A task force on campaign finance reform has recommended changes to the Oregon Constitution which would allow limits to be placed on political contributions. The task force urged the Legislature to make the changes by approving a constitutional amendment allowing limits to be enacted by either the Legislature or a ballot measure.

Currently, Oregon is one of only six states with no campaign spending limits. The Legislature will consider the recommendation at the beginning of this year’s legislative session, which kicks off on February 1.

The San Francisco Ethics Commission will meet January 13, 2016, to discuss the implementation of Proposition C, the November 2015 ballot measure imposing registration and reporting requirements on expenditure lobbyists. The measure takes effect February 1, 2016.

The Ethics Commission welcomes public input on the promulgation of regulations related to the registration threshold, how to account for staff time spent on expenditure lobbying, registration fee exemptions for nonprofit organizations, and other related topics. The meeting is at noon in City Hall.

A 2014 Superior Court decision is being reviewed by the San Francisco Ethics Commission. Critics of the decision argue it created a loophole wherein money a candidate raised via a general purpose committee can be used to elect or defeat candidates for other offices.

Further, the decision allows candidates and officeholders to skirt contribution limits and raise money from sources that would otherwise be prohibited.

The San Francisco Ethics Commission is being urged to consider regulations that would prevent candidates from circumventing the rules.

California state Assemblyman Marc Levine has proposed a bill to allow “ballot selfies.” Under current state law, such pictures are illegal.

Levine believes allowing voters to post pictures of their ballots on social media will boost voter turnout. California voter turnout hit a record low in 2014 and many state lawmakers are attempting to bolster it with legislation this session.

Levine’s bill is being considered in committee.

Photo of Assemblyman Marc Levine courtesy of the California State Assembly on Wikimedia Commons.

The city Ethics Board released new contribution limits for city candidates on January 11.

Candidates for city offices may accept up to $3,000 in a calendar year from an individual contributor, an increase from the previous limit of $2,900. Groups and businesses may contribute up to $11,900 to a candidate per year, an increase of $400.

Contribution limits are adjusted every four years based on the consumer price index.

South Carolina Sen. Billy O’Dell died of a heart attack at the age of 77. The fiscally liberal Republican was due to file for reelection in March 2016 for an eighth term in office.

Pending senate notification, the South Carolina Election Commission will set a special election date. There is expected to be a March 22 primary, followed by an April 5 runoff, if necessary, and a May 17 general election. The special election would usually be held on May 10 but state offices will be closed in celebration of Confederate Memorial Day.

Photo of Sen. Billy O’Dell courtesy of the South Carolina Senate website.

On January 8, the Arizona Secretary of State’s office proposed changes to the state’s campaign finance law in order to make it simpler and easier to understand. Changes include revisions of the definitions of committee and election cycle and elimination of the “paid for” disclosures in campaign messages on social media, according to The Arizona Republic.

“We are keeping almost every existing policy, but we have rewritten it in a simpler manner. We have reorganized it to the place where you would expect to find it. And we have created the statutes like the way you would read a book,” said Director of Election Services Eric Spencer, according to KJZZ.org. The office has drafted legislation to be considered by the Legislature this year.

Gov. Jerry Brown has called a special election for April 5, 2016, to fill a vacancy in the 31st District. Rep. Henry Perea vacated his seat in December of 2015.

Perea’s term was expiring in December 2016. Therefore, the candidate elected in the special election will serve the remainder of Perea’s term while running for re-election in the regularly scheduled general election on November 8, 2016.

Following questions about campaign spending practices and the conviction of former Secretary of State Diana Duran for misuse of campaign contributions, a new unit is being created to better enforce and explain the state’s campaign finance laws to legislators and other candidates. Current Secretary of State Brad Winter is creating the Education, Ethics, and Compliance Unit to more closely monitor campaign spending and to answer any questions legislators might have.

Previously, only two staffers covered the campaign filings of over 100 legislators, candidates, and other state and county officials. Additional staffers are being brought in, with each monitoring around 20 legislators.

Winter also released a new lobbyist training guide, and offered webinars to be held prior to the Legislature’s next session, which begins on January 19.

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh has announced he wants a lobbying ordinance for the city and he wants it modeled on the state’s lobbying law.

According to the Boston Globe, Walsh will propose regulations requiring lobbyists to disclose their clients, their compensation, and their activities involving development, city contracts, and permits. His proposal was first outlined to Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham. Walsh will propose his lobbying regulation as a home rule petition, which must eventually be approved by the state Legislature.

Secretary of State William Galvin said he would prefer a statewide law requiring lobbyists to disclose their activities in every municipality, according to the Globe.

On January 8, new Montana campaign finance rules requiring increased disclosure from candidates and committees were officially published and became effective. Political Practices Commissioner Jonathan Motl had formally filed the new administrative rules on November 24 with the secretary of state. However, Motl waited to publish and make the rules effective until a poll was taken of the state’s lawmakers to determine whether they found the rules consistent with campaign finance legislation they passed last year. After lawmakers approved of the rule changes late last year, the rules were then finalized for publication. The official notice of the adoption of the rules include both changes to the original proposed rules, made in August of last year, and 190 public comments the commissioner’s office studied and considered in making final adjustments to those  proposals.

Other changes in the new rules include electronic filing of reports to be made immediately available to the public online. “If all we have left after Citizens United is transparency, reporting and disclosure, then I think society’s got an obligation to make that transparency real. These regulations take us significantly down that path,” said Motl, according to the Washington Times.

On January 9, a $10 increase in contribution limits for certain candidates becomes effective in the state of Montana.

Pursuant to state statute, the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices, adjusting contribution limitations to reflect the consumer price index, has raised the contribution limit for candidates for the governor and lieutenant governor from $650 to $660. Candidates for statewide office may now accept $330, up from $320. The contribution limit of $170 remains the same for all other public offices, including state Senate and state House. Montana’s contribution limits continue to be contested in the court challenge of Lair v. Bullock, which argues the state’s political contribution limits are unconstitutionally low.

This week, Governor Snyder signed Senate Bill 571, a bill that affects what public officials and organizations can and cannot do within 60 days of an election. The bill prohibits local officials from publicly discussing ballot proposals or millage issues in the 60 days leading up to an election.

Despite approving the bill, Snyder urged the Legislature to pass further legislation clarifying some key provisions of the bill that some say infringe on protected free political speech. The 53 page bill was originally much shorter until last minute amendments were passed with no public hearings. Senate Bill 571 also eliminates the need for February quarterly reports for political action committees.

National:

National Liberal Groups to Push ‘Record’ Number of 2016 Ballot Measures
Center for Public Integrity – Liz Essley Whyte | Published: 1/6/2016

Liberal groups working at the national level are using state ballot initiatives as their weapon of choice in 2016, but given the costs, they are carefully planning exactly where to push these measures. That top-down approach seems ironic. The initiative process was put in place at the beginning of the 20th century as a way for local citizens to band together to pass laws. And voters may not be aware that national groups are helping fuel the ballot fights in their backyards. Still, national liberal leaders see state ballot measures as their best option for winning on some issues. National conservative groups, meanwhile, seem poised to play defense, setting up a battle of outsiders on state playing fields.

Federal:

For Hillary Clinton, Old News or New Troubles?
Washington Post – Karen Tumulty and Frances Stead Sellers | Published: 1/6/2016

Donald Trump’s focus on the scandal that almost derailed Bill Clinton’s presidency is something Hillary Clinton’s campaign long expected. What remains to be seen is whether a reminder of allegations of sexual impropriety against President Clinton, which were deemed to have varying levels of credibility when they were first aired, can gain new traction in a different context. The fresher case being made is that Hillary Clinton has been, at a minimum, hypocritical about her husband’s treatment of women, and possibly even complicit in discrediting his accusers. And it is being pressed at a time when there is a new sensitivity toward victims of unwanted sexual contact.

How Obama Failed to Shut Washington’s Revolving Door
Politico – Josh Gerstein | Published: 12/31/2015

Barack Obama’s vow to end the “revolving door” in Washington was central to the narrative animating his 2008 campaign: a promise of wholesale change to business as usual. But seven years into Obama’s presidency, the “revolving door” shuttling officials out of his administration is spinning at a rapid clip, and he has seen his campaign promise founder against the deeply ingrained culture of selling government expertise in the nation’s capital. “They were overpromising on something they could never deliver – it’s worse than doing nothing,” said Melanie Sloan, former executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Marco Rubio’s Shiny Boots Stir Up the Presidential Race
New York Times – Vanessa Friedman | Published: 1/7/2016

Are they a surprisingly fashionable choice of footwear (One Direction’s Harry Styles is said to have a similar pair) or a less generously termed set of “men’s high-heeled booties?” The political and fashion world have been set atwitter since New York Times reporter Michael Barbaro spotted U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio “rocking some seriously fashionable black boots” in New Hampshire. The fashion choice had become a target of ribbing from his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination. “We’ve seen Rubio has those cute new boots and I don’t want to be outdone,” U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said, while surrounded by shelves of shoes in Whoopi Goldberg’s dressing room before an appearance on “The View.”

From the States and Municipalities:

Colorado – Colorado Ethics Commission Has No Investigators, Little Authority
Denver Post – Joey Bunch | Published: 1/4/2016

The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission is struggling to do its work for lack of authority, resources, and money, say critics who include former administrators. The commission has declined to hear about 87 percent of the complaints it has received since it was created in 2006. Unless a public official or government employee received a gift worth more than $53 or seeks a job as a lobbyist, there is little else the commission concerns itself with. Nonetheless, there is a proposed ballot question for next year to extend the commission’s narrow authority over public employees to the judicial system.

Florida – Painful Lessons for a Troubled Florida Legislature
Tampa Bay Times – Steve Bousquet | Published: 1/5/2016

In a year that was defined by dysfunction at the Florida Capitol, the House violated the state constitution by shutting its doors prematurely. Senators later admitted they defied the will of the people by drawing districts to save their own careers at the expense of fair districts that the constitution demands. Sharply divided over whether to expand health care, lawmakers nearly failed to execute their one prescribed duty, passing a budget. Three special sessions later, as unresolved legal skirmishes over redistricting still reverberated in the courts, lawmakers were vilified as arrogant and out of touch, and some said they deserved it. Lawmakers, lobbyists, and observers see systemic problems that are bad for democracy.

Kentucky – Prosecutor Urges Vigilance against Legislative Corruption
Fresno Bee – Bruce Schreiner (Associated Press) | Published: 1/6/2016

Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan who recently secured the convictions of two top New York lawmakers, said the blame for corruption lies not only with bad actors but also with the “good people” who do not try to stop it. Bharara’s speech at the Kentucky General Assembly’s annual ethics training was his first before a full state Legislature. It came at the request of Kentucky officials. During an address that lasted about 45 minutes, Bharara drew occasional laughter, nodding approval, and gasps of disbelief, particularly when he quoted wiretapped phone conversations and other evidence from recent public corruption trials.

Maine – Clinton Donors Use Maine Democrats to Skirt Campaign Cash Limits
Ellsworth American – Naomi Schalit (Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting) | Published: 1/7/2016

Fourteen out-of-state donors gave $93,552 to the Maine Democratic Party since mid-September 2015. But all the contributions have not stayed in Maine, or any of the other state Democratic parties to which Hillary Victory Fund donations have been funneled. FEC reports show two transfers totaling $39,000 from the Hillary Victory Fund to the Maine Democratic Party each sat for less than 48 hours with the party before the exact same amounts were transferred to the Democratic National Committee (DNC). While individual contributions to the state and national parties are capped, transfers between state and national committees are unlimited. That means that, effectively, donors can skirt contribution limits to the DNC or state parties by giving through joint fundraising committees like the Hillary Victory Fund.

Michigan – Gov. Rick Snyder Signs Campaign Finance Bill Locals Say Amounts to a ‘Gag Order’
MLive.com – Emily Lawler | Published: 1/6/2016

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill that prohibits public money or resources from being used to disseminate information about local ballot measures through television and radio ads, mass mailings, or “robo-calls” in the 60 days before an election. Local officials said the law will keep voters in the dark about important issues because they no longer will receive unbiased educational materials in the two months prior to an election. Some Republicans who voted for the legislation said they did not realize its ramifications. Senate Bill 571 also bars companies from deducting union PAC contributions from employees’ paychecks while allowing deductions for corporate PACs, and requires political and independent committees to file annual reports, among other provisions.

Missouri – Bill Requires Reporting Sex between Lawmakers and Lobbyists on Ethics Forms
Columbia Tribune – Rudi Keller | Published: 1/6/2016

Lobbyists who have sex with a state lawmaker or their staff members would have to disclose it to the Missouri Ethics Commission under a new bill. House Bill 2059 defines sex between lobbyists and legislators as a gift. As such, sexual relations would have to be included on monthly lobbyist gift disclosure forms. The proposal excludes sex in marriage or a relationship that began before either party’s registration as a lobbyist, election to the Legislature, or employment on a legislative staff.

New Jersey – AG: Former Birdsall exec McFadden pleads guilty to misconduct
PolitickerNJ; Staff –   | Published: 1/6/2016

Scott McFadden, former chief administrative officer of Birdsall Services Group, pleaded guilty to corporate misconduct in the criminal “pay-to-play” case. Under terms of a plea bargain, the state will recommend a sentence of up to 364 days in jail. McFadden also will be required to forfeit $30,000 to the state. The amount represents political contributions he made on behalf of Birdsall that were later reimbursed to him by the firm. The company pleaded guilty in 2013 to money laundering and making false representations for government contracts and was fined $1 million. The company was essentially crippled when the state froze its assets in the wake of the indictment, forcing Birdsall to file for bankruptcy. The company and its executives were accused of masking corporate political contributions to campaigns and political organizations that otherwise would disqualify it from receiving public contracts.

New York – Albany’s Businessman-Legislators Scoff at a Call to Make Lawmaking Full-Time
New York Times – Vivian Yee | Published: 1/5/2016

The list of lawyers, insurers, and full-time politicians in the New York Legislature is long, and outside income, as the money earned from non-legislative work is known, is at the crux of the corruption scandal that toppled the former speaker of the Assembly in November. Reformers say to clean up Albany, outside income must be capped or done away with. Some have gone even further, suggesting the Legislature, a part-time institution that pays its members $79,500 a year, should become full time with a commensurate salary. But legislators see no conflict between their business activities and lawmaking, and their contempt for Albany makes a full-time Legislature seem nonsensical.

New York – Setting Precedent, Conflict of Interest Board Settle with Mark-Viverito
Capital New York – Gloria Pazmino | Published: 1/6/2016

New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito will pay a $7,000 fine for breaking laws on taking gifts from lobbyists under a settlement with the Conflicts of Interest Board. Mark-Viverito admitted she ran afoul of the rules by taking free help from Scott Levenson and his consulting firm the Advance Group when she was running for speaker two years ago. Levenson, a registered lobbyist, and two staffers spent months working on Mark-Viverito’s bid for the top job, attending “kitchen cabinet” meetings to prepare her for debates with other speaker candidates and networking events. They also redesigned a flyer for a reception hosted in her honor and spent $1,796.44 to have 3,000 copies of it printed. Mark-Viverito was never billed for the work. Rules bar public officials from taking gifts worth more than $50 from people who do business with the city. And lobbyists are barred from giving any gifts to politicians.

Oregon – Uber Fined $2,000 for Violating Portland Lobbying Rules
Portland Oregonian – Brad Schmidt | Published: 1/5/2016

Portland City Auditor Mary Hull Caballero fined the Uber ride-hailing service $2,000 for violating lobbying regulations by not disclosing its ties to political consultant Mark Wiener. The city auditor’s office had sent warning letters to Mayor Charlie Hales and city Commissioner Steve Novick for meeting with Wiener and Uber officials without disclosing the contact, as required by the law. The meeting took place at Wiener’s home as the city council was considering whether to allow such companies to operate in Portland. Hull Caballero issued the maximum fine because she found Uber showed a pattern of noncompliance, noncooperation, and incomplete disclosures.

Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Legislature Aims at Lobbying Overhaul; Reaction Mixed
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Kate Giammarise and Chris Potter | Published: 1/4/2016

As proposed by five Senate Republicans in Pennsylvania, a “Lobbyist Reform Package” includes six measures, among them: stricter reporting of gifts to state officials, increasing fines on lobbyists who violate such requirements, and requiring state officials to disclose when a spouse or other family member is a lobbyist. Another proposal would prohibit lobbyists from being paid to work on political campaigns or having financial ties to a consultant who does. Even some lobbyists say an overhaul is needed. But several insiders say elements of the package appear to be targeted at one firm, Long Nyquist and Associates, and two of its clients: United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, which represents state store workers, and the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.