June 26, 2014 •
Hawaii State Ethics Commission Approves Guidelines for Lawmakers
The Hawaii State Ethics Commission, in a 3-2 vote on June 18, approved new guidelines for lawmakers to follow in an effort to regulate the spending of their annual allowance. Each legislator receives almost $12,000 each year to cover incidental […]
The Hawaii State Ethics Commission, in a 3-2 vote on June 18, approved new guidelines for lawmakers to follow in an effort to regulate the spending of their annual allowance.
Each legislator receives almost $12,000 each year to cover incidental expenses related to legislative duties.
The legislative leadership welcomed the recommendations and will consider revising their current rules, despite failing to acknowledge the commission’s jurisdiction with regard to the matter.
June 26, 2014 •
Honolulu Ethics Commission Confronts Caldwell Administration
In an ongoing battle for independence, the Honolulu Ethics Commission sent a letter to Mayor Kirk Caldwell highlighting the latest affront by corporation counsel and asking the administration to demonstrate its commitment to a strong ethics program. The letter mentioned […]
In an ongoing battle for independence, the Honolulu Ethics Commission sent a letter to Mayor Kirk Caldwell highlighting the latest affront by corporation counsel and asking the administration to demonstrate its commitment to a strong ethics program.
The letter mentioned commission plans to investigate city employees suspected of getting paid for work they did not do. The suspected fraud is estimated to cost the city a quarter of a million dollars per year, and the commission requested authority to purchase a $600 GPS tracking device to use as part of its investigation. Donna Leong, the city’s corporation counsel, took five weeks to conditionally approve the purchase, by which time the investigative window had closed.
The Caldwell administration did not respond or comment on the letter; it will likely be discussed at the June 26 Ethics Commission meeting.
June 26, 2014 •
Transgender Woman Advances to Runoff for Oklahoma House District 88
Paula Sophia, the first openly transgender officer in Oklahoma City Police Department history, is vying to become the state’s first openly transgender legislator. Sophia received enough votes in Tuesday’s primary to force a runoff for the Democratic nomination to represent […]
Paula Sophia, the first openly transgender officer in Oklahoma City Police Department history, is vying to become the state’s first openly transgender legislator. Sophia received enough votes in Tuesday’s primary to force a runoff for the Democratic nomination to represent Oklahoma House District 88.
Sophia will face former pastor Jason Dunnington in an August 26 runoff. There is no Republican challenger; the winner will bypass the general election as a member of the state legislature.
June 26, 2014 •
New Administrator for Alaska Legislative Ethics Committee
The Select Committee on Legislative Ethics hired a new administrator to succeed Joyce Anderson. Anderson is retiring July 11 after 13 years in the position. Reginald Drummond, her successor, begins his new job June 30. The two will work together […]
The Select Committee on Legislative Ethics hired a new administrator to succeed Joyce Anderson. Anderson is retiring July 11 after 13 years in the position.
Reginald Drummond, her successor, begins his new job June 30. The two will work together for several weeks during the transition.
Drummond is currently an assistant inspector general in the U.S. Army and is retiring from the military.
June 25, 2014 •
SEC Charges Firm with Pay-to-Play Violation
For the first time, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged a firm with violations of its pay-to-play rules. On June 20, the SEC charged TL Ventures Inc., a private equity firm, with receiving advisory fees from the […]
For the first time, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged a firm with violations of its pay-to-play rules. On June 20, the SEC charged TL Ventures Inc., a private equity firm, with receiving advisory fees from the pension funds of both Philadelphia and Pennsylvania after an associate of the firm had made campaign contributions in 2011 to the governor and a candidate for mayor.
Federal regulations prohibit investment advisers and their covered associates who make contributions to officials of state and local government entities from providing compensatory advisory services for two years following a campaign contribution. TL Ventures Inc. has agreed to settle the charges by paying nearly $300,000.
June 25, 2014 •
Canada Fair Elections Act Receives Royal Assent
The Fair Elections Act to amend the Canada Elections Act has passed and received Royal Assent on June 19, 2014. Bill C-23 increases contribution limits to candidates and political parties from $1,200 to $1,500. Third-party advertising limits, currently imposed only […]
The Fair Elections Act to amend the Canada Elections Act has passed and received Royal Assent on June 19, 2014. Bill C-23 increases contribution limits to candidates and political parties from $1,200 to $1,500.
Third-party advertising limits, currently imposed only during a campaign period, will be imposed for all election advertising “in relation to a general election.”
The bill also increases penalties to $100,000 for intentional violations by corporations acting as a third party. The new limits are not effective until the next call for a general election at the federal level.
June 25, 2014 •
Lankford Defeats Shannon in Oklahoma GOP Senate Primary
U.S. Rep. James Lankford defeated former Oklahoma Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon in Tuesday’s GOP Senate primary. In November, Lankford will face the Democratic nominee for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat. The seat became available after GOP Sen. […]
U.S. Rep. James Lankford defeated former Oklahoma Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon in Tuesday’s GOP Senate primary. In November, Lankford will face the Democratic nominee for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat.
The seat became available after GOP Sen. Tom Coburn announced plans to step down with two years remaining on his term due to a recurring cancer battle.
Lankford is expected to win the seat easily in the deep-red state; Republicans hold every statewide office and both state legislative chambers.
June 25, 2014 •
Beauprez Claims Victory in Colorado GOP Gubernatorial Primary
Bob Beauprez came out on top in the Colorado GOP gubernatorial primary on Tuesday. The former congressman accepted his party’s nomination after besting fellow candidates Tom Tancredo, Scott Gessler, and Mike Kopp in a four-way race. GOP strategists worried a […]
Bob Beauprez came out on top in the Colorado GOP gubernatorial primary on Tuesday. The former congressman accepted his party’s nomination after besting fellow candidates Tom Tancredo, Scott Gessler, and Mike Kopp in a four-way race.
GOP strategists worried a Tancredo tea-party victory would hurt the Republican ticket in November and seem satisfied with the establishment win. All four GOP primary candidates intend to work as a team to support the new Republican nominee as he battles to unseat Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper.
June 25, 2014 •
South Carolina McMaster Wins Primary Runoff for Lieutenant Governor
Republicans have chosen former Attorney General Henry McMaster as the party’s nominee for lieutenant governor. McMaster easily won the runoff against businessman Mike Campbell, the son of late Republican Gov. Carroll Campbell, despite campaign support from former Arkansas Gov. Mike […]
Republicans have chosen former Attorney General Henry McMaster as the party’s nominee for lieutenant governor. McMaster easily won the runoff against businessman Mike Campbell, the son of late Republican Gov. Carroll Campbell, despite campaign support from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
The win is also a positive for former Sen. Rick Santorum, who campaigned for McMaster in the closing days before the runoff.
McMaster will face Democrat state Rep. Bakari Sellers in the November general election.
June 25, 2014 •
Cochran Defeats McDaniel in Mississippi GOP Senate Primary Runoff
In a tight race Tuesday, Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran secured the GOP Senate nomination with 50.8 percent of the vote. Cochran battled tea party candidate Chris McDaniel in a federal runoff after neither candidate carried enough votes in the June […]
In a tight race Tuesday, Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran secured the GOP Senate nomination with 50.8 percent of the vote. Cochran battled tea party candidate Chris McDaniel in a federal runoff after neither candidate carried enough votes in the June 3 primary to capture the nomination.
Although McDaniel’s campaign has not made a decision whether to challenge the results, Cochran’s win ends a somewhat bizarre and expensive political battle between the two candidates.
In November, Cochran will face Democrat Travis Childers; if elected, Cochran will serve a seventh consecutive Senate term.
June 25, 2014 •
DE General Assembly Passes Campaign Finance Bills
Two important campaign finance bills have passed the Delaware General Assembly and are on their way to Gov. Jack Markell’s desk. House Substitute No. 1 to House Bill 302 consolidates the three existing county boards of election into one state […]
Two important campaign finance bills have passed the Delaware General Assembly and are on their way to Gov. Jack Markell’s desk.
House Substitute No. 1 to House Bill 302 consolidates the three existing county boards of election into one state board with 11 members. The bill also authorizes the state election commissioner to prepare and publish manuals explaining the state’s campaign finance requirements to individuals, political committees, and others affected by the law.
House Bill 301 requires contributions from joint accounts to be attributed to the person authorizing the payment and establishes procedures for reallocation of contributions from joint accounts.
If the governor signs these bills, House Substitute No. 1 to House BIll 302 becomes effective January 1, 2015, and House Bill 301 becomes effective July 1, 2015.
June 25, 2014 •
Arkansas Governor to Call Special Session
Gov. Mike Beebe has indicated a special session will be called to address overcrowding in jails and teacher insurance. The House and Senate will consider a bill to add 600 beds to the Department of Corrections facilities and the Pulaski […]
Gov. Mike Beebe has indicated a special session will be called to address overcrowding in jails and teacher insurance. The House and Senate will consider a bill to add 600 beds to the Department of Corrections facilities and the Pulaski County Jail.
Lawmakers will also consider a plan to reduce insurance costs for public school employees by eliminating part-time employees and spouses who have other options for health coverage.
The session will begin on June 30 and last until July 2, 2014.
June 24, 2014 •
NY Establishes Ethics Tip Line
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics has created a tip line and website allowing the public to report alleged ethical violations by state officials and lobbyists, including improper gifts, conflicts of interest, nepotism, abuse of power, and sexual harassment. To […]
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics has created a tip line and website allowing the public to report alleged ethical violations by state officials and lobbyists, including improper gifts, conflicts of interest, nepotism, abuse of power, and sexual harassment.
To report violations, call 1-800-87-ETHICS or visit http://reportmisconduct.ny.gov.
June 24, 2014 •
Virginia Governor Vetoes Funding for Ethics Council
On June 20, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed the state’s two-year budget with a series of line-item vetoes. With plans to introduce stronger ethics reform legislation in next year’s General Assembly session, he vetoed all funding for the Virginia Conflicts […]
On June 20, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed the state’s two-year budget with a series of line-item vetoes. With plans to introduce stronger ethics reform legislation in next year’s General Assembly session, he vetoed all funding for the Virginia Conflicts of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council.
The council, established to oversee state ethics provisions related to lobbying, gifts, and conflicts of interest, is a product of the recent omnibus ethics reform bill signed by the governor in April.
Lawmakers needed two-thirds of the votes in each legislative body to override the veto; the House overrode the veto on Monday but the closely divided Senate lacked enough votes to follow suit. The veto of funding for the ethics commission was sustained.
Photo of Gov. McAuliffe courtesy of Kate Wellington on Wikimedia Commons.
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