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The Silent Giant: How Surging Interest Payments Could Gut America’s Future

Members of Congress continue to debate the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), a budget reconciliation bill backed by President Donald Trump addressing federal spending on entitlement programs, defense, energy, as well as tax policy.

By

Shawn Griffiths

/ May 20, 2025

The Silent Giant: How Surging Interest Payments Could Gut America’s Future

California Seizes $123.5M in Illegal Cannabis in Largest-Ever Enforcement Operation

In its largest coordinated crackdown to date, California’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force seized more than $123 million worth of illegal cannabis during a sweeping, multi-agency operation across the Central Valley.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ May 20, 2025

California Seizes $123.5M in Illegal Cannabis in Largest-Ever Enforcement Operation

Presidential Health: Who Determines When a President Is Unfit to Serve?

In this episode, Dan and Shawn examine how the system let this happen, how similar failures have played out in American history, and what it says about a two-party structure that forces voters to choose between different flavors of dysfunction, rather than ensuring effective governance.

By Dan Sally

/ May 20, 2025

Presidential Health: Who Determines When a President Is Unfit to Serve?

Pennsylvania Taxpayers Foot $75M Bill for Primaries They Can’t Vote In

The estimated cost for Tuesday’s primary elections in Pennsylvania is around $75 million for state and local governments. It’s a large price tag, especially since it is being paid for by voters who are denied the right to participate.

By

Shawn Griffiths

/ May 20, 2025

Pennsylvania Taxpayers Foot $75M Bill for Primaries They Can’t Vote In

Maine’s New Law to Limit Super PACs Has First Hearing in Federal Court

A legal showdown over the future of campaign finance laws in Maine — and potentially nationwide — begins May 22 as a federal judge is set to hear oral arguments over a voter-approved cap on contributions to super PACs at a time when these groups continue to shatter records in election spending.

By

Shawn Griffiths

/ May 19, 2025

Maine’s New Law to Limit Super PACs Has First Hearing in Federal Court

Partisan Gridlock and the FEC: 50 Years of Increasing Paralysis

Many voters may not be aware that on May 1 the Federal Election Commission (FEC) lost its ability to enforce federal campaign finance and election laws after Republican Allen Dickerson departed the agency, leaving it without the quorum it needs to perform its most important roles.

By

Shawn Griffiths

/ May 19, 2025

Partisan Gridlock and the FEC: 50 Years of Increasing Paralysis

Majority Rules: The Film Capturing America’s Most Radical Election Reform

Alaskans made history in 2020 when they passed the first-in-the-nation election system that not only eliminated party primaries but adopted a voting system for the general election that gave them the option to rank candidates in order of preference.

By

Shawn Griffiths

/ May 19, 2025

Majority Rules: The Film Capturing America’s Most Radical Election Reform

Democrat Senator Gallego Releases Plan for Immigration Reform that Party Loyalists Won’t Like

Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) has introduced a plan for systemic immigration reform and a front-and-center border security plan to reach what he says should be a bipartisan goal of “getting illegal border crossing to as near zero as possible.”

By Tori Stevens

/ May 16, 2025

Democrat Senator Gallego Releases Plan for Immigration Reform that Party Loyalists Won’t Like

Pennsylvania Rep Chris Rabb: There Should Be No Second-Class Voters In Our State

A bill that would open Pennsylvania primary elections to over 1.4 million registered independent voters, HB 280, cleared its first major hurdle to becoming law this week when it cleared the House State Government Committee.

By

Shawn Griffiths

/ May 15, 2025

Pennsylvania Rep Chris Rabb: There Should Be No Second-Class Voters In Our State

Boston City Council Backs Ranked Choice Voting Home Rule Petition in 8–4 Vote

On May 14, the Boston City Council voted 8–4 in favor of a Home Rule Petition allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference, a shift that could change how Bostonians elect their leaders.

By

Cara Brown McCormick

/ May 14, 2025

Boston City Council Backs Ranked Choice Voting Home Rule Petition in 8–4 Vote

AB 955 Revisited: How to Expand Cross-Border Care Without Sacrificing Patient Protections

IVN recently examined AB 955, by Assemblymember David Alvarez. The bill seeks to expand a healthcare service program I created in 1998 as the author of SB1658.

By

Steve Peace

/ May 14, 2025

AB 955 Revisited: How to Expand Cross-Border Care Without Sacrificing Patient Protections

Gov. Newsom Targets Prescription Drug Middlemen in New Reform Proposal

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is reviving efforts to regulate the powerful and often opaque intermediaries at the center of the prescription drug supply chain. In a proposal unveiled as part of his revised May budget, Newsom calls for stringent oversight of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), companies

By Tori Stevens

/ May 14, 2025

Gov. Newsom Targets Prescription Drug Middlemen in New Reform Proposal