DOJ STANCE.   BNA.  “The Trump administration has urged the Supreme Court to uphold long-standing campaign finance laws that restrict unlimited ‘soft money’ contributions to political parties ( Republican Party of Louisiana v. Federal Election Commission, U.S., No. 16-865, motion to dismiss or affirm filed 4/12/17).”

MO:  LAW IMPACT.   KCUR.  “Amendment 2 limits statewide officials and Missouri legislators from accepting individual donations of more than $2,600 per election. State campaign reports from Jan. 1 to March 31, due Monday, document the impact since the constitutional amendment went into effect Dec. 8.”

MO:  MEC EDUCATES.  MT.  “On December 8, 2016, Article VIII, section 23 of the Missouri constitution went into effect, limiting campaign contributions to candidates seeking statewide office.”

MT:  NO NOMINEE.  USN.  “Gov. Steve Bullock has yet to name a new commissioner of political practices — calling into question whether Montana lawmakers will have enough time to vet a nominee before the legislative session draws to a close, possibly as soon as next week.”

MT:  BILL BATTLE.   MN.  “Montana’s contribution limits have become something of a moving target ever since District Judge Charles Lovell first struck them down as unconstitutional in an October 2012 suit filed by conservative groups including the nonprofit American Tradition Partnership.”

OR:  DONATION ISSUE.   PT.  “But it’s a $10,000 contribution from the school district’s classified employees union to newcomer Sara Pocklington’s campaign against incumbent John Wendland that has locals talking.”

TN:  FUNDS FOR PASSPORTS.   TN.  “Sens. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, and Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, used campaign money to pay for passports.”

TX:  STEPPING DOWN.  TT.  “Sherry Cook, the embattled executive director of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, is stepping down from her post amid a series of spending controversies at the agency.”

HAVE A GOOD DAY.