Lobbying

“Kool & the Gang Won’t Celebrate Republican National Convention” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

Pennsylvania: “Lehigh Valley Zoological Society Faces $3,400 Fine over Late Lobbying Report” by Tom Shortell for Allentown Morning Call

Campaign Finance

“Bernie Sanders Tops His Rivals in Use of Outside Money” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Arizona: “Utility Regulator Robert Burns Launches Investigation of APS Political Spending” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

Texas: “Ethics Commission Fails to Approve Out-of-State Donations to Help Ken Paxton Pay His Legal Costs” by Bobby Blanchard for Dallas Morning News

Washington: “Union Settles Over Campaign Finance Omissions” by Jordan Schrader (Tacoma News Tribune) for The Olympian

Ethics

“How Bob McDonnell’s Case Might Help Others Accused of Public Corruption” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

“U.S. Navy Commander Pleads Guilty in Corruption Scandal” by Marty Graham for Reuters

Tennessee: “Tennessean Investigation Finds Inappropriate Text Messages” by Dave Boucher and Jill Cowan for The Tennessean

Virginia: “Alexandria Council Agrees to Study Ethics Its Own Way” by Patricia Sullivan for Washington Post

Elections

“Cruz Edges Trump in Iowa Caucuses; Rubio Finishes Strong Third” by Philip Rucker and Jenna Johnson for Washington Post

“Little Separates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton in Tight Race in Iowa” by Patrick Healy for New York Times

Lobbying

“N.R.A. Victories in Congress Grow with Chief Lobbyist’s Role” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times

Campaign Finance

“Dark Money Dominates Political Ad Spending” by William Allison for Bloomberg Politics

Pennsylvania: “Allentown Parking Authority Subpoenaed in FBI Probe” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call

Ethics

“State Integrity Investigation Spurs Proposals for Reform” by Nicholas Kusnetz for Center for Public Integrity

New Mexico: “Report: Perceptions of cronyism hurt state’s bottom line” by Bruce Krasnow (Santa Fe New Mexico) for New Mexico In Depth

Rhode Island: “Vincent ‘Buddy’ Cianci, 1941-2016” by Tom Mooney for Providence Journal

Vermont: “Sorrell Sees Issues with Scope, Details of State Ethics Board” by Mark Johnson for VTDigger.org

Virginia: “Alexandria Mayor Pushes for Expanded Ethics Rules for Officials” by Patricia Sullivan for Washington Post

Elections

“Clinton Foundation on Collision Course with Campaign” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico

“Ben Carson’s Campaign Beset with Frustration, Disappointment and Grief” by Alan Rappeport for New York Times

Lobbying

Missouri: “Lobbying Gift Ban Approved in House” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“Trade Groups to Top Corporations: Resist political disclosure” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

Colorado: “Critics: Colorado ‘outsourced’ campaign finance enforcement” by Dan Elliot (Associated Press) for ABC News

Michigan: “Group Sues over New Limits on Promoting Ballot Issues” by Lori Higgins for Detroit Free Press

Ethics

“Report Links Violence, Tyranny and Corruption” by Oren Dorell for USA Today

Ohio: “Convention Center Manager Fired After Ties to Vendor Are Discovered” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Oregon: “Legislature to Adopt Transparency Rules” by Gordon Friedman for Salem Statesman-Journal

Elections

“What Voters Want” by Emma Roller for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Missouri: “Missouri Lawmaker Accuses Colleague of Starting Fight Outside Bar” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lobbying

Alaska: “Panel Says Lunch and Learn Events Could Raise Ethical” by Rashah McChesney (Associated Press) for Connecticut Post

Florida: “Florida Legislators’ Visit to Alabama Casino Is Legal, but Perception Problem Persists” by Tia Mitchell for Florida Times Union

New York: “NY Attorney General Links Lobbying Data on Public Website” by The Associated Press for Albany Times Union

New York: “JCOPE: Consultant contact with editorial boards must be disclosed” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

Ohio: “Cleveland City Council President Proposes Increased Caps for Campaign Contributions” by Leila Atassi for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Ethics

Illinois: “Jury Convicts Ex-Chicago Official in Red-Light Camera Case” by The Associated Press for ABC News

Missouri: “Lobbyist Gift Ban Advances in Capitol” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

New York: “2 Offices Won’t Investigate New York Constitutional Amendment on Adirondack Mining” by Susanne Craig for New York Times

Elections

“Ben & Jerry’s Founder Unveils New ‘Bernie’s Yearning’ Ice Cream Flavor” by Nick Gass and Kenneth Vogel for Politico

Legislative Issues

Washington: “Sen. Pam Roach Booted Off Sex-Trafficking Panel for ‘Victim-Blaming,’ Other Insults” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Lobbying

Florida: “Ethics Commission Opines on Romance” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Campaign Finance

California: “3 Former Fundraisers for Mayor Ed Lee Charged With Bribery, Money Laundering” by John Shutt and Rebecca Bowe for KQED

California: “Federal Investigators Focus on Small Campaign Donations to L.A. Councilwoman Nury Martinez” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

New Jersey: “Firm Withdraws Contract with Jersey City amid Pay-to-Play Allegations” by Terence McDonald (Jersey Journal) for Newark Star-Ledger

New York: “Schneiderman: JCOPE rule would unfairly target AG, comptroller” by Colby Hamilton for Capital New York

Vermont: “Investigator Clears Sorrell of Campaign Finance Allegations” by Mark Johnson for VTDigger.org

Ethics

Maryland: “In Md., Officials Are Notified When Someone Checks Their Financial Filings” by Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post

Virginia: “Luxury Box Gifts Still Kosher for Virginia Public Officials” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) for Connecticut Post

Elections

“Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders Battle for Party’s Future” by Patrick Healy for New York Times

North Carolina: “Trial to Start in Lawsuit over North Carolina’s Voter-ID Law” by Sari Horwitz for Washington Post

Lobbying

“Lobby Firms Reap Benefits of an Active Congress” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

“Court Rejects Push for Stricter Disclosure on Super PAC Ads” by Josh Gerstein for Politico

“Corruption’s Not the Problem, It’s Inequality” by Richard Hasen for BillMoyers.com

Massachusetts: “Sen. Joyce to Pay Nearly $5,000 to Resolve Campaign Finance Issues” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

Ethics

Pennsylvania: “Allentown Council Unanimous in No Confidence Vote on Mayor Ed Pawlowski” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call

Elections

“Donald Trump or Ted Cruz? Republicans Argue Over Who Is Greater Threat” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Kansas: “Senate Chairman’s Rules Block Female Witnesses in Revealing Attire” by Tim Carpenter for Topeka Capital-Journal

Mississippi: “Republicans Gain Edge with Vote to Unseat Mississippi Democrat” by Richard Fausset and Alan Blinder for New York Times

Lobbying

“Big Names Free to Lobby in 2016” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Nebraska: “Ernie Chambers Resolution Takes Aim at Free Meals Provided by Lobbyists” by Joe Duggan for Omaha World-Herald

New Mexico: “New Mexico Lobbyist Spending Tops $818,000 in 2015” by Sandra Fish for New Mexico In Depth

New York: “Friend Gave to de Blasio Just as Client Won Permit to Stage Festival” by Michael Grynbaum for New York Times

Campaign Finance

“President Obama May Require Federal Contractors to List Campaign Gifts” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis for New York Times

“High Court Rejects Challenge over Contractor Contributions” by The Associated Press for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

South Carolina: “Bill Would Require South Carolina Journalists to Register” by Meg Kinnard (Associated Press) for Denver Post

Elections

“’90s Scandals Threaten to Erode Hillary Clinton’s Strength with Women” by Amy Chozick for New York Times

“Sarah Palin Endorses Donald Trump, Which Could Bolster Him in Iowa” by Alan Rappeport and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

Legislative Issues

West Virginia: “Court Offers Little Clarity in Arguments on Hall’s Senate Seat” by David Gutman for Charleston Gazette

Lobbying

Florida: “Lobbyists Often Skirt the Rules but Are Rarely Punished in Hillsborough County” by Steve Contorno for Tampa Bay Times

Missouri: “Lobbyist Gift Ban Heads to Full House for Vote” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“Case Could Widen Free-Speech Gap between Unions and Corporations” by Adam Liptak for New York Times

“Rep. Jolly Pitches Curb on Federal Lawmakers’ Fundraising” by Mike Salinero for Tampa Tribune

“The GOP Debates Have Become Like Super Bowl Parties for Top Donors” by Matea Gold for Washington Post

Pennsylvania: “Loopholes Exposed in Allentown’s New Anti-Pay-to-Play Law” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call

Virginia: “Lawmakers Go on Fundraising Frenzy before Session” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) for Deseret News

Ethics

New Mexico: “Scandals Raise Profile of an Unpopular Idea among Lawmakers: An ethics commission” by Marjorie Childress for New Mexico In Depth

New York: “In Albany, Those Who Might Address Ethics Meet Rarely and Offer Less” by Vivian Yee for New York Times

Vermont: “Lawmakers Divided on Proposed Ethics Commission” by Bob Kinzel (Vermont Public Radio) for Rutland Herald

Lobbying

“East Side of California Capitol Will Become Staff, Lobbyist Entrance” by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee

Campaign Finance

“Super PACs Get Free Pass to Hide Donors” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

Florida: “Special Interests Flood Florida Legislative Campaigns with $28 Million in 6 Months” by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald

New Jersey: “Critics Allege Pay-to-Play Violation after Fulop Donor’s Firm Gets Contract” by Terrence McDonald (Jersey Journal) for Newark Star-Ledger

New York: “State Street Settles Pay-to-Play Charges for $12 Million” by Liz Moyer for New York Times

Pennsylvania: “Lawyer: Former Allentown official lied to FBI out of panic and loyalty, but soon returned to confess” by Peter Hall and Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call

Ethics

Arizona: “State Drops Criminal Probe of Ex-Utility Regulator” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star

California: “Informant in FBI Bribery Case was Huntington Park Councilman” by Ruben Vives and Joel Rubin for Los Angeles Times

Massachusetts: “Governor Baker Calls for an Ethics Investigation of Milton Sen. Brian Joyce” by Michael Norton and Matt Murphy (State House News Service) for Quincy Patriot-Ledger

South Carolina: “Appeals Court Upholds Jury Award in The Sun News Defamation Case” by Chrarles Perry for Myrtle Beach Sun News

Lobbying

Missouri: “Senate Panel Eyes Lobbyist Gift Ban in Missouri” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“Ted Cruz Didn’t Disclose Loan from Goldman Sachs for His First Senate Campaign” by Mike McIntire for New York Times

California: “San Jose Ethics Commission Drops Charges against 20 Candidates” by Ramona Giwargis for San Jose Mercury News

Ethics

Illinois: “Central Figure in Chicago’s Red-Light Camera Bribery Scandal Goes on Trial” by David Kidwell for Chicago Tribune

New York: “Buffeted by Lawmaker Scandals, Cuomo Unveils latest Ethics Reforms” by Ashley Hupfl and John Lentz for City & State

Elections

“The Republican Party’s 50-State Solution” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times

“An Election with the Shape of American Democracy in the Balance” by Lawrence Norden for The Atlantic

Lobbying

California: “Bill That Aimed to Shed Light on Specialty Prescription Drug Pricing Is Shelved” by Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times

Florida: “Stricter Lobbying, Employment, Ethics Rules Advance in Senate” by Steve Bousquet for Tampa Bay Times

Campaign Finance

“Upset GOP Donors: Have we wasted our money?” by Jonathan Swan for The Hill

Oregon: “Constitutional Amendment on Campaign Finance Reform Goes to Legislature” by Gordon Friedman for Salem Statesman-Journal

Ethics

“Obama’s Plea to ‘Fix Our Politics’ Leaves Both Sides Looking Inward” by Carl Hulse and Julia Hirschfeld Davis for New York Times

New Mexico: “Papen’s Former Aide Accused of Embezzlement” by Lauren Villagran for Albuquerque Journal

New York: “Assembly Democrats Reject Republican Rules Changes, Promise Own Proposals Soon” by David Howard King for Gotham Gazette

New York: “How Sheldon Silver Became a Convicted Felon Thanks to Shady Real Estate Relationships” by Jillian Jorgensen for Commercial Observer

Legislative Issues

Ohio: “Meet the People Who Actually Write Ohio’s Laws (And They’re Not Lawmakers)” by Jeremy Pelzer for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Lobbying

California: “Police Union Consultant May Still Be Lobbying for POA” by Jonah Owen Lamb for San Francisco Examiner

West Virginia: “Proposed Changes to State Ethics Act Divide Lawmakers” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette

Campaign Finance

“Undisclosed Dollars Dominate Campaign Spending” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico

New Mexico: “Winter Plans New Office Unit on Campaign Finance” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Wisconsin: “Elections Board Says Parties Must Report Corporate Donations” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Ethics

Florida: “Public Corruption Bill Hits Snag amid Senators’ Furor” by Ryan Ray for SaintPetersBlog.com

Massachusetts: “Dispute Over State Senator’s Dirty Laundry Raises Questions” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

New York: “Cuomo Won’t Face Federal Charges Over Moreland Ethics Panel” by Benjamin Weiser for New York Times

Pennsylvania: “Former Allentown Finance Director Gary Strathearn Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge of Mail and Wire Fraud” by Emily Opilo and Peter Hall for Allentown Morning Call

Pennsylvania: “Struggling Philadelphia Inquirer Is Donated to Nonprofit in Groundbreaking Deal” by Fred Barbash for Washington Post

Lobbying

“State Legislatures Tweak Lobbying Rules as Influence Industry Targets Their Capitols” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post

California: “A Lobbying Rule to Catch Up with the Times” by Laurel Rosenhall for CALmatters

Florida: “Hillsborough Commissioners Must Now Carry 2 Cell Phones” by Mike Salinero for Tampa Tribune

Massachusetts: “Walsh Reverses Course, to Back Lobbying Rules” by Andrew Ryan and Mark Arsenault for Boston Globe

New Mexico: “New Mexico Election Officials Unveil Lobbyist Training Guide” by Susan Montoya Bryan (Associated Press) for Fresno Bee

Ohio: “Ginther Proposes New Ethics Regulations” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“Federal Election Commission May Vacate Headquarters” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

“You Want to Give to Ted Cruz’s Super PAC? First Figure Out Which One.” by Matea Gold and Katie Zezima for Washington Post

Montana: “New Campaign Finance Rules Take Effect in Montana” by The Associated Press for Billings Gazette

Pennsylvania: “City Campaign Finance Limits Increased” by Claudia Vargas for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

Florida: “Gainesville Mayor Files Ethics Complaint against Himself after Daytona Strip Club Trip” by GateHouse Media Services for Daytona Beach News-Journal

Maine: “Maine Governor Blames Media for Racially Charged Language Dust-Up” by Gregory Krieg for CNN

Minnesota: “Minnesota Lawmaker Tried to Personally Sway Judge to Rethink $240,000 Judgment against Firm” by Brian Bakst (Associated Press) for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Montana: “Montana Campaign Contribution Limits to Rise for Some Candidates” by Troy Carter for Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Ohio: “City Hall Hit with another Ethics Investigation” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

South Dakota: “Voters to Decide on Campaign Finance Overhaul” by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Utah: “Ken Ivory Was Cleared in Fraud Probe Because Utah AG Found No Victims, Records Say” by Robert Gehrke for Salt Lake Tribune

Elections

“Political GIFs Are the New Sound Bites This Campaign Season” by Nick Bilton for New York Times

Lobbying

“State Focus and Infusion of Funding Buoy Gun Control Advocates” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times

Michigan: “Top Snyder Aide to Register as Lobbyist” by Paul Egan for Detroit Free Press

Oregon: “Uber Fined $2,000 for Violating Portland Lobbying Rules” by Brad Schmidt for Portland Oregonian

Campaign Finance

California: “California Supreme Court Allows Campaign Finance Measure on Ballot” by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee

New Mexico: “New Test for Campaign Financing” by T.S. Last for Albuquerque Journal

Elections

“How the Koch Network Rivals the GOP” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico

“The Political Consultant Racket” by Adam Sheingate for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Florida: “Painful Lessons for a Troubled Florida Legislature” by Steve Bousquet for Tampa Bay Times

New York: “Albany’s Businessman-Legislators Scoff at a Call to Make Lawmaking Full-Time” by Vivian Yee for New York Times