Category Archives: campaign finance

The Plight of the FEC

March 28, 2019, 7:58 amcampaign finance, federal election commissionRick Hasen

From an Eleanor Eagan Jeff Hauser analysis of independent agencies: Finally, the plight of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) is an example of how Trump’s slowdown can exacerbate pre-existing threats to the public good. All of the commissioners are serving … Continue reading

“Senate Democrats push to match House’s ethics and election reforms”

March 27, 2019, 8:55 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

WaPo: Responding to action in the House, Senate Democrats unveiled their own version of a sweeping election and ethics reform bill Wednesday — one that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed never to bring to a vote.Dubbed, like… Continue reading

“New report through US 2050 details the effect of race and gender on campaign fundraising”

March 21, 2019, 8:31 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Open Secrets: The Center for Responsive Politics is pleased to announce the publication of “Race, Gender, and Money in Politics: Campaign Finance and Federal Candidates in the 2018 Midterms.” Written by Sarah Bryner, the Center’s research director, and Grace… Continue reading

“Democratic super PAC launches $50 million effort to weaken Trump with core supporters”

March 21, 2019, 8:07 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

NBC News reports.

“Cindy Yang helped Chinese tech stars get $50K photos with Trump. Who paid?”

March 21, 2019, 8:05 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Miami Herald: So who paid Trump Victory for their photos?Yang isn’t saying — but she and three associates with an Asian-American political group donated a total of $135,500 to Trump Victory in the weeks leading up to the event.… Continue reading

“Beware of Scam PACs in This Crowded Presidential Field”

March 19, 2019, 2:36 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Ciara Torres-Spelliscy blogs.

“DOJ & FEC Complaints Filed for Apparent ‘Straw Donor’ Contributions to Trump Campaign”

March 19, 2019, 10:15 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Release via email: Today, Common Cause filed complaints with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging reason to believe that a Florida businesswoman violated campaign finance laws by enlisting and reimbursing “straw donors” tens of… Continue reading

“How Executives Vote With Their Wallets”

March 19, 2019, 7:29 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

NYT Dealbook: So a team of Harvard professors set out to find the political inclinations of top executives — not just the 200 who make up the Business Roundtable, but all the executives of the S&P 1500, a stock… Continue reading

“New Report Surveys Speech-Chilling Statutes Across the Country”

March 19, 2019, 7:25 amcampaign finance, lobbyingRick Hasen

IFS: The Institute for Free Speech today published a first-of-its-kind survey of campaign speech regulations and grassroots lobbying laws that implicate First Amendment freedoms.The survey looks at state laws in twelve distinct policy areas, ranging from electioneering communications statutes… Continue reading

“US Supreme Court denies hearing Ron Paul 2012 aides’ appeal”

March 18, 2019, 12:49 pmcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

AP: The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal of the felony convictions of three top staffers on Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential campaign.Campaign chairman Jesse Benton, campaign manager John Tate and deputy campaign manager Dimitri Kesari were… Continue reading

Arizona: “Republican lawmaker prompts state investigation of Tempe ban on dark money”

March 17, 2019, 4:18 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Arizona Capitol Times reports.

“Is it Time for Corporate Political Spending Disclosure?”

March 17, 2019, 4:15 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Cydney Posner at Harvard Law Review Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation.

NYT Reporting Suggests That Cindy Yang Illegally Funneled Contributions Through Conduits to Reach $50,000 Threshold for Picture with Donald Trump

March 16, 2019, 12:42 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

This story is going to get bigger: The Republican National Committee promised an “evening reception with Donald J. Trump” last March at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla.A contribution of $2,700 toward the president’s re-election would get you in… Continue reading