June 26, 2004 (Updated)

Missouri Bistate Arts and Sports Corporation Is Secretive 527

What's a 527?  According to the IRS: "527 groups are tax-exempt organizations that engage in political activities, often through unlimited soft money contributions."  

Here's what Scott Rothschild from the Lawrence Journal-World wrote on Oct 3, 2003:

And in recent years, the mostly unregulated and nearly hidden political action committees have been used to pump millions of dollars into influencing elections, according to a new report from the Center for Public Integrity.

The 527 PACs -- named after the Internal Revenue Service code section that makes them tax-exempt -- can raise unlimited sums and spend that money in many ways.

See a brief history of 527s by the Brookings Institute.

I guess it's time to learn more about 527s.  You can find online information about them yourself on the IRS site:

http://forms.irs.gov/politicalOrgsSearch/search/basicSearch.jsp  
(Cut and paste URL above into your browser.  I don't understand why link from this page doesn't work).

Select Advanced Search

This site seems difficult to use and it took me several attempts to find anything.  These instructions should work for you:

In the “From July 2000 to present” column on the right, check “Organization Name”

Press “Next Step” button

Enter “Bistate” in “Name of Entity” box

Submit Advanced Search

You'll see a screen like this:

The surprise here is the Missouri State BiState Renewal Committee from 2002  was also a 527.   A Kansas BiState Renewal Commitee from 2002 was a 527, too.  Did other related 527s exist in 2002?

Here’s info about the new Missouri Bistate Arts and Sports Corporation’s "Section 527 Status" from the form filed on June 9, 2004:

[a corresponding filing for the Kansas Bistate Arts and Sports Corporation has not been found]

Who is Steven M. McCartan?   According to the Lathrop & Gage web page, Shipman joined their firm in Nov 2001:

Thomas S. Stewart, managing partner of Lathrop & Gage announced today that Steven M. McCartan joined the firm as associate in the Kansas City, Mo., office, concentrating his practice in business litigation.

Prior to joining Lathrop & Gage, McCartan practiced environmental law and commercial litigation at a local law firm. His responsibilities included participating in general pretrial preparation, researching legal issues, drafting motions and briefs and preparing witnesses for depositions. While in law school, McCartan was a top 10 finisher in Moot Court Competition and served as editor in chief of the Journal of Dispute Resolution.

McCartan is currently a member of the Kansas Bar and the Missouri Bar.

McCartan received his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1995 and his master’s degree in policy studies from the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1998. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 1999.

McCartan lives in Prairie Village, Kan

Who is Jamison K Shipman?  According to the Lathrop & Gage web page, Shipman joined their firm in Sept 2003:

Shipman works at the Kansas City , Mo. office and concentrates his practice on tax law. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1997 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law in 2003.

Levi is the President of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Kristi S. Wyatt is a Senior Vice President of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. She specializes in Government relations.

Derek Willis, a data analyst for the Center for Public Integrity, tells the Meadowlark:

The group says it will not be filing further reports with the IRS because it is a "state or local committee," meaning that it will report on the state level in Missouri. If, perhaps, it was acting as a 501(c)(4) organization in the past, it would not have to file itemized statements of its contributions and expenditures - no such disclosure is required for 501(c)(4)s. 

Also see:  Missouri Money Flowing into Kansas Elections (2002).   

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K a n s a s M e a d o w l a r k @ g m a i l . c o m