July 2, 2018 •
North Carolina Legislature Adjourns
The North Carolina Legislature adjourned on June 29, 2018. The Republican-controlled General Assembly spent most of the session passing budget adjustments and overrode eight of Gov. Roy Cooper’s 10 vetoes. Senate Bill 655 was passed and signed by Gov. Cooper […]
The North Carolina Legislature adjourned on June 29, 2018.
The Republican-controlled General Assembly spent most of the session passing budget adjustments and overrode eight of Gov. Roy Cooper’s 10 vetoes.
Senate Bill 655 was passed and signed by Gov. Cooper last week. The bill changes the date primary elections are held from May to March and is effective January 1, 2019.
The Legislature is sending a voter photo identification mandate to be decided by voters in November.
Lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene on November 27, 2018.
July 2, 2018 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance National: Supreme Court Defeat for Unions Upends a Liberal Money Base by Noam Scheiber (New York Times) for Seattle Times Arizona: Clean Elections Commission to Sue, Says Arizona Lawmakers Are Misleading Voters by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) […]
Campaign Finance
National: Supreme Court Defeat for Unions Upends a Liberal Money Base by Noam Scheiber (New York Times) for Seattle Times
Arizona: Clean Elections Commission to Sue, Says Arizona Lawmakers Are Misleading Voters by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star
Indiana: New Pay-to-Play Ban Approved by Rosa Salter Rodriguez for Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Ethics
National: Emails Reveal Close Rapport Between Top EPA Officials, Those They Regulate by Juliet Eilperin (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune
Arkansas: Arkansas Senators in New Panel on Ethics Get to Work by Michael Wickline for Arkansas Online
Missouri: Engineer Profits from City Projects and Sits on Panel to Vet Them. Is That a Problem? by Bill Turque for Kansas City Star
Ohio: Firm Hired to Investigate Lawmaker Also Donated to Him by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) for Seattle Times
Lobbying
Virginia: Lobbying Firm to Va. Lawmakers: If you refuse Apco money, you won’t get any from us by Patrick Wilson for Richmond Times Dispatch
June 20, 2018 •
Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance Maryland: “Candidate’s Relationship with Talk Radio Station Raises Questions About Campaign Finance” by Libby Solomon for Baltimore Sun Elections Kansas: “Judge Slams Kobach for Flouting Court Rules” by Josh Gerstein for Politico Ethics National: “Financial Reporting, Conflict of […]
Campaign Finance
Maryland: “Candidate’s Relationship with Talk Radio Station Raises Questions About Campaign Finance” by Libby Solomon for Baltimore Sun
Elections
Kansas: “Judge Slams Kobach for Flouting Court Rules” by Josh Gerstein for Politico
Ethics
National: “Financial Reporting, Conflict of Interest Rules for Federal Employees Apply to Virtual Money, Ethics Office Says” by Eric Yoder (Washington Post) for San Francisco Chronicle
Canada: “Morneau Cleared by Ethics Commissioner” by Rachel Aiello for CTV News
Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Sen. Jake Files Sentenced to 18 Months in Jail” by Staff for Arkansas Business
Kentucky: “Lobbyist Convicted of Kentucky Deputy Attorney General Bribe” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for Sacramento Bee
North Dakota: “ND Anti-Corruption Petition Gathers Enough Signatures” by Barry Amundson for Grand Forks Herald
Lobbying
National: “Women Speak of Pervasive Harassment in DC Lobbying Culture” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
Massachusetts: “Boston City Council to Take Up Lobbying Rules – Two Years After Walsh Made His Proposal” by Milton Valencia for Boston Globe
May 21, 2018 •
Minnesota Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on May 20, 2018. The Legislature passed bills relating to misrepresenting service animals, prohibiting local governments from disarming police officers, and funding for the state’s vehicle license and registration system. Tensions between the Republican-controlled […]
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on May 20, 2018.
The Legislature passed bills relating to misrepresenting service animals, prohibiting local governments from disarming police officers, and funding for the state’s vehicle license and registration system.
Tensions between the Republican-controlled House and Democrat Gov. Mark Dayton were apparent during the final day of the session as Republicans sent a series of bills to Dayton similar to previously vetoed bills.
Dayton has reiterated he will not call a special session for any unfinished business.
May 8, 2018 •
Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance National: “‘Scam PACs’ Rake in Millions Under Guise of Charity” by Maggie Severns and Scott Bland for Politico Elections California: “An Urgent Debate for California Republicans: How to get back in the game” by Adam Nagourney for New […]
Campaign Finance
National: “‘Scam PACs’ Rake in Millions Under Guise of Charity” by Maggie Severns and Scott Bland for Politico
Elections
California: “An Urgent Debate for California Republicans: How to get back in the game” by Adam Nagourney for New York Times
Ethics
National: “Trump Is Said to Have Known of Payment to Stormy Daniels Months Before He Denied It” by Michael Shear, Maggie Haberman, Jim Rutenberg, and Matt Apuzzo (New York Times) for MSN
National: “Influential GOP Donors and Lobbyists Played Key Roles in Scott Pruitt’s Foreign Travel” by Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune
Delaware: “Wilmington Ethics Commission Keeps Opinions Confidential” by Christina Jedra for Wilmington News Journal
Missouri: “Missouri Lawmakers Agree to Call Special Session to Consider Greitens’ Impeachment” by Allison Kirte, Jason Hancock, and Bryan Lowry for Kansas City Star
Washington D.C.: “Ethics Officials Examine D.C. Lawmaker’s Business Ties to Digital Sign Company” by Peter Jamison and Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post
Lobbying
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Legislators Reject Ethical Rules Restricting When They Can Become Lobbyists” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman
May 4, 2018 •
Maine Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Maine Legislature adjourned sine die on May 2, 2018. The session adjourned 14 days after statutory adjournment, or April 18, leaving key bills on the floor. House Speaker Sara Gideon attempted to extend the session by four days, but […]
The Maine Legislature adjourned sine die on May 2, 2018. The session adjourned 14 days after statutory adjournment, or April 18, leaving key bills on the floor.
House Speaker Sara Gideon attempted to extend the session by four days, but House Republicans voted against the Joint Order.
The Legislature failed to pass bills involving public school funding, wage hikes for direct-care workers, and a bill aligning Maine’s tax code to new federal law.
Some lawmakers are hoping for a special session to address these issues.
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.
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