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☆ Republican megadonor Jeff Yass, inner circle give millions to shape schools, courts
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The firm and the foundation are twin enterprises of Republican megadonor Jeff Yass, and a small group of allies. The foundation is run by Yass and other veteran Susquehanna executives, according to the documents that are current through 2022. The Susquehanna Foundation is one of two foundations that Yass and his closest friends have funded and led. The other foundation is even less well known: the Claws Foundation. Similar to Susquehanna, Claws is the charitable arm of one person: Arthur Dantchik, a co-founder of Susquehanna International Group with Yass, is the sole listed donor to Claws Foundation.

Persons: Jeff Yass, Arthur Dantchik, Dantchik, Brendan Fischer, Summer Lee, Donald Trump, Jeffrey Yass Organizations: Republican, Susquehanna Foundation, Susquehanna International Group, Susquehanna, Claws Foundation, Susquehanna International, Sterling Foundation Management, CNBC, Cato Institute, Institute for Justice, Supreme, Atlas Network, Competitive Enterprise, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Susquehanna Growth Equity Fund III, Moderate PAC, Democratic Rep, Politico, Democratic Locations: Yass, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, Susquehanna, Virginia, Dantchik, Washington, Pitchbook

☆ How the fortune of one of America’s biggest pharmaceutical families has quietly funded conservative causes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Casey Tolan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

From The Searle Freedom TrustThis year, the Searle trust is poised to play an even bigger role as it empties out its coffers. Researchers who study political nonprofits say that the Searle trust has had a major impact, even as the Searle family has stayed under the radar compared to more well-known conservative benefactors. The Searle trust is one of the most prolific funders of conservative groups among all private foundations, according to a CNN analysis of nonprofit tax data. The Searle trust has given millions to the Foundation for Government Accountability, which has worked behind the scenes to push conservative policies such as stricter voting laws. Dennis, the CEO of the Searle trust, is also the chair of DonorsTrust.

Persons: Searle, Daniel C, Trump, Donald Trump, ”, Galen Hall, who’s, Kimberly Dennis, ” Searle, “, Sarah Scaife, doesn’t, Michael B, Thomas, SPN, They’ve, ” Brendan Fischer, Brendan Fischer, “ They’ve, ” Hall, Caleb Rossiter, ” Galen Hall, movement’s MAGA, It’s, Mike Pence, that’s, Dennis, Henry Ford, John D, Rockefeller, ” Fischer, Gideon, Michael Searle, ” Dennis, “ We’re, Dan, Gideon Daniel Searle, Daniel Searle, Jonathan Eig, Jack Searle, Daniel Searle’s, Gregory Pincus, John Rock, Pincus, weren’t, –, Sue, Eig, Margaret Marsh, Enovid, misoprostol, Searle –, Pfizer –, ” Daniel Searle, Donald Rumsfeld, Searles, Biden, Wade, Dobbs, Kristen Batstone Organizations: CNN, Searle Freedom Trust, University of Michigan, Sarah Scaife Foundation, Searle, American Enterprise Institute, Reason Foundation, Tax Foundation, Manhattan Institute, Cato Institute, Foundation, Government, State Policy Network, American Legislative Exchange Council, Fair, Pacific Legal Foundation, Federalist Society, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Environment Research Center, CO2 Coalition, Heartland Institute, ”, CO2, Heartland, Republican Party, movement’s, America, Policy Institute, Trump, American Freedom Foundation, Everett, FDA, Rutgers University, Pfizer, Monsanto, Heritage Foundation, Reason, Affordable, New Civil Liberties Alliance, Public Policy Center, Claremont, National Women’s Health Network, Trust, IRS Locations: Missouri, St, Louis , Missouri, California, judgeships, ”, Omaha, Metamucil, Dramamine, Puerto, Brazil, Diet Coke, America

☆ Climate scientist Michael Mann awarded more than $1 million in damages from conservative writers who defamed his work
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( David Goldman | Paradise Afshar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A jury has awarded climate scientist Michael Mann more than $1 million in a defamation lawsuit he brought against a former scholar and a media personality who lampooned Mann’s work. A jury in the Washington, DC, Superior Court civil case awarded Mann $1 million in punitive damages and a dollar from each defendant in compensatory damages. Mann had also sued the National Review and Competitive Enterprise Institute. Mann intends to appeal that 2021 decision, which said the Competitive Enterprise Institute and National Review could not be held liable for defamation, according to multiple reports. However, Mann’s is the latest in a recent string of defamation trial victories for plaintiffs or large settlements – most notably including E. Jean Carrol’s $83.3 million verdict against former President Donald Trump.

Persons: Michael Mann, Mann’s, Mann, Rand Simberg, Mark Steyn, Jerry Sandusky, “ Mann, ” Steyn, Simberg, Steyn, “, ” Mann, Mike Mann’s, Pete Fontaine, Jean Carrol’s, Donald Trump Organizations: CNN, Competitive Enterprise Institute, National, Pennsylvania State, Superior, DC, Court, X, Fox Corp Locations: Washington, DC, United States

WASHINGTON (AP) — A jury on Thursday awarded $1 million to climate scientist Michael Mann who sued a pair of conservative writers 12 years ago after they compared his depictions of global warming to a convicted child molester. Photos You Should See View All 21 Images“Mann could be said to be the Jerry Sandusky of climate science, except for instead of molesting children, he has molested and tortured data,” Simberg wrote. The jury awarded Mann $1 in compensatory damages from each writer; it also awarded punitive damages of $1,000 from Simberg and $1 million from Steyn. The trial happened as climate change continues to be a divisive and highly partisan issue in the United States. ___The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations.

Persons: —, Michael Mann, molester, Mann, Rand Simberg, Jerry Sandusky, “ Mann, ” Simberg, Mark Steyn Organizations: WASHINGTON, University of Pennsylvania, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Penn State University, Penn State, Associated Press, District of Columbia, NORC, for Public Affairs Research Locations: U.S, Court, Simberg, Steyn, United States, AP.org

The work brought Mann, then at Penn State but now at University of Pennsylvania, wide exposure. Kate Cell, whose work as senior climate campaign manager at The Union of Concerned Scientists includes tracking climate disinformation, said Mann's case is well-known among other climate scientists. A 2023 poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 91% of Democrats believe climate change is happening, while only 52% of Republicans do. Many scientists have followed Mann’s case for years as misinformation about climate change has grown and many of them have themselves been subjected to attacks. Lidsky was skeptical that Mann’s case would have any broader significance, particularly on social media.

Persons: — It's, molester, Michael Mann, Mann, Al Gore’s Oscar, Rand Simberg, Penn State University —, —, Jerry Sandusky, “ Mann, ” Simberg, Mark Steyn, ” Mann, Simberg, “, ” Steyn, Kate Cell, Lyrissa, Lidsky, ” Organizations: WASHINGTON, Penn State, University of Pennsylvania, United, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Penn State University, The Union of, University of Florida, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research Locations: Northern, United Nations, U.S, United States, AP.org

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. poses during a group portrait at the Supreme Court in Washington, U.S., October 7, 2022. Such a ruling also could frustrate policies favored by some Democrats, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, for a tax on the net worth - meaning all assets and not just income - of the super-rich. Alito defended the court in articles in the Wall Street Journal's opinion section. The Moores sued the U.S. government in 2019 challenging the mandatory repatriation tax. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the case, noting that under Supreme Court precedent the "realization of income is not a constitutional requirement."

Persons: Samuel A, Alito Jr, Evelyn Hockstein, Samuel Alito, Charles, Kathleen Moore, Donald Trump, Moores, Elizabeth Warren, Alito, Alito's recusal, David Rivkin Jr, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: Supreme, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Democratic, Moores, Street, Circuit, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Redmond , Washington, Republican, Constitution's, Bangalore, India, San Francisco

WASHINGTON (AP) — Charles and Kathleen Moore are about to have their day in the Supreme Court over a $15,000 tax bill they contend is unconstitutional. "If you haven’t received any income, how can you be required to pay income taxes?” Charles Moore asks in a video posted by the Competitive Enterprise Institute. But far from being a passive investor with no influence over the company, Moore, who worked at Microsoft during his career in software development, served on KisanKraft's board of directors for five years. One other inconsistency is that while the Moores say they jointly invested the money, only Charles Moore's name appears in company documents. Rosenthal said that “the ugly facts matter” and that the justices could return the Moores' case to a lower court without ruling on it.

Persons: — Charles, Kathleen Moore, Charles Moore, Moores, Paul Clement said, Donald Trump, haven’t, ” Charles Moore, Moore, Charles, KisanKraft, ” Mindy Herzfeld, Charles Moore's, ”, Reuven Avi, Yonah, Andrew Grossman, Steven Rosenthal, Rosenthal, John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Ginni, Ravindra “ Ravi ” Kumar Agrawal, “, ” Moore, Samuel Alito, David Rivkin, Alito, Rivkin, Fatima Hussein Organizations: WASHINGTON, Enterprise Institute, Foundation, Republican, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Microsoft, University of Florida, KisanKraft, University of Michigan, Associated Press, Urban, Brookings Tax, Center, Moores, ___ Associated Locations: Redmond , Washington, India, county Limerick, Ireland, Nebraska, Colorado, Washington, ___

☆ US Senate committee to consider Biden’s Republican nominees to FTC
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Signage is seen at the Federal Trade Commission headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 29, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly Acquire Licensing RightsSept 13 (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate committee will meet next week to consider President Joe Biden's nomination of Virginia Solicitor General Andrew Ferguson and Utah Solicitor General Melissa Holyoak to fill Republican slots at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Senator Maria Cantwell, who chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said she would convene a full nominations hearing on Sept. 20. Ferguson was chief counsel to U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell from 2019 until 2021. Holyoak is the Utah Solicitor General with the Utah Attorney General's Office.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Joe Biden's, Andrew Ferguson, Melissa Holyoak, Lina Khan, Maria Cantwell, Ferguson, Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Grassley, Holyoak, Myers, Dan Whitcomb, Josie Kao Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, U.S, Senate, FTC, Democratic, Commerce, Science, Transportation, Senate Republican, Utah Attorney General's, Myers LLP, Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, Enterprise Institute's Center, Thomson Locations: Washington ,, Utah

☆ Student-loan borrowers' biggest defender in the government is in jeopardy
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The ruling could have significant implications for student-loan borrowers — and consumers nationwide. As federal borrowers have been gearing up for the return to loan repayment in October, the agency cracked down on companies that it accused of illegally charging borrowers for normally free debt-relief services. The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on the case on October 3. The CFPB's enforcement actions against this type of illegal conduct are important to protecting borrowers' financial security and obtaining their money back." Now consumers will have to wait and see how the Supreme Court views a top federal consumer watchdog's constitutionality.

Persons: Sen, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Shahid Naeem, Naeem, Dodd, Frank Wall, Bill Clark, Devin Watkins, they're, beholden Organizations: Service, Supreme, Financial, Community Financial Services Association of America Ltd, Consumer Financial, Federal Reserve, Fifth Circuit, Trump, Fifth, Financial Services Association of America, American Economic Liberties, Congress, Frank Wall Street Reform, Consumer, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Inc, Getty, Competitive Enterprise Institute, American Association of, Social Security Locations: Wall, Silicon, Washington , DC

☆ Biden names two Republican nominees for FTC commissioner, White House says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 3 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden has nominated Virginia Solicitor General Andrew Ferguson and Utah Solicitor General Melissa Holyoak to fill Republican slots at the Federal Trade Commission, the White House said Monday. The FTC "operates best at full strength, and I will look forward to working with them," she said. A native of Virginia, Ferguson has an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Holyoak is the Utah Solicitor General with the Utah Attorney General's Office. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Utah, as is her law degree.

Persons: Joe Biden, Andrew Ferguson, Melissa Holyoak, Lina Khan, Khan, Ferguson, Holyoak, Biden, Donald Trump's, Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Grassley, Myers, Amgen's, Black Knight, Diane Bartz, Kanishka Singh, Eric Beech, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, U.S, Senate, FTC, Democratic, Facebook, Amazon.com, Albertsons, Senate Republican, University of Virginia, University of Virginia School of Law, Utah Attorney General's, Myers LLP, Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Center for, University of Utah, Activision, Horizon Therapeutics, Black, Thomson Locations: Utah, Virginia

☆ House Republicans target the CFPB as the agency takes aim at 'junk fees'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers discussed ways to reform, or altogether defund, the nation's foremost consumer protection agency on Thursday, as the regulator takes aim at illegal "junk fees" levied on consumers. GOP lawmakers in the hearing criticized the Biden administration's push to eradicate "junk fees," largely regulated by the CFPB. On Wednesday, the agency released a list of illegal junk fees encompassing deposit accounts; auto and mortgage loan servicing; and payday and title lending. Subcommittee member Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., said Chopra has used junk fees as an excuse to expand his authority. The CFPB's working definition of junk fees is "any fee they don't like," argued Devin Watkins, an attorney at the conservative-leaning Competitive Enterprise Institute.

☆ The scarcity economy has made life harder on Americans. Some are calling for an 'abundance agenda' to make college, housing, and healthcare more affordable.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The costs of healthcare, housing, childcare, and college have soared in recent decades. Some say an "abundance agenda" is necessary to boost supply and bring down costs. In short, the abundance agenda works by increasing the supply of the things people need, and ultimately making essential goods and services less expensive for American families. But childcare, healthcare, college tuition, and housing costs, for instance, have risen 115%, 130%, 178%, and 80%, respectively, well above inflation. He thinks the abundance agenda — or something like it — will be something many politicians campaign on someday, which he says would be a win for all Americans.

WASHINGTON — The lobster featured on the menu of Thursday’s state dinner comes with caviar, squash ravioli — and a heaping side of controversy. Maine officials would typically be thrilled to have their state’s most famous export featured at such a high-profile White House event. Maine lobstermen have long prided themselves on sustainability and argue the concern about right whales is misplaced. “I am glad President Biden and his State Dinner guests had the opportunity to enjoy Maine lobster,” Democratic Maine Gov. “The administration should make their policy consistent with their culinary preferences.”The Office of the First Lady, which oversees the state dinner preparations, did not respond to a request for comment.

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