Stories by Brendan Fischer

Brendan Fischer is a law fellow at the Center for Media and Democracy, publisher of PR Watch. subscribe to Brendan Fischer's feed

Our Biggest Enviro Threat? 77 ALEC Bills in 2013 Advance a Big Oil, Big Ag Agenda

Posted on: Aug 1, 2013, Source: PR Watch

ALEC bills favor the fossil fuel barons and promote a retrograde energy agenda that pollutes our air and water and is slowly cooking the planet to what may soon be devastating temperatures.

NC Passes Voter Suppression Measures as DOJ Moves to Protect Voters in TX

Posted on: Jul 26, 2013, Source: PR Watch

Predictable steps taken to suppress the vote after SCOTUS struck down Voting Rights Act.

Justice Denied: 71 New 'Tort Reform' Bills Make It Harder to Hold Corporations Accountable for Causing Injury and Death

Posted on: Jul 10, 2013, Source: PR Watch

Legal rights of ordinary people are being whittled away.

Meet the Right-Wing Bankrollers Behind High Court Challenges to the Voting Rights Act and Affirmative Action

Posted on: Jun 27, 2013, Source: PR Watch

Ed Blum and the Bradley Foundation are one for two this term. They'll be back.

Assault on Democracy in Wisconsin: Proposed Bill Would Enact Voter ID, Limit Early Voting and Expand Lobbyist Influence

Posted on: May 29, 2013, Source: PR Watch

Announced just before holiday weekend, Republican bill is so huge, it's difficult to know where to start dismantling it.

"Issue Ad" Scam By Right-Wing Education Group Uncovered in Wisconsin

Posted on: May 8, 2013, Source: PR Watch

American Federation for Children deceived public about how much they were spending to sway elections.

Kochs Form New Dark Money Group To Hide Political Activities From Public

Posted on: May 2, 2013, Source: PR Watch

"Business League" will keep political spending in the shadows.

U.S. Supreme Court Considers ALEC Voter Registration Bill And Limiting Federal Oversight of Eligible Voters

Posted on: Mar 18, 2013, Source: PR Watch

Arizona imposed stricter voter registration requirements. But the GOP doesn't want to stop there.

Walker's Anti-Union Law Should Remain Blocked, Court Says

Posted on: Mar 14, 2013, Source: PR Watch

A Wisconsin appeals court cleared the way for teachers unions to keep collectively bargaining their contracts, despite Walker's attempt to stop them.

FreedomWorks Putting Its War Chest to Work for ALEC’s Union-Busting Agenda in the States

Posted on: Jan 24, 2013, Source: PR Watch

The Koch-funded organization is getting a boost from one of the leading Tea Party front-groups.

Wisconsin's Scott Walker Trusts Teachers with Guns, But Not Collective Bargaining

Posted on: Dec 21, 2012, Source: PR Watch

The divisive governor believes more guns are the answer.

Rightwing Legislation Mill ALEC Anticipates Losing Non-Profit Tax Status

Posted on: Dec 14, 2012, Source: PR Watch

ALEC has drafted bills for union-busting, voter suppression and vigilante gun rights.

Under Fire for its Hard-Right Policies, ALEC Meets in DC to Try to Stop the Bleeding

Posted on: Nov 30, 2012, Source: PR Watch

The corporate front-group came under scrutiny after the Trayvon Martin Killing.

After a Controversial Year, ALEC Convenes in Washington; Damage Control at Top of Agenda

Posted on: Nov 29, 2012, Source: PR Watch

No one should be fooled by ALEC's upcoming makeover.

Wisconsin Progressive Tammy Baldwin Is Ahead And Could Tip U.S. Senate Balance

Posted on: Nov 1, 2012, Source: PR Watch

Baldwin's strength as a candidate has grown, despite GOP efforts labeling her as "too liberal."

Koch Industries Orders Workers Not To Discuss Kochs' Politics On Social Media

Posted on: Oct 16, 2012, Source: PR Watch

Decree could violate National Labor Relations Board ruling.

Wealthy Right Wingers Including the Kochs Have Pledged to Raise $1 Billion to Elect Romney and Other Republicans

Posted on: Sep 24, 2012, Source: PR Watch

Support from nominally independent Super PACs and dark money groups gives Romney a significant financial edge over President Obama.

Romney's 47%: What Other Rights Would The GOP Deny Them?

Posted on: Sep 18, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Demonizing Obama's supporters as government dependents makes it easier to pass repressive voting laws.

GOP Shadow Groups Alter Attack Ads To Keep Donors Hidden

Posted on: Aug 30, 2012, Source: PR Watch

David Koch, Karl Rove, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce are turning to an old loophole.

US Funded Death Squads in El Salvador Casts Shadow Over GOP Ticket

Posted on: Aug 16, 2012, Source: PR Watch

Paul Ryan is getting foreign policy briefings from Elliot Abrams, who actively covered-up atrocities in El Salvador.

Forget GOP Unity: Tuesday's US Senate Primary in Wisconsin Shows Party At War With Itself

Posted on: Aug 13, 2012, Source: PR Watch

There is no one Republican Party in 2012, as shown by who is bankrolling various factions.

"Americans for Job Security" Targets WI GOP Senate Race, From the Shadows

Posted on: Aug 10, 2012, Source: PR Watch

Opaque attack ads before an upcoming primary show vitriol of GOP ideologues.

Tea Party Consultants, Sarah Palin, Herman Cain Fleecing Right's Small Donors

Posted on: Aug 1, 2012, Source: PR Watch

While their grassroots fume at Obama, their 'leaders' are pocketing their money.

Voting Rights Victory: Arizona Proof of Citizenship Overturned

Posted on: Jun 28, 2012, Source: PR Watch

Arizona's infamous Prop. 200 was overturned by U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday.

Obamacare Opponents Are Fat Cats Masquerading As Small Business

Posted on: Jun 27, 2012, Source: PR Watch

"Small businesses don't give multi-million-dollar contributions."

Wisconsin GOP Try To Retake State Senate, Hyping 'Fraud' By Young Voters

Posted on: Jun 19, 2012, Source: PR Watch

Wisconsin's political drama continues, as top GOP donors accuse young voters of fraud amid a state senate recount.

What's Behind the Recall in Wisconsin: Workers Fighting Back As Walker Dodges Questions About Corruption

Posted on: Jun 3, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The roots of the Tuesday's special election recall election unexpectedly began last winter.

Koch Brothers' Americans For Prosperity Goes All Out in Wisconsin Recall--And Denies It!

Posted on: May 28, 2012, Source: PR Watch

The spokesperson for the Koch Brothers' anti-union crusade claims their efforts are not on behalf of any candidate.

Wisconsin Recall Showdown Decided: Scott Walker to Face Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett

Posted on: May 8, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Scott Walker's 2010 opponent gets a rematch, as protester's candidate will face the GOP Lt. Governor.

Scott Walker Gets $1.3 Million From Koch Summit Attendees to Fight Recall

Posted on: May 4, 2012, Source: PR Watch

Wisconsin's embattled Republican governor is supported by a who's who of wealthy right-wing donors.

Rightwing ALEC Puts Wisconsin Anti-Labor Laws On May Agenda

Posted on: May 1, 2012, Source: PR Watch

Michigan's Koch-Funded Mackinac Center Is Bringing Wisconsin Act 10 Provisions to ALEC's spring meeting.

Right-Wing ALEC Retreats on Most Controversial Issues

Posted on: Apr 17, 2012, Source: PR Watch

ALEC disbands task force responsible for Stand Your Ground, voter ID, prison privatization, AZ's anti-immigrant law SB 1070.

The Wisconsin Story: Scott Walker's Unprecedented Assault on Unions and Democracy And the June 5th Recall Vote

Posted on: Mar 23, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Wisconsin's populist rebellion came after state GOP leaders attacked workers' rights and dignity.

Scott Walker Imports Voter Suppression Thugs In Wisconsin Recall

Posted on: Feb 28, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The embattled Wisconsin governor has now turned to groups known for intimidating voters.

David Koch's Non-Profit Flouts Law And Spends $700,000 Against Wisconsin Recall

Posted on: Feb 9, 2012, Source: PR Watch

The non-profit founded by the oil billionaire injects $700,000 to retain the embattled Wisconsin governor, possibly violating various laws on political activities.

Meet Gov. Scott Walker’s New Political Hit Women

Posted on: Feb 5, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The embattled Wisconsin governor hires two young Republicans who are veterans of no-holds-barred campaigns and propaganda efforts.

South Carolina GOP Eyes Citizenship Proof For New Voters

Posted on: Jan 30, 2012, Source: PR Watch

The latest effort to police voting in South Carolina comes after the Justice Department rejected the state's new voter ID law.