Saturday, January 8, 2011
Breaking News: Conflicting Reports About the Condition of Congresswoman Giffords
There were numerous reports that Congresswoman Giffords had been killed after being shot at close range at a public event outside a grocery store. Now there are conflicting reports about her condition. Let us hope that the initial reports were erroneous. Our nation's public servants, regardless of party affiliation, should never fear for their safety.
"Redistricting 101: Eight facts about redrawing the US political map"
Interesting, informative article on the process of drawing legislative and congressional lines every 10 years.
Click here for more from the Christian Science Monitor.
Click here for more from the Christian Science Monitor.
Iowa to start redistricting
The process of drawing new state and federal district lines in Iowa will be an arduous one. In Iowa, unlike in other states, nonpartisan legislative staffers draw district lines, and the Legislature can then accept or reject the plan. Iowa does this in an effort to make the redistricting process less political. Click here for more.
Friday, January 7, 2011
"Scalia Accepts Invite of Tea Party Leader, Criticized for ‘Exceedingly Poor Judgment’"
Click here for more from the ABA Journal.
Jessica Levinson will be on AirTalk on Monday talking about CA's Budget
Jessica Levinson will be on 89.3 FM (for those in Los Angeles), on AirTalk discussing Governor Jerry Brown's proposed budget.
"Villaraigosa won't say if he agrees with clemency for Fabian Nuñez's son"
For more on Governor Schwarzenegger's controversial decision to commute the sentence of Fabian Nunez's son, click here.
"On Filibuster Reform"
An OpEd in the NYT depending both filibuster reform and keeping the filibuster.
Will public campaign financing return to Portland, Oregon?
One former candidate for Portland City Council is trying to bring public campaign financing back to that city.
Click here for more.
Click here for more.
"Carlos Moreno's resignation from California Supreme Court creates opportunity for Jerry Brown"
Click here for more from the L.A. Times.
More on Congress' decision to read the Constitution
For more on Congress' decision to read the text of the Constitution from the House floor, click here for an opinion piece in Politico.
Congress reads the Constitution!
On January 6, 2011 the U.S. House of Representatives did something unusual. They read the text of the Constitution from the House floor.
Click here for more from the NYT.
For more on a wonderful project that focuses, in part, on readings of the constitution, go to My Daily Constitution.
Click here for more from the NYT.
For more on a wonderful project that focuses, in part, on readings of the constitution, go to My Daily Constitution.
The Senate recess will be filled with Filibuster talk
The debate over whether and how to reform the filibuster process will likely occur behind closed doors until January 24th, when the Senate reconvenes.
Democratic hopes of reforming the filibuster with a simple majority vote, as opposed to a two-thirds vote, seem dim.
Click here for more from Politco.
Democratic hopes of reforming the filibuster with a simple majority vote, as opposed to a two-thirds vote, seem dim.
Click here for more from Politco.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Jessica Levinson quoted about conflicts of interest
Here is an excerpt from the article:
Jessica Levinson — director of political reform for the Center for Governmental Studies, a Los Angeles-based nonpartisan think tank — acknowledged both the burden and importance of candidates knowing where their money comes from.
"On the one side, you should be able to run for office without having a professional team of campaign finance lawyers," she said. "On the other hand, there is a very strong public interest in knowing this information, in having this information."
Click here for the entire story.
Jessica Levinson — director of political reform for the Center for Governmental Studies, a Los Angeles-based nonpartisan think tank — acknowledged both the burden and importance of candidates knowing where their money comes from.
"On the one side, you should be able to run for office without having a professional team of campaign finance lawyers," she said. "On the other hand, there is a very strong public interest in knowing this information, in having this information."
Click here for the entire story.
Will there by filibuster reform?
Will Teapartyers create strong campaign disclosure laws?
This article argues that tea party officials could be natural allies of those who want to push for more campaign finance disclosure.Tea party members have contended that government is too big and the political process is run by special interests. The article suggests that tea party candidates might be persuaded by the argument that our democratic government is undermined by undisclosed corporate and union interests.
Click here for more from the LAT.
Click here for more from the LAT.
"Group fined $12,000 for violating campaign-finance law."
An administrative law judge has found that an advocacy group, Safe Street Colorado, failed to file campaign finance reports prior to taking contributions to get a measure on the ballot and imposed a $12,000 fine.
Click here to read more from the Denver Post.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Christine O'Donnell to re-file her campaign finance filings with the FEC
And the Christine O'Donnell campaign finance saga continues. O'Donnell will re-file campaign finance documents with the FEC by the end of January 2011. O'Donnell's attorney said that the re-filing is necessary because the campaign, “did not have the funds prior to the 2010 primary in September, 2010 [,] to retain professional compliance vendors and counsel.”
For more, click on the following links to various news sites, WSJ, Politico, and TPM.
For more, click on the following links to various news sites, WSJ, Politico, and TPM.
"And Now, a Word from the California Supreme Court..."
Click here for Jessica Levinson's blog on the KCET website. The post concerns the Ninth Circuit's ruling yesterday in the uber-controversial Prop 8 litigation.
"Ms. Bass and Mr. Denham Go to Washington, Alone"
Click here for Jessica Levinson's first piece on KCET's new blog. The post concerns the new independent redistricting commission which will soon be drawing both state and federal legislative lines in California. This could be a huge shakeup to the political landscape in the golden state.
"How Wall St. execs bankrolled GOP victory"
Interesting piece about Republican donations in the 2010 midterm elections.
Click here for more from MSNBC.
Click here for more from MSNBC.
"Campaign finance report takes aim at political slates, LLCs"
Maryland lawmakers and election lawyers want to, among other things, restrict the ability of political slates and LLCs to give campaign funds.
Click here for more from the Baltimore Sun.
Click here for more from the Baltimore Sun.
Will the Filibuster go nuclear?
All eyes will be on the Senate today to see if they can and will reform the filibuster.
Proponents of filibuster reform have claimed that they can change the filibuster rules by a simple majority vote on the first day of a new session (today!), but that they otherwise need a two-thirds vote for such reform. Proponents want to, among other things, end secret holds and force members who want to filibuster to be present (meaning the mere threat of a filibuster will no longer be sufficient).
For more, click on articles from these news outlets: NPR (piece argues in favor of reform), WaPo (piece by Sen. Mitch McConnell argues against reform), WaPo, WaPo (Ezra Klein responds to critics), Bloomberg, and NYT.
Proponents of filibuster reform have claimed that they can change the filibuster rules by a simple majority vote on the first day of a new session (today!), but that they otherwise need a two-thirds vote for such reform. Proponents want to, among other things, end secret holds and force members who want to filibuster to be present (meaning the mere threat of a filibuster will no longer be sufficient).
For more, click on articles from these news outlets: NPR (piece argues in favor of reform), WaPo (piece by Sen. Mitch McConnell argues against reform), WaPo, WaPo (Ezra Klein responds to critics), Bloomberg, and NYT.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Breaking news: Prop 8 Ruling
The 9th Circuit has sent the case to the California Supreme Court, asking them to determine whether ballot measure proponents have standing to defend a proposition when state officials opt not to do so. For more, read Jessica Levinson's post in the Huffington Post, "Proposition 8: Who Will Be Left Standing?"
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
"Complaint alleges Press Herald broke election law by donating ad space"
The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices is investigating whether the Portland Press Herald violated campaign finance laws when almost $50,000 of donated ad space was used for an ad urging voters to vote "yes" on a November 2 ballot measure.
A newspaper executive says the newspaper donated the ads to the chamber of commerce for its use (in its discretion), not for use in a political campaign. The ads did not indicate that the newspaper had donated the space.
Click here for more from the Press Herald.
A newspaper executive says the newspaper donated the ads to the chamber of commerce for its use (in its discretion), not for use in a political campaign. The ads did not indicate that the newspaper had donated the space.
Click here for more from the Press Herald.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Saying goodbye to a campaign finance reformer
Senator Russ Feingold lost his bid for reelection and the senate now loses one of the primary proponents of campaign finance reforms. The nation's second comprehensive campaign finance scheme bears his name. (Much of that scheme has since been dismantled by the Supreme Court).
Feingold may have been a victim of his greatest foe (big money), as he was defeated during an election that saw hundreds of millions of dollars being spent by corporations.
Reformers face a conservative Congress and hostile Supreme Court. But, they say, they have a plan. First, they will push legislation leading to greater disclosure. Second, they will ask the IRS to enforce rules applying to the ability of non-profit corporations to spend political funds. Third, they will fight anti-reform lawsuits and legislative proposals.
Click here for more from the LAT.
Feingold may have been a victim of his greatest foe (big money), as he was defeated during an election that saw hundreds of millions of dollars being spent by corporations.
Reformers face a conservative Congress and hostile Supreme Court. But, they say, they have a plan. First, they will push legislation leading to greater disclosure. Second, they will ask the IRS to enforce rules applying to the ability of non-profit corporations to spend political funds. Third, they will fight anti-reform lawsuits and legislative proposals.
Click here for more from the LAT.
Jessica Levinson on the radio about new laws in California in 2011
"Georgia's new ethics law not as strong as Alabama's law"
An editorial Times-Herald argues that Georgia's new ethics laws are weaker than Alabama's.First, Alabama, unlike Georgia, capped the amount that lobbyists can spend dining with public officials. Second, Alabama, unlike Georgia, limited transfers between PACs. Click here for more.
Maine ethics comission suggests changes
After a busy 2010, the Maine ethics commission staff is suggesting some changes to Maine's law. One proposed change would limit the ability of news organizations to obtain information under the Freedom of Access Act. Another would increase the fine for violations of campaign disclaimer requirements. A third change would limit the permissible uses of "Clean Election" money. Specifically, the commission recommends a ban on using public funds to buy PDAs, smart phones and laptops. Click here for more.
New campaign finance and ethics laws for Colorado?
After the recent midterm elections, Colorado is looking to strengthen its campaign finance laws. For instance, lawmakers are looking to expand and improve disclosure laws. Click here for more.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Breaking News: Governor Schwarzenegger Partially Commutes Fmr. Speaker Fabian Nunez's Son's Prison Sentence
Demonstrating that it still helps if your father is former speaker of the California Assembly, Governor Schwarzenegger partially commuted the prison sentence of Esteban Nunez, the son of Fmr. Speaker Fabian Nunez. Click here for more from the LAT.
New Jersey gearing up for a new fight over district lines
New Jersey, like every other state in the nation, will soon be drawing new state and federal district lines. The redistricting process could determine if Democrats will retain control of the state Senate and Assembly. On the federal level, New Jersey is losing one congressional district.
The 11 member redistricting commission will have to propose a legislative district map by April 1, and a new congressional map by January 2012. The commission is made up of 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans, and one member appointed by the chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Click here for more.
The 11 member redistricting commission will have to propose a legislative district map by April 1, and a new congressional map by January 2012. The commission is made up of 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans, and one member appointed by the chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Click here for more.
Redistricting could change the political landscape in Virginia
This spring the Virginia will draw new state and federal district lines. Those in charge of the process will likely add a new state senate seat, alter all 40 state senate districts, create more house seats, and change the face of Virginia's 11 congressional districts. This year, every state in the Virginia legislature is up for election. Click here for more.
How can we fix California?
Nicolas Berggruen and Nathan Gardels have an interesting piece in the Sacramento Bee about how to fix California. They have created the "Think Long Committee" to propose solutions to what ails California. Items on the committee's agenda include: 1) realigning state and local taxes and responsibilities; 2) reforming the tax system to make it more stable/less volatile; 3) reforming the budget process to create, among other things, a rainy day fund, pay-go, and sunset laws; 4) reforming term limits laws; and 5) reforming the ballot initiative process to reduce ballot box budgeting. Click here for more.
Breaking News: President Obama poised to sign the 9/11 health care bill
Click here for more from CNN.
"GOP Fundraising Avoids Campaign Limits Through PACs Ahead of 2012"
The title tells much of the story. For more from USA Today and ABC news, click here.
In New Jersey, do you need to pay, to play?
As I previously posted (click here), New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is hot water over donations made to a political advocacy group called Reform Jersey Now. The organization is run by close confidants of Gov. Christie, and supports many of his proposals. Contributors who are prohibited, under pay-to-play laws, from giving directly to Gov. Christie, are relatively free to give to Reform Jersey Now. Some of the larger donors include companies vying for (and obtaining) state contracts.
Click here for more from the New Jersey Star-Ledger.
Click here for more from the New Jersey Star-Ledger.
Illinois tries to prevent another Blagojevich scandal
In the wake of scandals related to Rod Blagojevich's time as governor of Illinois, that state has passed campaign finance laws meant to reduce the possibility that history will be repeated. Illinois' new campaign finance law creates contribution limits applicable to individuals, PACs and interest groups. The law also creates certain campaign disclosure requirements. The law, however, contains a provision that could undermine the goal of reducing the influence of money over politics. There is no limit to what political parties and legislative leaders can give to candidates in the general election. Click here for more from the Herald News.
Bye Bye McCain-Feingold?
The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (aka McCain-Feingold), enacted in 2002, is a landmark piece of federal legislation concerning campaign finance law. In 2003, the Supreme Court upheld the vast majority of the comprehensive scheme embodied in McCain-Friengold. However, sometimes happened to the Supreme Court after 2003, it got more conservative. Justice Alito replaced Justice O'Connor and (less significantly for these purposes) Chief Justice Roberts replaced Chief Justice Rehnquist.
Since the composition of the Supreme Court changed, the Court has consistently narrowed the application of McCain-Feingold, even more dramatically, overturned large provisions of that law. For instance, in 2010 in Citizens United, the Court invalidated a large portion of McCain-Feingold, which prohibited corporations and unions from using general treasury funds on so-called "electioneering communications."
According to a new report (click here for more from UPI), the Republican National Committee has its sights set on invalidating one of the largest remaining provisions of McCain-Feingold, the provision which limits political parties' use of so-called "soft money."
Since the composition of the Supreme Court changed, the Court has consistently narrowed the application of McCain-Feingold, even more dramatically, overturned large provisions of that law. For instance, in 2010 in Citizens United, the Court invalidated a large portion of McCain-Feingold, which prohibited corporations and unions from using general treasury funds on so-called "electioneering communications."
According to a new report (click here for more from UPI), the Republican National Committee has its sights set on invalidating one of the largest remaining provisions of McCain-Feingold, the provision which limits political parties' use of so-called "soft money."
Saturday, January 1, 2011
"Will his failures save the state?"
Fascinating OpEd in the LAT by Joe Mathews (author of the great new book, California Crackup) about the consequences of Schwarzenegger's seven years in office. Mathews posits that Schwarzenegger's spectacular budget failures could spell future success for California.
The Office of Congressional Ethics Lives
House Republicans are keeping the controversial Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE). House Democrats created the OCE in 2007. The OCE is the House's independent ethics board. The OCE has been the target of bitter complaints by lawmakers who have been the subjects of its investigations. Incoming Speaker of the House John Boehner opposed the creation of the OCE, and some speculated that it would be eliminated in the Republican-controlled House.
More from the WSJ, AP, and NYT.
More from the WSJ, AP, and NYT.
"Voter fraud law takes effect today"
A voter fraud law goes into effect today in Oklahoma. The law increases the punishments available for certain violations of election laws. Click here for more.
"Sarah Palin’s Nomination Chances: A Reassessment"
Nate Silver, writing in the NYT, reassesses Sarah Palin's chances to win the Republican nomination for president in 2012. Silver looks back at an article he wrote in November 2009 containing 10 reasons he thought she had a chance at clinching the nomination.
The 10 topics Silver covers are: 1. "Enthusiasm" (can Palin motivate people to go to the polls--both to vote for and against her?), 2. "2010" (Republicans gained in the midterms, but Palin-endorsed Tea Party candidates didn't all fare particularly well), 3. "The other candidates are flawed" (Romney, Ginrich, Pawlenty and Huckabee -- the likely Republican 2012 contenders -- all face popularity problems of their own), 4. "The other candidates might not run" (Palin could gain a great deal if a conservative like Ginrich or Huckabee opts to sit it out in 2012), 5. "The media will be rooting for her" (Palin is good for ratings). 6. She's tough to campaign against (criticisms of her can be seen as sexist or elitist), 7. "There are virtually no moderates left in the Republican base" (based on some recent exit polling about one-third of Republican voters self-identify as moderate or liberal, how much will this hurt the conservative Palin?), 8. "Attempts by the Republican establishment to neuter her may backfire" (Palin could play the victim card), 9. "Parties tend to nominate more extreme candidates in elections against incumbents" (this may or may not be a strong trend), 10. "She gets new media; new media gets her" (Palin knows how to use new media, and at least some in the blogosphere love her)
Click here for more.
The 10 topics Silver covers are: 1. "Enthusiasm" (can Palin motivate people to go to the polls--both to vote for and against her?), 2. "2010" (Republicans gained in the midterms, but Palin-endorsed Tea Party candidates didn't all fare particularly well), 3. "The other candidates are flawed" (Romney, Ginrich, Pawlenty and Huckabee -- the likely Republican 2012 contenders -- all face popularity problems of their own), 4. "The other candidates might not run" (Palin could gain a great deal if a conservative like Ginrich or Huckabee opts to sit it out in 2012), 5. "The media will be rooting for her" (Palin is good for ratings). 6. She's tough to campaign against (criticisms of her can be seen as sexist or elitist), 7. "There are virtually no moderates left in the Republican base" (based on some recent exit polling about one-third of Republican voters self-identify as moderate or liberal, how much will this hurt the conservative Palin?), 8. "Attempts by the Republican establishment to neuter her may backfire" (Palin could play the victim card), 9. "Parties tend to nominate more extreme candidates in elections against incumbents" (this may or may not be a strong trend), 10. "She gets new media; new media gets her" (Palin knows how to use new media, and at least some in the blogosphere love her)
Click here for more.
"Tricky Call for New Governors: Price of Inaugurals"
More on the politically sensitive decision that the nation's 26 new governors have to make about the size and price tag of their inaugurations. Many governors are planning less extravagant, toned down affairs in light of the budgetary constraints facing their states and constituents. Click here for more from the NYT.
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