[EL] Hypothesis testing a claim on contribution limits

[Dan Meek]

I would think that Oregon is a test bed for that.  Having no (enforced) 
limits on contributions in state or local races, the amount of 
independent expenditures here is very low.

Oregon did have pretty low limits on contributions in effect for the 
1996 election cycle only.  The amount contributed the candidates went 
down about 60% (from $11 million in 1994 to $4 million in 1996), while 
the amount of independent expenditures went up from about zero to about 
$1.9 million.

When the limits were struck down in 1997 by the Oregon Supreme Court, 
contributions went way up, and independent expenditures returned to near 
zero, I recall.

Dan Meek

	503-293-9021 	dan at meek.net <mailto:dan at meek.net>	866-926-9646 fax


On 12/13/2012 12:36 PM, David A. Schultz wrote:
Let me pose a question in terms of a hypothesis.

Raising contribution limits to candidates for office lessens the impact 
that third party (independent spending) has on campaigns.

Conversely,

By raising contribution limits to candidates it decreases the amount of 
spending by third parties.

Does anyone have evidence or research that tests these or a similarly 
related hypothesis.

Thank you.

David Schultz, Professor
Editor, Journal of Public Affairs Education (JPAE)
Hamline University
School of Business
570 Asbury Street
Suite 308
St. Paul, Minnesota 55104
651.523.2858 (voice)
651.523.3098 (fax)
http://davidschultz.efoliomn.com/
http://works.bepress.com/david_schultz/
http://schultzstake.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @ProfDSchultz
Named one of the inaugural 2012 FacultyRow SuperProfessors



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