In Minnesota we have a program where contributions can be made to eligible candidates and have this amount refunded by the state of Minnesota. The maximum annual refund is $50 per individual or $100 per married couple. If given to a specific candidate there is no requirement that the candidate be from the district where the Minnesota adult citizen resides. (A few years ago I donated to a candidate that was trying to stop a then proposed Bloomington amphitheater project.)
The details need to be worked out but but this program but this program can be a a useful way to support legislators who support revision of the so called "freedom to Breath act to accommodate VFW's, Eagles Clubs and bars, especially outstate and "ma and pa" and "working class" or "blue collar" bars that have traditionally had a large smoking clientele.
The program does work. I have used it perhaps half a dozen times and always received my $50 reimbursement in four to six weeks. Thus, the ultimate cost is use of the $50 to $100 for four to six weeks and the cost of a stamp (it is good to photocopy everything so that might bring the cost up to one-dollar (big deal!)
From my experience, when I donated to the to the Minnesota Republican Party they always ended up calling asking for further donations even though I specifically stated that would be my only donation that year and I didn't want further calls. Some of my friends who donated to the Minnesota Democratic Party had the same experience with further telemarketer requests for more donations. For this reason it may be prudent to avoid this donation to either political party. My experience is that with individual candidates this does not occur.
Legislators of both Minnesota political parties have been for or against the bar smoking ban so this seems an unwise way to target this annual donation. Instead it might be better targeted to legislators who support revisions to the so-called "Freedom To Breath" act".
This might take a little time (we have plenty before the election) but this can be a way for those who support revision of the so-called "Freedom to breath act" to support the legislators who are supportive of the effort. Details later but this can be a good "grass roots" effort, especially for people and bars that support the effort but do not want to face legal jeopardy. Here is an informational link provide by the Tavern League of Minnesota
http://www.tavernleaguemn.org/PCR.htm
More details later. Greg Lang
