News

Research Works Act – Publishing Industry Tries Again to Make You Pay Twice
admin | January 16, 2012
Jan. 16, 2012 - Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) recently introduced HR 3699 - the Research Works Act, which would reverse the Public Access Policy of the National Institutes of Health that allows the NIH to make peer-reviewed manuscripts freely available online within 12 months of their publication.
How Much Would ‘Huge Political Consequences’ From the Oil & Gas Industry Cost?
Jeffrey ErnstFriedman | January 11, 2012
Jan. 10, 2012 - Last week, the head of the American Petroleum Institute, Jack Gerard, delivered a message to President Obama: approve the Keystone XL pipeline or face "huge political consequences." As the president of an energy trade association that bills itself as the only national trade association representing all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry, Gerard could possess the clout to make good on his threat. In a recent two-year time frame, contributions to current members of the House of Representatives from individuals and PACs connected to the Oil & Gas industry have totaled nearly $12 million.
Private Equity’s Investment in Congress
Jeffrey ErnstFriedman | January 10, 2012
Jan. 10, 2012 - Mitt Romney's success at the Iowa caucus has carried over to New Hampshire, where he currently enjoys a comfortable lead in the polls over his opponents in that state's presidential primary. Looking to chip away at Romney's lead, his rivals are highlighting the former Massachusetts governor's time at Bain Capital, a private equity and investment firm, where they say Romney enjoyed profits at the expense of others' employment.
Entertainment Media Outspends Internet Companies on the Campaigns of Representatives Marking Up SOPA (Anti-Piracy Bill)
Jeffrey ErnstFriedman |
Dec. 20, 2011 - The House Committee on the Judiciary is expected to resume a markup on Wednesday of a controversial Internet piracy bill known as the Stop Online Piracy Act (HR 3261). SOPA is opposed by a coalition of open Internet advocates and Internet companies such as Google, Yahoo, Facebook, eBay, and Twitter. The measure is supported by entertainment giants such as Disney, Time Warner, Comcast, CBS, and the Recording Industry Association of America.
Sponsors of SOPA Act Pulled in 4 Times as Much in Contributions from Hollywood as from Silicon Valley
Jeffrey ErnstFriedman |
Dec. 19, 2011 - The House Judiciary Committee on December 15 held a markup of the so-called SOPA Act (HR 3261), a bill that has produced surprising allegiances and adversaries and has pit some of California's most powerful business interests against each other.
Interest Groups Try to Catch Payroll Tax Wave
Jeffrey ErnstFriedman |
Dec 14, 2011 - The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a payroll tax bill (HR 3630) that includes a wide variety of policy riders designed to force a showdown with Senate Democrats and President Obama. The goal is to make Democrats choose between the issues they endorse and others the President has previously threatened to veto.See MapLight's breakdown of the interests supporting and opposing the bill's various provisions.
House Passes Bill Striking Preemptively at EPA’s Regulation of Farm Dust
Jeffrey ErnstFriedman |
Dec. 8, 2011 - The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill (HR 1633) that would establish a temporary prohibition against revising any national ambient air quality standard applicable to coarse particulate matter in order to limit federal regulation of "nuisance dust" in areas in which such dust is regulated under state, tribal, or local law.