Revenue

Political Contribution Refund Program

Statewide Outcome(s):

Political Contribution Refund (PCR) Program supports the following statewide outcome(s).

Efficient and accountable government services.

Context:

The PCR program was enacted in 1990. The PCR program is currently suspended through fiscal year 2013. When the program resumes in FY 2014, political contributions made by Minnesotans to qualifying political candidates and political party units are eligible for a state refund of up to a total of $50 per person (of $100 per couple) in any calendar year. The refund program is available to political party units and legislative and state-wide candidates who agree to limit their spending by signing a Public Subsidy Agreement. Political candidates and parties are provided with special forms to document their contributions. This documentation is sent to the Department of Revenue, and a refund check is sent to the original donor. In essence, the contributor is donating state general fund money to a political candidate or party.

Strategies:

To encourage more participation in the political process and to make candidates less dependent on large dollar contributions the state reimburses donors who contribute to political candidates and political party units.

Results:

Performance Measures Notes:

The number of refunds is a comparison when the program was active. The heading “Previous” is Fiscal Years 2006-2007 biennium compared to Current, which is the FY 2008-2009 biennium.