The Maryland House of Delegates yesterday approved bill, by a 79 to 56 vote, to provide full public financing for candidates for legislative office in that state, reports the Baltimore Sun The law would take effect for the 2010 elections. There is a similar bill pending in the Senate, but it is not clear if the bill will make progress before the close of the session on Monday, April 10. To be eligible for the program, candidates would raise seed money from contributors in their districts, and agree to limit spending to a maximum of $100,000 for the primary and general elections for Senate and $80,000 for the House of Delegates. If opponents finance their own campaigns, then program participants would be permitted to spend twice the limits. Progressive Maryland and Maryland Common Cause have been taking the in-state lead on raising grassroots support for the legislation.