Incumbent protection bill signed by governor

Governor Matt Blunt just issued a press release noting he has signed HB 1900, what I refer to as the incumbent protection bill.
This bill includes a provision added by Sen. Tim Green, D-St. Louis, which eliminates all campaign contribution limits, In other words, it's open season for the special interests that are already dominating our state government.
The reasoning offered by supporters of this provision is that ways have been found to circumvent the spending limits enacted by Missourians 12 years ago. Primarily, this has involved the legal laundering of money between various legislative district committees.
Instead of closing these loopholes and keeping in place the reform Missouri voters obviously wanted, our elected representatives removed all limits. This is some reform bill,
Another provision, which has largely gone overlooked, is just as dangerous. Naturally, we don't want our elected officials spending time raising money while the General Assembly is in session, but I am willing to accept that over the alternative that the new law puts in place.
Soliciting campaign contributions is now illegal during the time the legislature is in session. Of course, this gives incumbents on both sides of the aisle a major advantage since they already have the machinery in place and have easy access to the special interests through the lobbyists who represent those interests. Challengers will be restricted from raising funds during five months out of the year, increasing the already incredible advantage held by incumbents in state political contests.
Once the legislative session is over, the floodgates will open, but the donations are largely going to the incumbents. True, it is always that way, but this misguided (or cunningly calculated) provision, will widen the gap even more.
Among the other provisions of this bill, according to the news release (with my comments following in parentheses):

-Requires out-of-state travel by lawmakers paid for by lobbyists to be pre-approved by the accounts committee (Why not ban it altogether? That would help restore faith in the system.)
-Prohibits felons from running for office (How many of these have there been? Judging from what we are hearing in the news nowadays, more and more elected officials wait until they reach office before they become felons.)
-Holds those who file frivolous complaints with the state ethics commission accountable (This sounds like a way to intimidate people. While I am sure some frivolous complaints are made, I doubt if that is the reason behind this provision.)

Perhaps most galling is the idea being spouted by supporters of this bill that opening the system to more scrutiny will solve all problems. Consider this passage from the governor's news release:

"The changes I am enacting today will shed light on the true sources of campaign contributions and the actions of lobbyists who work to shape public policy. This is a strong step in the right direction that empowers the people with greater information about the men and women who seek to serve them in public office."

Putting all of this information on the Missouri Ethics Commission website is something that should be done. No argument about that. That being said, it's a giant leap from posting information to dealing with the problems caused by the influence of lobbyists and special interests in our state.

For that to make a difference, you have to assume that someone is going to carefully examine those records. With few exceptions, it is just not happening. Most citizens do not have the time or the inclination to pore through documents on a state website. That job should be done by the media. Unfortunately, the media has failed when it comes to closely examining, on a regular basis, the campaign finances of elected officials and the gifts they receive from lobbyists.
Examination of campaign finances has normally been a superficial look at who has raised the most money. While that is an important story, it is more important to see where the money comes from and the affect is has on legislation. The media fails in that aspect, as well.
So essentially, this new law, which has been touted as a major step to reform Missouri politics, is a joke.
Consider the last two paragraphs in the governor's news release:

Blunt’s signing of HB 1900 follows the strict code of conduct policy he issued for his own office in May prohibiting his staff from accepting gifts from lobbyists. No previous Missouri governor implemented a lobbyist gift ban and Blunt’s office believes it is the first to produce an employee manual setting out the policies and procedures under which the governor’s office operates. The manual and the gift ban are consistent with Blunt’s campaign promise to provide more trust and accountability in state government.

Anyone expecting a renaissance in open government is in for a major disappointment.