Category Archives: legislation and legislatures
New Book by Mann and Ornstein
In the mailbag today is a copy of It’s Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided With the New Politics of Extremism. Here’s the book’s description:
Acrimony and hyperpartisanship have seeped into every part of… Continue reading
Important Bob Barnes Piece on Using Legislative History at Supreme Court
Here, at WaPo.
“Charity Status Of Conservative Group Challenged”
Must-Read NYT Profile on ALEC
Here:
Most of the attention has focused on ALEC’s role in creating model bills, drafted by lobbyists and lawmakers, that broadly advance a pro-business, socially conservative agenda. But a review of internal ALEC documents shows that this is only… Continue reading
“When Lobbyists Pay To Meet With Congressmen”
The latest from NPR’s Planet Money.
“Why Lobbyists Dodge Calls From Congressmen”
Interesting NPR report on rent extraction. I deal extensively with lobbyist fundraising and the problem of rent seeking/extraction in my recent Stanford piece.
“This is the town that Jack built, earmark by earmark, into an oasis of economic development projects for 36 years”
Great lede in this Roll Call report on the PA-12 congressional race.
“Lobbyist Group Backs Raising Accountability Standards”
Roll Call reports. Apparently the group favors congressional changes which would help lobbyists compete for business, but they don’t like changes which would break the connection between campaign fundraising and lobbying, one of the key features of the ABA… Continue reading
“Limits on Lobbyists as Hosts? Simply Unworkable, They Say”
NYT: “Tough new limits proposed on the way special interests could court executive branch officials have prompted a fierce counterattack from lobbyists who fear they will end a cherished Washington ritual: hosting federal workers at events like conferences, cocktail… Continue reading
“Ways and Means, Financial Services, and Energy and Commerce are top House fundraising committees”
Lee Drutman offers this analysis for the Sunlight Foundation: “The analysis was conducted at the request of and in collaboration with This American Life and Planet Money public radio programs. It is featured on the March 31, 2012 episode of … Continue reading
“House Republicans discuss reviving earmarks”
Interesting Reuters report.
“Effective legislators or fantastic fundraisers? New book examines party reward systems in the House of Representatives”
The University of Michigan Press has issued this release on Congressional Parties, Institutional Ambition, and the Financing of Majority Control by Eric S. Heberlig and Bruce A. Larson.
“Generation X Joining K Street”
Politico reports.