MCCE and Clean Elections In The News

1. Thanks for trying to keep big money politics in check, LTE, The Portland Press Herald, 3/6/2014
2. 'Clean elections' advocates push for 2015 referendum, The Portland Daily Sun, 1/22/2014
3. Mainers can help stamp out special-interest politics, The Forecaster, 1/20/2014
4. Take Politics Seriously, LTE, The Free Press, 1/16/2014
5. Remember the Clean Elections Act , The Huffington Post, 12/28/2013
6. Must we have government of, by and for the wealthy?, The Bangor Daily News, 12/22/2013

News Release: Maine Citizens Mark 4th Anniversary of Citizens United Ruling

January 21 - MCCE marks 4th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's controversial Citizens United ruling at Augusta event and predicts $26.6 million in private money will fuel Maine's state elections in 2014.

1. Campaign watchdogs: Private groups will spend 80 percent more on Maine elections in 2014, The Bangor Daily News, 1/21/2014
2. Maine Could Be Headed For Priciest Election In History, WABI-5, 1/21/2014
3. How Citizens United changed politics, in 6 charts, The Washington Post, 1/21/2014
4. Maine election shaping up to be expensive, WCSH-6, 1/21/2014
5. Maine group predicts $26.6 million in private money for state races, The Portland Press Herald, 1/21/2014

News Release: Report Details Campaign Contributions From Recipients Of Tax Breaks

December 19 - A report released today by Maine Citizens for Clean Elections (MCCE) reveals that the top 25 beneficiaries of the BETR/BETE tax program have given over $2.3 million in campaign contributions since 2000, while receiving over $138 million in tax breaks since 2009. “Focus on BETR/BETE: Does Campaign Cash Help Explain the Survival of a 'Risky' Tax Refund Program?” is the 12th in a series of reports published by MCCE’s Money in Politics Project. Read the report.

1. Ethan Strimling talks with the Program Director for Maine Citizens for Clean Elections, BJ McCollister about taking big money out of politics, NewsRADIO 560 WGAN, 12/21/2013
2. Maine campaign finance watchdog ties political giving to tax break program , The Portland Press Herald, 12/19/2013

News Release: Report Details Spending by Outside Groups in Maine Elections

December 9 - Money from outside groups seeking to sway legislative elections in Maine has increased 563% from 2008 to 2012 according to a new report released today by Maine Citizens for Clean Elections. "The Shell Game: How Independent Expenditures Have Invaded Maine Since Citizens United" is the 11th in a series of reports published by MCCE's Money and Politics Project. Read the report.

1. Another view: Candidates can tell outside groups to behave or get lost, The Portland Press Herald, 12/15/2013
2. Our View: Time to shed light on ‘dark money’ , The Portland Press Herald, 12/10/2013
3. Report: Torrent of Third Party Money Flowing into Maine Politics, Maine PBN, 12/9/2013
4. Report: Dark money drowning out voices of Maine candidates, The Portland Press Herald, 12/9/2013
5. Report: Dark money spending in Maine elections grows nearly six-fold since Citizens United, The Bangor Daily News, 12/9/2013
6. Clean elections group releases report on contributors, The Lewiston Sun Journal, 12/9/2013

News Release: Supreme Court Case Could Give Wealthy Even Greater Say in U.S. Politics

October 8 - The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today on a contribution limits case that could dramatically increase the role and importance of wealthy individuals in our elections.

1. Supreme Vote, LTE, The Bangor Daily News, 10/17/2013
2. Kiss democracy goodbye, LTE, The Bangor Daily News, 10/17/2013
3. The Political-Monetary Complex, The New York Times, 10/15/2013
4. Activists Protest Supreme Court Case with Bake Sale , WFVX-22, 10/8/2013
5. Bangor Bake Sale Focuses on Campaign Contributions, WABI-5, 10/8/2013
6. Maine Voices: High court may be poised to give rich even more sway over elections , The Portland Press Herald, 10/8/2013
7. SCOTUS to hear landmark McCutcheon v. FEC case, The Maine Campus, 2/25/2013

In the News