Labor unions funded pro-Democratic attack groups, including Planned
Parenthood, in the 2012 elections, joining a collection of left-leaning
organizations in spending more to beat Republicans in state elections
across the nation than Republican donors such as the Koch Brothers did,
according to a new investigation from a public watchdog group.
The Center for Public Integrity reports
that nonprofits, super PACs, and other non-candidate groups spent at
least $209 million to influence elections in 38 states. Their analysis
found that pro-Democratic organizations, many associated with and funded
by unions, outspent their Republican counterparts by more than $8
million.
The analysis counters the conventional wisdom that non-party
Republican groups like Koch Industries outspent Democratic groups. Labor
unions, which have decried the Citizens United Supreme Court decision
that opened the floodgates of spending by so-called SuperPACs, led the
way in spending.
“In January 2012, on the second anniversary of the Citizens United
decision, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka issued a statement saying the
case ‘seriously undermined our democracy,” said the CPI report.
“But unions were among the organizations that took best advantage of
the deregulated environment in state-level races last year. Union-funded
outside groups helped Democratic governors win close contests in
Montana and Washington. And Democrats took control of the state house in
Colorado and both chambers in Maine and Minnesota. In those states,
Democratic candidates received significant help from outside groups
funded largely by wealthy individuals and national unions,” added CPI’s
report provided in advance to Secrets. It was released Thursday morning.
The well-researched and lengthy analysis includes several examples of
state races where Democrats outspent Republicans, in part with
significant union funding. One notable race was the recall election of
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker who had challenged public employee unions.
(Click link below to read more)
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- This site is the inspiration of a former reporter/photographer for one of New England's largest daily newspapers and for various magazines. The intent is to direct readers to interesting political articles, and we urge you to visit the source sites. Any comments may be noted on site or directed to KarisChaf at gmail.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
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