Who is Funding Politicians’ Campaigns?

As we got ready for the fall 2012 election season, concerns are being raised about the funding of political candidates. Specifically, the New York Attorney General’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are beginning to look into the actions of certain non-profit groups, charitable groups and social welfare organizations.

At issue is whether these tax-exempt groups are primarily political, whether they are using charitable donation money to make political donations, and whether they are otherwise violating the terms of their tax-exempt status. One group said to be under investigation is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce which may have accepted a large loan from the National Chamber Fund, a charity, and mingled those charitable funds with general funds used for political purposes.

Experts warn that things are not likely to change for this election cycle. However, it is encouraging that questions are being asked and that, perhaps, things will be more transparent in time for the 2014 elections.