Nonprofit Fiscal Watchdog Fears Massachusetts Will Act To Make Donor ID’s Public

BOSTON — A series of proposed changes to state campaign finance regulations has organizations like the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance concerned that the public disclosure of those donating to nonprofits could happen seemingly overnight, with state statutes changing despite the Legislature not lifting so much as a finger.

Paul Craney, who heads the conservative-leaning Beacon Hill spending watchdog, spoke out against the proposals during a hearing held at the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance on Tuesday morning. Following the hearing, Craney told New Boston Post that his concern is that campaign finance agency could abruptly change the rules and commence a repeat of what happened in 1988 — the year a loophole was enacted allowing even out-of-state unions to donate up to $15,000 to political candidates while banning business donations and capping individual donations at $1,000.