ACLU Takes a Stand

This article, from CNN.com describes the ACLU's involvement in a Texas custody case between Child Protective Services and the Yearning for Zion ranch.  The ranch, owned by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was convicted of forcing female children into abusive, polygamist relationships.  The ACLU had a representative inside the courtroom and issued a statement of concern that the decision violated the basic right of the women and children on the ranch to worship and live as they please.  I thought this was a good example of an interest group monitoring and trying to influence the judicial branch.  

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/20/polygamy.sect/index.html 

McCain Direct Mail & Interest Groups

I drove home this morning to get a pillow. And as I walked in, what should I find on the entry hall table next to this week's issue of The Economist, but a direct mail piece addressed to my mother from none other than Senator and American Hero John McCain.

Although he spends most of the letter explaining how "liberals" like Obama, Clinton, and Pelosi are plotting to "win total control of the government" and laying out plans to "pass record-setting tax increases," he also takes a jab at MoveOn.org:

If liberal organizations like MoveOn.org have their way, our troops will be recklessly pulled out of Iraq and our enemies will be handed a victory they have neither won nor deserve. [sic] [replaced original underlining with bold]

Well, if MoveOn.org wants it, it must be a bad idea. I'm sure my mother would agree.

EDIT: This HTML Editor = fail. Here are the links to the letter:

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh232/bigchris1313/Page1.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh232/bigchris1313/Page2.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh232/bigchris1313/Page3.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh232/bigchris1313/Page4.jpg

State Lobbying: Stakes and Rules

Some video

Political maps of California 2006.

Oil companies are usually powerful. But in California, the education lobby is more powerful.



Want to know about lobbyists in California? Look here.

Some lobbyist profiles:

• JG and Associates


• Lang, Hansen, O'Malley & Miller

FPPC information on lobbyists

From the CA Lobbying Disclosure Information Manual: "Gifts made directly to members of an official’s immediate family are not subject to the gift limits unless the family member is also a public official described above, but are subject to disclosure on quarterly reports"

Institute of Governmental Advocates ethics code.

There are limits on gifts, but members have used campaign funds for personal purposes:

Inter-Governemental Lobbying

A number of mayors have gotten together to lobby congress on, "closing the gun show loop hole." Here is their new ad on tv:

Interest Groups, States and Localities

A curtain-raiser:



States and localities lobby Washington. Here is a tenant list in the Hall of the States building.

Sources on federalism and state government.

Except in California and Texas, state legislators represent many fewer people than their counterparts in Congress.

Where do they spend our money?

States tend to have plurality in the executive. Consider Texas.

Fifteen states have term limits on legislators.

Want to know about lobbyists in California? Look here.

A Break from your Paper

If you need a quick break while working on your paper watch this:

Obama Watches 60 Minutes

Senator Obama has a new ad up that focuses on the Congressman turned lobbyist Billy Tauzin: