MELOYDE BLANCETT

 

State Representative COMMITTEES:
District 78

Banking, Financial Services Pension
2300 North Lincoln Boulevard Government Modernization
State Capitol, Room 510 HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES Rules
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4885 
(405) 522-8502 State ofOkla/Joma

(405) 962-7667 fax

March 8, 20l8

Ashley Kemp

Executive Director

Oklahoma Ethics Commission
ADDRESS HERE

Ms. Kemp,

In recent years, there has been a signi?cant increase in the amounts of money expended by 501(c) 4 organizations to
fund public communication campaigns, the purpose of which is to in?uence of?cial action by the Oklahoma
Legislature and other of?cial government bodies.

Often these public campaigns are timed directly around when critical govemmental decisions are going to be made
by public of?cials and they advocate for one position or another. That in and of itself isn?t the problem. Rather,
these campaigns are often funded by parties with a material ?nancial interest in the outcome. They don't mention a
particular candidate or election usually.

Because many of these campaigns are ?mded and executed through ?social welfare groups" who obtain a Federal
501(c)4 tax exempt status, they are allowed to bundle money from many sources and are not required to disclose
where the money for these campaigns come 

The consequence of this anonymity is that the general citizenry who is targeted with these campaign messages are
unable to determine the credibility of the ?voice? they are hearing and they have no idea if the persons funding the
campaign are doing so out of their own self interest.

I contend that the citizenry deserves to understand who is behind the voice of the advocacy because that better
informs citizens as to the credibility of the message they are hearing.

Let me be clear. I am in no way suggesting we limit these organizations ability to speak to the public through these
campaigns. But I believe the public deserves to know whose ?voice? they are hearing when they are being asked
through this type of public communication campaign to take a position on a certain issue.

Therefore, I would respectfully request that the Oklahoma Ethics Commission engage in rule making that requires
clear disclosure of all expenditures by 501(c)4 entities that are designed to in?uence of?cial action and all related
sources of funds that enabled the expenditures.

1 am happy to discuss this further if you would desire to do so.

Respectfully,

Meloyde Blancett

Representative District 73

MB/bl