DENVER—A proposed overhaul of campaign finance rules by Colorado’s secretary of state has drawn criticism from groups that maintain he’s trying to open the door for big money to influence elections.
Scott Gessler said his changes were intended to clarify some of the rules and reflect new case law, but critics claim he’s trying to further his Republican agenda.
Gessler, who used to work for Republicans as a campaign-finance attorney, disagreed.
“I’m trying to change the status quo,” he told The Denver Post () in a story Thursday. “They’re extremely hostile to that because they like the way things are now.”
A public hearing on the proposed rules is set for Dec. 15.
The newspaper said one of the new rules would limit the total fine for filing a late or incomplete campaign-finance report. Gessler said that under the current rule, some groups rack up fines they can’t realistically pay. He’s proposing limiting the fine to $9,000, or $50 a day for up to 180 days.
Other proposed changes include keeping a $5,000 disclosure threshold for political issue committees, instead of the $200 threshold placed in the Colorado Constitution by voters in 2002. A judge ruled against Gessler in that matter but he’s appealing, saying the $200 threshold was found to be unconstitutional by an appeals court.
Another proposed rule would require so-called “527 groups” to cap the contributions they accept from anyone to $500 every two years, but only if the group expressly advocates for a candidate.
That means the group would have to use certain words in ads urging people to vote one way or another. Those against the proposed change say groups could be allowed to collect unlimited amounts of money.
The Colorado Supreme Court is reviewing the arguments on the 527 rule.
“Secretary Gessler has made no secret of his disdain for campaign-finance regulation,” said Martha Tierney, a campaign-finance attorney who has represented Democrats.
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Information from: The Denver Post,
