Attorney General William Sorrell issued a formal opinion confirming the state’s current contribution limits will remain in effect through the 2014 elections. Early in the legislative session, Vermont enacted Senate Bill 82, repealing the existing campaign finance law upon passage […]
Attorney General William Sorrell issued a formal opinion confirming the state’s current contribution limits will remain in effect through the 2014 elections. Early in the legislative session, Vermont enacted Senate Bill 82, repealing the existing campaign finance law upon passage and establishing new contribution limits to take effect January 1, 2015.
The bill contained a drafting error, however, repealing the existing limits without anything in their place before the new limits take effect in 2015. The House attempted to correct the error through an additional bill, but it was never acted upon by the Senate Finance Committee.
While the Elections Division issued a statement confirming the old limits still applied, Secretary of State Jim Condos requested a formal opinion from the state’s attorney general since his office lacked statutory authority to enforce the old limits.
Relying on legislative deliberations on Senate Bill 82, Sorrell ruled the Legislature did not intend to repeal existing limits for the 2014 election cycle, and the existing limits at the time of the bill’s passage will be enforced until the new limits take effect next year.
May 13, 2014 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Lobbying on data, cybersecurity has tripled” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post. “Bitcoin community upset over political lobbying in Washington” by Andrew Moran in Personal Finance. Massachusetts: “For Massachusetts lawmakers, steady lobbying money” by The Associated Press in […]
Lobbying
“Lobbying on data, cybersecurity has tripled” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.
“Bitcoin community upset over political lobbying in Washington” by Andrew Moran in Personal Finance.
Massachusetts: “For Massachusetts lawmakers, steady lobbying money” by The Associated Press in the Boston Herald.
Massachusetts: “DeLeo: Lobbyist donations have no effect on votes” by The Associated Press in the Connecticut Post.
New York: “Lobbying loophole obscures local casino spending” by Laura Nahmias in Capital New York.
Campaign Finance
“‘Fixing’ campaign finance is only making it worse” by Seth Masket in The Washington Post.
Mississippi: “Bank Gives $230K Unsecured Loan to Super PAC” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
New Hampshire: “Changes to campaign finance laws could have big effect in N.H. races” by Kathleen Ronayne in the Concord Monitor.
New York: “NYS Public campaign finance showing signs of life” by Karen DeWitt on North Country Public Radio.
Washington: “Initiative targets big money in politics” by Jim Brunner in The Seattle Times.
Ethics
Florida: “Conference offers crash course on Florida politics” by Anthony Man in the Sun Sentinel.
May 8, 2014 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Lobbying 101: K Street goes back to school” by Byron Tau in Politico. “Patton Boggs settles with Chevron” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. “Under Contract” in The Hill. Colorado: “House passes measure to increase lobbyist transparency” by […]
Lobbying
“Lobbying 101: K Street goes back to school” by Byron Tau in Politico.
“Patton Boggs settles with Chevron” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“Under Contract” in The Hill.
Colorado: “House passes measure to increase lobbyist transparency” by Blair Shiff on KUSA TV News.
EU: “30,000 lobbyists and counting: is Brussels under corporate sway?” by Ian Traynor in The Guardian.
Florida: “Miami-Dade lobbyist in middle of FBI sting against mayors pleads guilty” by Jay Weaver in the Miami Herald.
Campaign Finance
“Top Corporate PACs Give Over $2 Million in Contributions” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
“Answers for Our ‘Byzantine’ Campaign Finance System | Commentary” by Lisa Gilbert in Roll Call.
New York: “Cuomo, lawmakers push campaign finance reform” by Josefa Velasquez (Associated Press) on WIVB News.
Wisconsin: “Wisconsin campaign finance probe can continue: appeals court” by Brenda O’Brien in Reuters.
Wisconsin: “Conflicting Rulings Cloud Wisconsin Campaign Finance Inquiry” by Monica Davey in The New York Times.
Wisconsin: “Political Speech Wins in Wisconsin” opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal.
Wyoming: “Groups seek to overturn Wyo. campaign finance law” by Trevor Brown in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
Ethics
Vermont: “Vermont House to form ethics panel, require employment disclosure” by Anne Galloway in the Brattleboro Reformer.
May 6, 2014 •
Musician to Politician – A Change of Tune
A number of rock, pop, and country music stars have run for political office in the U.S. over the years. Here is a list of who they are, what office they ran for, and whether or not they won. Sonny […]
A number of rock, pop, and country music stars have run for political office in the U.S. over the years. Here is a list of who they are, what office they ran for, and whether or not they won.
Sonny Bono – Mayor of Palm Springs, California, from 1988 to 1992. Then won a seat in the federal House of Representatives in 1994. He served until his tragic death in a skiing accident in 1998.
John Hall – John Hall of Orleans, was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006 and served New York’s 19th Congressional District until 2011.
Martha Reeves – Between 2005 and 2009 Reeves served on the Detroit City Council.
Krist Novoselic – The Nirvana bassist nearly ran for lieutenant governor of Washington in 2004, but ultimately backed out. In 2009 he ran for Wahkiakum County Clerk as a member of the fictional Grange Party. It was a protest run designed to show how ludicrous the state’s election laws were, and he dropped out before the election.
Jello Biafra – The Dead Kennedys lead singer ran for mayor of San Francisco in 1979; he came in fourth out of 10 candidates. In 2000 he tried to run for President with the Green party, but Ralph Nader won the nomination.
Justin Jeffre – Justin Jeffre of 98 Degrees ran for mayor of Cincinnati in 2005. He only got 708 votes in the primary.
Luther Campbell – In 2011, 2 Live Crew front man Luther Campbell ran for mayor of Miami-Dade County. He didn’t win, but he did get 11 percent of the vote.
Clay Aiken – American Idol’s Clay Aiken is running for Congress in North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District.
Todd Phelps – Country musician is currently running for mayor of Austin Texas.
Joe Walsh – Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh has often joked about running for office, announcing a tongue-in-cheek presidential campaign in 1980 and throwing his name in the hat for vice president in 1992.
Sammy Kershaw – In 2010 Kershaw was a candidate for lieutenant governor in the state of Louisiana. It was the second time he had run for the position in his home state. He did it first in 2007, collecting 30 percent of the vote.
Kinky Friedman – In 1986, Friedman ran for Justice of the Peace in Kerrville, Texas, as a Republican but lost the election. In 2004, Friedman began a campaign to become the governor of Texas in 2006. In 2013, he announced his intention to again run for Texas agriculture commissioner as a Democrat, the same position he ran for in 2010 when he lost the Democratic primary.
Thanks to Rolling Stone and Wikipedia among several other news and fan sites for assistance with this list.
The photo of Joe Walsh is courtesy of Steve Alexander on Wikimedia Commons.
May 2, 2014 •
See Us in Person!
Here is our May – June calendar. If you are attending any of the coming events, please stop by and say hello! April 30-May 2, 2014 OSBA Annual Convention, Columbus, Ohio May 8, 2014 WGR Spring Reception, Washington, D.C. […]
Here is our May – June calendar. If you are attending any of the coming events, please stop by and say hello!
April 30-May 2, 2014 OSBA Annual Convention, Columbus, Ohio
May 8, 2014 WGR Spring Reception, Washington, D.C.
May 16, 2014 University of Akron Law Alumni Reunion, Akron, Ohio
May 20, 2014 WGR PACS, Politics, and Grassroots Conference, Washington, D.C.
May 27, 2014 National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
May 29-31, 2014 NCSL Executive Committee Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska
June 22-26, 2014 BIO International Convention, San Diego, California
May 1, 2014 •
Our May Photo Scrapbook
![Guest speaker, Diane Laney Fitzpatrick, writer of Home Sweet Homes: How Bundt Cakes, Bubble Wrap, and My Accent Helped Me Survive Nine Moves at the SGAC Annual Meeting in San Francisco. [left to right: Elizabeth Z. Bartz; Fitzpatrick; and James Warner, Esq.]](http://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Diane-L-Fitzpatrick-EB-JW.jpg)
![While in San Diego, California for the NASPO meeting, Elizabeth met with 10 year veteran and former State and Federal Communications, Inc. Comptroller, Jeff Roberts [left] and his twin brother Ted Roberts [right.]](http://stateandfed.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Jeff-and-Ted-Roberts.jpg)
April 29, 2014 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Obama’s Unlobbyists | K Street Files” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call. “Bottom Line” in The Hill. “Elizabeth Warren Slams ‘Armies’ of Lobbyists in Washington [Video]” by Ayobami Olugbemiga in InTheCapitol. “Women take power as lobbyists” by Megan R. […]
Lobbying
“Obama’s Unlobbyists | K Street Files” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Bottom Line” in The Hill.
“Elizabeth Warren Slams ‘Armies’ of Lobbyists in Washington [Video]” by Ayobami Olugbemiga in InTheCapitol.
“Women take power as lobbyists” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“Bridging K Street and Kentucky” by Erik Wasson in The Hill.
“Lobbyists raise their glass to mentor” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“Roundtable adds top GOP staffer” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
Florida: “A Day In The Life Of A Tallahassee Lobbyist” by Gina Jordan on WLRN News.
Illinois: “Ex-Ald. Mell starts lobbying firm with help of daughter Patti Blagojevich” by Hal Dardick in the Chicago Tribune.
Louisiana: “Limit on La. lobbyist spending edges up to $58” by The Associated Press in The Washington Times.
New York: “Group seeks inquiry into whether Melius broke lobbying laws” by Yancey Roy in Newsday.
Campaign Finance
Rhode Island: “3 RI gubernatorial candidates, all Democrats, sign spending-limit pledge” by Edward Fitzpatrick in the Providence Journal.
Minnesota: “Group challenging Minnesota campaign finance law asks judge to suspend contribution cap” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
New Mexico: “Gov. rakes in donations while lawmakers meet” by Thomas Cole in the Albuquerque Journal.
New York: “Enterprise asks FEC to supersede NY campaign finance law” by Tom Brune in Newsday.
Ethics
“Rep. Grimm indicted on 20 Counts” by Alexandra Jaffe in The Hill.
“Michael Grimm’s Close Friend Indicted” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
Pennsylvania: “Toughen ethics laws, advocates tell Pa. legislators” by Amy Worden in The Inquirer.
Congress
“What Congress will and won’t get done” by Mike Lillis in The Hill.
From the State Legislatures
Michigan: “2 women bankrolling Grand Rapids term-limits campaign” by Matt Vande Bunte in Michigan Live.
New York: “Unfinished business for the NY legislature” by Karen DeWitt ion North Country Public Radio.
Wisconsin: “Turnover among legislators is highest in decades” by By Jason Stein in the Journal Sentinel.
April 22, 2014 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “K Street bounces back” by Megan R. Wilson and Peter Schroeder in The Hill. Campaign Finance “Justice Stevens Suggests Solution for ‘Giant Step in the Wrong Direction’” by Adam Liptak in The New York Times. “The Bullet Democracy Dodged” […]
Lobbying
“K Street bounces back” by Megan R. Wilson and Peter Schroeder in The Hill.
Campaign Finance
“Justice Stevens Suggests Solution for ‘Giant Step in the Wrong Direction’” by Adam Liptak in The New York Times.
“The Bullet Democracy Dodged” by Ciara Torres-Spelliscy in the Brennan Center for Justice blog.
“Candidate-specific PACs emerge as a way to propel friends to office” by Julie Bykowicz (Bloomberg News) in the Chicago Tribune.
Alaska: “Local firms threatened with big fines for failing to report campaign contributions” by Nathaniel Herz in the Anchorage Daily News.
Michigan: “Who’s paying for all those political ads? Outside groups outspending top Michigan candidates” by Jonathan Oosting in Michigan Live.
North Carolina: “Mecklenburg County to tighten campaign finance audits” by Ames Alexander in The Charlotte Observer.
Ethics
New Jersey: “Christie campaign has spent more than $300K on bridge scandal legal fees” by Matt Friedman in The Star-Ledger.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Social Advocacy & Politics: Riding the Wave, or Social Media Transforms the Newsroom” by Alan Rosenblatt in Social Media Today.
April 21, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Chamber of Commerce Spends $19 Million on Lobbying in Q1” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call. Arizona: “The Top 5 Phoenix-area lobbying firms for 2014” by Dale Brown in the Phoenix Business Journal. Missouri: “Missouri lawmakers take trips to […]
Lobbying
“Chamber of Commerce Spends $19 Million on Lobbying in Q1” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
Arizona: “The Top 5 Phoenix-area lobbying firms for 2014” by Dale Brown in the Phoenix Business Journal.
Missouri: “Missouri lawmakers take trips to Israel, California, New Orleans — on the lobbyists’ dime” by Kevin McDermott in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Missouri: “Lobbyists spent $200,000 on trips for Missouri lawmakers” by The Associated Press in The Kansas City Star.
Campaign Finance
“Krauthammer: Campaign finance conundrum is unsolvable” opinion piece by Charles Krauthammer in Newsday.
California: “California lawmakers face divisive bills, special session” by Fenit Nirappil (Associated Press) in The Sun.
California: “Ethics panel wants more public funding available to candidates” by Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times.
California: “Donnelly faces state campaign-finance investigation” by Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times.
Michigan: “Big dollar Michigan congressional races” by Charles Crumm in the Daily Tribune.
Minnesota: “Campaign finance lawsuits in Minnesota and other states take aim at contribution limits” by David Henry in MinnPost.
New Mexico: “Campaign finance reports misplaced in state database” by Sterling Fluharty in the Albuquerque Journal.
New York: “Legislators to tackle host of issues after spring break” by Joseph Spector in The Journal News.
West Virginia: “Statehouse Beat: Online campaign finance reporting system still facing problems” by Phil Kabler in Charleston Gazette.
Ethics
California: “In political scandal, good government advocates see opening for ethics, campaign finance changes” by David Siders in The Fresno Bee.
California: “Leland Yee case: Disgraced California state senator’s legislative efforts fueled cash for campaigns” by Aaron Kinney and Jessica Calefati in the San Jose Mercury News.
Indiana: “Indiana Lawmaker’s Ethics Hearing Scheduled for This Week” by The Associated Press and Rick Howlett in WFPL News.
Kansas: “Investigator wants tougher legislative ethics laws” by John O’Connor in The Wichita Eagle.
Kentucky: “Lawmaker Calls For Ethics Committee Reform If Special Session is Called” by Jonathan Meador in WKU News.
Pennsylvania: “Ethical questions in trips revealed in corruption sting” by Mark Fazlollah in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
April 14, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Comcast turns to K. St” by Julian Hattem in The Hill. Florida: “Lawmakers move to tighten lobbying rules, but exempt themselves” by Anthony Man in the Sun Sentinel. Campaign Finance “FEC Seminar for Trade Assns., Membership, and Labor Organizations” […]
Lobbying
“Comcast turns to K. St” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.
Florida: “Lawmakers move to tighten lobbying rules, but exempt themselves” by Anthony Man in the Sun Sentinel.
Campaign Finance
“FEC Seminar for Trade Assns., Membership, and Labor Organizations” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
“Gillibrand’s Campaign and Others Pay Civil Penalties to FEC” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
West Virginia: “Statehouse Beat: New website for campaign finance reports proving problematic” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.
Ethics
“Office of Congressional Ethics Looking at Rep. Bobby Rush” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
California: “Ex-city official gets nearly 12 years in scandal” by John Rogers (Associated Press) in The Sacramento Bee.
Colorado: “Twist in ethics complaint against Hickenlooper to be heard Monday” by Lynn Bartels in The Denver Post.
Georgia: “Ethics panel ʹbrokenʹ” by Chris Joyner in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Kentucky: “Lawmakers want to amend ethics this week” by Tom Loftus in The Courier-Journal.
Missouri: “Mo. Senate could consider ethics legislation” by The Associated Press in KOAM News.
New Jersey: “Former watchdogs accuse Christie of interfering with state ethics agency” by Salvador Rizzo in The Star-Ledger.
South Carolina: “South Carolina graded ʹFʹ for ethics laws as debate rages on” by Cuthbert Langley in WCBD TV News.
Washington: “Ethics Board: How much free food to allow?” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.
Elections
“10 questions that could decide Election 2014” by James Hohmann and Alexander Burns in Politico.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Heartbleed Forces Emergency Maintenance of House, Senate Sites” by Hannah Hess in Roll Call.
“Federal Websites Avoid Heartbleed Risks, DHS Says” by Aliya Sternstein in NextGov.
April 10, 2014 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Comcast adds lobbyists for merger fight” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. “Anyone can lobby – but there’s more to lobbying than driving a Beemer: Roy J. Wells” op-ed by Roy J. Wells in PennLive. Utah: “Hatch Praises […]
Lobbying
“Comcast adds lobbyists for merger fight” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“Anyone can lobby – but there’s more to lobbying than driving a Beemer: Roy J. Wells” op-ed by Roy J. Wells in PennLive.
Utah: “Hatch Praises Lobbying” by Bryan Schott in Utah Policy.
Campaign Finance
“Million-Dollar Contributions Fuel Super PACs” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
Minnesota: “Minnesota’s limits on campaign donations to be challenged” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Star Tribune.
New York: “Ethics, campaign finance oversight just got weaker in Albany, say observers” by Michael Gormley in Newsday.
Wisconsin: “GOP’s Mike Ellis caught on recording talking of illegal fundraising” by Patrick Marley and Daniel Bice in the Journal Sentinel.
Ethics
“Illinois Democrat reveals ethics review” by Mario Trujillo in The Hill.
Kentucky: “KLEC: Former Rep. Arnold did not violate ethics laws” by Lawrence Smith on WDRB.
Pennsylvania: “Pa. Senate passes bill banning gifts of cash” by March Levy in The News Journal.
South Carolina: “Lawmakers propose appointing prosecutor to probe top state officials” by Andrew Shain in The Republic.
South Carolina: “Nikki Haley calls proposed broader ethics commission a ʹpoison pillʹ” by Andrew Shain in The State.
Government Tech and Social Media
Missouri: “Missouri politicians are mastering social media” by Nicholas J.C. Pistor in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
April 9, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Lobbying World” in The Hill. Hawaii’s SB 2629 Lobbyist Disclosure Bill passes House: “Hawaii lawmakers plow through mountain of bills” by Cathy Bussewitz and Sam Eifling (Associated Press) in The Republic. Wisconsin: “Dem legislator: Lobbyists don’t bother talking to us […]
Lobbying
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
Hawaii’s SB 2629 Lobbyist Disclosure Bill passes House: “Hawaii lawmakers plow through mountain of bills” by Cathy Bussewitz and Sam Eifling (Associated Press) in The Republic.
Wisconsin: “Dem legislator: Lobbyists don’t bother talking to us anymore” by Jack Craver in The Cap Times.
Campaign Finance
“Bitcoin players knock on Washington doors” by Jennifer Liberto in CNN Money.
“FCC: All Stations Must Post Political Files Starting In July” by John Eggerton in Broadcasting & Cable.
“Hillary Clinton knocks Supreme Court’s campaign finance decisions” by Dan Merica on CNN.
“Do Campaign Finance Violations Warrant Jail Time? | A Question of Ethics” by C. Simon Davidson in Roll Call.
Minnesota: “Minnesota’s limits on campaign donations to be challenged” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Star Tribune.
Ohio: “House expects vote on Ohio midterm budget bill” by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) on WTRF.com.
Ethics
Delaware: “Lobbyist fees proposed to fund ethics office” by Jonathan Starkey in The News Journal.
Missouri: “Legislators differ on accepting gifts from lobbyists” by Allyssa D. Dudley in the Salem News.
South Carolina: “SC House panel wants to create larger ethics commission” by Andrew Shain in The State.
April 8, 2014 •
Charlotte City Council Selects New Mayor
The Charlotte City Council has appointed a new mayor after the abrupt resignation of former mayor Patrick Cannon following his arrest on federal corruption charges. North Carolina State Senator Dan Clodfelter was named mayor of Charlotte and will be sworn-in […]
The Charlotte City Council has appointed a new mayor after the abrupt resignation of former mayor Patrick Cannon following his arrest on federal corruption charges.
North Carolina State Senator Dan Clodfelter was named mayor of Charlotte and will be sworn-in on Wednesday. Clodfelter will become Charlotte’s fourth mayor since the spring of 2013. His term expires in December 2015.
Photo of the Charlotte, North Carolina Skyline by Riction on Wikimedia Commons.
April 3, 2014 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying New York: “Lobbying in New York hit $210 million in 2013–3rd highest total ever” by Ken Lovett in the New York Daily News. McCutcheon v. FEC “Supreme Court strikes down limits on overall federal campaign donations” by Robert Barnes […]
Lobbying
New York: “Lobbying in New York hit $210 million in 2013–3rd highest total ever” by Ken Lovett in the New York Daily News.
McCutcheon v. FEC
“Supreme Court strikes down limits on overall federal campaign donations” by Robert Barnes in The Washington Post.
“Excerpts of high court campaign finance opinions” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.
“State Impact of the Supreme Court’s Campaign Donations Ruling” by Ryan Murphy and Aman Batheja in Governing.
“Court kills limits on campaign cash” by Benjamin Goad in The Hill.
“Lobbyists groan as fundraising cap falls” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Campaign Finance Ruling Winners: The Political Pros” by Frank James on NPR.
“After campaign finance ruling, battle for Congress likely to heat up” by Lisa Mascaro and Michael A. Memoli in the Los Angeles Times.
“Democrats bash SCOTUS ruling” by Seung Min Kim in Politico.
“Supreme Court Decision Puts Members of Congress at Risk” opinion piece by Kent Cooper in Politico.
Rhode Island: “R.I. reaction to Supreme Court’s campaign-finance ruling divided along party lines” by Thomas J. Morgan in The Providence Journal.
Campaign Finance
Delaware: “Democrats plan campaign finance reform bills” by Jonathan Starkey in The News Journal.
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.
