| |
| |
| |
CMD's courageous crew continues to expose threats to our democracy and shine a light into the dark corners of corporate and right-wing influence. Our recent investigations cover everything from the state and local contracts underlying the for-profit prison complex facilitating Trump's immigration dragnet, to ALEC's campaign to promote fossil fuels in the name of "grid stability," and an astroturf group's push for an election rule that could disenfranchise more than 12 million seniors. Our role as an independent watchdog on stealth attacks on our hard-won protections and freedoms has never been more important. Today is Giving Tuesday, so please take a moment to show your support for CMD's award-winning investigative journalism. | |
 |
| |
| |
| |
Here's the Latest from CMD | |
 |
State and Local Contracts Underpin For-Profit Prison Complex Facilitating Trump's Immigration Crackdown CoreCivic and GEO Group profit from Trump's immigration policies while also receiving lucrative contracts from state and local governments, including those controlled by Democrats. Read the full story here. | |
 |
Dark Money Donor Conduit Funneled $195 Million to Right-Wing Groups in 2024 Last year DonorsTrust, the preferred donor advised fund of the Koch political network, distributed $195.3 million in grants to the more than 300 right-wing influence groups, litigation centers, media outlets, climate deniers, pro-gun groups, and other tax-exempt organizations that underpin America's far-right infrastructure, according to an analysis of its latest IRS filing obtained by the Center for Media and Democracy. Read the full story here. | |
 |
Democratic Consulting Firm Sides With Anthem Against NYC Public Employee Unions The Democratic Party-aligned firm Global Strategy Group got significant blowback for taking on unions in 2022. Now it's doing it again. Read the full story here. | |
 |
Dispatches From the COP30 Climate Talks in Brazil Since 2014, I have attended every COP, always yearning for something — for anything — that provides real, concrete actions to effectively deal with this terrible triple threat. Lo and behold, my first interviewee this year stunned me by being well on his way to delivering a legitimate real-world solution for all three of these core issues. Read the full story here. | |
 |
GOP Resurrects Congressional Pushback on ESG Investing On October 30, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R–LA), a doctor who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and fellow committee member Senator Jim Banks (R–IN) reintroduced legislation designed to prevent retirement plan managers from considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors when choosing investments. Read the full story here. | |
| |
| |
| |
 |
ALEC Pushes Power Grid "Stability" Bills to Favor Fossil Fuels Over Renewables This past legislative session, at least 15 “grid reliability” and “grid stability” bills based on ALEC model policies were introduced in statehouses across the country. Read the full story here. | |
 |
After Years of Scandal and Drama in Oklahoma, Ryan Walters Sets His Sights on "Destroying" Teachers Unions The former Oklahoma State Superintendent's tenure was marked by significant controversy and manufactured culture-war grievances. Read the full story here. | |
 |
Top AIG Exec Has Major Fossil Fuel Ties As insurance industry underwrites fossil fuels, conflicts of interest emerge at the top. Read the full story here. | |
 |
Right-Wing Astroturf Group for Older Americans Pushes for Election Rule That Could Disenfranchise More Than 12 Million Seniors An organization for seniors touting itself as the "conservative alternative to the AARP" is fomenting distrust in elections and advocating for a federal rules change that could disenfranchise more than 12 million voters aged 65 or older. Read the full story here. | |
 |
As Kaiser Workers Strike, "Not-For-Profit" Is Sitting on $67 Billion Kaiser has doubled down on hedge funds, outside staffing firms, and high executive compensation as workers lag behind. Read the full story here. | |
CMD in the News Our research has recently been cited by or featured in the following publications: - Die Zeit: "Year one of retribution"
- The 74: "In New Role, Ryan Walters Takes His Anti-Union Message National"
- Canary Media: "Why one Ohio couple is suing their city over rooftop solar fees"
- Chaotic Era News: "This popular election resource is funded by far-right donors. Does it matter?"
- Big Island Now: "Kaiser RNs, health care professionals end 5-day strike with new momentum"
- Newsweek: "Kaiser Permanente Workers' Strike Ends"
| |
Thank you for following our investigations and for your continued support! Team CMD | |
