Cannon critics sidestep FEC lists
Nonprofit groups are exempt from disclosure laws
Two immigration reform groups that blasted Rep. Chris Cannon's immigration policy during the primary election campaign are in exempt categories and as such don't have to disclose their donors. So is a tax reform group that approved of Cannon's policies.
Cannon defeated challenger Matt Throckmorton in last month's Republican primary.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, nonprofit groups generally don't have to disclose their donors unless they fall under the specific category of private foundation or political organization. As long as they stick to their registered purpose, groups such as the following don't have to disclose:
Americans for Tax Reform, a 501c(4) organization, which called voters in the district to tell them that Cannon had signed a pledge to vote against increasing taxes. Throckmorton did not sign that pledge.
Coalition for the Future American Worker, an umbrella group comprised of 501c(4)s, unincorporated groups, and a political action committee or PAC (which does have to file with the FEC). This group sponsored radio ads targeting Cannon's immigration policy.
ProjectUSA, a 501c(3), which sponsored billboards saying that Cannon supports amnesty for illegal immigrants. Its Web site targets nine congressional districts based on immigration policy grades generated by another immigration group, Americans for Better Immigration.
Matthew Burbank, associate professor of political science at the University of Utah, said special-interest groups have always existed. The 2002 McCain-Finegold campaign reform put more restrictions on how candidates can raise their money. And would-be donors have now turned to so-called "issue" groups organizations that target political issues rather than candidates, he said.
"We now have organizations that exist because parties can no longer accept soft money," Burbank said. Special-interest groups "can still accept these large contributions, can spend the money now that parties can't."
While outside issue groups can legally get involved in politics, as long as they follow guidelines, tax attorneys did question whether one such anti-immigration group, ProjectUSA, is registered as the correct type of nonprofit.
There's more than one way to register as tax-exempt. A 501c(3) is strictly prohibited from political involvement. A 501c(4), on the other hand, can get involved in politics and even lobby. However, it must follow federal election law: It can't tell voters to vote for or against a candidate, and it can't run ads that mention a candidate within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general election, according to IRS and FEC code.
Comments
- Attempted murder case refiled 1:58 a.m.
- Sports on the air 1:38 a.m.
- This weekend on TV 1:38 a.m.
- Birthdays for Saturday, July 11 1:38 a.m.
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza 1:37 a.m.
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his 1:23 a.m.
- Girl critical after run-in with train 1:23 a.m.
- Probe of death treated as slaying 1:22 a.m.
- Taylorsville man arrested in robbery 1:21 a.m.
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love' 1:20 a.m.
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Teacher faces new sex charges
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Jazz down Oklahoma City
- 2 Tooele police officers fired
- BYU professor to work on Hebrew Bible
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- LDS seminary principal arrested
142 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
94 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
88 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
Didn't Obama and Biden just admit to the fact that the stimilus programs were...
The last part of the article about Cowherd is classic!!! I normally like the...
This man was my teacher in high school. He is my friend, he was like a father...
I like millsap, but portland just burried themselves. They made themselves...
It's amazing how quickly society is willing to vaccinate it's children with...
The first income tax was introduced during the Civil War, that's only 70...
If he really did what the evidence seems to show, I don't think he should be...
Utah needs Portland too much. It's much harder than you think to find good...
stacy, have you ever eaten there ??
I had Brother Pratt at Viewmont High School my sophomore year... I was really...


You can be the first to comment on this story.