Lobbying

Nevada: “Nevada Senator Wants to Close Tax Deduction Loophole for Lobbyists” by Gary Martin for Las Vegas Review-Journal

New York: “JCOPE Chair: Lobbying regulations will carry force of law” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

“Voters Lose Protest of Campaign-Contribution Ceilings” by Daniel Staples for Courthouse News Service

California: “San Francisco Eyes Stricter Reporting of Politician-Linked Donations” by Aaron Mendelson for KPCC

Indiana: “Council OKs Bill Limiting Contributions” by Dave Gong for Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

New Mexico: “Pearce Wins Court Order on Campaign Cash” by Dan Boyd and Dan McKay for Albuquerque Journal

Ethics

“Inside the White House, Michael Flynn Pushed Proposal from Company He Said He Had Advised” by Greg Jaffe, Carol Leonnig, Michael Kranish, and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

“Conyers Scandal Highlights Divisions, Generational and Gender” by Yamiche Alcindor and Sheryl Gay Stolberg for New York Times

California: “California Legislature’s Handling of Sexual Harassment Complaints Blasted at Hearing” by Katy Murphy for San Jose Mercury News

Idaho: “Unanimous Idaho Legislative Panel Backs Financial Disclosure for All Candidates, Elected Officials” by Betsy Russell for Spokane Spokesman-Review

Michigan: “Michigan Political Culture Has a History of Sexual Harassment, Now Hopes for Change” by Emily Lawler for MLive.com

West Virginia: “WV Chief Justice Has Court Employees Remove Missing Couch from His House” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette

Lobbying

Nevada: “Nevada Senator Wants to Close Tax Deduction Loophole for Lobbyists” by Gary Martin for Las Vegas Review-Journal

New York: “JCOPE Chair: Lobbying regulations will carry force of law” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

“Voters Lose Protest of Campaign-Contribution Ceilings” by Daniel Staples for Courthouse News Service

California: “San Francisco Eyes Stricter Reporting of Politician-Linked Donations” by Aaron Mendelson for KPCC

Indiana: “Council OKs Bill Limiting Contributions” by Dave Gong for Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

New Mexico: “Pearce Wins Court Order on Campaign Cash” by Dan Boyd and Dan McKay for Albuquerque Journal

Ethics

“Inside the White House, Michael Flynn Pushed Proposal from Company He Said He Had Advised” by Greg Jaffe, Carol Leonnig, Michael Kranish, and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

“Conyers Scandal Highlights Divisions, Generational and Gender” by Yamiche Alcindor and Sheryl Gay Stolberg for New York Times

California: “California Legislature’s Handling of Sexual Harassment Complaints Blasted at Hearing” by Katy Murphy for San Jose Mercury News

Idaho: “Unanimous Idaho Legislative Panel Backs Financial Disclosure for All Candidates, Elected Officials” by Betsy Russell for Spokane Spokesman-Review

Michigan: “Michigan Political Culture Has a History of Sexual Harassment, Now Hopes for Change” by Emily Lawler for MLive.com

West Virginia: “WV Chief Justice Has Court Employees Remove Missing Couch from His House” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette

Ethics

Top Trump Staffers Failed to File Financial Reports on Their Way Out the Door by Anita Kumar and Ben Wieder for Sacramento Bee

Alabama: A Woman Approached The Post with Dramatic – and False – Tale About Roy Moore. She Appears to Be Part of Undercover Sting Operation. by Shawn Boburg, Aaron Davis, and Alice Crites for Washington Post

California: Adelanto Councilman’s Bribery Case Latest in Long History of City Corruption by Joe Nelson for San Bernardino Sun

District of Columbia: D.C. Deputy Mayor Used Employees for Babysitting, Inspector General Finds by Peter Jamison for Washington Post

Florida: Florida Paid Millions Settling Harassment Cases by Gary Fineout (Associated Press) for Wichita Eagle

Missouri: Effort to Change How Missouri Elects Local Lawmakers Faces Challenges, Experts Say by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

New York: Capital Region Ethics Boards Defunct, or Work in Secret by Lauren Stanforth for Albany Times Union

South Dakota: Ex-Lawmaker Accused of Harassment by Lobbyist: ‘She can go to hell’ by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Lobbying

Foreign Lobbying Law Open to Exploitation by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Idaho: Idaho Hasn’t Changed Its $10 Lobbyist Registration Fee Since 1974… by Betsy Russell for Spokane Spokesman-Review

Elections

Gerrymandering Opponents Turn to Ballot Initiatives to Redraw Lines by Reid Wilson for The Hill

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Toulouse Oliver Calls for Sexual Harassment Training for NM Lobbyists” by Laura Paskus for New Mexico Political Report

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “Campaign Finance Laws Changed in New Budget” by Ken Dixon for Connecticut Post

Louisiana: “Corruption Figure’s Donations to Cantrell Campaign Questioned” by David Hammer for WWL

Pennsylvania: “U.S. Rep. Bob Brady’s Emails Searched as FBI Probe Nears Critical Point” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

“A Split from Trump Indicates That Flynn Is Moving to Cooperate with Mueller” by Michael Schmidt, Matt Apuzzo, and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

“Congress Returns to Intense Pressure to End Secrecy Over Sex Harassment” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

“Congressman on Tape Tells Woman He Would Report Her to Capitol Police Because She Could Expose His Secret Sex Life” by Mike DeBonis and Elise Viebeck for Washington Post

Massachusetts: “Ethics Commission Investigating Altered State Police Report” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

Minnesota: “2 Minnesota Lawmakers Accused of Sexual Harassment Step Down” by Maggie Astor for New York Times

Elections

“In Tax Debate, Gift to Religious Right Could Be Bargaining Chip” by Kenneth Vogel and Laurie Goodstein for New York Times

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Toulouse Oliver Calls for Sexual Harassment Training for NM Lobbyists” by Laura Paskus for New Mexico Political Report

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “Campaign Finance Laws Changed in New Budget” by Ken Dixon for Connecticut Post

Louisiana: “Corruption Figure’s Donations to Cantrell Campaign Questioned” by David Hammer for WWL

Pennsylvania: “U.S. Rep. Bob Brady’s Emails Searched as FBI Probe Nears Critical Point” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

“A Split from Trump Indicates That Flynn Is Moving to Cooperate with Mueller” by Michael Schmidt, Matt Apuzzo, and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

“Congress Returns to Intense Pressure to End Secrecy Over Sex Harassment” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

“Congressman on Tape Tells Woman He Would Report Her to Capitol Police Because She Could Expose His Secret Sex Life” by Mike DeBonis and Elise Viebeck for Washington Post

Massachusetts: “Ethics Commission Investigating Altered State Police Report” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

Minnesota: “2 Minnesota Lawmakers Accused of Sexual Harassment Step Down” by Maggie Astor for New York Times

Elections

“In Tax Debate, Gift to Religious Right Could Be Bargaining Chip” by Kenneth Vogel and Laurie Goodstein for New York Times

Elections

Virginia: As Va. sets to certify election results, expert says ‘something really went wrong’ by Max Smith for WTOP

Ethics

Trump White House ethics lawyer exits by Josh Gerstein for Politico

Conyers steps aside as ranking Democrat on Judiciary Committee amid ethics probe of sexual harassment claims by Paul Kane for The Washington Post

New York: Reformers say ethics measures gain traction in Albany by Joe Mahoney for Press Republican

Florida: Walton commissioner cleared of 2 ethics complaints by Deborah Wheeler for Panama City News Herald

Lobbying

Is Robert Mueller draining the swamp? Lobbyists appear spooked by Russia probe by Matt Zapotosky and Tom Hamburger for Chicago Tribune

Colorado: Some Colorado Lobbyists Aren’t “Necessarily” Required To Report Who Pays Them by Sandra Fish for KUNC

South Carolina: Transportation, local control, rental standards top lobbying agenda by Brittany Ruess and Megan Favigano for Columbia Daily Tribune

Elections

Virginia: As Va. sets to certify election results, expert says ‘something really went wrong’ by Max Smith for WTOP

Ethics

Trump White House ethics lawyer exits by Josh Gerstein for Politico

Conyers steps aside as ranking Democrat on Judiciary Committee amid ethics probe of sexual harassment claims by Paul Kane for The Washington Post

New York: Reformers say ethics measures gain traction in Albany by Joe Mahoney for Press Republican

Florida: Walton commissioner cleared of 2 ethics complaints by Deborah Wheeler for Panama City News Herald

Lobbying

Is Robert Mueller draining the swamp? Lobbyists appear spooked by Russia probe by Matt Zapotosky and Tom Hamburger for Chicago Tribune

Colorado: Some Colorado Lobbyists Aren’t “Necessarily” Required To Report Who Pays Them by Sandra Fish for KUNC

South Carolina: Transportation, local control, rental standards top lobbying agenda by Brittany Ruess and Megan Favigano for Columbia Daily Tribune

Lobbying

“Inside the ‘Lewandowski Embassy’” by Theodoric Meyer, Daniel Lippman, and Josh Dawsey for Politico

“Mueller Puts Spotlight on Foreign Lobbying” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“Kochs Key Among Small Group Quietly Funding Legal Assault on Campaign Finance Regulation” by Lateshia Beachum for Center for Public Integrity

New York: “A Growing Call to Limit Lawyers’ Donations to Prosecutors” by James McKinley Jr. for New York Times

North Carolina: “Nonprofit Provides TV Studio for Lt. Gov. Forest’s Office” by Travis Fain for WRAL

Ethics

“When the Subject Is Russia, Trump’s Advisers Have Spotty Memories” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Florida: “This Beach Official Is Accused of Trading Favors for Hotel Stays. Now He May Be Charged” by Joey Flechas and David Ovalle for Miami Herald

Louisiana: “Louisiana Politics: State ethics revisions seem likely; committee created” by Jeremy Alford for StMaryNow.com

New Jersey: “Joey Torres Gets 5 Years on Paterson Corruption Charge” by Joe Malinconico (Patterson Times) for Bergen Record

New York: “Museum of Political Corruption Bestows Nellie Bly Award” by Amy Biancolli for Albany Times Union

Texas: “Fort Worth School District’s Tale of Two Ethics Policies Goes to Committee – Again” by Diane Smith for Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Elections

“The Brave New World of Political Conspiracy-Theory Illustrations” by Philip Bump for Washington Post

Lobbying

“Inside the ‘Lewandowski Embassy’” by Theodoric Meyer, Daniel Lippman, and Josh Dawsey for Politico

“Mueller Puts Spotlight on Foreign Lobbying” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“Kochs Key Among Small Group Quietly Funding Legal Assault on Campaign Finance Regulation” by Lateshia Beachum for Center for Public Integrity

New York: “A Growing Call to Limit Lawyers’ Donations to Prosecutors” by James McKinley Jr. for New York Times

North Carolina: “Nonprofit Provides TV Studio for Lt. Gov. Forest’s Office” by Travis Fain for WRAL

Ethics

“When the Subject Is Russia, Trump’s Advisers Have Spotty Memories” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Florida: “This Beach Official Is Accused of Trading Favors for Hotel Stays. Now He May Be Charged” by Joey Flechas and David Ovalle for Miami Herald

Louisiana: “Louisiana Politics: State ethics revisions seem likely; committee created” by Jeremy Alford for StMaryNow.com

New Jersey: “Joey Torres Gets 5 Years on Paterson Corruption Charge” by Joe Malinconico (Patterson Times) for Bergen Record

New York: “Museum of Political Corruption Bestows Nellie Bly Award” by Amy Biancolli for Albany Times Union

Texas: “Fort Worth School District’s Tale of Two Ethics Policies Goes to Committee – Again” by Diane Smith for Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Elections

“The Brave New World of Political Conspiracy-Theory Illustrations” by Philip Bump for Washington Post

Ethics

Lawmakers Describe Pervasive Sexual Harassment on Capitol Hill by Cristina Marcos for The Hill

Sessions Considering Second Special Counsel to Investigate Republican Concerns, Letter Shows by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Past Sex Scandals Show McConnell Is Willing to Take a Tough Line by Carl Hulse for New York Times

Alabama: Judge Allows Spencer Collier Lawsuit Against Robert Bentley to Proceed by Mike Cason for AL.com

Lobbying

An Open Door for Pesticide Lobbyists at the U.S.D.A. by Danielle Ivory and Robert Faturechi for New York Times

Iowa: Reynolds to Seek Foreign Agent Law Change by Rod Boshart for Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

Campaign Finance

Arizona: ‘The Tragedy of American Politics’: Follow the money in Tempe politics by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy for Arizona Republic

Canada: Political Action Committees Face Uncertain Future as Province Weighs Tougher Rules by James Wood for Calgary Herald

Elections

Donald Trump Jr. Communicated with WikiLeaks During 2016 Campaign by Carol Leonnig and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post

Red or Blue? Supreme Court to Rule on Voters’ Apparel by Richard Wolf for USA Today

Ethics

Lawmakers Describe Pervasive Sexual Harassment on Capitol Hill by Cristina Marcos for The Hill

Sessions Considering Second Special Counsel to Investigate Republican Concerns, Letter Shows by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Past Sex Scandals Show McConnell Is Willing to Take a Tough Line by Carl Hulse for New York Times

Alabama: Judge Allows Spencer Collier Lawsuit Against Robert Bentley to Proceed by Mike Cason for AL.com

Lobbying

An Open Door for Pesticide Lobbyists at the U.S.D.A. by Danielle Ivory and Robert Faturechi for New York Times

Iowa: Reynolds to Seek Foreign Agent Law Change by Rod Boshart for Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

Campaign Finance

Arizona: ‘The Tragedy of American Politics’: Follow the money in Tempe politics by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy for Arizona Republic

Canada: Political Action Committees Face Uncertain Future as Province Weighs Tougher Rules by James Wood for Calgary Herald

Elections

Donald Trump Jr. Communicated with WikiLeaks During 2016 Campaign by Carol Leonnig and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post

Red or Blue? Supreme Court to Rule on Voters’ Apparel by Richard Wolf for USA Today

Campaign Finance

New York: “Cuomo, a Master of the $50,000 Fund-Raiser, Bypasses Small Donors” by Shane Goldmacher for New York Times

Ethics

“Menendez Jury Deadlocks, Judge Orders Them to Keep Trying to Reach a Verdict” by Laura Jarrett and Sarah Jorgenson for CNN

“Too Rich for Conflicts? Trump Appointees May Have Many, Seen and Unseen” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

California: “Santa Monica School Leader Voted on Contracts with Firms That Did Business with Her Husband, Documents Show” by Benjamin Oreskes and Adam Elmahrek for Los Angeles Times

Colorado: “Why a Colorado Lawmaker Went Public with Sexual Harassment Allegations Against a Fellow Lawmaker” by John Frank for Denver Post

Florida: “Citizens Give Commissioners an Earful on Ethics” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Minnesota: “As Harassment Allegations Surface at Minnesota State Capitol, a Culture Is Challenged” by J. Patrick Coolican and Maya Rao for Minneapolis Star Tribune

New York: “Despite Recent Wins for Democrats, Gerrymanders Dim Hopes for 2018” by Alexander Burns, Michael Wines, and Trip Gabriel for New York Times

Procurement

Maryland: “Baltimore County School Leaders Verletta White, Dallas Dance Were Paid by Tech Industry Group” by Liz Bowie and Doug Donovan for Baltimore Sun

Ethics

California: Adelanto Councilman Accused of Taking $10,000 Bribe, Hiring Man to Burn Down His Restaurant by Beatriz Valenzuela and Joe Nelson for San Bernardino Sun

California: She Wanted a Job and Said California Senator Invited Her Home. He Fired Aides Who Knew. By Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Michigan: Trash Giant Rizzo Pleads Guilty to Bribery by Robert Snell for Detroit News

New York: N.Y. Pension Fund Manager Charged with Taking Bribes Pleads Guilty by Brendan Pierson for Reuters

Lobbying

Russia Scandal Befalls Two Brothers: John and Tony Podesta by Kenneth Vogel for New York Times

New Mexico: Compliance with ABQ Lobbying Rules Falls Way Short by Marjorie Childress for New Mexico In Depth

Campaign Finance

Missouri: Missouri’s Move to Limit Campaign Donations Puts Elections in Hands of Big-Money PACs by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Procurement

Wisconsin: Scott Walker’s Campaign Treasurer’s Firm Gets Capitol Contract After Being the Only Bidder by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Federal:

Commerce Secretary’s Offshore Ties to Putin ‘Cronies’
New York Times – Mike McIntire, Sasha Chavkin, and Martha Hamilton | Published: 11/5/2017

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross faces questions about his financial disclosures to Congress and the government after a report he did not disclose business ties to the son-in-law of Russian President Vladimir Putin and an oligarch under U.S. sanctions. Ross said in an ethics disclosure filed following his nomination that he held an investment worth as much as $10 million in shipping company Navigator Holdings. But news organizations alleged he did not disclose the company’s clients include a Russian energy company called Sibur whose owners include Putin’s son-in-law and the oligarch, who is close to the Kremlin and has been sanctioned by the American government.

Lawmakers Alarmed at Push to Sell CNN
Politico – Steven Overly | Published: 11/8/2017

Antitrust regulators and AT&T sparred over whether the wireless carrier would be required to sell Time Warner’s CNN cable network as a condition of approval of its deal to buy the media company. Sources said the Department of Justice demanded significant asset sales in order to approve the $85.4 billion deal, and asked AT&T to sell CNN-parent Turner Broadcasting or its DirecTV operation. The dispute is the latest twist in a deal which took on broader political significance immediately after its inception in October 2016. President Trump, a frequent critic of CNN, attacked the deal on the campaign trail last year, vowing that as president, his Justice Department would block it.

‘Open Sesame:’ Lobbyists cheer warmer welcome in Trump White House
Reuters – Ginger Gibson | Published: 11/6/2017

During the eight years of the Obama administration, business lobbyists often found the gates to the White House closed tight. They are open now under President Trump. That is not altogether unexpected as Trump did campaign during the 2016 presidential election on a promise to elevate the needs of business, which he argued would fuel economic growth. What does surprise lobbyists, however, is the sheer number of wins in getting the Trump administration to roll back or delay unfavorable regulations in its first 10 months. And it is occurring despite White House dysfunction and distraction.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama: Woman Says Roy Moore Initiated Sexual Encounter When She Was 14, He Was 32
Washington Post – Stephanie McCrummen, Beth Reinhardt, and Alice Crites | Published: 11/9/2017

Leigh Corfman says Roy Moore, then an assistant district attorney and now the Republican nominee for a U.S. Senate seat from Alabama, initiated a sexual encounter with her when she was 14 and he was 32. Aside from Corfman, three other women interviewed by The Washington Post in recent weeks say Moore pursued them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 and he was in his early 30s, episodes they say they found flattering at the time, but troubling as they got older. In a written statement, Moore denied the allegations. “These allegations are completely false and are a desperate political attack by the National Democrat Party and the Washington Post on this campaign,” Moore said.

Florida: City: Fernandez deleted text messages to lobbyist
Tallahassee Democrat – Jeffrey Schweers | Published: 11/7/2017

Tallahassee City Manager Rick Fernandez deleted from his cell phone a text message chain with a lobbyist who he asked for expensive football tickets, believing they were not public records and did not need to be saved. John Bussian, a lawyer for The Tallahassee Democrat, said it does not matter what Fernandez believed, or that he made the bad call to destroy the texts. The city is still responsible for producing the texts, and failing to produce them violates Florida’s Public Records Act, Bussian said.

Florida: Code of Silence Is Breaking on Tallahassee’s Sex Secrets
Miami Herald – Mary Ellen Klas, Steve Bousquet, and Patricia Mazzei | Published: 11/5/2017

For decades, the culture at the Florida Capitol used attractive people as tools to cajole the powerful, and rumors of affairs were used to extort favors. Now, in the era of Harvey Weinstein and social media, women have been empowered to speak out about sexual harassment. But in Tallahassee, where questions are raised about the political motive of every leaked allegation, the claims of unidentified accusers can get tangled in the bitter political forces of an election year. Complicating the quest for justice, said Jose Felix Diaz, a recently retired state legislator, are questions about political motives.

Indiana: Indiana Politicians Got Thousands in Gifts While Pushing Solar Policy
Indianapolis Star – Emily Hopkins and Sarah Bowman | Published: 11/5/2017

An Indianapolis Star review has found that as state lawmakers were considering crucial energy legislation, utilities and their PACs poured millions of dollars into the General Assembly in the form of gifts, entertainment, campaign contributions, and lobbying. The issue at hand was a bill whose most controversial provision was to phase out net metering, the practice of requiring utilities to compensate customers who produce more energy than they consume, usually from rooftop solar panels. The passage of Senate Bill 309 has thrown Indiana’s burgeoning solar installation industry into a pit of uncertainty.

Iowa: Iowa Power Couple Scrutinized for Saudi Arabia Lobbying Work
Patch.com – Ryan Foley (Associated Press) | Published: 11/2/2017

A Republican power couple who work in Iowa’s executive branch are facing scrutiny after moonlighting as agents of Saudi Arabia to oppose a new law allowing victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks to sue the kingdom. Connie Schmett and Kim Schmett are accused of being part of a campaign that misled veterans by concealing who was funding their advocacy work, which Connie Schmett failed to list on a recent disclosure filing for Iowa officials.

Maine: Maine Ethics Commission Levies Record $500,000 Against York County Casino Campaign
Portland Press Herald – Scott Thistle | Published: 11/3/2017

Maine’s ethics commission levied a record $500,000 in fines against four committees behind a referendum that would allow a casino in the state run by entrepreneur Shawn Scott. The commission investigated the ballot question committee Horseracing Jobs Fairness, where it got its financing to collect signatures to put the referendum on the ballot, and why it failed to meet campaign finance filing deadlines. Three other ballot question committees formed by Lisa Scott, Shawn Scott’s sister, were also penalized for missing deadlines to file reports that accurately reflected who was bankrolling the campaign.

New York: Long-Discussed Lobbying Rules Now Only ‘Advisory’
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 11/2/2017

For more than a year, a major priority of the New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics has been writing “comprehensive lobbying regulations” that would govern the activity of state lobbyists and their clients. But in a seeming reversal, any regulations will only be advisory. Violations will not result in either civil or criminal penalties. One possible explanation for the reversal is a threatened lawsuit.

New York: Pension? Not for Corrupt Lawmakers Anymore in New York.
Governing – Liz Farmer | Published: 11/7/2017

Voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that gives judges the right to trim or revoke the pensions of any public servant in New York convicted of a job-related crime. The measure was largely driven by outrage over the corruption scandal that forced the resignation of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. Both long-time lawmakers put in for their substantial pensions just days after their convictions. Both of their convictions were later overturned on a technicality.

Texas: Former Dallas Business Consultant Gets Probation for Bribery in John Wiley Price Corruption Case
Dallas News – Kevin Krause | Published: 11/2/2017

Christian Campbell said in a plea agreement that he helped funnel bribes from a political consultant to Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price. A federal jury said earlier this year that Price did not commit bribery. Campbell nevertheless was sentenced recently to 18 months’ probation for a bribery charge and ordered to pay a $25,000 fine. Campbell is in the unusual position of being the only one directly linked to the alleged bribery conspiracy to be convicted and punished.

Virginia: Danica Roem of Virginia to Be First Openly Transgender Person Elected, Seated in a U.S. Statehouse
Washington Post – Antonio Olivo | Published: 11/8/2017

Democrat Danica Roem is set to make history as the first openly transgender person elected and seated in a state Legislature in the U.S. She unseated Virginia Del. Bob Marshall, one of the state’s longest serving and most socially conservative lawmakers. The race was one of the year’s most high-profile, drawing international attention and big money to the district outside the nation’s capital. Roem openly discussed her gender identity during her campaign, but it was far from her focus. Instead, she concentrated on jobs, schools, and, with particular fervor, northern Virginia’s traffic congestion.

Washington: Judge Upholds Seattle’s Novel Campaign Finance Vouchers
Seattle Times – Gene Johnson (Associated Press) | Published: 11/3/2017

Two Seattle taxpayers lost their constitutional challenge to a voter initiative that sends vouchers to residents so they can financially support political candidates. Voters passed a campaign finance reform initiative called Honest Elections Seattle, which is funded by $30 million property tax levy over 10 years. The program offers residents $100 “democracy vouchers” to give to candidates. The idea behind it is to give citizens more of a direct voice in government and make their elected officials more accountable. Mark Elster and Sarah Pynchon said the program is a compelled subsidy of political speech that violates their First Amendment rights, while the city countered that it was a valid form of campaign financing.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.