The state of Idaho is now supporting Montana’s effort to keep the U.S. Supreme Court from changing that state's campaign finance laws. In all, 22 states and the District of Columbia have joined Montana's cause.
The case centers on a state’s ability to ban direct corporate spending on campaigns. Montana wants to keep that right. But the U.S. Supreme Court is mulling whether doing so would conflict with a ruling that allows unlimited corporate spending in federal campaigns.
Brian Kane, with Idaho’s Attorney General’s office, says the state supports Montana’s restrictions for one reason. "It absolutely is an issue regarding state sovereignty - state regulation of state systems."
Corporate interests account for nearly half of all money spent in Idaho campaigns according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics. Idaho ranks in the top quarter of states when it comes to the percentage of campaign spending that comes from corporate interests. Idaho has limits on campaign contributions to state candidates, but not to political action or state Party committees.
Copyright 2012 Boise State Public Radio.