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A joint fundraising committee like that set up for Rep. Rashid Tlaib, D-Mich. enables donors to contribute up to $13,200 during an election cycle, which can then be divided among multiple candidates. (Chad Davis/Wikimedia Commons)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Tlaib and 'Squad' rally $100 million defense against AIPAC backlash

In the midst of political tensions surrounding Israel's handling of the conflict with Hamas, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., has voiced her support for …

Government Transparency Bills Attracting Mixed Reviews

LANSING, Mich. — A package of bills designed to improve government transparency went before the state House Government Operations committee on …

The Michigan Campaign Finance Network says 11 super PACs spent more than $20 million in the state from Jan. 2017 to Oct. 2018. (Cohdra/Morguefile)

Nine Years After Citizens United, Calls for Transparency Grow

LANSING, Mich. — Today marks nine years since the U.S. Supreme Court changed campaign finance laws in the Citizens United case, and opponents …

The Federal Election Commission has not yet indicated if the donor disclosure rule will be applied retroactively. (Twenty20)

U.S. Supreme Court Shines Light on Dark Money

LANSING, Mich. — Voters may soon have a better idea of who's really behind all those political ads supporting or attacking candidates for …

If the bill giving industry oversight over the Department of Environmental Quality is signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, conservation groups fear that more injection wells such as this one in Osceola will be permitted across the state. (Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation)

Conservation Groups Press Snyder to Reject DEQ Oversight Bills

LANSING, Mich. — Groups concerned about clean water and clean air are pressing Gov. Rick Snyder to reject several bills that would give …

Research shows a direct coorelation between percentage of votes and percentage of money. <br />(Dodgerton Skillhause/Morguefile)<br />

Research Supports More Money, More Votes Theories

LANSING, Mich. – As public outrage over the influence of money in politics continues to grow – seen in both the Bernie Sanders and Donald …

State organizations say Michigan's open records laws need to be reformed. Credit: Brian Charles Watson/Wikimedia.

Government Integrity? Report Finds Michigan Lacking

LANSING, Mich. – Not only did Michigan receive a failing grade in a new 2015 State Integrity Investigation, it came in dead last in ethics and …

Consumer advocates are speaking out against forced arbitration clauses. Credit: mcconnors/morguefile

Fair Day in Court? Consumer Groups Denounce Forced Arbitration

LANSING, Mich. - In the wake of a New York Times exposé, consumer advocates are speaking out against the corporate practice of putting forced …

The Land and Conservation Fund helps protect the Ottowa National Forest. Credit: Joseph O'Brien, USDA Forest Service

Federal Fund Expiration Could Threaten Michigan's "Crowned Jewels"

LANSING, Mich. - Conservation groups are not giving up their fight to continue a program that supports some of Michigan's, and the nation's, crowned …

More women serving in Lansing will result in policies that support more women in the state, according to the MI Lead coalition. Credit: acryllicartist/morgufile

Women's Equality Day: Where Does MI Stand?

LANSING, Mich. - It's been 95 years since women in Michigan and across the nation won the right to vote, commemorated today by Women's Equality Day…

PHOTO: Despite the growing influence of money in politics, civic and community groups are keeping up the fight to keep elections clean. Photo credit: DodgertonSkillhause/morguefile.

Fight Continues to Remove Dark Money from Elections

LANSING, Mich. - The corrupting influence of money in politics is getting worse, according to recent reports. Studies by Clean Slate Now and the …

PHOTO: Though Michigan's lame duck legislative session lasts just nine days, Governor Rick Snyder says getting a road funding bill to his desk before January 1 is a priority. Photo credit: M. Shand

Lame Duck Session Could Bring Road Fix for Michigan

LANSING, Mich. - With the election results now in, Michigan's outgoing legislators only have a handful of session days left before the end of the …

PHOTO: A new analysis examines the impact of last-minute campaign spending by special-interest groups on judicial elections in Michigan and other states. Photo credit: Subterranean/Wikimedia.

Records Show Influx of Outside Money in Michigan Supreme Court Races

LANSING, Mich. - According to a new analysis, Michigan is among a handful of states seeing a recent surge in outside spending in state Supreme Court …

IMAGE: A first step toward ending big money in politics? The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a proposed constitutional amendment to give Congress and states control of campaign spending limits, in response to recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Image credit: DonkeyHotey/Flickr

Senate Committee Approves Plan on Campaign Spending Limits

LANSING, Mich. - A constitutional amendment giving Congress and states control of political campaign spending is moving toward a vote on the U.S…

PHOTO: The Center for Media and Democracy says 139 ALEC-generated bills or state budget provisions to privatize education were introduced in the last six months in 43 states. Courtesy of Center for Media and Democracy

ALEC's 40th Birthday Draws Protests

CHICAGO - A nonprofit group of which some voters may never have heard holds its 40th annual meeting in Chicago this week. Watchdog, labor, religious…

PHOTO: old telephone wrapped in cord. Photo Credit: Deborah Smith

RoboCops Needed in Michigan?

LANSING, Mich. - Hold the phone! Robocall season is under way in Michigan, along with election season. Political robocalls are exempted from National …

Who Keeps Your Investment Adviser Honest?

WASHINGTON - A U.S. House committee today takes up a bill that would allow investment advisers to police themselves, through what's called a self-…

Net Neutrality and Occupy Wall Street – Making A Connection

CHICAGO - The U.S. Senate may vote this week on overturning Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules aimed at guaranteeing an open Internet…

Koch Funding Climate Change Deniers: Mixed Success

ASPEN, Colo. - The Koch family has funneled tens of millions of dollars into causes which support the oil and gas industry in an attempt to undermine …

A "Smart ALEC" in Michigan?

EAST LANSING, Mich. - A watchdog organization says much of what appears to be a home-grown conservative agenda is actually being generated by …

MI Vets Aim to Debunk Oil Message

DETROIT - A group of veterans wants to make sure that residents of Michigan have a sense of the true cost of the nation's dependence on imported oil…

Analysis: Women Poised For Gains in MI House

Lansing, MI – "A woman't place is in the House...and in the Senate!" This 1970s rallying cry is making a comeback, because women could be big …

First-Ever Review of Supreme Court Performance Beyond the Ballot

Lansing, MI – It's report card time for the justices of the Michigan State Supreme Court and, for the most part, their grades could be better…

Michigan Voters Get a New Weapon: “Self-Defense”

Lansing, MI – They can run, but they can't hide. Politicians running for office can't hide from tough questions in Michigan anymore, thanks to …

New Year’s Resolution: Encourage More MI Women to Run…for Office

Ann Arbor, MI – "Running and exercise" are typical resolutions for the New Year and for one Ann Arbor group, that means 2008 will see a woman …

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MI: Campaign Finance Reform/Money in Pol