Md. Lawmakers Pass Public Campaign Finance Bill

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland General Assembly has approved a bill to bring back a voluntary check off on individual income tax returns for public campaign financing for governor.

The House agreed with changes made by the Senate Monday night on a 102-36 vote.

The original check off was repealed in 2010.

Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who became the first Maryland candidate to win the governor's race using public campaign financing, proposed restoring the check off. Former Del. Heather Mizeur, who lost the Democratic primary for governor, also used public campaign financing last year.

The fund had not been used since 1994. Last year's election drained the fund down to about $1.1 million.

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