constituents about the issues rather than having to focus on (campaign) funding,” Chenette said of public campaign financing Monday, adding that he would not have personally been able to afford campaigning without the Clean Election program. “This referendum goes a long way in trying to help alleviate some of those influences financially (from corporations, special interest groups and lobbyists). … The average citizen can actually make up their mind and run for office rather than say, ‘There’s too much money that’s going to get poured into this race. I can’t win.’”

Chenette called the measure a “win-win all the way around” because it increases public campaign financing through eliminating corporate tax breaks.

“The money is coming from a place we’ve needed to addressed for a long time,” he said.

Although some have called Question 1 a Democratic initiative, Chenette said he thinks strengthening the Clean Election program should be seen a bipartisan goal because members of both parties have and continue to use the program.

In a letter published in the Journal Tribune last week, Rep. Robert Foley, R-Wells, said he doesn’t believe candidates need more public campaign money. The amount currently allocated to candidates who use the program is “certainly enough to run a rigorous campaign here in Maine,” Foley contends.

“When added up,” he continues, “this proposal could cost Maine taxpayers over $10 million of additional money per election cycle. In light of the tight budgets now facing the state, more taxpayer dollars for political candidates versus senior citizens and nursing homes doesn’t seem like a good choice to me.”

At the polls Nov. 3 Maine voters will also be asked if they wish to approve two bonds totaling $100 million.

Question 2 will ask voters if they favor a $15 million bond to provide more housing for low-income seniors. If passed, the bond will create jobs and be matched by about $22 million in private and other funds, according to the state’s website.

Question 3 will ask voters if they favor an $85 million bond for construction projects on highways and bridges, as well as facilities and equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian trails, which would be matched by about $121 million in federal and other funds.

— Staff Writer Angelo J. Verzoni can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or averzoni@journaltribune.com.