State and local bills try to rein in political spending

Efforts to rein in money in politics might be considered dead on arrival in Congress since a Supreme Court decision opened the door to unlimited contributions to allies of presidential hopefuls. But in statehouses and city halls across the country, reform efforts are gaining traction.
From the conservative statehouse in Texas to the liberal city council in Philadelphia, measures aimed at curbing the flow of political money or disclosing its sources are being introduced and supported by members of both parties. Overall, more than 125 bills dealing with campaign...