Campaign Finance

California: “Why Didn’t School Board President Ref Rodriguez Just Write Himself a Big Check?” by David Zahniser, Anna Phillips, and Howard Blume for Los Angeles Times

Santa Fe: “Reform Laws Spurred by Treasurer Scandals Full of Loopholes” by Andrew Oxford for Santa Fe New Mexican

New York: “Board of Elections Probes Ties Between Senate Democrats, Union Super PAC” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Ethics

“Request Denied: States try to block access to public records” by Andrew DeMillo and Ryan Foley (Associated Press) for San Jose Mercury News

“Trump Declines to Release List of His Mar-a-Lago Visitors” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

“Congress Struggles to Figure Out Which Russia Investigation Trumps the Others” by Erin Kelly for USA Today

California: “OC Ethics Commission Can Now Meet After Third Member is Appointed” by Nick Gerda for Voice of OC

Oregon: “Nepotism Runs Rampant in Oregon Legislature. Here’s How” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian

Pennsylvania: “Streetlight Executive Sentenced in City Hall Pay-to-Play Case” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call

Gov. Paul LePage called a special election for House District 56.

The seat’s holder, Rep. Gina Mason, passed away unexpectedly on September 5, 2017.

The special election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2017.

On September 17, Elections Canada announced two by-elections for the House of Commons will be held on October 23.

The by-elections will be held for the electoral districts of Sturgeon River–Parkland in Alberta and the Lac-Saint-Jean in Quebec. Advance voting will run from the 13th to the 16th of October.

MP Rona Ambrose of Sturgeon River-Parkland resigned from politics in July.

MP Denis Lebel of Lac-Saint-Jean announced his retirement in June.

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission has recommended multiple changes to the Municipal Lobbying Ordinance.

These changes include increasing the registration threshold from $2,000 to $5,000; expanding the 501(c)(3) organization exemption; amending and adding definitions regarding lobbying; expanding gift restrictions; revising registration statements, deadlines, and fees; creating a bimonthly reporting calendar instead of quarterly; and increasing civil penalties for violations of lobbying laws.

The next commission meeting is on October 17, and comments regarding the proposal can be emailed to ethics.policy@lacity.org.

Lawmakers are meeting this week for three legislative days to start discussions on bills they would like to pass during the shorter, 32-day session next year.

In addition to getting updates on this year’s wildfire season and how the state is reacting to Equifax’s consumer data breach, legislators will be discussing a proposal to institute a greenhouse gas “cap and invest” proposal, which would fine businesses that go over their limit on greenhouse gas emissions and would invest that revenue into green-energy infrastructure.

Legislators are also being tasked with approving executive appointments during this three-day period.

Campaign Finance

California: “L.A. School Board President Faces Felony Charges Over Campaign Contributions” by Anna Phillips, David Zahniser, and Howard Blume for Los Angeles Times

Michigan: “Campaign Finance Bills Pass Michigan Senate, Give More Power to Big Donors, Critics Say” by Emily Lawler for MLive.com

Pennsylvania: “Former Judge to Admit Payments from Brady Campaign, Lawyer Says” by Chris Brennan and Craig McCoy for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

“Government Ethics Office Says It Will Stick with Ban on Anonymous Gifts” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico

“Trump Lawyers Clash Over How Much to Cooperate with Russia Inquiry” by Peter Baker and Kenneth Vogel for New York Times

“Trump’s Divisive Presidency Reshapes a Key Part of His Private Business” by David Fahrenthold, Amy Brittain, and Matea Gold for Washington Post

“Trump’s FEC Nominee Has Questioned the Value of Disclosing Political Donors” by Matea Gold for Washington Post

Lobbying

“Mike Flynn’s Son Is Subject of Federal Russia Probe” by Carol Lee, Julia Ainsley, and Ken Dilanian for NBC News

Arkansas: “Lobbyist Got Part of Fees Paid by Bondsmen” by Brian Fanney for Arkansas Online

Colorado: “Big Bucks Flow to Colorado Lobbyist Offices Steps from The Capitol” by Sandra Fish for KUNC

North Carolina: “Lobbyist Faces Investigation after WBTV Uncovered Unregistered Lobbying” by Nick Ochsner (WBTV) for Charlotte Observer

Elections

“How Party Bosses, Not Voters, Pick Politicians in New York” by Shane Goldmacher for New York Times

Legislative Issues

California: “In California’s Capitol, the Real Battles Are Often Between the Assembly and the Senate” by Chris Megerian and Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times

Missouri: “Missouri Lawmaker Censured over Trump Assassination Post” by Associated Press for Wichita Eagle

After review and finalization, a package of campaign finance code revisions is going to the City Council Governance Committee for approval.

Proposed revisions include language creating a blackout period for owners or top executives of primary bidders on city contracts making contributions to a council campaign within a certain time frame when the contract is out to bid.

Some members of the Ethics Board fear tighter campaign finance laws will decrease political activity and lead to political problems and controversy while others are happy to see steps taken towards transparency.

The committee will meet Sept. 20 to review the proposed changes completed by the City’s Ethics Review Board this week.

Gov. John Hickenlooper has called a special legislative session on Oct. 2 to fix a budgeting issue that resulted from consolidating two marijuana taxes.

A bill-drafting error inadvertently left out the Regional Transportation District, the Denver Zoo, and other Denver-based institutions from receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in marijuana tax revenue.

Republican leaders reacted angrily, claiming they had not been consulted about a game plan and questioning why this could not wait till the regular session convenes in January.

Per the state constitution, lawmakers are required to convene when called, but they are not required to take action.

The Minnesota Supreme Court overturned a district court ruling Gov. Mark Dayton’s line-item vetoes unconstitutional.

In May, Dayton line-item vetoed funding for the House and Senate. In response, the Legislature sued arguing Dayton violated the separation of powers clause of the state Constitution.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has ordered Dayton and the Legislature to mediate their funding disagreements.

On or before September 30, both Dayton and the Legislature must give the court a status report regarding mediation efforts.

Gov. Mary Fallin has called a special election to fill a vacant seat in Oklahoma Senate District 27.

Bryce Marlatt resigned his seat on Tuesday after being charged with a felony count of sexual battery for grabbing an Uber driver’s head and kissing her neck while she was driving him to a bar.

A special primary will be held December 12, with a special general to follow on February 13, 2018.

Gov. Bill Haslam recently issued a writ of election to fill a vacancy in Tennessee Senate District 17.

Mae Beavers recently resigned from the seat to dedicate her time to running for governor.

A special primary will be held November 7. The special general will be held on December 19.

Denver City Council unanimously approved a proposal to close a loophole allowing campaign spending to go unreported if not coordinated directly with a candidate’s campaign.

Individuals, companies, and other organizations making $1,000 in independent expenditures, including electioneering communications, will be required to disclose all expenses and donors exceeding $25 within two days after reaching the $1,000 expenditure threshold.

The approved legislation also amends various campaign finance definitions, changes reporting periods for political committees, and imposes fines for late reports.

All bill provisions are effective Friday, September 15, unless otherwise provided in the legislative text.

State Rep. Gina Mason passed away unexpectedly on September 5, 2017.

Mason, mother of Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason, was serving her first term as the representative for District 56.

Gov. Paul LePage may call a special election if the municipal officers of any municipality affected by the vacancy inform LePage there is a need to fill the vacancy before the next general election.

The next general election is scheduled for November 7, 2017.

On September 12, President Donald J. Trump nominated Trey Trainor to serve as a commissioner on the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Trainor is a lawyer licensed in Texas who specializes in election law, campaign finance, and ethics. Trainor previously served in the president’s administration as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, in the Department of Defense, Office of General Counsel.

Last week it was announced Commissioner Matthew Spencer Petersen would be stepping down after being nominated by the president to serve as a District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

With the appointment of Trainor, and with Petersen’s absence, there will be three registered members of the Republican Party, one registered member of the Democratic Party, and one Independent, Chairman Steven T. Walther. One seat still remains vacant. The FEC requires at least four commissioners to agree for any official action.

To become a commissioner, Trainor must now be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.