The use of anonymously financed ‘friend of the court’ briefs at the Supreme Court has increased over time. This essay examines these amicus briefs and their dark-money impact on not just the court but American politics in general. Despite their good intentions, these regulations, as construed by the courts, contain a fundamental loophole: designed to restrict anonymous donations, any funding set for “preparing or submitting the brief” needs to be disclosed; thus, any funding not earmarked for “formatting, printing, and delivering” the brief can be kept anonymous. Read full article here
Technology
The First Solar-Powered Car Comes at a Hot Price
The Lightyear O is a revolutionary electric car powered by the sun. Developed by a Dutch startup, the four-door sedan has over 50 square feet of solar panels on its roof and hood, generating up to 43 miles of energy a day. With production now underway in Finland, the car does come with a hefty price tag at $262,000, but the company hopes to introduce a more affordable version, the Lightyear 2, by 2025. Read full article here
Merv
January 27, 2023
