By Tom Steward | Freedom Foundation of Minnesota MINNEAPOLIS — A Freedom Foundation of Minnesota analysis of Lobbying Disclosure Act filings finds that Minnesota’s local governments spent more than $1.1 million to lobby the federal government in 2011, and at least $3.7 million since the start of 2009. 

By Anthony Brino | Illinois Statehouse News SPRINGFIELD — A proposal updating Illinois' oil and gas law to regulate the latest evolution in drilling technology passed the Senate Environment Committee on Thursday with rare support from industry and environmental groups.

By Eric Boehm | PA Independent

HARRISBURG — The State Ethics Commission fined 11 organizations this week for failing to properly disclose lobbying expenses during 2011.

By Eric Boehm | PA Independent

HARRISBURG — A national conservative organization that has helped lawmakers nationwide draft model legislation is under attack from the left for its involvement with such controversial proposals as the voter ID and Castle Doctrine measures.

By M.D. Kittle | Wisconsin Reporter

MADISON — While organized labor’s strength may be waning overall, public-sector unions are retaining their numbers and pumping up their power to push public policy at the taxpayers’ expense, according to a new report by a conservative, free-market think tank.

The Manhattan Institute’s pointed report, “Dues and Deep Pockets: Public-Sector Unions’ Money Machine,” released Wednesday, doesn’t mince words.