New York AG Schneiderman Campaign Spending Proposal Would Shed Light on Secretive Political Groups

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today proposed a new rule that would bring transparency to secretive political spending that played a dominant role in the 2012 election. 

The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law released the following statement from Adam Skaggs, Senior Counsel in the Democracy Program:

“In recent years, secretive non-profit groups that do not disclose their donors have dominated federal and state elections, including in New York.  These groups exploit loopholes in disclosure rules as well as the IRS’s failure to regulate purely political groups that abuse the tax code by claiming non-profit status. Attorney General Schneiderman’s leadership sets an example that other states should follow, and underscores the need for meaningful reform at the federal level.  A comprehensive solution to the dark money swamping our elections will require action by the IRS — action that is long overdue.”

The proposed rule would require political groups that raise substantial funds from New York residents and claim to be nonprofit “social welfare” organizations to report the sources and amounts of funds spent in New York state and local elections.  The rule would exempt from disclosure the names of donors who prohibited their donations from being used for electioneering purposes.

To speak with Mr. Skaggs, please contact Erik Opsal at erik.opsal@nyu.edu or 646–292–8356.