RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina municipalities could help local candidates run for election with taxpayer money under a proposal working through the General Assembly.

A House legal affairs committee on Thursday approved the bill to allow more towns and cities to participate in a voluntary public financing program. Chapel Hill is now the only town authorized to have a program for taxpayer financing in local elections.

The measure still must be approved by the full House and Senate.

Democratic Rep. Earl Jones of Guilford County says the plan could help reduce the effect of big-money contributions in races to which few people donate or take notice.

Republican Rep. Tim Moore of Cleveland County says it’s a poor use of taxpayer money.