Pennsylvanians for Accountability 2012 IRS Form 990

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p. 1

First year of existence



Pennsylvanians for Accountability was established in Sept. 2012, according to state business records. This tax return covers the first year of its existence, a fiscal year running from Sept. 2012 through Aug. 2013. During that time, it produced mailers during the 2012 election and funded TV ads critical of Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.

Pennsylvanians for Accountability was established in Sept. 2012, according to state business records. This tax return covers the first year of its existence, a fiscal year running from Sept. 2012 through Aug. 2013. During that time, it produced mailers during the 2012 election and funded TV ads critical of Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.

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p. 1

Initial return



This document marks Pennsylvanians for Accountability’s first tax return filed with the IRS.

This document marks Pennsylvanians for Accountability’s first tax return filed with the IRS.

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p. 1

Total revenue: $1.23 million



This document shows that Pennsylvanians for Accountability raised $1.23 million during its first year of existence. As a nonprofit organized under Section 501(c)(4) of the tax code, the group is not required to publicly identify its funders. But the Center for Public Integrity was able to identify the sources of nearly all of the money it took in, based on other filings with the IRS and Dept. of Labor. About 90 percent of its receipts came from labor unions, including the National Education Association and Service Employees International Union.

This document shows that Pennsylvanians for Accountability raised $1.23 million during its first year of existence. As a nonprofit organized under Section 501(c)(4) of the tax code, the group is not required to publicly identify its funders. But the Center for Public Integrity was able to identify the sources of nearly all of the money it took in, based on other filings with the IRS and Dept. of Labor. About 90 percent of its receipts came from labor unions, including the National Education Association and Service Employees International Union.

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p. 1

Total expenditures: $1.21 million



This document shows that Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent $1.21 million during its first year of existence. It classifies nearly 40 percent of this amount as “direct and indirect political campaign activities.”

This document shows that Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent $1.21 million during its first year of existence. It classifies nearly 40 percent of this amount as “direct and indirect political campaign activities.”

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p. 2

$725,500 spent against Corbett



This document shows Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent $725,500 on TV and digital ads in 2013 that targeted Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and his proposed budget’s impact on public education. The group classified this spending as a “public education campaign” rather than political spending designed to influence Corbett’s re-election. Democrat Tom Wolf ultimately defeated Corbett on Election Day in Nov. 2014.

This document shows Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent $725,500 on TV and digital ads in 2013 that targeted Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and his proposed budget’s impact on public education. The group classified this spending as a “public education campaign” rather than political spending designed to influence Corbett’s re-election. Democrat Tom Wolf ultimately defeated Corbett on Election Day in Nov. 2014.

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p. 2

Nearly $475,000 on mailers ahead of 2012 election



This document shows Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent nearly $475,000 on direct mail ahead of the 2012 election. The mailers were designed to “hold lawmakers accountable for anti-working class, anti-public education voting record[s],” according to the group.

This document shows Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent nearly $475,000 on direct mail ahead of the 2012 election. The mailers were designed to “hold lawmakers accountable for anti-working class, anti-public education voting record[s],” according to the group.

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p. 8

Officers



Three union-connected activists are listed as the officers of Pennsylvanians for Accountability. Both Linda Cook and Kevin Kantz have worked for the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Georgeanne Koehler is an SEIU member and healthcare activist. Each is described as working about one hour per week for Pennsylvanians for Accountability, and none received financial compensation for their work.

Three union-connected activists are listed as the officers of Pennsylvanians for Accountability. Both Linda Cook and Kevin Kantz have worked for the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Georgeanne Koehler is an SEIU member and healthcare activist. Each is described as working about one hour per week for Pennsylvanians for Accountability, and none received financial compensation for their work.

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p. 13

‘Direct and indirect political campaign activities’



This document shows Pennsylvanians for Accountability classified the nearly $475,000 it spent on direct mail ahead of the 2012 election as political spending.

This document shows Pennsylvanians for Accountability classified the nearly $475,000 it spent on direct mail ahead of the 2012 election as political spending.

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Active in 9 state House and state Senate races



This document labels Pennsylvanians for Accountability’s direct mail and digital advocacy ahead of the 2012 election as “independent expenditures,” the official term for spending that directly advocates for the election or defeat of a candidate. It further states that the group was active in six state House races and three state Senate races. Curiously, Pennsylvanians for Accountability only filed independent expenditure reports for mailers in two state Senate races with the Dept. of State. Those filings were submitted several months after the 2012 election and after an article by the Pittsburgh-based investigative reporting outfit PublicSource.org drew attention to the group.

This document labels Pennsylvanians for Accountability’s direct mail and digital advocacy ahead of the 2012 election as “independent expenditures,” the official term for spending that directly advocates for the election or defeat of a candidate. It further states that the group was active in six state House races and three state Senate races. Curiously, Pennsylvanians for Accountability only filed independent expenditure reports for mailers in two state Senate races with the Dept. of State. Those filings were submitted several months after the 2012 election and after an article by the Pittsburgh-based investigative reporting outfit PublicSource.org drew attention to the group.

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p. 1

First year of existence



Pennsylvanians for Accountability was established in Sept. 2012, according to state business records. This tax return covers the first year of its existence, a fiscal year running from Sept. 2012 through Aug. 2013. During that time, it produced mailers during the 2012 election and funded TV ads critical of Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.

Pennsylvanians for Accountability was established in Sept. 2012, according to state business records. This tax return covers the first year of its existence, a fiscal year running from Sept. 2012 through Aug. 2013. During that time, it produced mailers during the 2012 election and funded TV ads critical of Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.

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p. 1

Initial return



This document marks Pennsylvanians for Accountability’s first tax return filed with the IRS.

This document marks Pennsylvanians for Accountability’s first tax return filed with the IRS.

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p. 1

Total revenue: $1.23 million



This document shows that Pennsylvanians for Accountability raised $1.23 million during its first year of existence. As a nonprofit organized under Section 501(c)(4) of the tax code, the group is not required to publicly identify its funders. But the Center for Public Integrity was able to identify the sources of nearly all of the money it took in, based on other filings with the IRS and Dept. of Labor. About 90 percent of its receipts came from labor unions, including the National Education Association and Service Employees International Union.

This document shows that Pennsylvanians for Accountability raised $1.23 million during its first year of existence. As a nonprofit organized under Section 501(c)(4) of the tax code, the group is not required to publicly identify its funders. But the Center for Public Integrity was able to identify the sources of nearly all of the money it took in, based on other filings with the IRS and Dept. of Labor. About 90 percent of its receipts came from labor unions, including the National Education Association and Service Employees International Union.

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Total expenditures: $1.21 million



This document shows that Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent $1.21 million during its first year of existence. It classifies nearly 40 percent of this amount as “direct and indirect political campaign activities.”

This document shows that Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent $1.21 million during its first year of existence. It classifies nearly 40 percent of this amount as “direct and indirect political campaign activities.”

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$725,500 spent against Corbett



This document shows Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent $725,500 on TV and digital ads in 2013 that targeted Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and his proposed budget’s impact on public education. The group classified this spending as a “public education campaign” rather than political spending designed to influence Corbett’s re-election. Democrat Tom Wolf ultimately defeated Corbett on Election Day in Nov. 2014.

This document shows Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent $725,500 on TV and digital ads in 2013 that targeted Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and his proposed budget’s impact on public education. The group classified this spending as a “public education campaign” rather than political spending designed to influence Corbett’s re-election. Democrat Tom Wolf ultimately defeated Corbett on Election Day in Nov. 2014.

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Nearly $475,000 on mailers ahead of 2012 election



This document shows Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent nearly $475,000 on direct mail ahead of the 2012 election. The mailers were designed to “hold lawmakers accountable for anti-working class, anti-public education voting record[s],” according to the group.

This document shows Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent nearly $475,000 on direct mail ahead of the 2012 election. The mailers were designed to “hold lawmakers accountable for anti-working class, anti-public education voting record[s],” according to the group.

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Pennsylvanians for Accountability 2012 IRS Form 990 Contents

First year of existence p.1



Initial return p.1



Total revenue: $1.23 million p.1



Total expenditures: $1.21 million p.1



$725,500 spent against Corbett p.2



Nearly $475,000 on mailers ahead of 2012 election p.2



Officers p.8



‘Direct and indirect political campaign activities’ p.13



Active in 9 state House and state Senate races p.15

Original Document (PDF) » Print Notes » Related Article » Contributed by: Michael Beckel, Center for Public Integrity « Page

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<a href=”https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1392744/pennsylvanians-for-accountability-2012-irs-form.pdf”>Pennsylvanians for Accountability 2012 IRS Form 990 (PDF)</a>

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A ‘shell game’

The following spring, Pennsylvanians for Accountability launched a barrage of TV ads attacking Corbett, the state’s Republican governor, for playing a “shell game” by cutting education spending while supporting “big tax cuts for his corporate backers” and “giveaways to his campaign donors.”

The new tax document indicates Pennsylvanians for Accountability spent $725,500 for its various anti-Corbett messages in 2013, which it classified as a “public education campaign.” This included both television and online ads. Corbett later lost his re-election bid in November 2014.

As a social welfare nonprofit, Pennsylvanians for Accountability isn’t required to reveal the identities of its funders. Therefore, it wasn’t known during its advertising barrage who was bankrolling the group — or even who was leading it.

But Department of Labor records and tax documents reviewed by the Center for Public Integrity show three unions combined to give Pennsylvanians for Accountability $1.11 million — 90 percent of the money it raised between Sept. 1, 2012, and Aug. 31, 2013, the tax year covered by the return.

The largest donor was the National Education Association, which contributed $650,000.

The Service Employees International Union’s Pennsylvania State Council gave $280,000, and the SEIU’s national headquarters contributed $180,000.

An additional $100,000 came from by another Democratic-aligned social welfare nonprofit — America Votes, a Washington, D.C.-based group that seeks to create “a permanent progressive campaign infrastructure across the country.”

Donors to Pennsylvanians for Accountability

Created with Highcharts 4.2.7 National Education Association SEIU Pennsylvania State Council Service Employees International Union America Votes Unknown Source: Center for Public Integrity analysis of filings with the Department of Labor and Internal Revenue Service, covering contributions received by Pennsylvanians for Accountability between Sept. 1, 2012, and Aug. 31, 2013.

SEIU’s Pennsylvania State Council and America Votes did not respond to numerous email and phone messages seeking comment about the contributions. Officials with both the NEA and the national SEIU declined to comment for this story.

“We received your inquiry, but we will not have a comment on this,” SEIU spokesman Beau Boughamer said.

NEA spokeswoman Sara Robertson also declined to comment, saying the union had “no control over” Pennsylvanians for Accountability’s operations.

Previously, officials at the SEIU have criticized political “dark money” for “polluting” American democracy. And both the SEIU and NEA have endorsed measures to curb the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling.

Mum’s the word

The people listed on documents as running Pennsylvanians for Accountability don’t want to talk about the group either.

In state business filings, Pennsylvanians for Accountability lists three union-connected activists — Linda Cook, Kevin Kantz and Georgeanne Koehler— as the people who incorporated the group. The same three union activists, who are all Pennsylvania residents, are listed in the group’s new tax filing as its only officers.

Both Cook and Kantz have worked for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, where, tax records show, they both served as directors as recently as 2012. Koehler also has ties to organized labor: she’s an SEIU member and healthcare activist.

When reached by phone, Cook said: “I have no comment for your story.”

Neither Kantz nor Koehler responded to multiple requests for comment.

Koehler, however, did talk to a reporter with PublicSource.org, a Pittsburgh-based investigative reporting group, in May 2013 — though she didn’t shed much light on the inner workings of Pennsylvanians for Accountability.

“I’m not sure who started it or why it was started, other than they want to fight for a better life for our citizens,” Koehler said at the time.

“I don’t know who’s in charge,” she continued, adding that she was recruited to serve as a director of the organization by Mary Shull, the state director of America Votes in Pennsylvania.

And Koehler wasn’t Shull’s only connection to Pennsylvanians for Accountability.

Daniel Ford, who worked with Shull at America Votes in Pennsylvania until May 2013, was listed in multiple documents as a point of contact for Pennsylvanians for Accountability.

Reached by phone, Ford, who now works at a community organizing company in California, declined to comment. Shull did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

A call for more transparency

Republican state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe of Pennsylvania Facebook

Shortly after the PublicSource.org article in May 2013, Pennsylvania state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, a Republican, called for a hearing to determine if Pennsylvanians for Accountability was violating the state’s election law. The hearing, though, never took place.

“A group attempting to influence the outcome of an election ought to register as a political committee,” Metcalfe said at the time. “They appear to be a political committee more than anything else.”

Lynsey Kryzwick of public relations firm BerlinRosen, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvanians for Accountability at the time, dismissed the criticism as “nothing more than a partisan attempt to silence the real concerns that Pennsylvania taxpayers have with Gov. Corbett’s budget and the direction that he’s taking our state.”

Since the anti-Corbett advertising blitz in early 2013, Pennsylvanians for Accountability has all but disappeared.

Media outlets rarely mention the group anymore, and it has not produced any additional TV ads, according to Kantar Media/CMAG, an advertising tracking firm. Its largest presence appears to have been online, where Pennsylvanians for Accountability’s Facebook page — which boasted more than 8,000 likes — regularly promoted content throughout the 2014 midterm election, mostly news articles critical of Corbett.

The nonprofit’s most recent activity on Facebook came on Oct. 29, 2014 — just days before Democrat Tom Wolf defeated Corbett at the ballot box. The group’s Facebook page appears to have been deactivated following inquiries from the Center for Public Integrity.

Metcalfe, who chairs the House state government committee, called Pennsylvanians for Accountability a “shell organization” that was used as “an attack dog” and was “trying to skirt the law.”

Voters deserve transparency to “know who’s actually behind these operations,” Metcalfe told the Center for Public Integrity, adding that when the Pennsylvania legislature reconvenes, it would be a “high priority” for him to address this issue.

“The law is meant to ensure that the citizens of Pennsylvania have good information to work with when they are going and choosing who their leaders are going to be,” he said.