Top Stories on IVN

Follow the Money Act Draws Criticism by Alex Gauthier

Announced last month by Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the Follow the Money Act was received with much acclaim from citizens and nonpartisan organizations.

Foreign Aid and American Foreign Policy by Chris Estep

The United States sends billions of dollars in aid to foreign countries leading some to question if United States foreign aid is justifed for US taxpayers.

Bipartisan Group Introduces Telephone Records Protection Act by Carl Wicklander

Republicans Justin Amash and Mick Mulvaney as well as Democrats Zoe Lofgren and Jared Polis are the co-sponsors in the Telephone Records Protection Act.

Yahoo’s Marissa Mayer Uses Social Media to Announce Tumblr Deal by Jane Susskind

In a move only made possibly by a recent SEC announcement, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer tweeted that Yahoo will be acquiring the micro-blogging site Tumblr.

What You Missed

Interest groups play major role in Democrats' campaign funds, analysis finds from the Center for Investigative Reporting

When they needed political money – to make donations urged by Speaker John A. Pérez and to pay for their 2012 campaigns – Democrats in the California Assembly turned to interest groups with a big stake in state government decisions, a Center for Investigative Reporting analysis shows.

Why does the IRS regulate political groups? A look at the complex world of campaign finance from the Sunlight Foundation

Here is why its so hard to track campaign money: Those who raise it report to one (or more) of three federal agencies, depending on how they raise the money, how they spend the money and how much of it they spend and raise.

Partisan Interest, Reactions to IRS and AP Controversies from the Pew Research Center

A historical review of previous controversies involving White House or cabinet officials finds that these levels of public interest – and the partisan divide in attentiveness – are not necessarily new.

FAQs on 501(c)(4) Social Welfare Organizations from Moritz School of Law

The controversy over the IRS targeting conservative groups for additional scrutiny has focused new attention on tax-exempt organizations. Learn everything you need to know about 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations.

Covering California

Google Privacy Policy Challenged in California by Jon Jekel

On May 15, 2013, the consumer group Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to Attorney General Kamala Harris accusing Google of violating California’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“OPPA”).

Marin Grand Jury Rejects CA High Court’s Decision on Banning Pot Shops by Blake Bunch

Following the California Supreme Court's decision allowing cities to use zoning ordinances to ban medical marijuana dispensaries, several municipalities have become very vocal regarding the issue of medical cannabis.

LCFF Moves California to End Recent No Child Left Behind Waiver Effort by Michael Higham

The California Department of Education is prioritizing Gov. Brown's local control funding formula (LCFF) proposal over the possibility of obtaining a No Child Left Behind waiver.

Hundreds Rally in Support of California Immigration Bills by Shawn Griffiths

Last week, Assembly Bill 4, also known as the "Trust Act," passed the California State Assembly in a mostly party-line vote. The bill, authored by Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) was rejected by all Republican members of the Assembly, but only received two no votes from the other side of the aisle.

Center for Investigative Reporting to kill Bay Citizen, California Watch brand names from San Francisco Business Time

The Center for Investigative Reporting will kill its Bay Citizen and California Watch news entities, folding them into its CIR brand and focusing on stories that “transcend geography.”

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