Sunlight Foundation Reporting Group

1. TransCanada spends millions lobbying federal government, several key states

   By Lindsay Young Nov 14, 2011 2:17 p.m.

   The Canadian oil sands, one of the most carbon-intensive fuel sources in the world, is spurring a flurry of global lobbying activity, from encouraging President Obama to approve an extension to a transnational pipeline pressuring Europe to ease its tax on the sands-produced oil.

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2. Serial PAC Filer Floods FEC

   By Lindsay Young Nov 10, 2011 11:39 a.m.

   From the man who brought Florida the Billionaire Josue Larose's Dating Women Committee, Josue Larose has filed the forms with the FEC to create 20 new super PACs. Clearly, there are few hurdles to creating a super PAC or multiple super PACs, that can then accept unlimited contributions. 

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3. Senators on super committee collecting less campaign cash this quarter

   By Lindsay Young Nov 4, 2011 5:46 p.m.

   All but one Senate member on the super committee collected less campaign funds this quarter compared the previous quarter. Only Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, had a modest increase collecting a total of $85,532.

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4. Gaddafi's long history of lobbying comes to an end

   By Lindsay Young Oct 20, 2011 1:31 p.m.

   Libyan Dictator Moammar Gaddafi was killed today in his hometown of Sirte, a showman to the end, “brandishing a golden pistol.” Lobbying, in many ways, was part of his political arsenal that boosted Gaddafi’s international prowess, helped protect him from additional sanctions and promoted the business interests of the Libyan ruling elite and U.S. business. We’ve covered several of these instances in the past. Here’s a look at a few:

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5. Meet the first “Corporate” Super PAC

   By Lindsay Young Oct 17, 2011 4:07 p.m.

   Today came a moment campaign finance watchers have been waiting for: the first corporate "Super PAC"--that is a PAC whose sole source of funding is corporate money--filed its paper work with the U.S. Federal Election Commission (FEC).

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6. Longtime lobbying campaign pays off for South Korea with recent trade deal

   By Lindsay Young Oct 14, 2011 4:12 p.m.

   Trade agreements stem from long-winded talks, some heavy handed diplomacy and, as it turns out, a substantial amount of lobbying. The newest trade deal between South Korea and the U.S. was a massive operation which cost the Koreans $39.9 million in lobbying and PR fees in 2010 alone.

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7. Israel, Palestine spend millions on lobbying, PR campaigns

   By Lindsay Young Sep 22, 2011 3:28 p.m.

   As the United Nations considers the Palestinian referendum for statehood, possibly as early as Friday, both parties are vying for an approval from the UN Security Council and for a U.S. vote. Both Israel and Palestine have a long history of lobbying the U.S. and in the past year alone, the Palestinian Liberation Organization spent over one million on public relations. During the same time, Israel spent over $13 million on lobbying, public relations and related costs. Both interests contacted important policy makers and set up a vast PR campaign.

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8. Canadian government, oil interests keep close watch on oil pipeline verdict

   By Lindsay Young Aug 26, 2011 11:16 a.m.

   Environmental protesters gathered Wednesday in front of the White House calling to stop the extension of a crude oil pipeline, from the midwest to the Gulf coast ahead of a State deparment environmental study due to come out today. And with pressure from the Obama administration to resolve the deadlock to either go ahead with the project or not by the end of the year, the Canadian government has stepped up their lobbying efforts.

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9. A look back at Gaddafi’s lobbying as his regime falls

   By Lindsay Young Aug 22, 2011 2:31 p.m.

   Libyan rebel forces now hold most of Tripoli. Gaddafi’s sons have been captured but the eccentric Libyan dictator remains elusive.

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10. Egypt's transitional government lobbies on seeking funds, debt reduction

    By Lindsay Young Aug 18, 2011 11:06 a.m.

    While the Egyptian uprising earlier this year saw the ousting of long time leader Hosni Mubarak and ignited a mass movement across the Middle East, the regime change has not translated to a different approach to U.S. policy. Lobbying records filed by the hired guns of the Egyptian government show a seamless transition from promoting the Mubarak regime to the transitional military rule, seeking funds for Egypt and then asking for a reduction in Egypt’s debt burden.

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11. Suspicions of mortgage fraud on the rise

    By Lindsay Young Aug 4, 2011 2:44 p.m.

    In 2006 and 2007, at least 12 Riverside, Calif., residents with good credit found a real estate investment that seemed too good to be true. All they had to do was fill out a few forms and in return they could expect to receive checks of up to $50,000. The only problem was, the plan was a sham.

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12. Agencies slow to provide new data required by Dodd-Frank

    By Lindsay Young Jul 18, 2011 11:30 a.m.

    One year after passing Dodd Frank Financial reform, much of the work of reforming America’s financial system still lies ahead. This is not too surprising considering the sheer size of the legislation. The law created 243 rules and requires agencies to produce 67 studies, according to Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation. One-hundred-twenty-two deadlines are due between July 16 and July 21. 

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13. Sunlight Live to cover Rematch of the Elizabeth Warren Hearing

    By Lindsay Young Jul 13, 2011 6 a.m.

    If you didn't get your fill of fireworks on July 4, then be sure to tune in to a Capitol Hill fireworks display set for July 14. That's when Elizabeth Warren returns to Capitol Hill to defend her Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in front of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

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14. Palestinian lobbyists meet with key decision makers

    By Lindsay Young Jun 9, 2011 1:19 p.m.

    The Palestine Liberation Organization recently filed their bi-annual lobbying documents that show outreach to top decision makers, media and academia, and list meetings with up and coming policy leaders.

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Investigations by Sunlight Foundation reporter Lindsay Young