Campaign Finance

California: “Why Didn’t School Board President Ref Rodriguez Just Write Himself a Big Check?” by David Zahniser, Anna Phillips, and Howard Blume for Los Angeles Times

Santa Fe: “Reform Laws Spurred by Treasurer Scandals Full of Loopholes” by Andrew Oxford for Santa Fe New Mexican

New York: “Board of Elections Probes Ties Between Senate Democrats, Union Super PAC” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Ethics

“Request Denied: States try to block access to public records” by Andrew DeMillo and Ryan Foley (Associated Press) for San Jose Mercury News

“Trump Declines to Release List of His Mar-a-Lago Visitors” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

“Congress Struggles to Figure Out Which Russia Investigation Trumps the Others” by Erin Kelly for USA Today

California: “OC Ethics Commission Can Now Meet After Third Member is Appointed” by Nick Gerda for Voice of OC

Oregon: “Nepotism Runs Rampant in Oregon Legislature. Here’s How” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian

Pennsylvania: “Streetlight Executive Sentenced in City Hall Pay-to-Play Case” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call