free speech less restricted in JCPS politics

From Joe Gerth in the C-J...

A federal judge opened the door Friday for school board candidates in Kentucky to accept campaign contributions of up to $1,000 — 10 times the current limit.

U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves said the $100 limit now in the law effectively silences candidates in some races where labor unions and other groups become heavily involved.

In issuing a preliminary injunction that bars the current limit from being enforced, Reeves said Jefferson County plaintiffs Ben Foster and Edward Britton likely would win their case when he makes a final ruling.

The two filed suit challenging the 20-year-old provision in Kentucky law — part of the Kentucky Education Reform Act — that attempted to remove the influence of money from school board races....

Foster, a University of Louisville professor who ran unsuccessfully two years ago for the Jefferson County school board, said in an interview that he wished Reeves had ruled a month ago, before the Aug. 10 deadline for candidates to file for school board races....

In 2008, for instance, Larry Hujo spent $2,480 to defeat Foster, who spent $5,543, according to registry records. But Hujo had the backing of the JCTA, which according to one document in the case spent more than $160,000 to help elect him.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky brought the case on behalf of Foster and Britton, both of whom have contributed the maximum to school board candidates in past elections, according to a pleading in the case....

UPDATE: I forgot to include a link to the related article by Philip Bailey in LEO.