Democracy Wire

As if Americans need one more reminder of the dysfunction in congress, last night Congressional leaders announced a 2,000 page omnibus budget, demonstrating again their inability to pass a budget through normal procedure. Omnibus spending bills released in the middle of the night are often filled with special interest handouts (called “riders”). Much like last year’s “cromnibus” bill, this year’s budget deal includes a number of good and bad things.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments last Tuesday in Evenwel v. Abbott, a case that has huge implications for who has a voice in our democracy.

NRA’s political spending has tripled since Citizens United. The NRA has always been a big political spender, but since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed unlimited political spending by corporations and special interests groups in the 2010 Citizens United decision, the NRA’s spending on federal elections increased dramatically.

The Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Fair Districts Now Coalition and selected its preferred map to replace existing congressional districts.

Maryland’s new and improved paper voting system is finally here, ready to be used for the first time in our 2016 elections. We have a chance with this new system to encourage democracy! Voting is our most powerful tool to have a voice in our democracy – so it is critical that we put forth the effort to informing citizens about how the voting process has changed and what to expect on Election Day. Voter education will strengthen our voices as citizens and encourage more people to vote.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Politico reported that Senator McConnell is planning to insert a provision in a must-pass government funding bill that would significantly increase the amount of money that political parties could spend on candidates. The provision, drafted in secret and without any hearings, would eliminate caps on the amount of political money that parties may spend in coordination with candidates.