Lawmakers vote to repeal contribution limits

~ The bill also bars party committees from contributing money to candidates.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- People could contribute as much as they want to candidates under legislation sent to the governor Thursday night.

The broad campaign finance bill repeals a Missouri law limiting individual contributions. Supporters say the change will end the money shuffling from one political committee to another and result in money going directly to candidates, making it easier for the public to track.

Sen. Tim Green, D-St. Louis, who proposed removing the campaign contribution limits, said the current system hasn't kept money out of politics.

"Special interests is dictating, money is influencing, and it's sick," he said. "It's completely wrong and it's sick. But we can't stop it, so why don't we let the people know who's shuffling the money in? If they assume somebody's buying government, just let them know who is the purchaser."

The bill removes limits on individual campaign contributions but also bars party committees, including the state parties, from contributing money to candidates.

But other Democrats said removing the limits goes against voters' wishes.

In 1994, Missourians voted to limit contributions to House, Senate and statewide candidates. When the measure was tossed out by the courts, higher limits passed that same year by legislators kicked in.

"We are breaking the trust of the people of the state of Missouri," said Rep. Paul LeVota, D-Independence. "It does nothing to resolve the ethical problems in this state, it does nothing to restore the confidence in our government."

In the middle of House debate on the ethics bill, LeVota announced to fellow lawmakers that dinner -- which was paid for by lobbyists -- was available behind the chamber.

The House passed the bill 88-67, followed by a 28-5 vote in the Senate, so the measure heads to the governor's desk.

If the governor signs the bill, Missouri would be unusual nationally. According to the National Council of State Legislatures, 37 states limit campaign contributions by individuals, as of last fall, though the amount varies widely.

This year, contributors to candidates for Missouri statewide offices are limited to $1,275 per election; the limit is $650 for state Senate candidates and $325 for state House candidates. However, less than half of states limit contributions from parties to candidates.

Democrats also complained that party committees could make vast in-kind contributions, so the money would just be redirected.

"This bill is just creating a system that will be as difficult as it is today to follow the money," said Rep. Margaret Donnelly, D-St. Louis. "We haven't created transparency, we've just expanded the pot of money that would be abused."

But others said the change is a step in the right direction.

"Let's just be honest with the folks back home and say here's where it comes from," said Rep. Bob Johnson, R-Lee's Summit. "We're making some headway in reducing the laundering of campaign money."

The measure also makes other changes, including barring out-of-state travel and lodging without prior approval and requiring disclosure of more details about lobbyist-supplied entertainment, such as when and where the event was.

The bill also bars candidates for the House, Senate or statewide office -- lawmakers or challengers -- from accepting campaign contributions during the legislative session.

The legislation also allows only majority and minority party caucuses in the Legislature. In the current system, lobbyists can provide a meal for one of dozens of common-interest caucuses and not have to report which individual lawmakers were involved.

The version that passed represented a compromise among the House and Senate, both of which are led by Republicans. Some Democrats criticized the bill for no longer including a provision that would have barred lawmakers or statewide elected officials from working for a firm whose exclusive work is lobbying. House and Senate Democrats tried but failed to return to negotiations. The legislative session ends at 6 p.m. Friday.

"By taking that out we're sending a message that it's OK," said Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, who sponsored the provision.

House Speaker Pro Tem Carl Bearden, R-St. Charles, works for DK Government Solutions, a lobbying firm run by a former lawmaker, though he has said he focuses on county, not state, government matters.

---

Campaign finance bill is HB1900.

On the Net:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov