Trade policy looms large in the presidential race, the right-to-work battle heats up, and Clinton calls for an end to the subminimum wage.
Justin Miller
Justin Miller covers politics and state government for the Texas Observer. He is a former Prospect writing fellow, and has also written for The Intercept, The New Republic, and In These Times. Follow @by_jmiller
Posted inMoney, Politics, and Power
Judicial Spending Blitz in Arkansas Spurs Calls for Reform
A $1.1 million corporate spending blitz that helped defeat two candidates for the Arkansas Supreme Court has prompted the state legislature to call for reforms that would either eliminate judicial elections, ban undisclosed “dark” money in those races, or both. The two candidates in question, Supreme Court Justice Courtney Goodson and Little Rock attorney Clark […]
Posted inEconomic Policy
How 401(k)s Have Worsened the Retirement Gap
Most Americans’ retirement income relies on Social Security and dwindling pensions, not private accounts.Â
Posted inMoney, Politics, and Power
Reform Advocates’ Elusive Goal: Fix the FEC
Campaign-finance reform advocates hold out zero hope that the current Congress will overhaul the rules, but they have nevertheless unveiled a plan that sketches out their ideal vision for tightening up federal election law enforcement. On Tuesday, Senator Tom Udall, of New Mexico, introduced a bill that would kill the Federal Election Commission and replace […]
Posted inEnergy and the Environment
Fracking Fracas: Sanders Attacks Clinton on Environment
The controversial drilling practice could spur a more spirited environmental debate between the Democratic contenders.Â
Posted inMoney, Politics, and Power
The Labor Prospect: Can Unions Sell Buyer’s Remorse in 2016?
Unions vie for influence in local elections, the AFL-CIO targets TPP supporters in Congress, and Obama moves to expand paid sick leave. Â
Posted inMoney, Politics, and Power
DNC Lobbyist Money Gives Bernie More Ammo
The Democratic National Committee’s decision to roll back the ban on lobbyist contributions initially imposed by President Barack Obama captures the complicated political money struggle going on between Democratic presidential frontrunners Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. On the one hand, Clinton may benefit from an influx of lobbyist money to the DNC. Sanders has done […]
Posted inMoney, Politics, and Power
Business Lobby Fuels Alabama’s Minimum Wage Fight
Well-funded business groups in Alabama are spending millions to help kill a minimum wage hike enacted by the city of Birmingham, prompting outrage from labor organizers who plan a massive rally in the state capitol of Montgomery on Tuesday. The city-state clash over the minimum wage in Alabama mirrors similar fights around the country that […]
Posted inMoney, Politics, and Power
The Labor Prospect: Harry Reid’s Backchannel Turnout Machine in Nevada
Labor unions pump up voter-turnout operations in Nevada, and the AFL-CIO withholds primary endorsement.
Posted inMoney, Politics, and Power
Pro-Shelby Super PAC: ‘People Power’ or ‘Dark’ Money?
The Alabama Senate primary race between incumbent Republican Senator Richard Shelby and challenger Jonathan McConnell has seen an unexpected surge in outside spending-an influx that spotlights the growing role of undisclosed “dark” money in 2016, even in super PACs that supposedly must report their donors. Citizens for a Sound Government, a political nonprofit that doesn’t […]
