Reform and Reconsideration II

DARK MONEY UPDATE

For Tuesday:

• Berry, ch. 10.
• Cigler, ch. 16

Lobbying, Influence, and the states

• FRENCH LAUNDRY UPDATE
•  Lobbying regulation in the states (Cigler p. 240)
• Isolated state capitals (e.g., Sacramento)
• In most states, secretaries of state are in charge of regulating lobbies and campaign finance.  They are elected officials.
• Other elected officials:
• Treasurers (i.e., chief investment officer)
• Insurance commissioners
• Ag commissioners

FEC 

• Structure
• It has lacked a quorum for most of the year

Campaign Finance

• Brennan Center: "In fact, the idea of a tax credit to encourage political participation is nothing new. Between 1972 and 1986, millions of Americans claimed a federal tax credit to subsidize hundreds of millions of dollars of contributions.13 And over the last few decades, several states have allowed their residents to do the same."
• State tax incentives
• Yang and Democracy Dollars (h/t Eric)
• Counterintuitive idea:  raising hard-money limits (Schatzinger 164-166)
• Super PAC insurance

Recusal and conflicts of interest

• State regulations
• Congressional conflict of interest rules
• STOCK Act and Chris Collins

Government  Capacity (see Drutman 232-234)

• Decline in capacity
• Brain Drain on the Hill
• Oversight capacity