\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Iran retaliated by launching missiles on a U.S base located in Qatar, but there were no casualties. However, 657 individuals have previously died in Iran as a result of Israel-Iran conflicts, 263 of whom were civilians. In Iran there were 24 deaths as a result of Iran related attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Regional and global fallout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iran retaliated by launching missiles on a U.S base located in Qatar, but there were no casualties. However, 657 individuals have previously died in Iran as a result of Israel-Iran conflicts, 263 of whom were civilians. In Iran there were 24 deaths as a result of Iran related attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

This can be viewed by other countries as a license to do the same to nuclear facilities thus leading to preemptive attacks and the rise of new regional arms races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional and global fallout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iran retaliated by launching missiles on a U.S base located in Qatar, but there were no casualties. However, 657 individuals have previously died in Iran as a result of Israel-Iran conflicts, 263 of whom were civilians. In Iran there were 24 deaths as a result of Iran related attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Striking nuclear sites may undermine international norms established after World War II. UN experts have condemned the strikes, claiming they violate the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter and may be an act of aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be viewed by other countries as a license to do the same to nuclear facilities thus leading to preemptive attacks and the rise of new regional arms races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional and global fallout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iran retaliated by launching missiles on a U.S base located in Qatar, but there were no casualties. However, 657 individuals have previously died in Iran as a result of Israel-Iran conflicts, 263 of whom were civilians. In Iran there were 24 deaths as a result of Iran related attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Setting a dangerous precedent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Striking nuclear sites may undermine international norms established after World War II. UN experts have condemned the strikes, claiming they violate the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter and may be an act of aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be viewed by other countries as a license to do the same to nuclear facilities thus leading to preemptive attacks and the rise of new regional arms races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional and global fallout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iran retaliated by launching missiles on a U.S base located in Qatar, but there were no casualties. However, 657 individuals have previously died in Iran as a result of Israel-Iran conflicts, 263 of whom were civilians. In Iran there were 24 deaths as a result of Iran related attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Iran\u2019s parliament has voted to halt IAEA cooperation and is discussing withdrawal from the NPT. IAEA head Rafael Grossi cautioned that military assault on nuclear infrastructure threatens global monitoring and could have severe environmental fallout, particularly around sites like Bushehr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting a dangerous precedent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Striking nuclear sites may undermine international norms established after World War II. UN experts have condemned the strikes, claiming they violate the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter and may be an act of aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be viewed by other countries as a license to do the same to nuclear facilities thus leading to preemptive attacks and the rise of new regional arms races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional and global fallout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iran retaliated by launching missiles on a U.S base located in Qatar, but there were no casualties. However, 657 individuals have previously died in Iran as a result of Israel-Iran conflicts, 263 of whom were civilians. In Iran there were 24 deaths as a result of Iran related attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Non\u2011Proliferation Treaty in peril<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Iran\u2019s parliament has voted to halt IAEA cooperation and is discussing withdrawal from the NPT. IAEA head Rafael Grossi cautioned that military assault on nuclear infrastructure threatens global monitoring and could have severe environmental fallout, particularly around sites like Bushehr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting a dangerous precedent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Striking nuclear sites may undermine international norms established after World War II. UN experts have condemned the strikes, claiming they violate the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter and may be an act of aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be viewed by other countries as a license to do the same to nuclear facilities thus leading to preemptive attacks and the rise of new regional arms races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional and global fallout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iran retaliated by launching missiles on a U.S base located in Qatar, but there were no casualties. However, 657 individuals have previously died in Iran as a result of Israel-Iran conflicts, 263 of whom were civilians. In Iran there were 24 deaths as a result of Iran related attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Though early U.S. information indicates the strike only delayed Iran's nuclear progress by months, not years, satellite photographs of Fordow show six enormous craters atop the site. Iran\u2019s nuclear command claimed the core of its program remains intact and personnel were evacuated in time. The IAEA warns that destroying monitoring infrastructure could force inspections into a \u201ccat\u2011and\u2011mouse\u201d scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non\u2011Proliferation Treaty in peril<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Iran\u2019s parliament has voted to halt IAEA cooperation and is discussing withdrawal from the NPT. IAEA head Rafael Grossi cautioned that military assault on nuclear infrastructure threatens global monitoring and could have severe environmental fallout, particularly around sites like Bushehr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting a dangerous precedent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Striking nuclear sites may undermine international norms established after World War II. UN experts have condemned the strikes, claiming they violate the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter and may be an act of aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be viewed by other countries as a license to do the same to nuclear facilities thus leading to preemptive attacks and the rise of new regional arms races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional and global fallout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iran retaliated by launching missiles on a U.S base located in Qatar, but there were no casualties. However, 657 individuals have previously died in Iran as a result of Israel-Iran conflicts, 263 of whom were civilians. In Iran there were 24 deaths as a result of Iran related attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

What satellite imagery and assessments show<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Though early U.S. information indicates the strike only delayed Iran's nuclear progress by months, not years, satellite photographs of Fordow show six enormous craters atop the site. Iran\u2019s nuclear command claimed the core of its program remains intact and personnel were evacuated in time. The IAEA warns that destroying monitoring infrastructure could force inspections into a \u201ccat\u2011and\u2011mouse\u201d scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non\u2011Proliferation Treaty in peril<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Iran\u2019s parliament has voted to halt IAEA cooperation and is discussing withdrawal from the NPT. IAEA head Rafael Grossi cautioned that military assault on nuclear infrastructure threatens global monitoring and could have severe environmental fallout, particularly around sites like Bushehr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting a dangerous precedent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Striking nuclear sites may undermine international norms established after World War II. UN experts have condemned the strikes, claiming they violate the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter and may be an act of aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be viewed by other countries as a license to do the same to nuclear facilities thus leading to preemptive attacks and the rise of new regional arms races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional and global fallout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iran retaliated by launching missiles on a U.S base located in Qatar, but there were no casualties. However, 657 individuals have previously died in Iran as a result of Israel-Iran conflicts, 263 of whom were civilians. In Iran there were 24 deaths as a result of Iran related attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Assessing the damage and its limits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What satellite imagery and assessments show<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Though early U.S. information indicates the strike only delayed Iran's nuclear progress by months, not years, satellite photographs of Fordow show six enormous craters atop the site. Iran\u2019s nuclear command claimed the core of its program remains intact and personnel were evacuated in time. The IAEA warns that destroying monitoring infrastructure could force inspections into a \u201ccat\u2011and\u2011mouse\u201d scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non\u2011Proliferation Treaty in peril<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Iran\u2019s parliament has voted to halt IAEA cooperation and is discussing withdrawal from the NPT. IAEA head Rafael Grossi cautioned that military assault on nuclear infrastructure threatens global monitoring and could have severe environmental fallout, particularly around sites like Bushehr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting a dangerous precedent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Striking nuclear sites may undermine international norms established after World War II. UN experts have condemned the strikes, claiming they violate the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter and may be an act of aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be viewed by other countries as a license to do the same to nuclear facilities thus leading to preemptive attacks and the rise of new regional arms races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional and global fallout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iran retaliated by launching missiles on a U.S base located in Qatar, but there were no casualties. However, 657 individuals have previously died in Iran as a result of Israel-Iran conflicts, 263 of whom were civilians. In Iran there were 24 deaths as a result of Iran related attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

President Donald Trump called the mission a \u201cspectacular military success,\u201d claiming Iran\u2019s key enrichment sites were \u201ccompletely and totally obliterated.\u201d Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed his confidence, stating the attack had \u201cburied under a mountain of rubble\u201d Iran\u2019s capacity to pursue nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assessing the damage and its limits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What satellite imagery and assessments show<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Though early U.S. information indicates the strike only delayed Iran's nuclear progress by months, not years, satellite photographs of Fordow show six enormous craters atop the site. Iran\u2019s nuclear command claimed the core of its program remains intact and personnel were evacuated in time. The IAEA warns that destroying monitoring infrastructure could force inspections into a \u201ccat\u2011and\u2011mouse\u201d scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non\u2011Proliferation Treaty in peril<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Iran\u2019s parliament has voted to halt IAEA cooperation and is discussing withdrawal from the NPT. IAEA head Rafael Grossi cautioned that military assault on nuclear infrastructure threatens global monitoring and could have severe environmental fallout, particularly around sites like Bushehr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting a dangerous precedent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Striking nuclear sites may undermine international norms established after World War II. UN experts have condemned the strikes, claiming they violate the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter and may be an act of aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be viewed by other countries as a license to do the same to nuclear facilities thus leading to preemptive attacks and the rise of new regional arms races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional and global fallout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iran retaliated by launching missiles on a U.S base located in Qatar, but there were no casualties. However, 657 individuals have previously died in Iran as a result of Israel-Iran conflicts, 263 of whom were civilians. In Iran there were 24 deaths as a result of Iran related attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The United States launched Operation Midnight Hammer, a significant attack on Iran's nuclear installations<\/a> in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, on June 21, 2025. The attack involved seven B\u20112 stealth bombers dropping fourteen 30,000\u2011pound bunker\u2011buster bombs, supported by submarine\u2011launched Tomahawk missiles. These strikes marked a clear escalation in U.S. military intervention in the region following Israel\u2019s offensive on June 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Donald Trump called the mission a \u201cspectacular military success,\u201d claiming Iran\u2019s key enrichment sites were \u201ccompletely and totally obliterated.\u201d Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed his confidence, stating the attack had \u201cburied under a mountain of rubble\u201d Iran\u2019s capacity to pursue nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assessing the damage and its limits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What satellite imagery and assessments show<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Though early U.S. information indicates the strike only delayed Iran's nuclear progress by months, not years, satellite photographs of Fordow show six enormous craters atop the site. Iran\u2019s nuclear command claimed the core of its program remains intact and personnel were evacuated in time. The IAEA warns that destroying monitoring infrastructure could force inspections into a \u201ccat\u2011and\u2011mouse\u201d scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non\u2011Proliferation Treaty in peril<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Iran\u2019s parliament has voted to halt IAEA cooperation and is discussing withdrawal from the NPT. IAEA head Rafael Grossi cautioned that military assault on nuclear infrastructure threatens global monitoring and could have severe environmental fallout, particularly around sites like Bushehr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting a dangerous precedent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Striking nuclear sites may undermine international norms established after World War II. UN experts have condemned the strikes, claiming they violate the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter and may be an act of aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be viewed by other countries as a license to do the same to nuclear facilities thus leading to preemptive attacks and the rise of new regional arms races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional and global fallout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iran retaliated by launching missiles on a U.S base located in Qatar, but there were no casualties. However, 657 individuals have previously died in Iran as a result of Israel-Iran conflicts, 263 of whom were civilians. In Iran there were 24 deaths as a result of Iran related attacks in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia and Russia described the U.S action as being titillating and a dangerously provocative move. UN Secretary General Anto Guterres asked for restraint and diplomacy. The brittle ceasefire still hangs precariously as both sides are threatening to act anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear and environmental hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although such attacks did not target reactor plants, only the enrichment sites, the example bothers analysts. The warnings issued by the IAEA on the compounding effect of radio absorbent risks reiterates on the dangers posed by targeting nuclear facilities to those within the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legality and international norms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Legal scholars have pointed out that the strike violates not just the NPT but also the UN Charter\u2019s prohibition on war aggression. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of infringing on Iran\u2019s sovereignty and international law, declaring: \u201cIran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, stating: \u201cCongratulations, President Trump. Your courageous choice to strike Iran's nuclear installations\u2026 will alter history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategic trade\u2011offs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. framed the strike as necessary<\/a> to halt Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions and protect Israel. Secretary Hegseth said the strikes \u201cobliterated Iran\u2019s ability to create nuclear weapons,\u201d while Vance added that Iran is \u201cmuch further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, intelligence estimates and analysts suggest any delay to Iran\u2019s program is temporary. Without effective monitoring, Iran may now accelerate its efforts in secret, risking global stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voices from civil society and analysts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Environmental and humanitarian groups caution that military strikes could harm humanitarian efforts and undermine long-standing nuclear negotiations. They stress that destabilizing the nuclear extensions could spark regional proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A defining moment for global nuclear order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These events mark a turning point in international nuclear norms. The operation\u2019s immediate success does not eliminate long\u2011term risks. Possible disintegration of non\u2011proliferation regimes and the precedence of the law to attack nuclear facilities deserve attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran's actions following the strike, including its determination to leave the NPT and to obstruct inspections, demonstrate how the military can yield short-term gains while devoting those gains to long-term security. Absent the renewal of diplomacy and the establishment of effective methods of verification, the world runs the threat of downhill into the growing proliferation and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Why U.S. bombing risks global nuclear instability?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"why-u-s-bombing-risks-global-nuclear-instability","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-07-03 07:07:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8170","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8163,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content":"\n

The U.S. Senate cut the suggested remittance tax from 5% to 1 % and MAGA supporters are outraged, asking <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\"Who is lobbying Republicans?\" <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

to get a deal for this benefit for immigrant communities sending money abroad? The cut has raised questions about the influence of special interests and diaspora lobbies in the late night theatrics in front of Republican lawmaker during the soft closing of the \"One Big Beautiful Bill.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the original proposal for the remittance tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning, the tax reform plan conceptualized during the Trump administration proposed a 5% tax on international remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens. The purpose of the tax was to generate federal revenue. The tax would have applied to a wide scope of money transfers out of the U.S. The proposal also included cash as well as electronically sent remittances. The previous proposal and subsequent proposal sparked controversy with critics arguing they would disadvantage immigrant families making remittances to support family members overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the remittance tax change through the legislative process?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The House of Representatives lowered the tax to 3.5% and included exemptions for some types of transfers. Then, the Senate cut the tax down to 1%, and only from cash or physical payment methods, exempting transfers from U.S. bank accounts and domestic debit\/credit cards. This seriously limited the scope and potential revenue of the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are MAGA supporters upset about the tax reduction?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MAGA-oriented critics are interpreting the decline from 5% to 1% as bending to lobbying, and calling into question the integrity of those supporting the reduction. They are raising up the concern that the tax reduction benefits immigrant communities without respect to wider tax-neutral satisfactory fiscal responsibility, even accusing republicans of listening to big interest groups or diaspora lobbyists. This is reflected in the sentiment of reading and hearing and misattributed erosion of comment to embrace a facetious ubiquitous question: \u201cWho is lobbying Republicans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which groups might have influenced the Senate\u2019s decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there has been no formal announcement naming specific lobbyists, there is consensus that Diaspora advocacy organizations, especially those representing Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), among other immigrant groups, sought out legislative interventions to preserve remittance flows. Commercial banks and remittance services could have logically advocated for exemptions on electronic transfer transactions to sustain levels of volume. Legitimately, some political actors within the Republicans themselves, maybe, did not want to stigmatize immigrant voters or constituencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the broader political implications of this tax cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cut on remittance taxes comes as part of a larger bipartisan Republican-driven tax and spending package referred to as the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill\u201d and hastily passed in time for the July 4th deadline. The heated debate over the remittance tax indicates internal conflict among the Republican party between fiscally conservative representatives and more pragmatic politicians who recognize the reality of the state's fiscal situation, the growing political clout of immigrant communities and their advocacy groups on U.S. policy issues, and the challenges political officials have in balancing the need for tax revenue with the various political pressures they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this mean for immigrant communities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For immigrant families sending money overseas, the 1% tax (which is confined mostly to cash transfers) is much less than many expected, and will represent a small fraction of the true cost. Most remittances sent through banks or digital platforms are exempt from the 1% tax<\/a>, and so the funds needed to facilitate remittances can continue to be sent around the world, impacting millions of households. There will still be additional costs for some cash-based remitters.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Who is lobbying Republicans to slash the remittance tax?","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"who-is-lobbying-republicans-to-slash-the-remittance-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:34:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8163","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8156,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content":"\n

As part of a drastic overhaul to protect human rights and prevent a global disaster, a top UN expert is advocating for criminal sanctions against anyone spreading false information about the climate problem, as well as a complete prohibition on lobbying and advertising by the fossil fuel<\/a> sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN special rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera, is presenting her damning new report to the general assembly in Geneva on Monday. She contends that wealthy fossil fuel nations, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are legally required by international law to phase out oil, gas, and coal completely by 2030 and to make amends to communities for the harms they have caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to fossil fuel exploration, subsidies, investments, and phoney tech solutions that will bind future generations to polluting and increasingly expensive coal, oil, and gas, fracking, oil sands, and gas flaring should all be prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do fossil fuels violate human rights obligations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite overwhelming evidence of the interlinked, intergenerational, severe and widespread human rights impacts of the fossil fuel life cycle \u2026 these countries have and are still accruing enormous profits from fossil fuels, and are still not taking decisive action,\u201d said Morgera, professor of global environmental law at the University of Strathclyde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese countries are responsible for not having prevented the widespread human rights harm arising from climate change and other planetary crises we are facing \u2013 biodiversity loss, plastic pollution and economic inequalities \u2013 caused by fossil fuels extraction, use and waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What legal duties do rich fossil fuel nations face?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis and other environmental harms associated with the extraction, transportation, and use of fossil fuels for energy, fuel, plastics, and synthetic fertilisers have exacerbated the harms already experienced by island nations, Indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable communities, who have benefited the least from fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, there is ample evidence that the fossil fuel industry\u2014which includes coal, oil, gas, fertilizers, and plastics\u2014causes serious, extensive, and cumulative harm to nearly every human right, including the rights to life, self-determination, health, food, water, housing, education, information, and livelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morgera argues for the \"defossilization\" of our whole economy, which means that fossil fuels should be eliminated from all spheres of life, including politics, economics, food, media, technology, and knowledge. She contends that the shift to clean energy is insufficient to address the pervasive and growing damages brought about by fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should governments ban fossil fuel lobbying and promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

States are required by current international human rights legislation to educate their populations about the pervasive damages caused by fossil fuels and the fact that<\/a> the best approach to combat the climate issue is to phase out the usage of coal, oil, and gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By spreading false information, attacking climate scientists and activists, and controlling democratic decision-making platforms like the yearly UN climate talks, the industry and its allies have systematically blocked access to this knowledge and meaningful climate action for 60 years. People also have a right to know about this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fossil fuel playbook has undermined the protection of all human rights that are negatively impacted by climate change for over six decades,\u201d said Morgera in the imperative of defossilizing our economies report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States must outlaw lobbying and advertisements for fossil fuels, criminalise the fossil fuel industry, media, and advertising companies for spreading false information, and impose severe penalties for assaults on climate activists who are increasingly the targets of physical violence, cyberbullying, and malicious lawsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea level rise, desertification, drought, melting glaciers, intense heat, floods, and other climate-related effects are posing an increasing threat to communities worldwide. In addition, every stage of the fossil fuel lifecycle is linked to biodiversity loss, water shortages, fatal air pollution, and the forced relocation of rural and Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n","post_title":"UN official calls for fossil fuel ad ban, disinformation crackdown, lobbying prohibition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-official-calls-for-fossil-fuel-ad-ban-disinformation-crackdown-lobbying-prohibition","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:22:13","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8156","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8149,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content":"\n

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson\u2019s effort to build a Springfield lobbying team has drawn ethics questions due to the involvement of lobbyists whose contracts with the city remain \"pending,\" raising concerns about transparency and compliance with state registration rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following repeated questions about the composition of his intergovernmental relations team in Springfield, Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration defended the practice of his inner circle working with outside lobbyists who were not registered to lobby on the city's behalf in the Illinois General Assembly. Since lobbyists are required by state law to declare all of the clients they represent, this absence of official registration has drawn attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why weren\u2019t Chicago\u2019s lobbyists registered in Springfield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Arena, Johnson\u2019s newly appointed director for intergovernmental affairs in Springfield, defended the arrangement by stating that the contracts with the city were still \"pending\" and thus the lobbyists were not yet required to register Chicago as a client. Arena described Purchase\u2019s role as \"facilitating\" lobbying efforts rather than formally representing the city, while Bass and Williams were engaged in their capacities as lobbyists for the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Transit Authority, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role did unregistered lobbyists play for Johnson?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite these explanations, state ethics officials could view the failure to update registrations as a violation, potentially leading to legal consequences. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Johnson\u2019s lobbying strategy, especially given previous controversies involving lobbyist donations to his political committee, which also raised ethics concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Springfield sources and email records, during the most recent session, three lobbyists\u2014Lakeisha Purchase, Frank Bass, and Vincent Williams\u2014coordinated with senior Johnson officials. However, prior to the adjournment of the Illinois General Assembly on June 1, they failed to renew their state registration to include the city as one of its lobbying clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the employment of these unregistered lobbyists was legal, state authorities may be breaking the law if they discover that the three failed to adequately disclose that they were representing the city's interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concerns do watchdogs raise about Johnson\u2019s lobbying?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of government transparency advocate Reform for Illinois and a registered lobbyist herself, stated in an email that it is more difficult to determine<\/a> whether the lobbyists are abiding by ethics regulations because it is unclear how much of the group's work was done directly for the Johnson administration. The Illinois State Capitol has some of the laxest lobbying <\/a>laws in the nation and is well-known for backroom scheming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should lobbyist work be disclosed before contracts are finalised?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to inform the public about who is being paid to influence their politicians, lobbyists are required to register. And that information should be made available to the public during the event, not after it has already occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is required that anybody lobbying elected officials on behalf of the City who is being paid or anticipates receiving payment do so. There is no justification for delays in contract approval. Otherwise, the public would be unaware of who is pushing for whom, and a whole parliamentary session may pass while a contract is being approved. Because sibling agencies have overlapping interests and need specialised knowledge, lobbyists may represent several of them simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Chicago Mayor Johnson faces ethics concerns over lobbyist ties","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chicago-mayor-johnson-faces-ethics-concerns-over-lobbyist-ties","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:06:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8149","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":8142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_date_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content":"\n

In an attempt to sell a $12 million New York apartment, Donald Trump<\/a>'s real estate company is assisting Roche, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies<\/a> in the nation. This agreement appears to be yet another conflict of interest for the 47th president of the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why has the condo remained unsold for years?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After several years of being on and off the market, the apartment located on the 39th level of the <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle has yet to be sold. Up until late last month, it was listed by Sotheby's, a separate real estate company, according to real estate websites. It was for sale on the website of Trump International Realty at the time. Trump's company would probably receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees if it sold at the current asking price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upscale 3,000-square-foot property was purchased by the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth Roche in 2006, according to New York real estate records. Along with \"lacquered custom tray ceilings with custom lighting, custom pocket doors, Steinway black lacquered doors, Corian counters, subzero refrigerator, Wolf convection oven, wine cooler, and marble bath,\" the two-bedroom apartment has \"sweeping views of Central Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's unknown why Roche, which has offices all throughout the US, bought the building in the first place or why it recently sought assistance from Trump's real estate company. The Trump Organization and Karina Lynch, a lawyer at the influential firm DLA Piper, who was just named the Trump Organization's \"outside ethics adviser,\" didn't either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much commission could Trump\u2019s firm potentially earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it's not the president's most lucrative business, Trump International Realty is nevertheless quite successful. According to Trump's most recent financial disclosure declaration, the business made $2.4 million last year and boasted a \"luxury portfolio\" comprised of \"exclusive listings.\" Trump's children hold the remaining 55% of the company. Ten residences in New York are up for sale right now, with a total advertised price of $42.6 million. The majority are in opulent structures bearing the Trump name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most expensive unit is definitely the Roche condo. However, there are also some concerns about the second-most costly, a $6.6 million apartment in the Trump Parc complex nearby. A firm located in the British Virgin Islands has held the unit since 2001, according to real estate records. It's unknown who the person or people behind that business are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although a real estate company's commission on a transaction might vary, according to real estate websites, the average seller's commission in New York is about 2.7 percent. At that rate, the Trumps' real estate company could make almost $323,000 in fees if Roche's apartment were sold for the asking price of $11,950,000. Additionally, selling the enigmatic Trump Parc unit may generate an additional $178,000. It's unclear how much of those commissions would be kept by the Trumps and how much would go straight to the individual real estate brokers working for Trump International Realty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are Trump\u2019s business ties influencing his presidency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trump administration has significant control over pharmaceutical prices and new product approvals, and Roche has extensive and intricate interests in Washington, DC. Last year, the pharmaceutical business and its subsidiaries spent over $10.7 million on lobbying, making it one of the biggest spenders on K Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business reported spending close to $3.6 million on federal lobbying in the first three months of 2025. The internal lobbying team of Genentech received the majority of such expenditures. Miller Strategies, a K Street company with ties to MAGA, was also engaged<\/a> by Genentech in March to influence the Executive Office of the President and other government agencies. Roche's total expenditures on lobbyists this year are barely outside the top 25 of any special interest and rank sixth in the pharmaceutical sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has consistently failed to divest from his companies, despite long-standing calls from ethics experts to do so. Experts point out that conflict-of-interest regulations would make it illegal for any government official to retain a stake in a company like Trump International Realty, except for the president and vice president.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Pharma giant Roche hires Trump firm Realty to offload luxury condo","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pharma-giant-roche-hires-trump-firm-realty-to-offload-luxury-condo","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-30 20:41:27","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=8142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":40},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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