Lobbying

California: “Budding Marijuana Lobby Gains Influence at California Capitol” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Colorado: “Colorado Lobbying Law Offers Murky Picture of Influence on Politics” by Joey Bunch for Denver Post

Massachusetts: “Marty Walsh’s Friends with Benefits” by Mark Arsenault and Andrew Ryan for Boston Globe

Missouri: “Alleged Intern Harasser among Those in Lobbying Grey Area” by Kurt Erickson and Alex Stuckey for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Nebraska: “Lawmakers Criticize Bill That Seeks to Slow Revolving Door into Lobbying” by Martha Stoddard for Omaha World-Herald

Ohio: “Attorney General: Wright State’s $1M consultant not a lobbyist” by Josh Weigart for Dayton Daily News

Campaign Finance

Missippi: “Lobbyists: Campaign finance system ‘disgusting’” by Geoff Pender, Kate Royals, and Mollie Bryant for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

New Mexico: “NM Deals with Campaign Finance Warnings Backlog” by Morgan Lee (Associated Press) for Farmington Daily Times

Ethics

Ohio: “Ohio Mayor Pleads Guilty to Corruption Charges, Remains in Office” by Kim Palmer for Reuters

Elections

Wisconsin: “With Fewer Members, a Diminished Political Role for Wisconsin Unions” by Monica Davey for New York Times

Lobbying

“Senator Defends Lobbyists after Ethics Reform Hearing in Capitol” by Max Londberg for Cass County Democrat

California: “Female Lobbying Firm Thrives in Male-Dominated Capitol” by Laurel Rosenhall for CalMatters.org

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Appeals Court Rules against Ex-AG Horne in Campaign Finance Case” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Massachusetts: “New Rules Clarify ‘Cooperation’ between Candidates, Super PACs” by   for NewBostonPost.com; Statehouse News Service

Ethics

“Aides’ Email-Server Testimony Could Throw Clinton Campaign a Curveball” by Spencer Hsu and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post

Massachusetts: “Joyce’s Role in Solar Project Probed” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

New York: “Despite ‘Crickets’ on Ethics, Galef Presents a Tall Stack of Fixes” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

Washington: “Scalia Led Court in Taking Trips Funded by Private Sponsors” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

Elections

“To Fight Critics, Donald Trump Aims to Instill Fear in 140-Character Doses” by Alexander Burns and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

New Jersey: “New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Endorses Donald Trump for President” by Jose DelReal for Washington Post

South Carolina: “Hillary Clinton Wins South Carolina Primary”  by Amy Chozick and Patcrick Healy for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Missouri: “Missouri Supreme Court to Rule on Advocacy Group’s Right to Film Senate Hearings” by Zachary Reger for Columbia Missourian

Lobbying

Kentucky: “Drug Company Lobbying Has Doubled In Kentucky in Recent Years” by James McNair for Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting

Missouri: “Missouri Senate Backs End to Lobbyist-Catered Group Events” by Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for digitalBURG.com

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Senate Panel Advances Bill to Overhaul Campaign Finance Laws” by Ryan Van Velzer (Associated Press) for Arizona Daily Star

Maine: “After Legislative Raids and Funding Delays, Maine’s Public Campaign-Finance Money Could Run Out” by Steve Mistler for Portland Press Herald

West Virginia: “House Passes Bill to Shine Light on Fundraisers during Legislative Session” by Eric Eyre for Charleston Gazette

Ethics

“How America Became the Love Child of Kim Kardashian and Donald Trump” by Lynn Stuart Parramore for Reuters

California: “Former State Sen. Leland Yee Sentenced to Prison” by Howard Mintz for San Jose Mercury News

Missouri: “Some Question the Limits to Legislating the Missouri Legislature” by Jason Rosenbaum for St. Louis Public Radio

Texas: “Texas Court Drops Criminal Case against Rick Perry” by Manny Fernandez for New York Times

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin GOP Secretary Is 1st Appointee to New Ethics Board” by   for Minneapolis Star Tribune; Associated Press

Elections

“Bernie Sanders, as Secular Jew, Leaves Religion in Background” by Joseph Berger for New York Times

Procurement

Florida: “Broward Health Probe Looks at Advertising Contract” by David Fleshler for South Florida Sun Sentinel

Lobbying

California: “California Bill Would Ban Legislative Junkets Funded by Interest Groups” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee

Missouri: “Curtis Presents Bill to Cut Union Exemption for Lobbying” by Travis Zimpfer for Missouri Times

Campaign Finance

“Democratic Party Fundraising Effort Helps Clinton Find New Donors, Too” by Matea Gold and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

“Can You Sell Marijuana Pipes to Help Fund Bernie Sanders?” by Michael Beckel for Center for Public Integrity

Massachusetts: “Baker Taps Wealthy Donors in Bid to Shape Mass. GOP” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe

Mississippi: “Elected Officials Use Campaign Finds for Private Gain in Mississippi” by Geoff Pender, Mollie Bryant, and Katie Royals (Jackson Clarion-Ledger) for The Sun-Herald

New Jersey: “Birdsall CEO Pleads Guilty in Huge N.J. Pay-to-Play Scheme” by S.P. Sullivan (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star Ledger

Ethics

New York: “Watchdog Group Asks for Inquiry into Nonprofits Tied to de Blasio” by J. David Goodman for New York Times

Elections

“Univision Aims to Make Hispanic Voting Bloc Even More Formidable” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times

Nevada: “In Nevada Caucuses, Trump Gets a Third Straight Win” by Philip Rucker and David Weigel for Washington Post

Lobbying

North Carolina: “Lobbyist and Employee Help with Work at NC Speaker’s Condo” by Dan Kane for Raleigh News & Observer

Campaign Finance

District of Columbia: “D.C. Attorney General Seeks to Ban PACs Like The One That Benefited Mayor” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post

Montana: “Emails Show Bullock’s Office Quietly Influenced ‘Dark Money’ Rules” by James DeHaven (Helena Independent Record) for Montana Standard

New Hampshire: “N.H. Campaign Finance Lapses Go Unnoticed” by Allie Morris for Concord Monitor

Virginia: “No Rules Means No Accountability for Virginia Campaign Funds” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) for ABC News

Washington: “State Asks Judge to Fine Grocery Group in 2013 Ballot Fight” by Phuong Le (Associated Press) for Raleigh News & Observer

Ethics

Massachusetts: “Political Polarization? It’s Not Just in Washington” by Jill Ramos for Boston Globe

Mississippi: “Bribes ‘Cost of Doing Business in Mississippi’ Says Consultant Who Pleaded Guilty” by Anita Lee for The Sun-Herald

Elections

Kansas: “Want to Vote in This State? You Have to Have a Passport or Dig Up a Birth Certificate.” by Sari Horwitz for Washington Post

New York: “Specter of Corruption Hangs over Special Elections for Legislature” by Vivian Yee for New York Times

North Carolina: “Supreme Court Won’t Intervene in North Carolina Election Fight” by Richard Fausset for New York Times

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Senators Credit KOB As They Pass Campaign Finance System Reform” by Ryan Luby for KOB

Campaign Finance

New Mexico: “‘Dark Money’ Disclosure Bill Dies in Final Days of Session” by Trip Jennings for New Mexico In Depth

Washington: “State: Food industry lobby engaged in ‘egregious’ money laundering in 2013 vote” by Joel Connelly for Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Ethics

Alaska: “Former Juneau Lawmaker Fined $18K for Allegedly Helping Oil Companies While Seeking Oil Jobs” by Matt Miller for KTOO

Missouri: “Gutting of Lobbying Bill Clouds Ethics Agenda’s Future” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Missouri: “Missouri Rep. Don Gosen Abruptly Resigns under Cloud of Suspicion” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

New York: “Former Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak Accused of Sexually Harassing Staffers Is Fined $100G by Legislative Ethics Commission” by Kenneth Lovett for New York Daily News

Ohio: “Ginther’s Ethics Proposals Get Public Hearing” by Mike Foley for WCBE

Texas: “Reports: Indicted Crystal City mayor jailed after disrupted council meeting” by Claire Cardona for Dallas Morning News

Virginia: “Virginia Taxpayers Pick Up $2,435 Food and Beer Bill for Mystery Guests in Redskins Suite” by Graham Moomaw for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Elections

“Fall of the House of Bush: How last name and Donald Trump doomed Jeb” by Ed O’Keefe, Dan Balz and Matea Gold for the Washington Post

“Sanders Supporters Like Chipotle, While Trump Fans Prefer Sonic” by Tim Higgins for Bloomberg.com

“Bernie’s Army of Coders” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico

“Pope Francis Suggests Donald Trump Is ‘Not Christian’” by Jim Yardley for The New York Times

Nevada: “Hillary Clinton Beats Bernie Sanders in Nevada Caucuses” by Amy Chozick and Patrick Healy for The New York Times

South Carolina “The More Donald Trump Defies His Party, the More His Supporters Cheer” by Trip Gabriel for The New York Times

South Carolina: “Donald Trump’s South Carolina Victory Spurs New G.O.P. Jostling” by Maggie Haberman and Alan Rappeport for The New York Times

Lobbying

Alaska: “Local Interests Paying More for Lobbyists at Cash-Strapped Alaska Capitol” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dispatch News

California: “Coastal Chief’s Ouster Prompts Bill to Require Transparency between Lobbyists and Panel” by Dan Weikel and Tony Barboza for Los Angeles Times

Campaign Finance

“How Scalia’s Death Could Shake Up Campaign Finance” by Richard Hasen for Politico

“Big-Money Liberals Vow to Back Bernie Whether He Likes It or Not” by Jonathan Swan for The Hill

Ethics

“The Year of ‘Enormous Rage’: Number of hate groups rose by 14 percent in 2015” by Niraj Chokshi for Washington Post

“Justice Scalia’s Death and Questions about Who Pays for Supreme Court Justices to Visit Remote Resorts” by Mark Berman and Jerry Markon for Washington Post

“San Francisco D.A. Gascón, FBI Launch Corruption Task Force”  by Vivian Ho for San Francisco Chronicle

“FBI, IRS Raid Canton Law Office of State Senator Brian Joyce” by Milton Valencia for Boston Globe

Elections

“Donald Trump Is a Conundrum for Political Comedy” by James Poniewozic for New York Times

Lobbying

California: “L.A. Ethics Commission OKs $47,000 in Fines for Lobbying Violations” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Michigan: “Lansing Power Brokers: Law firms, others strengthen their lobbying corps” by Lindsay Vanhulle for Crain’s Detroit Business

New Mexico: “Ethics Commission Hits Dead End in Senate Panel” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Utah: “Free Lunches Becoming More Rare for Utah Legislators” by Lee Davidson for Salt Lake Tribune

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “North Slope Borough Mayor Charlotte Brower Pays $35,000 Campaign Fine” by Alex DeMarban for Alaska Dispatch News

Minnesota: “Minnesota Legislators Use Campaign Funds for Child Care, Pet Urns and Travel” by J. Patrick Coolican and Maya Rao for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Ethics

California: “Taking the Oath of Office Seriously to Fight Corruption in Southeast L.A. County” by Ruben Vives for Los Angeles Times

Ohio: “Convention Center Food Contract Prompts Criminal Investigation” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Elections

“Snapchat Bets Big on Quick-Fire Approach to Campaign Coverage” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times

“Battle over Scalia’s Replacement Already Spilling into Senate Races” by Steven Mufson and Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post

“Campaigns Secretly Prep for Brokered GOP Convention” by Ben Schreckinger for Politico

Procurement

Texas: “Some Contractors Say New Texas Disclosure Law Confusing” by   for KXAN; Associated Press

Lobbying

“DNC Rolls Back Restrictions on Lobbyist Donation” by Tom Hamburger and Paul Kane for Washington Post

“Apopka’s Hired Lobbyist Not Registered to Lobby for City in 2014, 2015” by Bethany Rodgers for Orlando Sentinel

“Senate Rules Panel Redoing Rules on Ethics Disclosures” by Jim Nolan for Richmond Times-Dispatch

“Amid Federal Gridlock, Lobbying Rises in the States” by Liz Essley Whyte and Ben Weider for Center for Public Integrity

“Two Nonprofits Face More Than $47,000 in Fines over L.A. Lobbying Forms” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Campaign Finance

“Md. Lawmakers Run Afoul of Fundraising Ban on Online Donations” by Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post

“Agency Says Inauguration Money Can’t Go to Politics” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

“SEIU 925 to Pay $31,715 Regarding Allegations of Campaign Finance Law Violations” by Mark Iandolo for Legal Newsline

Ethics

“Alan Grayson’s Double Life: Congressman and hedge fund manager” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

“Michele Fiore, the Gun-Toting, Calendar-Posing Politician Who Negotiated the Ore. Occupiers’ Surrender” by Michael Miller for Washington Post

“Chicago Aldermen Water down Watchdog Ordinance, Avoid Some Scrutiny” by Hal Dardick and John Byrne for Chicago Tribune

“N. Kingstown Senator Tries to Address Ethics Bill Critiques” by Jennifer Bogdon for Providence Journal

Lobbying

Maine: “Why it’s Hard to Figure out Who’s Influencing Maine Lawmakers” by Darren Fishell for Bangor Daily News

Campaign Finance

“Bernie Sanders’s Fundraising Prowess Boosts His Post-New Hampshire Efforts” by Matea Gold and John Wagner for Washington Post

Ethics

Arizona: “Phoenix City Council Advances Ethics Policy after 3 Years of Talks” by Dustin Gardiner for Arizona Republic

Hawaii:”‘Good Government’ Measures Take another Go at Hawaii Lawmakers”  by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Kentucky: “Bevin’s Proposed Budget Cuts Threaten Watchdog Agencies, Elections” by Nick Storm for cn/2

New Mexico: “New Mexico House Approves Ethics Commission Plan” by Morgan Lee (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

“Ethics: Former House Speaker Harrell must pay $113,500” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for The Island Packet

Elections

“How a Debate Misstep Sent Marco Rubio Tumbling in New Hampshire” by Jeremy Peters and Michael Barbaro for New York Times

“Fiorina Suspends Republican Presidential Campaign” by Jenna Johnson, Abby Phillip, and Robert Costa for Washington Post

“Chris Christie Plans to Drop out After New Hampshire Flop” by Alexander Burns and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

Lobbying

“Line Blurs Between PR, Lobbying” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“IRS Grants Long-Delayed Tax Exempt Status to Crossroads GPS” by Julie Bykowicz (Associated Press) for Arizona Daily Star

“Kentucky House Passes Bill to Boost Campaign Donations” by John Cheves for Lexington Herald-Leader

“Money the Big Question in NLV Judge Challenger’s Campaign” by Bethany Barnes and Alexander Corey for Las Vegas Review-Journal

“Cleveland Council Approves Higher Caps on Campaign Donations” by Leila Atassi for Cleveland Plain Delaer

“WV Senate GOP Stalls Campaign Finance Bill after Dem Amendments” by David Gutman for Charleston Gazette

Ethics

“Manatee Judge John Lakin Says Inexperience Led Him to Take Baseball Tickets” by Kate Irby for Bradenton Herald

“Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney, Takes a Victory Lap in Albany after Winning Corruption Cases” by Vivian Yee and Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Elections

“The Movie That Foretold the Rise of Donald Trump” by Marc Fisher for Washington Post

“Sanders Defeats Clinton in Decisive New Hampshire Primary Victory” by John Wagner and Anne Gearan for The Washington Post

“Trump Notches an Easy Victory in New Hampshire’s Republican Primary” by Philip Rucker and Robert Costa for The Washington Post

Lobbying

New York: “Ethics Watchdog Clarifies Expanded Lobbying Definition” by Marie French for Albany Business Review

Campaign Finance

“O’Malley Campaign Secures Public Cash before Dropping Out” by John Fritze for Baltimore Sun

“Campaign Reform Group Calls White House Response to Secret Money Petition ‘Offensive’” by Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post

“The Politico 100: Billionaires dominate 2016” by Kenneth Vogel and Isaac Arnsdorf for Politico

Kentucky: “Grand Jury Brings Fresh Scrutiny to Alison Grimes’ Campaigns” by John Cheves for Lexington Herald-Leader

Michigan: “Judge Puts Michigan ‘Gag Order’ Election Law on Hold” by Kathleen Gray and Lori Higgins for Detroit Free Press

Ohio: “Weak Controls Led to Corruption while Boyce Was State Treasurer, Report Says” by Jim Siegel and Randy Ludlow for Columbus Dispatch

Elections

California: “Finding Statewide Office Hard to Attain, Tea Party Stakes Claim to City, County Races” by Phil Willon for Los Angeles Times

Maryland: “Trone Fires Campaign Staffers Who Tried to Plant Themselves with Opponents” by John Fritze for Baltimore Sun

North Carolina: “Federal Court Invalidates Maps of Two NC Congressional Districts” by Anne Blythe, Craig Jarvis, and Jim Morrill for Raleigh News & Observer

Lobbying

“Does Lobbying Involve Social Media Activity? New York Regulators Are Looking Into It” by Dipka Bhambhani for PRWeek

Campaign Finance

“Clinton Blasts Wall Street, but Still Draws Millions in Contributions” by Matea Gold, Tom Hamburger, and Anu Narayanswamy for Washington Post

“Ted Cruz, a Public Firebrand on Social Issues, Is Cooler When Wooing Donors” by Jeremy Peters and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

Minnesota: “Does Minnesota’s Constitution Need a Campaign Finance Amendment? DFL Thinks So” by Rachel Stassen-Berger for St. Paul Pioneer Press

Virginia: “Panel Punts on Bill to Limit Personal Use of Campaign Funds” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) for WTOP

Ethics

“Senate Ethics Panel Has Issued No Punishments in 9 Years” by Paul Singer and Jenny Ung for USA Today

California: “San Jose Mayor Cancels Calls with His ‘Kitchen Cabinet’” by Ramona Giwargis for San Jose Mercury News

Colorado: “Michael Hancock Seeks Guidance on City Money for Super Bowl Trip” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Michigan: “Amid the Flint Water Crisis, Journalists Are Calling for Changes to Michigan’s FOIA Law” by Annie Byrnes for Poynter.org

Texas: “Federal Corruption Case Snares Leaders of South Texas City” by Nomaan Merchant (Associated Press) for ABC News

Elections

“Young Democrats Flock to Bernie Sanders, Spurning Hillary Clinton’s Polish and Poise” by Amy Chozick and Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

Lobbying

“Lobbying’s Top 50: Boeing, Amazon on the rise” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “Political Groups That Supported Walker Violated Law, Settlement Says” by Alex DeMarban for Alaska Dispatch

Arizona: “Court Ruling Intensifies Ariz. ‘Dark Money’ Battle” by Mary Jo Pitzl for Arizona Republic

Florida: “Miami-Dade Commissioners Resist Greater PAC Disclosures” by Michael Vasquez for Miami Herald

Ethics

New Mexico: “Despite Concerns, Ethics Commission Heads to House Floor” by Joey Peters for New Mexico Political Report

Pennsylvania: “FBI Probe Expands to Lehigh County” by Emily Opilo and Tom Shortell for Allentown Morning Call

Texas: “As Ethics Panel Bars Guns in Meetings, Others Not So Lucky” by Lauren McGaughy for Houston Chronicle

Elections

“Will Online Polls Revolutionize Elections?” by Louis Jacobson for Governing

“Rand Paul Drops Out of Presidential Race” by Ashley Parker for New York Times

Procurement

“Businesses Owned by Women Less Likely to Win U.S. Contracts, Study Shows” by Jackie Calmes for New York Times