State Sen. Rick Brinkley resigned from the Senate just before pleading guilty to federal felony charges on August 20, 2015.

The charges stem from an investigation into misappropriated funds from the Better Business Bureau of Tulsa. A lawsuit filed by the BBB alleges Brinkley used fake corporations to steal more than $1.8 million from the agency.

Brinkley had been the president and CEO of the BBB until 2011 when he became its chief operating officer; he was fired in April of 2015.

A special primary election to fill the Senate District 34 seat will be held on November 12, 2015. If a special general election is needed, it will be held on January 12, 2016.

The special election to fill the House District 18 seat has been set for September 12, 2015.

Rep. Mike Barbieri vacated the seat to take a job leading the state’s Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

In a written statement, House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf said the date was chosen to give candidates time to reach out to voters in the district and, by scheduling the election on a Saturday, to make voting “as convenient as possible.”

Federal:

Facing Money Gap, Hillary Clinton Slowly Warms to ‘Super PAC’ Gifts
New York Times – Amy Chozik and Eric Lichtblau | Published: 8/17/2015

Republican presidential candidates have gained a near monopoly on donors of $1 million or more: 56 donors gave at least that much for a total of $124.2 million, outgiving Democrats’ biggest donors by about 12 to one. A single GOP contributor, Robert Mercer, a hedge fund magnate who gave $11.3 million, surpassed all of the million-dollar donors supporting Hillary Clinton, combined. Clinton’s allied super PACs, mindful that to resist the tide is to drown, are soliciting giant donations in earnest now, with her blessing. But the disparity, which has worried many Democrats, also has to do with the ambivalence, or outright disdain, that Clinton’s donors say they feel, and that some say they have picked up from her, about the role that super PACs should play.

Hillary Clinton 2016: Campaign wants donors to pay for their own food, parking
Politico – Kenneth Vogel | Published: 8/18/2015

Hillary Clinton’s campaign wants donors to pay for their own food and valet parking at fundraising events. The request filed with the FEC sketches out a novel plan under which the campaign would shift some fundraising costs to donors, without counting against their contribution limits. Campaigns usually either pay such costs directly or, in the case of smaller events in donors’ homes, allow hosts to contribute food, drink, and parking costs. But when hosts provide services and the tally exceeds $1,000, the FEC interprets those costs as in-kind donations because they are considered “necessary expenses incurred to provide an inducement for the making of a contribution.” And those in-kind contributions count against donors’ $2,700 limit for the primary election.

K Street Betting on Hillary
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 8/20/2015

While many lobbyists are holding their pocketbooks in the early stages of the 2016 election cycle, Hillary Clinton received at least $625,703 from 316 registered lobbyists and corporate PACs during the first half of the year. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush ranks as a distant second in the influence industry, collecting $444,500 from 140 lobbyists. The donations are a shift from the last couple election cycles, especially on the Democratic side. Barack Obama made campaign promises in 2008 and 2012 not to take money from registered lobbyists, in addition to vowing to ban them from the administration, so the early donations signal K Street hopes to be back in good graces when the next administration takes over the White House.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – $240 Million Education Contract Illustrates State Lobbying Loopholes
KQED – Marisa Lagos | Published: 8/13/2015

Critics say California’s murky disclosure laws make it nearly impossible to know exactly what kinds of work private companies do to influence how thousands of state government contracts are awarded, including whether those same companies seek advantages with behind-the-scenes lobbying. A bill moving through the Legislature would force disclosure around lobbying for state contracts and put California in a group of just 18 states that require disclosure of procurement lobbying.

Florida – Florida Prison Problem Complicates Redistricting
Bradenton Herald – Jeremy Wallace | Published: 8/18/2015

Florida’s prison population is becoming a point of contention in the state Legislature’s attempt to redraw congressional districts. The last Census counted more than 160,000 people in correctional facilities, and they cannot vote. But they can skew how districts are drawn, and ultimately who represents the state in the U.S. House. The federal government has required states to count prisoners as residents of the towns where they are held, not where they are from. Peter Wagner, executive director of the Prison Policy Initiative, said counting prisoners where they are incarcerated means states are giving people living in communities with prisons more voting power and representation than they should have when it is clear inmates are not part of the town and counties they are counted in.

Indiana – Waivers from State Ethics Laws on the Decline
Indianapolis Star – Chelsea Schneider | Published: 8/17/2015

State records show Indiana officials have been issuing fewer waivers that would let state employees take related jobs in the private sector before a yearlong wait. Data show about 10 were granted each year over the past decade, but just one has been allowed so far this year. They could continue to decline because the General Assembly tightened the process by requiring all waivers to go before the Indiana State Ethics Commission. Before the law changed, department heads had wide discretion in determining whether to lift restrictions.

Missouri – Missouri House Is Developing New Intern Rules to Prevent Sexual Harassment
Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock | Published: 8/17/2015

The Missouri House is working on new intern rules aimed at preventing sexual harassment after recent scandals led two legislators to resign. Tighter rules for administering internships are part of an early draft of the policy, which also calls for the establishment of an ombudsman so interns could report problems. The scandals also have brought renewed attention to legislative ethics reform. To many lawmakers, Missouri’s status as the only state with no campaign contribution limits, no caps on lobbyist gifts, and no restrictions on lawmakers becoming lobbyists contributes to an anything-goes atmosphere underlying the sexual harassment of interns.

North Carolina – Deeper Probe of NC Video Sweepstakes Money Sought
Raleigh News & Observer – Craig Jarvis and Anne Blythe | Published: 8/20/2015

Millions of dollars was spent recent elections in a futile attempt to keep the video sweepstakes industry legal in North Carolina, with much of the spending directed by a man later charged in Florida with racketeering. The free-wheeling spending on politicians, lawyers, and lobbyists has raised suspicions, although one probe by the state elections board found no campaign finance violations. Democracy North Carolina, whose complaint prompted the two-year elections board inquiry, now wants the U.S. attorney and the Wake County district attorney to determine whether laws against corruption, bribery, or other offenses were broken, and for authorities to take another look at potential election law violations.

Ohio – Was Council Members’ Football Trip Worth More Than $250?
Columbus Dispatch – Lucas Sullivan | Published: 8/14/2015

The trip that four Columbus City Council members took with a lobbyist to watch the Big Ten Championship football game would have cost about three times the $250 they paid, a travel expert and stadium officials say. Ohio ethics laws state that if the difference between the cost paid for the trip and the actual fair market value exceeds $75, officials must pay the difference or disclose it as a gift on their financial-disclosure forms. The four council members who went –Andrew Ginther, Shannon Hardin, Michelle Mills, and Eileen Paley – all eventually paid $250 to watch Ohio State beat Wisconsin. Paley and Hardin disclosed the trip on their ethics forms, but Ginther and Mills did not.

Oklahoma – Ethics Commission Votes to Suspend Rules after Lawsuit
Albany Times Union; Associated Press –   | Published: 8/14/2015

Some state property can be used again for political fundraising and distribution of campaign materials after the Oklahoma Ethics Commission decided to suspend rules against these activities. The action came after the state Democratic Party filed a federal free speech lawsuit against the panel.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Sen. Rick Brinkley Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges after Stealing More than $1.8M from BBB
The Oklahoman – Nolan Clay and Rick Green | Published: 8/20/2015

State Sen. Rick Brinkley pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges and resigned from the Oklahoma Legislature. He was accused of embezzling $1.8 million as head of the Better Business Bureau of Tulsa and failing to report about $148,390 in income on his 2013 tax return. A civil lawsuit filed by the Better Business Bureau alleged Brinkley used its money to pay “his mortgage, pool cleaner, personal credit card invoices, and to support a hidden gambling habit.” Brinkley was on track to become the president pro tem of the Senate in two years. His future began to unravel after questions were raised about a $49,693 check he had written from his campaign account to the Better Business Bureau.

Pennsylvania – Lobbyist Spending in Harrisburg Trending Upward
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Chris Potter | Published: 8/16/2015

In 2007, when Pennsylvania lobbyists began reporting their activity, they spent $84,175,726. By 2014, the total was $106,283,183. The Marcellus Shale Coalition is the state’s most active lobbying concern. It reports spending just under $14.1 million since 2010. A handful of individual companies reported their own million-dollar expenditures. Six of Pennsylvania’s top 10 lobbying interests work in health care or insurance. “The ideal situation would be if representatives were hearing from citizens, rather than people paid to influence them,” said Mark Singel, a former Pennsylvania lieutenant governor who now works as a lobbyist for the Winter Group.

Wisconsin – Audit of Wisconsin Elections Board Finds No Major Problems with Handling of Investigations
Minneapolis Star Tribune – Scott Bauer (Associated Press) | Published: 8/20/2015

A Legislative Audit Bureau report found no major problems with the way the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (GAB) handles complaints. “It puts to rest any questions as to whether the six board members exercise independent judgment when they make decisions about complaints, investigations, and penalties,” said GAB Director Kevin Kennedy. As much as Kennedy may wish that to be the case, Republicans who control the Legislature, along with Gov. Scott Walker, have said for months they plan to make significant changes to the board, including possibly doing away with it and starting over. The audit follows a more comprehensive one released in December that looked at the GAB’s entire operation, not just investigations. In that report, the bureau did not recommend that the GAB be overhauled or dismantled.

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.

Today’s Akron Roundtable featured Dr. Danielle Sarver Coombs, Associate Professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kent State University. In her presentation, “Come to the Party, Leave the Flip-Flopping at Home: Essential Lessons from the 2012 Republican Primaries,” Dr. Coombs  analyzed the 2012 presidential campaigns from the perspective of a communications expert and talked about what lessons 2012 might hold for the 2016 campaigns.

Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications presented the questions from the audience. You can listen to a recording of the talk on WKSU next Thursday at 8 p.m.

The Utah Legislature adjourned its one-day special session on August 19, 2015. A resolution to build a state prison in Salt Lake City was approved, as expected. Gov. Gary Herbert, who called the special session, will address whether he will sign or reject the resolution at his regularly scheduled news conference today.

Today at 3 p.m. the first special session of the Utah 61st Legislature will be held. The session, expected to last one day, was called by Gov. Gary Herbert on August 14 to vote on a resolution concerning the building of a new state prison in Salt Lake City. While the resolution is expected to pass, the new prison still faces opposition from city leaders, who may file “an environmental lawsuit to slow or block the project,” according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Photo of the Utah State Capitol by Robert Cutts on Wikimedia Commons.

Elizabeth Brown, daughter of Sen. Sherrod Brown, will replace Michelle Mills on the November ballot in the race for Columbus City Council. Mills recently announced her resignation from council effective September 4, 2015.

Though no reason was given for her resignation, Mills was one of four members of council who attended the Big Ten Championship football game with lobbyist John Raphael. Raphael is part of a federal bribery investigation involving the city’s former red light camera vendor.

In a surprise move, Senate Democrats voted yesterday to adjourn the special session of the General Assembly. Lawmakers had reconvened just hours earlier to redraw congressional district lines.

The maneuver is an attempt to allow Gov. Terry McAuliffe to extend a temporary appointment of a state supreme court justice.

Though many senators have left the capitol, House Republican leaders insist the session has not ended and are contemplating their next move.

Following a lawsuit by the Oklahoma Democratic Party, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission has voted to suspend its rules prohibiting fundraising and distribution of election materials on state-owned property. The Commission will suspend enforcement of Rules 2.6 and 2.7 until they are amended to ensure their constitutionality.

The Oklahoma Democratic Party’s lawsuit argued the new rules improperly infringed on free speech.

Ethics Commission Executive Director Lee Slater hopes the move will render the lawsuit moot.

The number of municipalities and regional governments our research associates track continues to grow. We now cover almost 300 municipalities and local governments. This is part of a continuous effort to better serve the needs of our clients.

In that effort, we have recently added another abridged jurisdiction to our website. These entries, condensed due to the limited number of relevant local laws, provide the core information our clients need for their government relations work.

The new jurisdiction is: Peoria, Illinois

The Sunlight Foundation has released a report card on lobbying disclosure in the states.

States’ grades were based on five criteria:

• If lobbyists have to report the legislation and actions they are lobbying;
• If lobbying-related expenditures are itemized;
• If all expenditures are reported or only those above a threshold limit;
• If the lobbying reports are easily accessible to the public; and
• If lobbyists have to report their compensation.

The majority of states received either B’s or C’s. Seven states, including Massachusetts, California, and New York, received the grade of A. Four states, including Florida, Oregon, and West Virginia, received a failing grade.

The full report can be viewed here.

National:

Corruption Accusations Paint Troubling Picture of Politics in Philadelphia Region
Philadelphia Inquirer – Jonathan Tamari and Chris Palmer | Published: 8/9/2015

The recent indictments of public officials on corruption charges paint a damning picture of politics in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, one that has dominated front pages with stories of wealthy campaign donors, officials using their posts for their own ends, and the alleged abuse of taxpayer dollars. Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane, U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, along with two people charged in the George Washington Bridge scandal, have all insisted they have done nothing wrong. Still, the stream of charges adds a dark chapter to two states already widely regarded as among the most corrupt in the county.

How Transparent Is Your State’s Lobbying Disclosure?
Sunlight Foundation – Jonah Hahn | Published: 8/12/2015

A review by the Sunlight Foundation of lobbyist disclosure requirements found many states fail to address the legislative flaws that create loopholes, do not provide citizens with easily accessible information, and lack stringent transparency policies. For example, the foundation said that in many states, trying to locate and view a lobbyist’s registration form is either impossible or logistically complex. In 33 states, lobbyists are not mandated to disclose their expenditures in a comprehensive fashion. The foundation ranked the states on how well each one performed on criteria such as reporting thresholds, document availability, and transparency on expenditures.

Federal:

Donors Descend on Schumer and Others in Debate on Iran
New York Times – Jonathan Weisman and Nicholas Confessore | Published: 8/12/2015

Approaching a vote on the Iran nuclear accord, tens of millions of dollars are flowing into ad campaigns and contributors leveraging access to undecided Democrats in the U.S. Senate. Donors said they did not believe any senator would vote based on threats to give or withhold money, and none admitted to giving such ultimatums. But with super PACs poised to dump tens of millions of dollars into Senate races next year, the passions of big contributors – and their ability to change a candidate’s fortunes – are a keenly felt undercurrent to the debate. Some of the biggest donors to super PACs also have strong opinions about the Iran deal and Israel’s security.

Lawrence Lessig Wants to Run for President – in a Most Unconventional Way
Washington Post – Philip Rucker | Published: 8/11/2015

Harvard professor Lawrence Lessig is launching an exploratory committee for the Democratic presidential nomination focused on his signature issue – reforming the nation’s campaign finance laws. “Jefferson’s truth, that all are created equal, has become Orwell’s meme, that some are more equal than others,” said Lessig. He said campaign finance reform is the first step toward addressing every other major issue in American politics. Lessig envisions a president that will serve with the singular goal of campaign finance reform, and step down once it is achieved to let the vice president serve out the remainder of the term. He hopes to crowd-fund $1 million by Labor Day.

New Challenge Filed to Party ‘Soft-Money’ Limits
Bloomberg BNA – Kenneth Doyle | Published: 8/4/2015

James Bopp renewed his attack on federal campaign finance law by filing suit on behalf of the Louisiana Republican Party that challenges restrictions on soft money contributions to political parties. BCRA bans soft money donations to national parties and restricts its use in federal elections by state and local parties. The limits are among the last BCRA provisions left intact following a series of court challenges to other campaign finance regulations. Last November, the Republican National Committee refused to provide an explanation when a similar case was abruptly dropped. But the move came shortly after the GOP won electoral victories that gave them majority control of both the House and Senate, and appeared to reflect a strategic shift away from such court challenges by at least some in the party.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Federal Court Upholds Alabama PAC-to-PAC Transfer Ban Law
Legal Newsline – Shaun Zinck | Published: 8/6/2015

A federal court upheld the constitutionality of Alabama’s law that bans transferring money from one PAC to another. The court found the state has a sufficiently important issue in preventing corruption or the appearance of corruption and the ban supports this interest, and the law was narrowly drawn so as to protect the state’s interest without being in violation of the First Amendment.

Florida – Trump, Gimenez Let Off Easy after Breaking Lobbying Law, Critics Say
FloridaBulldog.org – Francisco Alvarado | Published: 8/10/2015

Michael Muraswski is the advocate for the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, whose role is to prosecute people who break the county’s conflict-of-interest and ethics laws. Critics accuse Muraswski of giving a free pass to rich, powerful, and politically connected individuals who break the rules, including Donald Trump and county Mayor Carlos Gimenez.

Illinois – Illinois’ Corrupt Women
WUIS – Maureen Foertsch McKinney | Published: 8/1/2015

The term “Old Boys Network” is shorthand for the culture that breeds political corruption. A new study from the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute contends the term is gender-inaccurate. “Unsupervised, Ensnared, Relational, and Private: A Topology of Illinois’ Corrupt Women” takes a look at the women of the state who have been convicted for abusing their office. It challenges the notion that “female public officials have a deterrent effect on corruption” and examines the methods and motivations most common among female officials who have been convicted.

Michigan – Recordings: State rep asked aide to hide relationship
MLive.com – Chad Livengood | Published: 8/7/2015

Michigan Rep. Todd Courser distributed a fake e-mail that suggested he had sex with a male prostitute so he could hide his relationship with another state representative. Both lawmakers are Christian conservatives who frequently refer to their faith. Courser, a married father of four, said in an audio recording that the e-mail was intended to create a “complete smear campaign” of false claims so a public revelation about his relationship with state Rep. Cindy Gamrat would seem “mild by comparison.” The Detroit News interviews suggested the representatives used their taxpayer-funded offices to maintain and cover up their relationship.

Missouri – MEC Dismisses Complaint against Redmon
Missouri Times – Travis Zimpfer | Published: 8/11/2015

The Missouri Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against state Rep. Craig Redmon over allegations he allowed lobbyist gifts for others to be reported as his. The commission said it found no inaccuracies in lobbyist expenditures for the past three years.  The agency said it also did not find any expenditures that should have been reported to other public officials. Redmon at first was paraphrased by The Kirksville Daily Express and later told The Associated Press that he sometimes has told people to put under his name expenses that actually were made for others. He has since denied any such action. Redmon says he misspoke and was not paying attention to questions.

Montana – Campaign Finance Rules Released, Upcoming Public Hearings
Helena Independent Record – Alexander Deedy | Published: 8/6/2015

Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl is putting his proposed campaign finance regulations out for public comment. A public hearing on the proposed rules will be held in Helena on September 2 and 3. Comments may also be submitted to the commissioner’s office. Motl has said the rules would allow corporate groups to spend money in campaigns, but they must say how much they are spending, where the money came from, and what it is being spent on. Motl must approve the final regulations before October 1.

Oklahoma – Democratic Party Sues Oklahoma Ethics Commission
The Oklahoman – Rick Green | Published: 8/11/2015

Oklahoma Democratic Party is suing the state Ethics Commission over new agency rules that prohibit any fundraising or distribution of election materials on state-owned property. Party officials argued the new rules are an improper restraint on free speech. The party had to call off a fund-raising activity planned for Oklahoma City Community College on July 25 after the commission “informally indicated an intention to enforce its rules,” the lawsuit said.

Pennsylvania – Montco DA Charges Attorney General Kane
Philadelphia Inquirer – Craig McCoy, Angela Couloumbis, and Jeremy Roebuck | Published: 8/6/2015

The Montgomery County district attorney filed criminal charges against Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane in a convoluted tale of political maneuvering and retribution that threatens the career of an official who was seen until recently as one of her state’s rising stars. Kane has been accused of illegally giving grand jury documents to a newspaper in order to embarrass a critic, and then trying to cover up her actions with false testimony to a different grand jury. Kane has admitted to leaking material, but insisted it was not covered by grand jury secrecy requirements.

Rhode Island – Secretary of State Seeks Overhaul of RI Lobbying Statutes
The Associated Press – Jennifer McDermott | Published: 8/12/2015

Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea said she has questioned whether there are people and organizations lobbying in Rhode Island without registering to do so, either because they are ignoring the law or do not know about it. Because she does not have power to investigate, Gorbea now sends educational letters to people she thinks may be lobbying based on media reports. “Without proper legal investigative processes, you’re left with trying to be fairly broad in terms of outreach,” said Gorbea. She has suggested a new lobbying statute to provide a framework for investigations and hearings, and to grant her subpoena power. Lawmakers did not pass the bill during the 2015 session.

Texas – Texas Watchdog Group Calls another Political Titan to Account
New York Times – Manny Fernandez | Published: 8/6/2015

State Attorney General Ken Paxton, former Gov. Rick Perry, and ex-U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay are all Texas officials who have been indicted while in office over the past decade. They also have one other thing in common: the complaints leading to their indictments were initiated by Texans for Public Justice, the low-budget, nonprofit watchdog group that Craig McDonald runs out of a basement office in Austin. Critics dispute McDonald’s claim that Texans for Public Justice is nonpartisan, saying it has used the courts to serve as a political attack machine against Republicans.

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.

The state Democratic Party has filed suit in federal court against the state Ethics Commission over rules the agency adopted last year.

The Democratic Party argues the new rules, which prohibit fundraising and election material distribution on state-owned property, improperly restrain free speech and, therefore, violate the Constitution.

The party is asking the court to invalidate the rules.

A by-election for the riding of Calgary-Foothills will be held on September 3, 2015.

Former Progressive Conservative Leader Jim Prentice vacated the seat when the New Democratic Party gained control of the Legislative Assembly in the May 5 provincial election.

There are six candidates competing in the election.