Richard Skinner
Vox
Washington, DC, United States
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Past articles by Richard:
Technology and transparency: the path to a modern Congress?
We’re starting to see the direction of a committee dedicated to changing Capitol Hill. → Read More
Which Republican might challenge Trump?
As his hold on the GOP weakens, who might take him on? → Read More
What does Trump actually want to do as president? The answer is unclear.
Trump doesn’t seem to have defined goals or means to achieve them. → Read More
Lessons from the Georgia Sixth District election
In Georgia’s Sixth District, Democrats and Republicans faced obstacles — and mostly overcame them. → Read More
Lessons from the Georgia Sixth District election
In Georgia’s Sixth District, Democrats and Republicans faced obstacles — and mostly overcame them. → Read More
Influence Abroad: The transnational anti-bribery regime
Making government transparent and accountable. → Read More
9/11 improved presidential transitions
The 9/11 attacks exposed the vulnerabilities involved in presidential transition — even months after the inauguration. → Read More
Election commissioner calls for new rules to keep foreign money out of U.S. politics
A campaign finance watchdog is seeking new ways to safeguard U.S. elections from foreign cash. (Photo credit: Japanexperterna) Last Friday, Commissioner Ellen Weintraub of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) announced a new proposal to launch rulemaking to keep foreign money out of U.S. politics. In her memorandum, Weintraub argues that ... → Read More
As foreign influence becomes a reality, FEC commissioner urges action
(Image credit: Sunlight Foundation) FEC Commissioner Ann Ravel has proposed banning political contributions by domestic subsidiaries of foreign corporations. This would overturn an advisory opinion produced in 2006 which has been the foundation for subsequent actions by the FEC. Ravel argues that since the Citizens United v. FEC decision has ... → Read More
Another brick in the wall falls: Court weakens barrier between candidates and super PACs
A political ad in support of Mike Huckabee created by Pursuing America's Greatness. (Image credit: Pursuing America's Greatness/YouTube) This week, a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that super PACs can use the names of their candidates they support in their projects and programs. Previously, the ... → Read More
Why is the tax return a big deal and what information can you learn from it?
(Photo credit: 401 (K) 2013/Flickr) This morning, amidst controversy over Donald Trump’s possible financial ties to Russia, Trump’s campaign manager Paul Manafort told CBS’ Norah O’Donnell that the Republican nominee would break from more than 40 years of tradition by not releasing his tax returns due to a current IRS ... → Read More
Why is the tax return a big deal and what information can you learn from it?
(Photo credit: 401 (K) 2013/Flickr) This morning, amidst controversy over Donald Trump’s possible financial ties to Russia, Trump’s campaign manager Paul Manafort told CBS’ Norah O’Donnell that the Republican nominee would break from more than 40 years of tradition by not releasing his tax returns due to a current IRS ... → Read More
Why is the tax return a big deal and what information can you learn from it?
Why are tax returns such a big deal? We believe tax returns, when considered in conjunction with financial disclosure forms, help paint a fuller picture of the candidate’s financial dealings. → Read More
Billionaire speech shows line between campaigns and super PACs erased
Tom Barrack. (Image credit: C-SPAN) Many viewers may have seen the speech given by billionaire investor Tom Barrack during the final night of the Republican convention and wondered, “Who is this guy? Why the corny jokes about Caesar salad and Irish wakes? Why all the talk of lions and gazelles? ... → Read More
Billionaire speech shows line between campaigns and super PACs erased
Tom Barrack. (Image credit: C-SPAN) Many viewers may have seen the speech given by billionaire investor Tom Barrack during the final night of the Republican convention and wondered, “Who is this guy? Why the corny jokes about Caesar salad and Irish wakes? Why all the talk of lions and gazelles? ... → Read More
Supreme Court decision on McDonnell opens worrying new horizons for corruption
Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, pictured in a Ferrari. (Photo credit: Department of Justice) When it comes to the United States Supreme Court and the world of campaign finance and corruption, we are often confronted with the law as it is and the law as it ... → Read More
Breaking down the latest Senate campaign finance reform package
Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., along with his Democratic colleages, introduced a new set of campaign finance reforms — yet they have little chance of passing. (Photo credit: Senate Democrats/Flickr) Senate Democrats, led by Tom Udall, N.M., and Jeff Merkley, Ore., have introduced a package of campaign finance and lobbying reforms, ... → Read More
Expanding overtime pay may mean losses for corporate PACs
(Photo credit: Pictures of Money/Flickr) The Obama administration recently announced new rules that would expand the eligibility of salaried employees to receive overtime pay. Currently, they are not entitled to overtime pay if they receive a salary more than $23,000; the new policy doubles that figure to $47,476. As a ... → Read More
International political finance activists find areas of common concern in Prague meeting
Representing the Sunlight Foundation, I attended a meeting of political finance professionals on April 22 in Prague. The event took place at the offices of the Central and Eastern European Law Institute in the Villa Grebovka of Prague’s Vinohrady neighborhood. Among the groups represented were International Federation for Electoral Systems, ... → Read More
How might Donald Trump change the Republican Party?
We don’t know yet if Donald Trump somehow will win the Republican presidential nomination. But it’s not too early to speculate how he might change the GOP. In this post, Richard Skinner argues that Trump will be able to define the GOP for millions of voters and for thousands of activists in 2016 and after. → Read More