State Sen. Gail Schwartz calls for greater 527 donor transparency

The Pueblo Chieftain reports that Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-SD5, plans to carry a bill that would require greater transparency for campaign donations. In particular, she will target so-called 527 donors — whose funding sources are not revealed and can make unlimited contributions. She said the abundant outside donations to state races and blurry funding sources behind certain ballot measures in this year’s election left voters in the dark about who was backing candidates and ideas.

“It’s an abuse of our voters, and it needs to be fixed,” she said.

Schwartz also aims to lift restrictions on direct sale of agricultural produce to local markets, thus increasing opportunities for small farming operations.