August 30, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying “Exclusive: Bloomberg charity scrutinized by India for anti-tobacco funding, lobbying – documents” by Aditya Kalra for Reuters Campaign Finance Michigan: “Attorney: Michigan super PACs face ‘firestorm’ of fines” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News Montana: “Discounted Sale of US […]
Lobbying
“Exclusive: Bloomberg charity scrutinized by India for anti-tobacco funding, lobbying – documents” by Aditya Kalra for Reuters
Campaign Finance
Michigan: “Attorney: Michigan super PACs face ‘firestorm’ of fines” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News
Montana: “Discounted Sale of US Interior Secretary’s Motor Home Raises Questions” by Bobcaina Calvin (Associated Press) for ABC News
Ethics
California: “3 of 4 Colonies Corruption Defendants Found Not Guilty on All Charges” by Joe Nelson and Richard Deatley for San Bernardino Sun
Colorado: “Emails Raise Ethical Questions About Colorado Lawmaker. But He Says There’s Nothing to See.” by Jesse Paul for Denver Post
Idaho: “Lawmakers: Idaho ‘uniquely poised’ to stiffen campaign, lobbying disclosure requirements” by Betsy Russell for Spokane Spoesman-Review
Elections
“Top Trump Organization Executive Asked Putin Aide for Help on Business Deal” by Rosalind Helderman, Carol Leonnig, and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post
Legislative Issues
North Carolina: “Court Weighs Legislature’s Stripping of Cooper’s Powers” by Emery Dalesio (Associated Press) for Ashville Citizen-Times
Redistricting
“The New Front in the Gerrymandering Wars: Democracy vs. math” by Emily Bazelon for New York Times
August 29, 2017 •
Come See us THIS Thursday, August 31, at the Agora on the campus of George Washington University
This Thursday, August 31, State and Federal Communications is taking part in The Agora: Government Relations & Public Affairs Marketplace on the campus of George Washington University in Washington, D.C. From the event coordinator, “The Grassroots Professional Network (GPN) in […]
This Thursday, August 31, State and Federal Communications is taking part in The Agora: Government Relations & Public Affairs Marketplace on the campus of George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
From the event coordinator, “The Grassroots Professional Network (GPN) in partnership with George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political School of Management (GSPM) and The Hill are hosting the Agora ‘The Marketplace for the Government Relations & Public Affairs’ Industry. Join hundreds of advocacy professionals for an outdoor marketplace, network with industry peers, and sample the latest technology, tools, and trends. Make sure you visit the center stage to listen to live fireside chats hosted by GPN, GSPM, and The Hill’s leadership.”
You can find Gamble Hayden and Jon Spontarelli from 3-6 p.m. at the University Yard on H Street between 20th and 21st streets, NW. Stop by and see how State and Federal Communications can help you in your government relations and public affairs activities!
August 29, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News
Lobbying “Washington Lobbying Firms Receive Subpoenas as Part of Russia Probe” by Carol Leonnig and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post Massachusetts: “In Massachusetts, Lobbyists Outnumber Lawmakers Seven-to-One” by Steve LeBlanc (Associated Press) for WWLP Campaign Finance Washington: “Is Olympia Lawyer […]
Lobbying
“Washington Lobbying Firms Receive Subpoenas as Part of Russia Probe” by Carol Leonnig and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post
Massachusetts: “In Massachusetts, Lobbyists Outnumber Lawmakers Seven-to-One” by Steve LeBlanc (Associated Press) for WWLP
Campaign Finance
Washington: “Is Olympia Lawyer the Democrats’ Champion in Complaint-Filing War?” by Melissa Santos for Tacoma News Tribune
Ethics
“Trump’s Business Sought Deal on a Trump Tower in Moscow While He Ran for President” by Carol Leonnig, Tom Hamburger, and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post
Florida: “FBI Arranged Outings for Gillum, Others During NYC Trip” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
Illinois: “State Lawmaker’s Charity Borrowed from Political Campaign, Inconsistently Filed Reports” by Zak Koeske (Daily Southtown) for Chicago Tribune
New York: “Son of High-Profile State Democrat Up Against Bribery Charges” by Ken Dixon for Connecticut Post
Elections
“Democrats Exploit GOP Ethics Woes in Battle for the House” by Elena Schneider and Austin Wright for Politico
August 28, 2017 •
California Assembly Speaker Faces Recall Effort; Opens Debate for Universal Healthcare
Democratic Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon is currently facing a recall effort launched by single-payer healthcare activists after Rendon blocked Senate Bill 562 that would have established a single-payer healthcare system in California. Rendon represents District 63 in the California State […]
Democratic Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon is currently facing a recall effort launched by single-payer healthcare activists after Rendon blocked Senate Bill 562 that would have established a single-payer healthcare system in California. Rendon represents District 63 in the California State Assembly.
On August 24, Rendon announced plans for special committee hearings this fall to develop legislation for a path forward for universal health care legislation.
Recall organizers must collect 22,963 signatures for a recall election to be held.
August 28, 2017 •
Saskatchewan MLA Boyd, in Violation of Conflict of Interest Act, Resigns from Party Caucus Five Days Before Scheduled to Resign from Legislative Assembly
On August 28, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Bill Boyd resigned from the Saskatchewan Party Caucus, even though Boyd previously announced his resignation from the Legislative Assembly will be on Friday, September 1. Boyd resigned at the request of […]
On August 28, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Bill Boyd resigned from the Saskatchewan Party Caucus, even though Boyd previously announced his resignation from the Legislative Assembly will be on Friday, September 1.
Boyd resigned at the request of Premier Brad Wall, whose request was based on the Conflict of Interest Commissioner’s finding Boyd violated the Conflict of Interest Act when Boyd inaccurately represented himself and the Government of Saskatchewan while on business in China.
MLA Boyd, who represents the Kindersley electoral district, was last elected in 2016 and had already announced earlier this month he was retiring on September 1, giving the reason that allowing a new MLA could be part of the Saskatchewan Party’s renewal.
August 28, 2017 •
California Recall Fight Continues
Senate Bill 117 was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on August 24. The law is effective immediately upon passage and extends the recall election timeline and would consolidate the Josh Newman recall election with the June 2018 primary […]
Senate Bill 117 was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on August 24.
The law is effective immediately upon passage and extends the recall election timeline and would consolidate the Josh Newman recall election with the June 2018 primary instead of a standalone special ballot this fall.
Under the law, people who signed recall petitions now have 30 days to withdraw their signatures.
Within hours of Gov. Jerry Brown signing the bill, a legal challenge was filed to block the new law claiming SB 117 violates the due process rights of Newman recall proponents. No court date has been set.
August 28, 2017 •
California Disclose Act Gets Closer to Passage
Assembly Bill 249, also known as the “California Disclose Act,” will be heard in the Senate on August 29. The bill requires most campaign ads to display their top three funders, even if those contributions were funneled through other committees. […]
Assembly Bill 249, also known as the “California Disclose Act,” will be heard in the Senate on August 29. The bill requires most campaign ads to display their top three funders, even if those contributions were funneled through other committees.
Similar versions of AB 249 have been introduced without passage since 2012. A similar bill from 2016 failed by one vote in the Senate. Last year’s bill was opposed by the California Fair Political Practice Commission (FPPC) due to the bill’s language making enforcement difficult.
The current version of the bill underwent changes to make the proposed law more acceptable to opponents and the FPPC has remained neutral.
August 28, 2017 •
Georgia Special Election Announced for Open House Seat
A special election will take place on November 7, 2017, to fill a vacancy in the Georgia House of Representatives. Regina Quick resigned from the House District 117 seat to become a superior court judge. If necessary, a runoff election […]
A special election will take place on November 7, 2017, to fill a vacancy in the Georgia House of Representatives.
Regina Quick resigned from the House District 117 seat to become a superior court judge. If necessary, a runoff election will take place on December 5.
District 117 includes parts of Jackson, Clarke, Barrow, and Oconee counties.
August 28, 2017 •
Hawaii Legislature to Convene Special Legislative Session
State legislative leadership submitted a proclamation on Thursday, August 24, to call the Hawaii Legislature into special session on Monday, August 28, 2017. The proclamation was filed at the written request of two-thirds of the members of each house. Lawmakers […]
State legislative leadership submitted a proclamation on Thursday, August 24, to call the Hawaii Legislature into special session on Monday, August 28, 2017.
The proclamation was filed at the written request of two-thirds of the members of each house.
Lawmakers are expected to consider a bill drafted by committee chairs to fund the completion of the rail project on Oahu.
August 28, 2017 •
FINRA Proposes Pay-to-Play Rules for Capital Acquisition Brokers
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has filed a proposed rule change with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to expand its brand-new pay-to-play rules to cover capital acquisition brokers (CAB). FINRA Rule 2030, which took effect August 20, restricts […]
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has filed a proposed rule change with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to expand its brand-new pay-to-play rules to cover capital acquisition brokers (CAB).
FINRA Rule 2030, which took effect August 20, restricts contributions made to an official of a government entity being provided investment advisory services or being engaged to provide investment advisory services by certain parties. The rule applies to broker-dealers, placement agents, and covered associates acting on behalf of certain regulated investment advisors or soliciting a government entity to invest in certain pooled investment vehicles. FINRA Rule 4580, which took effect the same day, mandates certain record-keeping requirements concerning related contributions.
A firm meeting the statutory definition of a CAB and electing to be governed by the FINRA rule set would be subject to FINRA’s new pay-to-play rules under the proposal. Specifically, FINRA proposes the addition of rules providing all CABs be subject to FINRA Rules 2030 and 4580. If approved, the effective date will be no later than 30 days after FINRA’s announcement of the SEC’s approval.
Legislation to be submitted this fall may require increased reporting requirements for third parties involved in Canadian federal elections. Minister of Democratic Institutions Karina Gould, speaking with the National Post, suggested “her office is ‘looking at’ expanding reporting requirements beyond […]
Legislation to be submitted this fall may require increased reporting requirements for third parties involved in Canadian federal elections.
Minister of Democratic Institutions Karina Gould, speaking with the National Post, suggested “her office is ‘looking at’ expanding reporting requirements beyond the six-month lead-up.” This and other changes to election law may be presented as legislation to the Parliament of Canada later this year.
Another proposed piece of legislation includes changing the time limit on election campaigns. Two previous pieces of campaign finance legislation, Bill C-33 and Bill C-50, are currently still in parliament.
Gould indicated there may be an additional election law related bill submitted, but stated, “I don’t want to present too many pieces of legislation,” according to the National Post.
August 28, 2017 •
Special Election Announced for Fairfax County School Board
A countywide special election will take place on August 29, 2017, to fill a vacant at-large school board seat. School board member Jeanette Hough resigned the seat in May. The winner will serve the remainder of Hough’s term, ending December […]
A countywide special election will take place on August 29, 2017, to fill a vacant at-large school board seat.
School board member Jeanette Hough resigned the seat in May. The winner will serve the remainder of Hough’s term, ending December 31, 2019.
School board members are non-partisan officeholders; however, Democrats and Republicans issue endorsements to make their preferences known.
August 28, 2017 •
Monday’s Government and Ethics News
Lobbying “Trump Rejects Wealthy Friends’ Pleas for Help” by Alex Guillen and Eric Wolff for Politico District of Columbia: “In D.C., Lobbying ‘Swamp; Isn’t Drained So Much as Clogged” by Matt Viser for Boston Globe Iowa: “Special Interest Groups Spend […]
Lobbying
“Trump Rejects Wealthy Friends’ Pleas for Help” by Alex Guillen and Eric Wolff for Politico
District of Columbia: “In D.C., Lobbying ‘Swamp; Isn’t Drained So Much as Clogged” by Matt Viser for Boston Globe
Iowa: “Special Interest Groups Spend Big at Iowa Capitol” by Brianne Pfannenstiel for Des Moines Register
Campaign Finance
New Mexico: “Secretary of State: Public election fund almost gone” by Daniel Chacón for Santa Fe New Mexican
Ethics
“Trump Asked Sessions About Closing Case Against Arpaio, an Ally Since ‘Birtherism’” by Philip Rucker and Ellen Nakashima for Washington Post
“At CIA, a Watchful Eye on Mike Pompeo, the President’s Ardent Ally” by Greg Miller for Washington Post
Georgia: “Ethics Board Proposal ‘Retaliation’ for Falcons Ticket Request, Councilwoman Says” by Nicole Carr for WSB
Illinois: “Jury: Buncich guilty on all counts in sheriff corruption case” by Craig Lyons for Chicago Tribune
Kentucky: “Ethics Group Wants to Know What Led Mnuchin to View Eclipse in Kentucky” by Drew Harwell and Beth Reinhard for Washington Post
Michigan: “Mich. GOP Strategist’s ‘News’ Site Touts Clients” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News
Elections
“Service Union Plans Big Push to Turn Midwest Political Tide” by Noam Scheiber for New York Times
August 25, 2017 •
NYCU Video Digest – August 25, 2017
Becky is back to deliver all the government and ethics news you can use in this weeks video digest!
Becky is back to deliver all the government and ethics news you can use in this weeks video digest!
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
