527 bill targets constitutional amendment groups

Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, introduced legislation to force so-called 527 groups to disclose names of donors if those political issue organizations advocate for or against constitutional amendments.

His bill, S.B. 148, hit some Resistance from Democrats in the Senate state and local government committee. Sen. Ed Worley, the minority floor leader from Richmond, and others questioned whether Thayer was just targeting groups weighing in on constitutional amendments because this is the eve of Gov. Steve Beshear unveiling his proposal that would allow casino gambling.

That proposal will be in the form of a constitutional amendment, which requires legislative approval and ratification of voters on the election ballot.

"I know the intent of this legislation is about gaming," Worley said, who added that he would favor legislation that is harder on any kinds of 527 groups, including those that advocate on behalf of candidates. He called them "absolutely rotten."

A 527 organization -- set up under section 527 of the IRS regulations -- can raise unlimited money from individuals or corporations to advocate for or against a political cause or candidate. Most recently in Kentucky, the Bluegrass Freedom Fund 527 organization ran harsh ads against Gov. Ernie Fletcher in last fall's governor's race, which Beshear won.

But Thayer said later that Worley's call for broader 527 disclosure legislation was "a ruse" to derail this bill.

"I want the voters to know where the money is coming from -- for or against a constitutional amendment," Thayer said.

Thayer's bill passed out of committee, 6-4 along party lines.

Among other provisions, the legislation would require that any 527 groups or other organizations that spend more than $5,000 to weigh in on a constitutional amendment issue would have to file weekly reports to the Legislative Ethics Commission disclosing when the groups' representatives meet with lawmakers. Those political issues groups also would have to disclose their finances to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.

For more details, see tomorrow's Herald-Leader.

- Ryan Alessi

Comments

[Stupid is as Republican Does]

Thayer should remove the log from his own eye before worrying about the mote here. Thayer's funding comes from Texas and Oklahoma. He's taking money from horse interests and oil/coal companies. He's bought and paid for and we are unsure as to who these people are and why they'd give to Thayer. I don't care who wins the nomination in the 17th this year for the Democrats, I'm campaigning hard for that nominee and AGAINST Thayer.

[Stupid is as Republican Does]

Thayer should remove the log from his own eye before worrying about the mote here. Thayer's funding comes from Texas and Oklahoma. He's taking money from horse interests and oil/coal companies. He's bought and paid for and we are unsure as to who these people are and why they'd give to Thayer. I don't care who wins the nomination in the 17th this year for the Democrats, I'm campaigning hard for that nominee and AGAINST Thayer.

[Elizabeth]

I support Thayer's bill, but I wish it would extend to all 527 activity, not just for constitutional amendments.

We need to know, on a routine basis, who is financing the "message". Having to wait for the IRS filings can be too late.

[Philip]

Elizabeth, as usual, you are "right on".

Hey, "Stupid", do you really want to alienate nearly half the population because of your insulting nomenclature?! Whether you answer Y or N, you would be more accurate to just use your first name!

[Elizabeth]

Thanks Philip. I've been at home and blogging more than usual. And reading seed catalogs and making veggie soup and cornbread.

Isn't PolWatchers new layout nice? They list more of the past political topics. It is a treasure of information.

I inadvertedly triggered spasms in a poster on the superdelegate topic so it is good to hear somebody say something nice about me.

Thanks again.
e

[Stupid is as Republican Does]

If that portion of the population is Republican, then Yes. 'Stupid' and 'Republican' are synonymous, Phillip. I'm neither.

[Philip]

So what you are saying, STUPID, is that you are not "stupid", but simply bigoted. Right?! Look, if you cannot respect persons with a different point of view, you may be a Democrat, but you are un-democratic, un-American, unkind, narrow-minded, and very, very foolish! Grow up! Any Dems out there agree with me?

Now back to 527s, I am with Elizabeth on full disclosure, BEFORE an election is over! We have a right to know who is paying for the propaganda, no matter what the subject!

And Elizabeth, you did appear to stir up a little hornets' nest on the super delegate blog! You go girl! We need more people like you, Dem or Rep. Would love to taste that soup and cornbread!

[Stupid is as Republican Does]

Because I think Republicans are Stupid I'm now a 'bigot?' Are you somehow trying to play a race card, phillip? I could just as easily have chosen, 'Sleazy is as Republican Does,' or 'Corrupt is as Republican does.' But then, I couldn't tap the Forrest Gump's Evil Twin vein in the Republican party. Thanks for playing.

That said, note that Thayer's 527 bill "would require that any 527 groups or other organizations that spend more than $5,000 to weigh in on a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ISSUE would have to file weekly reports to the Legislative Ethics Commission disclosing when the groups' representatives meet with lawmakers." Why the exemption, Damon, for all those other 527s? Why exempt, for example, your Swift Boat Liars? Or all those other 527s out there more likely to effect everyday legislation and laws? C'mon, Thayer -- stop your sleazy attempts to deceive Kentuckians and answer the questions!!!!

[Philip]

Hello, again, Stupid. From Wikipedia:
"A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own." That seems to pretty acurately describe your comments on here.

The irony here is that you and I agree on 527s: Full disclosure for all! Thayer's bill is good; it just doesn't go far enough. Why don't your Democratic friends amend Thayer's bill to make it even better! I just disagree with your disparagement of all Republicans. Why don't you take a deep breath and look at your own approach. On this blog you have the chance to come back with a "new identity" and try to be a little more mature, and try to be more open and tolerant of different opinions. You don't have to keep being "STUPID". I am believing you can change your name and your attitude! Who knows? By doing so you might be able to persuade some of those you think are your enemies into being your allies! Rather than trading insults, let's share ideas to make this a better state and nation!

[Elizabeth]

Philip is very correct. You simply cannot be effective for positive change when you insult "the other side".

Focus on the problem, not the players. As Philip said, turn the players into your allies.

If you want to improve ethics reform you have to have a buy in from both D's and R's.

But if you don't want to be effective, keep calling R's "stupid".

[Stupid is as Republican Does]

You agree with me? You're way too smart to be a Republican.

[Failure is as Democrat does]

I think this state's track history shows that the Democrats, not the Republicans, have done the stupid stuff over the years. We made great progress in everything while Ford, Carroll, Brown, Collins, Wilkinson, Jones and Patton were governor, didn't we? Hardly.

[Philip]

1:04 Thanks! You made me laugh!

Kentucky is a great state. Unfortunately, we have lagged the nation in a number of critical areas all my life. Much of this is due to too much patronage, partisanship, and cronyism. It doesn't matter if it has been from the Dems or the Reps. We need to change that going forward! We need to work together to root out the good ole boy system, the patronage, and the "gotcha" politics like we experienced with Fletcher vs. Stumbo/Graham. Other than insuring Beshear's election, where did that get us as a state?! We all know it was politics! If that was not the case, why didn't it ever happen before? Were there no hiring infractions before Fletcher?! We all know it was rampant in the previous administrations, and the only reason Stumbo did what he did was because of partisan politics! That is the truth if everyone was honest!

There has got to be a better way of improving government! That whole affair could have been handled more productively for the people of this state!

The last election is relevant because only after it is over do we find out that one man gave over ONE MILLION DOLLARS to a 527 organization for the sole purpose of electing a pro-casino governor! That does not smell right! He, and other pro-gambling fat-cats, took advantage of a wounded anti-gambling governor, and of all things, touted "ETHICS", in order to elect the pro-gambling Beshear! It is simply not right for special interests to hide behind a 527 organization to promote such a self-serving agenda. We need full disclosure and full accountability for money spent on political campaigns, or else the whole system is corrupted!

The challenge for those of you who are Democrats is that your party has been entrenched so long, that the leaders, like Beshear have reverted to the ways of the past. I appreciate those of you who have taken a stand against the actions of some of your own. We need to come together as Dems, Reps, and Inds to attack problems and issues, rather than each other!

Let's have a 527 disclosure law that holds all parties accountable!! Sen Thayer, accept amendments to improve your bill!