Lobbying

“Lobbyists Were Quick to Donate to Both Baker, Coakley” by The Associated Press for WCVB

“Lobbyists Spend $5.8 Million at 2015 Montana Legislature” by Alison Noon (Associated Press) for Montana Standard

“Education Reforms Spur N.Y. Lobbying ‘Arms Race’” by Jon Campbell (Gannett Newspapers) for USA Today

Campaign Finance

“Republican Operative Sentenced to 2 Years in Landmark Election Case” by Matt Zapotosky and Matea Gold for Washington Post

“This Web Site Allows Political Donors to Give Money Based on How Lawmakers Vote. Just Don’t Call It Bribery.” by Steven Overly for Washington Post

“$2M Rauner Donor’s Company Does Business with State, Has Exceeded $50K Limit Past 4 Years” by Bernard Schoenburg for State Journal-Register

“Christie’s PAC Picks Up His NBA Finals Ticket” by Maddie Hanna for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

“Oklahoma Ethics Commission Considers Changes to Financial Disclosure Rule” by Barbara Hoberock for Tulsa World

“Fifth Former LCB Official Accused of Violating State Ethics Laws” by Kari Andren for Pittsbugh Tribune-Review

“Ethics Commissioners: Lawmakers went backward in 2015” by Jim Malewitz for Texas Tribune

“Lawmakers’ Watchdog Asks for Money” by Jerry Cornfield for Tacoma News Tribune

Elections

“Jeb Bush Announces Presidential Bid: ‘We will take command of our future once again’” by Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post

Lobbying

“Robert Reich: Lobbyists are snuffing our democracy, one legal bribe at a time” by Robert Reich for Salon

Campaign Finance

“Corporations Open Up About Political Spending” by Eduardo Porter for New York Times

“Legislation Puts More Enforcement in Campaign Finance Reporting Laws” by Mary Snell for Decatur Daily

California: “Ethics Troubles Could Mount for Ex-Candidate Who Missed Fine Payment” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

Hawaii: “Contractor Campaign Contributions Raise Concerns of Corruption” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

Ethics

California: “FPPC Names New Enforcement Chief, General Counsel” by Christopher Cadelago for Sacramento Bee

Massachusetts: “Gambling Panel Chairman Facing Ethics Investigation” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

New York: “Court Orders Disgraced Lopez to Pay $330,000 Fine” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

Pennsylvania: “Elections Chief Sues to Stop Ethics Probe” by Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Inquirer

Rhode Island: “Ex-RI House Speaker Fox Gets 3 Years in Prison” by Katie Mulvaney for Providence Journal

Elections

“In 2008, Clinton Couldn’t Buy Iowans’ Love. So She Bought Them Snow Shovels” by David Fahrenthold for Washington Post

Lobbying

Rhode Island: “RI’s Biggest Spending Special Interest Groups at the Statehouse” by Stephen Beale for GoLocalProv.com

Campaign Finance

“The IRS Chief’s Mistake about ‘Dark Money’” by Miriam Galston for Washington Post

Ethics

Florida: “Ethics Panel: Carroll misreported income” by Brandon Larrabee (News Service of Florida) for Tallahassee Democrat

Florida: “Ex-Congressman’s Top Aide to plead Guilty to Breaking Election Law” by Jay Weaver for Miami Herald

Hawaii: “Ethics Director Survives Political Challenge” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat

Elections

“Eyeing 2016, G.O.P Embraces Digital Strategies, but Doubts Persist” by Ashley Parker for New York Times

“How Jeb Bush’s Campaign Ran off Course before It Even Began” by Ed O’Keefe and Robert Costa for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

“Sen. Johnny Isakson Discloses He Has Parkinson’s Disease” by Mike DeBonis for Washington Post

Maine: “Closed Door: Legislators conducting public business in private despite state’s open meeting law” by John Christie (Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting) for Pine Tree Watchdog

Lobbying

“Did Obama’s Pick to Head Navy Break Lobbying Law?” by Austin Wright and Philip Ewing for Politico

Louisiana: “What Good Do Lobbyist Reporting Laws Do without Enforcement” by the Editorial Board for New Orleans Times-Picayune

Pennsylvania: “Bill to Ban Contingent-Fee Lobbying Advances” by Staff for Chadds Ford Live

Campaign Finance

“How Democratic or Republican Is Your Job? This Tool Tells You.” by Philip Bump for Washington Post

“Shaun McCutcheon Blew Up Campaign-Finance Law and Became a GOP Hero. Then He Set His Sights on Paris Hilton.” by Luke Mullins for Washingtonian Magazine

Alaska: “Alaska Campaign Finance Watchdog Drops Charlo Greene Investigation” by Suzanna Caldwell for Alaska Dispatch News

California: “Ethics Panel Orders S.F. Supervisor to Pay $181,000 Fine” by John Wildermuth for San Francisco Chronicle

California: “Azano Says Finance Law Unconstitutional” by Kristina Davis for San Diego Union Tribune

Ethics

“Hastert Allegations Cast New Light on His Speakership” by Todd Purdum for Politico

“Dennis Hastert Pleads Not Guilty in Chicago Court” by Monica Davey for New York Times

New York: “Schneiderman’s Evolution on Ethics” by David King for Gotham Gazette

Elections

“Pollsters Fret Looming Robocall Restrictions” by Mario Trujillo for The Hill

Lobbying

California: “Businesses with Stake in California Politics Utilize Capitol Grounds” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee

Campaign Finance

“Two FEC Officials Implore Agency to Curb 2016 Election Abuse” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

“Why So Many Women Are Raising Money for Hillary Clinton” by Matea Gold for Washington Post

Delaware: “Bill Would Increase Campaign Donation Limits” by Jonathan Starkey for Wilmington News Journal

Massachusetts: “Baker, State GOP’s Use of Federal Funds Questioned” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe

New York: “Carl Heastie’s Campaign Spending Blurs Line between Political and Personal” by Russ Buettner for New York Times

Ethics

“Dennis Hastert Rushed to Make Money as Payouts Grew” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

New Jersey: “Ex-Official Says Chris Christie Broke Grand Jury Law” by Kate Zernike for New York Times

Pennsylvania: “Fourth Defendant in Sting Case Pleads Guilty” by Angela Couloumbis and Craig McCoy for Philadelphia Inquirer

Legislative Issues

“Divided Legislatures Produce Gridlock, Not Compromise” by Alan Greenblatt for Governing

Indiana: “House Lawmakers Move to Shield Communications from Public” by The Associated Press for Indianapolis Business Journal

Lobbying

“Senator Would Limit Lobbyist Money That Fueled Liberal Allies” by Carrie Levine and Michael Beckel for Center for Public Integrity

Illinois: “Rauner Tells Agency Heads to Give Lobbyists the Boot” by Rich Miller for Reboot Illinois

Campaign Finance

“Kevin McCarthy’s Flair for Fundraising Fuels His Swift Rise to Power in House” by Noah Bierman and Evan Halper for Los Angeles Times

Arizona: “Secretary of State to Fight Clean Elections over Fine” by Bob Christie (Associated Press) for Arizona Daily Star

California: “Ex-L.A. Council Candidate Fined for Fraudulent Bid for Matching Funds” by Jean Merl for Los Angeles Times

Ethics

California: “Industry Sues Former Mayor, Alleging ‘Extensive Public Corruption’” by Frank Shyong for Los Angeles Times

New York: “A Political Survivor under Investigation” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Oregon: “Ethics Reform: House OKs bill declaring governor’s partner a public official” by Denis Theriault for Portland Oregonian

Texas: “Abbott Wants Lawmakers Willing to ‘Fight for Ethics’” by Dave Montgomery for Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Virginia: “Lawmakers Need a Raise, Governor’s Ethics Panel Says” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) for Washington Times

Elections

“O’Malley Attacks Big Banks, Political Dynasties in Launching Uphill 2016 Bid” by John Wagner for Washington Post

“Rick Perry, Shrugging Off 2012, Announces He Will Run Again for President” by Manny Fernandez for New York Times

“Lincoln Chafee to Run for President” by David Jackson for USA Today

Lobbying

California: “California Senate OKs Scaled-Down Travel Disclosure Bill” by Judy Lin (Associated Press) for Santa Cruz Sentinel

California: “Law Students Propose Bill to Close Lucrative Capitol Lobbying Loophole” by Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times

Hawaii: “Antiquated Law Spares Lobbyists in Honolulu Ethics Scandal” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

New Jersey: “ELEC Report Reveals Healthcare Most Heavily Lobbied Sector in New Jersey” by Andrew Kitchenman for NJ Spotlight

New York: “How Lobbying in Albany Works” by Chris Smith for New Yorker

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “High-Powered Attorneys, Lobbyists Give Big to Denver Candidates” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Connecticut: “Senate Democrats Reject Campaign Finance Overhaul” by Jenny Wilson for Hartford Courant

Ethics

Alaska: “Juneau APOC Office Skeletal after Cuts” by Katie Moritz (Morris News Service) for Peninsula Chronicle

Oregon: “House Unanimously Passes Kate Brown’s Plan to Remake Oregon Ethics Panel” by Denis Theriault for Portland Oregonian

South Carolina: “Former State Senator Robert Ford Gets No Jail Times” by John Monk for The State

Texas: “Abbott Gets Bill Limiting Ethics Disclosures” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Vermont: “Condos Pitches Ethics Commission in Wake of Impropriety Allegations” by Anne Galloway for VTDigger.org

Procurement

Texas: “Overhaul of Scandal-Torn State-Contracting System Wins Final Approval” by Dave Montgomery for Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Lobbying

“JCOPE’s New Guidance, or: You might be a lobbyist if …” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “House Passes Significant Campaign Reforms; Will the Senate Take Up the Bill?” by Christine Stuart for CTNewsJunkie.com

Louisiana: “Report Urges Louisiana to Ban ‘Troublesome’ Utility Campaign Contributions” by Jennifer Larino for New Orleans Times-Picayune

Minnesota: “After Criticism, Sen. Alberta Darling Cancels Fundraiser” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Pennsylvania: “City Council Gives Initial Thumbs Up To New Rules on Independent PACs” by Mike Dunn for KYW

Ethics

“Should We Pay Politicians More?” by Kevin Hartnett for Politico

“Clinton Foundation Paid Blumenthal $10K per Month While He Advised on Libya” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico

“How Dennis Hastert Made His Millions” by Tarini Parti for Politico

“Payments by Hastert Linked to Report of Sexual Abuse” by Michael Shear and Michael Schmidt for New York Times

Hawaii: “Under Fire: Hawaii ethics director defends his strict ethical views” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat

New York: “Schneiderman Vows ‘Reform for All New Yorkers’ With Anti-Corruption Bill” by Will Bredderman for New York Observer

Oregon: “High-Ranking State Official Leaked Thousands of John Kitzhaber’s Personal Emails” by Laura Gunderson and Jeff Manning for Portland Oregonian

New York: “Grand Jury Indicts Dean Skelos, Ex-New York Senate Leader, and Son in Corruption Case” by William Rashbaum for New York Times

Elections

“George Pataki Announces Presidential Campaign” by David Fahrenthold for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

Arkansas: “Arkansas Primary Change Would Be Temporary under Compromise” by Andrew DeMillo and Claudia Lauer (Associated Press) for Washington Times

Lobbying

“K Street’s Gains Felt at Boutique Firms, Too” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“Campaign Finance Watchdogs Push Justice Dept. to Investigate Jeb Bush’s PAC” by Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post

“Arkansas AG Rejects Language for Campaign Finance Issue” by The Associated Press for Washington Times

Virginia: “Conservative Group Paying Ken Cuccinelli’s Campaign” by Rachel Weiner for Washington Post

Wisconsin: “Sen. Alberta Darling Fundraiser Called ‘Shakedown’ for Lobbyist Cash” by Mike Ivey for Capital Times

Ethics

New York: “Fired Aide Pays $4,000 in Sandy Scandal” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

New York: “Judge Rules Larry Seabrook, Ex-New York Councilman, Must Forfeit His Pension” by Benjamin Weiser for New York Times

Texas: “House Passes Ethics Bill, Senate Showdown Likely” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Elections

“Rick Santorum Is Entering Republican 2016 Presidential Race” by Trip Gabriel for New York Times

Legislative Issues

“Members Living in Their Offices Rent-Free Adds Up” by David Hawkings for Roll Call

Lobbying

Georgia: “Legislators and Corporate Lobbyists Meet in Secret at Georgia Resort” by Brendan Keefe and Michael King for WXIA

Vermont: “Legislative Wrap: Lobbyist disclosure tops transparency effort” by Erin Mansfield for VTDigger.org

Campaign Finance

“Meet the ‘Dark Money’ Phantom” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

“Push to Name Donors in Political Ads Hits FCC Roadblock” by Mario Trujillo for The Hill

Montana: “MT’s Campaign-Donor Limits Still Up in the Air” by Katherine Proctor for Courthouse News Service

Ethics

“Clinton Foundation Reveals Up to $26 Million in Additional Payments” by Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

California: “California Fund Has Little Oversight” by The Associated Press for Contra Costa Times

Missouri: “Lawmakers Fail to Ramp up Ethics Laws for Missouri Officials” by Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for Columbia Missourian

Oklahoma; “Former Oklahoma Legislators’ Bribery Convictions Upheld” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman

Oregon: “Forget Fines – Oregon Prefers Warnings for Public Officials Guilty of Ethics Violations” by Nick Budnick and Laura Gunderson for Portland Oregonian

Tennessee: “Ethics Panel Fading to Obscurity 10 Years after Tenn. Waltz” by Erik Schelzig (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

Elections

“Republicans Seek to Bridge Gap with Latinos in Colorado and Beyond” by Jack Healy for New York Times

Redistricting

“Supreme Court to Weigh Meaning of ‘One Person One Vote’” by Adam Liptak for New York Times

Lobbying

“At K Street’s No. 1 Lobby Shop, Ties to Clinton Run Deep” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

California: “‘Stalking’ of Pro-Vaccine Lobbyists Prompts Warning from Doctors’ Group” by Jeremy White for Fresno Bee

Kansas: “Records: Gov. Sam Brownback, aides still consult with ex-chief of staff, now a lobbyist” by Bryan Lowry for Wichita Eagle

Nevada: “Legislative ‘Cooling Off’ Lobbying Law Passes Nevada Senate” by Sandra Chereb for Las Vegas Review-Journal

Campaign Finance

“FEC Deadlocks on Wealthy Donor Giving Limits” by Tom Howell, Jr. for Washington Times

“Gyrocopter Pilot Indicted on Six Charges” by Jesse Byrnes for The Hill

“Rove’s Crossroads PAC Is No Longer G.O.P.’s ‘Big Dog;” by Eric Lichtblau and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

Arizona: “Phone Records Show Close Contact between Regulator, APS and ‘Dark Money’” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

Ethics

New Jersey: “Christie Leaves Cowboys Tickets off His Disclosure Form” by Maddie Hanna and Andrew Seidman for Philadelphia Inquirer

South Carolina: “Pinson Given 5 Years in Prison” by John Monk for The State

Lobbying

EU: “A Test of the EU’s Revolving Door” by James Panichi for Politico

“Critics Hear E.P.A.’s Voice in ‘Public Comments’” by Eric Lipton and Coral Davenport for New York Times

Louisiana: “Lobbyists Pay for Louisiana Officials’ Trip, Recipients Don’t Disclose It” by Lee Zurik (WVUE) and Ben Myers for New Orleans Times-Picayune

Maryland: “Maryland Changes Rules Again on Political Contribution Disclosure by Government Contractors; Lobbyist-Employers Also Affected” by Lawrence Norton, Ronald Jacobs, and Julie McConnell for Lexology

Campaign Finance

New Jersey: “N.J. Election Watchdog Gets New Member, but Remains Short-Staffed” by Ted Sherman (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger

Wisconsin: “Records Indicate Scott Walker Was Copied on Letter Promising Loan to Donor” by Jason Stein and Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Ethics

“Clinton Friend’s Libya Role Blurs Lines of Politics and Business” by Nicholas Confessore and Michael Schmidt for New York Times

Arkansas: “Fiscal 2016 Budget Cut Vexes Ethics Panel Chief” by Spencer Willems for Arkansas Online

Kansas: “Gov. Sam Brownback Also Used Private E-Mail Address to Communicate with Staff” by Bryan Lowry for Wichita Eagle

New York: “Albany Corruption Inquiry Hurts Arizona Company That Hired Dean Skelos’s Son” by Susanne Craig for New York Times

Lobbying

“American Chemistry Council Lied about Lobbying Role on Flame Retardants, Consultant Says” by David Heath for Center for Public Integrity

Louisiana: “Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association Shells Out for Officials’ Stay at Resort” by Lee Zurik (WVUE) and Ben Myers for New Orleans Times-Picayune

Campaign Finance

“Guinta Apologizes, Maintains Innocence about Campaign Cash” by Holly Ramer (Associated Press) for Miami Herald

“‘Campaigns’ Aren’t Necessarily Campaigns in the Age of ‘Super PACs’” by Nicholas Confessore and Eric Lichtblau for New York Times

West Virginia: “W.Va. Election Commission Approves Changes for Nonpartisan Judicial Elections” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette

Wisconsin: “Supreme Court Declines to Hear Lawsuit Seeking to Block John Doe Probe” by Patrick Marley and Jason Stein for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Ethics

Georgia: “Deal Bends Rules for Ga. Chamber’s Gala at the Capitol” by Walter Jones for Savannah Morning News

New York: “Capitol Scandals Raise Tough Questions for New York Governor” by David Klepper (Associated Press) for WRAL

Texas: “Analysis: Ethics at center stage, hurting for attention” by Ross Ramsey for Texas Tribune

Elections

“Clinton Is Banking on the Obama Coalition to Win” by Anne Gearan for Washington Post

Lobbying

Louisiana: “Lobbyists Spent $3 Million on Louisiana Officials, but Seldom Named Them” by Lee Zurik (WVUE) and Ben Myers for New Orleans Times-Picayune

Louisiana: “Lobbyist Largess Extends to Officials’ Spouses, Children” by Lee Zurik (WVUE) and Ben Myers for New Orleans Times-Picayune

Rhode Island: “State of R.I. Drops 38 Studios Lobbying Cases” by Jennifer Bogdon for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“Avalanche of Big Money Headed Feingold’s Way in Senate Rematch” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

Arizona: “State Agencies Spar over Political Contribution Reports Rules” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Arizona: “Clean Elections Panel Advances New Dark-Money Spending Rules” by Bob Christie (Associated Press) for Arizona Daily Sun

California: “San Diego Council Committee Gives Tentative OK To Revise Referendum Process” by City News Service for KPBS

Indiana: “Lawmakers Flock to Downtown Gambling Parlor for Fundraisers” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

Wisconsin: “Special Prosecutor Intent on Pursuing Investigation in Possible Illegal Coordination by Scott Walker Campaign, but Major Legal Hurdles Remain” by Matea Gold and Jenna Johnson for Washington Post

Ethics

“George Stephanopoulos Discloses Gifts to Clinton Foundation” by Jeremy Peters and John Koblin for New York Times

California: “Kevin de León Called about Job for Daughter at Nonprofit He Helped with Bill” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

Missouri: “Missouri House Speaker John Diehl Admits Sexually Charged Relationship with Intern” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Missouri: “Missouri House Speaker Resigns; Intern Breaks Silence” by Virginia Young for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

New York: “NY Assembly Requiring Proof for Albany Travel Expenses” by Michael Virtanen (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union