A Few Data Points on the Supreme Court’s Donor-Limit Decision | FiveThirtyEight

The Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down biennial aggregate campaign contribution limits. For 2014, the overall limit was $123,200. There was a lower limit of $74,600 for donations to PACs and party committees (of which no more than $48,600 could be given to a nonnational party committee). And donors could give, at most, $48,600 to all candidates. At this point, the court hasn’t touched the limits to individual candidates. So, what’s the impact of this decision? Here are a few data points.

First, the parties will become more powerful. Over the past few elections, most people looking to get around donation limits gave tons of money to Super PACs. Now contributors can ingratiate themselves with a party by giving directly. Along the same lines, major bundlers (e.g. those who have a habit of getting ambassadorships) will gain more pull.

A Few Data Points on the Supreme Court’s Donor-Limit Decision | FiveThirtyEight

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Mozilla Chief, a Gay-Marriage Foe, Steps Down - NYTimes.com

“Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation,” Apple said in a statement at the time.

Apple donated $100,000 to oppose the measure, and Google’s co-founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, had also reportedly donated a combined $140,000 to fight the bill."

Supreme Court Strikes Down Aggregate Limits on Federal Campaign Contributions - NYTimes.com

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a major campaign finance decision, striking down some limits on federal campaign contributions for the first time. The ruling, issued near the start of a campaign season, will change and most likely increase the already large role money plays in American politics.



Supreme Court Strikes Down Aggregate Limits on Federal Campaign Contributions - NYTimes.com

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CIA misled on interrogation program, Senate report says - The Washington Post

Why you should know about Matt Doherty Steve Kornacki discusses why Belmar, New Jersey mayor Matt Doherty should be on your radar - especially considering his role in the internal review of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s administration.

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