New research into hedge funds with political access seems to have demonstrated that the STOCK Act is making a difference.
Continue readingPublic universities, for-profit colleges seek higher stake in student loans
Younger voters are notoriously disinterested in the political process. But an analysis of student loan lobbying suggests that major players in the political process are interested in them.
Continue readingLabor is split on supporting Keystone XL, but not on lobbying for it
Unions may be publicly divided on Keystone XL, but when lawmakers hear from labor's lobbyists in Washington, they hear that labor loves Keystone.
Continue readingIn Washington lobbying, pro-Keystone XL advocates dwarf pipeline opponents
When looking at inside-the-Beltway influence, pro-Keystone XL advocates dwarf pipeline opponents by a wide margin.
Continue readingTransparency Case Study: Lobbying disclosure in Hungary
Lobbying regulation in Hungary provides a trenchant reminder that the political culture and context in which reform is undertaken can have a profound impact on how a law is implemented, and whether it succeeds.
Continue readingIs the Ex-Im bank really doomed? Not likely, if you look at historical lobbying efforts
If lobbying's any indication, the Export-Import bank won't go away anytime soon. A Sunlight Foundation analysis of the 20 organizations that have lobbied the most on the Ex-Im bank shows that 19 of 20 support the bank.
Continue readingHow telecoms and cable have dominated net neutrality lobbying
With the FCC's proposal threatening net neutrality, lobbying activity looks like it's reached a fevered pitch. But for the organizations involved, especially telecom companies, lobbying has been at a fevered pitch for a decade.
Continue readingTransparency Case Study: Lobbying disclosure in Canada
While there are many admirable features of Canadian lobbying regulation, current disclosure thresholds and requirements actually create a subtly perverse incentive structure that drives activity into the shadows.
Continue readingAmerican Oligarchy: How the preferences of elites shape policy outcomes
Time and again we find that corporate interests are far more involved in the political process than ordinary citizens. Now, a recent paper provides empirical evidence finding this imbalance is actually a systemic feature of modern American democracy.
Continue readingWhy Congress might be more productive and less partisan than you think (Part II)
Using bulk data, we isolated the birthdays of members of Congress and determined their zodiac signs to assess productivity in this never before conducted analysis. The results are astronomically significant.
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