The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for June 11, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Without a committee hearing, North Carolina Senate Republicans slipped a dark money amendment into an already controversial anti-mask bill. The amendment allows contributors to wash campaign donations through national political groups, making it harder to trace the source.
The bill started out as the “Unmasking Mobs and Criminals Act”, a ban on North Carolinians from wearing non-surgical masks in public, aimed at identifying protesters. Amendments were later added, strengthening penalties for protesters blocking roads.
Just before the bill went to the full Senate for a vote June 6th, Section 5 a & b were added, changing state campaign finance rules to allow national political groups, such as governors associations or U.S. House or Senate PACs to make campaign donations directly to state candidates. North Carolina Newsline reports that the amendment was never heard in committee.
Such contributions would allow wealthy donors to donate to a national group, and for the national group to give money in its name to North Carolina candidates. The original donor’s name would not show up in state campaign finance reports, only in federal reports weeks or months later. The bill passed the state senate 28-0, after Democrats walked out in protest.
The anti-mask bill, which ironically masks donors influencing North Carolina elections, now returns to the House for a concurrence vote. We have a link to the amendment and the groups taking action, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
NC Conference of the NAACP – NAACP North Carolina Blasts HB 237: “A Dangerous Attack On Protest Rights”
North Carollina Newsline – NC Senate panel approves controversial bill that targets protests, bans masks in public
North Carolina Newsline – Surprise GOP campaign finance law proposal prompts walkout by Democratic senators
North Carolina Legislature – Bill summary Conference report makes the following changes to the 4th edition
North Carolina Senate – Proposed Conference Committee Substitute H237-PCCS40622-CE-5
Groups Taking Action:
Democracy North Carolina, North Carolina NAACP, Common Cause North Carolina
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