FOR MORE INFORMATION: Tim Huelskamp, thuelska@ink.org, (620) 338-3621

Let the Sun Shine In: Legislature Passes Campaign Finance Disclosure

TOPEKA, KS – In a unanimous 38-0 vote, today the Kansas Senate passed its first major comprehensive upgrade to the campaign finance laws in years. “This bill is the most comprehensive campaign finance disclosure bill in years,” noted Senator Tim Huelskamp, principal advocate for the measure. “It brings a whole new level of transparency and sunshine to money in Kansas campaigns – thus affording Kansans the opportunity to know who is influencing our elections.”

Huelskamp, Chairman of the Senate Elections Committee, has been working on some of the provisions in this measure, for more than four years. “Real sunshine reform for Kansas campaigns is long overdue.” said Huelskamp. “The overwhelming bi-partisan legislative support is an encouraging sign that Kansans demand more campaign disclosure. I call Governor Sebelius to join our sunshine effort and quickly sign SB 196 into law.”

SB 196 would place into law long-sought election reforms: significantly greater disclosure of last-minute campaign spending of PACs and candidate committees, expanded reporting of independent expenditures, more information on the source of individual contributions, and a complete prohibition on the use of government resources to influence campaigns. The bill now heads to Governor Sebelius for her consideration. More specific information can be found online at www.kslegislature.org.