column: Limiting the corrupting influence of money in politics

​During my 8 years as a State Senator and Representative for our area, I took on the political establishment, the engrained special interests, and high-paid lobbyists to shake up a broken system. While it didn’t always make me the most popular legislator in Augusta, someone needed to stand up and do what was right over what was easy.
 
I worked every single day to reduce the corrupting influence of money in our politics and specifically, where that money was coming from that sought to pad their bottom line through policy change.
 
My crowning legislative achievement was introducing and passing a comprehensive campaign finance and ethics reform package in my final term in the Senate. It took many years of educating, prodding, and begging my colleagues to finally make it happen. It’s something the public has been wanting for quite some time, but was opposed by those with any semblance of power. People with power tend to want to hold onto that power by the same means that put them there. That usually means keeping a pay-for-play system in place that benefits them.
 
The package that ultimately became law included banning lobbyist contributions to sitting lawmakers and candidates, ending the use of PACs (political action committees) as private slush funds, ensure enforcement of ethics rules around legislator-led caucus PACs, and shutting the revolving door of lawmakers becoming lobbyists by banning lobbyist activity for a full year after legislative service ends. In total, I was able to shepherd four campaign finance and ethics reforms bills across the finish line, representing some of the biggest victories on this front in recent memory.
 
Our policymakers, as with our elections, should not be dictated by those who write the biggest checks. While we’ve made monumental progress on this front, there is always more work to do. 

The first question on this year’s General Election ballot asks: Do you want to set a $5,000 limit for giving to political action committees that spend money independently to support or defeat candidates for office? The answer should be a resounding yes.
 
We limit contributions to traditionally financed candidates. We limit contributions to Clean Elections candidates. We now limit the types of individuals who can contribute to candidates and sitting lawmakers thanks to my legislation. There should be no reason not to put guardrails for political groups that form to influence our elections for various offices. Currently, you can donate an unlimited amount of money to a political action committee that spends money to elect or defeat a candidate. There is no limit at all for these entities, yet candidates themselves face limitations for those that donate to them. This inequity is what the referendum is seeking to address.
 
Some say, courts will rule it unconstitutional and that is a reason to vote against this common sense measure. I say, we should lead and vote with our values and not let assumptions about the court system preclude us from taking action. Any law can be challenged in court. In fact, many campaign finance laws are frequently challenged. That’s not a reason to give up trying to make it better. Sometimes we have to take bold action now and ask permission later.
 
I can’t control the courts, but I can control my one vote. I can control who I support to send to the legislature to advocate for reforms like this. It’s important to focus on what you believe in, what is the right policy, and how best we can make an impact with our vote.
 
If we pass this referendum, the new limitation would only apply to PACs that spend money to influence candidate races. It would not apply to other PACs that are formed to oppose state or local referendums or to political party or caucus PACs. Hopefully, additional limitations could be set for those as well.
 
We must continue to build on the progress made and work to limit wealthy, special interests from clouding our political system with a flood of outside, dark money. We can put necessary guardrails to level the playing field and ensure our democratic institutions operate of, by, and for the people.
 
Justin Chenette is the County Commissioner for Saco, OOB, Hollis, & Buxton and is a former State Senator. He serves on the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission, Maine Right to Know Advisory Committee, and provides college scholarships through his foundation. Justin works as a communications & public relations professional and is the author of ‘The Great Whoopie Pie Debate: A Kids’ Guide to the Maine Legislature.’ Get county updates at CommissionerChenette.com and email him at [email protected]