PARTIES DISAGREE ON REFORM

JEFFERSON CITY -- While the General Assembly appears intent on enacting campaign finance reforms this session, the state senator from Cape Girardeau has reservations about such legislation.

Sen. Peter Kinder said this movement could adversely affect the political process and possibly be unconstitutional.

The man directing reform legislation in the Senate, Wayne Goode, D-Normandy, says the measure is aimed at bringing the financing of campaigns under control.

Sens. Kinder and Goode were panelists at a Capitol discussion Monday during an Associated Press-sponsored Day In The Legislature.

Also on the panel was former state treasurer James Spainhower, who represented Missourians for Fair Elections. Missourians for Fair Elections is promoting a statewide initiative petition designed to send campaign finance reform to a public vote. Others involved in the organizations are Roy Blunt, former Missouri secretary of state, and Sandy McClure of the Ross Perot-inspired United We Stand-Missouri.

Kinder maintained that financial disclosure statements are the key to controlling money in politics and that Missouri has effective disclosure laws on the books.

He balked at reform efforts to limit the involvement of political action committees, so-called PACs. The Cape Girardeau Republican cited irony of such a movement, noting that the creation of PACs was a campaign reform in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal during the 1970s.

According to Kinder, PACs merely allow citizens to "pool their individual voices to affect the political processes."

Spainhower disagreed, saying the political action committees have come to wield too much influence on office holders. "The PACs have gotten out of hand, and we think they need to be reined in."

In raising "free-speech" concerns about campaign finance reforms, Kinder cited a 1976 U.S. Supreme Court case, Buckley vs. Valeo. In the Buckley decision, the senator said, the court took the approach of more freedom of speech, not less. Placing limits on spending effectively places limits on a candidate's ability to communication a message, Kinder added.

Such a development could "lock in incumbency," said the 27th District senator, giving an advantage to candidates with higher name recognition, usually current officeholders.

Citing his own campaign in 1992, Kinder said first-time candidates must have the opportunity to raise whatever money is needed to get their name known. "Shoe leather only takes you so far," he insisted.

Goode, who joined the panel discussion late because of Senate floor discussion of his legislation, discounted this argument, saying there are probably more cases where an incumbent has a greater capacity to raise funds, meaning the limits would level the playing field for their opponents.

While not objecting to raising the current contribution limits, Spainhower maintained, "I think we spend way too much on political campaigns."

By allowing candidates less money to work with, Kinder said the reform movement would increase the likelihood of negative campaign advertising, something he contends most people are tired of.

"(A candidate) would have to be that much more efficient in tearing down his opponent instead of building himself up," said the Cape Girardean.

Goode said an important provision of his legislation, Senate Bill 650, requires candidate approval of advertising that aims criticism or allegations at opponents.

The senator from Normandy said his bill has been given probably a higher priority because of the petition process initiated by Missourians for Fair Elections. Spainhower said the petitions would continue to be circulated until a reform bill is signed by the governor. If the measure fails to pass muster with his organization, Spainhower said, the initiative effort will continue.