Pennsylvania's laws concerning how political campaigns raise and spend money are among the worst in America. Pennsylvania is the only state where there is no limit on the size of campaign contributions.

In 2002, the Better Government Association, gave Pennsylvania only 7 points out of 16 for the quality of our law. Follow the link to the BGA's Integrity Index.

Take a break with the Hartman cartoon "Bent."

Coalition Roadmap Position:

• Prohibit fundraisers while the Legislature is in session.
• Require public reporting of campaign donations one week prior to the primary and general elections.

DR Position:
DR would go farther. DR believes that our courts are in crisis. Visit Justice on Trial.

The last thing we need is for citizens to question the impartiality of our judges because so much of their campaign money comes from the law firms and lawyers who appear in their courts. DR believes we should examine whether to experiment with public funding of judicial campaigns. Any experiment could end automatically in a set number of years unless the citizens, by referendum, choose to continue public funding for another period of years.

In promoting dicussion about this issue, DR does not intend to take a position either supporting or opposing proposals to amend the Constitution and allow for the appointment of judges instead of their election.