July 14, 2016 •
See Us in Person!
Here is our July/August calendar. If you are attending any of these events, please say hello! July 14-17 National Governors Association Summer Meeting, Des Moines, IA July 21 Akron Roundtable, Akron, OH July 26 WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC August 8-11 […]
Here is our July/August calendar. If you are attending any of these events, please say hello!
July 14-17 National Governors Association Summer Meeting, Des Moines, IA
July 21 Akron Roundtable, Akron, OH
July 26 WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC
August 8-11 NCSL 2016 Legislative Summit, Chicago, IL
August 18 Akron Roundtable, Akron, OH
September 7-9 Practising Law Institute, Corporate Political Activities Seminar, Washington, DC
July 14, 2016 •
Mayor Horrigan Meets the Interns
State and Federal Communications was pleased to welcome Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan as he shared career advice and his goals for the city of Akron with the interns and employees. “I want to start from the core up and bring […]
State and Federal Communications was pleased to welcome Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan as he shared career advice and his goals for the city of Akron with the interns and employees.
“I want to start from the core up and bring people into Akron,” Mayor Horrigan said. “Downtown Akron is a huge focus for the growth of the city because of the amount of traffic that it brings in.”
More than 60,000 people move throughout downtown Akron on a daily basis and Mayor Horrigan addressed what’s next after the city’s Innerbelt highway (State Route 59) closes, how to make traffic run smoothly, and issues concerning the city’s combined sewer flow problem.
“I am concentrating on giving quality customer service to the Akron community and giving them a transparent and open-government,” Horrigan said. “We’ll have over 30 acres of land to use after the Innerbelt is closed and we are constantly considering ways to fill the space.”
State and Federal Communication’s eight summer interns attend either Kent State University or The University of Akron and Mayor Horrigan earned degrees from both universities.
“When I talk to interns, I always let them know that what you are striving for is hard work,” Mayor Horrigan said. “You will have to learn from the ground up because you don’t just fall into an amazing position.”
IT intern, Chris Jackson 24, has lived in Akron all of his life and jumped on the opportunity to suggest ways that Mayor Horrigan could fill space in downtown Akron.
“There is little to no place for teens to go and have fun in downtown Akron,” Jackson said. “I’m a gamer and arcades are coming back into style and could be a great thing for the city of Akron.”
Among other suggestions the interns and employees offered were to have food trucks throughout the city, especially near Summit St. and more art work in downtown Akron.
One thing marketing intern Clémence Besnard took away during Mayor Horrigan’s conversation was his views on success.
“I liked when he suggested that we take responsibility for the decisions we’ve made and being able to sleep peacefully with those decisions is what’s important,” Besnard said. “The mayor also let us know that it is okay to pat yourself on the back and celebrate the good you’ve done when talking about success.”
July 14, 2016 •
Patrick Kennedy is Coming to Akron Roundtable!
Patrick Kennedy is coming to the John S. Knight Center for Akron Roundtable on Thursday, July 21 at 12:00 p.m.! He will be signing his new book, A Common Struggle, and we are ready!
Patrick Kennedy is coming to the John S. Knight Center for Akron Roundtable on Thursday, July 21 at 12:00 p.m.! He will be signing his new book, A Common Struggle, and we are ready!
July 14, 2016 •
North Dakota Gov. Calls Special Session
Gov. Jack Dalrymple called a special session to convene August 2. The session is needed to address North Dakota’s budget shortfall, and it is expected to last three days.
Gov. Jack Dalrymple called a special session to convene August 2.
The session is needed to address North Dakota’s budget shortfall, and it is expected to last three days.
July 13, 2016 •
Hawaii Legislators Convene Special Legislative Session
Hawaii legislators convened a special session Tuesday after Gov. David Ige vetoed a bill intended to assist state employees who will be affected when three Maui county hospitals are taken over by Kaiser Permanente on October 1. The state must […]
Hawaii legislators convened a special session Tuesday after Gov. David Ige vetoed a bill intended to assist state employees who will be affected when three Maui county hospitals are taken over by Kaiser Permanente on October 1.
The state must decide how to transition employees from state service to private service in the largest privatization project in modern state history. Lawmakers met briefly on Tuesday before breaking for recess; they will reconvene Monday.
July 13, 2016 •
Special Election Called for Open House Seat in Mississippi
A special election has been called to fill the vacant House District 72 seat. The election will be held on August 23, 2016. Rep. Kimberly Campbell left the position at the end of May to become the state director of […]
A special election has been called to fill the vacant House District 72 seat. The election will be held on August 23, 2016.
Rep. Kimberly Campbell left the position at the end of May to become the state director of AARP. Candidate qualifying ends on July 25.
July 12, 2016 •
Florida Congresswoman Indicted on Ethics Charges
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown has been indicted on 22 federal charges, including fraud and conspiracy. Brown, who represents the state’s 5th Congressional District, is accused of using a fake charity to solicit contributions and using those funds for personal gain. […]
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown has been indicted on 22 federal charges, including fraud and conspiracy.
Brown, who represents the state’s 5th Congressional District, is accused of using a fake charity to solicit contributions and using those funds for personal gain. Investigators claim nearly $200,000 in charity funds were used to pay for events held by Brown and to pay taxes she owed.
If convicted, Brown could face up to 300 years in prison.
July 12, 2016 •
Special Session Called in Utah
On Monday, July 11, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued a call for a special legislative session to be held this Wednesday, July 13. The session was called to consider legislation related the Judicial Nomination Commission, the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, the […]
On Monday, July 11, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued a call for a special legislative session to be held this Wednesday, July 13. The session was called to consider legislation related the Judicial Nomination Commission, the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, the Utah State Fairpark, and other matters.
One major concern the governor wants addressed in the special session is unmanned aircrafts being used near wildland fires. “This summer, wildfires in the state have become significantly worse due to drones interrupting air operations,” Gov. Herbert said in his press release.
July 12, 2016 •
Minnesota Governor Reappoints Campaign Finance Board Members
Gov. Mark Dayton has reappointed Emma Greenman and Peggy Leppik to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. Both women have previously served as members of the board, but due to the appointment and confirmation process in Minnesota, both were […]
Gov. Mark Dayton has reappointed Emma Greenman and Peggy Leppik to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
Both women have previously served as members of the board, but due to the appointment and confirmation process in Minnesota, both were required to step down from their positions when they were not confirmed by the Senate before the end of the 2016 legislative session.
After the governor’s appointment, board members are allowed to serve pending confirmation by the Legislature, so Dayton has effectively restored both to their positions, and the confirmation process will begin again during the next regular session of the Legislature.
July 11, 2016 •
Minnesota Special Session Unlikely Until After Primary Election
A special session is now unlikely until after the primary elections, due to lawmakers’ increasingly busy schedules. Lawmakers have sought a special session to pass tax and bonding bills since adjourning the regular session in May, but Gov. Mark Dayton […]
A special session is now unlikely until after the primary elections, due to lawmakers’ increasingly busy schedules.
Lawmakers have sought a special session to pass tax and bonding bills since adjourning the regular session in May, but Gov. Mark Dayton required agreement on several issues before he was willing to call the session.
To date, Dayton and lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement on those issues.
July 11, 2016 •
Washington Voters Likely to Decide on Campaign Finance Reforms
Backers of Washington’s Initiative 1464 have submitted more than the required 326,000 signatures to appear on the November ballot. If voters approve the measure, the initiative will require new campaign finance disclosures, limit contributions by lobbyists and government contractors, and […]
Backers of Washington’s Initiative 1464 have submitted more than the required 326,000 signatures to appear on the November ballot.
If voters approve the measure, the initiative will require new campaign finance disclosures, limit contributions by lobbyists and government contractors, and impose a three-year waiting period on lobbying by former public officials and senior staff. I-1464 also seeks to create a publicly funded voucher system for contributions.
The Office of the Secretary of State must still validate the signatures before I-1464 will officially be added to the ballot.
Photo of the Washington State Capitol by Nikopoley on Wikimedia Commons.
July 8, 2016 •
Illinois Lawmakers Wrap Up Spring Business with Short-term Budget Deal
After failing to pass a budget before the end of its spring session in May, the 98th Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its business on Thursday, June 30. While concerns over the state budget were not completely alleviated, lawmakers were […]
After failing to pass a budget before the end of its spring session in May, the 98th Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its business on Thursday, June 30.
While concerns over the state budget were not completely alleviated, lawmakers were able to pass a short-term budget deal to keep basic services running.
Gov. Bruce Rauner believes further compromise and budget reform could occur in the 60 days following the November election when legislators will be more comfortable tackling tougher issues.
July 8, 2016 •
Former Alabama House Speaker Sentenced
On July 8, 2016, former House Speaker Mike Hubbard was sentenced to four years in prison following his conviction on 12 felony ethics charges. Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker denied prosecutors’ request for Hubbard to pay $1.6 million in […]
On July 8, 2016, former House Speaker Mike Hubbard was sentenced to four years in prison following his conviction on 12 felony ethics charges.
Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker denied prosecutors’ request for Hubbard to pay $1.6 million in restitution and fines. Instead, Hubbard is ordered to pay $210,000 in fines.
July 8, 2016 •
Ann Arbor, MI Voters to Decide on Election Cycle Change
This November, voters will decide whether term limits for the mayor and City Council members should be increased from two to four years. Election cycles would remain staggered, but the proposed amendment to the city charter would eliminate elections in […]
This November, voters will decide whether term limits for the mayor and City Council members should be increased from two to four years.
Election cycles would remain staggered, but the proposed amendment to the city charter would eliminate elections in odd years, which have typically had low turnout.
Opponents of the amendment argue longer terms will decease officials’ accountability to voters, while those in favor hope for higher city election participation as a result of the new terms.
Photo of downtown Ann Arbor by Andrew Horne on Wikimedia Commons.
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