Lobbying

Delaware: “Lobbyists Given a Space of Their Own in Legislative Hall” by Scott Gross for Wilmington News Journal

South Carolina: “South Carolina Lawmakers Overseeing Regulators Were Also Wined and Dined by Utility Companies” by Andrew Brown for Charleston Post and Courier

Wisconsin: “State Report: Nearly 15 percent of Wisconsin lobbyists lobbied without authorization” by Mark Sommerhauser for Wisconsin State Journal

Ethics

“Schiff Lays Out Republican Efforts to Block Access in Russia Probe” by Karoun Demirjian for Washington Post

Alaska: “Legislators Who Skip Training Could Face Ethics Complaint” by Becky Bohrer (Associated Press) for The Sun Herald

Missouri: “Greitens Faces Criminal Investigation Over Allegations Stemming from His Affair” by Jack Suntrup and Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

New York: “Investigate an Accused Ally? New York Senate’s Republican Leader Says No” by Jesse McKinley and Vivian Wang for New York Times

Canada: “New Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion Promises to Be ‘Fearless’” by Laura Stone for The Globe and Mail

Lobbying

“Lobbyists Have a New Secret Weapon” by Alexandra Stratton for Bloomberg.com

Campaign Finance

“FEC’s New Facebook Ruling Requires Ad Sharing Info Yet Gives Reformers Little to Like” by Margaret Sessa-Hawkins for MapLight.org

California: “Big Donors Can Dominate City Election Spending – Whether or Not There Are Contribution Limits” by Thy Vo for Voice of OC

District of Columbia: “D.C. Council Unanimously Votes to Create Public Campaign Finance Program” by Rachel Chason for Washington Post

Ethics

“Football Team’s Stay at Doral Resort Could Bolster Lawsuit Targeting Trump” by Jonathan O’Connell for Washington Post

Florida: “South Florida State Senators Acknowledge Extramarital Affair” by Dan Sweeny for South Florida Sentinel

Idaho: “Idaho Lawmakers Undergo Anti-Sexual Harassment Training” by Betsy Russell for Spokane Spokesman-Review

New York: “Brooklyn Assemblywoman Indicted on Fraud Charges” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Canada: “Morneau Cleared by Ethics Watchdog on Two Complaints” by Tonda MacCharles for Toronto Star

Redistricting

North Carolina: “NC Congressional Districts Struck Down as Unconstitutional Partisan Gerrymanders” by Anne Blythe for Raleigh News and Observer

Lobbying

Missouri: “House Prepares to Fast Track Lobbyist Gift Limit Yet Again” by Tyler Wornell for The Missourian

Campaign Finance

Pennsylvania: “When Does a Campaign Contribution Become a Bribe?” by Peter Hall for Allentown Morning Call

Washington: “Spokane City Council Overrides Condon Veto of Campaign Finance Reporting Law” by Kip Hill for Spokane Spokesman-Review

Ethics

“Fusion GPS Founder Hauled from the Shadows for the Russia Election Investigation” by Matt Flegenheimer for New York Times

Canada: “Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson Says She ‘Went Out with a Bang’” by Laura Stone for The Globe and Mail

Florida: “Broward Legislators Take Action to Deal with Sexual Harassment in the State Capital” by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald

Maryland: “Feds: Indicted Baltimore state senator confessed to taking cash payments” by Justin Fenton for Baltimore Sun

Texas: “Amid Sexual Harassment Concerns, Lawmakers Consider How to Check Their Own Power” by Jolie McCullough and Alexa Ura for Texas Tribune

Elections

Kansas: “Awkward: Brownback said he was leaving as Kansas governor. He hasn’t” by Julie Bosman for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Kentucky: “Kentucky House Speaker Lashes Out in Resignation Speech after Sexual Harassment Settlement” by Derek Hawkins for Washington Post

Lobbying

Arizona: “A Sexist Culture Endures at Arizona Capitol, Insiders Say” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Dustin Gardiner for Arizona Republic

Ethics

“These Are the Only Two States That Don’t Require Lawmakers to Disclose Finances” by Kristian Hernandez for Center for Public Integrity

“Kushner’s Financial Ties to Israel Deepen Even with Mideast Diplomatic Role” by Jesse Drucker for New York Times

Colorado: “Change to Colorado Conflict-of-Interest Rule Limits Information Elected Officials Must Share with Voters” by John Frank for Denver Post

Maryland: “Maryland’s Female Lawmakers Push Back – Quietly – on Sexual Harassment” by Ovetta Wiggins for Washington Post

Oregon: “Oregon Ethics Commission Rebukes Cylvia Hayes for ‘Blatant Disregard of Ethics Laws” by Hillary Borrud for Portland Oregonian

South Carolina: “As Corruption Probe Continues, Some Lawmakers Want South Carolina Politics to Be More Transparent” by Andrew Brown for Charleston Post and Courier

Virginia: “Growing Pains: How the departure of a longtime town manager spawned political scandal” by Antonio Olivo for Washington Post

Tech and Social Media

“Without Naming Trump, Twitter Says It Won’t Block World Leaders” by Mike Isaac for New York Times

Lobbying

Illinois: “Investigation Details Secretive Contacts with Lobbyist on $2 Billion Illinois Lottery Contract” by Joe Mahr and Matthew Walberg for Chicago Tribune

Wisconsin: “State Ethics Commission Finalizing Audit of Possible Lobbying Violations” by Mark Sommerhauser for Wisconsin State Journal

Ethics

“Obstruction Inquiry Shows Trump’s Struggle to Keep Grip on Russia Investigation” by Michael Schmidt (New York Times) for MSN

Kentucky: “Panel Appointed to Investigate Kentucky House Speaker” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

Michigan: “Michigan Senator Says His Hands Are Clean in Towing Bribery Scandal” by Paul Egan and Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press

Missouri: “Missouri Lawmaker Not Punished Over Remark About Hanging” by Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for Fort Worth Star-Telegram

New York: “Reform Groups Launch ‘Restore Public Trust’ Campaign” by Rachel Silberstein for Gotham Gazette

Elections

Connecticut: “Is It Possible to Balance Statewide Tickets in Age of Primaries?” by Mark Pazniokas for Conneticut Mirror

Legislative Issues

Iowa: “A Lobbyist Got Married in the Iowa House, and a Portrait of Donald Trump Was Removed Before the Ceremony” by Jason Noble for Des Moines Register

Lobbying

South Carolina: “Golf, Beaches and Power: How utilities wine and dine the public officials that set your rates” by Andrew Brown for Charleston Post and Courier

Campaign Finance

Maryland: “Democrats Slam Hogan Over RGA Donation from Poultry Company” by Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post

Massachusetts: “Pro-Charter School Group Fined for Hiding 2016 Campaign Donors including Mitt Romney’s Campaign” by Shira Schoenberg for MassLive

Virginia: “Several New Delegates Form Caucus to Reduce Corporate Money in Virginia Politics” by Patrick Wilson for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Ethics

“Partisans, Wielding Money, Begin Seeking to Exploit Harassment Claims” by Kenneth Vogel for New York Times

“Paul Manafort Sues Mueller and Asks a Judge to Narrow the Russia Investigation” by Matt Apuzzo for New York Times

“How the Federal Government Hides Sexual Harassment Payouts” by Andrew Restuccia, Emily Goldberg, and Rebecca Morin for Politico

Illinois: “CPS Employees Stole Gift Cards Meant for Students, Watchdog Says” by Juan Perez Jr. for Chicago Tribune

Michigan: “Ex-Detroit Police Official Waffles, Pleads Guilty” by Robert Snell for Detroit News

Missouri: “Missouri Democrats Place Target on Greitens Through Pre-Filed Legislation” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune

New York: “Corruption Trials Loom over Albany as New Year Begins” by Joe Mahoney for Oneonta Daily Star

Legislative Issues

Kentucky: “House Speaker Who Resigned Over Harassment Claim Reconsiders” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Lobbying

“Roger Stone Retroactively Registers Lobbying Contract” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

California: “L.A. Could Exempt Many Nonprofits from Revealing Lobbying” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Missouri: “Ethics Complaint Against Big Missouri Campaign Donor is Dismissed” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

New York: “Howe Emailed Cuomo Officials on Private Accounts” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

“The Modern Campaign-Finance Loophole: Governors Associations” by Susan Pulliam and Brody Mullins (Wall Street Journal) for MSN

Washington: “With Veto of City Council Ordinance, Condon Says Campaign Finance Better Left to the State” by Chad Sokol for Spokane Spokesman-Review

Ethics

Michigan: “FBI Wiretaps Reveal How Towing Titan Fiore Built His Empire” by Tresa Baldas and Keith Matheny for Detroit Free Press

South Dakota: “Ethics Measure Approved to Be on South Dakota’s 2018 Ballot” by James Nord (Associated Press) for PBS

Elections

“‘If We Don’t Run, Then We Won’t Achieve.’ Why a Record Number of Women Are Eyeing a Run for Governor.” by Karen Tumulty for Washington Post

“‘Fake News’: Wide reach but little impact, study suggests” by Benedict Carey for New York Times

“How the Russia Inquiry Began: A campaign aide, drinks and talk of political dirt” by Sharon LaFraniere, Mark Mazzetti, and Mat Apuzzo for New York Times

“Orin Hatch, Utah Senator, to Retire, Opening Path for Mitt Romney” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times

Campaign Finance

Virginia: “After Calls for Campaign Finance Reform, Gov.-Elect Ralph Northam Takes Corporate Money for Inauguration” by Graham Moomaw for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Ethics

“Statehouse Sexual Harassment Tally: At least 18 lawmakers gone or punished” by Jen Fifield for HuffPost

“Rick Gates: Fundraiser video did not violate gag order” by Louis Nelson for Politico

“Where Is Trump’s Cabinet? It’s Anybody’s Guess.” by Emily Holden for Politico

“‘We Have Tapped into Something’: Impeachment drive builds digital army to take on Trump” by Carla Marinucci and David Siders for Politico

“Ivanka Trump Wears Her Company’s Clothes in Social Media Posts, Raising Further Conflict of Interest Questions” by Greg Price for Newsweek

“Trump’s Clinton Tweets Cut Against Comey Firing Explanation” by Eric Tucker (Associated Press) for ABC News

California: “Santa Monica School District’s Conflict of Interest Investigation Expands to Three Board Members” by Adam Elmahrek and Benjamin Oreskes for Los Angeles Times

Elections

“Doug Jones Certified as Alabama’s First Democratic Senator in 25 Years” by Jenny Jarvie for Los Angeles Times

Lobbying

Louisiana: “LA’s Ethics Commission Wants More Transparency from Lobbyists” by Libby Denkmann for KPCC

Campaign Finance

“New Hope, New Problem: Will Federal Election Commission shut down?” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

Arizona: “Law’s Wording to Play Key Role in Court Case Involving APS’ Political Spending” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star

California: “L.A. Real Estate Developer and Billboard Executive Fined Over Political Donations” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Ethics

California: “Former Beaumont City Officials Plead Guilty to Felony Charges” by City News Service for Los Angeles Times

Florida: “Jack Latvala Resigns from the Florida Senate” by Steve Bousquet for Tampa Bay Times

Nevada: “NV Legislature’s Administrative Arm Expands Harassment Rule” by Scott Sonner (Associated Press) for Sacramento Bee

Canada: “Trudeau Apologizes for Violating Ethics Laws with Visits to Aga Khan’s Island” by Catharine Tunney for CBC News

Elections

“Clashes Over State Ballot Initiatives Could Spill Into 2018” by James Nord (Associated Press) for Federal News Radio

“Senate Investigators Scrutinize Another Presidential Candidate: Jill Stein” by Nicholas Fandos for New York Times

Virginia: “Virginia Court Tosses Out One-Vote Victory That Briefly Ended GOP Majority in House” by Jim Morrison and Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post

Lobbying

Florida: “The Florida House Speaker Who Attacks Special Interests Spends Their Money Lavishly – and Won’t Apologize” by Adam Smith and Eli Zhang for Tampa Bay Times

New York: “JCOPE Tweaks Proposed Lobbying Regulations” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

South Carolina: “Lobbying Is Completely Unregulated in Most S.C. Cities, Leaving Room for Possible Corruption” by Abigail Darlington for Charleston Post and Courier

Campaign Finance

“Surge in Out-of-State Donors Fuels Dems in Special Elections” by Ben Wieder and Alex Roarty for McClatchy DC

“Federal Regulators Approve Narrow Facebook Ad Disclosure” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

“In Small Win for Democrats, the Final Tax Bill Will Not Include a Provision Allowing Churches to Endorse Political Candidates” by Heather Long for Washington Post

New Mexico: “Public Financing System Undercut by Budget Holes” by Andrew Oxford for Santa Fe New Mexican

Wyoming: “Did Lawmakers Accidentally Open the Flood Gates for Political Dark Money in Wyoming?” by Arno Rosenfeld for Casper Star-Tribune

Ethics

Michigan: “Businessman Gets 21 Months in Macomb Corruption Scandal” by Robert Snell for Detroit News

Texas: “Board’s Handling of Ethics Policy Called a ‘Mockery’ by Concerned Citizens” by Diane Smith for Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Wisconsin: “Judge Acknowledges He Shouldn’t Have Authorized Release of Ethics Probe Details” by Matthew DeFour for Wisconsin State Journal

Ethics

Montana: Judge Eases Rules on Ethics Complaints Confidentiality for Elected Officials by Phil Drake for Great Falls Tribune

North Carolina: Does A ‘Good Ol’ Boy’ Culture Pervade The North Carolina General Assembly? By Jeff Tiberii for KUNC

South Carolina: Corruption Probe Evidence Suggests Pervasive Pattern of Political Meddling by Powerful Quinns by Glenn Smith for Charleston Post and Courier

South Dakota: South Dakota Lawmakers to Train in Sexual Harassment Prevention by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

West Virginia: WV House Leaders Back Bill Amending Ethics Act to Include Volunteers by Jake Zuckerman for Charleston Gazette

Lobbying

Executives of Springfield Nonprofit Linked to $1 Million in Illegal Political Activity by Harrison Keegan and Alissa Zhu for Springfield New-Leader

Utah: Salt Lake Hires Ex-Utah League of Cities and Towns Director by Katie McKellar for Deseret News

Virginia: Dorothy McAuliffe Put Aside Pomp as Hard-Lobbying Virginia First Lady by Laura Vozzella for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

Fallout from Allegations of Tea Party Targeting Hamper IRS Oversight of Nonprofits by Robert O’Harrow Jr. for Washington Post

Washington: Spokane City Council Passes Local Campaign Finance Reform Laws by Kip Hill for Spokane Spokesman-Review

Campaign Finance

Indiana: “Council Defeats Pay-to-Play Veto” by Dave Gong for Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Ethics

“‘Fake News,’ Trump’s Obsession, Is Now a Cudgel for Strongmen” by Steven Erlanger for New York Times

Maryland: “General Assembly to Track Sexual Harassment Complaints Against Lawmakers” by Erin Cox for Baltimore Sun

Mississippi: “Moore Resigns Facing Sex Harassment Probe in House” by Geoff Pender for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Missouri: “Former Jackson County Exec Sanders Used Disabled Friend to Run Illegal Kickback Scheme” by Mike Hendricks and Steve Vockrodt for Kansas City Star

Pennsylvania: “James Hickey, Co-Defendant of Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges” by Emily Opilo and Peter Hall for Allentown Morning Call

South Carolina: “Rep. Rick Quinn Pleads Guilty in S.C. Corruption Case in Deal That Drops Charges for Kingpin Father” by Seanna Adcox and Glenn Smith for Charleston Post and Courier

Texas: “This Texas Lawmaker Could Finish His Term from Jail” by Alana Rocha for Texas Tribune

Texas: “Fort Worth School Board President Says Relationship with Linebarger Firm ‘Not an Issue’” by Diane Smith for Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Elections

“Smith to Take Franken’s Senate Seat, Run in 2018” by Brian Bakst and Tim Pugmire for Minnesota Public Radio

Elections

Doug Jones Declared Victor in Alabama Race for Senate; Roy Moore May Seek Recount by Sean Sullivan, David Weigel, and Michael Sherer for Washington Post

Ethics

Trump Attacks Gillibrand in Tweet Critics Say Is Sexually Suggestive and Demeaning by Ashley Parker, John Wagner, and Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post

‘Journalism for Rent’: Inside the secretive firm behind the Trump dossier by Jack Gillum and Shawn Boburg for Washington Post

Florida: Women in Florida Politics Fear #MeToo Moments Will Backfire by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald

Pennsylvania: Ex-State Legislator Marc Gergely Sentenced to 18 Months House Arrest Stemming from Gambling Probe by Kate Giammarise for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wisconsin: Dem and GOP Ethics Regulators Say Attorney General Brad Schimel Needs to Correct Inaccuracies in John Doe Report by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Lobbying

Liberals and Conservatives Agree: Ex-congressmen should put brakes on lobbying careers by Ashley Balcerzak for Center for Public Integrity

After Manafort’s Indictment, Firms Are Suddenly Registering Their Foreign Lobbying by Lachlan Markay for Daily Beast

For Female Lobbyists, Harassment Often Accompanies Access by Trip Gabriel and Julie Bosman for New York Times

Colorado: Sen. Tate’s Supporters Lobbied in Front of His Committee, Gave to His Campaign by Ashley Jefcoat for KUNC

Missouri: Lobbyist Play Part, Spend Cash in Jefferson City by Jason Hunsicker for Kirksville Daily Express

Pennsylvania: Ethics Complaint Filed Against Wolf Aide Who’s Married to Gas Industry Lobbyist by Marie Cusick for StateImpact Pennsylvania

Campaign Finance

Washington: PDC Complaints Becoming Weapons in Political Wars by Jim Camden for Spokane Spokesman Review

Lobbying

Canada: “Ethics, Lobbying Commissioners Can Work More Closely Together: Nominee” by Beatrice Britneff for iPolitics.ca

Kentucky: “Law Which Prohibits Legislators Accepting ‘Anything of Value’ from Lobbyists Has Been Ruled Unconstitutional by U.S. District Court Judge” by Don Weber for Spectrum News

Campaign Finance

“State Lawmakers Blur Line Between Public, Personal Interests” by Ryan Foley (Associated Press) and Liz Essley Whyte for Center for Public Integrity

“Aide to U.S. Rep. Bob Brady Pleads Guilty in Probe of Payoff to 2012 Campaign Rival” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania: “Sands Shareholder Challenging Pennsylvania’s Ban on Casino Industry Political Giving” by Peter Hall and Steve Esack for Allentown Morning Call

Ethics

Alabama: “Birmingham Water Works Chair, Others Charged on Corruption Probe” by John Archibald for AL.com

California: “Matt Dababneh Will Resign from California Assembly After Sex Assault Allegation” by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee

Florida: “Flagler Prevails in Fight over ‘Malicious’ Ethics Complaints” by Matt Bruce for Daytona Beach News-Journal

Michigan: “Chuck Rizzo Sr. Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud Conspiracy in Macomb Trash-Hauling Probe” by Tresa Baldas and Ann Zaniewski for Detroit Free Press

Wisconsin: “John Doe Judge to Step Down Because of Tweets He Posted About the Case” by Patrick Marley and Jason Stein for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Elections

“For Trump Adviser at Center of Russia Probe, a Rapid Rise and Dramatic Fall in His Ancestral Land” by Griff White for Washington Post

Redistricting

“Supreme Court Will Take Up a Second Gerrymandering Case This Term” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post