CCP Responds to Bright Lines Project on Nonprofit Political Activity
Eric Wang of the Center for Competitive Politics has submitted these comments to the IRS on the regulation of political activities by tax-exempt organizations.
All posts by Dan Tokaji
“Outside Groups Set Spending Record in Midterms”
Livestreamed Panel with Ohio SOS Husted, Today at 10:00 am ET
The Bipartisan Policy Center event, entitled “Making Ohio’s Electoral System a National Model,” will take place here at Ohio State from 10-12 ET. Click here to watch. Secretary of State Jon Husted is the featured speaker, joined by Herb Asher,… Continue reading
Language of the Cromnibus Party Funding Rider
Here’s the text of the provision unveiled late yesterday (h/t Ray LaRaja), amending 52 U.S.C. 30116 to raise limits on contributions to parties for conventions, headquarters, and recounts.
SEC. 101. SEPARATE CONTRIBUTION LIMITS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO NATIONAL PARTIES TO… Continue reading
Recount in Arizona CD 2
Approximately 187,000 ballots are being recounted, according to this report, in a race where Democratic incumbent Ron Barber trailed Republican Martha McSally by 161 votes before the recount. The Arizona Republic provides some historical perspective here, comparing it… Continue reading
“In Spending Bill, A Gift For Political Party Fundraising”
Peter Overby reports: “Capitol Hill lawmakers agreed Tuesday afternoon on a small provision to be added to the omnibus spending bill, allowing the two party committees to raise money for their presidential nominating conventions. The limit per donor would… Continue reading
“Decline in Number of Registered Lobbyists May Be Leveling Off, Latest Numbers Show”
From COGEL, BNA Bloomberg reports that the number of registered federal lobbyists appears to be holding steady at around 12,500, down from a peak of 15,000 in 2007.
“Recount Requested in Chula Vista Council Race”
San Diego U-T reports on the contest, in which two votes separate the candidates.
Texas Appeals Court Rejects King Street Patriots’ Motion for Rehearing, Issues Substituted Opinion
The new opinion, like the one issued in October, sides with the Texas Democratic Party in rejecting constitutional challenges to state campaign finance laws, including corporate contribution restrictions.
“The Democratic Party’s Long Term Problem Is Worse Than You Think”
Greg Sargent at WaPo on the structural difficulties Democrats face in taking back the U.S. House: “[E]ven in … big swing states [Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina] Republicans have large majorities in the state legislatures — a holdover… Continue reading
Ohio Senate May Vote on State Redistricting Proposal
The Toledo Blade reports here on the possibility of a vote this week on a bipartisan redistricting reform proposal. The Ohio House approved a joint resolution last week. If the two chambers agree, the proposed constitutional amendment would go… Continue reading
More Florida Redistricting Documents Released
Tampa Bay Times reports: “The Florida Supreme Court on Monday thrust into the limelight yet another secret email that reveals the role of political consultants in the redistricting process that could have bearing on the pending lawsuit over Senate… Continue reading
Billionaires United Behind the Next GOP Presidential Candidate?
Bloomberg News on yesterday’s NYT story that Republican mega-donors are discussing whether to coalesce behind a single “establishment” candidate. Newt Gingrich: “It’s a disastrously bad idea and it won’t happen.”
Super PACs and State Elections
On The Upshot, Derek Willis analyzes data on Super PAC activity in the 2014 election cycle, and finds: “[T]hey have expanded their activities far beyond the original model. In what is a perfectly legal maneuver in many states, they… Continue reading