In the News
Washington Times: Dire predictions about Citizens United prove false
By Scott BlackburnLet us quickly dismiss some of the factual inaccuracies contained in these early 2010 predictions. Contrary to the president’s claim, foreign corporations cannot, nor could they at any time since the 1970s, contribute to or spend money, directly or indirectly, on U.S. elections. Citizens United did not overturn the ban on corporate donations to political campaigns, despite Mr. Durbin’s hyperbolic allegations. Corporations can, after Citizens United, contribute to groups that run ads independently of campaigns, but it remains illegal for corporations to donate directly to candidates.Putting the fiery rhetoric and false claims aside, is the prediction that we will see a large influx of corporate cash spent on the discussion of political issues during election season true? The answer, quite simply, is no.Citizens United (and a related decision, SpeechNow.org v. FEC) permitted the creation of super PACs — independent groups that can receive unlimited donations to express their political opinions, so long as they don’t coordinate with candidates.
CCP
Reddit Calls Out CRP Bias
By Joe TrotterOnce again members of the popular online community Reddit are calling out the “reform” community on their anti-Citizens United hysteria and hypocrisy in focusing almost exclusively on conservative donors (for more on the last attempt check out Trevor Burrus’ rundown here*).The Center for Responsive Politics hosted an “ask me anything” (abbreviated to AMA) on Friday with the headline: “The Koch brothers have pledged to spend $889M on 2016 races. We are the watchdog group tracking ALL money in politics. We’re the Center for Responsive Politics, AMA!”Redditors were not impressed…
IRS
Washington Post: White House budget: Obama wants to boost IRS funding by 18 percent
By Josh HicksThe White House budget would increase Internal Revenue Service spending by 18 percent, providing a significant boost for an agency that has seen its funding levels decline by more than 10 percent since 2010.President Obama’s proposal calls for $12.9 billion for the IRS in fiscal 2016, compared to the $10.9 billion that Congress appropriated for the agency through fiscal 2015. It would provide more than $650 million for tax-enforcement activities and invest additional money in new digital services such as an online tax-filing status and online payment options.
Independent Groups
More Soft Money Hard Law: Disclosure in a 21st Century Reform Program
By Bob BauerFournier’s analysis has two considerable virtues: a call for the debate to adjust to constitutional and political realities and an emphasis on single-minded priority in the reform of the law. The debate is stuck, and one reason is that a fair number of interested observers are dedicated to fighting the same arguments heard since the 1970s. A whole host of objectives are being kept artificially alive for discussion. Political spending is to be reduced and the prohibition on corporate spending restored. Independent spending is to be curtailed because some of it is suspect, gutted by disreputable, if not invariably illegal, forms of coordination. Political discourse is being poisoned by attack advertising.And, of course, there is too much “dark money” and disclosure law should be strengthened against it. Here is where Fournier recommends that reform energy be expended.The FEC has an opportunity to significantly improve administration of the disclosure requirements already in place. That’s a good start and a manageable project. And then there is the question of how contested questions of disclosure can be resolved. There is a glimmering of an indication that, perhaps not too long into the future, there may a basis for bi-partisan compromise. A recently formed group seem interested in reclaiming conservative or conservative Republican credentials on money-in-politics reform, and their program includes a commitment to transparency.
Candidates, Politicians, Campaigns, and Parties
National Journal: A Seller’s Market: GOP Campaigns Racing to Lock Down Qualified Staff
By Scott BlandFebruary 1, 2015 Republican presidential contenders are locked in a behind-the-scenes struggle to secure experienced staff to run core parts of their campaigns, a boon for top GOP firms that are so flooded with requests they might take on multiple candidates.Jeb Bush’s early and aggressive moves to build a team have sent other campaigns scrambling to avoid being left with inexperienced staffers who are ill-prepared for the rigors of a presidential contest. Compounding the problem, candidates will also need well-run super PACs aiding them, further stretching the pool of qualified operatives.The digital and legal fields are particularly thin, according to more than a dozen Republican strategists. Bush, Chris Christie, and Scott Walker are trying to sign up the same digital firm, IMGE, to aid their online and data efforts. Another one of the few established digital players on the GOP side is considering whether to take on multiple clients in the same presidential primary.
State and Local
New York –– NY Times: Pushing Ethics Reforms, Cuomo Wants Lawmakers to Reveal Income or Lose It
By ALEXANDER BURNS and SUSANNE CRAIGMr. Cuomo called public corruption a decades-old dilemma for New York, and he laid down a list of demands before the Legislature. He urged lawmakers to stop using campaign funds and no-questions-asked per diem allowances to pad their personal incomes, and to pass a constitutional amendment barring all those convicted of felonies from collecting government pensions.Most of all, Mr. Cuomo said he would insist on total disclosure of the work lawmakers do outside of their legislative offices, including naming all of their legal clients and the clients’ interests before the government.“The bottom line is that New Yorkers will never trust the government’s authenticity until they know the who, what and where of outside employment,” he said. “Either end it entirely or thoroughly disclose it. There is no middle ground.”
Wisconsin –– Wisconsin Reporter: Federal judge’s judgment takes John Doe probe off life support
By M.D. KittleMADISON, Wis. – A federal judge on Friday effectively pulled the life support plug on a politically charged John Doe investigation into dozens of conservative groups, and took the rare step of ordering the Government Accountability Board to post his decision on its website.U.S. District Court Judge Charles N. Clevert Jr.’s final declaratory judgment and permanent injunction in Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc. v. Barland doesn’t directly deal with the John Doe probe Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm launched in September 2012, with the assistance of the GAB. But in those investigations the GAB and prosecutors operated on an exotic interpretation of state campaign law that critics say violates the First Amendment. Two previous judges – and now Clevert – have declared their interpretation unconstitutional.
