On Tuesday, May 22nd the Senate State Government Committee took a small step in the right direction toward fixing our broken redistricting process, but there is much more work to be done. Committee Chairs Mike Folmer, Anthony Williams and their colleagues responded to the outcry of Senator Lisa Boscola, concerned citizens, and reformers to fix the dysfunctional way Pennsylvania handles the drawing of congressional and legislative districts.

Common Cause applauds the Senate for passing the joint resolution to restore net neutrality. Special thanks to Senator Markey, Senator Schumer and others for their leadership on this important resolution to undo the FCC’s net neutrality repeal.

Statement of Michael Copps, former FCC Commissioner & Common Cause Special Advisor With the discharge petition filed, the Senate has an opportunity to take a major step forward in restoring the net neutrality rules.  The internet belongs to everyone and is vital to a functioning democracy. Whether accessing news and information, applying for jobs, starting a business, or doing homework, millions of Americans rely on equal access to the internet. It’s no surprise that the most recent polls show an overwhelming majority of Americans support the net neutrality rules. With this Senate vote, the American people will know who’s looking out for them and who’s looking out for the interests of the big internet service providers. People back home are watching, Senators, and they will remember in November how you voted in May.

Tonight, Ohio voters approved a historic state constitutional amendment that will institute strong protections against partisan political gerrymandering in congressional redistricting. After democracy advocates collected over 200,000 signatures to place a redistricting initiative on the 2018 ballot, the Ohio General Assembly voted to place Issue 1 on the May ballot with a strong bipartisan vote. Today Ohioans voted to ratify the measure.

Rudy Giuliani tonight put President Trump in legal peril for “knowing and willful” violations of campaign finance law related to hush money payments to adult film actress Stephanie Clifford (a.k.a., Stormy Daniels). Giuliani, as a member of President Trump’s legal team, told Fox News tonight that President Trump repaid his lawyer Michael Cohen the $130,000 that Cohen had paid Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet just prior to the 2016 presidential general election.

A proposed merger between Sprint and T-Mobile would pose significant public interest harms for consumers. The merger would cut the number of national wireless carriers from four to three, which would reduce competition in the wireless marketplace. Consumers would see no benefit to a marketplace where Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile call all of the shots. Instead, consumers can expect to pay higher prices and see fewer competitive options in the marketplace. Low-income consumers and other vulnerable communities seeking more affordable mobile communications services would be particularly hurt from the merger.