May 27, 2015 •
United Way of Summit County Drops By to Say Thank You!
We were excited to see Laura Brelin from United Way of Summit County this morning. Laura dropped by to present a framed “Campaign Excellence Award” to State and Federal Communications. The awards are presented to those organizations whose employees demonstrate […]
We were excited to see Laura Brelin from United Way of Summit County this morning. Laura dropped by to present a framed “Campaign Excellence Award” to State and Federal Communications.
The awards are presented to those organizations whose employees demonstrate outstanding excellence with at least 75% participation and either $100 per capita in giving or a 35% increase over last year’s campaign. We can proudly say our company had a $724 per capita giving in 2014!
State and Federal Communications is a proud supporter of United Way of Summit County. Aside from working hard each year on our annual campaign, we have had staff participation in the Board of Directors, the Corporate Volunteer Council, Day of Action, and the Corporate Derby Challenge.
Thank you, United Way! We look forward to many years of partnership.
May 13, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Amid Gridlock in D.C., Influence Industry Expands Rapidly in the States” by Reid Wilson for Washington Post Florida: “Legislators Approve Water Farming Funding after Copter Rides, Donations” by Craig Pittman and Michael Van Sickler for Tampa Bay Times Florida: […]
Lobbying
“Amid Gridlock in D.C., Influence Industry Expands Rapidly in the States” by Reid Wilson for Washington Post
Florida: “Legislators Approve Water Farming Funding after Copter Rides, Donations” by Craig Pittman and Michael Van Sickler for Tampa Bay Times
Florida: “Voters Won’t Get Say on Lifting Gift Ban” by Brittany Wallman for South Florida Sun Sentinel
New Mexico: “Lobbyists, Groups Spend Large on New Mexico Lawmakers” by Sandra Fish (New Mexico In Depth) for Las Cruces Sun-News
Texas: “Wendy Davis Fined $5,000 for Ethics Violation” by Terri Langford for Texas Tribune
Virginia: “Lobbyists Take Changes to Gifts Law in Stride” by Patrick Wilson for The Virginian-Pilot
Campaign Finance
“Bill Shuster Aided Virgin Islands – Then Asked for Cash” by Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, and John Bresnahan for Politico
“Jeb Bush Leans on Nonprofit Group as He Prepares Likely Presidential Run” by Ed O’Keefe and Matea Gold for Washington Post
Montana: “New Campaign Finance Law Praised, but Some Say It Needs to Be Toughened” by Charles Johnson for The Missoulian
New York: “The New Office Politics: Funding boss’s political causes” by Michelle Conlin and Lucas Iberico Lozada (Reuters) for The Times Record
Ethics
Nebraska: “Common Cause Files Complaints on Activity Surrounding Niobium Bill” by Joanne Young for Lincoln Journal-Star
“Bill Clinton’s Lucrative Speeches Got Fast Approval at State” by Lisa Lerer and Stephen Braun (Associated Press) for Fresno Bee
“Politics Is a Dirty Business. It Should Stay That Way.” by Chris Cillizza for Washington Post
New Jersey: “Report: Christie racked up $82,594 bill at sports stadium” by Karey Van Hall for Politico
Ohio: “Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic Resigns: The Big Story” by John Harper (Northeast Ohio Media Group) for Cleveland Plain Dealer
Vermont: “Vermont Lawmaker Accused in Sex-for-Rent Scheme” by Paris Achen, Zach Despart, and Adam Silverman (Burlington Free Press) for USA Today
Virginia: “Appeals Judges Pepper McDonnell Defense with Skeptical Questions” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post
Elections
“Study: State elections becoming less competitive” by Reid Wilson for Washington Post
“The Great Democratic Crack-Up of 2016” by Robert Draper for New York Times
Legislative Issues
New York: “Dean Skelos, New York Senate Leader, Vacates Post” by Thomas Kaplan and Susanne Craig for New York Times
May 1, 2015 •
Our May Photo Scrapbook
State and Federal Communications employees acknowledged on their anniversary.
![State and Federal Communications received the NEO Success Award. This program annually recognizes the top-performing companies in Northeast Ohio and reflects the determination to expand and revitalize the area's economic status. Bartz believes the demonstration of its core values sets the company apart from other similar small businesses, and those values are the ingredients needed to shift the direction Ohio is heading with diversity in the workplace. [l-r: Dan Frydl, Marketing and Sales Manager and Elizabeth Z. Bartz, President and CEO]](http://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/NEO-Award._lr.jpg)
State and Federal Communications employees acknowledged on their anniversary.
![There is no way to sufficiently show enough gratitude to those employees who give 110% effort day after day. The administrative professionals at State and Federal are truly second to none. Photographed here is our team of admins [l to r] Elizabeth Z. Bartz, President and CEO; Emone Smith; Megan Huber; Jon Spontarelli; Debra Mifflin; Monica Dolenc; Avery Ware; Becky Campbell; Joy Cosgrove; Mandy Lebus; and Lisa Kot. [Not pictured - Gamble Hayden, Federal Compliance Assistant] Thank you for your hard work.](http://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Admin-Staff_lr.jpg)
May 1, 2015 •
See Us in Person!
Here is our May calendar. If you are attending any of the coming events, please stop by and say hello! April 27, 2015 WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC May 6, 2015 WGR Spring Reception at the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC May […]
Here is our May calendar. If you are attending any of the coming events, please stop by and say hello!
April 27, 2015 WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC
May 6, 2015 WGR Spring Reception at the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC
May 7, 2015 State Legislative Leaders Foundation’s DC Dialogue: A Conversation about Ethics and Campaigns, Washington, DC
May 7, 2015 John Hockenberry at WKSU, Akron, Ohio
May 11, 2015 WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC
May 12, 2015 Go Red for Women, Akron, Ohio
May 14-16, 2015 Women in Government – Western Regional Conference, Denver, Colorado
June 4-6, 2015 NCSL Executive Committee Spring Meeting, Denver, Colorado
April 30, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “The Solution to Lobbying is More Lobbying” by Lee Drutman for Washington Post Massachusetts: “Baker Inaugural Committee Returning Donations That Exceeded Limit” by Sara Morrison for Boston Globe New York: “JCOPE to Staff up as Duties Expand” by Chris […]
Lobbying
“The Solution to Lobbying is More Lobbying” by Lee Drutman for Washington Post
Massachusetts: “Baker Inaugural Committee Returning Donations That Exceeded Limit” by Sara Morrison for Boston Globe
New York: “JCOPE to Staff up as Duties Expand” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Campaign Finance
“States Can Ban Elected Judges from Asking for Campaign Money, Supreme Court Says” by David Savage for Los Angeles Times
Florida: “Politicians Cash in on Colleges” by Michael Vasquez for Miami Herald
Vermont: “Shumlin to Launch Sorrell Review” by April Burbank for Burlington Free Press
Ethics
Louisiana: “FBI Investigating Senate President John Alario, Sources Say” by Manuel Torres and Lee Zurik for New Orleans Times-Picayune
New York: “Assemblyman William Scarborough to Admit $40,000 Travel Voucher Scam Case” by Brendan Lyons for Albany Times Union
Texas: “Senate Strengthens and Passes Ethics Bill” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune
Legislative Issues
Florida: “Florida House Abruptly Adjourns Session Early, Saying Impasse Is Insurmountable” by Mary Ellen Klas and Steve Bousquet for Tampa Bay Times
April 13, 2015 •
See Us in Person!
Here is our April-May calendar. State and Federal Communications will be attending these events. If you plan to be there as well, be sure to say hello! April 13 WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC April 14 Ohio Chamber of Commerce Annual […]
Here is our April-May calendar. State and Federal Communications will be attending these events. If you plan to be there as well, be sure to say hello!
April 13 WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC
April 14 Ohio Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Legislative Reception, Columbus, Ohio
April 22-23 Public Affairs Council Spring Executive Meeting, Washington, DC
April 27 WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC
April 30 DiversityBusiness.com Annual Program, New York City, NY
May 14-16 Women in Government – Western Regional Conference, Denver, Colorado
June 4-6 NCSL Executive Committee Spring Meeting, Denver, Colorado
April 13, 2015 •
Our April Photo Scrapbook
![State and Federal Communications, Inc. is always in attendance for the Public Affairs Council National PAC Conference. The 2015 Conference was held in Orlando, Florida. Attending were [l to r] Dan Frydl, Marketing and Sales Manager; James Warner, Sr., Esq., Sr. Compliance Associate; Nola R. Werren, Esq., Client Specialist; Elizabeth Z. Bartz, President and CEO; and Renold Koozer, Executive Director.](http://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Staff-at-Hard-Rock_lr.jpg)
April 9, 2015 •
Exec. Director of WA’s Public Disclosure Commission Resigns
Effective May 31, 2015, the executive director of the Public Disclosure Commission, Andrea McNamara Doyle, is resigning. McNamara Doyle has served as executive director of the PDC since August 2011. According to an agency spokeswoman, the resignation is voluntary and […]
Effective May 31, 2015, the executive director of the Public Disclosure Commission, Andrea McNamara Doyle, is resigning. McNamara Doyle has served as executive director of the PDC since August 2011.
According to an agency spokeswoman, the resignation is voluntary and is likely the result of frustrations stemming from budget constraints and downsizing.
The PDC will meet April 9, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. to begin searching for McNamara Doyle’s replacement.
April 7, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Last-minute lobbying threatens $200B Medicare package” by Sarah Ferris in The Hill. Illinois: “Chicago Elections Chief Got Lobbying Contracts from Rahm Emanuel’s Administration” by Matthew Cunningham-Cook and David Sirota in International Business Times. Campaign Finance “Gary Hart: Billion-dollar Clinton […]
Lobbying
“Last-minute lobbying threatens $200B Medicare package” by Sarah Ferris in The Hill.
Illinois: “Chicago Elections Chief Got Lobbying Contracts from Rahm Emanuel’s Administration” by Matthew Cunningham-Cook and David Sirota in International Business Times.
Campaign Finance
“Gary Hart: Billion-dollar Clinton campaign should ‘frighten’ Americans” by Johnathan Topaz in Politico.
“Rand Paul accepting bitcoins for 2016 bid” by Mario Trujillo in The Hill.
“To Get Ahead in Congress: Skip Governing, Raise Money” by Trevor Potter and Meredith McGehee in Politico.
Florida: “Florida’s fundraising explosion” by Anna Palmer and Marc Caputo in Politico.
Michigan: “Between PACs and standard contributions, state politicians reap loads of cash” by Brian Paynter in The Daily Telegram.
Ohio: “Some Cuyahoga County mayors accept campaign contributions from employees” by Bob Sandrick in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Rhode Island: “R.I. owed $2.2 million in fines for unfiled campaign finance reports” by Jennifer McDermott in the Providence Journal.
Ethics
Nevada: “Bill banning gifts from lobbyists moves forward” by Sandra Chereb in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Elections
Illinois: “Dates proposed for special elections to replace Aaron Schock” by The Associated Press in the Chicago Sun Times.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Booker, McCaskill Beg Higher-Ups for Updated Senate Tech” by Jack Moore in Nextgov.
March 30, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Buying Government with Lobbying Money” by Mike Collins in Forbes “Ed Whitfield’s Ties to Lobbyist Wife Subject of House Ethics Probe” by Hannah Hess in Roll Call “Reid leaving network of lobbyists behind” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill […]
Lobbying
“Buying Government with Lobbying Money” by Mike Collins in Forbes
“Ed Whitfield’s Ties to Lobbyist Wife Subject of House Ethics Probe” by Hannah Hess in Roll Call
“Reid leaving network of lobbyists behind” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill
Minnesota: “Leap from legislator to lobbyist a short one in Minnesota” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger and Dan Bauman in the Pioneer Press
Minnesota: “Legislators to lobbyists: A database of their clients and cash” by Dan Bauman in the Pioneer Press
Campaign Finance
“How potential presidential candidates are raising campaign cash” by Reena Flores on CBS News
“Are women giving enough money to political campaigns?” by Stefanie Murray in The Tennessean
Colorado: “Campaign finance rules get overhaul” by Anthony A. Mestas in The Pueblo Chieftain
Montana: “House passes bill to toughen campaign finance laws” in The Montana Standard
Ohio: “Campaign finance fines rarely collected, often reduced” by Amanda Seitz in the Dayton Daily News
Utah: “Utah cities can adopt stricter campaign finance rules” by The Associated Press in KSL.com
Ethics
New York: “Deal Is Reached on New York State Budget; Ethics Measures Are Included” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times
Texas: “Analysis: Trying to Spark Ethics Reform, Without a Scandal” by Ross Ramsey in The Texas Tribune
Elections
“Why Some Lawmakers Want to Abolish the 17th Amendment” by Alan Greenblatt in Governing
Government Tech and Social Media
Utah: “In Utah, Participatory Democracy Powered by Loomio and NationBuilder” by Jessica McKenzie in TechPresident
March 24, 2015 •
We’re Heading to ACES
For the second year in a row, State and Federal Communications is sending a team to the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) annual conference. This year the conference is being held March 26 – 28 in Pittsburgh. It is a […]
For the second year in a row, State and Federal Communications is sending a team to the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) annual conference. This year the conference is being held March 26 – 28 in Pittsburgh. It is a great place for editors to brush up their skills and to keep up with changes in the field.
ACES annual conference also provides opportunities to learn new skills. There are sessions on the core editing skills, fact-checking, editing for social media, and getting the most out of style guides.
This conference is a great opportunity, as many of us put on the editor’s cap every day to ensure our information isn’t just factually correct, but also grammatically correct. We work to ensure everything is spelled and punctuated correctly because we agree with ACES President Teresa Schmedding: people care about good grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
And because we know you care, we are off to Pittsburgh to learn, to hone, and to ensure our skills are up to your standards.
To learn more about ACES and the important role of editors and copy editors, check out their website at www.copydesk.org.
March 10, 2015 •
Our March Photo Scrapbook
March 4, 2015 •
See Us in Person!
Here is our March – April calendar. If you are attending any of the coming events, please stop by and say hello! March 4 Ohio Birthday Party, Washington, DC March 9 WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC March 18-20 SGAC National Summit, […]
Here is our March – April calendar. If you are attending any of the coming events, please stop by and say hello!
March 4 Ohio Birthday Party, Washington, DC
March 9 WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC
March 18-20 SGAC National Summit, Nashville, TN
March 23 WGR Toastmasters, Washington, D.C.
March 26-28 ACES National Conference, Pittsburgh, PA
March 29-31 NASPO How to Market to State Governments, Philadelphia, PA
April 9 WGR Politics, PACs and Grassroots Conference, Washington, D.C.
April 30 DiversityBusiness.com Annual Program, New York City
February 26, 2015 •
U.S. Statehouse Series – Florida, The Sunshine State
Welcome! In this episode of the statehouse series we will travel to the southern state of Florida. Everybody has heard of Florida’s great climate, beautiful scenery, and access to beaches at both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, […]
Welcome! In this episode of the statehouse series we will travel to the southern state of Florida.
Everybody has heard of Florida’s great climate, beautiful scenery, and access to beaches at both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, but not many know about Florida’s capitol buildings. The old capitol building was built in 1845, and it has had several additions since then. In 1902, the dome was constructed by architect Frank Millburn and was the first main addition. The next major expansion came in 1923 with the addition of two wings and a marble interior, with the help of Henry Klutho. Then another two wings were added, with the House wing finished in 1936 and the Senate wing in 1947.
As the population in Florida grew, so did the need for government services. The local government had outgrown the old building. Construction on the new capitol was authorized to start in 1972.
In the late 70s, the Old Capitol came under threat of demolition because the new one was being built behind it. Through the action of Florida citizens, the Old Capitol was saved and resorted to its 1902 appearance, which took four years (1978-1982). The Old Capitol has since been turned into a museum and office for the Florida Legislative Research Center, which keeps all legislative history for the state of Florida.
The New Capitol contains a House and Senate building and twenty-two story executive offices. Both wings have domes. The building contains the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame on the northern rotunda and the Artist’s Hall of Fame. Visit Tour the Florida Capitol to learn more about the history, artwork, and virtual tours!
Thanks for joining us on our historic tour of Florida’s statehouse. Be sure to visit again when we explore yet another capitol!
Photo of the Old and New Florida State Capitols by Infrogmation on Wikimedia Commons.
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.
