lobbying

Flanked by former Exxon executive, now Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting., June 12, 2017. (AP/Andrew Harnik)
MINNEAPOLIS– The oil and gas industry has spent over $36 million lobbying Congress so far this year, a massive figure that speaks to the fossil fuel industry’s weight in Washington. Among the top spenders so far have been ExxonMobil, Chevron and Koch Industries, which have spent well over $3 million dollars apiece.

The revolving door connecting politicians with lobbyists clearly helps them, but does it benefit us? Anna Minton and Tamasin Cave delve deep into a concerning culture of cronyism. 

Stuart Bowen testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Wartime Contracting Commission. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)
Texas’ top health care fraud investigator resigned Wednesday night under pressure from the governor, the result of media inquiries that revealed Texas Health and Human Services Inspector General Stuart Bowen was moonlighting for a private firm that provided services to the government of Iraq.

Juan Palese, a marijuana grower, shows his crop outside of Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Dic. 18, 2013. (Matilde Campodonico/AP).
AUGUSTA — Retail sales of marijuana may still be a year away, but cannabis-related cash is already flowing at the Maine State House as businesses jockey to influence the policies that will govern the lucrative recreational market.

Hillary Clinton laughs as Tom Perez endorses her during a campaign stop in Sioux City, Iowa, Dec. 4, 2015. (AP/Nati Harnik)
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Public concern about the influence of money in politics has never been greater. But figuring out exactly how much money is needed to “buy” a congressional vote has been difficult to do.

President Donald Trump, flanked by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, left, and Vice President Mike Pence, meets with members of the media regarding the health care overhaul bill, March 24, 2017. (AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Donald Trump approaches his 100th day in office the most unpopular U.S. leader in modern history for a reason.

Massive attacks, monumental errors and officially indicted + this day in history w/the Bay Of Pigs and our song of the day by Tanika Charles on your Morning Monarchy for April 17, 2017.

Snow falls at dusk by the White House, Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, in Washington. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)
WASHINGTON — Breaking with the practice of President Donald Trump’s predecessor, the White House is keeping secret the lists of visitors to the building.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir meet at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, March 23, 2017. (AP/Sait Serkan Gurbuz)

A package of K2 which contains herbs and spices sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. (AP Photo)