{news} Green/libertarian Party litigation Tuesday(12/9) and Wed(12/10) Bridgeport Federal court Building 9AM

[David Bedell]

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hcu-campaignfinance-1209,0,1355843.story

Campaign Finance Lawsuit Goes To Trial

Associated Press
    2:15 PM EST, December 9, 2008

BRIDGEPORT - Connecticut's campaign financing law came under fire at a
hearing before a federal judge, as plaintiffs argued that it's full of
loopholes and places too many burdens on minor political parties and
petitioning candidates.

Mark Lopez, a lawyer for the Green and Libertarian parties, challenged the
law's constitutionality before Judge Stefan Underhill in Bridgeport on
Tuesday. At issue is the law's requirements for qualifying for public
financing of campaigns.

Lopez says the law is unfair because it includes more requirements for minor
party and petitioning candidates to qualify for public funding than for
major party candidates.

Lawyers for the state deny the allegations. They are expected to present
their arguments to Underhill on Wednesday.