Nonprofit Voter Engagement

Feb 8, 2016

Top 400 Taxpayers See Tax Rates Rise, But There’s More to the Story

As Americans were gathering party supplies to greet the New Year, the Internal Revenue Service released their annual report of cumulative tax data reported on the 400 tax r...

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Feb 4, 2016

Chlorine Bleach Plants Needlessly Endanger 63 Million Americans

Chlorine bleach plants across the U.S. put millions of Americans in danger of a chlorine gas release, a substance so toxic it has been used as a chemical weapon. Greenpeace’s new repo...

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Jan 25, 2016

U.S. Industrial Facilities Reported Fewer Toxic Releases in 2014

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data for 2014 is now available. The good news: total toxic releases by reporting facilities decreased by nearly six percent from 2013 levels. Howe...

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Jan 22, 2016

Methane Causes Climate Change. Here's How the President Plans to Cut Emissions by 40-45 Percent.

UPDATE (Jan. 22, 2016): Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its proposed rule to reduce methane emissions...

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Nonprofits Are Making a Major Impact on Redistricting Reform

Redistricting reform efforts have emerged as a key issue that could significantly impact our democracy in 2010 and beyond. While it does not appear that there will be nationwide redistricting reform, efforts are moving forward in several states. Nonprofits have taken a lead role in advocating for a process that is independent, nonpartisan, and fair while also ensuring that their constituencies' interests are represented.

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The Problem Remains Money in Politics

Feb 23, 2010 by Amanda Adams*

Global Integrity, an international nonprofit organization that tracks global corruption trends, released the Global Integrity Index: 2009. The report analyzed 35 countries' ability to counter corruption, and the tools available to citizens to hold the government accountable.

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Citizens United: Additional Legislative Responses

Multiple legislative responses have followed the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, a decision that permits independent election spending by corporations, including certain nonprofit organizations. Following three rigorous congressional hearings, lawmakers have expressed a sense of urgency and the intent to continue working on legislation to curtail the impacts of the ruling, even as some critics charge that reaction to the decision is inflated.

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Schumer/Van Hollen Response to Citizens United

Feb 12, 2010 by Amanda Adams*

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) announced a summary, presented as a "framework," of the legislation they plan to introduce to curtail the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Their extensive response includes a ban on expenditures by foreign interests, as well as corporations that have federal contracts and those that received funds through the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

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SpeechNow.org Seeks Unlimited Individual Contributions for 527 Groups

Jan 29, 2010 by Amanda Adams*

Almost two years ago, a 527 organization called SpeechNow.org, asked for a court ruling that would have blocked the Federal Election Commission (FEC) from enforcing limits on contributions to the group. On Jan. 27, the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments in the case. The court must consider whether the group should be subject to an annual limit on donations from individuals and comply with disclosure requirements.

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Citizens United Aftermath

Jan 27, 2010 by Amanda Adams*

Almost a week has passed since the Supreme Court issued the very significant ruling in the Citizens United case. There has been nonstop commentary and discussion of the possible ramifications. During a news conference, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) announced plans to hold hearings and introduce legislation to curtail the effects of the decision. One suggestion from the lawmakers would require shareholders to vote before a corporation could spend money in elections.

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Citizens United: Nonprofit Calls to Action and the Legislative Response

In response to the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission opinion announced on Jan. 21, many nonprofits and political leaders are mobilizing to address the impact of the decision. Nonprofits, in particular, are taking the lead in ensuring that the voices of ordinary Americans are not diminished by an influx of corporate money into electoral politics.

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Citizens United: The Supreme Court Decision and Its Potential Impacts

The long-awaited decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission was issued on Jan. 21. With a 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that corporations and unions may now directly and expressly advocate for the election or defeat of candidates for federal office, as long as they do not coordinate their efforts with campaigns or political parties. Many predict the impacts of the decision will be immense and far-reaching, both for nonprofit voter engagement and political discourse as a whole.

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U.S. Supreme Court Unleashes Money Pit by Striking Down Corporate Spending Limits in Citizens United Ruling

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2010—The long-awaited decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission was issued today. With a 5-4 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 20-year-old precedent, which had stated that corporations can be prohibited from using money from their general treasuries to pay for their own campaign-related advertisements. Justices also struck down parts of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, also known as the McCain-Feingold bill, which prohibited unions and corporations from running issue ads before primary and general elections. OMB Watch is disappointed in today's decision and fears it will lead to moneyed interests drowning out the voices of citizens and smaller advocacy organizations.

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Citizens United Decided: An upheaval of Campaign Finance Law

Jan 21, 2010 by Amanda Adams*

The long awaited decision in Citizens United v. the Federal Election Commission was issued today. With a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court overturned a 20-year ruling that corporations can be prohibited from using money from their general treasuries to pay for their own campaign advertisements. Justices also struck down parts of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act that prohibited unions and corporations from running issue ads before primary and general elections.

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