FirstEnergy to pay $230M in agreement in Ohio bribery case | National News
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Dozen Megadonors Gave $3.4 Billion, One in Every 13 Dollars, Since 2009 - T
A new study shows the role of the super rich in politics since the Supreme Court loosened restrictions on political spending more than a decade ago.
Supreme Court Strikes Down California Donor-Disclosure Rule (1)
A divided U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a California requirement that charities list the names and addresses of their top donors in filings with the state, saying the rule violates the Constitution’s First Amendment.
Concerns build over 'short-circuiting' of Seattle's fundraising rules for m
Seattle Voters Increase Use of ‘Democracy Vouchers’ in Mayoral Contest – Sl
In the primary election for the open mayor's seat, all of the leading Seattle candidates have opted in to raise public campaign funding from a wide range of city residents.
Governor Mills signs a full slate of election, campaign finance reforms int
Governor Mills recently signed into law several bills that affect campaigns and elections in the state of Maine. L.D. 1363: An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Elections L.D. 1363 makes several changes to the use of ranked-choice voting and absentee ballots in Maine elections. The bill expands the type of elections using ranked-choice voting. […]
Gov to consider unlimited PAC donations to Montana candidates | 406 Politic
Senate Bill 224 would allow unlimited PAC donations to candidates in Montana, while substantially raising limits on contributions by individuals and political parties to campaigns.
Ballot Measure 2 strikes Dunbar campaign, forced to admit its dark money is
New campaign finance laws known as Ballot Measure 2, passed by voters in November, are beginning to sting the Forrest Dunbar campaign. In the current attack ad against opponent Dave Bronson launched by supporters of Forrest Dunbar, the disclaimer at the end of the ad admits that “A majority of contributions to Building a Stronger […]
House endorses repeal of PAC money limits for legislative candidates | 406
Montana has among the country’s strictest donation limits for nearly every type of contribution to individual candidates, be it at the statewide or district level.
Battle over big spending in drive to recall Sonoma County District Attorney
Sonoma County officials said Bill Gallaher’s infusion of $295,000 into a recall campaign against Jill Ravitch violates local spending limits. An attorney for the developer says the spending limits are unconstitutional.
Five myths about campaign finance - The Washington Post
Jan. 6 didn’t end corporate PAC contributions, and sunlight isn’t the best disinfectant.
As special interest give Utah legislators 87% of their donations, questions
Questions again arise about what special interests receive for the large donations they make to Utah legislators.
Valley News - Jim Kenyon: Some New Hampshire legislators being bought by th
Colorado's largest cities have caps on campaign contributions now that Auro
With Aurora joining Denver, Fort Collins and Lakewood in revamping rules on campaign finance in local races, four of the state’s five most populous cities will have controls on the books.
New York steps forward as New Jersey leaps backward on campaign cash
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…
CA’s Contentious ‘Pay to Play’ Reform Law Survives First Court Battle
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 […]
Spin Control: As campaign season kicks off, new Washington laws put limits on 'deepfakes'
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
Emails Reveal ‘Jaw-Dropping’ Herschel Walker Money Scandal
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...
Caps for candidate contributions in local elections clear Colorado legislature
If signed, new bill would cap donations from individuals at $400 and donations from small-donor committees at $4,000 in municipal elections, among other requirements.
Group steers Swiss billionaire's money to liberal causes
The Berger Action Fund is a nondescript name for a group with a rather specific purpose: steering the wealth of a Swiss billionaire, Hansjörg Wyss, into the world of American
'Democracy Vouchers' Put Free Campaign Cash in the Hands of Voters | The Pe
After Oakland’s vote in November, proponents want democracy vouchers in other California cities.
American elections are getting less predictable; there's a reason for that
The largest and fastest growing segment of the electorate is now independent voters — but pollsters and political scientists haven’t caught up.
Alaska still needs better campaign contribution disclosure
Without immediate income and spending disclosure in all political races, our brave new world will look a lot like the one reformers say they are trying to fix.
Draft Suggests Campaign Caps to Replace Those Struck Down | Alaska News | U
Election commission staff sets new campaign contribution limits of $1,500,
The staff of the Alaska Public Offices Commission is set the campaign contribution limit at $1,500 from an individual to a candidate, now that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has thrown out the previous $500 limit, which was in statute. The Ninth Circuit and the Supreme Court said the $500 limit is unreasonable, and […]
Florida GOP Jacks Up Cities’ Campaign Contribution Limits – Sludge
Language tucked into a bill on ballot-measure donors preempts lower city and county campaign contribution limits that had been enacted by voters.
Red State Lawmakers Preempt Campaign Finance Laws in Blue Cities | The Regu
Republican states with major democratic metropolitan centers forestall local efforts to reform election law.
Rooting out local government corruption in California starts by ending pay-to-play
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 bill could bring big changes to RI political donations. Here's what's proposed.
Legislation introduced by North Smithfield Republican Brian Newberry would raise the $1,000 annual individual contribution limit to $2,000.
Companies that publicly condemned legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community send political contributions to state lawmakers who advanced anti-LGBTQ+ bills - OpenSecrets News
State lawmakers who helped pass anti-LGBTQ+ bills raked in contributions from companies that condemned legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community.