April 10, 2014 •
House Bill 483 to Alter Ohio Campaign Finance Law
On Wednesday, April 9, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a large piece of Gov. Kasich’s mid-biennium budget proposal. Prior to passage, House Republicans added numerous amendments to House Bill 483; it is now more than 800 pages long.
One amendment voids administrative rule 111-3-05 and changes state campaign finance law by lifting the disclosure requirement for corporations and labor organizations making independent expenditures. It also allows foreign-owned corporations and corporations with state contracts to spend money promoting or opposing state candidates.
Former Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner issued the rule in 2011 and fears its repeal will make it easier for national political interests to operate state-based Super PACs.
The bill passed the House by a primarily partisan vote of 57-33 and will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
Photo of the Ohio State Capitol by Alexander Smith on Wikimedia Commons.
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