A U.S. District Court judge today vacated an FEC regulation that limited the degree to which corporations and labor unions must disclose their donors when they pay for an Electioneering Communication. Van Hollen v. FEC An Electioneering Communication is a broadcast, cable or satellite communication that features a federal candidate,
Continue Reading A Pyrrhic Victory? The Impact of Today’s District Court Decision on Electioneering Communications (Van Hollen v. FEC)
November 2014
FEC Issues Zero Tolerance Decision on Foreign National Contributions
By Robert Lenhard on
Posted in Campaign Finance, Enforcement
In a little noticed decision earlier this month, the FEC announced the settlement of an enforcement case that sets a compliance standard that few companies may currently meet. FEC ADR Case 708 (Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. PAC). The outcome is even more surprising because the case involved a single…
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FINRA Likely to Adopt Pay-to-Play Rule
By Kevin Glandon on
Posted in Pay-to-Play
On November 14, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued a notice asking for comment (by December 15) on its proposal to establish three rules designed to restrict pay-to-play practices. The three rules include a pay-to-play prohibition (Rule 2390), a disclosure requirement (Rule 2271), and a recordkeeping requirement (Rule 4580). …
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New Arkansas Campaign Finance, Lobbying, and Ethics Laws Take Immediate Effect
By Andrew Garrahan on
Amid the thrill of victory and agony of defeat this Election Day, Arkansas voters approved a constitutional amendment that will have a major impact on those involved in the political and legislative process there. While enacting legislation and regulations may bring some additional clarity to the issues, the amendment is…
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MSRB Advances Expanded Pay-to-Play Rule Covering Municipal Advisors
By Zachary G. Parks on
Posted in Pay-to-Play
For two decades, municipal securities dealers have been subject to Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”) rule G-37 which bars them from receiving state and local business for two years after certain political contributions are made by the dealers and individuals affiliated with them. Earlier this week, the MSRB advanced amendments…
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