Meeting on campaign finance

In a state that has next to nothing in the way of campaign finance controls, and is among a handful in the country that allow for unlimited corporate giving, the task of constructing a system for controlling the flow of Utah political dollars is of Herculean proportion.

However, a diverse, 19-member commission created by former Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. and tasked with, among other things, giving voters a reason to believe that their participation matters, will take another step today toward a final proposal for fundamentally changing the business of politics in the state.

That plan, which will only have the power of an encouraging suggestion to lawmakers when it reaches its final form, took shape two weeks ago when the commission approved a plan to put caps on corporate and individual political donations and limit the aggregate amount handed out in an election cycle. It also paid special attention to donations by companies doing significant business with the state. While the plan was approved on a 10-7 vote, some commission members are looking for something closer to consensus, and a revised plan will be reviewed today. Kirk Jowers, acting commission chairman and director of the University of Utah Hinckley Institute of Politics, said that he'll present amendments today that he hopes will carve out a larger middle ground.

"This plan works to create some reasonable contribution limits," Jowers said. "The idea is to start with an incremental change that's very much in the midstream of the country and try that for awhile."

Jowers' proposal would raise contribution limits for individuals, corporations and political action committees to $5,000 per election for statewide races and $2,500 per election for legislative offices (limited to $4,000 and $2,000 per election cycle in the first plan.) It also removes the total limits for political parties, corporations, labor unions and PACS of $25,000 per cycle that appeared in the first proposal. Commission member and KUED-TV producer Ken Verdoia contributed some of the revisions Jowers will present and said the changes should make the plan more palatable to the commission and more reflective of the will of voters.

"This commission can be most effective if it attempts to embody the voice of the people," Verdoia said. "As this plan takes shape, the message to legislators is please take these issues up with due diligence and consideration."

Exactly where common ground exists on state campaign finance reform depends on where you view it from. Commission member and state GOP chairman Dave Hansen said the solution lies in improving transparency, not placing limits on political speech that takes place in the form of donations.