In the News
Town Hall: Set Campaign Finance Free
By Kathryn CianoSince the federal government started protecting Americans from the appearance of corruption in 1974, government corruption has not decreased. Even without the IRS’ recent actions to squelch speech by political opponents, public confidence in the government is on the decline.In fact, there is a strong correlation between a lack of contribution limits and people’s perception of how well-governed a state is. Brad Smith at the Center for Competitive Politics cites Governing magazine and Pew Charitable Trusts periodic polling, indicating that five of the top 10 “best-governed” states were among the 12 states without political contribution limits, while nine of the 10 “worst-governed” states did limit contributions. People trust government the most when government is most accessible to them.
Independent Groups
Mother Jones: IRS Complaint Filed Against Jeb Bush’s Ed Reform Foundation
By Stephanie MencimerThis week, as Bush is back in the limelight in Boston kicking off his foundation’s annual education reform summit, a New Mexico advocacy group, ProgressNowNM, has filed a complaint with the IRS alleging that Bush’s foundation has failed to publicly disclose on its 990 tax forms thousands of dollars it paid to bring public school superintendents, education officials and lawmakers to foundation events where they had private “VIP” meetings with the foundation’s for-profit sponsors. Nonprofits are required to disclose payments for public officials’ travel and entertainment if it exceeds $1,000. Public records unearthed by the New Mexico group show payments for travel exceeding that amount for several state education officials whose travel wasn’t reported on FEE’s 990 form.The complaint alleges that Bush’s foundation disguised travel payments for officials as “scholarships” to hide the fact that the nonprofit was basically facilitating lobbying between big corporations and public officials who control local tax dollars.
Disclosure
Daily Caller: Clinton, Reid, DNC took campaign contributions from deathbed identity thief
By Patrick HowleyBut the RNC found that the scandal is wider than initially thought.Caramadre and his wife Paula have donated $13,000 to Hillary Clinton since 2005, $9,200 to Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid since 2007, $5,000 to the DNC since 2007, and $28,250 and $25,250 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) respectively since 2006.
CPI: Obama campaign pocketed Ponzi schemer cash
By Alison FitzgeraldObama isn’t the only politician who has declined to return Stanford campaign contributions to help make Stanford’s defrauded investors whole. A total of 39 candidates and committees have kept their campaign funds despite the pleas by the receiver, Texas Lawyer Ralph Janvey, to return the money.A spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, which now speaks for the Obama campaign, did not immediately comment.
Candidates, Politicians, Campaigns, and Parties
Roll Call: Pelosi Puts Her Money on a Dozen Candidates
By Kent CooperThe campaign committee of House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has given $2,000 campaign contributions to each of 10 new faces for the next Congress. She also contributed to two members for their re-election.
Lobbying and Ethics
Washington Post: Lobbyists’ lobbying group wants a new name — one that doesn’t mention lobbying
By Holly YeagerBut as he told the group’s 1,200 members in a letter announcing that a name change was under consideration: “The new brand will seek to fully represent the broad range of responsibilities that a government relations professional practices daily.”In this high-stakes rebranding exercise, the field was quickly narrowed to two edgy choices: the Association of Government Relations Professionals and — wait for it — the National Association of Government Relations Professionals.
The Hill: Lights! Cameras! Action on K Street
By Kevin BogardusOne new lobbying push is centered on “Captain Phillips,” a film starring Tom Hanks that recreates the dramatic Navy SEAL rescue of the seaman who was held hostage by Somali pirates.The real-life Capt. Richard Phillips is trying his hand at lobbying, helping officials from the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MMP) shed light on the merchant marine’s problems.Phillips said the movie has grabbed people’s attention, presenting the union with a big opportunity.
State and Local
Arizona –– Arizona Daily Star: Arizona court blocks new campaign finance law
Arizona –– Arizona Daily Star: Arizona court blocks new campaign finance law
By Howard FischerIn a brief ruling, the three-judge panel essentially accepted arguments by the attorney for the Citizens Clean Elections Commission that there is reason to believe the higher limits, approved earlier this year by the Republican-controlled Legislature, are illegal. The court did not explain which of two legal theories advanced by Joe Kanefield they were accepting.Most immediately, the order directs Secretary of State Ken Bennett, as the state’s chief election officer, not to enforce the law. That immediately limits candidates to the lower figures that were in place.
Rhode Island –– Providence Journal: R.I. has a stake in Supreme Court case on donations to political campaigns
By Katherine GreggRhode Island law currently prohibits an individual from giving more than $1,000 per year to any one candidate, and any more than $10,000 per year — in total — to candidates, party committees and PACs.An individual may contribute an additional $10,000, in aggregate, to a political party, provided that the funds be used for party building and not for donations to candidates.Rhode Island is one of nine states that could be affected by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in a case, known as Shaun McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, that examines the constitutionality of aggregate limits on campaign contributions to federal candidates.
