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June 16, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATE SENATOR CLIFTON BELOW FILES FOR RE-ELECTION

 CHALLENGES RUBENS TO JOIN HIM IN A UNIQUE JOINT CAMPAIGN OF IDEAS

State Senator Clifton Below, 43, (D-Lebanon) has filed for re-election in Senate District 5.  Below is completing his first term in the Senate after serving 6 years in the NH House of Representatives.  He faces a challenge from former Sen. Jim Rubens who gave up the seat in a losing bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination 2 years ago.

“I have worked hard for positive solutions that will enhance justice and prosperity for all of the citizens of New Hampshire.  We have made real progress on some important issues but there is more to be done, especially with regard to funding public education.  I hope the voters will return me to Concord so I can help craft a durable and just plan for funding high quality education – the key to our future prosperity,” said Below.

Below chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee, is Vice-Chair of the Energy and Economic Development Committee and serves on the Finance, Environment, and Transportation Committees.  He also Co-Chairs, with Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro), the joint Electric Utility Restructuring Oversight Committee.   

“I’ve been a leader in the fight to reduce electric rates, for environmental improvement, for fairer taxes, for responsible budgeting, and for campaign finance reform,” said Below.  Recently enacted laws sponsored by Sen. Below include electric rate reduction legislation that will finally cut PSNH rates; and the establishment of the NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, to help preserve special places and open space.

Below was a sponsor of the flat rate income tax plan that would replace the property tax as the primary source of funding for public education.  Below also sponsored a constitutional amendment that would have dedicated an income tax to public education.  It passed the Senate but failed in the House. 

Sen. Below was the prime sponsor of the clean elections bill to establish a framework for public funding of campaigns as an alternative to special interest money in state races for Governor, Executive Council and Senate.  Below’s challenger, Jim Rubens, worked with him in support of the bill that passed the Senate but fell short in the House.  Below also sponsored a bill to re-establish New Hampshire’s 89 year old ban on corporate campaign contributions after the old flawed law was struck down in federal court.  The bill died after the House refused to back down on controversial amendments.  Below said he will reject corporate contributions. 

JOINT CAMPAIGN OF IDEAS PROPOSED

“I will not only join my opponent to insist that our political parties refrain from any independent or ‘soft money’ expenditures in our race, but I further invite Jim to join me in a unique ‘joint campaign of ideas’” said Below.   “I hope Jim Rubens will join with me to move a step higher toward a more civil, clean and informative campaign.  I propose that we conduct a  joint campaign in which we campaign together in each of the 17 towns in Senate District 5.  We can have joint forums that offer a meaningful exchange of ideas, not just between us, but most importantly, with the voters.   I propose that we each commit half of our campaign budgets to the joint campaign.  Joint mailings and advertising would put our ideas and positions side by side for the voters to compare,” said Below.  “Such a positive joint campaign will bring out the best in democracy and that’s what our voters deserve.”