Proposition B would set up a statewide system of voluntary, public campaign finance funded by an increase in the corporate franchise tax. The measure was certified Aug. 7 after Missouri Voters for Fair Elections collected more than 100,000 signatures.
Organizers say they hope to raise at least five times that before the general election.
Bogard said campaign finance reform moved to the forefront this year in part by independent voters who backed Sen. John McCain's Republican presidential nomination and his campaign finance reforms. Opposition groups, which include the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Missouri, have formed a coalition called No Tax Dollars for Politicians to defeat the ballot proposal. I think they made a tactical mistake putting the burden on businesses. Other states have funded it through a tax on lobbyists or court costs. We have gone out to raise money on campaign finance reform and there is more opportunity for reform at the state level.