In the wake of allegations that shadow minister Osborne received large contributions from a wealthy Russian, the government seeks to upgrade and tighten enforcement of the restriction on foreign political donations, currently illegal under British law. The Home Secretary will attempt to add the provisions to “Political Parties and Elections Bill, currently on its way [...]

Current law prohibits donations from businesses that receive contracts from the state and gambling. The Health Minister is proposing the changes this week, after the connections that have emerged in recent months involving (legal) drug companies, illegal drugs, and contributions to President Cristina Kircher’s campaign. Story at Clarin (spanish).

The Associated Press writes about the diminished likelihood of a revival for the public financing system:
… But advocates of a public finance system aren’t eager to give up on a system that relies on voluntary taxpayer contributions on their annual tax returns. And while Obama backed away from his promise to take public money if [...]

After passing on third reading, a public subsidy bill is being reconsidered by the Philippine legislature, apparently after protests that it was not scheduled (or there was no quorum) for the vote.
The bill penalizes politicians who constantly change political parties by disqualifying them from office. It also effectively creates a state subsidy fund that will finance the [...]

The Governor of Illinois used an “amendatory veto” to send a campaign finance bill back to the legislature so that it could include a ban on all political contributions from state employees. The AP writes:
With the change, Illinois, one of the few states with no limits on contributions, would become “a model in ethics reform,” [...]

From Honolulu Advisor:  
A pilot program to publicly finance Big Island County Council elections could be in danger after the state Senate amended the proposal yesterday to also soften restrictions on corporate campaign contributions.
Linking the conflicting ideas in the same bill could poison negotiations if the bill moves to a state House and Senate conference [...]

Report at Radio NZ.

Hoy.com (spanish) reports that the President of the Central Electoral Committee (JCE) in the Dominican Republic wants a reduction in the public financing given to the largest parties to achieve a more equitable distribution.  

Boston.com reports:
MONTPELIER, Vt.—Gov. Jim Douglas on Friday vetoed the Legislature’s latest effort to limit the influence of big money in politics, as well as an instant-runoff voting bill.

Douglas said his veto of the campaign finance bill was mainly due to his opposition to a provision limiting the amounts political parties can donate to campaigns. The [...]

Hutchinson News Online has more on the reforms passed by the Kansas House:
The chamber overwhelmingly approved four bills making modest changes to state laws governing the handling of political money.
One of the bigger shifts involves shortening a blackout period shortly before an election. The loophole has kept the public from learning about last-minute campaign finance [...]

The Kansas City Star’s David Klepper writes: 
The Kansas House on Friday passed campaign finance bills to require political action committees to give more details about how they spend money and to clarify spending rules for candidates.
All four bills passed easily and now go to the Senate for consideration.
The most significant bill, HB 2408, would require political [...]

A reform of legislation dealing with public and private finance of political parties and the use of media during elections is on the government’s agenda for 2008, Uruguay al Día reports. Currently, Uruguay has no legislation governing political finance.

From the Columbia Tribune Politics Blog:
The Missouri Senate gave initial approval by a voice vote Wednesday to legislation that would rescind caps on campaign contributions. … The bill would also require campaigns accepting donations of $5,000 or more to list the contribution online within 48 hours.
 

The leftwing coalition FMLN in El Salvador asked the (rightwing) president Antonio Saca to support its proposal for campaign finance reforms a few days after the US accused the FMLN of receiving Venezuelan campaign finance in anticipation of next year’s presidential and congressional elections. AFP’s report (spanish) has no information about any details in the proposal.  

From Vermont, another take: “Campaign finance reform bill moving quickly through Legislature”
From Louisianna, an opinion: ”Jindal Ethics Flap Demands Louisiana Campaign Finance Reform”
From Minnesota, an explanation: ”The state reimburses some political donations.” Here, it is explained that citizens can get reimbursements for contributions made to candidates and parties (including the DFL – the Democratic-Farmer-Labour party).
The money comes [...]

CQ reports on the political stalemate that has left the FEC without enough of commissioners to have a quorum.

After months of controversy and heated opposition, the Electoral Finance Bill passed into law today. The provisions according to the summary at the NZ Herald are:
Any group or person wishing to campaign for or against a particular candidate or political party, or policies held by a party, will fall under the third-parties regime…
…will have to [...]

National delayed the third reading of the proposed reform in New Zealand. Had it been considered, Parliament would be done for the session. The delay may give National other political advantages, as they can attack the government on other matters. But it seems to set the stage for the final showdown on the bill before recess.  

The latest scandal for the Labour Party means the chances of reform may be revived, writes the BBC.

GMA News reports on ongoing efforts to enact public funding for parties in the Philippines:  
An international lawmakers’ group endorsed Saturday a Philippine proposal for state subsidy for political parties in a bid to reduce political corruption and bribery among political parties and their candidates.
…De Venecia’s state financing bill was approved at the Lower House [...]