Monthly Archives: January 2016

“Campaign Finance and the Ecology of Democratic Speech”

January 22, 2016, 11:32 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Michael Kent Curtis and Eugene Mazo have posted this draft on SSRN (Kentucky Law Journal). Here is the abstract: This article deals with several campaign finance decisions of the Roberts Court and tries to place them in a much larger… Continue reading

“How the Supreme Court can change politics as usual”

January 22, 2016, 9:50 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Jeff Bellin WaPo oped: The Supreme Court does not take many cases, but it was right to agree last week to review the public-corruption convictions of former Virginia governorRobert F. McDonnell . While the conduct that led to… Continue reading

“Sheldon Silver’s Lawyers Seek Acquittal or Retrial in Corruption Case”

January 22, 2016, 9:39 ambribery, campaign financeRick Hasen

NYT: Lawyers for Sheldon Silver, the former New York State Assembly speaker convicted of federal corruption charges, asked a judge on Thursday to acquit their client or grant him a new trial, arguing that “no rational juror” could find… Continue reading

“Ted Cruz, Star Wars Fan, Declines to Sign ‘Jedi Pledge’ on Campaign Finance Reform”

January 22, 2016, 9:35 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

WSJ reports.

“Hillary Clinton: The cure for Citizens United is more democracy”

January 22, 2016, 9:22 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

CNN oped: That starts with reversing Citizens United. And that’s where my comprehensive plan to restore common sense to campaign finance begins. As president, I’ll appoint Supreme Court justices who recognize that Citizens United is bad for America. And… Continue reading

“Campaign Donations Reflect the Sharp Split in Congress Among Republicans”

January 22, 2016, 9:10 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Pro Publica: The analysis shows that the Republican leadership, including Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, raises money from a vastly different set of political action committees than members further to the right. In fact, the donor… Continue reading

Great Lineup for CCP-Cato Event on Buckley v. Valeo 40th Anniverary

January 22, 2016, 8:50 amcampaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Check it out.

“Native American Voters File Voting Rights Act Suit Challenging North Dakota Voter ID Requirements”

January 22, 2016, 8:46 amVoting Rights ActRick Hasen

Release: On January 20, 2016, seven Native Americans from North Dakota filed suit under the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. and North Dakota Constitutions challenging North Dakota’s recently enacted voter ID law on the grounds it disproportionately burdens… Continue reading

“Federal investigators focus on small campaign donations to L.A. Councilwoman Nury Martinez”

January 22, 2016, 8:42 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Alleged fraud in securing $5 donations to qualify for campaign financing. Unusual.

“The Van Hollen Case: the Roberts Court Under Fire, Not From the Usual Suspects”

January 22, 2016, 7:50 amUncategorizedRick Hasen

Read Bauer.

“As Jeb Bush Struggles, Some Allies Blame His ‘Super PAC’”

January 21, 2016, 8:36 pmcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

NYT reports.

“Appeals Court Panel Overturns Van Hollen v. FEC, Reopening Massive Disclosure Loophole for 2016 Cycle “

January 21, 2016, 8:26 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

CLC: Today in Van Hollen v. FEC, the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit once again upheld an FEC rule that severely limits federal disclosure requirements connected to “electioneering communications.” The appellate panel overturned a district court decision holding… Continue reading