Thursday, January 27, 2022

PNS Daily Newscast - January 28, 2022
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The Indiana House passes a controversial bill barring schools from teaching about Critical Race Theory; and President Biden pledges to place a Black woman on the Supreme Court for the first time.

2022Talks - January 28, 2022
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Justice Stephen Breyer formally announces his retirement; the Dept. of Education will help students who fell behind during the pandemic; and AZ lawmakers consider a bill granting them control over elections.

The Yonder Report - January 27, 2022
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Free COVID tests by mail but some rural Americans need to go the extra mile; farmer storytellers join national campaign to battle corporate consolidation; specialty nurses want more authority; and rare bat gets credit for the mythic margarita.

Campaign Finance Reform/Money in Pol

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering found that revenues from drug companies' top 20 medications pay for all their annual research and development, and still result in a profit of some $40 billion. (Adobe Stock)
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering found that revenues from drug companies' top 20 medications pay for all their annual research and development, and still result in a profit of some $40 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Older Coloradans Press Congress to Lower Drug Prices

It's been two months since the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act, which includes reforms that aim to bring down …

Denver's annual Martin Luther King Jr.
Denver's annual Martin Luther King Jr. "Marade" is one of the largest demonstrations in the nation. (Galatas)
MLK "Marade" Spotlights Drive to Protect Voting Rights

As Democrats in Congress struggle to get enough votes to pass new federal voter protections, Denver's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day "Marade" - a …

Construction companies, law firms and health-care companies are among the top contributors to sheriffs' political races, according to a new report from Common Cause. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)
Construction companies, law firms and health-care companies are among the top contributors to sheriffs' political races, according to a new report from Common Cause. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)
Report: Keep Special Interests Out of Sheriffs' Elections

A new report recommends changes to the way political campaigns are paid for, analyzing contributions to local sheriffs' races in 11 states, including …

Groups looking to rein in money in politics hope to pass campaign-finance limits before the 2024 election. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)
Groups looking to rein in money in politics hope to pass campaign-finance limits before the 2024 election. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)
Campaign Donation Limits Could Be Coming to OR in 2022

Oregon is among a handful of states without limits on how much people or entities can contribute to election campaigns, but it could change this year…

A national ranking gives South Dakota a failing grade for things like public access to information and accountability, both at the legislative and executive level. (Adobe Stock)
A national ranking gives South Dakota a failing grade for things like public access to information and accountability, both at the legislative and executive level. (Adobe Stock)
Impeachment Meetings in SD Underscore Transparency Concerns

A legislative panel has been discussing the possibility of impeachment proceedings against South Dakota's attorney general. A statewide government …

Wyoming's new voter districts are expected to impact how the state addresses falling fossil-fuel revenues, Medicaid expansion, and how local school boards shape public education. (Adobe Stock)
Wyoming's new voter districts are expected to impact how the state addresses falling fossil-fuel revenues, Medicaid expansion, and how local school boards shape public education. (Adobe Stock)
Wyoming Voters Urged to Give Feedback on New Voter District Maps

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- As Wyoming lawmakers sort through new 2020 census numbers to update voting districts, watchdog groups are encouraging all residents …

Lobbying firms have enjoyed few limits after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision, where the high court confirmed that money was a form of protected speech. (Adobe Stock)
Lobbying firms have enjoyed few limits after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision, where the high court confirmed that money was a form of protected speech. (Adobe Stock)
Report: Lobbyist Spending in Nebraska Thrived During Pandemic

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A new Common Cause Nebraska report showed last year, more than $18 million was invested in lobbying efforts in Nebraska. By …

The 2020 election cycle saw more than $1 billion in
The 2020 election cycle saw more than $1 billion in "dark money" spending at the federal level, according to opensecrets.org. (Adobe Stock)
West Virginians Want "Dark Money" Out of Politics

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In the last two months, two polls have found West Virginia voters have concerns about so-called "dark money" in politics…

Women of color are much less likely to enter contests for statewide executive offices than white women, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. (8385/Pixabay)
Women of color are much less likely to enter contests for statewide executive offices than white women, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. (8385/Pixabay)
Women Face Money Crunch on Road to Political Office

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Women have voted at higher rates than men in every presidential election since 1984, but a new study shows when they run for a …

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 15 states have term limits for legislators. (Adobe Stock)
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 15 states have term limits for legislators. (Adobe Stock)
ND Term-Limits Plan Could Give More Power to Lobbyists

BISMARCK, N.D. - Next year, North Dakota voters could be asked to consider a plan often floated as a way to shake up traditional politics. Term …

A 2012 investigation by ProPublica found some tax-exempt groups underreported their political activities to the Internal Revenue Service. (Wikimedia Commons)
A 2012 investigation by ProPublica found some tax-exempt groups underreported their political activities to the Internal Revenue Service. (Wikimedia Commons)
AR Bill Tightens Rules on Nonprofits' Donor Disclosure

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A new bill signed into law in Arkansas strengthens privacy rules for people who donate to charitable causes. Critics of so-…

If lawmakers pass a ban on corporate contributions going directly to candidates or their committees, they join 22 other states plus federal elections for president and Congress with similar laws. (Adobe Stock)
If lawmakers pass a ban on corporate contributions going directly to candidates or their committees, they join 22 other states plus federal elections for president and Congress with similar laws. (Adobe Stock)
Good-Government Groups: Bill Could Help Reduce Corporate Influence in Elections

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Good-government groups in Maine support a bill which would ban corporate contributions from going directly to state legislators or …

 

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