Campaign Finance

Alabama: “John Merrill Questions Alabama Ethics Commission’s Waivers of Fines” by Mike Cason for AL.com

Arizona: “Critics Slam Michele Reagan Over Election Funding Site ‘That Doesn’t Work’” by Dustin Gardiner for Arizona Republic

Colorado: “Judge Dismisses Campaign Complaint Against Denver Council President, Saying State Law Doesn’t Apply to City” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Elections

National: “Court: States can purge voters who don’t vote or respond to warnings” by Richard Wolf for USA Today

Ethics

National: “Meet the Guys Who Tape Trump’s Papers Back Together” by Annie Karni for Politico

Florida: “Ousted Tallahassee City Manager Rick Fernandez Slapped with State Ethics Violations” by Jeff Burlew and Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat

Illinois: “Rauner Signs Ethics Overhaul Amid Harassment Allegations at the Capitol” by Monique Garcia for Chicago Tribune

Missouri: “Jean Peters Baker Declines to File Charges against Eric Greitens” by Steve Vickrodt, Bryan Lowry, and Allison Kite for Kansas City Star

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission Raises Fees to Stay in Operation” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman

Campaign Finance

Missouri: “Lawsuit Seeks to Block St. Louis County Charter Amendments from August Primary Ballot” by Jeremy Kohler for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Montana: “Governor Signs Executive Order Targeting Dark Money” by Corine Cates-Carney for Montana Public Radio

New York: “IDC-Independence Party Campaign Finance Deal Declared Illegal” by David Lombardo for Albany Times Union

Washington: “Why Google Won’t Run Political Ads in Washington State for Now” by Jim Brunner and Christine Clarridge for Seattle Times

Ethics

National: “Mueller Hits Manafort with New Obstruction of Justice Charges” by Josh Gerstein and Darren Samuelsohn for Politico

National: “Ex-Senate Aide Charged in Leak Case Where Times Reporter’s Records Were Seized” by Adam Goldman, Nicholas Fandos, and Katie Benner (New York Times) for WRAL

Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Lobbyist Pleads Guilty in Bribery Scheme” by Kelly Kissell (Associated Press) for WRAL

Illinois: “Speaker Madigan’s Chief of Staff Resigns Hours After Aide Accused Him of Repeated Sexually Inappropriate Comments” by Kim Geiger, Ray Long, and Monique Garcia for Chicago Tribune

Lobbying

National: “US Lifts Secrecy on Foreign Lobbying Opinions” by Chad Day and Eric Tucker (Associated Press) for Talking Points Memo

Campaign Finance

National: “‘The Movement Now Transcends the Kochs.’ What David Koch’s Departure Means for the Political Network He Helped Build.” by James Hohmann and Amy Gardner for Washington Post

Alabama: “Ethics Commission Says Campaign Funds Can Pay Child Care” by Mike Cason for AL.com

Elections

California: “Democrats Poised to Claim Ballot Slots in Nearly All House Districts in California” by David Weigel, Mike DeBonis, David Fahrenthold, and Elise Viebeck for Washington Post

Ethics

National: “Scott Pruitt Enlisted an EPA Aide to Help His Wife Find a Job – with Chick-fil-A” by Juliet Eilperin, Brady Dennis, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN

Colorado: “Former Secretary of State Scott Gessler Loses Ethics Fight in Colorado Supreme Court” by Marianne Goodland (ColoradoPolitics.com) for Colorado Springs Gazette

Florida: “Sources: Ethics Commission prosecutor recommends charges against Fernandez” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Louisiana: “Louisiana Lawmakers Are Pushing Bills That Benefit Their Own Businesses. And It’s Perfectly Legal.” by Rebekah Allen (New Orleans Advocate) for ProPublica

Lobbying

United Kingdom: “Most Charities Say Lobbying Act Has Made Their Work Harder, Says Report” by Liam Kay for Third Sector

Missouri: “In About-Face, New Missouri Gov. Parson Says He Won’t Accept Lobbyist Gifts” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Campaign Finance

Washington: “Attorney General Bob Ferguson Sues Facebook and Google Over Political Ad Records” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Elections

National: “Surge of Obama Alumni Running for Office in Wake of President Trump’s Election” by Nicole Gaudiano for USA Today

Ethics

National: “Aide Sought a New Apartment for Pruitt, as Well as an ‘Old Mattress’ From Trump Hotel” by Lisa Friedman and Eric Lipton (New York Times) for WRAL

National: “Mueller Accuses Paul Manafort of Attempted Witness Tampering” by Matt Apuzzo (New York Times) for MSN

Colorado: “Hickenlooper Vetoes Bill to Reduce Conflicts of Interests on Colorado’s Sex-Offender Management Board” by Christopher Osher for Denver Post

South Carolina: “S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson Hasn’t Severed Ties to Controversial Quinn Family” by Kirk Brown (Anderson Independent Mail) for Greenville News

Lobbying

Canada: “Lobby Wrap: Facebook’s Chan on registry along with his boss” by Sartah Turnbull for iPolitics.b

Kentucky: “Kentucky Senator Was on Trip at Center of FBI’s Probe of Ohio Speaker” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier Journal

Campaign Finance

California: “Facebook Tried to Rein in Fake Ads. It Fell Short in a California Race.” by Sheera Frenkel (New York Times) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Trump’s Lawyers, in Confidential Memo, Argue to Head Off a Historic Subpoena” by Michael Schmidt, Maggie Haberman, Charlie Savage and Matt Apuzzo (New York Times) for MSN

Florida: “Corruption Patina Can Dull Jacksonville Image, Experts Say” by David Bauerlain and Steve Patterson for Florida Times Union

Illinois: “Dorothy Brown’s Office to Get Federal Monitor for Hiring Practices” by Rachel Hinton and Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times

South Carolina: “Longtime Richland Sen. Courson Resigns, Enters Guilty Plea in Corruption Probe” by John Monk for The State

Lobbying

National: “A Courtside View of Scott Pruitt’s Cozy Ties with a Billionaire Coal Baron” by Steve Eder, Hiroko Tabuchi, and Eric Lipton (New York Times) for MSN

National: “Lobbyist Whose Wife Rented a Condo to Scott Pruitt Failed to Disclose E.P.A. Lobbying” by Eric Lipton (New York Times) for WRAL

Florida: “Behind Florida’s Payments to Victims, Links to Lobbyists” by Gary Fineout (Associated Press) for Gainesville Sun

Elections

National: “Trump Ran as a Renegade. Now He’s Trying to Keep Them at Bay.” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times

Ethics

National: “Lawsuit Says Citizenship Question on Census Targets Minorities for Political Gain” by Michael Wines for New York Times

Arizona: “Bribery Trial Involving Ex-Utility Regulator, Three Others Begins” by Michael Kiefer for Arizona Republic

Illinois: “Lawmaker Resigns from Madigan’s Leadership Team Following Allegations of Retaliation, Verbal Abuse” by Monique Garcia, Ray Long, and Kim Grieger for Chicago Tribune

New York: “The #MeToo Movement Came to Albany. But Will It Stick?” by Vivian Wang for New York Times

New York: “Mangano Corruption Trial Ends in Mistrial on Long Island” by Colin Moynihan for New York Times

Lobbying

Florida: “Gillum Meeting with FBI Undercover Agents Took Shape During Costa Rica Trip with Lobbyists” by Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat

Procurement

Kansas: “After Backlash, Kansas DCF Strikes New Rule Banning Opposition to Agency” by Sherman Smith for Hayes Daily News

Campaign Finance

National: Did Diamond and Silk Commit Perjury? Or Is Campaign-Finance Language Often Confusing? by Philip Bump for Washington Post

California: Hackers Stole His Campaign Cash, Sacramento Lawmaker Says by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

North Carolina: Steak Dinners, Travel, HOA Fees: How some NC legislators spend campaign donors’ money by Will Doran and Lynn Bonner for Charlotte Observer

Ethics

National: Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez Is ‘Severely Admonished’ by Ethics Committee, Ordered to Repay Gifts by Mike DeBonis for Washington Post

Florida: Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie Hid $335,000, Charges Allege by Skyler Swisher and Tonya Alanez for South Florida Sun Sentinel

Michigan: Michigan Lawmakers Voted on Bills Even After Admitting Conflicts of Interest by Kristian Hernandez for Center for Public Integrity

Legislative Issues

Minnesota: Minnesota House Leaders Unveil Major Changes to Sexual Harassment Policy, but Updates Won’t Make Process Any More Open to Public by Brianna Bierschbach for Minnesota Post

Lobbying

National: Democrats See Their Stock Rise on K Street by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Canada: MPs Defend Taking Trips Paid by Lobbyists, Foreign Governments, but Some Say the Practice Needs Review by Samantha Wright Allen for Hill Times

Campaign Finance

National: “Watchdog Sues Paul Ryan-Aligned Dark Money Group” by Maggie Severns for Poltico

Ohio: “Lack of Campaign Fundraising Caps, Tracking Issues at City Hall Raise Concerns” by Doug Caruso and Rick Rouan for Columbus Dispatch

Rhode Island: “Mattiello Is Ordered to Repay $72K to Leadership PAC” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal

Tennessee: “Tennessee Lawmakers Still ‘Double-Dipping’ After Warning from Campaign Finance Official” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean

Wisconsin: “Want to Give Digital Currency to a Political Campaign? State Ethics Panel Mulls If and How” by Mark Sommerhauser for Wisconsin State Journal

Ethics

National: “Mulvaney, Watchdog Bureau’s Leader, Advises Bankers on Ways to Curtail Agency” by Glenn Thrush for New York Times

New Jersey: “Video Shows Port Authority Commissioner Telling Cops: ‘You may shut the f— up!’” by Ted Sherman (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger

Lobbying

National: “Skadden Lawyer Craig Leaves Firm After Inquiry on Ukraine Report” by Greg Farrell for Bloomberg.com

Kentucky: “Metro Council Member Doubles as Lobbyist in Frankfort” by Joe Sonka for Insider Louisville

Redistricting

National: “Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Texas Redistricting” by Rafael Bernal for The Hill

Campaign Finance

National: “If a Parent’s Day Job Is Running for Congress, Can the Campaign Pay for Child Care?” by Danielle Kurtz for Minnesota Public Radio

Maryland: “Baltimore City Council to Consider Public Financing of City Elections” by Ian Duncan for Baltimore Sun

Montana: “Former State Legislator Finally Pays $70K Fine for Campaign Finance Violations” by Ed Kemmick for Missoula Current

Ohio: “How One GOP Heiress Influenced the Ohio House – and Its Leader’s Demise” by Jessie Balmert for Cincinnati Enquirer

South Dakota: “A 6-Year-Old Gave $1,000 to Paul TenHaken – and It’s Legal” by Joe Sneve for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Elections

National: “U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn Should Be Kept Off the 2018 Ballot, Colorado Supreme Court Rules” by Jesse Paul, Mark Matthews, and John Frank for Denver Post

Ethics

California: “O.C. Anti-Corruption Task Force Collapsed Amid Infighting Between Federal and Local Investigators” by Adam Elmahrak and Richard Winton for Los Angeles Times

Michigan: “Trash Titan Chuck Rizzo Gets 5½ Years: ‘I’ve let many people down’” by Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press

Lobbying

National: “Protesters Target NRA Lobbyist’s Home and Wife’s Business” by Rachel Weiner for Washington Post

New York: “JCOPE Passes Sweeping New Lobbying Regulations” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times

Campaign Finance

National: Pruitt’s Capitol Hill Condo Fallout Hits a Republican Senator by Ari Natter for Bloomberg.com

Elections

National: Manafort Suspected as ‘Back Channel’ to Russia, U.S. Says by David Voreacos for Bloomberg.com

Ethics

National: EPA Inspector General to Probe Pruitt’s Use of Security Detail on Personal Trips by Brady Dennis for Washington Post

Michigan: Ex-Detroit Deputy Police Chief Celia Washington Gets 1 Year in Prison for Bribery by Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press

Missouri: Judge Refuses to Dismiss Criminal Case Against Greitens by Robert Patrick and Joel Currier for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

New York: Former de Blasio Fundraiser Facing Criminal Charges for Straw Donations in 2013 Mayoral Election by Molly Newman, Shayna Jacobs, and James Fanelli for New York Daily News

Lobbying

Canada: Democracy Watch to File Lobbying Complaint About Facebook Exec by Beatrice Britneff for iPolitics.ca

Florida: Citizens Decry City of Tallahassee’s In-House Football Ticket Probe as a ‘Whitewash’ by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Campaign Finance

Canada: “B.C. Ponders More Changes to Election-Financing Rules” by Matt Robinson for Vancouver Sun

Ethics

Florida: “Fernandez Gave Football Tickets to City Officials; Investigation Finds ‘No Rule Violation’” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Georgia: “Former Atlanta Mayor Named in Federal Subpoena” by Dale Russell for WAGA

Iowa: “Iowa Elections Official Did Not Disclose Side Business” by Ryan Foley (Associated Press) for Daily Nonpareil

Missouri: “Missouri Ethics Nominees: No promises made to Greitens” by Blake Nelson (Associated Press) for Columbia Missourian

New Mexico: “Financial Disclosures Tripping Up New Mexico Legislators” by Andrew Oxford (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News

New York: “New York Attorney General Seeks Power to Bypass Presidential Pardons” by Danny Hakim and William Rashbaum for New York Times

Lobbying

National: “Patrick Kennedy Profits from Opioid-Addiction Firms” by Adam Cancryn for Politico

Procurement

Maryland: “Hogan Administration Delays Consideration of Fast-Tracked Transportation Contract” by Michael Laris for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

Indiana: Indiana GOP Locked Senate Candidate Todd Rokita Out of Donor Database Over Likely Ethics Violation by Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) for Indianapolis Star

Missouri: Hawley Says Probe into Greitens, Charity Indicates Potential Felony by Governor by Lindsay Wise (McClatchy), Jason Hancock, and Bryan Lowry for Kansas City Star

Montana: Dark Money Group Pays $30K Fine for Breaking Montana Campaign Finance Law by John Adams (Montana Free Press) for Montana Current

Ethics

National: Watchdog: EPA broke law building Pruitt’s secure phone booth by Alex Guillén and Anthony Adragna for Politico

Arizona: Don Shooter Seeks $1.3 Million from House Speaker, Ducey’s Chief of Staff Following Removal by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Dustin Gardner for Arizona Republic

Illinois: U.S. Supreme Court Again Rejects Hearing Rod Blagojevich’s Appeal by Jason Meisner for Chicago Tribune

Lobbying

Florida: Proposal on November Ballot Would Toughen Lobbying Rules by Lloyd Dunkelberger (News Service of Florida) for Bradenton Herald

Kansas: Gov. Colyer Signs Sweeping Executive Branch Transparency Measure by Hunter Woodall for Kansas City Star

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “Cook County Tax Officials Take Excess Campaign Donations from Appeals Firms, Ethics Panel Says” by Ray Long and Hal Dardick for Chicago Tribune

Elections

National: “Sources: Mueller has evidence Cohen was in Prague in 2016, confirming part of dossier” by Peter Stone and Greg Gordon for McClatchy DC

National: “R.N.C. Official Who Agreed to Pay Playboy Model $1.6 Million Resigns” by Rebecca Ruiz and Jim Rutenberg (New York Times) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Trump Grants Pardon to Former Bush Official; Some Say He Is Using the Law as a Political Tool” by Philip Rucker, Josh Dawsey, and Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

National: “Trump Attorney Michael Cohen’s Mystery Legal Client: Fox News commentator Sean Hannity” by Philip Bump, Devlin Barrett, and Beth Reinhard for Washington Post

West Virginia: “Legislative Auditors Recommend Ethics Investigation of Justice Loughry” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette-Mail

Lobbying

Arizona: “Woman at Center of Phoenix Lobbyist Forgery Scandal Convicted, Sentenced” by Dustin Gardner and Rick O’Dell for Arizona Republic

Michigan: “Mich. Speaker ‘Not Lobbied’ on Trip with Lobbyists” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Washington: “Many of the State’s Powerful Lobbyists Work from One Olympia Neighborhood” by Joseph O’Sullivan (Seattle Times) for The Olympian

Campaign Finance

National: Ex-Texas Congressman Convicted of Fraud, Conspiracy by The Associated Press for Arizona Daily Sun

Florida: Florida’s State Lawmakers Haven’t Gotten a Dime from the NRA Since 2005 by Dan Sweeney for South Florida Sun Sentinel

Elections

National: National Enquirer Paid Second Source with Embarrassing Trump Rumor by Carol Leonnig for Washington Post

Ethics

National: Ryan Poised to Earn Millions Even If He Sheds ‘Weekend Dad’ Role by Jeff Green, John McCormick, and Bill Allison for Bloomberg.com

National: Former Staffer: EPA fired him for refusing to OK first-class flight by Alex Guillén for Politico

New York: Ex-Cuomo Aide Percoco Can Get $36K NY Pension Despite Corruption Conviction by Julie McMahon for Syracuse Post-Standard

Lobbying

Oregon: Oregon’s Largest Business Organization Fires Its CEO, Former GOP Legislator Mark Johnson by Mike Rogoway and Ted Sickinger for Portland Oregonian

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Speaker Robin Vos Took Free Trip to London with Lobbyists and Leaders from Other States by Jason Stein and Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel