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Commission Backs Measure to Make Political Groups Disclose Donors

AUGUSTA, Maine — A Maine ethics commission wants more disclosure from groups that contribute $100,000 or more to Maine politics.

The Portland Press Herald reports that the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices on Thursday unanimously backed the proposal.

The commission wants big donors to identify their top five donors, among other things, after one of the most expensive election cycles in state history.

Out-of-state groups directed millions of dollars into ballot question campaigns in the tiny state this year, and that money is hard to trace.

A nonprofit backed by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and unknown donors spent millions in a failed effort to expand background checks for firearms.

Millions of dollars helped successful efforts to legalize marijuana and tax higher earners to fund schools.