money in politics

February 14, 2018 - The news that North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest solicited millions of dollars from a Durham businessman for supposedly "independent" political groups highlights loopholes in state campaign finance law that need to be closed.

February 12, 2018 - Eight years since the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision lifting limits on political spending, wealthy interests have gained even more influence over elections while transparency has suffered. But grassroots efforts are underway to shift power back to ordinary citizens.

January 5, 2018 - The Trump administration announced an aggressive proposal to bring offshore drilling to Southern states where governors oppose it, despite a federal law that says their wishes should be considered. Governors, both Democrat and Republican, say they plan to fight it.

November 2, 2017 - Since winning veto-proof supermajorities in both legislative chambers, North Carolina's Republican lawmakers have passed numerous laws that the judiciary has struck down — so guess who they're gunning for now.

October 31, 2017 - Political observers are keeping a close eye on Virginia's governor's race for signals about next year's midterms. But it's not the only critical seat up for grabs in November's off-year elections. Here are seven key races, state and local, to watch across the South.

October 19, 2017 - Virginia is one of only six states in the country that don't limit individual or corporate donations to candidates, and the campaigns of Democrat Ralph Northam and Republican Ed Gillespie are taking advantage of that.

August 11, 2017 - Unless state leaders take action to protect ratepayers, the multibillion-dollar financial burden of SCE&G's canceled nuclear reactors will fall most heavily on those who can least afford it.