Summary

<p>HB311, HB175, and HB141 would go a long way towards reforming New Hampshire's campaign finance regulations.</p> <p>Current law prohibits political contributions made by a labor union or group of labor unions, but does not prohibit political contributions made by a corporation or corporations. HB311 brings&nbsp;needed equity between these two entities, labor unions and corporations, that impact the political influence between and among them.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>HB175 addresses the issue of using coordination to get around campaign contribution limits. Because coordinated spending is just as valuable to candidates as direct contributions, coordination between outside spenders and their preferred candidates must be strictly policed to prevent big donors from indirectly bankrolling their preferred candidates while sidestepping contribution limits. HB175 creates and expands upon the definitions of coordinated and independent expenditures clearly outlining the differences between the two to eliminate current exploitable loopholes.&nbsp;</p> <p>We need to reduce the influence of big money in politics, and increase the voices of average citizens. HB141 addresses this issue and provides transparency and accountability by closing the LLC loophole. Under current state law, each LLC can make a campaign donation under the same limits as an individual. Since LLCs can make campaign donations like individuals, a person who is a member of an LLC can donate on behalf of the LLC while also making an individual donation on his or her own. Individuals are essentially multiplying their maximum donation and bypassing campaign donation limits by routing their money through LLCs.&nbsp;</p> <p>HB141&nbsp;would require an LLC to submit their member, and the amount of the contribution attributed to each member, whenever making a political donation.&nbsp; A member&rsquo;s share of the donation would count towards their campaign donation limit. In other words, a person who is a member of multiple LLCs would be blocked from making the maximum donation through each LLC.</p> <p>Undetected coordination, unregulated coorporate spending, and exploitable loopholes erode the accountability to everyday voters that we need from our elected officials. It is unpalatable that millionaires and billionaires are able to funnel unlimited funds into elections to drown out the voices of local NH voters.</p> <p><strong>Please note that the subject line and email language is fully editable. We encourage you to use your own words to make your email stand out.</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

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