In a partisan committee vote Monday night, a bill was approved that would shine light on so-called dark money, the anonymous political contributions usually bundled by out-of-state interests to influence statewide and legislative elections. Republicans think the majority should start campaign finance reforms in their own caucus, where a proliferation of individual PACs spread money throughout the recent state-election process. The Government Administration & Elections Committee, with a one-vote Democratic majority, pushed through legislation that would require corporations to disclose the votes of their boards of directors when they make political contributions and limit so-called independent expenditures to $70,000 a year. The bill passed 9-8, during the committee’s last meeting before its deadline. The legislation, which passed with no discussion after five-and-a-half hours of closed door caucusing by Republicans and Democrats, heads to the House.
Another portion of the bill would prohibit foreign-based companies and entities from making such expenditures or contribute to such dark-money groups.
“We’ve made the statement that having clean elections financed by individuals in our district is of the utmost importance,” said Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, during a morning news conference in advance of the late-afternoon committee meeting.
Democrats initially announced the effort last fall and were confident for support in the committee, which has a slight Democratic majority.
Full Article: “Dark money” targeted in partisan committee vote – Connecticut Post.