Minn. pays $1.9M in subsidies in legislative races

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Democratic legislative candidates are getting more campaign subsidies this year, thanks in part to Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton's decision to forego the subsidy two years ago.

The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board said Tuesday it distributed $1.9 million to 348 legislative candidates who agreed to voluntary spending limits. The money comes from a check-off on tax forms and a $1 million state appropriation.

Democrats are getting almost $1.2 million, compared to $693,000 for Republicans and about $9,000 for Independence Party candidates.

Board Director Gary Goldsmith says Democratic legislative candidates are sharing a $274,000 subsidy Dayton left unused in 2010, when Republican opponent Tom Emmer took the subsidy. Goldsmith says the tax check-off also usually funnels more to Democrats than Republicans.

Republican control of both legislative chambers is on the line in November.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.