The 89th Texas Legislature adjourned sine die on June 2. Lawmakers passed various bills related to lobbyists.  House Bill 119 requires registration for lobbying on the behalf of a foreign adversary and prohibits compensation for lobbying activities on the behalf of a foreign adversary. Another passed bill, Senate Bill 2781, establishes a penalty for political contributions or political expenditures made or authorized in violation of the prohibition on lobbyist contributions. If approved by Gov. Abbott both bills will be effective September 1.

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Gov. Glenn Youngkin has called for a special election in U.S. House District 11 to replace Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, who passed away on May 21. The election will be held on September 9.

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Campaign Finance

California: “Meals, Hotels, Office Supplies: City leaders want to be able to raise more money for ‘officeholder’ expenses” by Eli Wolfe and Natalie Orenstein (Oaklandside) for MSN

National: “Tester, Weintraub Join Democratic Organization to Counter Corruption” by Filip Timotija (The Hill) for MSN

Elections

Texas: “Failure of Texas Proof-of-Citizenship Law Is Not the End” by Patrick Marley and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

California: “Lurie Campaigned as an Ethics Crusader. Now He’s Gutting SF’s Top Watchdog” by Fitzgerald Rodriguez and Gabe Greschler for San Francisco Standard

Connecticut: “Lamont Aide Jonny Dach Misused State Vehicle, Investigation Finds” by Mark Pazniokas (Connecticut Mirror) for MSN

National: “Discrimination Cases Unravel as Trump Scraps Core Civil Rights Tenet” by Julian Mark and Laura Meckler (Washington Post) for MSN

Illinois: “Responding to Supreme Court, Lawmakers Look to Expand Lawsuit Protections for Press” by Bridgette Fox (Capitol News Illinois) for WTTW

Massachusetts: “Ex-Massachusetts State Police Union President, Lobbyist Get Some Convictions Reversed” by Rick Sobey (Boston Herald) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “Trump Pardons Drive a Big, Burgeoning Business for Lobbyists” by Matt Dixon (NBC News) for MSN

At State and Federal Communications, we equate Joseph May with Corporate Social Responsibility. Joe started on the staff in 2007 working in our social media department. He took—what I call a brief leave of absence to train as a hospital chaplain in 2017. He realized it was not the full-time position he needed and returned to State and Federal, in our new department of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). And nothing has been the same.

We have defined CSR as our company’s efforts to operate in an ethical and sustainable way, considering its impact on society, the environment, and the economy. It goes beyond simply making a profit – it is about doing business in a way that benefits people and the planet.

This month, you will receive our 2024 Annual Report on our corporate social responsibility programs. It will show how State and Federal Communications has been involved locally, in the states, and nationally to show how we are corporate citizens wherever we go.

The work we do with United Way Summit/Medina is second to none. UWSM can count on us to help with donations to students with school supplies. We make sure our Akron Canton Foodbank and Good Samaritans have the food and help needed to distribute food to those in need. There are so many ways we can all help.

What we have found about CSR is easy to list:

• CSR improves brand reputation and trust.
• CSR increases customer and employee loyalty.
• CSR reduces regulatory and legal risks.
• CSR opens new market opportunities.
• CSR enhances long-term profitability.

In short, CSR is about businesses being good corporate citizens—not just focusing on what they can gain, but also on how they can give back.

We hope you enjoy our 2024 Annual Report. Call us at 330-761-9960 if you do not receive it—either digitally or printed. We will share it with everyone.

Until next month, enjoy your month.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz
@elizabethbartz

The 83^rd Nevada Legislature adjourned sine die on June 3. During the session, a couple of bills passed relating to the state’s campaign finance law. Assembly Bill 73 requires certain communications with synthetic media to contain a specified disclosure. Assembly Bill 79 revises various aspects of the campaign finance law and establishes a contribution limit of $5,000 for a special election other than a recall election. This contribution limit is applicable regardless of the number of candidates for the office, or whether the special election is held on the same day as a primary election or general election. Both bills have been sent to the governor, and if signed become effective January 1, 2026. This does affect lobbying reporting. The termination and final report is due July 3.

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Beginning on January 1, 2026, third parties running partisan election advertisements will have to register with Quebec’s Chief Electoral Officer. On May 30, Quebec’s Bill 98, the Act to Amend the Election Act Primarily to Preserve the Integrity of the Electoral Process, received royal assent.

Third party advertisers with expenses totaling more than $1,000 will have to register with the Chief Electoral Officer by sending a notice of intent. Following the election, they will have to submit a statement of their advertising expenses. The public will be able to view a list of registered third parties and their statements on the Elections Québec website.

The bill also changes political party activity reporting, imposes an obligation to destroy personal information relating to voters in certain circumstances, and makes it an offence for anyone disseminating certain information that they know to be false with the intent to influence the results of an election, disrupt its conduct, or compromise public confidence in the electoral process.

New changes in the legislation will be in effect by October 5, 2026, the date of Quebec’s next scheduled provincial elections.

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Ethics

Arkansas: “Trump Pardons Former Arkansas Lawmaker Who Took Bribes from Springfield Nonprofit” by Marta Mieze for Springfield News-Leader

California: “‘That Person Will Absolutely Become the Most Powerful Person’: LA looks for a new king” by Emily Schultheis (Politico) for MSN

National: “Ernst Posts Snarky Reply After Telling Town Hall ‘We All Are Going to Die'” by Mariana Alfaro (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump’s Law Firm Sanctions, Harshly Rejected in Court, Still Have Impact” by Mark Berman (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump Administration to Prioritize ‘Patriotic Americans’ for Federal Jobs” by Robin Bravender (Politico) for MSN

Florida: “Judge Orders J.C. Planas to Pay First-Ever Fine for Filing ‘Frivolous’ Miami-Dade Ethics Complaint” by Jesse Scheckner for Florida Politics

Washington: “New Rules for WA Lawmakers with Conflicts of Interest” by Shauna Sowersby for Seattle Times

Lobbying

Texas: “U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear GOP Activist’s Lawsuit Challenging Texas Ethics Commission’s Lobbying Fine” by Kate McGee (Texas Tribune) for MSN

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted to initiate the formal rulemaking process to amend the state Code of Ethics Gift Rule. Proposed amendments include restricting registered lobbyists from giving gifts to state officials and employees and increasing maximum allowable gift values. The commission will now prepare amended regulations and file a notice of proposed rulemaking for public comment with the Office of Secretary of State. The public comment period will last for a minimum of 30 days before a vote to adopt the finalized amendments will take place.

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The First Regular Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature adjourned sine die on May 30. During the session, a bill passed amending the provisions of the Local Government Campaign Finance and Financial Disclosure Act to place municipal political committee campaign expenditures and contributions under the authority of the Ethics Commission. Another passed bill amends the law to allow county purchasing agents to select the next lowest and best bidder from the list of qualified bidders if the original bidder is unable to provide service. Bidders will be considered at or below the amount they originally bid. A separate bill passed amending the law to eliminate the requirement for a vendor to be authorized by a state contract in order to work with a board of county commissioners to establish an online bidding process.

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Campaign Finance

Louisiana: “Mortgages, Mardi Gras and Country Clubs: Louisiana campaign funds could soon cover these expenses” by Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) for Yahoo News

New York: “NYC Campaign Finance Board Withholds $1.3M in Matching Funds from Cuomo, Awards Adrienne Adams $2M” by Josephine Stratman and Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) for Yahoo News

Elections

Maryland: “Maryland’s Primary Elections Are Unconstitutional, Lawsuit Alleges” by Kate Mettler (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Complaints Languished as Johnson’s Delays Hobbled House Watchdog” by Michael Gold (New York Times) for DNyuz

National: “Sharp Spike in Threats to Judges Prompts Calls for More Security” by Derek Hawkins (Washington Post) for MSN

Washington: “Seattle Councilmember Cathy Moore Pulls Her Ethics Bill” by David Kroman for Seattle Times

Lobbying

North Carolina: “NC Lawmakers Leave Controversial Kentucky Distillery Tour Off Disclosure Reports” by Dan Kane (Raleigh News and Observer) for MSN

Texas: “Las Vegas Sands Lobbyist’s Contact Appears in Filings for ‘Dark Money’ Group in Irving” by Chase Rogers (Dallas News) for MSN

The Maine Legislature passed a bill increasing contribution limits for unenrolled candidates nominated by petition. Currently, both unenrolled candidates and party candidates nominated by election have the same contribution limits. Under Legislative Document 390, contribution limits for candidates who are unenrolled are doubled, while contribution limits for candidates nominated by primary elections remain the same. If approved by Gov. Mills, the bill will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.

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National/Federal

Trump Wants an Investigation of Democrats’ Fundraising. His Own Campaign Has Issues

MSN – Brian Slodysko and Steve Peoples (Associated Press) | Published: 5/27/2025

When President Trump directed his attorney general to investigate online fundraising, he cited concerns that foreigners and fraudsters were using elaborate “schemes” and “dummy accounts” to funnel illegal contributions to politicians and causes. Trump identified just one potential target: ActBlue, the Democrats’ online fundraising juggernaut, which has acknowledged receiving over 200 potentially illicit contributions last year from foreign internet addresses. Trump’s announcement contained a glaring omission – his political committees also received scores of potentially problematic contributions.

Trump’s Contract-Cutting Blitz Rattles a Once-Flourishing DC Industry

MSN – Danny Nguyen and Jessie Blaeser (Politico) | Published: 5/25/2025

A Trump administration project to revisit thousands of federal agreements is starting to sink a vast ecosystem of contractors that deploy jobs across the Washington economy. At least 2,775 out of more than 20,000 contracts for consulting and investment advice under review have been cut, worth $3.1 billion in claimed savings. But the reach of the review is nonetheless unprecedented. It has frozen hiring, triggered layoffs and sparked chaos across the consulting industry, a vast shadow workforce across Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland.

Supreme Court Allows Trump to Fire Independent Regulators for Now

MSN – Anne Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 5/22/2025

The Supreme Court refused to immediately reinstate a pair of independent regulators fired by the Trump administration, saying the president may have the power to summarily oust the board members and calling into question a legal precedent that has protected the independence of key regulatory bodies. The order did not decide the underlying merits of the case, which will continue to play out in the lower courts. But it was an endorsement of presidential authority at a time when Donald Trump is trying to seize greater control of the federal bureaucracy.

Trump Oversight Picks Include Scandal-Hit Ex-Lawmaker, Antiabortion Lawyer

MSN – Meryl Kornfield and Lisa Rein (Washington Post) | Published: 5/28/2025

After firing inspectors general at 19 agencies in an unprecedented purge, President Trump has named six replacements in recent weeks, including three with clearly partisan backgrounds. Two of those have controversial histories and two have ties to the agency they would be responsible for investigating. Government ethics experts expressed concerns about the qualifications of several of the nominees, warning the positions require independence and installing loyalists would erode public trust.

Elon Musk Leaves Trump Administration After Contentious Tenure

MSN – Niha Masih and Trisha Thadani (Washington Post) | Published: 5/29/2025

Elon Musk said he is leaving the administration after leading a contentious effort to reshape the federal bureaucracy and slash government spending. Musk said his “scheduled time” as a special government employee had come to an end. That designation, which exempts him from financial disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules that apply to full-time government workers, also means he is not permitted to work more than 130 days in a 365-day period.

Supreme Court Upholds Fraud Conviction of Government Contractor

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 5/22/2025

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the conviction of a government contractor found guilty of defrauding a state transportation program designed to promote diversity. The unanimous decision reversed a trend in which the justices have pushed back on how prosecutors pursue white-collar fraud. The case involved Alpha Painting & Construction and a project manager, Stamatios Kousisis, who was convicted in 2018 and sentenced to 70 months in prison for obtaining a multimillion-dollar contract under false pretenses.

Trump Dines with Top Meme Coin Holders, Shrugging Off Ethics Concerns

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski and Drew Harwell (Washington Post) | Published: 5/22/2025

President Trump dined with the top purchasers of his meme coin at a black-tie gala, demonstrating his willingness to cross what was once seen as an ethical red line: profiting off the presidency while in office. Presidents of both parties have long granted special access to wealthy political donors and participated in private dinners to raise funds for their parties or their own campaigns. Trump’s crypto venture is different. He and his family profit personally when people buy his meme coin, and crypto transactions are often shrouded in anonymity.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – At Adjournment, Alaska Legislature Leaves Elections Overhaul, Campaign Finance Bills Undone

Alaska Public Media – James Brooks (Alaska Beacon) | Published: 5/27/2025

The Alaska Legislature adjourned its regular session without finishing work on a major elections bill or a bill reimposing limits on donations to candidates. House Bill 16, the campaign finance bill, and Senate Bill 64, the elections reform legislation, are expected to return when the Legislature resumes work in January, and they could be part of a wave of major legislation that advances through the Capitol early next year.

Arizona – AZ Campaign Finance Complaints Can Disappear After 180 Days Under New Law

USA Today – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 5/16/2025

Arizona lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs created a new timeline to resolve campaign finance complaints that are filed against them, after which the allegations are dismissed. Hobbs signed House Bill 2667 into law, which says complaints that politicians violated state campaign finance law are “deemed dismissed” if they are not resolved within 180 days after they are filed. It allows the government official who receives the complaint to extend that deadline if needed.

Connecticut – Trump Pardons ‘Humbled’ John G. Rowland, Former CT Governor

MSN – Mark Pazniokas (Connecticut Mirror) | Published: 5/28/2025

John Rowland, a twice-convicted former governor of Connecticut, said he was “humbled and appreciative” after learning he was the recipient of a pardon from President Trump. Facing impeachment and a federal investigation into bid-rigging involving gifts and favors from state contractors, Rowland resigned, pleaded guilty to a corruption charge, and was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. He was indicted a second time for soliciting congressional candidates to secretly pay him as a consultant in campaigns.

Connecticut – CT Bill Limiting Elections Watchdog Independence Gets Full Passage

MSN – Mark Pazniokas (Connecticut Mirror) | Published: 5/22/2025

Connecticut lawmakers passed a bill that places restrictions on the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC). Under the bill, the SEEC will nominate an executive director, but the choice will be subject to three layers of approval by legislators – the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee and the House and Senate. Other provisions were intended to streamline fundraising, especially for candidates who participate in the Citizens’ Election Program, which imposes spending limits in return for public financing of campaigns.

Illinois – Former ComEd Officials on Track for Sentencing After Judge, Feds Resolve Legal Challenges

WBEZ – Jon Seidel (Chicago Sun-Times) | Published: 5/28/2025

Four former Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) executives and lobbyists are on a clear path to sentencing for their conspiracy aimed at ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, despite a last-minute challenge to their convictions and President Trump’s review of a key law in the case. Madigan ally Michael McClain, former ComEd Chief Executive Officer Anne Pramaggiore, ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and onetime Chicago City Club President Jay Doherty are all set to be sentenced this summer. A jury found them guilty more than two years ago.

Illinois – Ex-Assessor’s Office Employee Gets 3 Years’ Probation in Bribery Case

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 5/27/2025

Basilio Clausen, a former Cook County assessor’s office employee, was sentenced to three years’ probation for conspiring to accept golf outings at country clubs from two businesspeople in exchange for helping reduce assessments on their properties and save thousands of dollars in taxes. In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kennelly said the “corrosive and erosive effect” of such cases increase the level of distrust in citizens. “It’s part of the sorry state of affairs we find ourselves in these days where nobody trusts government,” Kennelly said.

Kansas – Kansas Judges Order State to Pay $214K in Attorney Fees Tied to Flawed Ethics Investigations

Yahoo News – Tim Carpenter (Kansas Reflector) | Published: 5/27/2025

A judge directed the state to pay $115,700 in attorney fees to a law firm representing clients who received subpoenas amid a state investigation targeting Republican-affiliated political organizations and individuals. The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission’s probe centered on whether campaign violations occurred through coordination of election spending among individuals, political parties, and PACs. During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers revised the definition of making a “contribution in the name of another” to affirm the legality of certain campaign transactions common to Republican and Democratic operatives.

Kentucky – Secrecy Sets the Pace When It Comes to This Beshear’s Kentucky Derby Guest List

Yahoo News – Tom Loftus (Kentucky Lantern) | Published: 5/27/2025

Gov. Andy Beshear refused to identify friends and political supporters who bought tickets to the Kentucky Derby made available by Churchill Downs for the governor’s entourage. The governor’s office said it has no records of who got the tickets or who was invited to a party at the Old Governor’s Mansion in Frankfort. The office referred questions to a nonprofit Beshear created to act as broker for his Derby tickets and manage the party. But First Saturday in May Inc. is not covered by the Open Records Act.

Louisiana – Louisiana Lawmakers Put Some Limits Back in Place on Gifts to Public Officials

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 5/29/2025

Louisiana lawmakers are no longer looking to lift restrictions on gifts to elected officials and public employees. Rep. Beau Beaullieu removed language from House Bill 674 that would have allowed public servants to receive $200 worth of gifts annually. Besides the gift policy changes, the bill contains ethics law modifications that would make it harder for the state ethics board to investigate and charge people with misconduct. Beaullieu said many elected officials feel the board has been too aggressive when pursuing allegations.

Maine – Maine PACs Say Campaign Finance Lawsuit Is About Free Speech. The State Says It’s About Corruption

Yahoo News – Emily Allen (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 5/22/2025

Lawyers for two of Maine’s conservative PACs were in federal court recently, asking a judge to stop the state from enforcing a new law that caps PAC contributions at $5,000. The law was approved in a referendum last fall, but state officials agreed to delay its implementation until May 30. The plaintiffs’ attorneys argue the law is a serious threat to the First Amendment. The state’s lawyers pointed to the popularity of the new law and suggested voters are concerned with corruption.

Missouri – Ethics Panel Says Source of Funds for Mayor’s Trips Deserved More Transparency

MSN – Mike Hendricks (Kansas City Star) | Published: 5/27/2025

Kansas City should amend its ethics code to address the transparency issues that arose when a nonprofit group under Mayor Quinton Lucas’s control paid for his trip to the 2023 Super Bowl, according to a new report. The Mayors Corps of Progress for a Greater Kansas City covered the nearly $24,000 cost of sending Lucas, an aide, and his security detail to Phoenix for the game between the Chiefs and Eagles. The Mayors Corps was under no obligation to disclose the source of its funding.

New York – Eric Adams Sues Campaign Finance Board for Denying Him Millions in Matching Funds

MSN – Joe Anuta (Politico) | Published: 5/27/2025

New York City Mayor Eric Adams filed a lawsuit challenging the Campaign Finance Board’s decision to deny him millions of dollars in public matching funds. The board first denied Adams matching funds in December, citing the now dismissed bribery indictment against the mayor, in addition to his team’s refusal to provide campaign finance regulators with requested information. The lawsuit argues the board adopted an illegally vague standard by saying it “had reason to believe” Adams violated state and city laws based on the indictment without offering specifics.

Ohio – House Bill 6 Was Ohio’s Biggest Public Corruption Scandal. So Why Haven’t the Laws Changed?

MSN – Anna Staver (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 5/22/2025

To prevent another scandal like House Bill 6 in Ohio, Democratic lawmakers introduced a three-part reform package. House Bill 250 would mandate the disclosure of dark money donors. A second, forthcoming bill would target petition-blocking tactics used to stifle citizen-led ballot campaigns. The third proposal would stop individuals and companies who donate to candidates from receiving state contracts.

Ohio – P.G. Sittenfeld Pardoned by President Donald Trump

MSN – Jennifer Edwards Baker (WXIX) | Published: 5/28/2025

Former Cincinnati City Councilperson P.G. Sittenfeld is one of several people recently pardoned by President Trump. Sittenfeld was sentenced to 16 months in prison after a jury convicted him on corruption-related charges of bribery and attempted extortion in 2022. SIttenfeld served about four months before an appeals court released him pending their decision on his appeal. He lost the appeal earlier this year.

Oregon – State Rep. Bobby Levy Weighs in on Bills Close to Family Business While Lawmakers Weigh Regulations

Yahoo News – Alex Baumhardt (Oregon Capital Chronicle) | Published: 5/27/2025

Although state Rep. Bobby Levy named seven businesses in the statement of economic interest she submits annually to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, she is not barred from sponsoring, testifying on or voting on bills that would directly benefit the family businesses that she receives income from. In fact, by Oregon law, Levy said she and other legislators are required to vote on bills even when they have declared a conflict-of-interest.

Rhode Island – Elections Board Prepares to Revamp R.I.’s Aging Campaign Finance Software. It Just Needs the Money.

Yahoo News – Nancy Lavin (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 5/27/2025

Rhode Island election administrators are pushing to rejuvenate the technology used to collect and share information about campaign finance donations and spending. But the makeover to the Rhode Island Board of Elections’ Electronic Reporting and Tracking System requires extra money from state lawmakers, and how to store the last 23 years of reports from 1,300 candidates and committees in a way that people can still access and search remains in question.

Rhode Island – Rhode Island Ethics Code Gift Giving Rules Might Be Getting a Refresh

Yahoo News – Nancy Lavin (Rhode Island Current) | Published: 5/20/2025

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission is contemplating changes to the state ethics code for the first time in over a decade. The commission voted to start the rulemaking process to explicitly ban lobbyists from giving gifts other than campaign donations to public officials, and to increase the maximum value of “insubstantial” gifts that can be accepted to account for inflation.

Texas – Once Again, Texas Legislature Unlikely to Pass Ethics Legislation This Year

MSN – Kate McGee (Texas Tribune) | Published: 5/28/2025

The Texas Legislature is on track to pass essentially no meaningful ethics legislation this year as the calendar ticks closer to the end of the session. Lawmakers filed dozens of bills that would increase transparency around spending in elections and strengthen penalties for campaign and lobbying violations. Their proposals would specify what candidates, lawmakers, and political groups need to disclose about their campaigning, streamline and clarify the ethics complaint processes, and keep up with changing technology that is increasingly used to deceive voters in elections.

Texas – Prove Citizenship to Vote? For Some Married Women, It Might Not Be So Easy.

MSN – Patrick Marley and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 5/25/2025

Some Republican-led states are moving to require voters to prove their citizenship, as Texas advances a controversial measure that could make it harder for eligible voters to get on the rolls because of changed names, mislaid paperwork, or database errors. Voting rights advocates warn the plans could prove particularly tricky for people who change their names, including women who do so when they get married or divorced, because their legal names do not match the ones on their birth certificates. Supporters call the criticism overblown, saying most Americans can readily show they are citizens.

Washington – Seattle City Council Advances on Controversial Ethics Bill

Seattle Times – David Kroman | Published: 5/23/2025

A Seattle City Council committee approved a controversial revision to the city’s ethics code, allowing members to vote on matters in which they may have a financial interest so long as they make a public disclosure. The change, recommended by the head of the city’s ethics commission, is a shift away from the current practice requiring members to recuse themselves and has stirred up the city’s politics months before several of the body’s members are up for reelection.

Campaign Finance

Kansas: “Kansas Judges Order State to Pay $214K in Attorney Fees Tied to Flawed Ethics Investigations” by Tim Carpenter (Kansas Reflector) for Yahoo News

Maine: “Maine PACs Say Campaign Finance Lawsuit Is About Free Speech. The State Says It’s About Corruption” by Emily Allen (Portland Press Herald) for Yahoo News

New York: “Eric Adams Sues Campaign Finance Board for Denying Him Millions in Matching Funds” by Joe Anuta (Politico) for MSN

Rhode Island: “Elections Board Prepares to Revamp R.I.’s Aging Campaign Finance Software. It Just Needs the Money.” by Nancy Lavin (Rhode Island Current) for Yahoo News

Elections

Alaska: “At Adjournment, Alaska Legislature Leaves Elections Overhaul, Campaign Finance Bills Undone” by James Brooks (Alaska Beacon) for Alaska Public Media

Ethics

National: “Trump Oversight Picks Include Scandal-Hit Ex-Lawmaker, Antiabortion Lawyer” by Meryl Kornfield and Lisa Rein (Washington Post) for MSN

Illinois: “Ex-Assessor’s Office Employee Gets 3 Years’ Probation in Bribery Case” by Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

Kentucky: “Secrecy Sets the Pace When It Comes to This Beshear’s Kentucky Derby Guest List” by Tom Loftus (Kentucky Lantern) for Yahoo News

Texas: “Once Again, Texas Legislature Unlikely to Pass Ethics Legislation This Year” by Kate McGee (Texas Tribune) for MSN

Matt Kraig is one of the newest all-stars to have found a home at State and Federal Communications, having worked here for just over a year. Before landing this role, Matt completed two internships—first as an in-house attorney with a car dealership, and then as a federal criminal defense intern. Luckily for both Matt and State and Federal Communications, he landed here, where he describes his job as “a perfect fit!”

As a Research Services Manager, perfect is indeed the right word to describe Matt’s passion for research. The attention to detail required for each of his listings satisfies his drive for perfectionism. Matt thrives on finding that one change (or sometimes many changes) in a code revision and ensuring the most accurate and up-to-date information is available to our clients.

Matt hails from Brecksville, Ohio. He stayed in-state for his education, earning his undergraduate degree in political science from The Ohio State University and his law degree from Cleveland State University. After learning more about the legal world, Matt realized he was interested in something a little different. He wanted to combine his interests in business, politics, and the law—making the opportunity at State and Federal Communications a perfect match.

Matt has become a key member of the team, fulfilling a pivotal research role. He keeps our guidebooks updated in the Northeast states (NY, NJ, PA, DE) and answers client questions related to lobbying and campaign contribution rules in a timely and informative manner. In addition to honing his research skills, Matt says he enjoys having “more opportunities for training, professional development, and community events” at State and Federal Communications.

Outside of the office, Matt loves spending time with his dogs, Tucker and Cannoli. He’s always up for a good hike and, when he can, enjoys visiting national parks. At home, you can often find him tinkering with tech—whether it’s his home theater system, the computer he’s building, or, of course, enjoying the results of his efforts with a good movie.

We’re excited that Matt found his perfect fit as part of the State and Federal Communications team—a group full of experts you can trust. Learn more about what we can do for you at https://stateandfed.com/services/.