NASHVILLE, TN (abc24.com) - Big money is making a big comeback in the Tennessee Legislature. There is a bill working its way though both houses that would let Political Action Committees spend all they want for candidates.
There is currently a limit of about $107,000 per legislator. If one member of the House has his way, the big companies and other Political Action Committees will be allowed to pump all the money they want into a campaign.
Think about this. Say you decide to donate to a guy who is running for governor and you give him $100. Then a business or group of companies wants to donate to the same guy, and they give him $1 million. Somebody is going to get favors, and it won't be you.
Play your cards right and you will never have to pay for a meal on Capitol Hill in Nashville. Legislators always get offers to events where the liquor will be poured, the food will be consumed, and the lobbyists will get a chance to seek favors.
Apparently these days in Tennessee, the people with money and power are getting breaks by this state legislature. A Republican state representative from Franklin wants all the limits on political campaign contributions taken away.
Right now a candidate can only take just over $107,000 from Political Action Committees in a primary, and in an election. People running for governor can get only half of all their campaign contributions from PACs. If this bill is approved, the gates open.
Big business folks, the very rich, those with the deep pockets stuffed with cash will be able to donate as much as they want to candidates. It will allow insurance companies to get back into the political giving business.
Remember something: nobody gets money for nothing. Big money comes normally with big requests. So those with the dough get all the attention, while average folks will end up with a handshake every couple of years during the campaign season.
The man behind the plan to get rid of the limits of campaign contributions did a little work to bring this bill back to life. Republican Representative Glen Casada's plan seemed doomed, but now appears to be on the legislature's fast track to be approved this year.
