Getting served: New special interest comes to PA liquor privatization party

By   /  May 22, 2013  /  Business, Legislature, Lobbying, News, Pennsylvania, State Government  /  1 Comment

Liquor 008

By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent

HARRISBURG — In Pennsylvania’s liquor privatization debate, everyone wants a taste.

A new special interest is suddenly asking for a seat at the table after the state legislature’s actions threaten the financial fortunes of its members.

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Special interests drive Iowa education reforms

By   /  May 10, 2013  /  Accountability, Education, Ethics, Featured, Iowa, Issues, Lobbying, News, State Lobbying  /  1 Comment

federal aid

By Tushar Rae | Iowa Watchdog contributor

DES MOINES – Good intentions aren’t the only driving force behind Iowa’s education reform efforts.

State education agencies, special interest groups and for-profit education companies have spent thousands in 2012 and 2013 to hire lobbyists and pad the pockets of lawmakers who sit on key committees.

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MN local governments spend $1.1 million on lobbying Washington

By   /  May 6, 2013  /  City Government, County Government, Federal Government, Lobbying, Local Government, Minnesota, State Government  /  No Comments

Loophole lets more than $1.1 million in local government spending on lobbyists go under the radar.

By Tom Steward | Watchdog Minnesota
ST. PAUL — Minnesota governments and other entities spent at least $1.1 million on taxpayer-funded lobbying in Washington, D.C., in 2012, according to a Watchdog Minnesota analysis of federal disclosure information.
The findings, in combination with the State Auditor’s annual report on local government lobbying in St. Paul, put the total cost of [...]

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Noose closing around Amendment 64, which legalized marijuana

By   /  April 30, 2013  /  Colorado, Featured, Legislature, Lobbying, Local Government, News  /  10 Comments

SLIPPERY SLOPE: Opponents say medical today, legalized tomorrow.

The battle for sensible, legal recreational marijuana policy is far from over, and rampant bureaucracy is swallowing Amendment 64.

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Kansas schools lobbyist brings pencil to a gunfight

By   /  February 6, 2013  /  Featured, Gun control, Kansas, Kansas Government, Lobbying, News, Taxes  /  1 Comment

TAKE AIM: Gun-rights proponents turned out in force to support SB 45, which they say would prevent the use of taxpayer dollars to reinforce anti-gun initiatives in Kansas. Many thought the initiative would receive greater focus on school lobbying, as nearly $900,000 in taxpayer dollars have been used to fund the latest education lawsuit against the state.

TOPEKA — What many expected to be a tussle over schools using taxpayer dollars to sue the state turned into a gun fight regarding threats to the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment.

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