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Political Spending: Civic Engagement is Not a Threat to Democracy
January 1, 2018  •  By IFS Staff  •    •  

The First Amendment guarantees every American freedom of speech. That freedom includes the right to spend money on speech. Without money, a political group cannot buy ads, print fliers, organize protests, or hire staff. Short of shouting one’s opinions on a street corner, it takes money to spread a message. Recognizing this relationship, the Supreme Court has long prohibited the…

There’s no reason to be afraid of ‘dark money’ in politics
January 13, 2017   •  By Brad Smith   •  , ,

Before progressives began to obsess over “fake news,” they were convinced that the greatest threat to our democracy was the scourge of “dark money.” ...

Judge Charles Canady in Congress: A Strong but Mixed Pro-Free Speech Record
January 10, 2017   •  By David Keating   •  , ,

Hon. Charles Canady Florida Supreme Court (2008-Present, 2010-2012 as Chief Justice); Florida Second District Court of Appeal (2002-2008); United States House of Representatives (1993-2001) ...

“Drain the Swamp” Means Different Things for Trump Supporters and Speech Regulation Supporters
December 6, 2016   •  By Joe Albanese   •  ,

As the Trump Administration begins to take shape, the media and pro-regulation voices have honed in on the President-elect’s prospective cabinet and its fidelity ...

Steyer’s Plan to Challenge Trump is Healthy for Free Speech Environment
December 5, 2016   •  By Alex Baiocco   •  , ,

In response to Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton on Election Day, environmental activist and Democratic donor Tom Steyer has promised to continue to ...

Should Candidates Have Control Over Who Can Speak About Elections?
November 15, 2016   •  By Luke Wachob   •  , , ,

Unsuccessful candidates often blame their loss on an opponent’s spending. Sometimes those complaints are lodged at better-funded candidates, sometimes at the media, and other ...

Trump Supporters (and Most Americans) Couldn’t Care Less About His “Self-Funding” Flip Flop
November 14, 2016   •  By Joe Albanese   •  , ,

If there’s one thing that’s obvious about the 2016 election cycle, it’s that it was huge for outsider candidates. Besides Donald Trump’s surprise victory, ...

Money Doesn’t Buy Elections: 2016 Presidential Election Edition
November 9, 2016   •  By Scott Blackburn   •  ,

With the election of Donald Trump and the defeat of Hillary Clinton, we are reminded once again that the role of money in politics ...

Comments and Suggested Language to California Fair Political Practices Commission on Proposed Revisions to Political Reform Act of 1974
October 31, 2016   •  By David Keating   •  , ,

As you know, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (“FPPC”), the body charged with the administration and enforcement of California’s Political Reform Act (“Act”), has ...

New Year, Same Story: 2016 CPA-Zicklin Index Chills Speech
October 3, 2016   •  By Brad Smith   •  , ,

The Center for Political Accountability (CPA) and the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research have released the 2016 edition of their annual study of ...

Analysis of Multnomah Co. Measure Number 26-184 (“Fair Elections and Clean Governance Charter Amendment”)
September 16, 2016   •  By IFS Staff   •  , , ,

If enacted, the Amendment will define an independent expenditure as any effort “to influence the outcome of a Candidate election” that is neither made ...

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