Senate committee hears plan to replace PCR with Minnesota Civic Fund credits

Senate File 19-11, carried by Sen. Karla Bolden, would replace the state's existing political contribution refund (PCR) reimbursement model with a new upfront public-financing system called the Minnesota Civic Fund, the Senate Elections Committee heard March 11.

The measure would issue a unique identifier to verified voters; voters would be able to assign credits in $25 increments, up to $100, to candidates or a party in their district, and candidates could redeem assigned credits for public funds. "We would be replacing the current PCR program with a new public financing program, the Minnesota Civic Fund," Sen. Karla Bolden told the committee. "The bill moves our public campaign financing from a reimbursement model to an upfront model...making our public financing more accessible to more people and empowering everyday Minnesotans in our elections."

Supporters said the change aims to broaden participation in campaign giving…