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House GOP leader dismayed by
double-standard in election bills
House Republican Leader
Richard DeBolt said the Democrat-controlled Legislature is showing
schizophrenic tendencies in the campaign finance reforms they’ve
introduced and adopted. Democrat-sponsored
House Bill 1189 passed the House of Representatives Wednesday,
59-36. The bill would treat two limited liability companies as one
entity for the purposes of campaign contributions if the companies share
two or more principals.
DeBolt said the legislation is a curious effort since just two
years ago Democrats adopted an entirely opposite bill that lifted
campaign limits for labor groups by allowing affiliated union locals to
have separate contribution caps.
“The net effect of the Legislation we’ve passed is that business
entities would face more restrictive campaign limits while unions have
been given statutory authority to spend more freely on political
candidates,” said DeBolt.
“The same majority party that controlled the Legislature two years ago
has performed an about-face on campaign finance reform. The only
difference is who is doing the giving. The Legislature should not be
picking winners and losers in the political process,” said DeBolt.
“House
Bill 1189 not only infringes on political speech, it creates an
uneven playing field among different groups who participate in the
campaign process.”
DeBolt said the instances of affiliated business entities
contributing toward a single political candidate have not had a
significant impact on campaigns, and the practice is notable in only one
suburban community.
House Bill 1189 now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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