Though pollsters see campaign finance reform as a nonstarter on the campaign trail. A proposed rulemaking in the wake of the Supreme Court's McCutcheon decision sparked an outpouring of public interest as letter-writing campaigns drew thousands of comments.
Continue readingSilver arrest shows need for more robust state disclosure
The arrest of New York state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on corruption charges highlights something we've seen again and again — the need for greater political disclosure.
Continue readingCampaign reformers: Tighten coordination rules first
Coordination rules — the ones that keep independent super PACs independent — aren't working as they were intended.
Continue readingNet neutrality foes take their fight to the airwaves
Net neutrality friends and foes air their concerns in a pair of congressional hearings Wednesday, the latest front in a war of words ranging from K Street to your TV set.
Continue readingInside Spending: How Citizens United restored the soft money system
While the Citizens United decision hasn’t necessarily led to more speech about public policy, it has restored the soft money system of politics.
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 readingWhy super PACs should have ‘cooling off’ periods, too
Talk about not coordinating: The head of a super PAC gets a job with one of the candidates the PAC helped elect.
Continue readingAll cooled off: As Congress convenes, former colleagues will soon be calling from K Street
With the new Congress, many former members and staffers are now legal to lobby. But the law's so full of loopholes that it hasn't stopped many from entering the influence game before their "cooling off" period expires.
Continue readingUnhappy returns: First act of 114th Congress a direct hit on Democratic mega-donors
With 2014's final recount now in the books, Sunlight takes a final look at our return on investment study for outside groups — some of which can count on a late Christmas present with the start of the new Congress.
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