CCP
Dickerson on Cato Podcast Discusses Disclosure and the SEC
By Sarah LeeCCP Legal Director Allen Dickerson took part in yesterday’s daily Cato podcast, where he discussed the recent trend of placing campaign donation disclosure issues on the desks of regulators at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), rather than the traditional Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Independent Groups
Huffington Post: A Challenge to President Obama’s New 501(c)(4) Group
By Fred WertheimerWhat does the president expect the American people to think when he attacked the Citizens United decision as “a major victory for big oil,” and then accepts $250,000 from ExxonMobil, the biggest of “big oil,” to help pay for his second inauguration?
The Hill: Unions, Hollywood open to bankrolling Obama’s advocacy arm
By Kevin BogardusLabor unions and Hollywood donors are open to bankrolling Organizing for Action, the outside group that has been formed in support of President Obama’s second-term agenda.
Politico: Dems thank super PAC for help beating ‘Darth Vader’
By Tarini PartiSeven Democratic freshmen members of Congress taped a web video recently thanking a liberal super PAC for helping them win their seats and defeating “Darth Vader” Karl Rove.
National Journal: Outside Groups Displacing Party Committees in Some Races
By Scott BlandWhen elected officials deign to mention outside groups, it’s usually to decry a smear or lament that campaign messaging has been taken out of their hands. But Tuesday, a handful of newly elected House Democrats looked straight into a camera to sing praises for one super PAC.
Candidates, Politicians and Parties
NY Times: No Pay? Little Sacrifice for Many in Congress
By JEREMY W. PETERSBut behind the “no budget, no pay” proposal, which the House passed last week when it voted to temporarily extend the debt limit, is also a basic reality: many of those who support the concept are so wealthy that their Congressional paychecks represent little more than a rounding error.
FEC
Roll Call: FEC Increases Contribution Limits for 2014
By Kyle TrygstadIndividual donors can now contribute up to $2,600 to a candidate in both the primary and general elections — $5,200 total — and $32,400 per calendar year to national party committees. The total amount of federal contributions that an individual can give during a two-year cycle also increased to $123,200, including $48,600 to candidates and $74,600 to parties and political action committees.
State and Local
Montana –– Helena Independent Record: First bills on campaign finance, to raise contribution limits, draw plenty of fire
By Mike DennisonA pair of bills that would increase, or eliminate, Montana’s limits on campaign contributions drew plenty of fire Tuesday, as public-interest groups said it would “open the floodgates” to more money from deep-pocketed interests.
New York –– Huffington Post: On Campaign Finance Reform, Senate Republicans Stand in Gov. Cuomo’s Way
By John PetroSenate Republican leader Dean Skelos repeated his opposition to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposals for campaign finance reform last week, setting up another battle between the Governor and state Republicans.
Rhode Island –– AP: RI Rep: ban lobbyist contributions during session
State Rep. John Lombardi announced his legislative proposal Tuesday. It would seek to prevent lobbyists from making donations to political campaign funds from Jan. 1 to July 1, typically the time lawmakers are in session.
Vermont –– VPR: Democrats Echo Republicans In Calling For Campaign Finance Reform
By Kirk CarapezzaDemocrats in Vermont today echoed their Republican counterparts in calling for campaign finance reform to increase transparency. The proposals follow a campaign season that saw hundreds of thousands of dollars spent in both primary and general elections.
