National labor board member under conflict of interest investigation
William Emanuel, already criticized for allegedly favoring clients of the corporate law firm he used to work for, now faces a probe by the agency’s inspector general.
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Government Transparency
Newly defanged, consumer protection agency drops investigation of high-cost lender
In the latest sign that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is pulling back from aggressive enforcement, it dropped an investigation itno a lender that charges triple-digit interest rates.
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Trump appointee finds way around conflict of interest rules
William Emanuel has recused himself from ruling on disputes involving his former law firm’s clients — but then used unrelated cases as vehicles to help Republican colleagues accomplish the same thing.
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Ex-Roscoe Township clerk’s compensation questioned
A member of the Roscoe Township Board of Trustees is asking the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office to review whether what a former elected official was paid over a nine-year period violated state law.
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Crosschecking Crosscheck: Illinois punts on Kobach’s voter fraud system
The Illinois State Board of Elections this week said it would not be sending voter data for entry into a Kansas-based registry supported by the Trump administration, citing security concerns.
Read moreAfter gerrymandered maps in NC shot down, GOP vows to fight on
“The General Assembly enacted the plan with the intent of discriminating against voters who favored non-Republican candidates,” U.S. Circuit Court Judge Jim Wynn wrote in the majority opinion.
Read moreReport: Suburban mayor orders staff to give him $70K raise with backpay
Just months before a suburban Chicago mayor was indicted on bribery charges, his replacement reportedly gave himself a massive raise
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State lawmakers’ outside jobs present possible conflicts
By Liz Essley Whyte & Ryan J. Foley Center for Public Integrity & Associated Press A recent change in Iowa’s
Read moreVoter Fraud Commission sued — by one of its own commissioners
Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap alleges the group’s leadership is violating transparency laws and has excluded him from deliberations.
Read moreWho’s really in charge of the ‘Voting Fraud Commission’?
Newly released email data shows two Republican not-yet-members potentially influencing a controversial letter — even as a Democratic member claims
Read moreSupreme Court seems receptive to putting limits on partisan gerrymanders
By David G. Savage Tribune Washington Bureau WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court heard a powerful plea for reining in partisan
Read moreGovernments turn tables by suing public records requesters
By Ryan J. Foley Associated Press IOWA CITY, Iowa — An Oregon parent wanted details about school employees getting paid
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Across US, lawmakers chip away at public’s access to records
By Andrew DeMillo & Ryan J. Foley Associated Press LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In February, Arkansas lawmakers marked the 50-year
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Wisconsin DNR officials plan informal meeting after backlash
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin natural resources officials are planning to meet for a social hour and dinner despite their pledge
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Telecom lobbying muscle kills privacy rules
By Tali Arbel Associated Press NEW YORK — The telecom industry’s lobbying muscle pushed a consumer privacy measure to a
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