Yahoo and newspapers: One good screw deserves another

Yahoo and a consortium of 176 newspapers from seven chains have agreed to share content, advertising and technology, sayeth The New York Times this week.

Yahoo needed the deal to keep pace with Google, which signed a similar deal with 50 papers. So Yahoo climbs into bed beside an industry with a failed business model that Yahoo, Google, Craigslist, Emily’s List and other database-searchable sites helped kill.

The newspapers needed to find new sources of revenue. So they climb into bed with one of the online marauders that stuck the financial shiv into their business plans.

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Dems increase control of state legislatures

Speaking of redistricting …

From Statehouse.org:

Democratic statehouse victories paralleled the party’s coup in the U.S. House. Democrats now will control both legislative chambers in 23 states, more than they have held since 1994, up from 19 currently. Republicans will control both chambers in 16 state legislatures, down from 20 currently. Ten statehouses will be split between the parties, including dead-even ties in the Montana Senate and Oklahoma Senate, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Let’s begin watching redistricting battles. Remember, the Supreme Court in July ruled states can redistrict whenever they damn well please.

Watch the statehouse races, too

If you’re overwhelmed by election results tonight, join the club. But here’s something that hasn’t received much attention, thanks to the coverage of all the nastiness in Senate and House races.

According to CNN’s Political Ticker, Republicans control both legislative chambers in 20 states; Democrats control both chambers in 19 states. Interestingly, of the roughly 7,400 seats in state legislatures, CNN reports, the Dems hold an advantage of a mere 21 seats.

But here’s the kicker. Reports CNN:

The party that wins the helm in legislatures, particularly in states where it has control of both chambers, can not only shape the policy agenda but also get a key advantage in drawing congressional districts. That has taken on added importance since the Supreme Court ruled in June that states are free to redraw districts at any time, without waiting until after each decade’s national census. [emphasis added]

How the statehouse races go may have a significant effect on whether we go through this whole gerrymandered mess again in the next few years.

Check on the money at CRP

If you plan to write on the election today or its outcome in the next few days, consider visiting the Center for Responsive Politics Web site. You’ll find a nifty Election Night page.

Among its topics:

• total fundraising by federal candidates
• incumbent advantage in fundraising
• top overall donors by organization and industry
• financial profiles of all congressional races
• fundraising and spending by the national political party committees

The center recently increased its estimate of total spending for this election cycle from $2.6 billion to $2.8 billion.

And just wait ’til you see how much cash Hillary raised …