Ruling on 527 group only latest in fight over corporate donations

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sun, Sep. 03, 2006
Ruling on 527 group only latest in fight over corporate donations
GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina's latest ruling on how far so-called "527" groups can go to influence voters likely won't be the last word on efforts to restrain the influence of corporate cash on the electoral process.

The State Board of Elections last week upheld the Republican Legislative Majority of North Carolina's use of corporate money to send more than 300,000 pieces of mail criticizing five GOP House members in advance of the May primary. Two of those incumbents ultimately lost, including Speaker Pro Tempore Richard Morgan.

Lawmakers, the board and the courts have been debating for the last decade how to regulate political spending by businesses and union groups without hampering free speech.
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The role of 527 donations first became an issue in the 2004 state elections, when a group called the North Carolina Republican Main Street Committee used corporate dollars to run ads praising Morgan and other Republicans involved in a power-sharing agreement with Democratic Speaker Jim Black.
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http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/local/15433544.htm