Bill To Limit Out-of-State Campaign Funding Heads To TN Senate Government Committee
Image Credit: 401(K) 2012 / CC
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
A bill that would limit the amount of funding state and federal-level candidates in Tennessee can receive from out-of-state sources to run their campaigns will be heard by the Tennessee Senate State and Local Government Committee on February 28th.
In a phone interview with the Tennessee Conservative, Senator Frank Niceley (R- Strawberry Plains-District 8) said that current laws in Tennessee allow candidates to receive unlimited funding from individuals, corporations, and political action committees (PACs) outside the state.
Niceley said that out-of-state influence is not in the best interest of Tennesseans and that it “weakens our position in D.C.”
“Tennesseans need to elect Tennesseans,” Niceley stated, noting that “right now there is no limit to the amount these out-of-state super PACs can donate…and money equals votes.”
Senate Bill 0100 (SB0100) does not completely eliminate funding from out-of-state, but, if passed into law, it would ensure that the majority comes from within the state.
The bill’s summary states – As introduced, prohibits a candidate or political campaign committee from accepting contributions that exceed 30 percent of the total contributions received by a candidate or political campaign committee from persons who are not residents of this state at the time the contribution is made. – Amends TCA Title 2, Chapter 10, Part 3.
The intention is for the bill to apply on both state and federal level campaigns. Niceley considers his new legislation to be an extension of Senate Bill 2616 (SB2616), the bill he sponsored that was passed into law last year.
With Niceley’s new legislation, the intent would be that the greatest influence on legislators would come from the state they represent.
The House Companion Bill (HB0388) is sponsored by Representative Dave Wright (R-Corryton-District 19). It has been assigned to the House Elections and Campaign Finance Subcommittee but has not yet been placed on the calendar.
Anyone wishing to support Senate Bill 0100 is encouraged to contact Senate State and Local Government Committee members using the contact information below prior to that February 28 meeting:
Richard Briggs (R) (Chair) – sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1766
Page Walley (R) (Vice-Chair) – sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2368
Mark Pody (R) (2nd Vice-Chair) – sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2421
Ed Jackson (R) – sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1810
Sara Kyle (D) – sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4167
Adam Lowe (R) – sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1946
John Stevens (R)- sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4576
Ken Yager (R)- sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1449
Jeff Yarbro (D)- sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3291
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
The email deal’s inop for me. Anyone else?
Excellent it’s long overdue, term limits would be great. Performance based pay lol where the constituents of the state decide whether or not they felt represented . Definantly not optional to get into a seat of power at the table then go back on every promise to the people of the state they represent. We have had enough of dirty politicians lining their own pockets and selling us out in DC
Simple. If you cannot vote for the candidate you cannot contribute to their campaign. No out of state or corporate donations. Candidates must et out and meet their constituents.