Tampa Bay Times: Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio burned through that much cash before joining the heap of failed 2016 presidential candidates, an astounding figure even in the big-money era. But more important, the Floridians pushed new boundaries of campaign… Continue reading

Arizona Capitol Times: Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill that completely rewrites Arizona’s campaign finance laws, including a provision that critics say will open the state up to more dark money in elections. Secretary of State Michele Reagan pushed… Continue reading

Shane Goldmacher for Politico: No presidential candidate fighting for their party’s nomination has ever benefited from as much undisclosed cash, and watchdogs worry the pro-Rubio group’s unchecked activity serves as a dangerous precedent that will soon become common practice. “It… Continue reading

Jonathan Adler: Today, nearly 1,050 days since the start of the IRS scandal triggered by allegations that the IRS unlawfully and unethically targeted tea party and other conservative organizations for special scrutiny, the litigation continues. One allegedly targeted group… Continue reading

Law 360: The CEO of the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity Foundation on Tuesday testified in the California federal trial over the Koch brother-founded group’s bid to prevent California’s attorney general from obtaining its donor list that seven-figure… Continue reading

Barnaby Zall blogs.

WaPo editorial. I made similar points in this LAT oped.

The detailed story from Robert Maguire of Open Secrets. Michael Hiltzik: A cowed IRS gives a green light to more secret money in politics Earlier, I wrote: Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS manages to make it even harder to find … Continue reading

I have written this oped for the LA Times.  It begins: If you know nothing else about a candidate except that he or she is backed by the Koch brothers or George Soros, it’s often enough to help you make… Continue reading

Robert Maguire: After languishing in limbo for nearly five-and-a-half years, one of the most controversial, politically active 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations in the country has been granted nonprofit status by the IRS. The ruling was made official last Nov.… Continue reading

ProPublica: How do you stop states and cities from forcing more disclosure of so-called dark money in politics? Get the debate to focus on an “average Joe,” not a wealthy person. Find examples of “inconsequential donation amounts.” Point out that… Continue reading