Campaign Finance Laws Institutionalize Corruption
There’s new evidence in Washington state that enforcement of campaign finance laws often isn’t about better government—it’s about punishing political opponents.
Consider four recent cases there that reveal the system’s nature.
The Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199NW—a union of more than 30,000 healthcare workers across Washington, created by employees to advocate for common interests—failed to report $430,000 in political contributions until after the 2024 election, including $200,000 each to the Kennedy Fund, an arm of the Washington State Senate Democratic Caucus, and the Harry Truman fund, a PAC connected to the House Democratic Caucus.
For such a huge omission, the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission issued a $6,000 fine, with only $3,000 required to be paid—less than one percent of the concealed amount.
Compare that to tax-cut activist Tim Eyman, who was hit with over $8 million in fines, fees, and interest for campaign finance violations. The court acknowledged that the punishment left him “impoverished and almost destitute.” His alleged violation was the late filing of campaign disclosures and using campaign funds for personal expenses.
Then there’s the massive $18 million fine on the Grocery Manufacturers Association for failing to properly report $11 million in ballot measure spending, despite the fact that the ballot measure committee itself publicly reported the spending. The group challenged the fine as violating the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of “excessive fines,” but lost 5–4 at the Washington Supreme Court. The state settled for $9 million after the group threatened an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The state also penalized Meta Platforms a staggering $35 million despite Meta actively blocking political ads on Fa
Article from Reason.com
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