Legislator challenges state campaign law

HELENA (AP) — A state lawmaker who faces possible impeachment over claims that his campaign took illegal corporate contributions has filed a constitutional challenge to the law he is accused of breaking.

Republican Rep. Mike Miller of Helmville says the ban on corporate contributions is a ban on a form of political free speech.

Miller is one of two sitting legislators accused of taking illegal in-kind contributions and coordinating their 2010 legislative campaigns with a conservative group called Western Tradition Partnership.

Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl filed civil actions against Miller and Senate Majority Leader Art Wittich, along with seven other Republican candidates.

If a judge upholds Motl's findings, Miller and Wittich could be removed from office and as candidates from the 2014 ballot.

Miller and Wittich deny any wrongdoing.

Details in Thursday's Havre Daily News.