money in politics

May 4, 2012 - In a critical election year, North Carolina state Sen. Don Vaughan is seeking the top leadership post in the state Democratic Party. He's also a member of the controversial right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council.

May 1, 2012 - In the face of growing controversy, the corporate-backed American Legislative Exchange Council still has allies in the dozens of politicians they've given awards to over the years. Who are the ALEC All-Stars in your state?

April 27, 2012 - Want proof that the corporate-backed American Legislative Exchange Council has a powerful say in state government? Look no further than South Carolina, where lawmakers specifically exempted the group from a lobbying ethics bill.

April 3, 2012 - Right-wing donors like the Koch brothers and Art Pope rail against the use of public money to level the campaign finance playing field. But their use of nonprofit charities -- which benefit from government subsidies -- for political activities is coming under growing scrutiny.

March 7, 2012 - Super PACs supporting three Republican presidential hopefuls spent more than $5 million in three Southern states heading into Super Tuesday. But some got more bang for their buck.

March 2, 2012 - A joint investigation into Art Pope's political empire wins an Investigative Reporting award from North Carolina's leading newspaper association, who call it a "fascinating study" of how Pope's singular influence "has shaped the lives of so many people."

February 15, 2012 - Students in Raleigh, North Carolina -- the home base of top Republican donor Art Pope -- are picketing Pope's stores, hoping to highlight a disconnect between his low-income, minority shoppers and the conservative agenda his money supports.