There’s going to be a statehouse show-down over campaign finance reform. Republicans plan to tack a controversial proposal onto a bill which wouldclose a loophole in Iowa campaign finance restrictions. A judge’s rulinghas tossed out requirements that a Political Action Committee, or PAC,disclose where its money comes from and which candidates get it. And thejudge tossed out the long-time ban on business corporation contributions toIowa politicians. The bill under development would re-instate those twoitems, but it would also require yearly authorization from union members soa portion of their dues may be used for political purposes. Republicans aresmarting over union-financed attacks in recent elections. Democrats havebenefitted from the political action of unions, so what could have been afix-up bill will turn into a skirmish between the parties.
