Posted by There is a new Senate bill that was substituted for Wendell Mitchell’s bill to ban PAC-to-PAC transfers. The text of the substitute is here in pdf form. The text of Mitchell’s bill is here. I haven’t had time to compare the two.
Both would permit PACs to give to political parties.
The Parlor hears that Montgomery insiders are already talking about a possible workaround for such a ban: PACs could possibly give to parties who could give back to PACs who if necessary could funnel back to the parties and so on. Is this permissible under the proposed law? I don’t know for sure, the point for the moment being that legislators and the like, in the face of a potential new law meant to promote transparency, are already considering loopholes that would obscure the sources of contributions.
House Bill 73, sponsored by Rep. Jeff McLaughlin, includes political parties along with PACs in the transfer ban.
As voters, we can demand and enforce transparency from our chosen candidates much easier than it seems the legislature can. Phone calls and letters maybe useful here. Just remember to be civil and avoid hyperbole.