ProPublica’s Kim Barker investigates how 501(c)(4)s – nonprofits that enjoy tax-exempt status for promoting “social welfare” have emerged as the main conduit for anonymous big-money contributions in political races. Unlike SuperPACs, 501(c)(4)s don’t have to disclose their donors. And although they are allowed to partake in some political activity, they are required to be primarily engaged in social welfare. Barker’s investigation finds that dozens of these groups “do little or nothing to justify the subsidies they receive from taxpayers” and are using a range of tactics to underreport their political activities to the IRS. How do they funnel money into campaigns? And why are efforts for more transparency falling short?
A Century of U.S. Campaign Finance LawNPR
NPR’s interactive timeline charts the key players, loopholes, controversies and efforts to reform campaign finance laws over the last century.
Outside Money in the SenateThe Sunlight Foundation
Outside groups have dropped almost $200 million on this year’s Senate races. The Sunlight Foundation maps outside money going into each state and finds seven striking takeaways in the data.
Pic via ProPublica / Articles via PBS-Frontline
No comments:
Post a Comment