Vermont

Corporations, trade associations, non-profits, other organizations, and individuals face significant penalties and reputational harm if they violate state laws governing corporate and personal political activities, the registration of lobbyists, lobbying reporting, or the giving of gifts or items of value to government officials or employees. To help organizations and individuals comply with these rules, Covington

Companies doing business with state and local governments or operating in regulated industries are subject to a dizzying array of “pay-to-play” rules. These rules effectively prohibit company executives and employees (and in some cases, their family members) from making certain personal political contributions. Even inadvertent violations can be dangerous: a single political contribution can, for

Companies doing business with state and local governments or operating in regulated industries are subject to a dizzying array of “pay-to-play” rules.  These rules effectively prohibit company executives and employees (and in some cases, their family members) from making certain personal political contributions.  Even inadvertent violations can be dangerous:  a single political contribution can, for

The Vermont Senate might soon scrap the Green Mountain State’s campaign finance law in its entirety in favor of new legislation.  The pending bill would change contribution limits, increase reporting frequency, and require groups paying for electioneering communications to disclose their major donors.  The ambitious bill, which is making its way through the state

When is an independent expenditure-only committee, or Super PAC, truly independent of the candidate the Super PAC supports?  Surprisingly few courts in the post-Citizens United world have decided this question.  A recent Vermont Superior Court decision, however, provides a rare example of a court grappling with this issue.

The case involved allegations of coordination

Yesterday, the Vermont Attorney General announced that it would not enforce the state’s $2,000 statutory contribution limit against independent expenditure PACs.  This policy change in practice allows Super PACs to raise unlimited funds for independent expenditure operations in Vermont.  Notably, the law will remain on the books and will be applied unless the PAC demonstrates