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Welcome to the Holtzman Vogel Law Blog. We aim to keep you up to date on important legal developments and other items of interest. On this blog, we'll track developments in the news and changes to the rules and regulations affecting political committees, corporate PACs, trade associations, non-profit groups and advocacy organizations. We'll also keep you updated on the lobbying and ethics arena. The Law Blog is designed to supplement our regular newsletter.

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Jill Holtzman Vogel




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Friday, April 09, 2010
Iowa Enacts Post-Citizens United Law

IowaPolitics.com reports "Iowa on Thursday became one of the first states in the nation to respond to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC, which found that corporate spending in elections cannot be limited under the First Amendment....The law requires corporations to obtain an affirmative board vote before ads can run for or against a candidate or issue. The ad must also contain information on who paid for it, the name and address of the corporation, and the name of the chief executive officer. Expenditures over $750 must be filed with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board within 48 hours of the time the cost is incurred, and violations are serious misdemeanors."
 
Governor Culver's press release is here.  The bill, Senate File 2354, is available here.
 
While the press account above focuses on the new law's impact on corporations, the law applies to "entities" making independent expenditures, which includes labor unions.


Click here to read the entire post.
Tags: Iowa, Campaign Finance Legislation (State)



Wednesday, February 24, 2010
USA Today: States weigh campaign-finance changes

From USA Today: "State lawmakers around the country are rushing to rewrite campaign-finance laws following the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling that opened the door to unlimited corporate and union money in elections and upended laws in nearly half the states."  With brief updates from Iowa, Maryland, Arizona, Minnesota and Colorado.


Click here to read the entire post.
Tags: Iowa, Maryland, Arizona, Minnesota, Colorado



Monday, April 20, 2009
Des Moines Register: Gaps seen in lobbyists' reports

From the Des Moines Register: "State officials concede the disclosure law is not enforced. Senate Ethics Committee Vice Chairman Dick Dearden, D-Des Moines, said he does not recall any organization ever being punished for not filing reception disclosures properly."

Click here to read the entire post.
Tags: Lobbying, Iowa



Friday, February 27, 2009
Iowa Independent: Campaign finance bill clears first hurdle

From the Iowa Independent: "A bill that would limit the amount individuals and groups can contribute to political candidates has passed the Senate State Government Committee on a 10 to 5 vote Wednesday afternoon."

Click here to read the entire post.
Tags: Iowa