Reminders:
- Contribution Limits Update: Nielsen Merksamer tracks contribution limit changes at the federal, state, and select local levels. During this period in the election cycle (between the November 2020 election and the beginning of 2021) we expect at least 11 states will adjust their contribution limits. In addition, a few states adjust lobbyist registration fees, lobbyist registration thresholds, and gift limits. We track those as well.
Latest Developments:
- The Federal Election Commission announced an increase in several federal campaign contribution limits which are indexed for inflation. Notably, the FEC increased the amount individuals may contribute to a candidate from $2,800 to $2,900 per election. The Commission also adjusted the limits for contributions from individuals and non-multicandidate PACS to national party committees and their non-campaign accounts.
- Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance revised contributions limits for 2021 and 2022. The new limits increase permissible PAC contributions from $12,300 to $12,700 per election for gubernatorial and state senate candidates and from $8,100 to $8,300 per election for other state and local offices. Individual contribution limits increase from $4,200 to $4,300 per election for contributions to gubernatorial candidates and state senate candidates.
- San Diego City and County: The San Diego City Ethics Commission increased Contribution limits for candidates running for City Council in 2022. The adjustment increases limits from $600 to $650 per election from individuals. The city bans corporate contributions. Meanwhile, the San Diego County Registrar of Voters increased contribution limits for 2021 from $850 to $900 per election for county candidates.
In Case You Missed It:
- Push Against So-Called “Dark Money”: The Hill reports that “Top Democrats in the Senate are urging Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to crack down on dark money spending in political campaigns.” Two Senators sent a letter to the Secretary asking her to “undertake a careful review of what the IRS has done, reform its approach, and rein in abuse by ‘dark money’ organizations.” The article notes that the pair want the Treasury Department to back a lawsuit by the California Attorney General regarding nonprofit disclosure and enforce existing 501(c)(4) regulations.
- Better than “the Dog Ate my Homework”: The Associated Press reports that a Tennessee legislator told the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance that he can’t file his campaign disclosure report because the FBI took all his campaign finance records. The article quotes his letter stating, “‘I will get the information to you as soon as the documents / computers are released.’” The article also notes that “Federal authorities have not indicated what they are investigating after showing up to search the homes and legislative offices of [several legislators].”
- Drive for Money: A Colorado Congresswoman “paid herself more than $22,000 in mileage reimbursements from her campaign account last year.” According to the Denver Post, as reported by MSN, her “mileage reimbursement ‘raises red flags,’ ethics experts say.” The article notes that she “would have had to drive 36,870 miles in just over seven months,” to justify one of the payments. Her campaign said that “She traveled to every nook and cranny of the district to speak with and hear from the people about their concerns.” The commentary acknowledges that the congresswoman, “a prolific in-person campaigner, traveled 17,623 miles between public events last year, according to the Post’s analysis.”