Politics
Computer Industry, Unions Big Donors to Immigration Bill Supporters
The 27 senators who voted against an immigration overhaul bill amendment, which strengthens border security but is also a step towards passing the overall immigration package, on average received very little money from the computer industry, human rights groups and labor unions, but did receive heavy support from donors in the agribusiness industry, according to…
Read MoreOregon program has $576,000 budget and restores gun rights to three people
An Oregon program designed to help those with mental health histories restore gun ownership rights currently operates with a $576,000 budget and has restored those rights to just three people, according to an investigation by The Oregonian. The program comes from federal money — the result of lobbying efforts by the National Rifle Association —…
Read MoreAfter Decades of Neglect, Pakistan Rusts in Its Tracks
“A journey across Pakistan’s crumbling railway presents a picture of the country’s troubles: natural disasters and hardened insurgencies, abject poverty and feudal kleptocrats, and an economy near meltdown.”
Read MorePayday lenders and the Harry Reid connection
“Payday lenders donate $126K to Senate majority leader, who denies having links to Utah scandal,” according to an investigation by The Salt Lake Tribune.
Read MoreFinding Congress’ frequent fliers
“As the nation hurtled from one fiscal crisis to the next last year, Democrats and Republicans argued bitterly over the best solution – tax increases or spending cuts. But members of the U.S. House did agree on one thing: There was enough money for them to travel the globe at taxpayers’ expense. At least 172 House…
Read MoreMany DAs, judges, lawmakers stay in office after DWIs
“An American-Statesman analysis shows that, unlike Cole, other district attorneys, as well as judges and elected officials, have chosen to remain in office after their DWIs. In some cases, they have tried to separate their professional work from their personal mistakes. When Tarrant County state District Judge Elizabeth Berry was arrested for drinking and driving…
Read MoreDonors behind millions in N.J. political contributions kept secret, analysis finds
“Politicians in New Jersey can receive more money while still keeping the names of their donors secret than those in any other state in the nation, masking the origins of millions of dollars in campaign contributions every year, a Star-Ledger analysis has found.” Read the Star-Ledger’s full investigation here.
Read MoreU-T political ad rates don’t add up
“inewsource and KPBS audited ads in the U-T every day between Labor Day and Election Day 2012 and compared the list with campaign finance records. The results show varied payments for ads, indicating the U-T may have offered bargains to the anti-Filner campaign and to other candidates and issues the newspaper endorsed,” according to the investigation.
Read MoreHow Walmart, ExxonMobil, and Coke Buy Latino Friends in Congress
“Lobbyists and corporations that employ them can’t give gifts to lawmakers—unless they funnel the money through a nonprofit,” according to an investigation by Mother Jones.
Read MoreExtra Extra Monday: OSHA ignores slow and silent killers, corporate influence reaches court, back-door school handouts
As OSHA Emphasizes Safety, Long-Term Health Risks Fester | The New York TimesThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the agency that many Americans love to hate and industry calls overzealous, has largely ignored the slow, silent killers that claim the most lives. Corporations, pro-business nonprofits foot bill for judicial seminars | Center for Public IntegrityConservative…
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