In November 2016, Missouri voters overwhelmingly threw their support behind Amendment 2, which re-established limits on campaign contributions by individuals and groups and prohibited them from intentionally concealing the sources of such contributions. In a time when Americans are more or less evenly split regarding political ideology, what does it say that 70 percent of Missouri voters supported Amendment 2? And what does it say that on the very same ballot Missourians passed Amendment 2, they elected as governor a candidate who ran on a “drain the swamp” campaign — a candidate who promised transparency?
It says our citizens are tired of feeling like their votes don’t matter because they can’t afford to donate $100 to a candidate, let alone $1 million. It says they don’t want to cast their ballots for candidates who are already bought and paid for — candidates who are beholden to special interests from the moment they take their oaths. And it says they’re sick of not knowing who’s doing the buying and paying. When it comes to discerning how Missouri citizens feel about the lack of serious ethics reform and transparency in our elections, reading between the lines isn’t necessary because they’ve sent us a clear message: they’re tired of being disappointed.
Amendment 2 was a good step, but as the saying goes: where there’s a will, there’s a way. And that new way is called a 501(c)(4). Named after the federal tax code provision governing them, 501(c)(4)s are nonprofit organizations that are allowed to keep secret the identity of their donors and how they spend their money. They are also the biggest channel of so-called “dark money,” campaign contributions that are essentially made to a nonprofit to hide the donor’s identity. The use of 501(c)(4)s are on the rise in politics, here in Missouri and throughout the country, and it’s a direct result of the push to implement reformed campaign finance laws.
Although less than 50 percent of a 501(c)(4)’s money can be spent on political activities, an organization isn’t limited in how much money it can raise. This means a single wealthy donor can still very easily influence an election. It also means 501(c)(4)s can pay for personal attack ads against lawmakers and don’t have to disclose the sources of their funds. Such has been the recent case with the governor’s nonprofit, A New Missouri, Inc., which was expressly created to promote the governor’s agenda.
In April, A New Missouri, Inc. released attack ads against a fellow senator. The ads were not only categorically untrue but also contained his personal cell phone number. As if that wasn’t bad enough, A New Missouri, Inc. then had the audacity to threaten similar petty action against any lawmaker who dared to get in the way of the governor’s agenda. What happened to my Senate colleague was unacceptable, but that’s exactly the kind of dishonest and unethical behavior dark money enables.
Dark money prevents the public from knowing who is influencing, or outright funding, a candidate’s campaign or an elected official’s agenda. It is a corrupting influence, a threat to our democracy and clearly the next ethics reform. That is exactly what I, along with some of my Senate colleagues, have been trying to do in these final days of session — loosen the grip dark money has on Missouri politics and, by extension, our state government. Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, creates the “Dark Money Disclosure Act,” which would require 501(c)(4)s to identify their donors.
Now, you may have heard that business in the Senate slowed down considerably this week. You also may have heard it was mainly due to a group of “obstructionist” senators, myself included, who were determined to prevent all other legislation — even the budget — from moving forward unless SB 73 was given a hearing. Part of this is true.
I was among the small group of senators who held the floor Monday evening until an agreement was reached to hold a hearing on SB 73, and an agreement was reached. After that, we made it clear we were ready and willing to take up any measure that might help move the budget process along. For example, we could’ve spent part of this week figuring out the “circuit breaker” tax credit piece of the budget puzzle, but we didn’t. Instead, the Legislature abruptly adjourned Tuesday morning, without advancing a single measure.
I can’t speak for how other senators spent the rest of their Tuesday, but I know where I was — in my office meeting with constituents and taking part in a working group with several of my colleagues. The goal of our working group was to review the legislative calendar and then develop a list of bills we felt were non-controversial in nature that should easily and quickly be able to pass through the Senate.
The reality is the House has sent a lot of bills over to us, and they’re concerned none of them will get passed. We wanted to help facilitate the process of moving legislation along, and we worked for many hours to come up with a solid list. We may have held our ground for a short time Monday evening, but to say we were somehow dead set on obstructing or impeding the Senate’s work is utterly false. We were and are very motivated to tackle the important issues before us. The whole point of creating the list was to be as proactive as possible, and I believe everyone who participated in the working group was sincere in determining what bills we might yet be able to move across the finish line before May 12.
I want to make it perfectly clear — we want to get the business of this state done, but we also want to address our remaining priorities. And the very personal attack on our fellow senator by way of dark money has raised the significance of SB 73 to a level where it must be a priority. No lawmakers should ever be put in the position where they’re forced to vote the governor’s agenda, or anyone’s agenda, over their personal beliefs and their constituents’ interests for fear of having negative ads and their personal cell phone number splashed across the media.
Senate Bill 73 was heard by the Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday, May 2. I hope to be able to report a positive outcome on this issue at the end of session next week.
Very briefly, I want to ask everyone to please keep all the men, women and children affected by this last week’s record-shattering flooding in your thoughts and prayers. Most especially, please say an extra prayer for the lives we’ve lost and their loved ones. This widespread flooding has caused massive amounts of damage throughout much of Missouri, and we are only just beginning to learn the extent of its impact. The cleanup and recovery process will most certainly be a long one. I want to thank all those who’ve already helped — it’s why the 3rd District is the best place to live. I also want to encourage others to pitch in if you haven’t already done so, in whatever way you can.
For 24-hour road condition information, call 1-888-275-6636. To view MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map, showing all current road closures, please click here or visit their website at www.modot.org/flooding. You may also find contact information for local emergency management, including flood plain administrators at sema.dps.mo.gov/county/ or by clicking here. The American Red Cross Shelter Locator is available at 1-866-GET-INFO or online at www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery/find-an-open-shelter. As always, call 911 in case of an emergency.
Finally, my staff and I were very happy to once again welcome back Chris Schillinger and crew from Baylee Jo’s BBQ Seafood & Grill in Ironton. This was the ninth year Chris and his staff have brought their great barbeque to the Capitol. I know our Senate family always looks forward to seeing the folks from Baylee Jo’s, and I sincerely thank them for going out of their way, navigating around the flooded roads and bridges, to come see us in Jefferson City.
Contact Me
I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-4008. You may write me at Gary Romine, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101; or email me at gary.romine@senate.mo.gov.