Clarifying contributions

The April 24 Spokesman-Review editorial mentions our organization as one that opposed Sen. Andy Billig’s campaign finance legislation, which died in the Senate. We opposed the bill, but not for reasons implied by the editorial.

Our political action committee (PAC) raises money through publicly disclosed direct contributions. When the association as a whole makes a contribution to the PAC, we report as required by the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC), and we provide the PDC with our entire membership list.

We understand, and agree with, Billig’s desire to get at bad actors that hide political contributions behind association membership. We, and the vast majority of associations, don’t do that. Our concern is that the bill requires that an association’s top 10 contributors be portrayed as political donors. For us, that list would include sponsors of events-firms with zero political intent.

Our association-to-PAC contributions come from the association as a whole, and are reported as such. We appreciate the fact that the Senate put the brakes on the bill so a more tailored bill that doesn’t penalize those who play by the letter and spirit of the rules can be developed.

Cheryl Stewart

Executive director, Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors, Spokane