Democracy Commission Unanimously Reccommends Campaign Contribution Limits

11.07.2009 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW news) The Commission on Strengthening Utah’s Democracy unanimously approved a list of recommendations for Governor Gary Herbert’s consideration Thursday. Many of them also will be introduced as bills during next legislative session. Commission Chairman Kirk Jowers says the process was an incredible breakthrough in Utah politics.

“I think it exceeded all expectations. Certainly no one predicted we would get through a campaign contribution law. It’d be the first time in the history of Utah that we would do that. It brings us from a real outlier to clearly in the pack in the country on regulating contribution limits,” Jowers told KCPW.

The commission recommended capping campaign contribution limits at $5,000 for legislative candidates and $10,000 for statewide campaigns per two-year election cycle.  It would apply to contributions from individuals, PACs, unions and businesses.  Additionally, the group approved an election and lobbyist enforcement commission comprising three former judges to investigate complaints for the Lieutenant Governor’s office.

Commission member Dave Hansen, who’s also Chairman of the Utah GOP, says he normally doesn’t support campaign finance caps. But he voted in favor of the recommendations yesterday.

“It’s an important enough issue that it deserves as full as possible discussion by the public and our elected officials. And that’s as much as anything why I supported the recommendation yesterday is: Let’s continue to discuss it,” sadi Hansen. 

However, in order for these recommendations to become law, the commission will need Governor Gary Herbert’s support. And Herbert says he is opposed to campaign contribution limits.