Lobbying

“Ethics Commission Recommends Controversial Lobbying Ordinance” by Jack Craver for Austin Monitor

Campaign Finance

“FEC: Notable conservatives tied to nonprofit scofflaw” by Cady Zuvich for Center for Public Integrity

Alaska: “Campaign Finance Commission Says Group Tied to Gov. Walker Aide Broke Law” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dispatch

District of Columbia: “D.C. Mayor’s Allies Reluctantly Shut down Controversial PAC” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post

Utah: “Pricey Mayoral Race Prompts Salt Lake City Council to Consider Campaign Finance Reform” by Katie McKellar for Deseret News

Ethics

Georgia: “Ethics Group Gives Georgia a D- for Ethics, Openness” by Walter Jones (Morris News Service) for Southern Political Report

Maryland: “Annapolis Commission Member Removed after Failure to Sign Ethics Compliance Form” by Chase Cook for Capital Gazette

North Carolina: “North Carolina Gets Mixed Marks on Integrity Report” by Mark Binker for WRAL

Elections

“Obama Legacy in State Offices: A shrinking Democratic share” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Michael Shear, and Alan Blinder for New York Times

“Time for GOP Panic? Establishment Worried Carson or Trump Might Win” by Philip Rucker and Robert Costa for Washington Post

Procurement

“D.C. Lawmakers Look at How to Fix the City’s Troubled Contracting Process” by Abigail Hauslohner for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

Florida: “Dade Medical College’s Ernesto Perez Pleads Guilty in Criminal Cases” by Michael Vasquez and David Ovalle for Miami Herald

“Seattle’s Experiment with Campaign Funding” by Russell Berman for The Atlantic

Ethics

California: “California Gets C-Minus in Government Integrity Survey; 47 States Score D-Plus or Lower” by Thomas Peele for San Jose Mercury News

Michigan: “Integrity Report Ranks Michigan Worst in Nation for Government Transparency, Accountability” by Jonathan Oosting for MLive.com

Missouri “Unlimited Cash, Lavish Meals, Revolving Doors: How Missouri got a D-minus in national ethics report” by Kevin McDermott for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Nevada: “Auditing, lobbying disclosure among trouble spots for Nevada” by Sean Whaley for Las Vegas Review-Journal

New York: “Report: New York has 30th best anti-corruption laws” by Bill Mahoney for Capital New York

Elections

“G.O.P. Candidates, Lagging, Rely on New Hampshire to Get Close” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times

“Scott Walker Is a Diminished Figure – Except in the State He Governs” by David Weigel for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

“Even as House Speaker, Paul Ryan Sleeps in His Office” by Jennifer Steinhauer for New York Times

Lobbying

California: “Lobbyist Meetings Missing from San Jose Council Calendars” by Ramona Giwargis for San Jose Mercury News

Campaign Finance

Indiana: “Legislative War Chests: Purse or puppet strings?” by Marc Chase for Northwest Indiana Times

New York: “Backed by Nail Salon Owners, a New York Legislator Now Fights Reforms” by Sarah Maslin Nir for New York Times

Ethics

“Only Three States Score Higher Than D+ in State Integrity Investigation; 11 Flunk” by Nicholas Kusnetz for Center for Public Integrity

Arizona: “Survey: Arizona gets a ‘D’ for public access” by Joe Ferguson for Arizona Daily Star

New Jersey: “Advocacy Group’s Ranking of N.J. on Access, Integrity Falls Sharply” by Dustin Racioppi for Bergen Record

Ohio: “Ohio Graded D+ in Report on Integrity” by Jim Siegel for Columbus Dispatch

Wisconsin: “Senate GOP Votes to Overhaul Campaign Finance, Revamp Board” by Todd Richmond (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

Wyoming: “Wyoming Second to Last in Transparency” by Laura Hancock for Billings Gazette

Elections

“Donald Trump Advertises Rising Value of Free Political Publicity” by Ashley Parker for New York Times

Lobbying

Texas: “Appeals Court Backs Ethics Commission over Activist” by Aman Batheja for Texas Tribune

Campaign Finance

“Fla. man who landed gyrocopter at Capitol to plead guilty to lesser charge” by Spencer Hsu for Washington Post

Florida: “Hialeah Mayor Tries to Pay County’s $4K Ethics Fine in Pennies” by Brenda Medina for Miami Herald

New York: “Backed by Single, Untraceable Out-of-State Donor, Reform Party Scores Win” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Ethics

“Annual Sexual-Harassment Training Required in Missouri House” by Associated Press for New York Times

Alabama: “Ethics Commission Letter Raises State Employee Concerns” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

Florida: “Marco Rubio Spent Lavishly on a GOP Credit Card, but Some Transactions Are Still Secret” by Alex Leary for Tampa Bay Times

Elections

“Off-Year Elections Reveal a 2016 Map with Sharper Borders” by David Weigel for Washington Post

Lobbying

“New Generation of Trade Group CEOs Take More Aggressive – and at Times Unorthodox – Approach to Lobbying” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post

California: “Tighter Rules for Lobbying Win S.F. Voter Approval” by Kevin Fagan for San Francisco Chronicle

Rhode Island: “38 Studios: House panel chairwoman wants investigation of deal maker Michael Corso” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

Florida: “Dade Medical College Owner Turns Himself In” by Michael Vasquez for Miami Herald

“Maine Backs Post-Citizens United Campaign Finance Initiative” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post

South Dakota: “Council Nixes PAC Contribution Limit” by Joe Sneve for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Washington: “‘Democracy Vouchers’ Win in Seattle; First in Country” by Bob Young for Seattle Times

Ethics

“Mayor de Blasio’s Hired Guns: Private consultants help shape City Hall” by Thomas Kaplan for New York Times

Elections

“Joseph Ganim, Disgraced Ex-Mayor of Bridgeport, Conn., Wins Back Job” by Kristin Hussey for New York Times

“Matt Bevin, Republican, Wins Governor’s Race in Kentucky” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Alan Blinder for New York Times

“Michigan Lawmakers Ousted Over Affair Lose Bid to Regain House Seats” by Associated Press for New York Times

Redistricting

Ohio: “Voters Approve Issue to Reform Ohio’s Redistricting Process” by Jim Siegel for Columbus Dispatch

Lobbying

“Bush, Clinton Benefit from Lobbying Gray Area” by Isaac Arnsdorf for Politico

Campaign Finance

“Small Donors Are Clicking More with Democrats than Republicans” by Eric Lichtblau and Nick Corasaniti for New York Times

Ethics

New York: “Report: JCOPE should be smaller, more transparent” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

“How Andrew Cuomo’s Flashy Bid to Clean up Albany Backfired” by Chris Smith for New York Magazine

Elections

“Neuropolitics, Where Campaigns Try to Read Your Mind” by Kevin Randall for New York Times

“Steve Deace and the Power of Conservative Media” by Jackie Calmes for New York Times Magazine

“How the Rising Death Rate among Middle-Aged Whites Helps Explain Our Political Reality” by Janell Ross for Washington Post

California: “Measure Slashing Drug Prices May Go to California Voters Next Fall” by Tracy Seipel for San Jose Mercury News

Legislative Issues

“Paul Ryan Lands at Center of a Rivalry for the Soul of the G.O.P.” by Carl Hulse for New York Times

Campaign Finance

“Larry Lessig Ends Presidential Campaign, Citing Unfair Debate Rules” by David Weigel for Washington Post

Arizona: “Elections Panel Moves to Uncover Political ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star

New Jersey: “Analysis: Outside money may flood 2017 election” by Dustin Racioppi for Bergen Record

New Mexico: “Flurry of Campaign Finance Cases after Duran Indictment Renews Call for Ethics Commission” by Justin Horwath for Santa Fe New Mexican

Oregon: “Activists Angle for Oregon Campaign Finance Measures” by Taylor Anderson for Bend Bulletin

Ethics

New York: “In Two Corruption Cases, the Culture of Albany Will Go on Trial” by William Rashbaum and Susanne Craig for New York Times

North Carolina: “McCrory Brokered Meeting on Contract for Friend and Campaign Donor” by Joseph Neff, Craig Jarvis, and Ames Alexander for Raleigh News & Observer

Elections

“How Donald Trump Leverages America’s Fault Lines” by Lynn Vavreck for New York Times

Redistricting

Maryland: “D.C. Law Student Takes Case against Md. Gerrymandering to Supreme Court” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post

Lobbying

“Top Lobbyists 2015: Hired Guns” by Staff  for The Hill

“Top Lobbyists 2015: Corporate” by Staff for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“F.E.C. Panel Delays a Decision on Spending in ’16 Races” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times

New York: “Albany Plan Would Expand Conflict-of-Interest Policies” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Ethics

New Mexico: “Attorney General Says Public Corruption Law Needs Teeth” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Oregon: “John Kitzhaber Offered Fiancée Help Securing Foundation Support” by Les Zaitz for Portland Oregon

Wisconsin: “Senate Republicans Take Cautious Tack on GAB, Campaign Finance Bills” by Mark Sommorhauser for Madison.com

Elections

“Winning Isn’t Everything” by Jason Zengerle for Politico Magazine

Florida: “Miami Beach Candidate Sued after Publishing Opponent’s Social Security Number” by Joey Flechas for Miami Herald

Lobbying

“The Commission’s Corporate Job Pipeline” by James Panichi for Politico

“Top Lobbyists 2015: Associations” by Staff for The Hill

“Top Lobbyists 2015: Grassroots” by Staff for The Hill

California: “Former SF Police Union President Fined for Illegally Lobbying Last Year” by Jonah Owen Lamb for San Francisco Examiner

Rhode Island: “R.I. House Panel Opens Investigation into 38 Studios Loan” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“Is There a Silver Lining to Citizens United?” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times

Florida: “Mystery Surrounds Largest Donor to Florida Solar Power Ballot Initiative” by Jeremy Wallace for Miami Herald

Ethics

“Dennis Hastert, Ex-Speaker of House, Pleads Guilty to Banking Violation” by Monica Davey and Mitch Smith for New York Times

New York: “Albany’s Museum of Political Corruption No Longer Just a Funny Idea” by Michael DeMasi for Albany Business Review

Redistricting

“In Swing-State Ohio, Both Parties Want to Limit Their Own Power in Redistricting” by Daniel Vock for Governing

Lobbying

“Ryan Speakership Could Herald New Style for K Street Lobbyists” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

“Want to Reform Campaign Finance and Reduce Corruption? Here’s How.” by Ray LaRaja and Brian Schaffner for Washington Post

“Clinton White House Sleepover Guests Still Writing Checks” by Liz Essley Whyte for Center for Public Integrity

“FEC Overhauls Website to Make It Easier to Track Campaign Money” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

“Cruz’s Quiet Fundraising Strength: A network of wealthy donors” by Katie Zezima and Matea Gold for Washington Post

“State: Malloy campaign case threatens integrity of elections” by Dave Collins (Associated Press) for WTNH

Washington: “Seattle Initiative Puts Spotlight on Campaign Financing” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times

Elections

“Lawrence Lessig’s Presidential Bid Endures in Relative Obscurity” by Alan Rappeport for New York Times

Lobbying

“DNC Courts Lobbyist Cash with Promise of VIP Access at Convention” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Illinois: “Spending by Lobbyists Up This Year; Diana Rauner-Led Organization Tops List of Spenders” by Doug Finke for State Journal Register

New York: “JCOPE Issues Fines to Housing Activists, Others on Filing Violations” by Rick Karlin for Albany Times Union

Texas: “Opposition to Lobbying Resolution Organizes” by Elizabeth Pagano for Austin Monitor

Campaign Finance

“‘Fire Paul Ryan’? Rebel PACs Hit Republicans, and It Pays” by Eric Lipton and Jennifer Steinhauer for New York Times

Ethics

“DOJ: No criminal charges in IRS Tea Party probe” by Kevin Johnson and Gregory Korte for USA Today

Colorado: “New Working Group Could Slow Denver Ethics Code Changes” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

North Carolina: “NC Ethics Panel Gets Extra Funding to Chip at Backlog” by Gary Robertson (Associated Press) for Ashville Citizen-Times

Elections

“Jeb Bush Shakes Up His Struggling Campaign with Major Spending Cuts” by Philip Rucker for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

Kansas: “Kansas Legislation Is Most Anonymous in Nation” by Celia Llopis-Jepsen for Topeka Capital-Journal

Lobbying

“APA to Pay $9M to Settle Lobbying Fee Class Action” by Charley Himmel for Courthouse News Service

Arkansas: “Lobbyist Tells of Loan Made to Lawmaker” by Michael Wickline for Arkansas Online

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “Ruling: Campaign finance limits don’t apply to unions with city contracts” by Fran Spielman and Dan Mihalopoulos for Chicago Sun-Times

New Jersey: “N.J. Attorneys Accused of Concealing Political Donations” by Samantha Marcus (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger

New Mexico: “Former Senator Is Still Spending Campaign Funds” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

New Mexico: “Dianna Duran Resigns, Pleads Guilty to Two Felonies” by Heath Haussamen for NewMexicoPolitics.net

South Dakota: “Campaign Contribution Limits on Chopping Block” by Joe Sneve for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Ethics

“One Ron Paul Staffer Convicted; Another Acquitted” by Grant Rodgers (Des Moines Register) for USA Today

“New Rules Rein in Lawmaker Spending” by Deb Reichmann (Associated Press) for Modesto Bee

Arkansas: “Ex-Arkansas Senate Head Got $120K from Group” by Claudia Lauer (Associated Press) for Arkansas Business

California: “For Kevin Johnson, Sacramento Mayor, Abuse Claims Resurface” by Adam Nagourney for New York Times

Wisconsin: “Assembly Approves Splitting GAB into Elections and Ethics Agencies” by Patrick Marley and Jason Stein for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Elections

“Lincoln Chafee Ends Democratic Bid for President” by John Wagner and David Weigel for Washington Post

Pennsylvania: “Ethics Missteps Don’t Deter Pennsylvania Ex-LCB Officials” by Kari Andren for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Legislative Issues

“‘Supermajority’ of House Freedom Caucus to Back Paul Ryan’s Speaker Bid” by Mike DeBonis and Robert Costa for Washington Post

Lobbying 

“K Street Eyes Late-Year Rebound” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“Divided D.C. Council Takes Aim at Mayor Bowser’s Super PAC” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post

Missouri: “Ten Missouri Megadonors Drive Largest Political Contributions” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Ethics

California: “Does Orange County Need an Ethics Commission? Voters to Decide in June” by Meghann Cuniff for Orange County Register

“Report Traces Jeb Bush’s Ties to Companies That Had Business with Florida” by Matt Flegenheimer and Steve Eder for New York Times

Wisconsin “Lawmakers Approve Bill Ending John Doe Probes of Political Crimes” by Patrick Marley and Jason Stein for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Elections

“Biden’s Decision Boosts Clinton and Sets Up a Two-Way Race With Sanders” by Paul Kane and Karen Tumulty for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

“Paul Ryan Tells House Republicans He’s Willing to Run, If Conditions Are Met” by Mike DeBonis and Robert Costa for Washington Post

Lobbying

“The Strength of Citizen Government: Local grassroots advocacy” by Jeffrey Berry for Nonprofit Quarterly

Ohio: “Columbus Lobbyist Pleads Guilty to Extortion” by Csaba Sukosd for WTTE

Campaign Finance

“Meet Jeb Bush’s Top White House Fundraisers” by Fredreka Schouten and Christopher Schnaars for USA Today

Connecticut: “Political Campaigns Rake in Cash despite Ban” by Ken Dixon (Hearst Connecticut Media) for The Day

New Jersey: “Among Christie Donors, a Slew of State Contractors” by Andrew Seidman and Maddie Hanna for Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania: “Pittsburgh City Council Passes New Campaign-Finance Rules” by Robert Zullo for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ethics

“Hidden Cash Financed Lawmakers’ Turkey Trips” by Hannah Hess for Roll Call

Elections

“This Chart Shows Why Republicans Are in a Much Stronger Position Than You Think” by Chris Cillizza for Washington Post

“Webb Exits the Democratic Presidential Primary” by Jose DelReal and David Weigel for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

Missouri: “New Missouri House Speaker Hopes to Restore Legislature’s Tarnished Image” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star