Beyond the Network: May 12, 2011

Here’s a look at some of the news from beyond the Midwest, and beyond the issues that we normally look at. Included here are updates on redistricting, corporate accountability measures, corporate speech regulations, health insurance reform, online news consumption and a study on political typology.

Pew Center: online news consumers vary greatly

The Pew Research Center conducted a study on internet news outlets and where people go to get their information. The study examines the top 25 news sites in the United States, and discovers that there are different groups of people who receive news online, and that each of them behave differently. Read a more in-depth summary at the Pew Research Center’s Journalism.org page.

Pew Research Center, Journalism.org: Where people go, how they get there and what lures them away

3M shareholders reject corporate accountability, but one-third still favor

An update from the world of corporate disclosure – A proposal at 3M’s shareholder’s meeting this week seeking more accountability from the company on its political contributions was defeated, however, it still garnered almost one-third of the total votes.  

Star Tribune: Proposal on 3M’s political contributions gets nearly one-third of votes

Montana corporate speech regulations at risk

The Colorado Independent takes a look at a Montana state law that places regulations on corporate political speech. The statute has been on the books for over 100 years but much of it is in danger in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United. With no ideological shifts on the bench since this decision, it seems unlikely that the law will be upheld, but if the state can show that unchecked spending could lead to quid-pro-quo and bribery, it has a chance to be upheld. Read more at the Colorado Independent, and read Domini Social Investment’s amicus curiae brief below.

Colorado Independent: Challenge to notorious Supreme Court campaign finance ruling brewing in Montana

Domini: Western Tradition Partnership v. Montana Amicus Brief [PDF]

Ballotpedia redistricting round-up

Ballotpedia takes a look at some of the redistricting news from around the country in their redistricting round-up post, including some tension in Colorado, adoption of “redistricting principles” in Utah, and where Delaware will include prisoners when new maps are drawn. (Midwest news will be coming in our own Redistricting Round-Up post tomorrow)

Ballotpedia: Redistricting round-up: Chaos in Colorado: Compromise nowhere in sight

Pew Center report on political typology

The Pew Research Center also takes a look this month at political ideologies beyond party identification. The study points out nine different political typologies, ranging from “staunch conservative” to “solid liberal,” with people in between taking more of a mix-and-match stance on issues. Read more, and take their political typology quiz, at the Pew Research Center website.

Pew Research Center: Beyond red vs. blue: The political typology

Vermont inches toward single-payer health care

With many states pushing legislation and court battles to move away from last year’s health insurance reform bill, Vermont is moving in the direction of a state run single-payer program. The bill creates a five member board that would hammer out more of the details, such as how it would be paid for. The Vermont legislature has passed the bill, and the governor is expected to sign it.

Burlington Free-Press: In Vermont, health care for all nears reality