Charles Koch, the CEO of Koch Industries with an estimated net worth of $43.1 billion, distributed over $127.5 million in 2018 through his personal foundation to support right-wing infrastructure and the so-called "talent pipeline" needed to staff it, IRS filings obtained and examined by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) show.
Many of the same fringe figures and media outlets that Trump invited to the White House are faithfully playing defense for the president during damning impeachment hearings.
The Toledo, Oregon City Council voted on November 6 to give Georgia-Pacific a 15-year property tax exemption in return for investment in an existing plant there.
The State Policy Network (SPN) and its main members have collectively brought in annual revenues of over $120 million in the most recent tax year reported, according to an analysis by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), a 45 percent increase since the last time CMD reported on SPN's overall financials in 2013.
By Don Wiener and Arn Pearson
Newly released figures show that Koch Industries has spent almost 20 percent more on federal lobbying expenses so far this year than it had at the same time last year. With the U.S. House in Democratic hands, Koch, like other fossil fuel companies, is forced to play defense on energy issues, along with pushing back against Trump trade policies.
The State Policy Network (SPN) is holding its annual meeting at the five-star Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs this week. While SPN - a right-wing web of "think tanks," advocacy groups, and other registered nonprofits in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Canada, and the United Kingdom - publishes a list of its member organizations on its website, it holds its meeting in secrecy under tight security and does not disclose attendees.
The Wisconsin State Assembly will convene for the first time this fall today to consider a bill backed by the oil industry and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that would impose harsh criminal penalties on protesters who trespass on or damage any property owned by energy and water companies.
By Don Wiener and Arn Pearson
What a difference a few months makes in politics.
In May, the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) reported on the enormous influence over the Alaska budget process exerted by the Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity (AFP).
Many of the task force legislative members will be attending ALEC's Life Sciences Academy this week with undisclosed drug industry representatives.
The makers of an opioid tied to 400,000 deaths had special access to the attorneys general that chose to take their "sweetheart deal" -- saving the owners of the company from admitting wrongdoing -- thanks to a pay-for-play group called the Republican Attorneys General Association.
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