Category: Dark Money

Donations to Trump’s Inauguration May Reach $200M, Funding the Parade, Inaugural Balls  . . . and Pay-to-Play Influence

Donald Trump’s inaugural committee has received $170 Million dollars in contributions, and it’s expected to reach $200 Million – almost double his 2017 total.   Yes, the contributions pay for the inaugural balls, but inaugural funds are also a vehicle for corporate “pay to play” contributions, currying favor for federal contracts, lenient legislation, or access to the President.

Florida Voters Retain Public Funding of Elections, as Amendment 6 Repeal Fails to Reach 60% Constitutional Threshold 

In an election with few bright spots for democracy, Amendment 6, a repeal of Florida’s public funding of elections option, failed to reach its 60% constitutional threshold, with voters evenly split.  Such small donor matching systems help candidates outside the political machine structure to compete, and can help limit special interest influence.