April 24, 2018 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News
Campaign Finance Missouri: “Greitens Charged with Second Felony After AG Investigation into Veterans Charity” by Jason Hancock, Allison Kite, and Bryan Lowry for Kansas City Star Ohio: “Questions Raised About Campaign Contributions and Influence at Columbus City Hall” by Doug […]
Campaign Finance
Missouri: “Greitens Charged with Second Felony After AG Investigation into Veterans Charity” by Jason Hancock, Allison Kite, and Bryan Lowry for Kansas City Star
Ohio: “Questions Raised About Campaign Contributions and Influence at Columbus City Hall” by Doug Caruso and Rick Rouan for Columbus Dispatch
Pennsylvania: “Philadelphia Tries Again on Campaign Finance Reforms” by Ryan Briggs for City & State Pennsylvania
Elections
National: “Democratic Party Sues Russia, Trump Campaign and WikiLeaks Alleging 2016 Campaign Conspiracy” by Tom Hamburger, Rosalind Helderman, and Ellen Nakashima for Washington Post
New Mexico: “Past Gubernatorial Candidate Insists He Wasn’t Paid to Leave Race” by Dan McKay for Albuquerque Journal
Ethics
National: “For Politicians Scraping Bottom, a Scarce Resource: Impeachment Lawyers” by Alan Blinder for New York Times
Washington: “Washington’s Lottery Deputy Director Ousted After Ethics Investigation” by Rachel LaCorte (Associated Press) for Seattle Times
Lobbying
National: “Lobbyist Whose Wife Rented to Pruitt Lobbied EPA Despite Denials” by Theodoric Meyer and Eliana Johnson for Politico
Canada: “Facebook Agrees to Join Federal Lobbyist Registry” by Bill Curry for The Globe and Mail
Maryland: “Baltimore City Council Bill Would Tighten Restrictions on Lobbyists, Require Forms Go Online” by Luke Broadwater for Baltimore Sun
April 5, 2018 •
Contribution Limits Lifted in Chicago Mayoral Race
Contribution limits have been lifted for individuals running in the 2019 Chicago mayoral race. Per state law, the limits are lifted for all candidates in a local race once a candidate contributes $100,000 to his or her own campaign within […]
Contribution limits have been lifted for individuals running in the 2019 Chicago mayoral race.
Per state law, the limits are lifted for all candidates in a local race once a candidate contributes $100,000 to his or her own campaign within a year of the election.
Mayor Rahm Emmanuel has a major fundraising advantage; he raised over $24 million in the 2015 race.
Businessman Willie Wilson says he made a $100,000 contribution on Wednesday in an effort to level the playing field for other candidates.
March 30, 2018 •
Alabama Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Alabama Legislature adjourned sine die on March 29, 2018. The Legislature passed House Bill 317, exempting economic development professionals from registering as a lobbyist, on the final day of the regular session. Under House Bill 317, the economic development […]
The Alabama Legislature adjourned sine die on March 29, 2018.
The Legislature passed House Bill 317, exempting economic development professionals from registering as a lobbyist, on the final day of the regular session.
Under House Bill 317, the economic development professional lobbyist registration exemption does not apply if a person seeks incentives or funds through legislative action outside of incentives already available.
Gov. Kay Ivey released a favorable statement regarding the passage of House Bill 317. Ivey has 10 days from adjournment to sign the bill.
March 22, 2018 •
Mississippi Gov. Appoints Sen. Thad Cochran’s Replacement
Gov. Phil Bryant has appointed Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith to the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Thad Cochran. Cochran is stepping down due to health problems on April 1. Hyde-Smith will be sworn in by Vice […]
Gov. Phil Bryant has appointed Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith to the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Thad Cochran.
Cochran is stepping down due to health problems on April 1.
Hyde-Smith will be sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence in April and will run for the remainder of Cochran’s term in the November 6 special election.
March 16, 2018 •
Indiana General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die
The second regular session of the 120th Indiana General Assembly adjourned sine die very late on March 14, 2018. The final minutes of the session were hectic as lawmakers rushed through bills. Despite the rush, several bills were left pending […]
The second regular session of the 120th Indiana General Assembly adjourned sine die very late on March 14, 2018.
The final minutes of the session were hectic as lawmakers rushed through bills.
Despite the rush, several bills were left pending on the floor at the time of adjournment.
As a result, Gov. Eric Holcomb may call a special session to complete unfinished business.
March 12, 2018 •
Florida Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Florida Legislature adjourned sine die on Sunday, March 11 after extending its annual session for several days to pass a state budget. Lawmakers approved an $88.7 billion budget with $21 billion allocated for public schools. Some of the funds […]
The Florida Legislature adjourned sine die on Sunday, March 11 after extending its annual session for several days to pass a state budget.
Lawmakers approved an $88.7 billion budget with $21 billion allocated for public schools.
Some of the funds were reserved for school resource officers and mental health counselors in response to last month’s mass shooting in Parkland.
March 12, 2018 •
West Virginia Legislature Adjourns
The West Virginia Legislature adjourned sine die on March 10. Senate Bill 283, which expands the scope of those who may be debarred for procurement violations and establishes direct-award procurement requirements, passed both chambers and is on the governor’s desk. […]
The West Virginia Legislature adjourned sine die on March 10.
Senate Bill 283, which expands the scope of those who may be debarred for procurement violations and establishes direct-award procurement requirements, passed both chambers and is on the governor’s desk.
Gov. Jim Justice has 15 days to sign or veto the legislation.
March 12, 2018 •
Washington Legislature Adjourns
The Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on March 8. House Bill 2938, which increases penalties for campaign finance violations, and Senate Bill 5991, which requires nonprofit organizations that participate in political campaigns to file organizational statements and periodic disclosure […]
The Washington State Legislature adjourned sine die on March 8.
House Bill 2938, which increases penalties for campaign finance violations, and Senate Bill 5991, which requires nonprofit organizations that participate in political campaigns to file organizational statements and periodic disclosure statements, have passed both chambers are on the governor’s desk.
Gov. Jay Inslee has 20 days from the days he received these bills to sign or veto the bills.
March 6, 2018 •
Oregon Legislature Adjourns
On March 3, the Oregon Legislature adjourned its biennial short session. Bills passed strengthen domestic violence laws, create a task force to study opioid addiction treatment barriers and implement a peer support program, require more transparency from prescription drug manufacturers, and eliminate a […]
On March 3, the Oregon Legislature adjourned its biennial short session.
Bills passed strengthen domestic violence laws, create a task force to study opioid addiction treatment barriers and implement a peer support program, require more transparency from prescription drug manufacturers, and eliminate a federal deduction for businesses on state tax returns.
Gov. Brown has 30 days to sign, veto, or let the bills become law without her signature.
February 16, 2018 •
New Mexico Legislature Adjourns
The New Mexico Legislature adjourned sine die on February 15. Bills that have passed both chambers include Senate Bill 50, which creates stricter contribution policies made via the internet by a credit card or a debit card to a candidate […]
The New Mexico Legislature adjourned sine die on February 15.
Bills that have passed both chambers include Senate Bill 50, which creates stricter contribution policies made via the internet by a credit card or a debit card to a candidate or PAC, and Senate Bill 67, which changes lobbying reports to also include the cumulative total of all individual expenditures of less than $100 made or incurred by the employer or lobbyist.
The governor has 20 days from adjournment to sign any bills passed by the Legislature, otherwise they are pocket vetoed.
February 7, 2018 •
Louisiana Special Session Likely
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has set Friday as a deadline to determine whether a special session of the Legislature will be called to close a $1 billion fiscal cliff in the state’s budget expiring in July of this year. […]
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has set Friday as a deadline to determine whether a special session of the Legislature will be called to close a $1 billion fiscal cliff in the state’s budget expiring in July of this year.
The session would begin February 19 and adjourn before the regularly scheduled legislative session set to convene March 12. Legislators from both parties have been working to get close enough to a resolution for Gov. Edwards to call the special session.
A special session to remedy the budget shortfall could also be called in June if it does not happen by March.
February 7, 2018 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance Washington: “Seattle Says Facebook Is Violating City Campaign Finance Law” by David Ingram for Reuters West Virginia: “Trial of Morgantown Coal Boss Ends in Mistrial After Jury Deadlocks” by Matt Harvey for WV News Ethics Federal: “House Prohibits […]
Campaign Finance
Washington: “Seattle Says Facebook Is Violating City Campaign Finance Law” by David Ingram for Reuters
West Virginia: “Trial of Morgantown Coal Boss Ends in Mistrial After Jury Deadlocks” by Matt Harvey for WV News
Ethics
Federal: “House Prohibits Sexual Relationships Between Lawmakers and Their Staffers” by Elise Viebeck and Jenna Portnoy for Washington Post
Federal: “Document Shows GSA Employees Spending at the Trump Hotel in DC” by Cristina Alesci and Curt Devine for CNN
National: “Trump’s Lawyers Want Him to Refuse an Interview in Russia Inquiry” by Michael Schmidt and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) for MSN
Alabama: “Alabama Legislature Could Consider Ethics Law Changes” by Mike Cason for AL.com
Arizona: “Lawmaker Wants ‘Explicit’ Photos from Sexual Harassment Investigation Kept Secret” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez for Arizona Republic
Florida: “This Casino Town Has a Dark Side – Conspiracies, ‘Corruption’ and Calls for a Takeover” by Martin Vasollo and Carli Teproff (Miami Herald) for Tampa Bay Times
Lobbying
Florida: “FBI Lays Out Case for Bribery, Mail Fraud in Search Warrant” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
February 5, 2018 •
Monday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance Alabama: “Attorney General’s Office Appears to Be Investigating Campaign Finance Documents” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser Elections Pennsylvania: “Bob Brady Is Not Running for Reelection” by Holly Otterbein, Chris Brennan, and Claudia Vargas for Philadelphia Inquirer Ethics […]
Campaign Finance
Alabama: “Attorney General’s Office Appears to Be Investigating Campaign Finance Documents” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser
Elections
Pennsylvania: “Bob Brady Is Not Running for Reelection” by Holly Otterbein, Chris Brennan, and Claudia Vargas for Philadelphia Inquirer
Ethics
Federal: “Revolving Door Between Trump Pentagon, Contractors Spins Faster” by Sam Skolnik for Bloomberg Government
Arizona: “Arizona House Expels Yuma Rep. Don Shooter After Sexual-Harassment Findings” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star
District of Columbia: “D.C. Will Not Reappoint Open Government Watchdog Who Ruled Against City” by Peter Jamison for Washington Post
West Virginia: “Ethics Commission OKs Tourism Contract with Justice’s Greenbrier Resort” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette-Mail
Lobbying
Florida: “Lobbyist Accuses Legislator of Retaliation Over His Role in Sexual Harassment Case” by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald
Redistricting
Pennsylvania: “Sen. Scarnati Refuses Pa. Supreme Court Order to Turn Over Map Data in Gerrymander Case” by Jonathan Lai for Philadelphia Inquirer
February 2, 2018 •
See Us In Person
State and Federal Communications has a busy February planned! See us at one of these events: February 5-8 Public Affairs Council Advocacy Conference, Orlando, Florida February 9 Akron Rubber Ducks Hot Stove Banquet with Roberto Alomar, Akron, Ohio February 13 […]
State and Federal Communications has a busy February planned! See us at one of these events:
February 5-8 Public Affairs Council Advocacy Conference, Orlando, Florida
February 9 Akron Rubber Ducks Hot Stove Banquet with Roberto Alomar, Akron, Ohio
February 13 15th Annual Friends of National Service Awards, Washington, D.C.
February 13 Akron Press Club State of the Schools with David James, Akron, Ohio
February 15 Akron PRSA–Annual Media Panel Discussion, Akron, Ohio
February 16 Akron Roundtable, Akron, Ohio
February 20 United Way Campaign Celebration, Akron, Ohio
February 23-26 National Governors Association–Winter Meeting, Washington, D.C.
February 23 WGR Governors Reception, Washington, D.C.
February 27 The Business Technology Forecast, Akron, Ohio
February 28 State of the City Address with Mayor Dan Horrigan, Akron, Ohio
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.
