The Shays-Meehan bill, a campaign finance reform bill which would limit the amount of soft money lobbyists can spend to sway our congressmen to vote as lobbyists see fit as opposed to the way that might best benefit the general public, has been held hostage in the House of Representatives.

Speaker of the House Hastert won't let the bill come to the House floor for discussion and debate, until it would be too late for it to pass the House and Senate in time for the year 2000 elections. There is a petition to bring this bill to the House floor quickly, but it requires a few more congressmen's signatures. This bill is sponsored by both a Democrat and a Republican, has much bipartisan support, also has the support of Common Cause, a bipartisan citizens' group and would help equalize democracy by taking away some of the power that money has to affect our congressmen's votes.

Congressman Peter King has not signed the petition and I can't think of any reason he would have against this bill coming to the House floor. If others feel as I do, perhaps they could contact Representative King (541-4225 or 1 (202) 225-7896) and make their feelings known.

Marylou Dunbar