NC Taxpayers Helped Fund the NCDP Party Sexual Harassment Hush Payment

Political Parties in NC get taxpayer money. If as reported, the NC Democratic Party (NCDP) and Chairman David Parker paid a “settlement” to a former staffer to cover up an allegation of sexual harassment, some of that money probably came from the check-off money the state gave to the NCDP (over $331,000 in 2011). Money is fungible so if not given directly it allowed other money to be given and replaced with state money.

There will be those who argue that the “check-off” funds are voluntary and that the money is not really taxpayer money. If that money is not sent to the NCDP and the other parties is it available for other uses like prisons, education and parks? Yes it is, so therefore it is part of the general fund and is taxpayer money. Also the collection, administration and disbursement of the “NC Political Parties Financing Fund” cost the state money. This further subsidizes the political parties using general fund money.

There is a touch of irony here as the staffer in question back in March 2011 actually posted a blog explaining how the check-off funds work and urging people to designate the NCDP as the beneficiary. He also says in his post that the money comes from the General Fund.

The funding of political parties by the state should end and this is just one more reason why. I do not want my tax money going to support political parties, even those I might agree with, I definitely don’t want my tax dollars going to cover up sexual harassment charges!