"Nonprofits in Federal Elections: 527s, 501(c)s, and the Debate over Federal Campaign Finance and Tax Policies"

The Campaign Finance Institute and the Urban Institute are putting on this event on July 19. (Click on the link for rsvp information.) This looks like a terrific event that I'm sorry I will have to miss. Here is the schedule:

What Principles of American Democracy Are at Stake?

Scholars of the Constitution and civil society discuss the tensions inherent in designing campaign finance policy.

* Richard Briffault, Columbia University Law School
* Leslie Lenkowsky, director, graduate programs, Indiana University Center on Philanthropy
* Kay Schlozman, Boston College and American Political Science Assn. Task Force on Inequality
* Michael J. Malbin (moderator), executive director, Campaign Finance Institute


PANEL II (1:30–2:45)


New Research on the Political Activities of Leading Nonprofit
Interest Groups in Recent Election Cycles

CFI staff presents new findings on how interest groups use a mixture of campaign finance vehicles—PACs, 527s, and 501(c)s—in federal elections, and experts discuss the implications for campaign finance and tax policy.

* Steve Weissman, associate director for policy, Campaign Finance Institute
* Frances Hill, University of Miami Law School
* Elliot Mincberg, vice president, People for the American Way Foundation
* Elizabeth Boris (moderator), director, Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, Urban Institute


PANEL III (2:45–4:00)


Should Changes Be Made in Campaign Finance Tax Policies
Concerning Nonprofits' Political Activities?

CFI's Michael J. Malbin engages leading proponents of diverse perspectives in a lively discussion.

* Miriam Galston, George Washington University Law School and ABA Exempt Organizations Committee's Task Force on Section 501(c)(4) and Politics
* Gail Harmon, Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg Law Firm
* Craig Holman, legislative representative, Public Citizen
* David Keating, executive director, Club for Growth (invited)
* Marcus Owens, Caplin and Drysdale Law Firm and former director, IRS Division of Exempt Organizations
* Fred Wertheimer, president, Democracy 21

Posted by Rick Hasen at June 22, 2006 04:04 PM