Category: Newsletters

  • A look at Janus’ effect on public-sector union membership

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    On June 27, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that public-sector unions cannot require non-members to pay agency fees to cover the costs of non-political union activities. Let’s take a look at the potential effect Janus has had on membership. Broad effects: The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation…

  • Harris and Swalwell target Biden in second debate night

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      June 28, 2019: Kamala Harris and Eric Swalwell challenged Joe Biden during the second debate night. Donald Trump traveled to Japan for the G20 economic summit. Each Friday, we’ll highlight a presidential candidate’s key campaign staffer. Juan Rodriguez was Kamala Harris‘ (D) campaign manager for her U.S. Senaterun in 2016. He earlier worked in California state government. Previous campaign work:…

  • The Daily Brew: Recall rate down 50 percent compared to 2016-2018

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    Today’s Brew summarizes our semiannual recall election analysis and discusses state legislative walkouts     Welcome to the Friday, June 28, Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: This year’s recall efforts down by half compared to last three years So, what exactly is a state legislative walkout? Supreme Court…

  • U.S. Supreme Court fails to resuscitate nondelegation doctrine

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    The Checks and Balances Letter delivers news and information from Ballotpedia’s Administrative State Project, including pivotal actions at the federal and state levels related to the separation of powers, due process and the rule of law. This edition: In this edition, we review the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decision declining to uphold the nondelegation doctrine, a…

  • Biden, Sanders, and 8 other candidates take the stage in Miami

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      June 27, 2019: The second set of 10 Democratic presidential candidates take the debate stage in Miami. Donald Trump raised $36 million in the first week since he formally launched his re-election campaign.  The second set of 10 Democratic presidential candidates will take the debate stageThursday night in Miami, Florida. José Diaz-Balart, Savannah Guthrie, Lester Holt,…

  • First 10 Democratic candidates take the debate stage in Miami

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    June 26, 2019: The first Democratic presidential primary debate of the 2020 election will take place in Miami, Florida. The Trump campaign is sending surrogates to battleground states to respond to the debate.          The first set of 10 Democratic presidential candidates will take the debate stageWednesday night in Miami, Florida. José Diaz-Balart, Savannah Guthrie,…

  • The Daily Brew: The first presidential debate of the 2020 cycle is here!

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    Today’s Brew highlights the details regarding the first set of presidential debates + three Idaho school board members face an August 27 recall election   Welcome to the Wednesday, June 26, Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: First Democratic presidential debate takes place tonight Voters to decide whether to…

  • Former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak becomes 25th notable Democratic candidate

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    June 24, 2019: On Sunday, former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Penn.) announced he is running for president, becoming the 25th notable Democratic candidate. Twenty-two Democratic candidates spoke at the South Carolina Democratic Convention Saturday. There are three new candidates running since last week, including two Democrats (Sestak has not yet officially filed with the Federal Election…

  • President Trump unveils Republican counterpart to ActBlue

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    June 25, 2019: President Trump launched a Republican counterpart to Democratic fundraising site ActBlue. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill in the Senate that would cancel all outstanding federal student loans.   Which presidential election featured the largest popular vote margin by a winning candidate? A. 1932→  B. 1984→  C. 1920→  D. 1964→  Notable Quote of the…

  • New Jersey governor signs donor disclosure bill; prospect of follow-up legislation uncertain

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    On June 17, Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed S1500 into law after conditionally vetoing the bill in May. The measure will require 501(c)(4)s, super PACs, and other entities to disclose their donors who contribute $10,000 or more. What does the legislation do? As enacted, the new law defines an independent expenditure committee as any person…