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Advocacy Blog
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Nonprofit in New Mexico Told to Register as PAC
The Center for Civic Policy, a 501(c)(3) organization in New Mexico, distributed a series of mailers regarding the voting records of some members of the state legislature months before the June 3 primary. After losing the primary election, three lawmakers have sued Aug. 1, asserting that the group committed fraud in the financing of campaigns against them, alleging that the group's efforts crossed the line into political activity. They also want the group to register as a political action committee to fully disclose its funders. Meanwhile, New Mexico Attorney General Gary King asserted that the activities crossed the line into campaigning and requested the Secretary of State require them to register as a political committee.
"There's an old saying that if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then its probably a duck," say AG King. "And I think we know a duck when we see one."
And reportedly, the Secretary of State now agrees.
The executive director of the Center for Civic Policy Eli Il Yong Lee, stated; "Any effort to restrict this legal activity would muzzle New Mexico nonprofits from doing the very important job of keeping public officials accountable."
Posted by Amanda Adams
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