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House Democrats announced Thursday that they plan to introduce legislation for a state constitutional amendment requiring disclosure of all election-related spending. 


House Minority Leader Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, said the constitutional amendment was an effort to repair and modernize the state's campaign finance system following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United ruling, which struck down some limits on election spending. 


"We have seen millions and millions of dollars in campaign spending by special interest groups that are drowning out the interests of ordinary Minnesotans," Thissen said. "Voters don't know what to believe, they don't know who is behind the spending and attacks."

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The bill would require disclosure for "contributions and expenditures made for communications that clearly identify a candidate and use words or phrases of express advocacy." 


It would also cover any ads or mailings that a reasonable person would interpret as advocating for or against a candidate, even if they aren't explicitly mentioned. 


Proposals that would have required similar disclosures didn't move forward in the Legislature last session. Thissen said he hopes more lawmakers will support the proposal this time around because of the requirement that a constitutional amendment must be approved by voters. 


The bill will be carried by Rep. Laurie Halverson, DFL-Eagan, who said she experienced the power of unregulated campaign spending firsthand during the last election cycle. 


"I saw what it did to my community to have those kinds of mail pieces hit day after day after day," Halverson said. "I saw the confusion that it caused my constituents, and the frustration it caused, and the ways their voices felt diminished."


The bill will likely face strong opposition from Republicans who control the state House of Representatives. If the proposal is approved passes the Legislature during the upcoming session, voters will consider the constitutional amendment during the November 2016 election.

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Jon Collins

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House Democrats plan to introduce legislation for a state constitutional amendment requiring disclosure of all election-related spending.

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