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State Representative Ryan Winkler
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7026
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
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Winkler applauds Attorney General Swanson for Standing up for Minnesota Voters
St. Paul, Minnesota – State Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley) applauded Attorney General Lori Swanson today for standing up against an aggressive attempt by corporate interests to dismantle fair campaign finance laws in Minnesota.
Earlier this month the Minnesota Taxpayers League, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life and a private corporation sued Minnesota state officials to overturn state laws so they could contribute corporate cash directly to candidates and so they could spend corporate money in campaigns without disclosing their spending to the public. Swanson said in her response to the lawsuit that it “would drown out the voices of average citizens."
“The purpose of this lawsuit is to open the flood gates to unlimited, unregulated corporate cash into our political campaigns and Attorney General Swanson is fighting back,” said Winkler. “Her action in court today aims to protect the power Minnesota voters to guide our state and preserve Minnesota’s long tradition of fair and open elections.”
Winkler said the lawsuit is part of a continued assault by the ultra-right wing of the in the wake of the Citizens United v FEC ruling to expand the influence of corporate money in Minnesota elections. Along with allowing corporations to contribute directly to candidates, the lawsuit would strike down bipartisan campaign finance reforms that contained new filing and reporting requirements for corporate funded independent expenditures.
“They are fighting to hide basic information from Minnesota voters. This should offend Minnesota voters no matter your political persuasion,” said Winkler. “If a corporation wants to spend $100,000 to elect a candidate, then you as a voter have the right to know about it.”
Winkler was the chief author of the bipartisan election reforms passed earlier this year that special interests are suing to strike down. The bill passed unanimously in the House and was signed into law by Governor Pawlenty.
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