BLUNT PROPOSES PLAN TO IMPROVE CAMPAIGNS

Missouri Secretary of State Roy Blunt Wednesday proposed a five-point reform package he said will give the people greater control over the elections process.

The plan, which he calls the "Citizens Empowerment Act of 1992," would increase voter control by limiting campaign contributions, the power of political action committees and political consultants, and limit the potential for use of misleading campaign tactics.

"It's time to put voters back in control of the political process, which clearly is out of control," declared Blunt, the state's chief election official. "Voters across this state and across this country are sending the message that they want the system to change. This is not a skirmish between the voters and government leaders, this is clearly a call by the electorate for a revolution in the way government works, or as is too often the case, fails to work."

The proposals will be introduced in the 1992 session of the General Assembly. He was accompanied by Paul Bloch, director of elections, at a series of press conferences around the state.

One of the most controversial provisions of his plan would be to limit the amount of money that candidates can receive from political action committees.

Blunt declared that PACs have become an "incumbent protection plan" and supports legislation to limit PAC money to no more than 10 percent of total contributions. A recent report prepared by Blunt's office showed that incumbents receive 43 percent of their contributions from PACs, while challengers get 11 only percent.

Since this legislation will have to be passed by legislators who benefit from PACs, Blunt admitted the 10 percent limit might be an uphill battle. However, he noted that the U.S. House this month passed a bill that would limit PAC contributions in federal elections to 33 percent of the total contributions.

"Thirty-three percent is a long way from 10 percent, but it shows some national movement in this direction," Blunt declared.

Blunt is also calling for limiting individual campaign contributions per election. He proposes limiting contributions in the governor's race to $5,000; to $3,000 for statewide offices; $1,000 for offices representing more than 100,000 people; and $500 for offices representing under 100,000 people. There would be a limit of $10,000 for statewide initiatives.

He stressed the limits are "reasonable enough" so that candidates can raise enough money to wage a campaign, yet low enough so there is not a huge gap between a candidate's larger contributors and smaller contributors.

Blunt said he only wants to limit contributions, rather than the amount spent in campaigns. Courts have ruled it is unconstitutional to limit how much can be spent, so as an inducement to comply with spending limits, some form of public financing is needed.

Blunt opposes public financing.

"It doesn't matter if you have a million dollars from a million people, but if you receive a half million dollars from one PAC or individual that is something to be concerned about."

The other components of Blunt's plan include: eliminating the practice of allowing candidates to have multiple campaign committees; requiring greater reporting by campaign consultants, including disclosure of where all campaign funds are being spent; and changing current state law to prohibit expenditures of public funds for the support or opposition of issues voted on by the public.

Multiple campaign committees was at the heart of misconduct allegations in the Kansas City mayoral election last February, Blunt explained. This practice enables candidates to funnel contributes from one committee to another; Blunt proposes limiting candidates to only one committee.

"There is no legitimate reason for multiple campaign committees," he noted.

Requiring more reporting by consultants is important because it would designate where campaign money is being spent. In the April school board elections in St. Louis, Blunt pointed out that one consultant received a lump sum payment from candidates for the school board and that was the only expenditure listed on the finance report.

Blunt said his proposals are timely and believes state legislators will give them serious consideration next year. "Legislators and state officials are keenly aware of the people's distrust of government in our state and people are tired of politics as usual, tired of business as usual" he declared. "They are demanding alternatives, even to the point of getting rid of all incumbents."

The key to easing some of the public's frustration is by providing a way "to level the playing field" for incumbents and challengers. His plan does that, Blunt said.