Independent Groups
Wall Street Journal: Anger at IRS Powers Tea-Party Comeback
By Monica Langley“I kept telling everyone—including the big donors who wouldn’t give to us without our nonprofit status—that the IRS appeared to be targeting tea-party groups,” Mrs. Martin says. “But no one believed us.”An IRS spokesman says federal law “prohibits the IRS from discussing specific taxpayers or situations.” Documents released in June confirmed that the IRS flagged liberal as well as conservative groups, but left unclear whether left-leaning groups were subject to the same lengthy delays and intrusive questioning.
Disclosure
Desert Sun: Coachella Valley home to political heavyweights
By Raju ChebiumThe Coachella Valley’s top 34 donors gave a total of $1,173,581 for last year’s federal races, most of it to the GOP, according to the study by Sunlight, a watchdog group that tracks political money.Nine of these donors live in Palm Springs, eight in Indian Wells, eight in Rancho Mirage, seven in Palm Desert and two in La Quinta. They are philanthropists, socialites, business owners, corporate executives, financiers, doctors, farmers, and current and former owners of sports teams. Many are retirees who remain active in community affairs and politics.
Candidates, Politicians, Campaigns, and Parties
Northwest Herald: Hultgren campaign fined by FEC for underreporting 2010 income
By Kevin CraverWOODSTOCK – The Federal Elections Commission slapped U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren’s campaign with a $2,500 fine for failing to report more than $83,000 from his first election in 2010.
Lobbying and Ethics
The Hill: ObamaCare’s architects reap windfall as Washington lobbyists
By Megan R. Wilson
More than 30 former administration officials, lawmakers and congressional staffers who worked on the healthcare law have set up shop on K Street since 2010.Major lobbying firms such as Fierce, Isakowitz & Blalock, The Glover Park Group, Alston & Bird, BGR Group and Akin Gump can all boast an Affordable Care Act insider on their lobbying roster — putting them in a prime position to land coveted clients.
State and Local
Alaska –– Daily News-Miner: Campaign finance training in Fairbanks
FAIRBANKS — The Alaska Public Offices Commission will host two training sessions in Fairbanks to explain group and candidate campaign disclosure requirements.The sessions will be held Wednesday in the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly Chambers, 809 Pioneer Road.
New Jersey –– NJ Newsroom: Pay to Play Reforms
By Jeff BrindleCustom holds that in permissive legislation like this, locally adopted ordinances are equal to or more stringent than state law.That certainly appeared to be the intent of the cosponsors. “It is the intention of the Legislature to encourage counties and municipalities to enact tough pay-to-play ordinances,’’ said then-Assemblyman Michael Panter (D-12th).
Ohio –– AP: OH treasurer crashes twice, makes no staff report
By Julie Carr SmythDuring the late-night March accident, Mandel was riding in a vehicle owned by his 2012 U.S. Senate campaign, months after he’d lost his high-profile bid against Democrat Sherrod Brown.Under federal campaign finance law, Senate campaign property can’t be used for personal use or to campaign for a different office, such as treasurer.Mandel’s state treasurer campaign says it rented the vehicle from the federal campaign. The rental check cleared June 30, more than seven months after Mandel had lost the Senate race and almost four months after the accident, which totaled the vehicle.
