The pernicious influence of money politics has a long history in America, but recent years have seen more spending and less transparency than ever before. Get the latest news about American money politics below and also be sure to visit our main section on American Democracy.
Coalition of 90 Groups Joins Push For Serious NY Voting Reforms (12/18/2018) - As a new Legislature will be seated in Albany, a coalition of 90 groups wants 
Senate Vote is Win Against Illegal Foreign Political Influence (12/13/2018) - Without the Schedule B requirements, nonprofit groups could take illegal foreign contributions and use them 
Petition Takes Aim at Corruption in Florida (12/13/2018) - Florida petition to United States Justice Department and the United States Attorney General has garnered 
Comparative Perspectives on Political Finance Regulations (12/13/2018) - Money is a necessary component of the democratic process, enabling the expression of political support 
In Support of a Pay Raise for New York Politicians (12/12/2018) - New Yorkers deserve a highly professional state government. In order to attract the best, brightest, 
Buffalo Billions Scandal Lays Bare NY State’s Corruption (12/9/2018) - Charges against Joseph Gerardi speak a culture of corruption in Albany and need for a 
Government in Crackdown on Nicaraguan Media and Activists (12/18/2018) - The government of President Daniel Ortega has begun a sweeping crackdown against the free press 
EU Leaders Call for Steps to Tackle Election Disinformation (12/17/2018) - With European Union elections closing in, EU leaders are calling for measures to tackle the 
Worries About Pakistan Free Speech as 18 International NGOs Expelled (12/17/2018) - Global human rights groups have expressed grave concern over the expulsion of 18 international non-governmental 
Bangladesh Crackdown Intensifies as Elections Loom (12/17/2018) - Bangladesh security forces have been arresting, intimidating opposition figures and threatening freedom of expression in 
Malta Institutions Under Scrutiny After Journalist’s Murder (12/17/2018) - Island nation of Malta needs better checks and balances, with prime minister's powers currently eclipsing 
Putin Declares Intent to Control Rap Music in Russia (12/16/2018) - Alarmed by the growing popularity of rap among Russian youth, Putin wants cultural leaders to 
Explaining the Three New Landmark California Voting Laws (12/15/2018) - Come New Year’s Day, three major voting bills will become law in California, changing the 
Pressure Mounts on Election Security as 2020 Approaches (12/13/2018) - Pressure is already mounting on Congress to secure the 2020 presidential race from foreign interference 
EU Whistle blower Protection Heads In The Right Direction (11/28/2018) - Today, European Parliament Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) voted in favour of stronger protections in an 
Court Permits Florida County to Proceed Vote Counting (11/18/2018) - Today, a judge in Florida denied Rick Scott’s senatorial campaign’s request to prevent timely-cast ballots 
Lawsuit Seeks To Protect Florida Ballot Count From Politicians (11/15/2018) - League of Women Voters of Florida will intervene in an existing lawsuit ensuring that every 
Georgia Election Officials Quietly Patched Security Holes They Denied (11/6/2018) - A ProPublica analysis found that officials of the state of Georgia in its voter registration money politics: an american story
According to election reform advocacy group Common Cause, billions of dollars have been spent on buying American elections since that ruling and much of it has come from completely anonymous organizations. At least six billion dollars amount spent on the 2012 election according to an estimate by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. Candidates backed by huge one-time donations from the wealthy are inevitably more beholden to special interests. Money is exchanged directly for political favors, such as generous campaign donations for a lucrative government contract.
The problem with money politics is not so much the amount that is spent on campaigns as it is who pays for them, what they get in return, and how that affects public policy, spending priorities, and even war. Thanks to decades of rulings by Justices and politicians who molded the law to favor elite interests, corporations today are granted so-called “rights” that empower them to deny citizens the right to full democracy.
transparency in money politics
It is important to remember that transparent governments allow the public to review government practices as completely as possible. Increasing standards of transparency and accountability for decisions while adding controls for self-interested abuse of the democratic system. The federal law requiring partial or full disclosure of previously unreleased documents controlled by the government, the Freedom of Information Act, is not effective having been degraded by President George W. Bush’s OPEN Government Act (Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National Government) and President Barack Obama’s Executive Order 13526.
Also take a look the transparency reference websites Judgepedia and Ballotpedia that are also great references.
state and local money politics
Just how much cash is being spent independently on elections for state office or in the 39 states that elect their lower court judges? The answer is unknown in most states, according to the latest National Institute on Money in State Politics analysis of disclosure requirements for independent spending. They found that only fifteen states ‘require full disclosure of both forms of independent spending: express advocacy and electioneering communications’. Amazingly, twenty-six states fail to provide clear disclosure of election spending making state politics a perfect arena for corruption without any transparency.
Coalition of 90 Groups Joins Push For Serious NY Voting Reforms (12/18/2018) - As a new Legislature will be seated in Albany, a coalition of 90 groups wants 
City Will Vote on Changes to New York Campaign Finance Law (10/3/2018) - In a move towards putting in check political corruption in the five boroughs, New Yorkers 
VIDEO: Improving New York City’s Campaign Finance Program (8/18/2018) - The NYC Campaign Finance Board hosted a panel discussion at NY Law School with elected 
NYC’s public campaign finance system is in trouble (1/29/2018) - The New York City public campaign finance system is sending its first real warning signs of 
The Essential Benefits of Small Political Donor Tax Credit System (6/20/2017) - A revolutionary approach to boosting political capital of the average voter gets a second look
Homeless Political Donors Are Now a Thing in Seattle (6/17/2017) - Every Seattle voter now gets four vouchers to donate twenty-five dollars to a political campaign
Russian Spy’s Guilty Plea Illustrates Danger Facing US Vote (12/18/2018) - Former top U.S. intelligence officials are warning about the Kremlin’s brazen desire and ability to 
Russia’s 2016 Election Meddling More Comprehensive Than Realized (12/17/2018) - Two new reports on Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections are 
Stop Grading Republicans on the Curve (12/17/2018) - We keep conceding to the criminal Republican agenda of rigging elections through voter suppression and 
In Solidarity With France’s Yellow Vest Protesters (12/16/2018) - I believe we should put on the yellow vests to show solidarity with our French 
Where the Russian Election Manipulation Investigations Stand (12/15/2018) - Special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia and Senate Vote is Win Against Illegal Foreign Political Influence (12/13/2018) - Without the Schedule B requirements, nonprofit groups could take illegal foreign contributions and use them 
Massachusetts Could Lead Way to Overturning Citizens United (11/5/2018) - Massachusetts could give an important boost to a movement seeking to amend the U.S. Constitution 
How Big Money Is Preventing Healthy Politics And How To Fix It (11/4/2018) - One major issue inhibiting healthy politics in America is big money. Corporations use money to 
The Hidden Money Funding The Midterms (10/10/2018) - Super PACs have spent at least $21.6 million in 78 congressional races before disclosing who 
Another Trump Supreme Court Nominee and Danger Ahead (7/8/2018) - This unmerciful biased court is going to undo not just the Great Society of President 
VIDEO: Rick Hasen on the Complicated Legacy of Justice Scalia (3/12/2018) - Antonin Scalia left behind a complex legacy as a conservative legal thinker and disruptive public 
Citizens United Dealt Major Setback In New York Courtroom (3/7/2018) - Citizens United handed a defeat in New York where they tried to prevent charities from Join the Election Reform Movement With DC!
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