Litigation

New Campaign Finance Rules Sought in PA

By Peter Hardin

Some state legislators are proposing changes to Pennsylvania’s campaign finance rules, and last year’s high-dollar state Supreme Court race is one of the recent elections getting attention in the debate.

There are ways that a judicial contest differs greatly from election of a statewide or local official, and Lynn Marks, executive director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, underscored that point when quoted in an Associated Press article.

“The big difference to remember in judicial elections, compared to the others, is where that money comes from,” said  Marks, whose group is a partner of Justice at Stake. “And it comes from lawyers, businesses, unions, political parties, special-interest groups, that often have cases before the Supreme Court.”

In last year’s two-way race for the state Supreme Court, the total value of cash and in-kind contributions topped  nearly $4.7 million. Among proposals before the legislature are contribution limits,  more frequent public reporting and enhanced disclosure of money sources. One campaign finance bill with some of these provisions recently was approved by a key legislative committee.

To learn more about the Pennsylvania judicial election and the debate it has provoked, check out Gavel Grab.

Full post as published by The Gavel on April 26, 2010 (boomark / email).