Maine Small Business Owners Challenge Political Intervention by U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Members of the Maine Small Business Coalition are challenging the political intervention of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce after it announced a $400,000 attack ad in the race for the open Senate seat in Maine left by the retirement of Olympia Snowe at the end of this year. The 3,400-strong MSBC had a clear messageContinue reading “Maine Small Business Owners Challenge Political Intervention by U.S. Chamber of Commerce”

Paul Ryan Nomination Has Huge Implications for Medicaid

The decision by the Romney campaign to tap Representative Paul Ryan for the Vice-Presidency will have implications for the health care advocacy community. This nomination is sure to make the debate over Medicaid a national debate, not just a state-by-state one. This will happen because the Republican Campaign seems to be embracing the entire RyanContinue reading “Paul Ryan Nomination Has Huge Implications for Medicaid”

Politicians Who Defend Bush Tax Cuts for Top 2% Have Explaining to Do

As members of Congress arrive home for their August recess, which starts this week, some of them have a lot of explaining to do about their recent votes on the Bush tax cuts. In particular, every senator and representative who stood in the way of ending special tax cuts for the richest 2 percent ofContinue reading “Politicians Who Defend Bush Tax Cuts for Top 2% Have Explaining to Do”

The Immigrant & Latino Vote Matters in Idaho

Latinos are growing fast in both numbers and voting strength in Idaho. With over 11 % of the state’s population concentrated in specific counties, Latinos are the swing voters for some state races and the 1st congressional district. This power will only grow with time as age eligibility and naturalization rates increase for Latinos in Idaho.

Small Businesses Unite Against Citizens United Decision

Two years ago on January 21, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its ruling in the controversial Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case. In a divided 5-4 decision, the majority ruled that corporations are free to spend unlimited sums of money in our country’s elections. There’s been plenty of debate about what this rulingContinue reading “Small Businesses Unite Against Citizens United Decision”

MT Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Corporate Spending in State Elections

Something amazing happened in Montana on December 30. The State Supreme Court ruled on whether Montana has to throw out its century-old ban on corporate spending in Montana elections in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling. What did the state court decide? Well, to summarize in two words:Continue reading “MT Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Corporate Spending in State Elections”

Occupy Protests Have Shifted National Dialogue, 2012 Elections Loom

The Occupy protests that have sprouted up in over a thousand cities nationwide have had a profound effect on the political landscape. Barely four months ago, the dominant narrative was that the country is broke and we have to tighten our belts through “fiscal austerity,” with nary a mention of income inequality and who paysContinue reading “Occupy Protests Have Shifted National Dialogue, 2012 Elections Loom”