Category Archives: legislation and legislatures

“Special interests win in Senate panel’s attempt at tax reform”

August 3, 2012, 7:28 amlegislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

WaPo: It was supposed to be a first step toward tax reform. But as lawmakers tackled a list of 75 special-interest tax breaks, the special interests repeatedly won. An accelerated write-off for owners of NASCAR tracks: That has… Continue reading

“Tea Party Aims to Apply Its Touch to the Senate G.O.P.”

August 1, 2012, 9:44 pmlegislation and legislatures, political polarizationRick Hasen

NYT: “The Tea Party is very much alive in the drive for Republican control of the Senate, portending a potential shake-up in the mind-set of the chamber. The easy Republican primary victory in Texas on Tuesday of Ted Cruz… Continue reading

“Think this Congress is bad? Just wait.”

August 1, 2012, 1:58 pmlegislation and legislatures, political polarizationRick Hasen

The Fix reports.

“Ethics panel says Rep. Laura Richardson broke federal law, obstructed probe”

August 1, 2012, 8:49 amcampaign finance, chicanery, conflict of interest laws, ethics investigations, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

WaPo reports.

“W.H. declines to address off-site meetings”

August 1, 2012, 8:45 amchicanery, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

Politico reports.

“House gives final congressional approval to bill reducing Senate confirmations”

August 1, 2012, 8:37 amlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

AP: “The House gave final congressional approval Tuesday to a bill that would save the slow-paced Senate some time by eliminating the need for confirming nominees to some 170 executive branch jobs and 3,000 military officer positions. The vote… Continue reading

“Ted Cruz wins Texas Senate primary in a victory for tea party”

August 1, 2012, 7:36 amcampaigns, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

WaPo reports. Mike Allen (Playbook): WHAT THE TEA PARTY WIN MEANS TO GOVERNING : The 13-point victory by Ted Cruz, the former Texas solicitor general, over the sitting lieutenant governor, David Dewhurst, is a dramatic manifestation of the repeated… Continue reading

“GOP: W.H., Messina ‘failed’ on transparency”

July 31, 2012, 8:59 pmlegislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Caribou Coffee across from the White House and private email addresses make a comeback.

“K Street Files: Public Says Lobbyists Bad, Lobbying Good”

July 31, 2012, 6:41 pmlegislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Roll Call reports.

“Daniel Inouye Backs Filibuster Changes”

July 30, 2012, 12:34 pmlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

Roll Call reports.

“When Congress Fails”

July 29, 2012, 8:04 pmlegislation and legislatures, political polarizationRick Hasen

Ezra Klein on presidents acting unilaterally.

“I’m Just a Bill” — ALEC Bashing Edition

July 28, 2012, 9:44 amcampaigns, chicanery, legislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

Regular ELB readers know I collect links to various parodies of the Schoolhouse Rock Classic, “I’m Just a Bill.” The production values on this latest one are excellent, but it is also the most controversial one yet.

“Earmark Ban Fails to Stop Lawmaker Requests for Spending”

July 26, 2012, 8:39 amlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

Bloomberg reports.

“Harry Reid Ready to Alter Filibuster Rules; Majority Leader Could Use ‘Constitutional Option’ to Change Rule on Procedural Votes”

July 22, 2012, 9:05 pmlegislation and legislaturesRick Hasen

Must-read Roll Call report. A snippet: Another senior Democrat, Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller (W.Va.), said the filibuster is a useful rule that Democrats may not want to alter if they return to the minority. “If the Republicans take over… Continue reading