Lobbying

New Mexico: “Citizen Lobbyists Learn the Ropes” by Gwyneth Doland (New Mexico In Depth) for Las Cruces Sun-News

North Carolina: “Charlotte Is Largest City with No Lobbying Disclosure” by Steve Harrison for Charlotte Observer

Campaign Finance

“Freshman Lawmaker Aims to Close Campaign Money Loophole” by The Associated Press for KBOI

Virginia: “Va. Political Operative Pleads Guilty to Coordinating Campaign Contributions” by Matt Zapotosky and Matea Gold for Washington Post

Wisconsin: “Bill Would Limit John Doe Probes into Political Crimes” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Ethics

Connecticut: “FBI Goes After ‘Corrupticut’ with Billboards” by Brian Lockhart for Connecticut Post

Florida: “Miami-Dade Mayor and Trump Discussed Crandon Golf Takeover” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald

Montana: “Montana Budget Panel Cuts Political Practices” by Charles Johnson for Ravalli Republic

South Carolina: “S.C. Senate Kills Ethics Measure – Possibly for the Year” by Jeremy Borden for Charleston Post & Courier

Elections

“Democrats Choose Philadelphia for 2016 National Convention” by Trip Gabriel for New York Times

Procurement

“House Passes Reform, Transparency Act” by Geoff Pender for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Lobbyist Disclosure Bill Hits Snag in House Committee” by Steve Terrell (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “State Office Working to Close Campaign Finance Loophole” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Nevada: “Nevada Supreme Court Rules against Conservative Group Citizen Outreach in Campaign Flyer Case” by Riley Snider and Michelle Rindels (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Rhode Island: “Rhode Island Lawmaker Arrested for Alleged Misuse of Campaign Money Resigns Leadership Post” by Jennifer McDermott and Michelle Smith (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Ethics

New Jersey: “Wisniewski Seeks to End Christie’s Paid-for Travel” by Matt Friedman for Newark Star-Ledger

New York: “Political Corruption in Albany a Very Old Story” by Paul Grondahl for Albany Times Union

Indiana: “Indiana Lawmakers’ Panel Passes Ethics Reform Package” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

Virginia: “Va. House and Senate Unhappily Pass Ethics Bills; Governor Awaits Deal” by Jenna Portnoy and Rachel Weiner for Washington Post

Procurement

Texas: “Ethics Bill Would Shed Light on Contracts” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Lobbying

California: “Legal Clinic Immerses Aspiring Lawyers in the Political Process” by Maura Dolan for Los Angeles Times

Florida: “Mayor’s Ball Draws Influential Donors” by Andy Reid for South Florida Sun Sentinel

Missouri: “Ethics Bills Move Ahead in Senate, House Committee” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune

New Mexico: “New Mexico Lobbyists Spend on Lawmakers but Disclosure Lacks” by Sandra Fish for Las Cruces Sun-News

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Committee: Lobbyists still can’t donate during sessions” by Julia Shumway for Arizona Republic

Illinois: “Illinois Governor Acts to Curb Power of Public Sector Unions” by Monica Davey and Mitch Smith for New York Times

Oregon: “Secretary of State Wants to Limit Campaign Spending” by Hannah Hoffman for Salem Statesman Journal

Pennsylvania: “A Section of City Code Has Money from Law Firms, Corporations Drying Up in Philly Politics” by Chris Hepp for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

New York: “NY Senate Democrats: Ban outside income for lawmakers” by David Klepper and Michael Virtanen (Associated Press) for Seattle Times

Washington: “Lt. Governor Wants Change in How Ethics Are Policed” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Lobbying

Hawaii: “Hawaii Lobbyists Fined for Failing to Register with State Ethics Commission” by The Associated Press for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Minnesota: “Tomassoni Quits Range Job, Citing ‘Distractions’” by Don Davis for Duluth News Tribune

Texas: “State Law Allows for Lobbying Deep in the Shadows of Texas” by James Drew for Dallas Morning News

Campaign Finance

California: “A Legal Use of Power: Parties funnel millions to California candidates” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee

Pennsylvania: “After Pennsylvania Treasurer Scandal, Pay-to-Play Law Still a Longshot” by The Associated Press for Lehighvalleylive.com

Ethics

New York: “Harassment Suit against Former Assemblyman Vito Lopez and Sheldon Silver Is Settled” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

North Carolina: “City Panel Proposes Stronger Ethics Policy” by Steve Harrison for Charlotte Observer

Oregon: “Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber Faces Call to Resign amid Scandal over Fiancée” by Maria La Ganga for Los Angeles Times

Washington: “Free U.S. Open Tickets for Lawmakers? Ethics Board to Discuss” by Melissa Santos for Tacoma News Tribune

Legislative Issues

Idaho: “Recodification Bill Would Create New Title of State Law for Ethics, Public Records, Open Meetings” by Betsy Russell for Spokane Spokesman-Review

South Carolina: “Lawmakers Hear Calls to Change the Way SC Elects Judges” by Jamie Self for The State

Political Advertising

“Drones Fly into the Political Ad Wars” by Daniel Lippman for Politico

Lobbying

New Mexico: “GOP Leaders Says Former Speaker Gave Office Space to Lobbyist” by Patrick Malone (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News

Campaign Finance

“Helena-Based Campaign Finance-Tracking Group Gets Prestigious $1M Grant” in The Missoulian

“Big Business Crushed Ballot Measures in 2014” by Liz Essley White for Center for Public Integrity

“The Secret World of a Well-Paid ‘Donor Adviser’ in Politics” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Illinois: “Ald. Deb Mell Hit with Complaint over Free Rent Provided by Dad Dick Mell” by Ted Cox for DNAinfo.com

Montana: “Bullock, Ankney Outline Campaign Finance Reform Bill” by Charles Johnson for Montana Standard

Utah: “Politicians May Be Giving Contributions to Charity in the Future” by Amy McDonald for Provo Daily Herald

Ethics

Arkansas: “Lawmakers Favor Expanded Ethics Panel” by Michael Wickline for ArkansasOnline.com

Hawaii: “Hawaii Ethics Commission Fines Current and Former State Workers over Free Golf” by The Associated Press for Fox News

New York: “Malcolm Smith, Ex-New York Senate Chief, Is Convicted of Corruption” by Tanzina Vega for New York Times

South Dakota: “Ethics Commission Killed by House Republicans” by Bob Mercer for Rapid City Journal

Lobbying

“Top Frankfort Lobbyists Make Big Money … VERY Big” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

Missouri: “Ethics Amendment Sponsor Sees Little Chance for Effective Action by Lawmakers” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune

Campaign Finance

“Capitalizing on a Political Contribution Cap Hike” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

California: “San Diego County Supervisors Put Caps on Campaign Spending” by City News Service for KPBS

Ethics

“Obama Administration Seeks to Negotiate Medicare Drug Prices” by David Morgan for Reuters

Nevada: “When Do Lawmakers’ Day Jobs Become Conflicts of Interest?” by Kyle Roerink for Las Vegas Sun

New York: “State Ethics Panel Seeks More Clout, Leeway” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

New York: “New York City Councilman Arrested on Corruption Charges” by Nikita Stewart for New York Times

Oregon: “Cylvia Hayes Scandal: Kitzhaber associates helped create jobs for her that had Oregon influence in mind” by Nick Budnick and Laura Gunderson for Portland Oregonian

Pennsylvania: “After Rapid Rise, Pennsylvania Attorney General Faces Sharp Fall” by Jennifer Steinhauer for New York Times

Elections

“The Surprising Power of Blue-State Republicans” by Nate Cohn for New York Times

Campaign Finance

North Carolina: “Audit: Elections board spent nearly $1 million for nothing” by Craig Jarvis for Raleigh News & Observer

Wisconsin: “Federal Judge’s Judgment Takes John Doe Probe off Life Support” by M.D. Kittle for WisconsinReporter.com

Ethics

“How Did Politics Get So Personal?” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times

“How and Why Retired Politicians Get Lucrative Appointments on Corporate Boards” by Maxwell Palmer and Benjamin Schneer for Washington Post

California: “California’s Top Political Ethics Cop Resigns” by Laurel Rosenhall for Sacramento Bee

New York: “Pushing Ethics Reforms, Cuomo Wants Lawmakers to Reveal Income or Lose It” by Alexander Burns and Susanne Craig for New York Times

Rhode Island: “House Will Once Again Mull Two Proposals to Restore Ethics Commission’s Authority over State Lawmakers” by Jennifer Bogdon for Providence Journal

Elections

“Measles Prove Delicate Issue to GOP Field” by Jeremy Peters and Richard Pérez-Peña for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Nevada: “Assemblyman May Be Extortion Victim, Police Say” by Ray Hagar for Reno Gazette-Journal

New York: “Heastie Is Elected Speaker of New York Assembly” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Lobbying

Missouri: “Missouri Lawmakers’ Steady Shift to Lobbying Raises Concerns with Critics” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

New Jersey: “Christie’s Overseas Travel Funded by Firms That Do Business with N.J.” by Shawn Boburg and Hugh Morley for Bergen Record

Campaign Finance

Montana: “State Legislative Panels Reject Campaign Finance Reform Bills” by Charles Johnson for The Missoulian

Ethics

Indiana: “Indiana Gov. Pence Walks Back State-Run Media Site” by Danielle Hayes for UPI.com

Kansas: “Kansas House Rejects Amendment to Address Private E-mail Loophole” by Bryan Lowry for Wichita Eagle

New York: “Speaker Candidate Drew Ethics Panel’s Notice” by Susanne Craig and Thomas Kaplan for New York Times

Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Treasurer McCord to Plead Guilty in Campaign Finance Case; Resigns Immediately” by  The Associated Press for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin’s Treasurer Wants to Cut Needless Workers, Starting With Himself” by Julie Bosman for New York Times

Elections

Massachusetts: “Statute Against Lying in Campaign Ads Faces Legal Test” by Stephanie Ebbert for Boston Globe

Legislative Issues

Texas: “Texas Lawmaker Demands Muslim Visitors Take Loyalty Oath” by Adam Lerner for Politico

Lobbying

Missouri: “Missouri House to Halt Committee Meetings at Country Clubs and Restaurants” by Kevin McDermott for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Washington: “Lawmakers Grouse about Free Meals Rule” by Jordan Schrader for Tacoma News Tribune

Campaign Finance

“National Donors Pick Winners in State Elections” by Ben Weider for Center for Public Integrity

New Jersey: “Auditor Finds No Pay-to-Play Conflict in N.J. Pension Investment” by Andrew Seidman for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

“Amid Ethics Concerns, House Energy Chairman Drops Bill” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

Massachusetts: “State Senator’s Lavish Gift Raises Concerns on Ethics” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

New York: “6 Days That Felled Sheldon Silver, the Speaker Who Ruled Albany for Decades” by Jesse McKinley, Thomas Kaplan, Susanne Craig, and William Rashbaum for New York Times

Elections

“Mitt Romney Decides against Running for President Again in 2016” by Philip Rucker and Dan Balz for Washington Post

Lobbying

Federal: “Best Fly-In Ever: How to make the most of your D.C. visit” by Rebecca Gale for Roll Call

Connecticut: “CT Lobbyist’s $10K Fine Stayed If He Behaves” in Hartford Business Journal

Kansas: “Budget Director Sent E-mail from Private Account to Lobbyists on Proposed Budget“ by Bryan Lowry for Wichita Eagle

Minnesota: “Draft Opinion: No conflict in Tomassoni holding RAMS job” by John Myers for Duluth News Tribune

Legislative Issues

South Carolina: “Lawmaker Asks Would-Be SC Judges about ‘Supreme Being,’ Gay Marriage, Equal Pay for Women” by Cassie Cope for The State

Ethics

Nebraska: “Questions Arise after Gov. Ricketts Uses His Own Money to Add Adviser to His Office” by Paul Hammel for Omaha World Herald

Indiana: “Energy Chairman’s Gas and Oil Investments Raise Ethics Questions” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

Texas: “Case against Former Gov. Perry to Proceed” by Teri Langford for Texas Tribune

New York: “Sheldon Silver to Be Replaced as Speaker of New York State Assembly” by Jesse McKinley, Thomas Kaplan, and Susanne Craig for New York Times

Campaign Finance

Utah: “Lawmakers Use Swallow Scandal to Stall Campaign-Donation Caps” by Lee Davidson for Salt Lake Tribune

Lobbying

“Lobbying Lawmakers with a Personal Touch” by Laurel Rosenhall for Sacramento Bee

Kansas: “Kansas Ethics Official Supports Change to State Lobbying Laws” by Bryan Lowry for Wichita Eagle

Missouri: “Missouri House Speaker Defends Country Club Committee Hearings” by Eli Yokely for PoiliticMo.com

Campaign Finance

“Public Swamps FEC with Post-McCutcheon Rulemaking Comments” by Peter Olsen-Phillips for Sunlight Foundation

“U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Conviction of Reid Fundraiser” by Suzannah Gonzalez for Reuters

“Koch Brothers’ Budget of $889 Million for 2016 Is on Par With Both Parties’ Spending” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Ethics

Indiana: “Gov. Mike Pence’s State-Run News Outlet Will Compete with Media” by Tom LoBianco for Indianapolis Star

Montana: “Montana Senate Backs Bill to Change Selection of Political Practices Commissioner” by Charles Johnson for The Missoulian

Virginia: “Virginia Gov. McAuliffe, Observing Self-Imposed Limit, Donates Gifts over $100” by Laura Vozzella for Washington Post

Lobbying

Indiana: “House Education Chair Robert Behning Backs Off Lobbying Plan” by Tom LoBianco for Indianapolis Star

Kentucky: “Record $18M Spent Lobbying Legislature” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

Tennessee: “Lobbyists Spent Record Amount of $725K Last Year on ‘Wining and Dining’ Events” by The Associated Press for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Vermont: “Should Lobbyists Be Required to Wear Nametags at Vt. Statehouse?” by Kyle Midura for WCAX

Campaign Finance

“The Rise of ‘Scam PACs’” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico

New York: “Legalized Bribery” by Zephyr Teachout for New York Times

New York: “Developer Who Keeps Low Profile Is Embroiled in Silver Scandal” by Charles Bagli for New York Times

Ethics

Massachusetts: “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished” by Jack Sullivan for CommonWealth Magazine

Elections

“Romney’s Consideration of Candidacy Is Closely Tied to His Faith, Allies Say” by Ashley Parker and Alex Thompson for New York Times

Lobbying

“K Street: We’re not the ‘boogeyman’” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

“Out of Jack Abramoff’s Ashes” by Anna Palmer for Politico

Missouri: “Ethics Bill Gets Early Hearing as Senate Leader Pushes Changes in Lobbying Rules” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune

Rhode Island: “Mollis’ Former Attorney Ordered by R.I. Superior Court Judge to Pay $18,000 Fine” by Jennifer Bogdon for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“How Public Funding of Elections Makes Politics Even More Polarized” by John Sides for Washington Post

Ethics

Florida: “Inquiry Sought After Former Commissioner Accuses Gov. Rick Scott of Meddling” by Lizette Alvarez for New York Times

New York City, NY: “Ethics Probe Targets City Council Speaker, Consultant” by Chris Bragg for Crain’s New York Business

New York: “Silver’s Case May Have Vast Impact and Alter Entrenched Way of Governance” by Michael Grynbaum and Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Lobbying

“K Street’s Small Shops Are Winning Big” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Arizona: “Lawmaker Wants Lobbyists’ Compensation to Be Public Information” by Kristena Hansen for KJZZ

Illinois: “Fioretti Wants to Rein in Lobbyists for Ethics Reform” by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times

Texas: “Companies Tied to Patrick’s Advisers Lobby Heavily” by Morgan Smith, Becca Aaronson, and Jolie McCullough for Texas Tribune

Campaign Finance

California: “Long Beach City Council Approves Increasing Caps for Officeholder Accounts” by Eric Bradley for Long Beach Press-Telegram

California: “Billboard Firm to Put Up Signs Backing Six L.A. Council Candidates” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

Ethics

Kansas: “Senate Panel Takes Up Election Bills Vetoed by Brownback” by Tim Carpenter for Topeka Capital Journal

Pennsylvania: “Wolf Bans Gifts for Executive Branch First Day as PA Governor” by Andrew Staub (PA Independent) for Watchdog.org

South Carolina: “Independent Investigation of SC Lawmakers Heads to House, Senate Floors” by Cassie Cope and Andrew Shain for The State

Virginia: “Judicial Appointment for Puckett’s Daughter Clears Va. Legislature” by Laura Vozzella and Jenna Portnoy for Washington Post