Political Activity Law/Political Law/Election Law

ELIAS SLUDGED. SLU. “But before Elias became known as a hero for democracy for helping Democrats prevail over Trump’s lawsuits, he led efforts to weaken campaign finance laws and open the door for big donors to have more influence in politics, including efforts conducted in partnership with the Republican Party.”

LATE HELP. TT. “A super PAC supporting the reelection of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, received a late infusion of big money ahead of the November election, including from the top super PAC aligned with Senate Republicans, according to a new post-election campaign finance filing.”

NOMINEES MOVE. RC. “The Senate Rules and Administration panel took a big step toward restoring a full slate at the Federal Election Commission, approving three nominees by voice vote Thursday.”

CA: TURLOCK ABIDES. TJ. “When the next Turlock City Council elections roll around in 2022, candidates will have to abide by the new mandatory contribution limits set by the State of California after the City Council decided not to create its own contribution limit ordinance.”

CT: OVERSIGHT QUESTIONS. CT. “For the last nine years, the State Election Enforcement Commission has failed to report the use of grant money financing candidates running for the Connecticut General Assembly, according to a recent audit report.”

OH: OPINION ON REFORM. CIN. “The policies we need addressed – whether it’s COVID-19 relief, transportation, taxes, housing, or clean water and air – get lost in the shuffle when our elected officials are more focused on chasing big political donations than they are on us.”

HAVE A GOOD DAY.

FINANCE STUNS. NR. “By avoiding the manifesto-style rhetoric that such books often employ, Primo and Milyo have not only taken the temperature of the public but cooled down a debate where there is often more heat than light.”

ROBODONOR WARNING. CE. “As a professional fundraiser, let me reassure you: robo-donors don’t exist. If they did, we might have been able to raise more money for our client.”

STEIN OWES. BI. “The Stein campaign is now out of money, still owing tens of thousands of dollars to the FEC for failing to disclose how it was spending donations, mandatory reports sometimes filed over a year late.”

CONTRIBUTION QUESTIONS. BI. “A leadership PAC is typically created by current and former politicians to donate money to each other and build relationships. The contributions can be used to fund candidates’ travel and events, for example.”

FEC COVERED. DB. “Campaign finance experts recoiled at Trainor’s apparent embrace of the dubious allegations.”

IL: PROBE HITS. CT. “A day after his closest political ally was indicted in a bribery and influence-buying scheme involving Commonwealth Edison, Madigan on Thursday saw eight more of his rank-and-file House members pledge not to reelect him when lawmakers reconvene in January.”

MO: AMENDMENT 3 PASSED. NL. “Amendment 3 also bans all gifts to lawmakers from paid lobbyists, though it does not prevent them from receiving gifts from unpaid lobbyists and lobbyists related to a legislator within the fourth degree, including first cousins.”

NM: SHADOW FUNDS. LCS. “Since New Mexico enacted a new disclosure law last year, more than $800,000 in political spending has been publicly reported by nonprofit groups that in the past would have remained largely hidden.”

NY: TRASH PROBE. BN. “The former chief operating officer of a Lewiston waste disposal business testified before a federal grand jury earlier this year about campaign donations to Mayor Byron W. Brown and the company’s contracts with the City of Buffalo, two sources said.”

HAVE A GOOD DAY. Have a great Thanksgiving! Posts will resume next week.