Democracy Wire

Richard Vinroot, a Republican former mayor of Charlotte, and Charles Meeker, a Democratic former mayor of Raleigh, joined forces in a Charlotte Observer op-ed to call on the North Carolina General Assembly to end partisan gerrymandering.

At about 4:00 am on December 12, the Ohio Senate passed Amend. Sub. SJR 12 (28 yeas-1 no).

A provision in the omnibus spending bill increases the amount an individual donor can give to political party committees by 500%.

The omnibus appropriations bill fashioned in secret by congressional leaders this week is larded with goodies for the lawmakers who will be voting on it and the special interests – from the gun lobby to Wall Street – that are their financial patrons, Common Cause said today. If passed, it will include the biggest increase in campaign contribution limits ever enacted by Congress.

Congress is running out of time to fund the government, and last night, they came to a $1.1 trillion agreement. But they’re not letting this crisis go to waste – the omnibus bill is packed with special interest handouts and riders that will weaken our democracy.

With 139 presidential nominations awaiting floor action as of midday Monday, the U.S. Senate should remain in session as long as it takes – including through the holiday season – to fill judicial and executive vacancies, Common Cause said today.