(Ne.) State not enforcing campaign limits

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110827/NEWS01/708279920/0#state-not-enforcing-campaign-limits

Published Saturday August 27, 2011

By Joe Duggan
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN — Nebraska unshackled candidates from election spending limits Friday when it halted enforcement of a constitutionally questionable campaign finance law.

The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission voted 8-0 to stop enforcing the Campaign Finance Limitation Act. The 1996 law seeks to hold down the cost of state elections, but a recent attorney general's opinion determined the law is probably unconstitutional.

Commissioners chose the course of action Friday because they believe it will most quickly settle the legal issues surrounding Nebraska's law, which funnels public funds to candidates whose opponents exceed voluntary spending limits.

Attorney General Jon Bruning must file a lawsuit when a state agency refuses to enforce a law, which will soon put the matter before the courts.

FULL story at link.