Gov. candidates Hulshof, Nixon split on repealing donation limits

~ This is the second time that lawmakers are pursuing a repeal of Missouri's contribution limits

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Two of Missouri's leading gubernatorial candidates are staking opposite positions on the proposed repeal of the state's campaign contribution limits.

The Senate voted 24-9 Thursday for legislation repealing donation limits. That sends the bill to the House.

If passed there and signed by Gov. Matt Blunt, the legislation would allow candidates for governor, the legislature and other offices to begin accepting unlimited large checks beginning Aug. 28. That could pump big money into Missouri politics just weeks before the November elections.

Republican U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof told reporters he hadn't thought about the fact that his gubernatorial campaign could benefit from a boost in unlimited donations. He has been working under the assumption the limits will remain in place, Hulshof said.

"I would sign the bill if the bill landed on my desk," Hulshof told media gathered for the annual Associated Press and Missouri Press Association Day at the Capitol. "But I would also like to have some additional disclosure items included."

The legislation that cleared the Senate does increase public disclosure for some donations. It would require contributions of $5,000 or larger to be reported within 48 hours of receipt, instead of waiting for the next regularly scheduled campaign finance filing.

Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon, who also is running for governor, said he supports campaign contribution limits and was "deeply disappointed" the Senate had voted to repeal them.

"I don't think it's in the best interest of our democracy," Nixon told media at the Capitol event. "Let's not kid ourselves: It's an incumbent protection act."

Republican State Treasurer Sarah Steelman also is running for governor and was invited to speak to the media at the Capitol, but her staff said she was unable to make it to Jefferson City from her home in Rolla because of slick roads.

This is the second time that lawmakers are pursuing a repeal of Missouri's contribution limits. Blunt signed a bill repealing them in 2006, which Nixon also opposed. But the Missouri Supreme Court reinstated the limits last summer, striking down the repeal because of the way the legislation was crafted.

Critics of the contribution limits, which were first enacted in 1994, note they haven't reduced donations in politics but have made it more difficult to follow the money. To get around the limits, some wealthy contributors now channel their money to candidates in smaller increments through numerous different political party or special interest groups.

But those who want to keep the limits in place contend that allowing large donations only increases the perception -- or worse yet, the real chance -- that politicians can essentially be bought by the highest bidders.

Blunt, who announced Jan. 22 that he will not seek re-election, said he is "pretty ambivalent" about whether the contribution limits should stay or go. He said he supported the limits when he served in the House. But he indicated he may again sign legislation repealing the limits, if legislators send him such a bill.

"Historically, I've been an active proponent of these limits," Blunt said. "I am just becoming more convinced all the time that they don't work."

As initially approved Wednesday by senators, the repeal of the contribution limits would have taken effect immediately upon Blunt's signature. But during the Senate's required second vote Thursday, the clause to bump up the bill's effective date fell two votes short of the two-thirds majority needed for approval. As a result, the legislation would take effect Aug. 28, Missouri's standard start date for new laws.

The bill passed the Senate with the support of 19 of the 20 Republicans and five the 13 Democrats who were present. But House Minority Leader Paul LeVota, of Independence, pledged that Democrats would mount a vigorous opposition to the bill in that chamber.

"I don't buy the argument that you have to have no limits to have transparency" in campaign contributions, LeVota said.

The campaign finance bill is SB1038.