AP: Republicans eliminate campaign finance limits in final hour of session

From the Associated Press:

Big bucks could start flowing to Missouri politicians again - just in time for the fall elections.

Lawmakers gave final approval Friday to legislation repealing Missouri's campaign contribution limits. If Gov. Matt Blunt signs it, politicians could take contributions of unlimited amounts beginning Aug. 28.

The Republican-led House passed the money-limit repeal with barely an hour remaining in the legislative session by an 83-72 vote - just one more than the majority needed for passage. The Senate had passed the bill 24-9 in February.

Read the full story here.

Update: Below is a press release from Attorney General Jay Nixon's campaign team:

Following the passage of the Republican bill to eliminate campaign contribution limits, Attorney General Jay Nixon released the following statement:

"By removing contribution limits, Republican legislators have taken Missouri backwards to a system that allows big corporations and wealthy special interest groups to give millions to candidates," Attorney General Nixon said. "Elections should be competitions of ideas to move our state forward, not competitions for the wealthiest donors. I have consistently fought for strict campaign contribution limits because I believe that regular Missourians, not wealthy special interests, should have the most powerful voice in electing our leaders. As Governor, I would veto this bill the moment it hit my desk. It's a clear step in the wrong direction."

Attorney General Nixon has long supported strict contribution limits. In 1999, he successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of contribution limits [Nixon v. Shrink Missouri Government PAC, No. 98-963, 10/5/1999].

The people of Missouri also support contribution limits -- having voted overwhelmingly in favor of a ballot initiative mandating strict limits in 1994.

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