Caleb Burns Discusses FEC Restrictions on Ballot Initiative Committee Contributions by Officeholders

December 16, 2019

Caleb P. Burns, partner in Wiley Rein’s Election Law & Government Ethics Practice, was quoted in a December 13 Tax Notes article about Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s funding of a ballot initiative committee that supports a graduated income tax. 

As reported by Tax Notes, Gov. Pritzker gave $5 million to the Vote Yes for Fairness campaign. The campaign urges voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would remove language prohibiting the state from levying an income tax at graduated rates. The amendment is on the ballot for next year.

Mr. Burns weighed in on how that donation would have applied to federal officeholders, citing the Federal Election Commission’s numerous advisory opinions restricting federal officials from making significant donations to state ballot initiative committees.

“As a matter of federal law, there are restrictions that prohibit federal candidates and officeholders from establishing, financing, maintaining, or controlling outside political organizations,” said Mr. Burns. 

To read the article, click here (subscription required).