Posts by Yana Kunichoff
Lax regulation of election laws allow secretive Super PACs to flourish
Super PACs have been pushing the boundaries of election law this year, with many of the Federal Election Commission members unwilling to enforce regulations.
Little oversight for nation’s growing private prison industry
Prisoner advocates say there is a disturbing lack of oversight of private prisons across the country. Abuse by guards revealed through lawsuits has led states like Hawaii to withdraw prisoners from Corrections Corporation of America facilities.
Hybrid PACs push legal campaign finance boundaries
Under current FEC rules, a traditional PAC is allowed to have a separate segregated account for unlimited contributions if the funds are spent on independent expenditures — making it a so-called hybrid committee.
Private prison health-care industry grows as states cut costs
About half the states outsource all health care in prisons. Correctional Medical Services has “provided medical and psychiatry staffing services to the Minnesota Department of Corrections since 1998″ at each of the state’s ten prisons, according to the company.
Chicago protests against bankers association puts spotlight on housing
Problems with mortgages aren’t confined to Chicago, Minnesotans have been foreclosed on more than 22,000 times this year.
Citizens United lawyer aims to dismantle campaign finance laws across U.S.
James Bopp has filed 21 of 31 lawsuits challenging disclosure limits in states, including in Minnesota.
Facebook forms a Political Action Committee
Amid a furor over its recent redesign, and with privacy concerns tailing its every move, Facebook has filed paperwork to start its own political action committee.
Obama’s smog decision backed by big business donors
Obama for America, the President’s reelection group, received money from seven of the top twenty air polluters.
Former lobbyists working for Congress outnumber lawmakers
Since the start of 2011, 155 lobbyists have become congressional staffers.
