Kansas Watchdog

Kansas Watchdog, formerly "Kansas Reporter," is a Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity "Watchdog Bureau." It was founded by the Kansas Policy Institute, a member of the State Policy Network. The Franklin Center funds reporters in over 40 states. Despite their non-partisan description, many of the websites funded by the Franklin Center have received criticism for their conservative bias. On its website, the Franklin Center clams that it "provides 10 percent of all daily reporting from state capitals nationwide."

Funding
The Franklin Center was launched by the Chicago-based Sam Adams Alliance (SAM), a 501(c)(3) devoted to pushing free-market ideals. SAM gets funding from the State Policy Network, which is partially funded by rhe Claude R. Lambe Foundation. Charles Koch, one of the billionaire brothers who co-own Koch Industries, sits on the board of this foundation. SAM also receives funding from the Rodney Fund. The Franklin Center also receives funding from the Wisconsin-based Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, a conservative grant-making organization.

Related SourceWatch Articles

 * Kansas Policy Institute
 * State Policy Network
 * Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity
 * American Legislative Exchange Council

Related PRWatch Articles

 * Sara Jerving, Franklin Center: Right-Wing Funds State News Source, PRWatch.org, October 27, 2011.