Promoter of Idaho education reforms won't reveal donors
Published: Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 3:18 PM Updated: Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 3:35 PM
BOISE -- A promoter ofSuperintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna's education reforms isn't revealing the source of hundreds of thousands in campaign cash by giving it through a nonprofit group whose donors he says are exempt from disclosure.
The Idaho Statesman reportedWednesday a pro-reform nonprofit, Education Voters of Idaho, created by Boise-based lobbyist John Foster, gave $200,350 to another group, Parents for Education Reform, for broadcast ads touting the reforms.
Though Parents for Education Reform disclosed its contribution -- its only one, according to the Idaho Secretary of State -- Education Voters of Idaho won't file a similar sunshine report detailing its backers. That's because it's exempted from such requirements by federal tax laws governing nonprofit, 501(c)(4) "social welfare organizations," Foster said, adding
The Idaho Statesman reportedWednesday a pro-reform nonprofit, Education Voters of Idaho, created by Boise-based lobbyist John Foster, gave $200,350 to another group, Parents for Education Reform, for broadcast ads touting the reforms.
Though Parents for Education Reform disclosed its contribution -- its only one, according to the Idaho Secretary of State -- Education Voters of Idaho won't file a similar sunshine report detailing its backers. That's because it's exempted from such requirements by federal tax laws governing nonprofit, 501(c)(4) "social welfare organizations," Foster said, adding
Just Like Michelle Rhee's Students first only BETTER
Astroturf lobbying refers to political organizations or campaigns that appear to be made up of grassroots activists but are actually organized and run by corporate interests seeking to further their own agendas. Such groups are often typified by innocent-sounding names that have been chosen specifically to disguise the group's true backers
Just Like Michelle Rhee's
Students first Astroturf lobbying (only Better)
Other Astroturf lobbying groups
Just Like Michelle Rhee's
Students first Astroturf lobbying (only Better)