Beyond the Network: April 1, 2011

There are a lot of news items from outside the Network this week,  including an SEC ruling on shareholder resolutions on corporate political spending, redistricting from around the country, possible federal government transparency cuts, and campaign finance in front of the Supreme Court. Here is a run down:

SEC shareholder resolutions

This week the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a “no action letter” in a case involving a Home Depot shareholders resolution. Home Depot sought to keep a shareholder resolution on political expenditures off of this year’s proxy statement. The SEC ruled that Home Depot could not stand in the way, and that shareholders would be able to vote on the matter. From the Brennan Center: “This SEC no-action letter means shareholders can assert self-help on a company-by-company basis, not just on transparency of political spending, but also on an advisory shareholder vote on such spending.” Brennan Center is a partner of Midwest Democracy Network.

Brennan Center: SEC gives shareholders a voice on corporate campaign spending
Corporate Disclosure Alert: Important new SEC ruling offers diversified shareholder responses to corporate election spending

Iowa Redistricting
Iowa’s Congressional and state level   maps are drawn by a non-partisan commission using a computer formula   that disregards all factors except population. As such, the newest   districts proposed in Iowa, which loses a Congressional seat, are   extremely close in population and size. On the Congressional level, the   districts vary by only as much as 45 people. Read some pieces on the   Iowa process, and view their proposed maps on the state’s website.

Des Moines Register: What’s next in redistricting process?
Des Moines Register: How balanced is Iowa’s redistricting proposal? See for yourself
Iowa.gov: Iowa redistricting 2011

Virginia Redistricting
The redistricting process in Virginia has gotten underway, as political parties are drawing maps.  Lawmakers released their proposed boundaries, which will be voted on when the legislature comes back in session. At public hearings to discuss the maps, there has already been some push back from residents.   The proposed maps can be viewed on the Virginia Division of Legislative Services website.

Virginia.gov Division of Legislative Services redistricting website
Roanoke Times: Public decries Virginia redistricting plans at Roanoke meeting
Daily Press: Virginia redistricting fight begins
Washington Post: Virginia’s redistricting process gets underway

Federal transparency cut-backs?
In the continuing federal   government budget debates, some federal transparency programs and   websites might be at risk. Severe cuts could mean that government   websites such as Data.gov and USAspending.gov, as well as other   transparency programs, could be eliminated or significantly rolled back.

Read more at the Sunlight Foundation.
Sign Sunlight Foundation’s open letter asking for restoration of funding.

McComish arguments

Oral arguments in the McComish v.  Federal Election Commission case came before the Supreme Court earlier this week. It doesn’t look good for the Arizona public financing law’s “trigger” provisions that provide extra funds to publicly funded candidates when their privately funded opponents exceed certain thresholds. Reports say that some of the judges appeared “skeptical” of the law, and that a majority could rule to overturn it on first amendment grounds. The decision could also have some impact on Wisconsin’s public financing law (which was upheld this morning)

Gavel Grab has a rundown:

Gavel Grab: AZ public financing provision ‘in jeopardy’
Gavel Grab: High court ‘skeptical’ about AZ public financing
Midwest Democracy Network: Supreme Court hears public financing case which could have impact on Network states