To the editor:
In this era of lightening speed news, a Supreme Court ruling this week may have escaped the attention of many readers.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court refused to block a ruling by a lower court judge requiring disclosure of individuals making donations over $200 to a non-profit entity opposing or supporting a candidate. Judge Beryl A. Howell, of the Federal District Court in Washington, ordered the closing of a loophole created by the FEC 40 years ago that has been used robustly since the Citizens United ruling of 2010 to allow more “dark money” into our political campaigns. A federal appeals court will hear an appeal of Judge Howell’s ruling, but that decision is not expected until after the elections in November. Until then, many groups placing campaign advertisements will have to disclose their donors.
Currently, we have campaign finance bills in the New Jersey state Assembly (A1524) and Senate (S1500). Similar to the federal ruling, these bills would require independent expenditure committees (also called Super PACs) to disclose their donors. If these bills were passed, it would not just strengthen our own campaign finance laws, but it would send a message that we support the decision made in Washington, and our state and this nation is ready for the era of “dark money” to end.
Please call or write your representatives in the Assembly and Senate to encourage their support for A1524 and S1500.
Laura Zurfluh
Cranbury