Minn. AG defends ban on corporate $$ to candidates

St. Paul, Minn. — Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson is defending a state law barring businesses from giving directly to political candidates and parties.

Swanson on Friday filed her response to a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the law.

Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, the Taxpayers League of Minnesota and a travel company are challenging the law because they want to use general funds to donate to candidates including Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer.

Federal court rulings earlier this year allow corporations to spend company money independently to promote or defeat candidates, but they can't give directly to candidates or parties.

Swanson says going any further would drown out the voices of average citizens.

She also opposes part of the lawsuit that would undo new state disclosure requirements.

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