Research
Gerrymandering Solutions By TBOR Staff AUBURN, AL- There’s a lot to dislike about gerrymandering. It’s unfair. It protects those in power. It silences and disenfranchises a large number of Americans. The reality: gerrymandering means less choice, more entrenched power, and the idea of “foregone conclusions” that runs counter to the very idea of democracy. Gerrymandering is not new to American politics. In 1788, Patrick Henry used his influence to draw districts that would make life more difficult for his political […]
Read MoreAUBURN, AL- Charitable giving, in an ideal world, should be a completely a-political outlet for funds. Sadly, new research shows that many are circumventing campaign finance laws by aiming to influence policy through charitable giving. An outstanding paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research can be found here: http://www.nber.org/papers/w24451. This research says that 7.1% of charitable giving is politically motivated, that a district’s charitable experience a drop in the immediate period after a congressman leaves office, and that this […]
Read MoreAUBURN, AL- Earlier this year, the Campaign Finance Institute testified to their study on New York’s matching program- where public funds are used to encourage small-dollar donors. This program has been called the national “standard.” Well, according to the study, there are “red flags” that should tamper enthusiasm about such efforts. CFI Executive Director Michael J. Malbin, who is also a Professor of Political Science at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany, State University of […]
Read MoreAs reported in the Sante Fe New Mexican, legislation based on a Take Back educational paper was passed in the New Mexico legislature and signed by Governor Susana Martinez. “SB 50, sponsored by Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque, and Albuquerque Republicans Reps. Jim Dine and Bill Rehm, closes what campaign finance reform advocates call a “credit card loophole” that can allow donors to make unverifiable, fraudulent contributions to politicians. The bill would require that donors type in a three-digit security code […]
Read MoreReminder: Open Secrets Shows Need to Broaden Donor Pool, Achieve Reform By TBOR Staff AUBURN, AL- Usually, we highlight new examples that show possible avenues for reform as well as the intense need. Today, however, we want to remind our supporters of a diagram put together by Open Secrets, the non-profit political money-tracking organization. Their article on 2010 congressional elections and how they were funded can be found here: https://www.opensecrets.org/resources/dollarocracy/04.php. This research is important and shows why we believe what […]
Read MoreLuther Strange spent a significant portion of his life wanting to be a United States Senator. Now, after holding the coveted title for less than a year, he has just a few short months left on the job. The short tenure of Strange will be studied in Alabama political-science departments for years to come. His fall from grace was one few would have predicted. “Big Luther,” just a few short years ago, was considered untouchable on the Alabama scene. More […]
Read MoreA Study on State Lobbying: High Growth States and Campaign Finance- Part 1 (Top 5 Population States)
We have been studying states where lobbying has dramatically grown from 2006-15. Thirteen states rank in the top ten in either or both of the highest growth rate states or most significant raw growth states: California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, North Dakota, Maine, New York, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, and Rhode Island. Today, we will take a look at the states on this list that rank in the top four in population (California, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania) and their […]
Read MoreOver the years, we’ve heard lots of ideas on how to improve the campaign finance system – at every level of government. Which proposals do you think should be top priority? Take the poll HERE!
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