Disappeared News

State Senator Colleen Hanabusa and Speaker Calvin Say have introduced bills to blow the caps off of corporate contributions to legislator's campaigns.

Do you think this is a good idea? Of course not. Money is power. Money is influence. Money buys the minds and hearts of lawmakers. Campaign contributions are an investment for which corporations expect (and get) a return. They're not philanthropists, they're investors.

The House bill, HB2455, is being heard  2 p.m. Tuesday, and the Senate bill, SB3141, will be heard on Wednesday.

Please consider submitting testimony in opposition. Right now the contribution limit is $1,000, but these bills would eliminate this cap. That's not good for us ordinary citizens, who can't match corporate deep pockets. Hey, it's supposed to be our government, not theirs.

Speaking of money in politics, I thought you'd enjoy this:

DEMS NOW DARLINGS OF BIG MONEY

JUSTIN ROOD, ABC - For the last several years, corporate money groups gave Congressional Republicans two dollars for every buck it handed to Democrats.  But since the Democrats took over the House and Senate in 2006, Big Business has been more equitable with its handouts, according to Roll Call newspaper. Last year, Dems harvested money from corporate PACs at a downright Republican rate, according to an independent Campaign Finance Institute analysis cited by the paper.  In 2007, Dems pocketed nearly $30 million from the corporate groups, compared to roughly $32 million taken by GOP candidates and committees.

Anonymous insiders tell the paper Dems are likely to be tickled by their new shower of corporate cash.  "They're usually happy if they can get it to 50/50," says one.  They would probably like even more, the source said, but they probably don't think they're "entitled" to that much.
[http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/]

It's easier than ever to submit testimony. Please check the bottom of the House and Senate hearing notices for where to send your email.