ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota campaign regulators say it’s time to let candidates accept more money from donors by raising limits in force since 1993.

An oversight board on Wednesday endorsed a plan to bump up campaign donation limits by 50 percent or more. The recommendation heads to the Legislature, which convenes in January.

Board members say it would help counteract a surge of money to outside political groups by giving candidates a better chance of controlling the messages in their races. Independent groups not subject to limits are becoming ever-powerful players in races without the same accountability as candidates.

The plan would allow candidates for state House collect up to $1,500 per donor per election and those for governor could pull in $5,250. Other offices would fall somewhere in between.

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