Buoyed by the success of a program for appellate court candidates, campaign reform advocates urged lawmakers Wednesday to approve a similar voluntary public finance pilot for four legislative races in 2008.

Under the bill recommended by the House, candidates in the races who agree to fundraising restrictions from outside contributors would qualify to receive $50,000 to run for a House seat and $75,000 for a Senate seat. Additional "rescue funds" would be available to a qualifying candidate when an outside group or nonparticipating candidate start outspending the candidate.

Twelve of the 16 candidates for the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals qualified for the voluntary public financing program in 2004. Now it's time to try the concept in legislative elections to attempt to reduce the costs of election campaigns and the influence of special interests, according to speakers at a news conference.

"We believe or campaign finance system is fundamentally flawed," said Beth Messersmith, president of N.C. Voters for Clean Elections. The bill, she added, is "small next step just to see that it works in North Carolina."

The measure wouldn't require state funds in the coming year. It would only set up the pilot. Candidates could volunteer to participate. The majority and minority leaders in each chamber would select the designated districts to the State Board of Elections by Aug. 1, 2007.

The appellate court program, approved in 2002, generates money from lawyers' fees and a $3 checkoff on individual income tax forms.