February 14, 2012

Bad Romance: The Big Money Behind Valentine’s Day

A lot of money goes into Valentine’s Day – the National Retail Federation estimates Americans will spend $18 billion this year. And there’s more money being spent behind the scenes, by big business looking to make sure you show your love – and spend the big bucks: Hershey’s, America’s largest chocolate corporation, has increased its
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February 14, 2012

Big Bank Lobby Threatens To ‘Employ The Grassroots’ If Bank Tax Gains Any Traction In Congress

President Obama unveiled his Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal this week. While it is not expected to be passed into law, it is being used as a statement of Obama’s fiscal and political principles going into the election year. Included in Obama’s proposal this year is a special tax on financial firms with more than
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February 14, 2012

Corinthian Colleges, For-Profit School With Record Of Abusing Underserved Communities, Gives $1 Million to The Urban League

Corinthian Colleges CEO Jack Massimino and National Urban League CEO Marc Morial held a conference call this afternoon to announce an “Historic Educational Partnership.” Corinthian, a for-profit education company, plans to provide “approximately” $1 million for an Urban League program to help 200 students in Orlando, Florida, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to prepare for the GED exam so they
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February 14, 2012

After Banks Bankroll Their Campaigns, House Members Push To Undermine Wall Street Transparency

Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) is pushing a new bill — which was passed out of committee by a voice vote and is  currently being considered by House leadership — titled the “Swap Execution Facility Clarification Act” that would weaken some of the financial regulations related to transparency in the derivatives market put into place by
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February 14, 2012

#SuperPacValentines

Now trending on Twitter – odes to everyone’s favorite independent organizations that can raise and spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns. Follow along here and check out some of our favorites below:

February 14, 2012

GRAPH: Pro-Domestic Drone Group Doubled Its Lobbying Expenses Last Year

Last week, the drone lobby won perhaps one of its most important legislative victories. The Federal Aviation Authority funding bill contained a provision that opens up America’s skies to domestic drones. The expansion will allow both commercial and law enforcement groups to begin using drones throughout the United States. According to the agency, within eight
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February 14, 2012

Casino Lobbyist Says Alabama State Senator Wanted $100,000 For His Vote

A major re-trial is underway in the state of Alabama, as federal prosecutors are probing bribes made to several Alabama legislators over their positions on electronic bingo casinos. Country Crossing lobbyist Jennifer Pouncy recently pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in 2010 and is now testifying against a number of state senators in an attempt to get
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February 14, 2012

Rep. Duffy Decried Special Interest Ads One Month Ago; Will He Tell Lobbyists To Stop Airing Pro-Duffy Ads?

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a lobbying federation that behaves like a super PAC in terms of how much it spends on ads and get out the vote efforts, recently launched a $10 millionelection ad blitz. The Chamber’s ad campaign includes a thirty second television spot that praises Congressman Sean Duffy (R-WI). Only one month
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