Divided House Forwards Campaign Bill To Senate

HARTFORD, CT — The House passed a bill Thursday on a 79-70, party line vote that would change campaign laws and could set the state up for a constitutional challenge.

The bill would limit to $70,000 the amount of money individuals, corporations, or organizations could give to independent expenditure groups participating in Connecticut’s elections. It would also prohibit foreign nationals from making contributions and require a greater degree of disclosure on the part of individuals and corporations, including shareholders, making those donations.

In an effort to avoid a constitutional challenge, the bill doesn’t limit the amount of spending those Super PACs or independent expenditure groups can do in favor of or against a candidate.

The bill also requires the governing board, if any, of an organization planning to spend more than $10,000 on a campaign to vote on that “campaign-related disbursement” and to make that information available on its website within 48 hours. The bill also asks for more information about the individuals making contributions and more information about the shareholders.

Read more: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/divided_house_forwards_campaign_bill_to_senate/