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Democrats in the state House are expected to kill a bill that Linda Lingle, Republican Party chairwoman, blasted as "ridiculous and unconstitutional." Lingle slams Dems’
‘self-serving’ soft-
money billBy Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin
The bill would prohibit political parties from making independent expenditures in a political race.
Democrats argued that the bill was an honest attempt to limit the use of unlimited or "soft" money in a campaign, but Lingle and others pointed out that while it would stop contributions from political parties, unions, which almost always side with and run ads for Democrats, would not be stopped.
"To restrict spending by political parties, while at the same time allowing labor unions to continue to engage in unlimited, uncoordinated political activities, is transparent, and it makes you look silly and desperate at the same time," Lingle said.
"Your arrogance in introducing HB 170 is a continuing sign to the public of your self-serving motives," Lingle said.
The U.S. Supreme Court in 1996 struck down a similar law in Colorado that applied to federal races and Lingle said the Hawaii proposal also would be overturned.
Also testifying against the bill was Robert Watada, state Campaign Spending Commission executive director, who said the law would most likely be unconstitutional.
The bill was introduced as part of the Democrats house package, but Rep. Brian Schatz, (D-Makiki), Democrat whip, said the bill would be killed.
"It was an honest attempt to address the problems of soft money," Schatz said.
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