Posted on 11/26/2004 6:31:42 AM PST by Theodore R.
Spending bill could aid Hutchison run Associated Press
HOUSTON (AP) — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's possible gubernatorial bid could get a $6.7 million campaign boost if a provision tucked into a spending bill by congressional negotiators becomes law.
The provision reverses a Federal Election Commission interpretation that barred members of Congress from transferring federal campaign funds to a state race.
The new language, expected to remain intact after Congress completes work on the bill, would allow Hutchison to spend $6.7 million she has raised for a possible Senate re-election campaign on a possible race against Gov. Rick Perry in 2006.
Although Hutchison serves on a Senate appropriations subcommittee that oversees the election commission, she was not involved in negotiations over the spending measure, said Dave Beckwith, her spokesman.
"No one in our office knew anything about it," he said in Thursday's editions of the Houston Chronicle.
Hutchison has not decided yet on her 2006 plans, the year her Senate term expires, Beckwith said. She is being encouraged by some Texas Republicans to challenge Perry in the GOP primary.
"She has not decided what she's going to do. She hasn't ruled anything out," Beckwith said.
Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn also is believed to be considering a primary race against Perry.
About a dozen members of Congress considering races for state offices could benefit from the change in the law, which restores what was allowed before a campaign finance overhaul in 2002, Beckwith said.
Perry reported raising about $5 million for his re-election campaign as of July 1.
A state law will restrict Perry from raising money during the first five months of next year while the Legislature is in session. Hutchison is not affected by that restriction because she holds a federal office.
The McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, enacted by Congress in 2002, prohibited retiring members of Congress from transferring leftover federal campaign funds to a state campaign, the Federal Election Commission had ruled.
The new provision, approved by House and Senate negotiators, allows the funds to be used in sate and local races.
Texas law would allow Hutchison to use the money to run for governor.
Final approval is pending over language buried in a $388 billion spending bill that could let leaders of Congress' Appropriations committees examine income tax returns.
Both parties favor killing the tax return idea before it becomes law and the Senate has already voted to do so. But Democrats blocked a House vote until Dec. 6.
Wonder if she'd make a deal with Perry to switch places...she runs for Gov, he runs for Senate.
I recall reading that such a suggestion was advanced in CA in 1958. Liberal Governor Goodwin Knight (R) ran for the Senate, and conservative Senator William F. Knowland (R) ran for governor.
The result: Senator Clair Engle, D-CA, and Gov. Edmund G. "Pat" Brown, D-CA. Some years later William Knowland committed suicide.
I hope not. Kay is tolerable but Perry is RINO trash who never truly left the Democrat party of his roots. He's been a disaster as governor and would be a disaster as senator.
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