PACs can donate as much as they want to recount efforts

The state agency tasked with overseeing political donations in Minnesota has ruled that political action committees can give unlimited funds to the recount committees for Democrat Mark Dayton and Republican Tom Emmer.

But those groups have to disclose those donations in the next campaign finance report, which will be released at the end of January. The Minnesota Campaign Finance Board held an emergency meeting Wednesday afternoon after Dayton's attorney asked whether political funds could give to Dayton's recount committee.

Gary Goldsmith, executive director of the Campaign Finance Board, said the ruling gives guidance to interested parties.

"This will guide the recipients' conduct in being able to accept contributions, knowing they'll be able to keep them," said Goldsmith. "It will also provide a measure of assurance for the donor that the board will not question those donations."

State law doesn't require Dayton and Emmer to disclose how they receive or spend money on the recount. But Dayton says he will disclose those funds. Emmer has said he'll follow the law, but didn't specify whether he'll release his list of donors.