At its November 27 meeting, the San Francisco Ethics Commission gave final approval to recommend and transmit to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors its Anti-Corruption and Accountability Ordinance.

The ordinance would create or expand certain pay-to-play prohibitions on political contributions, institute new disclosure requirements, create local rules for reporting behested payments, and create new rules regarding conflicts of interest.

The Commission will transmit its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, where at least eight votes will be required to adopt the proposal.

A bipartisan working group of lawmakers unanimously approved a proposed bill amending the state’s campaign finance laws.

Among the changes, the proposal would require year-round, monthly campaign finance reporting, prohibit PACs from accepting more than $1,000 from groups not registered and disclose the source of their funds, and increase potential fines from $250 to up to $25,000. Additionally, use of the internet and social media would be included in the definition of electioneering communications.

The bill will be introduced during the 2018 legislative session.

The group declined to take up the issue of raising the lobbyist registration fee, not wanting to jeopardize the bill’s success. Member’s stated raising the fee is a legitimate concern and should be examined during the session.

The current $10 per client fee has not increased since 1974, when the lobbying statute first became law.

Gov. Rick Scott has set a special election for an opening in the state House of Representatives.

A primary election for House District 39 will be held on February 20, 2018, with a general election on May 1.

Rep. Neil Combee resigned the position after being appointed Florida’s State Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.

With the legislature’s 2018 session scheduled through March 9, the seat will remain empty for the duration of the session.

Photo of former Rep. Neil Combee

State Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.

Bocanegra initially stated he would resign in September and not seek reelection when allegations first surfaced. However, his resignation was accelerated after additional sexual harassment allegations emerged.

Gov. Jerry Brown has two weeks from Bocanegra’s resignation to declare a special election to fill the vacancy in Assembly District 39.

The Fort Wayne City Council approved a pay-to-play ordinance on November 28. The ordinance will prohibit contractors who have donated more than $2,000 a year to an elected official’s campaign from bidding on city projects.

The restriction includes natural or legal persons with a 7.5 percent or more interest in the bidding entity and  extends to a bidder’s spouse and any children living in the same household.

Mayor Tom Henry has 10 days to sign or veto the legislation.

If approved, the ordinance will become effective on January 1, 2018.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16.

The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer on November 16, 2017.

The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.

Gov. Dannel Malloy announced a special election for Assembly District 15 will take place on January 9, 2018.

Rep. David Baram resigned the seat following his election as a probate court judge earlier this month.

Assembly District 15 consists of Bloomfield and parts of Windsor.

House Speaker Mike Turzai announced a special election will be held for Pennsylvania’s 35th House District on January 23, 2018.

Rep. Marc Gergely resigned the seat on November 6 after pleading guilty to corruption charges for his role in an illegal gambling machine ring.

Democrats and Republicans will each select a nominee to appear on the ballot.

House Speaker Mike Turzai announced a special election will be held for Pennsylvania’s 35th House District on January 23, 2018.

Rep. Marc Gergely resigned the seat on November 6 after pleading guilty to corruption charges for his role in an illegal gambling machine ring.

Democrats and Republicans will each select a nominee to appear on the ballot.

The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned an eight-week special session on Friday, November 17, after the Senate gave final approval on legislation to balance the state’s budget.

Just hours after the session ended, Gov. Mary Fallin line-item vetoed most of the budget bill’s provisions citing a failure to address the requests she made in calling the session and the lack of a long-term solution to re-occurring budget deficits. Provisions temporarily preserving funding for crucial health and human services were retained as the state continues to seek a solution.

The vetoed bill would have used cash reserves and made deep cuts to funding across all state agencies to close the $215 million hole in the state budget.

Gov. Fallin said she intends to call a second special session of the Legislature to come up with long-term funding solutions.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on May 22, 2018, to fill the state Senate District 29 seat vacated by Eddie Joe Williams.

The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.

Williams vacated the seat to become a representative to the Southern States Energy Board.

From all of us at State and Federal Communications, we hope you and your family has a great Thanksgiving. Our offices will be closed on Thanksgiving day and the following Friday as we give thanks.

Speaking of, we’re very thankful for all of you this holiday and look forward to many more years of providing you the unparalleled political compliance information you’ve come to expect! Happy Thanksgiving!

Lawmakers passed a series of bills during the fall veto session this week aimed at curbing sexual harassment within state government.

Among them, Senate Bill 402 expressly prohibits sexual harassment by lobbyists, provides for a $5,000 fine for violations, and requires lobbyists to take an annual sexual harassment training course. The Secretary of State’s inspector general is also granted additional authority to investigate reports of sexual harassment.

The measure unanimously passed both houses and now awaits the governor’s signature.

Former federal prosecutor Julie Porter has been appointed as temporary inspector general after reports surfaced of harassment claims going unnoticed for more than a year while the post was vacant.

Becky recaps a busy week in elections and legislative sessions around the country!