Following yesterday’s ruling by the Missouri Ethics Commission that candidates must return over-limit contributions unless they can show a “hardship” that prevents them from doing so, Attorney General Jay Nixon today announced he intends to return those donations.
On Tuesday, the six-member Ethics commission, in a unanimous decision, directed staff to send letters to all candidates who accepted contributions over the 2006 limits, saying those office-seekers “may be in violation” of the law.
"We're expecting to return the donations, we're planning to return the donations," said spokesman Oren Shur. "We're just awaiting instructions from the Ethics Commission."
UPDATE 9:13 P.M.*** The Nixon campaign called to clarify that it has not yet determined when it will begin giving contributions back. Spokesman Shur says they still are preparing and expecting to do so, but there is no timeline yet.***
In a release today, 2008 candidate for Governor Nixon said he has instructed his campaign to make preparations to return over-limit contributions and encouraged other candidates to make the same preparations.
“When Matt Blunt eliminated contribution limits, he cleared the way for lobbyists and corporations to give millions to candidates. This was a clear step in the wrong direction. I believe that we need to reduce, not increase, the amount of access and influence that lobbyists and big corporate types have on our system. Yesterday’s ruling by the Ethics Commission will bring us closer to achieving that principle. Make no mistake, contribution limits are not a hardship. I have instructed my campaign staff to make preparations to return all over-limit contributions and I encourage other candidates to do the same," Nixon said.
Developing . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment