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Exploiting the unpopular Kelo vs. New London
Supreme Court decision, far-right ideologues are pushing a number of
nearly identical ballot measures in dozens of states across the country
as reforms to "protect our homes." The backers claim that their efforts
will prevent big corporations...
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Diving into the world of campaign finance and investigating the funders of the takings initiatives quickly reveals a number of organizations involved: Americans for Limited Government, America at Its Best, the Fund for Democracy, and Montanans in Action. What is odd, though, is that with more...
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As far-right funders like Howard Rich work across the country, dumping
literally millions simply into qualifying these atrocious measures for
ballots, progressives have experienced some good news and some bad
news. Here's where the campaign stands in various states:
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With new federal rules slipped into the recent reauthorization of the
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, families in
poverty are going to be suffering more -- and states have seen their
flexibility in helping them significantly curtailed by new rigid
federal rules. As this...
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Working Americans get some good news today out of three states -- Montana, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania -- where progress is being made on the minimum wage. In Pennsylvania, Governor Ed Rendell signed a staggered, two-dollar increase into law. In Montana, signature gatherers succeeded in qualifying...
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A new poll in Maine reveals the uphill
battle progressives face in educating the public about the dangers of
TABOR-style spending caps. The poll reports that nearly three in four
voters say they would vote for TABOR if the option was put in front of
them today.
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For decades, property tax revolts have been a thorn in the side of progressives. California's
Proposition 13 remains the highest profile example of the property tax
revolt, but just about every legislator in the country can attest to
the level of frustration many Americans feel about property taxes...
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As November 2006 approaches, political observers have their eyes on
changing political winds. A number of observers are also keeping a
close eye on the states, where many outcomes are up in the air and the
stakes are high. Control of 29 legislative chambers -- almost one in
three -- is up for grabs...
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Both Democratic candidates for Governor, federal candidates, and legislative candidates from both parties have either released their own plans for Health Care for All in Connecticut or expressed their support for the concept.
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While some politicians express angst about sounding moderate on the
immigration issue by eschewing xenophobic measures, a Utah primary
election last week shows just how weak the hard-line anti-immigrant
stance is with real voters.
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Despite a veto by the governor, the New York State legislature is poised to override and enact reforms to allow day care workers to form labor unions. The bill, A10060, sponsored by Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat (a Progressive States board member) and Senator Nick Spano,
would effect an estimated...
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Following Chicago's lead, DC Councilman Phill Mendelson has introduced a bill to require
large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Costco to pay employees a living
wage of $11 an hour plus health benefits worth at least $3 a hour. The
bill also would give labor groups and the public access to public...
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