Is reform coming?

While good-government groups say such data show the need for reform, few expect it to actually occur any time soon. Legislators, who make campaign finance law, have little interest in changing the way they've raised money for their successful campaigns.

For example, Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, who has run other so-called legislative reform bills in the past, has stayed away from campaign finance changes. "It is a bad system. But I can't think of a better one."

Bell warns that limiting campaign contributions to a certain level may lead to only rich people, who can self-fund their campaigns, running for and winning legislative seats.

However, Musci of Utah Common Cause says, "We clearly support a role for public financing of legislative campaigns," where money for campaigns could come from taxpayer check-offs — similar to how presidential campaigns are funded nationally.

"A political campaign is a central part of the process of democratic governance," says Musci. "If the public is not funding that part of the process, then that critical part is owned by special interests. And that translates into how decisions are made once those elected officials take office."

Jowers said, "When citizens get involved in a legislative campaign or an issue, they are always more powerful than a special interest." He added, "But that's true only if they are engaged. If not, then special interests are always there to fill the power vacuum."

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