Supreme Court ruling could play in 2010 governor's races Nov 17, 2009
"The Supreme Court decision has the potential to open the floodgates," said , of the non-profit Campaign Legal Center, which supports campaign-finance restrictions. CASE LOG. (USA Today)
States weigh campaign rules for Internet age... Oct 20, 2009
Paul Ryan, a lawyer with the Campaign Legal Center in Washington, said text messages and small pay-per-click online ads might become "the campaign buttons of the Millennium Era.". So far, the Federal Elections Commission has taken a mostly hands-off approach, as campaigns still spend far more money reaching voters through television, radio and direct mail. (The Drudge Report)
'POLITICAL SLUSH FUNDS': The Last Loophole Sep 26, 2009
"You're seeing the quintessential Washington insider pay-to-play game," said Meredith McGehee, Policy Director at the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center. Many people assumed these types of outings were ended when Congress passed reforms in 2007. (ABC News)
Campaign funds put to use for lobbying firms Sep 21, 2009
However, critics of the practice, such as Meredith McGehee of the non-profit Campaign Legal Center, call the accounts "political slush funds," that are tapped to curry favor with lawmakers. "Being able to give money is a huge advantage in establishing yourself as a lobbyist," McGehee said. (USA Today -- News)
CQ: Campaign cash: Unions big givers in 2009 Aug 11, 2009
Trevor Potter, president of the Campaign Legal Center and a former FEC chairman, said it is not surprising that labor leads the pack in giving this year. The unions have an agenda in this Congress, and they are trying to move legislation, Potter said. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Ethics Panel Leaders Address Concerns Over New Rules Jul 10, 2009
None of those in attendance including Democracy 21, Brookings Institution, League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Campaign Legal Center, U.S. PIRG or Public Citizen said they expected the ethics committee would amend its internal rules, but praised the meeting as productive. Nonetheless, Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer said he also expects the OCE, if a conflict arises, to obey its own rules -- and that it could potentially refuse an ethics committee request. (Roll Call)
Campaign Finance Regulations in Danger Jul 9, 2009
I would like to see the president make good on his campaign promises to change the way Washington works, said Paul Ryan, a lawyer with the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit that pushes Congress, the White House, the Federal Election Commission and the courts to enact, enforce and uphold strict limits. With respect to the campaign finance laws and the FEC, the only change weve seen has been a change for the worse, said Ryan, who stressed, Im not blaming the president. (CBS News -- Politics)
Bring voter systems into 21st century Jun 30, 2009
Trevor Potter, who leads the political activity law practice at Caplin ale, served as general counsel to John McCain s 2008 campaign and is the founding president and general counsel of the Campaign Legal Center. Related Subjects. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Shays named to North Highland board Jun 6, 2009
He also is a commissioner for UNESCO, serves on the board of trustees of The Campaign Legal Center and is active on the Committee for Economic Development. Chris will provide an invaluable perspective not just on the governance of our firm but on challenges and opportunities for all of our clients -- business, government and non-profit, said North Highland CEO Dan Reardon, in a news release. (Atlanta Business Chronicle, GA)
Group Asks that DOJ Public Integrity Lawyers Be Suspended Apr 16, 2009
The Campaign Legal Center, a government ethics watchdog, is asking the Justice Department to suspend the attorneys who lead its public integrity section in order to prevent the legal fallout from their mishandling of the trial of former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) from interfering with other public corruption cases. (Roll Call)
Holder has a long to-do list at Justice Apr 6, 2009
J. Gerald Hebert, executive director of the Campaign Legal Center, which analyzes political ethics issues and the influence of money in politics, says it could take "years" to fully restore confidence in the department but that Holder's work so far marks a sharp change in course. "For several years, as an alumnus of the department, I felt betrayed," says Bruce Udolf, former chief of the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section in South Florida. (USA Today -- News)
Holder's Bold Stroke Apr 3, 2009
Based on what we know, that office needs to be cleaned out - root and branch, said Gerry Hebert of the Campaign Legal Center. He said the investigations of former Reps. (CBS News -- US)
EXCLUSIVE: Obama raised cash after leaving Senate Mar 27, 2009
"Other than converting the money to personal use, which is the one thing they can't do, these campaigns can basically operate as political slush funds," said Meredith McGehee, policy director at the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center. "As much as people talk about change in Washington, and we're seeing plenty of it, money still talks. And one of the ways you remain a political player is to make sure you still have money in your political account," she said. (Insight on the News)
Trade nominee Kirk owes $10,000 in taxes Mar 3, 2009
Meredith McGehee, policy director for the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center, said the problems the committee found in Kirk's taxes don't necessarily indicate any "nefarious" effort to shirk payments. But "I'm amazed at how often politicians get tripped up in these two areas" speaking fees and sporting events, she said. (USA Today -- News)
Faulting perks, Congress keeps some of its own Feb 7, 2009
"If it's a luxurious setting or if there's particularly high-level entertainment, then they are running into the same problem," said Meredith McGehee of the Campaign Legal Center, a government ethics watchdog group. "They don't get that these are tough economic times, that Americans are struggling and they need to do their part.". (Boston Globe)
