Greens only have two more weeks to make their 2007 refundable gift to the Green Party, according to Green Party of Minnesota Finance Chair Nancy Brown.

The State of Minnesota’s Political Contribution Refund Program (PCRP) fully refunds up to $50 annually for an individual or $100 for a couple.

“This program was created to provide public financing for our political process, something many of us strongly support,” she says. “Yet most people are surprised to learn that this program exists.”

In 2006, Minnesotans claimed refunds for more than 19,000 gifts given to Minnesota DFL parties and more than 35,600 gifts given to Republican parties, but only 214 gifts given to Green parties.

“Once a year, every citizen is empowered to donate to a political party or candidate at absolutely no cost to them. If everyone who believed we need to build an alternative to the two corporate parties gave their $50 annual refundable gift to the Green Party of Minnesota or a Green Party local, we’d have enormous capacity to grow,” Brown says.

Brown says that the Green Party’s refusal to accept corporate cash means the party relies heavily on individual gifts to fund day-to-day operations.

Claiming the refund is easy, Brown says. Anyone who makes a donation to the Green Party, whether online or by mail, is automatically mailed a receipt and brief form to send to the State of Minnesota. As soon as the State receives the completed form, it issues a refund check to the donor.

“I’d encourage everyone who believes in Green values to rush their 2007 refundable gift to the Green Party of Minnesota or a Green Party local within the next two weeks. Show your support for public financing of politics and take advantage of this important program yet this year.”

(Donate online to the Green Party of Minnesota at www.mngreens.org/donate or read more about Minnesota’s Political Contribution Refund Program and see the application form at http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/forms/pcr_07.pdf )