Hi there, Democracy Advocates!

In the last two weeks, the Center for Media and Democracy published several stories and a report on the pay-for-play business lobby the American Legislative Exchange Council, as well as pieces on fossil fuel subsidies and the Koch network's opposition to the Biden administration's spending plans. Here's what we've been up to.

 

Top News

Top ALEC Official Is Ringleader of Arizona Election Audit Circus

The American Legislative Exchange Council's national board treasurer, Arizona Senate President Karen Fann, leads the charge on the highly controversial Maricopa County ballot audit widely denounced by election officials from both parties.

 

Oil and Gas Companies Get Enormous Welfare, Still Lay Off Workers and Enrich Executives

Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) denounced fossil fuel companies for exploiting taxpayers and refusing to testify before her congressional subcommittee.

 

Koch’s Americans for Prosperity Launches Nationwide Campaign to Oppose Biden’s Infrastructure Plan

AFP is targeting Democrats in swing districts, foreshadowing attack ads its super PAC will likely run next year.

 

The Center for Media and Democracy's prize-winning investigations are possible because of the generosity of readers like you. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to CMD today!

 

New Report: The Big Oil and ALEC Ploy for Getting Unions to Help Chill Climate Protests

CMD released a new report, “Using Unions to Carry Big Oil’s Water,” detailing how the fossil fuel industry and ALEC cynically use unions to win Democratic support for legislation that criminalizes and chills environmental protests under the guise of “worker safety.”

Read the report

ALEC’s Annual Economic Survey Puts Profits Before People

The survey gives top rankings to states that roll out the red carpet for corporations, not those with better wealth equality, more insured residents, or decent labor rights.

Read more

CMD Obtains Florida ALEC Member List

Through a public records request, CMD obtained a rare list of all state politicians in Florida who were ALEC members as of April.

Find out more

Wisconsin Loophole Lets Legislators Destroy Embarrassing Emails

"It makes no sense that retention requirements apply to your local parks and recreation department but not to the positions in our state government that are most susceptible to corruption," writes Larry Gallup for the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council.

Read more

CMD Around the Web

Our work was recently cited in these stories, reports, and op-eds:

  • Southern Poverty Law Center: Shadowy Right-Wing Strategy Group Embraces Islamophobic Figures, Policies, Presents Challenge to Democracy

After SPLC published this story, the Council on American-Islamic Relations called on the Council for National Policy to sever ties with these anti-Muslim extremists. 

  • Inside Higher Ed: Where Does the Bizarre Hysteria About ‘Critical Race Theory’ Come From? Follow the Money!

  • Salon: How so-called libertarian Charles Koch drove a national wave of anti-protest laws

  • Texas Observer: Texas Activists are Working to ‘Free Palestine’ But Obstacles Abound

  • Montana Free Press: Think tank policy and the 67th Montana Legislature

  • WGBH: Right Wing Dark Money Targets Wellesley

  • UnKoch My Campus cited our work in its report on Charles Koch's funding of university programs.

Plus, Common Dreams republished our story about the Koch machine attacking Medicaid expansion during Covid-19, and Truthout republished our piece on ALEC's connection to the Arizona recount.

Thank you for supporting the Center for Media and Democracy and reading our work at Exposed by CMD! Have a great week.

Arn H. Pearson
Executive Director
 

CMD is a 501(c)(3) national watchdog and media group that conducts in-depth investigations into corruption and the undue influence of corporations on media and democracy. Our work is regularly cited by news outlets, policymakers, and grassroots activists working to build a more sustainable future and just society. CMD is reader-supported. Please make your tax-deductible donation today. Thank you!

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Center for Media and Democracy
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