Campaign finance rules head to governor's desk

The bill requires disclosure of all money raised in the political process.
STAFF/WIRE REPORTS
COLUMBUS -- Campaign contribution limits would quadruple to $10,000 and county parties' campaign funds, criticized as a way to hide money, would be restricted but not eliminated under a bill lawmakers passed Friday and sent to Gov. Bob Taft.
The GOP-controlled Senate approved the bill 20-10 along partisan lines after a sharply divided debate lasting more than three hours in the first special session in Ohio in 30 years.
The Republican-controlled House agreed with changes made by the Senate a few minutes later.
House Democrats, who complained for days the bill might not be constitutional, filed a protest with the House clerk afterward saying the legislation weakens the free speech rights of less wealthy donors. The protest was a formality not expected to stop the bill.
Complaint of Democrats
Democrats said the bill ignored a fund-raising scandal that helped highlight the use of county party funds to hide contributions to statewide candidates.
Democrats wanted the funds to be eliminated; Republicans restricted them by requiring that only residents of a county could contribute to such a fund.
The scandal has led to ongoing federal investigations of fund-raising practices by consultants to House Speaker Larry Householder and doomed a bid for Senate president by Sen. Jeff Jacobson, a suburban Dayton Republican who is helping shepherd the campaign finance bill.
Sen. Randy Gardner of Bowling Green, the legislation's Republican sponsor, called the bill "positive, significant and progressive legislation."
But Democratic Sen. Robert Hagan of Youngstown labeled it "a tragedy of a mockery of a sham." Democrats said the bill favors the wealthy by increasing donations while narrowing the ability of unions to contribute to campaigns.
Sen. Eric Fingerhut, a Cleveland Democrat, called the bill the worst piece of legislation he'd seen as a lawmaker.
Senate Republicans rejected a number of changes proposed by Democrats, including an attempt to restore a fund used by unions to funnel dues to political activity.
Senators tabled an amendment offered by State Sen. Marc Dann of Liberty to reduce contribution limits to $2,000.
Taft, a Republican, will sign the bill because it discloses all money raised in the political process, spokesman Orest Holubec said. Taft called the special session after the Senate adjourned its regular session without taking up the legislation.
Among its provisions, the bill:
*Raises the contribution limits from individuals to political candidates from the current $2,500 to $10,000.
*Bans third-party ads funded by unions and businesses 30 days before elections.
*Raises the amount of money political action committees can donate to $10,000, up from $5,000.
Senate President Doug White, a southern Ohio Republican presiding over his last session before leaving because of term limits, said he didn't mind the partisan debate.
"I'd have loved everybody hugging and kissing, but this is a free, Democratic society. We're big boys and girls here," he said. "I'm proud we have a room and a building and a country [where] this debate takes place."
White noted that his brother, Malcolm, a Baptist minister who opened Friday's session with a prayer, is a liberal Democrat.
"He and I disagree in these same veins at every family function," White said. "And I love him to death and will never, never tromp on his right to say what he has to say."