A Wisconsin resident has brought a federal lawsuit challenging the state law that restricts individual political contributions to candidates and committees to $10,000 in a calendar year. As alleged in the complaint in the case, captioned Young v. Vocke, the aggregate limit is so low that if an individual
Continue Reading Wisconsin Aggregate Contribution Limit Challenged
D.C. Circuit Vacates Federal Contractor Ban Decision on Way to En Banc Review
Earlier today a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued its opinion in Wagner v. FEC, sending the legal challenge brought by three federal contractors back to the start.
The contractors had sued the Federal Election Commission back in October 2011, arguing that
Continue Reading D.C. Circuit Vacates Federal Contractor Ban Decision on Way to En Banc Review
New Jersey to Allow Unrestricted Super PAC Contributions
With the New Jersey gubernatorial primary election fast approaching, we have been tracking a legal challenge to the State’s treatment of contributions to Super PACs. Back in March, the Election Law Enforcement Commission issued an advisory opinion to the Fund for Jobs and Growth, explaining that the group would need
Continue Reading New Jersey to Allow Unrestricted Super PAC Contributions
Group Sues Treasury and IRS to Amend 501(c)(4) Regulations
All eyes are on the IRS and its regulation of 501(c)(4) organizations these days, with the agency’s mishandling of exemption applications, the release of the Treasury Inspector General’s report, and the lengthy hearings held by the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the House Oversight
Continue Reading Group Sues Treasury and IRS to Amend 501(c)(4) Regulations
Challenge to Federal Contractor Contribution Ban Awaits D.C. Circuit Decision
On Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit wrapped up its 2012–2013 Term by hearing argument in Wagner v. FEC, a case that challenges the Federal Election Campaign Act provision prohibiting federal contractors from making political contributions in connection with federal elections. The court typically issues
Continue Reading Challenge to Federal Contractor Contribution Ban Awaits D.C. Circuit Decision
Treasury Inspector General to IRS: Yes, That Was Wrong
Late yesterday afternoon, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration released its eagerly awaited report on its investigation into the IRS’s use of inappropriate criteria for screening tax-exempt applications (“IG Report”). The Inspector General initiated its investigation after members of Congress raised concerns during the 2012 election cycle that the
Continue Reading Treasury Inspector General to IRS: Yes, That Was Wrong
Vermont Super PAC Contribution Limit Bill Stalls
Despite seemingly widespread agreement between and among Vermont state legislators and Governor Shumlin that contributions to Vermont Super PACs should be capped in principle, it now appears unlikely that Senate Bill 82 will make it to the Governor’s desk in 2013. The two chambers of the state legislature were unable
Continue Reading Vermont Super PAC Contribution Limit Bill Stalls
IRS Says: “That was wrong.”
“That was wrong. That was absolutely incorrect, it was insensitive and it was inappropriate. That’s not how we go about selecting cases for further review.”
In an unexpected move that surprised some and angered others, Lois Lerner, Director of Exempt Organizations of the Internal Revenue Service, publicly apologized for the
Continue Reading IRS Says: “That was wrong.”
Vermont Moves Closer to Imposing Contribution Limits on Super PACs
Yesterday the Vermont House of Representatives moved the State one step closer to imposing contribution limits on independent-expenditure only committees, more commonly known as Super PACs.
As we reported here, the Senate has passed a bill (S. 82) that would limit contributions to Super PACs to $3,000, but only
Continue Reading Vermont Moves Closer to Imposing Contribution Limits on Super PACs
Update on Corporate Political Activity Disclosure
A hot topic we’ve been tracking closely this year concerns the regulatory and legal battles over corporate political activity disclosure. This past week has been notable in two respects.
As we’ve previously reported here, in December 2012 the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) identified potential rulemakings that it might
Continue Reading Update on Corporate Political Activity Disclosure