The state Senate thinks it can clean up political campaigns by letting candidates spend unlimited amounts of money. The state now has donation limits and spending limits on political candidates. But there are no limits on those shadowy independent committees that can raise unlimited amounts of money, say all kinds of things, and never have to reveal the source of their funds. The Senate has voted to take limits off of candidates, because they have to tell the public who’s giving them money and to put strict limits on those independent committees. Sponsor Tim Green (D-Spanish Lake) tells Senate leader Michael Gibbons (R-Kirkwood) the move might bring some civility back to campaign advertising. Present law keeps candidates from learning who finance their most strident attackers. Green thinks his plan will shine the light on the big-money special interests by forcing them to give to the candidates directly.
