‘Red State Assault’ on Ballot Measures Threatens Direct Democracy
Lawmakers in 24 states have introduced restrictions on ballot initiatives after voters passed measures last year including legalizing marijuana and raising the minimum wage.
David Moore
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Here Are the Companies Behind Trump's Rollback of Shareholder Rights
A new report by InfluenceMap found that ExxonMobil and GM led big business groups in supporting federal rules that made it harder for shareholders to submit proposals on climate action, diversity, and corporate transparency.
Google is Giving People Bad, Fossil Fuel-Funded Info on the Green New Deal
A conservative think tank with funding from the fossil fuel industry put out a cost estimate seemingly intended to cause sticker shock atop search results.
Seattle's Unique Campaign Finance System Is Boosting Donor Diversity
Democracy vouchers are increasing small-donor participation in local elections and diversifying the donor pool.
How Corporations Gave Republicans Permission to Deny Reality
Big companies donated to climate deniers in Congress – even while claiming to care about climate change. When those same lawmakers denied the results of the election, the bill came due.
Former PAC Rejector Elaine Luria Is Now Taking Checks From Raytheon and Rolls-Royce
Luria was recently elected vice chair of the House Armed Services Committee after taking contributions from the PACs of several defense contractors to pay off her reelection campaign's debt.
Michigan Has a Conflict of Interest Problem. A New Bill Would Begin Fixing It
The state's legislators have previously passed laws that benefited their family businesses, but a new ethics bill would bar voting where personal financial interests are involved.
Manchin Backed Filibuster Reform in the Past
While Sen. Joe Manchin proclaimed in recent media appearances that he will not consider ending the filibuster, 10 years ago he voted in favor of rules reforms that would have significantly reduced the obstructive tactic.
Trade Groups Decline to Cut Off GOP Objectors
Sludge asked over two dozen corporate trade associations if they would follow their member companies in cutting off PAC donations to the Republican election objectors. Most declined to say they would.
Companies Are Pausing Their PACs, But Their Trade Groups Aren’t
Dozens of companies paused their PAC donations to Republican election objectors, but a loophole could continue sending them funds through corporate trade associations.