Press Releases
Democracy
Citing Unique Role of Judges, Groups Urge Court to Uphold Public Finance Law
Declaring that judges play a unique role in our governmental system, two nonpartisan national reform groups urged a federal appeals court today to uphold Wisconsin’s Impartial Justice Act, which provides for public financing of state Supreme Court elections.
– 06/17/11
Comptroller Public Financing Bill: A Good Start for New York State
The Brennan Center released a statement in support of the proposed bill to create a voluntary public financing system for New York State's Comptroller's race, saying it is a good start and should be extended to New York's other statewide and legislative elections.
– 06/15/11
2 Years After Landmark Ethics Case, Courts Lag on Campaign-Cash Rules
Nearly two years after the Supreme Court’s Caperton v. Massey ruling on the influence of special-interest cash in the courtroom, most states have failed to adopt any reforms responding to threats identified in the landmark decision, the Brennan Center for Justice and Justice at Stake Campaign said today.
– 06/06/11
New York State Leaders Reach Three-Way Ethics Reform Agreement
The Brennan Center for Justice hailed the agreement announced today by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders on overhauling ethics oversight and enforcement in Albany as a long-awaited first step to reforming state government.
– 06/03/11
Civil Rights Organizations Request Halt on Implementing New Election Law
On behalf of a coalition of civil rights organizations and civic groups that assist with new voter registration, the Brennan Center for Justice sent a letter to Florida’s Secretary of State, requesting that Florida hold off on the premature implementation of the state’s newly-passed election law changes. The letter argues that immediate implementation of the new law would be unlawful under Florida statute and longstanding policy, as it would set up two sets of election rules for different parts of the state.
– 06/03/11
Reform Groups Support Letter in Favor of President Obama’s Proposed Transparency Executive Order
Yesterday a group of 25 Representatives wrote a letter to President Obama expressing support for his draft executive order to require disclosure of campaign spending by government contractors. The Brennan Center, and five other reform groups, support this important effort and join in urging the president to sign the order promptly.
– 06/03/11
Civil Rights Organizations File Motion to Defend Law Ending Prison-Based Gerrymandering
Today, top civil rights organizations filed a motion in New York Supreme Court asking to intervene to help defend New York’s new law allocating people in prison to their home communities for redistricting and reapportionment.
– 05/17/11
New Study: New Yorkers Don’t Know Much About American Government, But Most Think They Should
A new Brennan Center survey released today, A Report Card on Civic Literacy, has found that New Yorkers are seriously lacking in basic knowledge about government, politics and the U.S. Constitution.
– 04/13/11
Brennan Center Supports Prison Redistricting Law
The Brennan Center for Justice issued the following statement reacting to a lawsuit filed by State Senator Elizabeth O’Connor Little and other plaintiffs challenging New York’s landmark law allocating people in prison to their home communities for redistricting purposes.
– 04/07/11
Final Numbers: Special Interest Spending Near $3.6 Million in Wisconsin
A recount looms in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, but one thing is official — special interest groups set a new record, spending just under $3.6 million on television ads in the election, topping the previous record in Wisconsin of $3.38 million set in 2008.
– 04/06/11