Campaign Finance Reform - Other

Maine State Attorney General Aaron Frey, alongside a number of other defendants, have appealed a lower court ruling that nixed new regulations on Super PAC contributions that was approved by voters at the ballot box last November. Brought by the Dinner Table — a Maine PAC focused on “faith, family, and freedom” and dedicated to

PHOENIX – Two groups that support Republicans are making a last-ditch effort to have the Arizona Supreme Court kill campaign finance requirements that voters have approved.

Political action committees tied to a Republican state lawmaker filed a legal challenge in federal court on Friday to overturn a campaign finance reform Mainers overwhelmingly voted for in November.  Those behind the reform welcome this lawsuit, however, as such a legal challenge is a key part of their plan.

In an effort to raise awareness about the staggering influence of PAC money in politics, RepresentUs, the nation’s largest grassroots anti-corruption organization, has partnered with OpenSecrets, a go-to source to track the flow of money in US politics.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a challenge to San Francisco’s “Sunlight on Dark Money” disclosure law, which would have tested the limits of disclosure and free speech …

Democracy reform legislation must address the role of money in politics.

Idaho – like the rest of the country – is drowning in political money. The corrupting influence of all that cash, most of it untraceable as to its origin, is hiding in plan sight.  By general agreement at least $1.5 million in “dark money” – the money of millionaires and billionaires who are trying to […]

To understand money's pernicious role, don’t think of candidates being bought by their donors. Think of the "Pyramid of Money."

In a surprise move, North Carolina Republican legislators unveiled legislation that would make important changes to state campaign finance law

With control of the state House and Senate at stake, Virginia's 2023 elections have broken state fundraising records. Several close-fought races have brought in around $10 million each.

Hundreds of newsroom staffers have recently been laid off, not only affecting large media companies and established newspapers, but also hitting nonprofit outlets like The Intercept and shuttering local news site DCist. The layoffs underscore the severe funding challenges for independent journalism. It’s an important moment to support Sludge’

The Virginia General Assembly let a contribution limits bill expire in committee without so much as a hearing or a vote.

Arizona's Proposition 211 requires that independent organizations – whether an individual or a group – that spend $50,000 or more in an election cycle in a statewide race must identify

Americans overwhelmingly support limits on political campaign spending, and most think new laws could effectively reduce the role of money in politics.

By DAVID SHARP Associated Press PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine voters are poised to decide whether to ban foreign influence in elections, many of them irked over the $22 million a Canadian utility spent to fight state referendums on a hydropower transmission project. Hydro Quebec, owned by the Canadian province, exploited an election law loophole

Elections are becoming more expensive as candidates vie for voters' attention. But there are strict rules about how money is raised, how it can be used and how to prove you're following the laws.

One proposed ballot measure would raise the hourly minimum wage — currently $10.85 — to $13 in 2025, $14 in 2026 and $15 in 2027.

The state Public Disclosure Commission's recent ruling does not bode well for candidates wanting to skirt new campaign finance rules requiring donor information.

Washington’s high-profile governor’s race is changing the way campaign fundraising is reported and counted. That change is shining a spotlight on Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s campaign for governor after his

Your money’s no good here.

A promising law to encourage more people to run for office is under threat from legislators who rely on big-dollar donors.

In the waning hours of the 2023 state legislative session, Albany lawmakers are passing bills upending local elections, rolling back a campaign finance reform, sealing criminal convictions and much more. Here's the latest.

State lawmakers who helped pass anti-LGBTQ+ bills raked in contributions from companies that condemned legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

Legislation introduced by North Smithfield Republican Brian Newberry would raise the $1,000 annual individual contribution limit to $2,000.

Ki Hong and Sam Rothbloom of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP discuss bans adopted by states and localities to prohibit U.S. companies from making political contributions where they have foreign owners, noting that some bans go beyond the federal ban and raise First Amendment and preemption concerns.

A new California law takes aim at 'pay-to-play' in which special interests make campaign contributions to local officials to sway a decision.

New York is set to implement a new public campaign financing program that will match small-dollar donations, allowing candidates to rely on the support of everyday New Yorkers rather than wealthy d…

Share with friendsA state law limiting certain contributions to local elected leaders survived an initial court challenge. Thursday, a Sacramento Superior Court judge rejected a challenge to SB 1439 from several business groups. The law — which took effect on Jan. 1 — allows only political contributions of up to $250 for those who have […]

Monday is the beginning of candidate filing week, which means current and would-be office holders are putting the final touches on their campaign plans.#collection:home-promos#collection:news-columnists#collection:news#collection:local-government#collection:washington-government

Pay Dirt is a weekly foray into the pigpen of political funding. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Thursday. When Herschel Walker emailed a representative for billionaire industrialist and longtime family friend Dennis Washington in March 2022, he seemed to be engaging in normal behavior for a political candidate: He was asking for money. But unbeknownst to Washington and the billionaire’s staff, Walker’s request was far more out of...