Coalition 'blasts' campaign finance bill

HELENA (AP) — A coalition of senators are undermining Republican leaders and forcing a floor vote on a campaign-finance overhaul.

The state Senate voted 29-21 on Friday to bring Senate Bill 375 out for a vote on Monday.

Republican state Sen. Jim Peterson has teamed up with Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock on the measure that aims to force more disclosure about third-party money in politics.

Peterson forced the Friday vote to take it out of a committee. Peterson said he worried the bill was advancing too slowly.

The chamber's Republican leaders argued against the motion, saying the bill would get a committee vote next week.

But Democrats in the chamber sided with Peterson and a few other Republicans to ensure it gets a floor debate before transmittal deadlines.

Sens. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, and Sen. Greg Jergeson, D-Chinook, voted too blast.