Perry vetoes bill that would aid liberal stalking

Houston Chronicle:

“Freedom of association and freedom of speech are two of our most important rights enshrined in the Constitution. My fear is that SB 346 would have a chilling effect on both of those rights in our democratic political process. While regulation is necessary in the administration of Texas political finance laws, no regulation is tolerable that puts anyone’s participation at risk or that can be used by any government, organization or individual to intimidate those who choose to participate in our process through financial means.

At a time when our federal government is assaulting the rights of Americans by using the tools of government to squelch dissent it is unconscionable to expose more Texans to the risk of such harassment, regardless of political, organizational or party affiliation. I therefore veto SB 346.”
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Senate Bill 346 by Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, would have required nonprofits set up under section 501(c)(4) of the tax code to publicly disclose contributors who pony up more than $1,000 to any dark money group that spends $25,000 or more on politicking.

The bill easily passed the Senate before Sen. Dan Patrick moved to have it recalled because of First Amendment concerns. The House rejected the call to send the bill back to the Senate and ended up passing it on a 99-46 vote earlier this month.
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This was a wise veto.  Until the legislature is going to do something about stalking of donors by liberals and other groups who object to the donations,  this kind of bill creates more mischief than sunshine.  With the IRS auditing Romney donors and activist seeking to destroy the businesses of donors to some groups, such laws become a tool of those wanting to succeed through intimidation.  Gov. Perry should be congratulated for this move.