Nonprofit Lobbying Rights

Feb 8, 2016

Top 400 Taxpayers See Tax Rates Rise, But There’s More to the Story

As Americans were gathering party supplies to greet the New Year, the Internal Revenue Service released their annual report of cumulative tax data reported on the 400 tax r...

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Feb 4, 2016

Chlorine Bleach Plants Needlessly Endanger 63 Million Americans

Chlorine bleach plants across the U.S. put millions of Americans in danger of a chlorine gas release, a substance so toxic it has been used as a chemical weapon. Greenpeace’s new repo...

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Jan 25, 2016

U.S. Industrial Facilities Reported Fewer Toxic Releases in 2014

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data for 2014 is now available. The good news: total toxic releases by reporting facilities decreased by nearly six percent from 2013 levels. Howe...

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Jan 22, 2016

Methane Causes Climate Change. Here's How the President Plans to Cut Emissions by 40-45 Percent.

UPDATE (Jan. 22, 2016): Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its proposed rule to reduce methane emissions...

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Judge Blocks Enforcement of Florida Electioneering Law

Oct 30, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

A federal judge has blocked enforcement of a Florida "electioneering" law which according to the Associated Press, "requires groups to register with the state if they merely mention political issues or candidates in publications or other communications." We reported on the lawsuit filed earlier this month by the Broward Coalition of Condominiums, and a coalition of other groups. U.S. District Judge Stephan P. Mickle, in granting the preliminary injunction, wrote that "no court has ever upheld such a sweeping regulation of political speech."

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No FEC Decision on NRLC Ads

Oct 24, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) could not reach an agreement on either draft regarding two proposed radio ads sponsored by the National Right to Life Committee Inc. (NRLC) and whether or not they contained "express advocacy". The alternative ruling drafted by FEC Chairman Donald McGahn, which stated that both NRLC ads could air without funding restrictions failed on a 3-3 party-line vote.

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FEC Issues Draft for Ads, Slight Differences as to What Constitutes Electioneering

Oct 22, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) issued a draft advisory opinion (AO 2008-15) with a ruling on radio ads sponsored by the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC). NRLC sought out how the FEC would view the ads under the FEC's "electioneering communications" rules. The FEC draft deals with two, nearly identical ads. Both NRLC ads end by calling on Obama to apologize; "Will Obama now apologize for calling us liars when we were the ones telling the truth?" The second commercial then adds a last line saying, "Barack Obama: a candidate whose word you can't believe in."

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Overload: Challenges to Electioneering Communications Rules

Oct 21, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

According to BNA Money and Politics, ($$) a federal judge in North Carolina has indicated that there will not be a ruling in Koerber v. FEC until after the Nov. 4 election.

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Challenge to Florida State Law Charges Violation of Free Speech Rights

Oct 17, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

The Institute for Justice (IFJ) has filed a lawsuit challenging a Florida state law that they charge violates free speech rights by forcing groups that mention political issues or candidates to register with the state. The suit was filed on behalf of the Broward Coalition of Condominium, Homeowners and Community Organizations, the National Taxpayers Union and the University of Florida's College Libertarians.

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Democracy 21 Files FEC Complaint Against Two Groups

Oct 15, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

Democracy 21 filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) calling for an investigation into two groups, American Issues Project (AIP) and American Leadership Project (ALP), charging that the groups have violated campaign finance laws.

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FEC May Approve VoterVoter.com

Oct 14, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

In April, we reported about a new website called VoterVoter.com. According to BNA Money and Politics ($$), the Federal Election Commission (FEC) is likely to support the VoterVoter.com proposal that would allow individuals to pay directly for television ads supporting a candidate while avoiding FEC limits on campaign contributions. During an open meeting FEC commissioners indicated some approval for the advisory opinion (AO 2008-10) for the VoterVoter.com request, but a final vote was put off.

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New Fact Sheet for 501(c)(3) Groups On Proper Contact With Campaigns

Oct 8, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

The Alliance for Justice has released a new fact sheet for 501(c)(3) organizations on how to interact with political campaigns and parties. To read Permissible Nonpartisan 501(c)(3) and Partisan Campaign Contact on Voter Engagement/Protection Efforts, click here. The fact sheet is focused on voter protection issues, and when 501(c)(3) voter-protection groups can talk with political candidates or parties.

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New 501(c)(4) Group Files A Familiar Lawsuit

Oct 6, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

A new 501(c)(4) group called the Committee for Truth in Politics Inc. (CTP) announced it has filed a lawsuit challenging Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules. CTP has been sponsoring television ads in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina criticizing Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) for his position on abortion related legislation. This lawsuit is similar to others filed recently by the group's lead attorney James Bopp challenging FEC rules that could restrict funding or require disclosure of those funding similar ads.

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New GAO Report on Lobbyist Compliance with Disclosure Reporting

Oct 3, 2008 by Amanda Adams*

According to a report released Sept. 30 by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), "lobbyists could provide accurate supporting information—in either written or verbal form—on income or expenses for at least 95 percent of all first quarter reports filed that required this information." This was based on a random sampling of 100 clients chosen from the first-quarter reports. The report, Observations on Lobbyists' Compliance with New Disclosure Requirements," was required by the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act.

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