Media

New York, NY – Over 300 citizens rallied today at New York University and Federal Hall to denounce “those who are trying to buy or steal our democracy” and to call for overturning Citizens United, enacting Fair Elections campaign finance reform in NYS, and expanding the vote.

In 2011, five workers died in Hawaii when unexploded fireworks they were attempting to defuse exploded. Yesterday, at a hearing in Washington, D.C., a federal panel responsible for regulating the treatment of hazardous chemicals announced its recommendations after a thorough study of the incident.

The Hill reports today that ExxonMobil will contribute $250,000 to President Obama's inauguration.

Not since the years before the Watergate scandal has a small cadre of mega-donors influenced our elections as much as wealthy givers such as casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson, DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, Texas homebuilder Bob Perry, and Chicago media mogul Fred Eychaner did in 2012.

Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) plans on Friday to propose expanding early voting days in Maryland and, for the first time, allowing residents to register on the same day that they cast ballots — moves certain to rankle Republicans.

Steven Carbo, state advocacy director for Demos, a national group that seeks to expand voter participation, said fraud has not been much of an issue in same-day registration states that have adequate safeguards in place. Those include requiring voters to take an oath to confirm their identity, with stiff penalties for those who lie.

It took just 32 billionaires and corporations giving Super PACs an average of $9.9 million apiece to match every single dollar given by small donors to Romney and Obama in the 2012 election cycle, according to new report.

At a panel discussion this morning, labor leaders stressed the importance of climate change to their members work and health.

A proposal to adjust how Social Security benefit increases are calculated did not make it into the final fiscal cliff deal. Nor did various ideas for making affluent Medicare recipients pay more in premiums or deductibles.  

When was the last time you contributed $1,000 to a political candidate or cause?  For the majority of donors to Senate candidates, the answer is "very recently."