Research Cited

Trump Administration Continues Attack on Science, Scrubs Data on Climate Change from Interior Department Websites (Press Release)

Source: Center for Biological Diversity | Published: 5/4/2017

As the Trump administration continues to censor science, the Center for Biological Diversity, Center for Media and Democracy and scientist Dr. Stuart Pimm today launched a novel legal strategy to force the Department of the Interior to restore climate change information that was deleted from the agency’s website.

Bill Seeks to Restrict Maine Towns’ Efforts to Build High-Speed Internet Networks

ALEC

Source: Portland Press Herald | Published: 5/2/2017

“It’s a pretty bald exercise of power to prevent municipalities from being able to provide the kind of service their citizens want,” Arn Pearson, general counsel for the Center for Media and Democracy, a Madison, Wisconsin-based organization that closely tracks ALEC, said in an interview. “The reason why municipalities do broadband is typically because the private sector doesn’t see enough money-making opportunity in that community to provide the service people need.”

Wading into the Swamp: Member Telebriefing on Trump’s First 100 Days

Democracy, Trump

Source: People For the American Way | Published: 5/2/2017

Arn Pearson, PFAW Senior Fellow said “Trump’s record in terms of ethics and corruption in the first 100 days is as remarkable as it is depressing.” Pearson gave historical context for the magnitude of the political swamp that Trump has created. Although, according to Pearson, “these issues around integrity in our government were central to the forming of our Constitution” we have ended up with the “least ethical and most secretive president in modern history.”

Koch Industries Involved in Pruitt’s Confirmation

Climate, Environment, Koch

Source: E&E News | Published: 4/26/2017

The Center for Media and Democracy, along with The Intercept, first reported the Koch filings yesterday. CMD is in the midst of a legal battle with Pruitt for the release of his email correspondence with members of the oil and gas industry during his term as state attorney general.

“Scott Pruitt’s confirmation was publicly supported by many groups that are financed by the Koch brothers,” said Nick Surgey, research director at CMD. “The Kochs can surely not believe their luck to have one of their own at the EPA, taking a wrecking ball to environmental protections they have spent millions of dollars trying to destroy.”

Pruitt Likely to Bow Out of Fundraising Gala over Legal Concerns

Climate, Environment

Source: Bloomberg BNA | Published: 4/26/2017

“As Oklahoma Attorney General, Pruitt used his position to peddle the agendas of oil and gas companies. Now, not even three months into his tenure as head of the EPA, he appears to be violating ethics laws,” Nick Surgey, research director of the Center for Media and Democracy, said in a statement. Surgey’s group is still litigating the disclosure of Pruitt’s email correspondence with the fossil fuel industry as attorney general.

What Trump Has Done for, and to, the Environment in His First 100 Days

Climate, Environment, Trump

Source: Yahoo! News | Published: 4/26/2017

A few days after his confirmation, the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), a national watchdog group, published thousands of pages of emails showing how closely Pruitt worked with the fossil fuel industry in challenging EPA regulations.

In Trump’s First 100 Days, a Resistance Network Digs In

Environment, Trump

Source: NPR | Published: 4/25/2017

Center for Media and Democracy

What They’re Doing

Litigating to uncover EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s email traffic with energy companies, from his time as Oklahoma attorney general. Examining disclosures of Trump agency appointees for potential ethics concerns.

Simply Plant Food? Simply Not True

Climate, Environment

Source: St. George Daily Spectrum | Published: 4/25/2017

His organization has no credibility in public policy. According to the Center for Media and Democracy, a watchdog organization that investigates corruption and the undue influence of corporations on media and democracy, Harris’ organization has direct ties to coal mining companies.

Ex-Koch Operative Tapped to Lead Rule-Cutting Task Force

Koch

Source: E&E News | Published: 4/24/2017

A former general counsel to Freedom Partners, Jorjani was one of the highest-paid employees at both the Charles Koch Institute and the Charles Koch Foundation, according to a 2011 IRS filing obtained by the Center for Media and Democracy.

Report: GOP Lawmakers Selling Access to Top Staffers

Democracy

Source: The Hill | Published: 4/20/2017

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) are advertising to donors that they will get invitations to events with congressional staff such as chiefs of staff, leadership staffers and committee staffers, the report said, citing documents it and the Center for Media and Democracy obtained.