Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin earned $237,000 consulting for a civic organization funded in large part by two prominent benefactors. Then they maxed out their contributions to his congressional campaign.
James Baratta
James Baratta is a writing fellow at The American Prospect. He previously worked as a reporter at MandateWire from the Financial Times. His work has appeared in Truthout, Politico, and The Progressive. James is a graduate of Ithaca College and a life-long member of the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society. He is currently based in New York City.
Posted inPolitics
Comptrolling for the Public Good
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli faces a primary challenge from two progressive candidates who say he’s been asleep at the wheel. Is it time for fresh blood?
Posted inPolitics
Surveillance Reform Hinges on How Congress Defines ‘Query’
Congress wants to declassify a secret court opinion on the government’s warrantless spying program, but it may also need to clarify what constitutes a search for your communications data.
Posted inTAP
AI Is Supercharging the Surveillance State
Warrants are at the center of the debate over government spying, and for good reason. But artificial intelligence is redefining the contours of that debate.
Posted inPolitics
As FISA Bill Implodes, Himes Boosted Version He Called ‘Unacceptable’
The ranking Democrat of the House Intelligence Committee was encouraging his colleagues to vote for a bill that did not include warrants for spying on Americans.
Posted inLaw and Justice
Can New York Lawmakers Stop Hedge Funds From Pillaging Poor Nations?
Much of the world’s sovereign debt is governed by New York state law. One small change could stop much predatory lending.
Posted inPolitics
Mike Johnson Has a FISA Fiasco on His Hands
The House Speaker’s surprise five-year extension and bogus warrant provision backfired, but it was enough to get a gaggle of Democrats to break ranks.
Posted inEnergy and the Environment
Trump: Poor People’s Power Bills Are Too Damn Low (Again)
To help pay for his war of choice with Iran, Trump wants to zero out funding for energy assistance and efficiency programs. But it’s not the first time he’s tried to dismantle them.
Posted inPolitics
Congressional Black Caucus to Support Spying Powers Used on BLM Activists
The Congressional Black Caucus will support the clean reauthorization of FISA Section 702, a warrantless surveillance authority that has been used to spy on African Americans.
Posted inPolitics
Himes Fact-Checked on ‘Misleading’ Claims About Warrantless Spying
Jim Himes keeps telling his constituents that U.S. intelligence agencies don’t spy on them, and ‘have no reason’ to buy Americans’ data. Advocates say that’s untrue.