civitas institute

April 3, 2013 - Over the last week, GOP lawmakers have unleashed a flurry of bills that would make sweeping changes to North Carolina elections. They share a common message - and a common sponsor, backed by one of the state's biggest political donors.

March 6, 2013 - Once again, Southern states are pushing to enact new voting restrictions including voter ID laws. But has the public debate changed?

February 6, 2013 - Conservative mega-donor Art Pope has helped finance a movement to discredit mainstream climate science. Now North Carolina's budget director, he will help make important fiscal decisions for a state facing serious threats from climate change.

January 30, 2013 - Every December, the family foundation run by GOP mega-donor Art Pope publicizes the money it gives to the arts and community services. But it rarely mentions its grants to conservative groups and causes -- even though they make up 70% of the Pope Foundation's philanthropy.

January 25, 2013 - North Carolina and Louisiana are among the states considering a plan to eliminate corporate and personal income taxes. But analyses of the plan and other work by its author find serious flaws -- and one of the plan's own financiers is distancing himself from it publicly.

December 21, 2012 - Wealthy Republican donor Art Pope has been building influence and clout for years in North Carolina. Appointed this week to direct the state's budget, he now finds himself with his hands on the levers of power.

November 21, 2012 - Conservative donor Art Pope's money helped the GOP take control of North Carolina's legislature in 2010. In 2012, Pope's family, business and groups helped fuel even bigger Republican gains in the battleground state.