Updates on Developments in Campaign Finance, Lobbying & Government Ethics Law
On Monday, a federal court granted a preliminary injunction preventing Pennsylvania from enforcing its ban on corporate contributions and expenditures insofar as the challenged statute forbids corporations from contributing to political committees that exclusively make independent expenditures.
In General Majority PAC v. Aichele, No. 1:14-cv-00332 (M.D. Pa. 2014), a…
Continue Reading Federal Court Enjoins Enforcement of Pennsylvania Ban on Corporate Contributions to Super PACs
On Thursday, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) was unable to agree on whether Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. could sponsor a Separate Segregated Fund (a corporate “SSF” or “PAC” in common parlance) that solicited contributions from the employees of its dealers and service centers. The request resulted in an unsurprising deadlock…
Continue Reading The More Things Change: The FEC and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
As forecasted, a federal court has entered a permanent injunction that permits Super PACs in New Jersey to raise unlimited funds, pursuant to the parties’ agreement. This resolves the suit brought by the Fund for Jobs, Growth & Security after the state’s Election Law Enforcement Commission advised the Fund…
Continue Reading Agreed-Upon Permanent Injunction Releases N.J. Super PACs from Limits
Twenty House Democrats yesterday introduced proposed legislation that, if enacted in its current form, would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to:
In a rare move for a federal appellate court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit yesterday released a two-paragraph precedential opinion upholding various federal campaign finance laws and policies by simply adopting the district court’s decision. The case is captioned Free Speech v. FEC.
The most…
Continue Reading Tenth Circuit Upholds FEC’s Broader Definition of “Express Advocacy”
As expected, earlier this week Governor Malloy signed a bill that changes key provisions of Connecticut’s campaign finance law. Here are a few highlights of the legislation, which takes effect immediately.
Increase in Contribution Limits: Many contribution limits applicable to individuals are doubled. For example, the maximum aggregate limit applicable…
Continue Reading Connecticut Governor Signs Campaign Finance Bill
Yesterday, the Wisconsin Assembly passed a bill that would modify Wisconsin’s ban on corporate expenditures and double the state’s political contribution limits. In response to Citizens United, the bill lifts Wisconsin’s blanket prohibition on corporate expenditures. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the bill would permit…
Continue Reading Wisconsin Assembly Votes to Permit Corporate Independent Expenditures, Double Contribution Limits
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
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
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
