Document x5R09mp2dJO0VozmNnYjEYxRm

Conservative Donors," by NYT's Noam Scheiber and Ken Vogel: "In the summer of 2016, government workers in Illinois received a mailing that offered them tips on how to leave their union. By paying a so-called fair-share fee instead of standard union dues, the mailing said, they would no longer be bound by union rules and could not be punished for refusing to strike. 'To put it simply,' the document concluded, 'becoming a fair-share payer means you will have more freedom.' "The mailing, sent by a group called the Illinois Policy Institute, may have seemed like disinterested advice. In fact, it was one prong of a broader campaign against public sector unions, backed by some of the biggest donors on the right. It is an effort that will reach its apex on Monday, when the Supreme Court hears a case that could cripple public-sector unions by allowing the workers they represent to avoid paying fees. "One of the institute's largest donors is a foundation bankrolled by Richard Uihlein, an Illinois industrialist who has spent millions backing Republican candidates in recent years, including Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Gov. Bruce Rauner of Illinois. Tax filings show that Mr. Uihlein has also been the chief financial backer in recent years of the Liberty Justice Center, which represents Mark Janus, the Illinois child support specialist who is the plaintiff in the Supreme Court case." http://nyti.ms/2GJqsb0 L.A. TIMES: "Weinstein Co. is set to file for bankruptcy after sale talks collapse," by Ryan Faughnder: "Weinstein Co., the New York studio co-founded by Harvey Weinstein, will file for bankruptcy protection after last-ditch talks to sell its assets to an investor group collapsed, the company's board of directors said Sunday night. 'While we recognize that this is an extremely unfortunate outcome for our employees, our creditors and any victims, the Board has no choice but to pursue the only viable option to maximize the company's remaining value: an orderly bankruptcy process,' the board said in a statement." http://lat.ms/2Cmp5Rp ****** a message from Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs: Medicare Part D is working for seniors . An important part of the program's success comes from preferred pharmacy networks that promote quality and lower drug prices. Preferred pharmacy plans keep premiums low and are the most popular choice for seniors enrolled in Part D. But now, CMS is considering changes that would prevent seniors from choosing plans with preferred pharmacy networks. Tell CMS to stop proposed changes to Medicare Part D that would disrupt preferred pharmacy networks and hurt millions of seniors. Learn more. MONICA LEWINSKY in VANITY FAIR: "EMERGING FROM 'THE HOUSE OF GASLIGHT' IN THE AGE OF #METOO" http://bit.ly/2HOiVsM MEDIAWATCH - "Newsweek in Turmoil: Probe Into Finances and Ties to Bible College Widens," by WSJ's Lukas I. Alpert, Mark Maremont and Rebecca Davis O'Brien: "Two years ago, a loan application from the parent company of Newsweek raised the suspicions of an employee at a small Minnesota bank. The bank staffer's misgivings helped trigger what has become a wide-ranging fraud probe by the Manhattan district attorney's office, people familiar with the matter say. "The investigation has touched off an unraveling at Newsweek that has left one of the most storied brands in American media in crisis. It has expanded from an inquiry into suspected bank fraud to a look at possible advertising abuses and ties between the parent company, Newsweek Media Group, and a bible college in California." http://on.wsj.com/2sRiVEM PLAYBOOK ERS SPOTTED: Bernie Sanders on a 10:30 p.m. flight from Detroit to DCA, in coach. "Coming back from a weekend of rallies in Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan against the GOP tax bill (among other events)," per a tipster ... Ernest Moniz in first class on an American flight last night from BOS to DCA ... Heather Podesta in first class on an American flight to DCA from LAX; Tim Mak was in coach ... Marty Baron at the Landmark E Street Cinema. BIRTHDAYS OF THE DAY: Arden Farhi, CBS News White House producer and producer of Major Garrett's podcast "The Takeout". How he got his start in journalism: "I was a student runner for CBS News at the 2004 Bush-Kerry debate at Washington University in St. Louis (Go Bears!). I was 19 years old. A couple days before the debate, I overslept and forgot to get the crew breakfast. Somehow I'm still employed by CBS." Read his Playbook Plus Q&A: http://politi.co/2F32V7N --Bruce Cohen, co-founder of the nonprofit Talent Beyond Boundaries and an Arlen Specter alum. A trend he thinks deserves more attention: "Displacement of people through conflict, threat, extreme weather and technological developments. We are