By Don Corrigan

James Trout of Webster Groves said he is too busy “kicking up his heels” to read the full text of a state Supreme Court decision in late July affirming his case against big money in state politics.

Trout filed his lawsuit when he took exception to the state legislature ending caps on how much money could be poured into state political candidates’ campaigns. Trout, a Democrat, said he viewed the action by the statehouse as an attempt by the majority party to consolidate its hold on Missouri government.

Republicans, who championed an end to the caps, emphasize that their campaign law was an election reform. They argue that the law required more transparency in reporting the sources of political money. They also note the law imposed a blackout period, while the legislature is in session, so that donations were prohibited while proposed laws are on the table — an effort to end campaign finance influence peddling,

“Nonsense,” declared Trout. “Our legislature is self-serving and the majority party wants a stranglehold on power. Read more…

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