Latest Lobbying News

An ex-gun lobbyist is revising New Zealand's gun laws, tightened after the 2019 mosque attack

Jun. 21, 2024 06:27 AM EDT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s government will overhaul the tighter gun laws introduced after a deadly mass shooting by a white supremacist five years ago, because they put excessive burdens on gun owners who feel vilified by law enforcement and the public, the lawmaker leading...

Planned Parenthood Oregon leaders plan to dissolve political arm, sparking concerns about advocacy

Jun. 12, 2024 15:15 PM EDT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The new leaders of Oregon's two Planned Parenthood affiliates want to dissolve the political arm of their organization to focus more on providing health care, a move that has sparked inner turmoil and opposition from advocates concerned about the future of reproductive...

Will Japanese women be able to keep their maiden names after marriage? Major lobby demands change

Jun. 12, 2024 02:22 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — A powerful Japanese business lobby is calling on the government to allow married couples to keep dual surnames, saying the lack of freedom to do so hinders women’s advancement and has even become a business risk. In Japan, each wedded pair has to legally adopt one...

Biden and gun control advocates want to flip an issue long dominated by the NRA

Jun. 11, 2024 16:30 PM EDT

ATLANTA (AP) — Groups pushing tighter gun laws have been building political muscle through multiple elections, boosted by the outcry following mass shootings at schools and other public places, in addition to the nation's daily gun violence. Now, gun control advocates and many...

Editorial Roundup: New England

Jun. 07, 2024 07:11 AM EDT

Portland Press Herald. May 31, 2024. Editorial: Fearlessness of exactly the wrong kind from Sen. Susan Collins In attempting to undermine the judicial system and fanning the flames of anti-establishment rabble-rousing and worse, the senator has nailed her colors to...

Kansas leaders and new group ramp up efforts to lure the Kansas City Chiefs from Missouri

Jun. 04, 2024 20:45 PM EDT

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Kansas legislators have intensified efforts to woo the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs by offering to let the professional football franchise shape a plan for using state bonds to finance a new stadium in Kansas. Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins and...

Kosovo criticizes Council of Europe for not holding a vote on its membership, blames Serbia lobbying

May. 17, 2024 11:39 AM EDT

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo on Friday criticized the Council of Europe 's decision against holding a vote on its membership, saying it deprived its people and especially its ethnic minorities of democratic tools offered by the continent’s top human rights body. Kosovo’s...

New York appeals court rules ethics watchdog that pursued Cuomo was created unconstitutionally

May. 09, 2024 14:32 PM EDT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A state commission that investigates ethical violations in New York was created unconstitutionally, an appeals court said Thursday in a ruling in favor of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo that targets the watchdog agency’s enforcement powers. Cuomo is fighting in...

Ohio state lawmaker's hostile behavior justified legislative punishments, report concludes

Apr. 08, 2024 11:39 AM EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An independent state-ordered investigation has concluded that Ohio legislative leaders were justified in disciplining a state lawmaker who was removed by House Democratic leadership from committees and banned from contacting staff following an alleged pattern of “erratic...

In the Kansas House, when lobbyists ask for new laws, their names go on the bills

Mar. 26, 2024 00:07 AM EDT

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — For years, pinning down the source of a bill in the Kansas Legislature could be a chore for lawmakers' constituents. Committees sponsor almost 85% of the proposals, so finding the group or lobbyist responsible could require questioning multiple lawmakers or, in recent years,...