Trump pays IRS a penalty for his foundation violating rules with gift to aid Florida attorney general

Donald Trump paid the IRS a $2,500 penalty this year, an official at Trump's company said, after it was revealed that Trump's charitable foundation had violated tax laws by giving a political contribution to a campaign group connected to Florida's attorney general.Source: Trump pays IRS a penalty for his foundation violating rules with gift to aid Florida attorney general...

Connecticut Limits Free Speech Using Campaign Finance Law

The clash over free speech and campaign finance has erupted in Connecticut, as two Republican state legislators have refused to settle a case with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.Source: Connecticut Limits Free Speech Using Campaign Finance Law...

Campaign finance reform vs. reality

Issueone.org lists about three dozen nonprofits that exclusively or substantially work to regulate campaign speech. Available tax filings show these groups spend at least $77 million yearly bemoaning the money spent on political speech.Source: Campaign finance reform vs. reality...

CEOs May Influence Their Employees’ Contributions – and That’s Okay

A recent study purports to find a new link between the political activities of CEOs and their employees.Source: CEOs May Influence Their Employees’ Contributions – and That’s Okay...

Nonprofit Structure Backfires on ‘Our Revolution’

On August 24, Senator Bernie Sanders stood before a crowd of supporters gathered in a community arts space in Burlington, Vermont, to unveil the next phase of his progressive movement.Source: Nonprofit Structure Backfires on 'Our Revolution'...

Super PAC spending hits $500 million, while 501(c)s hit the brakes

Total outside spending for the 2016 election has already reached a record $660 million, more than twice the $289 million spent by outside groups by this point in the 2012 election.Source: Super PAC spending hits $500 million, while 501(c)s hit the brakes...

Before reforming the FEC look at Montana’s mess

Contemporary media parlor games revolve around fantasy sports and politics. Yet for politics, press interest in money raised and spent often seems more important than who will win and how policies might change.Source: Before reforming the FEC look at Montana’s mess...

Hacking the Ballot Box: The Threat Is Real

Sure, campaign 2016 has been depressing, the nation is deeply divided, and most Americans don’t want to choose between the two most unpopular presidential candidates in history. But the only thing worse than a divisive new president is one elected illegitimately by infected ballots.Source: Hacking the Ballot Box: The Threat Is Real...

How Trump charms wealthy donors in private — by seeking their advice

John Rakolta Jr. was skeptical as he headed to a private meeting with Donald Trump in July at Chicago’s Trump International Hotel. The Michigan construction executive, a longtime ally of 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney and a top fundraiser for Sen.Source: How Trump charms wealthy donors in private — by seeking their advice...

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