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Over 65 million Americans have criminal records that pop up on background checks routinely used for employment screenings, according to a recent report from the National Employment Law Project. While they aim to promote workplace safety, background checks often dismiss otherwise qualified workers
Blog
Ilana Novick
States used to have the authority to enforce usury laws, capping the excessive interest rates of any lender interested in transacting business with their citizens. Although usury laws are still on the books in some states across the country, when it comes to credit cards they are rendered useless by
Blog
Amy Traub
Despite a year filled with corruption scandals, the New York State legislature failed to adopt a public financing program—a necessary step in removing the outsized influence of money in politics. Senate Democrats proposed a last minute amendment to another bill before the end of the legislative
Blog
J. Mijin Cha
In America, employees have the right to stick together to form unions and bargain collectively. At least, we’ve got those rights on paper. In practice, many employers routinely violate rights to organize, threatening, harassing, and illegally firing workers, whenever employees try to band together.
Blog
Amy Traub
A group representing service employees has organized a morning of demonstrations and civil disobedience at various locations throughout the capital on Tuesday to protest low pay and alleged wage theft by vendors at federal buildings. Good Jobs Nation, which represents low-wage employees of
In the media
Josh Hicks
Beginning at 8:30 this morning, non-union, federally contracted workers plan to walk off the job at the Ronald Reagan Building and Old Post Office Pavilion in Washington, DC. Today’s strike, and a “mock trial” and pair of civil disobedience actions planned for this morning, are designed to highlight
In the media
Josh Eidelson
A new report from the Sunlight Foundation shows that post- Citizens United we are entering an era where political spending is dominated not by the 1 percent but by the top 1 percent of the 1 percent. In 2012, just 31,385 people contributed $1.68 billion in the election cycle. The median donation
Blog
J. Mijin Cha
The best-kept secret in Washington is that the executive branch’s own regulatory agenda is being steadily undermined by one little-known executive industry, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).
Blog
Joseph Hines
The Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder is a setback for democracy — especially at the local level. Overwhelming evidence shows that too many politicians continue to win elections by unfairly manipulating election rules based on how voters look or talk. The Court’s decision makes
In the media
Rhode Island General Treasurer Gina Raimondo is building a political career on the strength of the pension reform she spearheaded in 2011, which she has touted as a model for other states to follow. But here’s something you probably don’t know about the new hybrid retirement plan for teachers and
In the media
Monique Morrissey