Virginia Senate Blocks Ban on Personal Use of Campaign Funds
While lawmakers killed a bill to rein in their often-lavish personal spending of campaign money, the state approved a study this year of comprehensive reform measures.
States
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‘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.
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.
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.
Koch-Funded Group Seeks to Overturn Voter-Approved Tax on Arizona’s Wealthiest 1%
The right-wing Goldwater Institute has filed a lawsuit to overturn Proposition 208, passed by Arizona voters to help fund public education after years of budget cuts.
Dark Money Attacks Judges for Being 'Soft on Crime'
Scaremongering advertisements in state court races were paid for by shadowy groups whose true funding sources weren’t available to voters.
Republican Texas Judges Get Big Money Boost Ahead of Redistricting
Oil and gas billionaires, private equity firms, and GOP megadonors are funding ads that aim to keep the Texas Supreme Court entirely in Republican hands as state voting trends shift from red to purple.
Anti-Abortion Ad Barrett Signed Is Tied To Group Working To Bring Abortion Cases To the Supreme Court
Federal statute instructs judges to disqualify themselves when they have a personal bias concerning a party.
Baltimore County Grassroots Groups Look To Continue a Public Financing Wave
Voters in Baltimore County will soon have their say on a ballot measure that would join several other large Maryland counties, as well as the city of Baltimore, in adopting a voluntary public financing program for elections.
Arizona Judge Reinstates GOP Law Shielding ‘Dark Money’
The state's clean elections commission will now be required to defer to the IRS on which political spending groups can keep their donors secret.
