Campaign Finance Reform Bill
Advances in State House
A high impact government reform initiative took its first major step toward enactment today when the House State Government Committee unanimously passed HB-2162, Rep. Babette Josephs’ campaign contribution limits bill. "This is a very promising sign” said Common Cause/PA Executive Director, Barry Kauffman. “Everyone on capitol hill knows that campaign contributions drive much, if not most, of what happens in the capitol. To see Democrats and Republicans unite behind a bill that would have a major impact on reducing the influence of special interest campaign money is refreshing. Hopefully this is sign that lawmakers of both parties are getting serious about cleaning up state and local government in Pennsylvania.” With Illinois and New Mexico passing contribution limits in 2009, Pennsylvania now is just one of only eleven states that still permit individuals and special interest political action committees to contribute unlimited amounts of money to political candidates. Under c...