Litigation

Full Campaign Disclosure Delayed in MI?

By Peter Hardin

Michigan’s secretary of state has issued a draft declaratory ruling about disclosure requirements for corporations making independent political expenditures in compliance with Citizens United.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce requested a declaratory ruling in March. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land’s draft response disappointed groups that want to see all campaign spending sources  subject to full disclosure, according to an article in The Grand Rapids Press.

Watchdog groups including the Michigan Campaign Finance Network wanted Land to require heightened transparency “for a whole range of situations that allow for nasty, anonymous attacks on candidates,” according to the article, but Land said she didn’t have that authority. Her draft ruling requires no new disclosure by the Chamber.

The Michigan Campaign Finance Network is a partner of Justice at Stake. Rich Robinson, the Michigan group’s executive director, said he thinks the already large percentage of campaign spending that is anonymous will now increase.  “I am disappointed, but it is not entirely unexpected,” he said.

Robert LaBrant, the Chamber’s vice president of political affairs and general counsel, said, “We wanted to know the rules of the game, and she’s given us the details.”

A Detroit Free Press editorial blasted the draft ruling and sounded cautionary note:

“[U]nless Land revises her ruling or is forced to do so by legislators, the corrupting influence of large anonymous contributions is destined to grow in Michigan’s current election cycle.”

To learn more about efforts for enhanced campaign finance disclosure in Michigan, click here for earlier Gavel Grab posts; to read about states responding to Citizens United, click here for related Gavel Grab articles.

Full post as published by The Gavel on May 05, 2010 (boomark / email).