A dark money group, the Center for Individual Freedom, has purchased at least $200,000 in ads in Washington, D.C., an attempt to influence lawmakers crafting economic legislation to assist Puerto Rico's dire financial situation.
Continue readingNBA teams up with Everytown to air PSAs against gun violence
Everytown for Gun Safety has drawn out a new play in its efforts to influence the debate around gun violence, and it involves teaming up with the NBA for public service announcements scheduled to air on Christmas Day.
Continue readingNike-backed group pushes Trans-Pacific Partnership in Oregon
Oregon Jobs Through Trade, a nonprofit backed by apparel companies Columbia and Nike, is flooding TV markets in Eugene and Portland with ads touting the Trans-Pacific Partnership's economic benefits.
Continue readingState legislatures taking aim at dark money, disclosure
Legislators in nine states are polishing bills aimed at outing the largest donors of politically active dark money operations.
Continue readingUtilities-backed dark money group sparking energy debate in Michigan
As Michigan lawmakers prepare for a new legislative session in Lansing, two of the state's largest utility companies have already launched an ambitious public affairs campaign: Pushing to maintain their dominance over the Great Lakes' States' electric grid.
Continue readingRNC date change gives dark money more room to operate
The RNC will hold its 2016 convention in July, shortening its presidential primary period. The move will free up millions in previously untouchable campaign dollars and lengthen the period in which "dark money groups" can run ads while avoiding disclosure.
Continue reading‘Tis the season: Ads targeting 2014 Senate candidates already on air
For years, political advertisers have benefitted from a loophole big enough to drive a $10 million-dollar political campaign through. "Issue ads" that don't explicitly ask for a vote for or against a candidate, and don't run immediately before the election, don't have to be disclosed to the Federal Election Commission.
But new rules requiring about 15 percent of the country's broadcast TV stations to disclose these ad buys online are beginning to pull the veil off this secret spending. And, the documents help make clear, the line between "issue ads" and the endless campaign is vanishingly ...
Continue readingUnder-the-radar political ads: A guide to electioneering communications
Already in this election cycle, nonprofit groups using the cover of "issue advertisements"—thinly disguised attacks or promotions of a particular candidate—have spent about $30 million on general election ads, according to a new study. But only about $4.4 million of buys have been disclosed to the Federal Election Commission.
That’s because the issue ads, also known as "electioneering communications," must be disclosed to the FEC only when they air on TV or radio in the weeks immediately preceding an election. It's a quirk in the election law that offers another way for deep-pocketed donors to ...
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