Welcome back to the statehouse series. Today we travel to the Michigan capitol building.

Located in the state capital of Lansing, the Michigan Statehouse that stands today is the third building to house the Michigan government. The original statehouse was located in Detroit, Michigan’s original capital. The original statehouse was relocated to a second building in 1847, which was built with a wood frame structure. The present building was dedicated in 1879, designed with Neoclassical and Italianate styles. After a three-year restoration project, the capitol was rededicated in 1992.

The Michigan State Capitol is a truly a magnificent structure, with four-stories, two grand staircases, and a cast-iron dome that displays eight beautifully painted muses. Throughout the interior, the entire white floor tiling is made of Vermont marble and limestone. The only exception is the rotunda floor which is composed of 976 blocks of translucent glass.

The building also houses the State Senate and House of Representatives chambers, both rooms decorated differently. One features a terra cotta and teal ensemble while the other displays blue and gold. Like many other capitol buildings, the statehouse grounds feature various monuments and statues while highlighted by some not-so-typical notable trees: an Eastern White Pine, the state tree of Michigan; the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tree; and the oldest tree on the grounds, an 1873 catalpa.

For more information, such as how to schedule a tour, please be sure to check out the Michigan Statehouse website.

Along with the exhibits about the first governor, there are exhibits about all of the governors and an exhibit about the “Greater Lansing Area Attractions.”

Photo of the Michigan State House by Nikopoley on Wikimedia Commons.

The U.S. Statehouse Series is a project of the State and Federal Communications team of summer interns: Alessandra Dickos, Zack Koozer, Elaina Laikos, and Rachel Rodgers.

The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) issued an advisory opinion last week to clarify when an organization may be required to register with the state as an independent expenditure political action committee (IEPAC). An IEPAC is a political committee or other entity receiving contributions to make independent expenditures.

On September 18, the OCPF issued AO-14-05, which explains how an organization raising funds for political purposes is generally not required to register as an IEPAC in Massachusetts unless donors are told or otherwise know “that at least a portion of funds given will be used to influence” an election in the state. Registration as an IEPC with the state would not be required even if a portion of the funds raised by the organization is subsequently transferred to a Massachusetts IEPAC or is used by the organization itself to make independent expenditures in the state.

A committee of City Council has endorsed new campaign contribution rules to monitor independent political action committees. The rules would classify a committee’s otherwise independent payment as a “contribution” if the payment is for an advertisement duplicating materials found in a candidate’s advertisement or on the candidate’s website. Such payments would be subject to both contribution limits and source prohibitions.

The full City Council will now consider the amendments to the Election Campaign Control Ordinance (ECCO).

Photo of the San Diego skyline courtesy of Tomcio77 on Wikimedia Commons.

State and Federal Communications is proud to be a sponsor of the 2014 Public Affairs Council State and Local Government Relations Conference from September 29 – October 1 in Alexandria, Virginia. President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz and a team of five of the staff are attending the event. We never miss it!

You can follow the Twitter conversations from the conference at #SLGR14.
See you there!

Former Gov. John G. Rowland was convicted Friday in federal court on seven counts of corrupt political acts. The charges, including obstructing justice, conspiracy, and falsifying documents, followed Rowland’s connection to the congressional campaigns of Lisa Wilson-Foley in 2012 and Mark Greenberg in 2010.

Foley pleaded guilty to related crimes earlier this year and is awaiting sentencing. The obstruction charge in relation to Greenberg’s campaign centered around a contract presented to Greenberg by Rowland. Greenberg testified he was not interested and tore up the contract.

Facing a maximum of 57 years in prison, Rowland will be sentenced on December 12.

Photo of former Gov. John G. Rowland by CT State Library on Wikimedia Commons.

Proposed changes to the Providence, Rhode Island lobbying law are drawing criticism from various civic groups.

In a letter dated September 18 to the City Council, 11 nonprofit and community organizations urge the rejection of the proposal. The letter argues the proposed expansions effectively “discourage community activism” by “aiming explicitly at organizations that rely on non-compensated volunteers to advocate for the community.”

Samuel Zurier, the ordinance’s sponsor, claims the ordinance and amendments are “within the mainstream of what other [municipalities] do,” according to the Providence Journal. If passed, the changes would take effect on January 1, 2015.

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) rejected the Department of State’s proposed increase to the biennial lobbyist registration fee. The proposal called for an increase from $200 to $400 for lobbyists, lobbying firms, and principals.

The Department of State believed the higher fees were needed to offset increased costs associated with the lobbyist registration database and website. The IRRC disapproved the increase following testimony stating it would be too burdensome on smaller companies and the general public, creating a disincentive to engaging in the lawmaking process.

State and Federal Communications is a proud sponsor of the 2014 Akron Marathon, which will be held on Saturday, September 27. You can see our banner right in front of Canal Park’s Team Shop. We wish all the participants a wonderful experience. Good luck!

National:

Wealthy Citizens Have More Clout in State Government, but Stricter Lobbying Rules Can Help Close the Gap, Baylor Study Finds

Baylor University – Terry Goodrich | Published: 9/16/2014

Baylor University political science professor Patrick Flavin found state lawmakers are more attentive to the political opinions of the wealthy than those of poor people when making policy decisions, but stricter regulations on professional lobbyists can help curb this trend and promote more equal representation. “… Disadvantaged citizens do not enjoy the same level of representation among professional lobbyists [as the wealthy], and correspondingly exert less influence over the policy decisions made by elected officials,” said Flavin.

Federal:

Judge Mulls SEC Limits on Political Donations

Politico – Josh Gerstein | Published: 9/12/2014

A federal judge questioned whether two state Republican parties have legal standing to challenge a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule that puts some restrictions on asset managers when they make campaign contributions. The New York and Tennessee Republican parties filed a lawsuit against the SEC in August over the 2010 rule, arguing it impedes free speech. They are seeking a preliminary injunction against the rule. Howell also said the SEC’s rule, aimed at reining in donations intended to help investment advisers win business from state-controlled endowments or pension funds, was vague, especially when it comes to preventing indirect contributions.

Tommy Boggs Helped Create Modern World of D.C. Lobbying

Politico – Byron Tau and Anna Palmer | Published: 9/15/2014

Thomas H. Boggs, Jr., who was a pioneer in melding the practice of law and lobbying and led the prominent lobbying shop Patton Boggs for many years, has died at age 73. Few people were as acquainted with power and influence as Boggs, whose father was Democratic majority leader in the U.S. House and whose mother served nine terms in Congress. Starting in the 1960s, when lobbying was often a one-man operation or done by a trade association, Boggs helped transform the profession into a multibillion-dollar enterprise that seeks a vast array of public policy goals.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – State Supreme Court to Rule on Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements

East Valley Tribune – Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 9/15/2014

The Committee for Justice and Fairness is asking the Arizona Supreme Court to decide when groups running attack ads against candidates have to disclose who is financing the effort. The committee wants the justices to rule that only groups which run commercials specifically asking viewers to vote for or against someone must spell out the source of the money. What the court ultimately decides will govern what voters know about who is behind the attack ads they will see for years to come.

Arkansas – Why Some Say Arkansas’ Ethics Reform Is a Trojan Horse

Governing Magazine – J.B. Wogan | Published: 9/11/2014

Issue 3 on the November ballot in Arkansas would ban lobbyist gifts to state officials, prohibit direct corporate contributions to candidates, and lengthen the time period before former lawmakers can become lobbyists. But those lobbying and campaign finance reforms have received little attention in the campaign, mostly because another provision would extend term limits for state lawmakers. Because the measure would make several changes at once, it has a long, complicated ballot title and the bill itself is 22 pages, with the term-limits portion tucked away on the 16th page. The length and complexity of the measure has invited speculation that its authors intended to obfuscate its impact on term limits.

Colorado – Ted Olson Argues Citizens United Case in Denver Court

Denver Post – John Frank | Published: 9/16/2014

The conservative organization credited – or blamed – with bringing a flood of money into politics argued in federal court it should be allowed to produce and advertise a film that criticizes Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper without disclosing who paid for it. Attorneys for Citizens United argued “Rocky Mountain Heist” is a news product and the organization itself should be considered a media outlet with the same protections as members of the press. The urgency of the ruling is heightened with the election seven weeks away.

Connecticut – Panel Condemns NU Exec’s Pro-Malloy Solicitation as ‘Offensive’ – But Finds No Violation

Hartford Courant – Jon Lender | Published: 9/16/2014

The State Elections Enforcement Commission dismissed a complaint against Northeast Utilities Chief Executive Officer Thomas May, but not before offering some harsh criticism of the solicitation the state contractor sent to his employees. Connecticut law prohibits state contractors from contributing to state party accounts or the campaigns of statewide candidates. Even though the email solicitation mentioned Malloy’s accomplishments at length, the commission was unable to find May violated the law because the money went to the party’s federal account.

New York – Former Assemblyman Turned Informer Avoids Prison

New York Times – Benjamin Weiser | Published: 9/11/2014

Former New York Assemblyperson Nelson Castro will not serve any time in prison for making false statements because he “helped clean house” in state politics by cooperating in a lengthy corruption probe that resulted in the conviction of another state Assembly member and five others, said a federal judge. Castro began cooperating in 2009 while still a candidate almost immediately after he was told he was facing a perjury charge in a corruption investigation. For two terms in the Assembly, he wore a wire at times as part of his undercover work. He resigned office after his cooperation was revealed last year.

North Carolina – NC’s Political Watchdogs: The State Ethics Commission’s strengths and weaknesses

Carolina Public Press – John Ellston | Published: 9/17/2014

The Carolina Public Press said its review of the North Carolina Ethics Commission’s first seven years of operation found a bipartisan and vigorous effort to enforce ethics laws that is constrained by a lack of resources, strict confidentiality rules, and limited enforcement powers, and burdened by an ever-expanding mandate. The Public Press profiled the commission’s members, detailed the agency’s duties, and assessed what outside observers say are its strengths and weaknesses.

Ohio – Judge: Ohio politicians allowed to lie

USA Today – Chrissie Thompson (Cincinnati Enquirer) | Published: 9/11/2014

A federal judge struck down as unconstitutional an Ohio election law that banned candidates or independent organizations from lying in campaigns. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Black ruled the law and its enforcement by the state Elections Commission are “inherently flawed” because the statute requires a government agency to decide whether a candidate or organization had lied in a commercial or billboard. “The answer to false statements in politics is not to force silence, but to encourage truthful speech in response, and to let the voters, not the government, decide what the political truth is,” wrote Black.

Texas – Campaigns, Consultants Disregard Ethics Commission Resolution

Houston Chronicle – David Saleh Rauf | Published: 9/11/2014

The Texas Ethics Commission adopted a resolution last year saying that campaigns should not use the agency’s sworn complaint process as a tool to smear an opposing candidate. But the resolution is a nonbinding decree that carries no enforcement muscle. So it appears that strategists from both parties have decided to disregard the sentiment of the commission in favor of trying to drum up headlines against their political rivals.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

The pro-life group Vermont Right to Life Committee filed a complaint with the state’s attorney general’s office against Vermont Leads and its independent expenditure PAC, Vermont Leads Political Action Committee. The complaint alleges transfers of money between the two groups violate campaign finance laws.

Act 90, enacted in January, states an independent expenditure PAC cannot be closely related to a political party or political committee if they make contributions to candidates. The treasurer of Vermont Right to Life Committee, Sharon Toborg, is asking the attorney general to clarify the statute’s language.

Assistant Attorney General Eve Jacobs-Carnahan believes the distinction will depend on communication between Vermont Leads and its PAC as well as their governance structure, activities, and spending.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is seeking input on the redesign of its website and access to its campaign finance data and information. The FEC held a public forum on September 17 to discuss the website improvement plans being made in coordination with the General Services Administration (GSA). According to the FEC press release, one of Chairman Lee E. Goodman goals is “to make the data as visible and tailored to each individual website visitor as possible.”

The GSA group working with the FEC is called 18F and describes itself as builders of “effective, user-centric digital services focused on the interaction between government [and] the people it serves.” Suggestions and ideas for website improvement may be submitted here.

A special election will be held on November 4 to fill the vacant state senate seat for District 17. Gov. Phil Bryant issued a Writ of Election after Sen. Terry Brown passed away earlier this month.

The deadline to qualify is October 6 and should a runoff election be necessary, it will be held November 25. The newly elected senator will complete Sen. Brown’s term ending January 2016.

The Internal Services Department in Miami-Dade County has combined the separate vendor enrollment and registration processes into one online vendor registration. The online vendor registration process can be accessed here.

Paper based registrations are no longer accepted.

All registered vendors whose status was “Active” prior to September 15, 2014 will be able to update their existing registration profiles through this portal. An email containing the login information will be sent to each firm currently registered or enrolled. These vendors will only be required to log-in to the portal to establish an online, secure profile. Thereafter, the existing registration records will be available to them online.

Vendors still must return a notarized business entity registration application by regular mail.

State Rep. Ronnie Sabb won the Democratic special primary runoff for Senate District 32 by receiving 58.7 percent of the vote against Williamsburg County Councilman Sam Floyd. With no Republican challengers, Sabb’s name will be the only one to appear on the November ballot.

A special election will then be held in early 2015 to fill Sabb’s House seat, which Floyd may pursue. The Senate District 32 special election became necessary when Lt. Gov. Yancey McGill vacated the seat to take his current position from Glenn McConnell, who resigned as lieutenant governor to become president of the College of Charleston.

Photo of Rep. Ronnie Sabb courtesy of the South Carolina Legislature website.