State Senator David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) thinks Missourians will overwhelmingly support in November a proposal that would limit campaign contributions. He’s disappointed a similar measure he sponsored this year did not pass in the legislature.
“We desperately need that in the state of Missouri and I tried for years to get that done. I do think these unlimited campaign contributions have been bad for politics. I think it pollutes the system,” says Pearce. “This experiment that we started back in 2009 is not working by having unlimited campaign contributions.”
The measure that will be on the general election ballot would cap donations for individual candidates to $2,600 and to $25,000 for political parties. If it passes, the restrictions would begin next year.
Opponents of the proposal say there’s more transparency without campaign finance laws.
Another measure near and dear to Pearce’s heart is one that would ban texting while driving. Pearce is disappointed that his legislation did not pass this year that would ban texting while driving.
“It’s extremely dangerous. It kills. It is something that Missouri is only one of four states that doesn’t have banned texting while driving,” says Pearce. “I wish I could’ve got that done but sometimes it’s just not time.”
Due to term limits, Pearce, 56, is serving his final year in the State Senate. He’s eligible to serve one more term in the House.
