Campaign subsidy checks for legislators are coming in the mail next week

The state next Tuesday will cut checks to Minnesota legislative candidates participating in the public campaign subsidy program.

Candidates who agree to abide by spending limits qualify for the subsidies that are derived from the state’s income tax checkoff program. The base spending limit for 2010 is $64,500 for Senate candidates and $32,500 for House candidates.

House candidates who qualify need to raise $1,500 and Senate candidates need to get $3,000 from donors. Contributions of $50 or less in the last two years count toward meeting the threshold. In other words, Senate candidates need to get 60 contributions from different contributors at the $50 dollar amount to qualify.

The state Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board is scouring legislators’ fundraising information to make sure they meet the requirements to receive the subsidies. Some campaigns may need further review after Tuesday to determine if they have met all the public subsidy requirements, according to CFPD Executive Director Gary Goldsmith. Those checks will be cut if the review determines them eligible, Goldsmith said.