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The Voter’s Speakeasy featuring unbiased reporting and insight into life at Vote Smart from our staff, interns, and volunteers.

July Common Ground E-Newsletter

2012 July 13



Independence Day on the Great Divide Ranch

This 4th of July, interns and staff joined in the fun at our annual BBQ. We started the day with a scavenger hunt, where participants had to walk, run and row to find clues hidden all over the ranch. This was swiftly followed by a water balloon toss, before we were all treated to a delicious feast prepared by our Lodge Manager and part-time chef, Rachel. We all enjoyed the festivities and the weather stayed warm and sunny throughout.

For more information on our National Internship Program, click here. 

Keeping Up with Congress

By Julia Michaels 
Legislative Research Director 

Quick question: how often do you sit down to read through a piece of legislation? If you're like most people, the answer is probably: not very often. State legislatures and Congress act every day to address important issues through public policy. Vast quantities of bills are making their way through the legislative process that may have a significant impact on your community or your own daily life. Have you ever wondered what lawmakers are doing to address texting while driving, for example, or the concealed carry of firearms? What about pollution, abortion, health care, or the budget? The average American doesn't have the time or patience to wade through hundreds of pages of legalese, and even experienced readers can get bogged down. So if you want to know what your government is doing, who should you turn to? Project Vote Smart's legislation page, of ...

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Comments on The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590)

2012 June 27

The Supreme Court are expected to announce their decision on the constitutionality of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 this week. Read some recent comments on this issue here.

Standing Your Ground Across The States

2012 June 12

The February 26 shooting of Trayvon Martin has ignited a media firestorm surrounding so-called “stand your ground” or “castle doctrine” laws in the United States. 

April Common Ground E-Newsletter

2012 April 24

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Washington legislature legalizes same-sex marriage

2012 February 28

Legislators describe the difficulties of choosing sides in contentious and emotionally-charged debate. 

Is pizza a vegetable?

2011 December 08

"...an increase in the amount of tomato paste required for the paste to be considered a serving of vegetables." Do you agree? 

'Supercommittee' misses deadline

2011 November 22

The U.S. Congress Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction was established with the goal of improving both the short and long term financial outlook of the US and reducing the deficit “...by at least $1,500,000,000 over the period of fiscal years 2012 to 2021” But they missed their deadline...

Help us expand our legislative research

2011 November 21

Our Legislative Research Department’s primary responsibility of tracking legislation at the state and federal levels has been so well-received that we are thinking about expanding to other areas that might be useful to voters, but we need your input.

Health care: What are the candidates saying?

2011 November 14

Research intern Julie Bissinger takes a closer look at what the 2012 presidential candidates have said recently on the issue of health care.

2009 Spending/Tax/Bonds Ballot Measures: Reviews and Results

2009 November 14 - Stefan

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