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Revision as of 18:21, 17 June 2016

ALEC News

Koch Criminal Justice Reform Trojan Horse: Special Report on Reentry and Following the Money

Charles Koch has taken a high-profile in pushing criminal justice reform. He recently likened his own devotion to that of Bernie Sanders.

In a 2015 interview with USA Today, Koch claimed that of the projected $889 million raised by his donor network, the "Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce," only $300 million would be spent on direct electoral politics, whereas, "A good part of the rest is education and research," Koch said, ticking off university grants and other projects he is supporting, including an overhaul of the criminal justice system. Read the rest of this item here.

Peabody Coal Bankruptcy Reveals Climate Denial Network Funding

Peabody Energy, the world’s largest private-sector coal company, has provided funds to a network of individuals, scientists, non-profits and political organizations espousing climate change denial and opposition to efforts to tackle climate change, according to newly available documents reviewed by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD/PRWatch).

Although the documents filed so far do not show the scale or precise dates of funding—they only list current creditors—they demonstrate for the first time that Peabody Energy has financial ties to a very large proportion of the network of groups promoting disinformation around climate change. Read the rest of this item here.

Voter Suppression Measures on Trial in Walker's Wisconsin

A trial over a raft of measures implemented by Wisconsin's GOP to restrict voting rights in the state commenced in Madison in federal court with the testimony of Dr. Barry C. Burden, UW-Madison Professor of Political Science and Director of the Elections Research Center. The case is being heard by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson and is expected to last nine days.

Prof. Burden, an expert on American electoral politics and representation, was asked many questions on a report he wrote on the impact of the multiple changes on voting in Wisconsin. The report was completed in December of 2015, so data of the recent 2016 primary was not included. Read the rest of this item here.

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+<h3>[http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/06/13115/koch-criminal-justice-reform-report-reentry-follow-money Koch Criminal Justice Reform Trojan Horse: Special Report on Reentry and Following the Money]</h3>
+[[Image:Koch_trojan_horse_reentry270px.jpg|270 px|center]]Charles Koch has taken a high-profile in pushing criminal justice reform. He [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/charles-koch-this-is-the-one-issue-where-bernie-sanders-is-right/2016/02/18/cdd2c228-d5c1-11e5-be55-2cc3c1e4b76b_story.html recently likened] his own devotion to that of Bernie Sanders.
+In a 2015 interview with [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/04/21/charles-koch-republican-candidates-2016/26142001/ ''USA Today'',] Koch claimed that of the projected $889 million raised by his donor network, the "Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce," only $300 million would be spent on direct electoral politics, whereas, "A good part of the rest is education and research," Koch said, ticking off university grants and other projects he is supporting, including an overhaul of the criminal justice system. Read the rest of this item [http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/06/13115/koch-criminal-justice-reform-report-reentry-follow-money here].
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+<h3>[http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/06/13114/peabody-coal-bankruptcy-reveals-extensive-funding-climate-denial-network Peabody Coal Bankruptcy Reveals Climate Denial Network Funding]</h3>
+[[Image:Danger-climate-denial-sign270px.jpg|270 px|center]][[Peabody Energy]], the world’s largest private-sector coal company, has provided funds to a network of individuals, scientists, non-profits and political organizations espousing climate change denial and opposition to efforts to tackle climate change, according to newly [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2859772 available documents] reviewed by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD/PRWatch).
+Although the documents filed so far do not show the scale or precise dates of funding—they only list current creditors—they demonstrate for the first time that Peabody Energy has financial ties to a very large proportion of the network of groups promoting disinformation around climate change. Read the rest of this item [http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/06/13114/peabody-coal-bankruptcy-reveals-extensive-funding-climate-denial-network here].
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 <h3>[http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/05/13108/voter-suppression-laws-go-to-trial Voter Suppression Measures on Trial in Walker's Wisconsin]</h3>
 [[Image:Blocking-the-vote-button270px.jpg|270 px|center]]A trial over a raft of measures implemented by Wisconsin's GOP to restrict voting rights in the state commenced in Madison in federal court with the testimony of Dr. Barry C. Burden, UW-Madison Professor of Political Science and Director of the Elections Research Center. The case is being heard by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson and is expected to last nine days.
 Prof. Burden, an expert on American electoral politics and representation, was asked many questions on a report he wrote on the impact of the multiple changes on voting in Wisconsin. The report was completed in December of 2015, so data of the recent 2016 primary was not included. Read the rest of this item [http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/05/13108/voter-suppression-laws-go-to-trial here].
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-<h3>[http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/05/13102/alec-appoints-new-chair-climate-denial-task-force ALEC Appoints New Chair To Climate Denial Task Force]</h3>
-[[Image:Jennifer-jura-270px.jpg|270 px|center|frame|<center>Jennifer Jura</center>]]The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has named a new corporate chair for its task force that works to oppose action to tackle climate change: Jennifer Jura of the [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/National_Rural_Electric_Cooperative_Association National Rural Electric Cooperative Association] (NRECA).
-NRECA is a powerful trade association that represents more than 900 independent electric utilities. Its annual spending [https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/lobby.php?id=D000000153 lobbying] Congress regularly exceeds $2 million each year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Read the rest of this item [http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/05/13102/alec-appoints-new-chair-climate-denial-task-force here].
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-<h3>[http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/05/13099/alec%27s-2016-agenda-snapshot ALEC's 2016 Agenda Moving in the States: A Snapshot]</h3>
-[[Image:ALEC_bluelogo-money-handshake-paytoplay270px.jpg|270 px|center]]In states across the country, concerned citizens are asking state and local policymakers to raise the minimum wage, enact workplace reforms including earned sick days and the right to organize, stop the privatization of public schools, and help mitigate climate change. Opposition to these initiatives is fierce and growing and often nationally-driven and coordinated by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Working in tandem with deep-pocketed corporations, trade associations, conservative groups and mega-donors--including operatives of the Koch brothers--ALEC is driving an agenda you should know about. The Center for Media and Democracy, publishers of [http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/ALEC_Exposed ALECexposed.org,] has the lowdown on ALEC bills moving in states this year. Read the rest of this item [http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/05/13099/alec%27s-2016-agenda-snapshot here].
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