CCP
Estate Contribution Limits Case Certified to D.C. Circuit
By Sarah LeeIn 2007, Tennessee resident Raymond Burrington passed away, leaving in his will $217,734 to the Libertarian Party. But because that amount exceeded the annual limit on contributions to national party committees, the LNC was forced to place funds in escrow, withdrawing each year only the amount permitted by the FEC. The LNC seeks the full amount of the bequest, as well as the ability to implement a planned giving program that would solicit bequests exceeding the annual contribution limit.
Corporate Governance
NY Times: Companies: Show Us the Money
By THOMAS P. DiNAPOLI and BILL de BLASIOThe reform, suggested in a petition to the S.E.C. by 10 legal scholars in August 2011, would be simple: it would mandate that publicly held corporations disclose their political spending. In the months since the petition was posted, the commission has received nearly half a million comments on it — more than on any other issue in its 79-year history — that have been overwhelming in favor of the proposal. (Typically, S.E.C. rule-making petitions get fewer than 100 comments.)
Independent Groups
The Hill: Obama group Organizing for Action courts unions as cash grab accelerates
By Kevin BogardusUnions have said they are open to bankrolling Organizing for Action (OFA), the controversial revamp of Obama’s reelection machine, and are now discussing partnerships with the nonprofit, union officials told The Hill. At least one union has already discussed a possible donation.
The Hill: Massachusetts Senate race flooded with outside cash despite ‘Peoples’ Pledge’
By Alexander JaffeThe groups have found loopholes in “The Peoples’ Pledge,” which Reps. Edward Markey and Stephen Lynch signed when they entered the race to fill the Massachusetts seat left open by former Sen. John Kerry (D).In a special election primary, with its shortened duration and expected low turnout, the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on either candidate — even if it’s not on air attacks — could make a big impact.
Politico: Michael Bloomberg gave $2 million to his anti-guns group
By Tarini PartiMayor Michael Bloomberg remains the sole donor to his super PAC, Independence USA, pitching in $2 million more to the group in February, new reports show.
Roll Call: Republican Super PAC War Splits the Party
By Eliza Newlin CarneyThough media attention has spotlighted tea party attacks on Republican rainmaker Karl Rove’s new Conservative Victory Project, his effort is only one of at least a half-dozen groups representing the GOP’s various factions that have launched since January.
Disclosure
Politico: Robert Menendez donor courted President Obama, Harry Reid
By Kenneth P. VogelMelgen also donated $700,000 last year to Majority PAC, which spent $582,500 supporting Menendez’s 2012 reelection campaign — which Menendez won by 18 percentage points.
Candidates, Politicians and Parties
Roll Call: NRCC Raises $14.4 Million at Annual March Dinner
By Abby LivingstonThe 2013 fundraising figure topped the NRCC’s $12 million haul from last year, when South Carolina Gov. Nikki R. Haley was the keynote speaker.
Lobbying and Ethics
Politico: House Ethics Committee opens probes into Don Young, Rob Andrews
By Josh BresnahanThe House Ethics Committee will launch full-scale investigations into two veteran lawmakers, Reps. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Rob Andrews (D-N.J.) in its first major probes of the 113th Congress.
Roll Call: Lobbying Without a Trace
By Kate AckleyNearly half of the lobbyists who were registered with Congress in 2011 and then went “inactive” in 2012 remained with the same employer, and many continued to influence public policy, according to a study released Wednesday.
State and Local
California –– LA Times: Five of 6 ex-Bell council members found guilty in corruption trial
By Corina Knoll, Ruben Vives and Richard WintonThe verdict Wednesday came on the 18th day of deliberations — nearly as long as the trial itself — and left the jury still deadlocked on nearly half the counts. The judge ordered the jury to return to court Thursday, though it remains unclear if the panel will continue to deliberate on the undecided charges.
