Senate Votes 28-0 for New Limits on Campaign Contributions
Vermont’s state Senate voted unanimously in favor of new limits on campaign contributions today signaling strong bi-partisan support for the legislation that will soon move to the House for consideration.
Jeanette White (D-Windham), chair of the Senate Government Operation Committee, reported the bill to her colleagues. She outlined key provisions including the new caps on what individuals may give to candidates, aggregate limits on the political donations that may be given by individuals or corporations, and new limits on the amount of cash that political parties can dole out to candidates.
Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin (D-Windham) spoke passionately about his dismay over the current state of political spending and the corrupting influence of special interest money in campaigns. He specifically noted the influence that the pharmaceutical industry has had over legislative proposals in Washington and right here in Vermont.
In response, Senator Diane Snelling (R-Chittenden) said that she did not believe that money has corrupted politics in Vermont. Nevertheless, she voted for the bill.
Senator George Coppenrath (R-Caledonia) explained his vote for the legislation by stating that “I voted for the bill because I knew it was going to pass.” He had reservations about it, however. He suggested that it was a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.
Unfortunately, Sen. Coppenrath missed much of the discussion about the bill that took place in his committee because he was on vacation in Europe when the testimony and discussion took place.
Bottom line – this is a good bill, but it’s only half a loaf. VPIRG will be pushing the Senate to take up public financing of elections later this year so that Vermont can regain its position as a national leader in protecting the integrity and fairness of our elections system.
- Paul Burns
March 27, 2007
Jeanette White (D-Windham), chair of the Senate Government Operation Committee, reported the bill to her colleagues. She outlined key provisions including the new caps on what individuals may give to candidates, aggregate limits on the political donations that may be given by individuals or corporations, and new limits on the amount of cash that political parties can dole out to candidates.
Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin (D-Windham) spoke passionately about his dismay over the current state of political spending and the corrupting influence of special interest money in campaigns. He specifically noted the influence that the pharmaceutical industry has had over legislative proposals in Washington and right here in Vermont.
In response, Senator Diane Snelling (R-Chittenden) said that she did not believe that money has corrupted politics in Vermont. Nevertheless, she voted for the bill.
Senator George Coppenrath (R-Caledonia) explained his vote for the legislation by stating that “I voted for the bill because I knew it was going to pass.” He had reservations about it, however. He suggested that it was a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.
Unfortunately, Sen. Coppenrath missed much of the discussion about the bill that took place in his committee because he was on vacation in Europe when the testimony and discussion took place.
Bottom line – this is a good bill, but it’s only half a loaf. VPIRG will be pushing the Senate to take up public financing of elections later this year so that Vermont can regain its position as a national leader in protecting the integrity and fairness of our elections system.
- Paul Burns
March 27, 2007
Labels: campaign finance, democracy, legislation
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