In the News
Cato Unbound: What is the Place of Corporate Money in Democratic Politics?
By STEPHEN ANSOLABEHERE, CCP Academic AdvisorModern elections do not seem possible without the expenses of advertising, organizing, and direct campaigning. Indeed, without the expenditure of money to inform voters about their choices, many voters would not be able to make a decision consistent with their views. Modern legislative politics also does not seem possible if Congress and state legislatures do not engage with businesses. Legislatures must somehow become informed about the effects of any action or inaction on competing interests in society.
CCP
CCP Submits Comments on Montana Bill that Directly Violates Citizens United Decision
By Sarah LeeLast year, in American Tradition Partnership v. Bullock, the state of Montana challenged the Court’s holding in Citizens United, arguing that it should not apply to its state ban on corporate independent expenditures. Citing the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, the Supreme Court flatly rejected the state’s arguments, declaring that the holding of Citizens United applies to Montana state law. S.B. 320 seeks to again directly challenge the Court’s holding in both of these cases and, as such, is blatantly unconstitutional.
Independent Groups
Politico: Karl Rove-linked aides launch Kentucky super PAC
By BYRON TAUA former Karl Rove deputy and campaign aide to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has formed a super PAC that could help the Kentucky Republican.
Washington Post: James Carville supporting pro-Hillary super PAC
By Aaron BlakeDemocratic strategist James Carville, a longtime confidant of the Clinton family, is supporting the super PAC devoted to luring Hillary Clinton into the 2016 presidential race.
Corporate Governance
Harvard Law School: Responding to Objections to Shining Light on Corporate Political Spending (1): The Claim of Immateriality
By Lucian Bebchuk, Harvard Law School, and Robert J. Jackson, Jr., Columbia Law SchoolGiven the expected SEC consideration of the subject, we have written an article, Shining Light on Corporate Political Spending, coming out this month in the Georgetown Law Journal, that puts forward a comprehensive case for the rulemaking we advocated in the petition and responds to each of the ten objections that opponents have raised in comment letters filed with the SEC or elsewhere. We show in this article that these objections, either individually or collectively, provide no basis for opposing rules requiring public companies to disclose political spending to their investors.
Candidates, Politicians and Parties
NY Times: Obama Pauses From Fray to Raise Money for 2014
By PETER BAKERWith a two-day swing through the money corridors of Northern California, Mr. Obama began fulfilling a promise to Congressional Democrats to use the power and prestige of his office to fill their coffers for the 2014 election in a way he did not during his first term.
Lobbying and Ethics
The Hill: Lobbyist de-registration: Be careful what you wish for
By Thomas SpulakPrior to these changes it was common for individuals who had even nominal contact with the Executive and Legislative Branch officials to register. Many of these individuals were concerned that if they were seen walking in the halls of Congress and agencies, someone could question why they were not registered. So to avoid the appearance of impropriety, they registered. But after HLOGA and the President’s restrictions, many registrants re-examined that decision and concluded that if they were not spending 20 percent of their time engaged in lobbying activities on behalf of a client or employer, they shouldn’t be registered. The desire to err on the side of transparency and voluntarily register was outweighed by the desire to avoid the prohibitions, restrictions, requirements and sanctions, not to mention the politically motivated stigma associated with being a registered lobbyist. As a result, many of the voluntary registrants terminated their registration and with it went the information that previously was disclosed in their LDA reports.
State and Local
New York –– Associated Press: Feds Announce Charges Against 2 NY Assemblymen
By LARRY NEUMEISTER and TOM HAYSFor the second time in a week, a New York state politician was arrested in a bribery scandal, leading a prosecutor to say Thursday that political corruption in the state “is indeed rampant” and people should be angry about it.
Pennsylvania –– Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Judge throws out all campaign finance limits in Pittsburgh mayoral race
By Timothy McNultyAn Allegheny County Common Pleas Court judge voided the new contribution limits Wednesday covering the race this year, saying excess contributions by a former candidate triggered their suspension.The ruling by Judge Joseph James means all the remaining candidates in the intriguing race could raise unbounded funds from rich individuals or political action committees over the next seven weeks, instead of being limited to just $2,000 or $4,000, respectively, under city law.
