Author: Jerrick Adams

  • SCOTUS asks solicitor general to weigh in on Calif. law requiring nonprofits to disclose donors

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    On Feb. 24, the United States Supreme Court called on United States Solicitor General Noel John Francisco to file a brief expressing the federal government’s views on two suits challenging a California law requiring nonprofits to disclose identifying information about their donors. The lawsuit names and docket numbers are Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Becerra…

  • Bills advance in Virginia to provide collective bargaining rights for public-sector workers

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    This week, committees in both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia State Senate advanced legislation that would, if enacted, extend collective bargaining rights to public-sector workers. HB582: HB582 originated in the House, which approved the bill on Feb. 6 by a vote of 54-45 with one member not voting. All but one Democrat,…

  • With three presidential nominating contests behind us, where does the Democratic race for delegates stand?

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    Bernie Sanders leads the Democratic delegate race with an estimated 45 pledged delegates. Pete Buttigieg is in second with an estimated 25 delegates, followed by Joe Biden with 15 delegates, Elizabeth Warren with eight, and Amy Klobuchar with seven. These estimated totals reflect projections as of February 25, 2020, following the Nevada caucuses. To win…

  • Policy under review: donor disclosure requirements for non-PAC groups making independent expenditures

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    Last month, we explored state donor disclosure requirements for groups that sponsor electioneering communications. This week, let’s take a closer look at donor disclosure requirements for non-PAC groups making independent expenditures. An independent expenditure is any money spent on political advertising supporting or opposing a particular candidate for elective office. An independent expenditure originates outside…

  • FLRA set to allow federal workers to stop paying union dues after first year of membership

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    On Feb. 14, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), which administers the laws governing federal labor relations, issued a 2-1 decision that will, upon implementation of supporting regulations, permit federal workers to stop paying union dues at any time after their first year of dues-paying membership. Prior to this, federal workers have only been permitted…

  • Federal judge will uphold San Francisco donor disclosure rules

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    On Feb. 14, Judge Charles Breyer, of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, said he would uphold most provisions of a San Francisco ordinance establishing donor disclosure requirements for all committees producing campaign advertisements. What is at issue? On Nov. 5, 2019, San Francisco voters approved Proposition F, establishing the following…

  • Virginia State Senate approves legislation allowing local governments to bargain collectively with unions

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    On Feb. 11, the Virginia State Senate approved SB939, legislation that would allow, but not require, counties, cities, and towns to recognize unions as bargaining agents for public-sector workers. What specifically does the bill propose? SB939 would make the following changes to the state’s public-sector labor laws (existing law is rendered in standard text; changes…

  • The Ballot Bulletin: February 2020

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    Wisconsin governor establishes advisory redistricting commission  On Jan. 27, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) signed an executive order creating an advisory redistricting commission. The commission will prepare congressional and state legislative district plans for Wisconsin lawmakers to consider. The plans are advisory, and the legislature will be under no obligation to accept the commission’s recommendations.…

  • Federal judge set to hear arguments in challenge to San Francisco donor disclosure rules

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    On Feb. 14, Judge Charles Breyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California will hear arguments in a challenge to donor disclosure requirements that San Francisco voters approved in 2019. Who are the parties to the suit? The plaintiffs are “Yes on Prop B,” a committee advocating for the passage of…

  • Virginia House of Delegates approves bill establishing collective bargaining rights for public-sector workers

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    On Feb. 6, the Virginia House of Delegates approved HB582, a bill establishing collective bargaining rights for public-sector workers at both the state and local levels. Nationwide, three states – Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina – currently prohibit collective bargaining on the part of public-sector workers. What does the bill propose? HB582 would make…