Ethics

Maryland: “Mosby’s Newfound Popularity Made Her a Sought-After National Speaker in 2015” by Justin Fenton for Baltimore Sun

Michigan: “Ex-Detroit Principal Gets Year in Prison for Kickbacks” by Jennifer Chambers for Detroit News

New York: “Independent Budgeting a Little-Used Practice for City Watchdog Agencies” by Aaron Holmes for Gotham Gazette

Ohio: “Fired Convention Center Caterer Sues Managers” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Oklahoma: “Ex-Oklahoma Reserve Deputy Sentenced to 4 Years in Killing” by Justin Juozapavicius (Associated Press) for Miami Herald

Pennsylvania: “Wolf Wants Lobbyist Legislation Tied to Campaign Finance Reform” by Brad Bumsted and Mike Wereschagin for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Texas: “Greg Abbott, Glenn Hegar Tell State Agencies to Stop Using Leave as Severance” by Lauren McGaughy and J. David McSwane for Dallas Morning News

Elections

“Inside Democrats’ Trump-Fueled Scramble to Take Back the House” by Ed O’Keefe and Mike DeBonis for Washington Post

“Doubts Creep into Trump-Clinton Polls” by Niall Stanage for The Hill

Colorado: “Raise the Bar Wants to Make It Harder to Change Colorado’s Constitution” by Marianne Goodland for Colorado Independent

Lobbying

Nebraska: “Money Spent on Lobbying Nebraska Legislature Hit Record $15.6 Million in 2015” by Joe Duggan (Omaha World-Herald) for Kearney Hub

Texas: “Texas Ethics Commission Tightens Rules on Trips Paid by Lobbyists” by Sean Collins Walsh for Austin American-Statesman

Campaign Finance

“The Price of Public Money” by Marilyn Thompson for The Atlantic

California: “In California, Varied Election Filing Practices Reveal a System Struggling to Catch Up” by Kaitlyn Landgraf and Ana Santos for Los Angeles Times

Minnesota: “DFL Rep. Joe Atkins, GOP Rep. Joe Hoppe Hit for Campaign Violations” by Rachel Stassen-Berger and David Montgomery for St. Paul Pioneer Press

Oregon: “Another Strikeout for Limiting Big Money in Oregon Politics” by Taylor Anderson for Bend Bulletin

Ethics

Alabama: “Former Ethics Director Says He Advised Hubbard of Law” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

Arizona: “Judge Tosses Last Bid to Get Arizona Regulator Stump’s Texts” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Florida: “Prison Inspectors Detail Alleged Interference in Their Investigations” by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald

New York: “De Blasio Doled Out City Appointments from Shady Spreadsheet of Big Campaign Donors” by Jennifer Fermino and Greg Smith for New York Daily News

Elections

“I Can Watch It on TV’: Excuses for Republicans skipping a Donald Trump” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times

“Can Donald Trump Win? These Battleground Regions Will Decide” by Jonathan Martin, Alexander Burns, Trip Gabriel, and Fernanda Santos for New York Times

Lobbying

Florida: “Broward Health Will Start Lobbyist Registration in June” by Dan Christensen and Karla Bowsher for FloridaBulldog.org

Illinois: “Daily Fantasy Sports Betting Bill Shelved amid Lobbying Accusation” by Ivan Moreno (Associated Press) for State Journal-Register

Oregon: “Lobbying, Campaign Contributions Give Special Interests Clout” by Hillary Borrud for Hillsboro Tribune

Pennsylvania: “Investigation Puts Scrutiny on Lobbyists, Political Ties” by Brad Bumsted and Mike Wereschagin for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Rhode Island: “Rhode Island Senate Passes Lobby Reform” by Matt O’Brien (Associated Press) for WJAR

Campaign Finance

Minnesota: “Campaign Regulatory Board Stymied by Legislature” by Brian Bakst for Minnesota Public Radio

Montana: “Group of Republicans Calls for Special Session on Campaign Finance” by Holly Michels for Helena Independent Record

Ethics

Colorado: “Councilman Says He Will Start Drafting Changes to Denver Code of Ethics” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Kentucky: “Governor Gets 237 Derby Tickets. Who Uses Them?” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

New York: “SUNY Polytechnic Office Scoured for Evidence of Bid Rigging” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Elections

“Clinton’s Challenge: Become a change agent in a year shaped by voter” by Philip Rucker for Washington Post

Lobbying

Illinois: “Rauner Board Asked Builders to Lobby Lawmakers” by The Associated Press for Crain’s Chicago Business

Nevada: “Council Votes to Delay Passing Lobbyist Registration Ordinance” by Anjeanette Damon for Reno Gazette-Journal

Oregon: “As Spending on Lobbying Increases, Transparency Remains Murky” by Hillary Borrud for East Oregonian

Campaign Finance

Kansas: “Amid Criticism, Kansas Launches New Campaign Finance Website” by Peter Hancock for Lawrence Journal World

Montana: “Judge Issues Stay Reinstating Campaign Contribution Limits from Political Parties” by Holly Michels for Helena Independent Record

Ethics

Rhode Island: “Ethics Commission Considers Election-Season Blackout” by Matt O’Brien (Associated Press) for WJAR

Elections

“Do Sanders Supporters Favor His Policies?” by Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels for New York Times

“Obama Can’t Endorse During the Democratic Primary, So He’s Just Pointing Out How Hard the Job Is Instead” by Christi Parsons and Michael Memoli for Los Angeles Times

“Trump Reaches the Magic Number to Clinch Nomination” by The Associated Press for Yahoo!News

Lobbying

California: “California Senate Votes to Ban Private Talks at Coastal Board” by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee

Rhode Island: “R.I. House Unanimously Approves Lobbying Bill with Stricter Penalties” by Jennifer Bogdan for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

New York: “Gov. Andrew Cuomo Offers Eight Options to End LLC Campaign Cash” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times-Union

Ethics

“These States Are Stepping Up to Reform Money in Politics in 2016” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post

“State Dept. Inspector General Report Sharply Criticizes Clinton’s Email Practices” by Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

Florida: “Facing Bribery Charges, Opa-locka Commissioner Rams SUV into Tree, Killing Himself” by Charles Rabin, Jay Weaver, David Ovalle, and Michael Sallah for Miami Herald

Elections

“This Is What the Future of American Politics Looks Like” by Michael Lind for Politico

“As Donald Trump Pushes Conspiracy Theories, Right-Wing Media Gets Its Wish” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times

Ohio: “Ohio’s Limits on Early Voting Are Discriminatory, Judge Says” by Richard Pérez-Peña for New York Times

Lobbying

Missouri: “Impact of Missouri’s ‘Revolving Door’ Lobbyist Law Questioned” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Campaign Finance

“Despite Recommendations, FEC Won’t Pursue Charges that Murray Energy Coerced Campaign Donations from Employees” by Sabrina Eaton for Cleveland Plain Dealer

“NRA to Pay $15,000 for Breaking State Campaign-Finance Rules” by Joseph O’Sullivan for Seattle Times

Virginia: “Officials: Federal prosecutors investigating Virginia Gov. McAuliffe” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Ethics

“Facebook Says an Investigation Found No Evidence of Bias in a News App” by Mike Isaac for New York Times

“NFL Tried to Influence ‘Unrestricted’ Research Gift, Congressional Report Says” by Rick Maese for Washington Post

Massachusetts: “Legislature Poised to Pass Public Records Measure” by Joshua Miller for Boston Globe

Elections

“Getting a Photo ID So You Can Vote Is Easy. Unless You’re Poor, Black, Latino or Elderly.” by Sari Horwitz for Washington Post

“Democrats Are Gay, Republicans Are Rich: Our stereotypes of political parties are amazingly wrong” by John Sides for Washington Post

“Reeling from 2016 Chaos, G.O.P. Mulls Overhaul of Primaries” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times

Lobbying

Pennsylvania: “Pa. Officials, Lobbyists Split on How to Vet Business Propositions” by Brad Bumsted for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Campaign Finance

“Key G.O.P. Donors Still Deeply Resist Donald Trump’s Candidacy” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns for New York Times

Massachusetts: “New Bill Would Rein in State GOP’s Fund-Raising” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe

Ethics

Alabama: “One-Time Rising Star Hubbard to Stand Trial on Ethics Charges” by Mike Cason for AL.com

Colorado: “Audit: Colorado ethics commission rarely helps those filing complaints” by Joey Bunch for Denver Post

Hawaii: “Hawaii Lawmakers Again Balk at Ethics, Lobbying Reform” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Elections

“Why Democrats Are Set to Retake State Legislatures in 2016 (and It’s Not Just Trump)” by Amber Phillips for Washington Post

“Bernie Sanders Makes a Campaign Mark. Now, Can He Make a Legacy?” by Jonathan Mahler and Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Montana: “Term Limits Have Weakened Legislature, Some Observers Say” by Jayme Fraser for Helena Independent Record

Redistricting

Virginia: “Supreme Court Upholds Virginia Redistricting” by Richard Wolf for USA Today

Lobbying

Rhode Island: “Do R.I. General Assembly Grants Funnel Back into Lobbying?” by Patrick Anderson for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“G.O.P. Donors Shift Focus from Top of Ticket to Senate Races” by Nick Corasaniti and Ashley Parker for New York Times

California: “Tony Strickland Agrees to $40,000 Ethics Fine” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

New York: “De Blasio’s Elections Strategy, Under Scrutiny, Recalls Predecessor’s” by William Neuman for New York Times

Ethics

Arkansas: “Ark. High Court Rejects Lawsuit over Campaign Finance Ballot Measure” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) for Baxter Bulletin

Hawaii: “Hawaii Ethics Commission Picks Interim Director” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Hawaii: “Totto Tells Ethics Commission to Scrap ‘Silly’ Time Sheet Rules” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

Michigan: “Panel OKs Added Transparency for Governor, Legislators” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Elections

“A History of Insurgent Candidates’ Impact On Down-Ballot Races” by Louis Jacobson for Governing

Legislative Issues

“Chaos in House after GOP Votes Down LGBT Measure” by Cristina Marcos and Mike Lillis for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“Trump, RNC Announce Joint Fundraising Deal” by Eric Bradner and Sara Murray for CNN

Florida: “County Commissioners Endorse Campaign Reform. After Grumbling.” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald

Montana: “US Judge Strikes Down Montana Campaign Contribution Limits” by Holly Michels for Helena Independent Record

Ethics

California: “7 Former Top Officials of Beaumont Charged with Corruption” by Veronica Rocha and Joseph Serna for Los Angeles Times

Delaware: “Del. Bill Tightens Disclosure Requirements for Paid Lobbyists, Political Donors” by Mark Fowser for WXDE

Missouri: “For Some, Missouri Lawmakers’ Ethics Push Still Has a Long Way to Go” by Jason Rosenbaum for St. Louis Public Radio

Elections

“Bernie Sanders Facing Pressure Over Supporters’ Actions in Nevada” by Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

“The Mind of Donald Trump” by Dan McAdams for The Atlantic

“Third-Party Candidates Face Uphill Climb to Get Place on Presidential Debate Stage” by Jonathan Easley and Ben Kamisar for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“Death Threats Directed at Elections Regulator” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

Arizona: “Effort Launches to Block Laws Loosening Rules for ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Capitol Times

Ethics

Arizona: “Judge Sentences Former Phoenix VA Director Sharon Helman to Probation” by Dennis Wagner for Arizona Republic

Arizona: “Inspired by Trump, New Arizona Law Redefines Free Speech” by Ben Rosen for U.S. News & World Report

Pennsylvania: “The Ones That Got Away: How 305 criminal charges against Steve Reed were dismissed” by Wallace McKelvey for Harrisburg Patriot-News

South Carolina: “Common Cause Leader John Crangle Retiring as His Book on Operation Lost Trust Is Published” by Andrew Shain for Charleston Post & Courier

Elections

“‘Who Is This Guy?’ In Connected Political World, Few Know Donald Trump” by Carl Hulse for New York Times

“Little Is Off Limits as Donald Trump Plans Attacks on Hillary Clinton’s Character” by Patrick Healy for New York Times

“Bernie Sanders Wins Oregon; Hillary Clinton Declares Victory in Kentucky” by Thomas Kaplan for New York Times

Lobbying

Michigan: “Senator Sponsors Gambling Bill Pushed by Wife’s Firm” by Paul Egan for Detroit Free Press

Campaign Finance

“Billionaires Lining Up for Trump Aren’t Sure Where to Send Their Money” by Matea Gold for Washington Post

Utah: “In Audio, Utah Guv Says He’s Available and Will ‘Go Anywhere’ to Meet with Campaign Donors” by Robert Gehrke for Salt Lake Tribune

Vermont: “Vt. Contractors Funnel Money to Politicians” by April Burbank for Burlington Free Press

Ethics

“Social Media Finds New Role as News and Entertainment Curator” by John Herrman for New York Times

“Capitol Hill Newspapers, once a Protected Class, Redefine Themselves” by Nicholas Fandos for New York Times

Arkansas: “AG Mishandled Ethics Proposal, Attorney Claims” by Spencer Willems for Arkansas Online

Missouri: “Lawmakers Pass Ethics Laws but Fail on Gift Ban” by Associated Press for Columbia Tribune

Pennsylvania: “Prosecutors: Longtime Pa. congressman abused his office ‘over and over again’” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Tennessee: “Tennessee Lawmaker Oversight Lax Compared to Other States” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean

Lobbying

California: “The Coastal Commission Hopes to Restore Public Trust with Its Latest Decision” by Dan Weikel for Los Angeles Times

California: “Brown Vetoes Bill Requiring Advocates for State Contracts to Register” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee

Rhode Island: “Paiva Weed Hoping for Lobbyist Reform This Session” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal

“Lobbyists: Lawmakers turn up pressure to quiet HB2 opponents” by Laura Leslie for WRAL

Ethics

“Gov. Brownback Signs Bill Opening Officials’ Private E-mails on Public Business” by Bryan Lowry for Wichita Eagle

Ohio: “Columbus Mayor Ginther Addresses Ethics Concerns in First Executive Order” by Sam Hendren for WOSU

Rhode Island: “Was a Providence Councilman Stealing from the City’s Kids?” by Amanda Milkovitz for Providence Journal

Virginia: “Bristol Virginia Utilities Shows Culture of Corruption, Entitlement and Greed” by Dan Casey for Roanoke Times

Elections

“Trump’s Candidacy Sparking ‘a Surge’ in Citizenship, Voter Applications” by Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

“Does Size Matter? The Latest Battle Over State Supreme Courts” by Alan Greenblatt for Governing

Lobbying

“Lobbying Groups Descend on Battleground States” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Arizona: “Lobbying Complaint Filed against Former Arizona Lawmaker” by Staff for Arizona Business Daily

New York: “Court Is Asked to Compel de Blasio Nonprofit to Heed Subpoena” by J. David Goodman for New York Times

Campaign Finance

New York: “LLC Loophole Bill Moves to Senate Codes as Backers Push for Floor Vote” by Matthew Hamilton for Albany Times Union

Texas: “Nifty or Shifty: A campaign finance quiz” by Lauren Flannery for Texas Tribune

Ethics

Pennsylvania: “U.S. Charges State Sen. Farnese with Bribery” by Chris Brennan and Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Rhode Island: “Mattiello, Paiva Weed Back R.I. Ethics Bill” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal

Elections

“Trump vs. the Disappearing Tie” by Vanessa Friedman for New York Times

“How Many People Support Trump but Don’t Want to Admit It?” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times

Campaign Finance

“Donald Trump, in Switch, Turns to Republican Party for Fund-Raising Help” by Maggie Haberman, Ashley Parker, and Nick Corasaniti for New York Times

California: “Company Donates Free Billboards to Englander as L.A. Weighs New Sign Regulations” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

California: “‘I Have, in Fact, Done the Crime’: Rep. Ami Bera’s father admits illegal campaign contributions” by John Myers for Los Angeles Times

Pennsylvania: “Allentown Engineer’s Plea in FBI Probe Revealed” by Emily Opilo and Peter Hall for Morning Call

Ethics

“Conservatives Accuse Facebook of Political Bias” by John Herrman and Mike Isaac for New York Times

“Senior Gray Advisor Sentenced to Six Months for 2010 Mayoral ‘Shadow’ Campaign” by Spencer Hsu and Ann Marimow for Washington Post

Kentucky: “Kentucky’s Two Most Recent Governors Are Feuding, and It’s Ugly and Very Public, Too” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report

Wisconsin: “Kevin Kennedy Stepping Down as Head of Embattled Elections, Ethics Board” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Elections

“Our Fictional Pundit Predicted More Correct Primary Results Than Nate Silver Did” by Virgil Texas for Washington Post

“Hillary Clinton Gives U.F.O. Buffs Hope She Will Open the X-Files” by Amy Chozick for New York Times

“Sanders, Trump Easily Win West Virginia Primary; Trump Picks Up Nebraska Too” by Abby Phillip, John Wagner, and Anne Gearan for Washington Post