Bright Lines Project in the News | Bright Lines Project

2017

Trump Vows to Overturn Ban on Political Activity by Churches Gregory Korte, USA Today, Feb. 2, 2017: “'This is a way to convert religious organizations, charities and educational groups into dark money organizations,' said Robert Weissman, president of the left-leaning group Public Citizen. Allowing groups that are exempt from paying taxes to engage in political activity would force the government to subsidize secret money in politics, he said.” https://usat.ly/2k4nzZO

Trump’s Call to Repeal Tax Rule Could Allow Hospitals to Support Candidates. But Would They? Adam Rubenfire, Modern Healthcare Magazine, Feb. 3, 2017: “'From our perspective, 501 (c) (3) (organizations) have spent decades building up the wonderful philanthropy they do and the missions they fulfill, and this is really the last place in our society that is nonpartisan anymore,' said Emily Peterson-Cassin, the project's coordinator. 'Now you're going to introduce the corrosive influence of politics into that and everything that comes with it? It doesn't serve the mission of a 501 (c) (3) to be involved in this.'" https://bit.ly/2mcAxH5

2016

Lisa Gilbert and Emily Peterson-Cassin, IRS Commish Impeachment is Only About Making Headlines, The Hill, (September 15, 2016), bit.ly/2cbeZkY

Brendan Fischer, IRS Gives Up, Grants Karl Rove's Dark Money Group "Social Welfare" Certification, PRWatch, (February 10, 2016), bit.ly/1XlrcFQ

Paul C. Barton, Confusion Over Judging Political Activity Still Reigns at IRS, Tax Analysts, (February 8, 2016), bit.ly/1TeChZY

2015

Michael Beckel, Tea Party Groups See Win in End-of-Year Omnibus Bill, Center for Public Integrity, (December 21, 2015), bit.ly/1KHRD6C

Michael Beckel, Secret donors fuel Democratic political powerhouse, Center for Public Integrity, (November 18, 2015), https://bit.ly/1PBZWCj

Larry Ottinger, Limit Undisclosed Partisan Spending, Washington Post, (November 6, 2015), https://wapo.st/1O1rs94

Bright Lines Project, Comments to IRS Offer Spectrum of Substantiveness as New Nonprofit Political Activity Rules are Anticipated, Citizen Vox, (November 5, 2015), https://bit.ly/1Y299VM

Greg Colvin, IRS Commissioner Hints at Timing for New Political Regulations, Summarizes Thousands of Public Comments, Nonprofit Law Matters, (October 29, 2015), https://bit.ly/1SlxSBn

Henry Geller, Dark Money is the IRS's Real Problem, Washington Post, (October 11, 2015), https://wapo.st/1LOdUgj

Bright Lines Project, Who You Gonna Call? (To Testify at Your Congressional Hearing), Citizen Vox, (September 8, 2015), https://bit.ly/1LVOLQx

Lisa Gilbert, Secret Money Will Continue to Influence Elections Without Clearer IRS Rules, Roll Call, (August 12, 2015), https://bit.ly/1JcIAJX

Lisa Gilbert, When Nonprofits Funnel Campaign Money, NY Times, (July 31, 2015), https://nyti.ms/1EhueWK

Sylvan Lane, Ted Cruz Presses Commissioner on IRS Targeting, Dallas Morning News, (July 29, 2015), https://bit.ly/1JtvnWY

Colin Diersing, Watchdogs say more oversight of IRS needed as it investigates nonprofits, LA Times, (July 23, 2015), https://lat.ms/1HVK70Q

Paul C. Barton, Abolish the Tax Code? What Happens to 501(c)s?, Tax Notes (July 6, 2015), https://bit.ly/1PPOQ9E

Bright Lines Project, Amid Crises and Distractions, IRS Rulemaking Moves Steadily Onward, Citizen Vox, (June 15, 2015), https://bit.ly/1VaKxtE

Bright Lines Project, On Clarifying IRS Rules for Nonprofits, Sen, Hatch Takes Bold Stand on Both Sides of Issue, Citizen Vox, (June 15, 2015), https://bit.ly/1dZHdA1

Lisa Gilbert, Encouraging Signs on New Rules for Nonprofit Political Activity, The Hill, (June 1, 2015), https://bit.ly/1GgpalL

Nicholas Confessore, IRS Seeks to Define Political Activity for Nonprofits, New York Times, (May 22, 2015), https://nyti.ms/1M4LvkH

Matea Gold, Big Money in Politics Emerges as a Rising Issue in 2016 Campaign, Washington Post, (April 19, 2015), https://wapo.st/1Oy00O0

Hillary Flynn and Rachel Bade, IRS May Broaden Rule to Police Political Nonprofits, Politico, (March 18, 2015), https://politi.co/1I0JoNc

Creative Solutions to Reduce the Influence of Money in Politics, Democracy Fund https://bit.ly/1NXBpY9

Michael Wyland, IRS Chief Filibusters Political Regulations For nonprofits, Nonprofit Quarterly, (February 5, 2015). https://bit.ly/1QFbgt9

Emily Peterson-Cassin, Is the IRS Ready for Some Football?, Roll Call, (February 2, 2015). https://bit.ly/1u2fpSB

Staff, Unlikely Allies Agree: Clearer IRS Rules Needed, Truth Out, (February 2, 2015). https://bit.ly/1QFbyA7

Adelle M. Banks, Religious and Secular Advocates Urge IRS to Clarify Rules on Political Endorsements from the Pulpit, Religion News Service, (January 29, 2015). https://bit.ly/1Ci0VAU

Shane Goldmacher, Buying a Nominee, National Journal, (January 29, 2015). https://bit.ly/1KkBe5r

Robert Maguire, In the Garden of Dark Money, the Thorny Case of Rosebush Corp, Opensecrets.org, (January 22, 2015). https://bit.ly/1Ci0VAU

Julie Patel, IRS Rarely Audits Nonprofits for Politicking, The Center for Public Integrity, (January 22, 2015). https://bit.ly/1BMCZ8A

Theodoric Meyer, New IRS Rules On Dark Money Likely Won’t be Ready Before 2016 Election, Propublica.org, (January 5, 2015). https://bit.ly/1FanxFD

2014

Money and Politics: The Most Undercovered Stories of 2014, Moyers and Company, (December 31, 2014), https://bit.ly/1zOjx5n

Larry Kaplan, Charity Regulation by the IRS Wanes Placing Nonprofits at Risk, Non-Profit Quarterly, (December 18, 2014), https://bit.ly/1z40KT8

Reity O'Brien, Secretive Nonprofits Flourished –and Succeeded-in 2014 State Elections, Center for Public Integrity, (December 17, 2014), https://bit.ly/1qZVxhu

Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, 14 Things We Learned About money In Politics in 2014, Brennan Center for Justice, (December 16, 2014), https://bit.ly/1B14Q5C

Rachel Bade, Charities Risked Tax-Exempt Status With Political Ads, Center for Public Integrity, (December 15, 2014), https://bit.ly/1DB2xa4

Bill Schambra and Lisa Gilbert, Schambra & Gilbert: Rules Need Clear Cut Revisions, Battle Creek Enquirer, (December 6, 2014), https://bcene.ws/1KkA9KU

Eliza Newlin Carney, Fresh Round of Controversies for IRS, CQ Roll Call, (December 2, 2014), https://bit.ly/1zMI8sj

Kathleen Sharp, America’s Dark Money disaster: Why We Need Donor ID Laws Now, Salon, (November 23, 2014), https://bit.ly/1KQE7ZK

Michael Beckel, Obama Can Turn Out the Lights on Dark Money, Public Integrity, (November 20, 2014), https://bit.ly/1HWVRQg

Editors, Obama Can Turn Out the Lights on Dark Money, Bloomberg View, (November 19, 2014), https://bv.ms/11icjwc

Joseph Tanfani, Kentucky ‘Dark Money’ Group Grew Rapidly in 2014 Election Cycle, LA Times, (November 19, 2014), https://lat.ms/1GuWvty

Robert Maguire, Latest Candidate Must-Have: Your Very Own Dark Money Group, Center for Responsive Politics, (November 10, 2014), https://bit.ly/1Miv5VQ

Editorial Board, Politics' Dark Age, Philly, (November 6, 2014), https://bit.ly/1FELmRd

Lisa Gilbert, After Midterms, Driving Toward Solutions to Our Dark Money Problem, The Hill, (November 4, 2014), https://bit.ly/1FLES23

Michael Hiltzik, How the IRS ‘Scandal’ Put America Democracy Up for Sale: A Case Study, LA Times, (November 3, 2014), https://lat.ms/1G7f03P

PR Watch Admin, CMD Files IRS Complaint Against Wisconsin Club for Growth, PR Watch, (October 24, 2014), https://bit.ly/1zAgRh4

Emily Peterson-Cassin, On Dark Money, a Glimmer of Hope from the IRS, Citizen Vox, (October 23, 2014), https://bit.ly/1HiZh3U

Joseph Tanfani, Unprecedented Amount of ‘Dark Money’ Fuels Midterm Races, LA Times, (October 18, 2014), https://lat.ms/1JDlY2U

Jeffrey Dorfman, Campaign Spending Freedom Is Great For Speech and The Advertising-Media Sector, Forbes, (October 16, 2014), https://onforb.es/1HWYG3C

Paul Blumenthal, How Will Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS Stay Within The Law in 2014?, Huffington Post, (October 8, 2014), https://huff.to/1G7g4os

Chronicle of Philanthropy, Poll: Most Voters Back Tight Rules on Nonprofit Politicking, Chronicle of Philanthropy, (October 1, 2014), https://bit.ly/1vuB3uP

Rachel Bade, Poll: Voters Back Clearer Nonprofit Political Rules, Politico Morning Tax, (September 30, 2014), https://politico.pro/1pJiWws

Leah McGrath Goodman, As Dark Money Floods US Elections, Regulators Turn a Blind Eye, Newsweek, (September 30, 2014), https://bit.ly/YNHXAD

Carl Hulse, Support Strong for Regulating Politics and Nonprofits, New York Times, (September 30, 2014), https://nyti.ms/1xHf8EY

Howard Gleckman, The Public Wants Clear Rules About Campaign Giving Through Tax-Exempts. Is it Possible?, Forbes, (September 30, 2014), https://onforb.es/10lqEbe

Bernie Becker, Poll: Voters Support Stronger Nonprofit Rules, The Hill, (September 30, 2014), https://bit.ly/1nSRgLk

Lisa Gilbert, Across the Aisle, Voters are Speaking, the IRS Should Listen, The Hill, (September 25, 2014), https://bit.ly/1tl01dn

Palmer Gibbs, Transparency Advocates Look at "The Price We Pay for Money's Influence On Politics", Sunlight Foundation, (September 17, 2014), https://bit.ly/1wEpmp3

Emily Peterson-Cassin, Bright Line Rules for Nonprofits Can Bring Dark Money Into the Light, CitizenVox, (July 23, 2014), https://bit.ly/1tzUOk2

Lisa Gilbert, IRS Funding Controversy Overlooks Real Solutions, The Hill, (July 9, 2014), https://bit.ly/1r8Iw1t

Josh Hicks, Conservatives Not Swayed by Plan to Revise IRS Proposed Nonprofit Rule, Washington Post, (April 16, 2014), https://wapo.st/1eDSuVS

Lisa Gilbert, Rising above the Partisan Fray, Most Organizations Call for IRS Rulemaking to Continue, Huffington Post, (April 10, 2014), https://huff.to/R62tsY

Larry Ottinger, IRS Should Take the Middle Ground on Nonprofit Politicking, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, (March 18, 2014), https://bit.ly/Q9yQWt

Emily Peterson-Cassin, IRS Should Keep Eye on the Goal, The Hill, (February 27, 2014), https://bit.ly/1gd0hbT

Diana Aviv and Lisa Gilbert, Regulating the "Dark Money" of Politics, New York Times, (February 24, 2014), https://nyti.ms/PUFj7S

2013

Fredreka Schouten and Gregory Korte, Voter Registration Could Be Curtailed Under IRS Rule , Washington Post, (December 24, 2013), https://usat.ly/19QAfKK

Diana Aviv & Gary Bass, Treasury and IRS rules on nonprofits’ political activity miss the mark , Washington Post, (December 13, 2013), https://wapo.st/18UWahp

Bright Lines Project, Our First Reaction to Proposed Regulations from IRS/Treasury on Tax-Exempt Political Campaign Activity (December 6, 2013), https://wapo.st/18UWahp

Diana Aviv & Gary Bass, IRS Plan on Nonprofit Political Work Undermines Democracy, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, (December 3, 2013), https://bit.ly/IPKVMY

Matea Gold, New IRS Rules Add both Clarity and Confusion About the Role of Advocacy Groups in Politics, Washington Post, (November 28, 2013), https://wapo.st/18UWahp

Tom Halloran, Tax reform: Bright Line at the End of the Tunnel, The Hill, (November 27, 2013), https://bit.ly/KavZJz

Gary Bass & Tom Halloran, Leaders Fight for Clear, Fair Political Activity Rules, NonProfit Times, (November 26, 2013), https://bit.ly/1fGCYYA

Nicholas Confessore New Rules Would Rein In Nonprofits’ Political Role , New York Times, (November 26, 2013), https://nyti.ms/1ac1o5m

U.S. Treasury Press Release Treasury, IRS Will Issue Proposed Guidance for Tax-Exempt Social Welfare Organizations , NonProfit Times, (November 26, 2013), https://bit.ly/1a16PTy

Brian Faler, Tax Reform’s Status: Heard the Latest Rumors?, Politico, (September 25, 2013), https://politi.co/1b99w92

Robert A.G. Monks, For the Public Good? Nonprofits and Political Donations, Huffington Post, (September 25, 2013), https://huff.to/19IYqV4

Tom Halloran, Defining Nonprofit Political Activity Through Bright Lines and Safe Harbors, The Hill, (September 20, 2013), https://bit.ly/15cis8Y

Michael Wyland, Hudson Institute Panel Pessimistic on IRS Nonprofit Regulation, NonProfit Quarterly, (September 19, 2013), https://bit.ly/1aZaiIQ

Amelia Thomson-Deveaux, Jesus Voted Against Your Sins, The American Prospect, (August 22, 2013), https://bit.ly/13IX9Ao

Mark Hrywna, Political Free Speech Report Sparks Disagreement, The NonProfit Times (August 16, 2013), https://bit.ly/17YBEHL

Eliza Newlin Carney, Blame the IRS or Fix it? Rules of the Game, CQ Roll Call (July 23, 2013), https://bit.ly/13wNDtq

Gregory L. Colvin, Bright Lines Project Submits Legislation to Congress to Fix Tax Law on Political Activity, Nonprofit Law Matters (July 16, 2013), https://bit.ly/19LvLng

Gary D. Bass and Gregory L. Colvin, Finding Congressional Solutions to the IRS Scandal, CQ Roll Call, (June 14, 2013), https://bit.ly/14wlMB7

Lisa Gilbert, It’s Time for the SEC to Regulate Political Spending By Public Companies, Yahoo! Finance News (June 12, 2013), https://yhoo.it/1e9mDpQ

Alex Gauthier, Bright Lines Project: a Nonpartisan Solution to IRS Targeting, Money Talks, (June 11, 2013), https://bit.ly/14gJYog

Gregory L. Colvin, In the Bright Lines Project Proposal, is There a Place for ‘Facts and Circumstances? Response to Bob Bauer and others, More Soft Money Hard Law, (June 3, 2013), https://bit.ly/18Q2HLN

Ellen P. Aprill and Lisa Gilbert, Fixing the IRS: Clarify the Rules on Political Involvement, (June 3, 2013), https://bit.ly/13Z1Dwn

Ezra Reese, Can ‘Bright Lines’ Improve IRS Performance on Political Activity? Perkins Coie, LLC, (May 31, 2013), https://bit.ly/15u2M2U

Bob Bauer, IRS and ‘Bright Lines’ More Soft Money Hard Law, (May 28, 2013) https://bit.ly/19vGfag

Ellen P. Aprill, IRS and Scrutiny: Reviewing Review/Commentary, Roll Call, (May, 23 2013), https://bit.ly/11K1mAA

Gary D. Bass and Elizabeth J. Kingsley, Nonprofits need better guidance on tax-exempt standards, Washington Post, (May 23, 2013), https://wapo.st/13kKnpN