National:

Outside Groups Playing Bigger Role in 2015 State Elections
Center for Public Integrity – Liz Essley Whyte and Ashley Balcerzak | Published: 10/1/2015

Independent groups are playing a much larger role in state elections than a year ago, shows a Center for Public Integrity analysis of television advertising data. Though this year’s races are often drowned out by the hyperbole surrounding the 2016 presidential candidates, the growing role of independent political groups in state races tells a broader tale of their influence up and down the ballot, from governors’ races to state senate elections. With outside organizations playing a larger role in state elections, voters may not know who is behind the most vitriolic ads they see. Some of the groups do not have to disclose their donors, and some use alternate names that obscure their identities.

When Lobbyists Collide
Politico – James Panichi | Published: 9/25/2015

There is the perception that European lobbyists are as subtle and sophisticated as their American counterparts are brash and willing to step on toes to achieve their goals. But some experts say any real differences in the approaches are overstated and often easily overcome. What has long been billed as a clash of civilizations may simply be the result of smart professional adapting to different institutional ecosystems.

Federal:

Big Donors Seek Larger Roles in Presidential Campaigns
New York Times – Ashley Parker | Published: 9/29/2015

In an election cycle that is already on track to break spending records, and with few limits on contributions to super PACs and other outside groups, wealthy donors have never been more important. No longer satisfied with sitting on the sidelines and writing big checks, many of them are eager to play larger roles in the campaigns. They expect their views to be heard quickly and their concerns taken seriously, sometimes creating headaches and potential awkwardness for the campaigns and super PACs, which must tend to the contributors and their seemingly endless suggestions and questions.

FEC Employees: A bedraggled lot
Center for Public Integrity – Dave Levinthal | Published: 9/28/2015

A survey showed FEC employees, a generally unhappy lot for years, are even more unsatisfied with their jobs than before. The Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey’s satisfaction index places the agency near the bottom of 41 small agencies ranked. Three rank-and-file FEC employees interviewed told a similar story about agency morale: that it is bad and getting worse. The staffers’ primary complaint is that FEC employees often do not feel as if their work is valued by agency leaders, if it is acknowledged at all. Just 32 percent of employees responding to the survey said they were satisfied with the agency as an organization. Even fewer, 30 percent, said they would recommend people work there. The FEC fared marginally better in terms of employee pay satisfaction and personal job satisfaction.

House Speaker John Boehner to Resign at End of October
Washington Post – Mike DeBonis and Paul Kane | Published: 9/25/2015

House Speaker John Boehner will resign from Congress at the end of October. He has struggled from almost the moment he took the speaker’s gavel in 2011 to manage the challenges of divided government and to hold together his fractious and increasingly conservative Republican members. Most recently, Boehner was trying to craft a solution to keep the government open through the rest of the year, but was under pressure from a growing base of conservatives who told him that they would not vote for a bill that did not defund Planned Parenthood. Several of those members were on a path to remove Boehner as speaker, though their ability to do so was far from certain.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Gun Discounts for LAPD Unit May Have Violated Ethics Rules
Los Angeles Times – Kate Mather | Published: 9/25/2015

Los Angeles police officers in a unit that evaluated Smith & Wesson handguns for a new department contract used their relationship with the company to privately purchase discounted pistols for members of the unit, a possible violation of city ethics rules. Although the unit’s officers were allowed to purchase various pistol models and calibers, the report found that the average discount for Smith & Wesson M&P 9-millimeter handguns was about $125 to $130 off the already reduced price of $455 usually offered to law enforcement officers. Ethics rules prohibit city employees from trying “to create or attempt to create a private advantage or disadvantage, financial or otherwise, for any person.” In addition, employees who are required to file statements of economic interest are not allowed to solicit gifts or accept gifts of more than $100 from a “restricted source.”

Indiana – Indiana Rep. Jud McMillin Resigns after Sex Video Emerges
USA Today – Tony Cook and Chelsea Schneider (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 9/30/2015

House Majority Leader Jud McMillin abruptly resigned after a sexually explicit video was sent via text message from his cellphone. It is unclear who sent the text or how broadly it was distributed. McMillin had texted multiple people stating that his cellphone had been stolen and apologizing for messages they may have received from his number. It is the second sex-related scandal to rock the Indiana House this year. Rep. Justin Moed apologized earlier this year after a website exposed his sexting activities with Sydney Leathers, the woman at the center of the Anthony Weiner scandal.

Iowa – Judge Upholds Iowa Rule on Corporate Spending in Campaigns
Quad City Times; Associated Press –   | Published: 9/29/2015

U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pratt upheld an Iowa law that requires the boards of corporations and labor unions to approve any money they spend to influence elections. Pratt ruled the requirement does not violate the right to free association or illegally restrain speech. He said it ensures the integrity of the political system by letting the public know the spending is backed by the group and not “just an individual with access” to its bank account.

Massachusetts – Massachusetts Public Official Financial Records Obscured by State Law
MassLive – Dan Glaun | Published: 9/25/2015

While Massachusetts lawmakers, state officials, and other policy-makers are required to report the details of their property and financial holdings each year, the public does not have ready access to those disclosures. The state’s ethics law includes a quirk that can deter access to what are records designed to inform the public: all requests must be accompanied by personal identification and are forwarded to the official whose finances are being inspected. In practice, this means sending the State Ethics Commission individual forms for each statement, along with a copy of the requester’s license. It also means no online access to the statements, and no access whatsoever for residents unwilling to alert their representatives to their curiosity into those officials’ personal finances.

Michigan – Are State Lawmakers Running on Your Dime? Courser, Gamrat Staffs Weren’t the Only Ones Blurring That Line
MLive – Emily Lawler | Published: 9/29/2015

State law, supervisors, and Michigan House rules ask staffers to walk a fine line between official and political business. But it is a line that sometimes blurs. It is not unusual for staff members to serve an official, state-paid role while doing campaign work like knocking doors after hours, or clocking out for a few minutes to do a political task during normal House business hours, according to interviews with former employees. There are also House staffers who run substantial side businesses, collecting a state salary but doing thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of political business.

New Jersey – Tangled Web Surrounds United’s Aborted Atlantic City Routes
New York Times; Associated Press –   | Published: 9/27/2015

Desperate to draw visitors to Atlantic City, New Jersey officials gave United Airlines more than $100,000 in incentives to fly to the seaside resort for at least a year. Then, when United abruptly canceled the money-losing routes eight months later, the officials appointed by Gov. Chris Christie decided not to enforce a contract provision that required the airline to repay the money. The Atlantic City flights and the debt forgiveness are just two elements of the tangled relationships between the Christie administration, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and United Airlines – New Jersey’s eighth-largest employer. For instance, it was a public agency headed by Christie’s Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox, a former United lobbyist, that forgave the airline’s debt.

New York – Power in Money: When is lobbying in N.Y. not lobbying?
Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin – Joseph Spector | Published: 9/27/2015

As lobbying spending in New York increased from $144 million in 2005 to $226 million in 2015, so too has the sophistication of the campaigns. No longer is the key to success solely hiring a lobbying firm to stroll the hallways trying to drum up votes. It requires a broad media strategy to win over lawmakers in their districts and in Albany. A review of records shows public-relations firms have collected more than $3 million since 2010 from political campaigns and then worked on efforts to promote key issues before the Legislature through coordinated lobbying efforts. PR firms that can offer a cache of services to public officials and private companies are the new frontier, and state laws have yet to keep up.

New York – U.S. Investigating Contract Awards in Buffalo Turnaround Project
New York Times – Susanne Craig, William Rashbaum, and Thomas Kaplan | Published: 9/27/2015

Federal investigators subpoenaed the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute and Empire State Development in a probe of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s program to revitalize Buffalo’s economy. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara’s office has been examining how the government-funded projects were awarded, and whether state elected officials played a role in choosing who would benefit from the major infusion of funds. SUNY Polytechnic Institute has played a central role in administering the governor’s effort and Empire State Development, the state’s economic development agency, is providing funding for the program.

North Carolina – NC Primaries Officially on March 15 with Signing

Raleigh News & Observer – Gary Robertson (Associated Press) | Published: 9/30/2015

North Carolina will hold its primary elections on March 15 next year under a bill signed into law by Gov. Pat McCrory. The new law allows state House and Senate caucuses to create “affiliated party committees” that can raise money to support legislative candidates without going through the state party operations. Supplemental legislation approved by lawmakers makes clear the caucus committees could only spend money to support House or Senate candidates, depending on the group. The measure also allows the creation of similar affiliated committees jointly held by members of the Council of State from the same party. Council members include the governor, lieutenant governor, and other statewide elected officials. None of the groups could raise money from lobbyists during the legislative sessions.

South Carolina – Capitol Gains: SC politicians use office to pad pockets
Center for Public Integrity – Tony Bartelme and Rachel Baye | Published: 9/25/2015

An investigation found South Carolina lawmakers and candidates used campaign accounts, reimbursements from state government, and gifts from special interests to pay for car repairs, football tickets, male-enhancement pills, and other questionable items. The inner workings of this cash network typically remain hidden unless prosecutors subpoena questionable receipts and other evidence locked away from public view, as happened in the case of former House Speaker Bobby Harrell. His conviction for misusing campaign money to pay for his private plane left many in the capital wondering whether other lawmakers would be charged. At least one active criminal investigation is underway, and a handful of legislators have been mentioned in a State Law Enforcement Division report.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Lobbyist Contributions Helped GOP Win House In 2014” by Sandra Fish (New Mexico in Depth) for KRWG

Texas: “Building Professionals Distraught Over Proposed City Lobbying Changes” by Jack Craver for Austin Monitor

Campaign Finance

New York: “Carly Fiorina’s ‘Super PAC’ Aids Her Campaign, in Plain Sight” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times

Iowa: “Judge Upholds Iowa Rule on Corporate Spending in Campaigns” by Quad City Times; Associated Press

Ethics

New York: “Some Counts Dismissed in Indictment of Robert Menendez” by Alexander Burns for New York Times

California “California Lawmaker Turns ‘Juice’ into Campaign Cash” by Laurel Rosenhall (CALmatters) for San Francisco Chronicle

Connecticut: “Treasurer’s Soliciting Donations from Contractors Questioned” by Jon Lender for Hartford Courant

Indiana: “Indiana Rep. Jud McMillin Resigns after Sex Video Emerges” by Tony Cook and Chelsea Schneider (Indianapolis Star) for USA Today

Michigan: “Ex-Cop Gets Almost 5 Years in Prison in Pension Scandal” by Robert Snell for Detroit News

Minnesota: “State Grants for Bus Firms Raise Conflict-of-Interest Questions for MnDOT Commissioner” by Ricardo Lopez for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Campaign Finance

“Hillary Clinton Reaches Deal with Democratic Party on Fundraising” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

California: “L.A. Wants More Details about Business Groups That Donate to City Campaigns” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Connecticut: “GOP Strategist George Gallo Sentenced To Year in Prison in Political Kickback Scheme” by Edmund Mahoney for Hartford Courant

Ethics

“Ethics Battle Still Brewing Over Azerbaijan Travel” by Hannah Hess for Roll Call

Arizona: “Top Arizona Utility Regulator Faces Conflict Complaints” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

Colorado: “Denver Ethics Board Floats Reforms Aimed at Boosting Public Confidence” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Pennsylvania: “Bethlehem Mayor Issues Policy That Bans Gifts” by Nicole Radzievich for Allentown Morning Call

Procurement

“Business Leaders Mount Effort to Beat Back Contractor ‘Blacklisting’ Rule” by Lydia Wheeler for The Hill

Elections

“Since President Obama Took Office, 85 of 98 State Legislative Bodies Got More Republican” by Philip Bump for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

“Meet the Liberals Who Love Trump” by Ben Wofford for Politico

New York: “State Elections Watchdog Files Lawsuit against ‘LLC Loophole’” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Ethics

“Prosecutors Rebuke Menendez Over Request to Dismiss His Corruption Case” by Alexander Burns for New York Times

“The Net Worth of Presidential Candidates” by Thomas Frohlich, Michael Sauter, and Sam Stebbins (24/7 Wall St.) for USA Today

Missouri: “Missouri Lags behind Neighbors on Ethics Laws” by John Swedien for Springfield News-Leader

New York: “Reform Groups Have High Hopes for Ethics Review Panel” by Karen DeWitt for WXXI

Ohio: “Cleveland Councilman Joe Cimperman under Ethics Investigation Related to Contracts with Wife’s Employer” by Leila Atassi (Northeast Ohio Media Group) for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Virginia: “Legislators’ Names Appear in Hacked Ashley Madison Data” by Markus Schmidt and John Ramsey for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Elections

“Maybe This Time Really Is Different” by Norm Ornstein for The Atlantic

Lobbying

“After Allegations That It Lobbied with Federal Money to Block Competition, Lockheed Martin Agrees to Pay Almost $5 Million” by Lisa Rein for Washington Post

“Would More Lobbying Improve America?” by Kevin Hartnett for Politico

Kansas: “Transparency Group: Kansas earns a ‘C’ on lobbying disclosure laws” by Jonathan Shorman for Topeka Capital-Journal

Missouri: “Aide, Not Local Lawmaker, Near the Top in Lobbyist Gifts in Springfield Area” by John Swedien for Springfield News-Leader

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Secretary of State Reagan Challenges Clean Elections Commission” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Verde Independent

Maine: “Group Turns over Donor List from Gay Marriage Fight in Maine” by David Sharp (Associated Press) for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Sources: D.A. Seth Williams’ spending under federal probe” by Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Inquirer

Tennessee: “Lawmakers Spent 30K of Campaign Funds on Pro Sports Tickets” by Dave Boucher for The Tennessean

Ethics

California: “Compton Officials Deny Improperly Inflating Pay; D.A. Investigation Ongoing” by Marisa Gerber and Angel Jennings for Los Angeles Times

Oregon: “Mystery Money: Oregon lets officials keep income details in shadows” by Denis Theriault for Portland Oregonian

Campaign Finance

“Federal Election Commission Refuses to Release Computer Security Study” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

North Carolina: “Deeper Probe of NC Video Sweepstakes Money Sought” by Craig Jarvis and Anne Blythe for Raleigh News & Observer

Pennsylvania: “Allentown Council to Consider Banning Pay-to-Play, Members Say” by Lynn Olanoff for Lehighvalleylive.com

Ethics

California: “Faulconer Makes Ethics Picks” by Greg Moran for San Diego Union-Tribune

Illinois: “Ex-Redflex Exec Pleads Guilty to Helping Orchestrate $2M Bribery Scheme” by Jason Meisner and David Kidwell for Chicago Tribune

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Sen. Rick Brinkley Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges after Stealing More than $1.8M from BBB” by Nolan Clay and Rick Green for The Oklahoman

Virginia: “Maureen McDonnell to Appeals Court: You can clear me and not my husband” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Virginia: “Court of Appeals Won’t let McDonnell Stay out of Prison While Pursuing Supreme Court Challenge” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Elections

“Drug Costs Dislodge Obamacare as GOP Voters’ Top Health Care Concern” by Brett Norman for Politico

“What the ‘Deez Nuts’ Candidacy Says about the State of US Democracy” by Sara Aridi for Christian Science Monitor

Lobbying

California: “Lobbying Ordinance to Be Reviewed by Next Board of Supervisors” by Wes Bowers for Stockton Record

Florida: “Donald Trump Gets $23,000 Refund from Miami-Dade County” by Douglas Hanks (Associated Press) for Bradenton Herald

New York: “Albany Med VP Walks Ethics Tightrope as Former Cuomo Official” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

“Hillary Clinton 2016: Campaign wants donors to pay for their own food, parking” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico

“Legacy Bush Donors Account for Half of Jeb Bush’s Donations” by Julie Bykowicz (Associated Press) for Seattle Post-Intelligencer

“Meet the Presidential Hopeful Who’d Quit after Signing a Single Law” by Tim Dickinson for Rolling Stone

Ethics

Georgia: “Ex-DeKalb Commissioner’s Husband Gets Prison Time for Stealing County Money” by The Staff for Atlanta Business Chronicle

Iowa: “Ex-DHS Consultant Helped Company Win State Medicaid Job” by Jason Clayworth for Des Moines Register

Redistricting

Florida: “Florida Prison Problem Complicates Redistricting” by Jeremy Wallace for Bradenton Herald

Lobbying

California: “$240 Million Education Contract Illustrates State Lobbying Loopholes” by Marisa Lagos for KQED

California: “Local Governments Spend Big to Influence Sacramento” by John Myers for KQED

New York: “Former Top Albany Lobbying Firm in Process of Being Acquired by PR Agency” by Marie French for Albany Business Review

Campaign Finance

“Era of Upheaval Continues as New Legal Challenge Emerges to Federal Campaign Finance” by Jeff Brindle for PolitickerNJ

California: “Good Luck Trying to Figure out California’s Campaign Finance Data” by Joyce Terhaar for Sacramento Bee

Ohio: “Where’s the Line between Donations and Bribes?” by Jessie Balmert for Cincinnati Enquirer

Oklahoma: “Sen. Rick Brinkley to Forfeit Campaign Fund Balance, Ending Ethics Commission Probe” by Barbara Hoberock for Tulsa World

Ethics

Indiana: “BMV Replaces CFO after Patronage Questions” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

Lobbying

California: “Bill Looks to Put State Lobbying Laws on Par With Local Rules” by Guy Marzorati and Marissa Lagos for KQED

Hawaii: “Maui County Plans to Post List of Lobbyists Online” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Pennsylvania: “Lobbyist Spending in Harrisburg Trending Upward” by Chris Potter for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Campaign Finance

“Facing Money Gap, Hillary Clinton Slowly Warms to ‘Super PAC’ Gifts” by Amy Chozik and Eric Lichtblau for New York Times

“Campaign Finance Reform PAC Wants to Be a Player in 2016” by Simone Pathe for Roll Call

Colorado: “Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, Colorado Campaign for Life lose Colorado Ethics Watch Lawsuit” by Marianne Goodland for Colorado Independent

Oklahoma: “Ethics Commission Votes to Suspend Rules after Lawsuit” by The Associated Press for Albany Times Union

Ethics

Indiana: “Waivers from State Ethics Laws on the Decline” by Chelsea Schneider for Indianapolis Star

Missouri: “Missouri House Is Developing New Intern Rules to Prevent Sexual Harassment” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Lobbying

“How Transparent Is Your State’s Lobbying Disclosure?” by Jonah Hahn for The Sunlight Foundation

Florida: “Trump, Gimenez Let Off Easy after Breaking Lobbying Law, Critics Say” by Francisco Alvarado for FloridaBulldog.org

Rhode Island: “Secretary of State Seeks Overhaul of RI Lobbying Statutes” by Jennifer McDermott for The Associated Press

Campaign Finance

“Federal Election Commission Finally Names Top Lawyer – Sort Of” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

“Donors Descend on Schumer and Others in Debate on Iran” by Jonathan Weisman and Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Florida: “As Miami Beach PAC Raises Nearly $1.4 Million, Ethics Commission Investigates” by Joey Flechas for Miami Herald

Pennsylvania: “Lehigh County Eyes Pay-to-Play Legislation” by Tom Shortell for Allentown Morning Call

Procurement

Indiana: “BMV Contractor Puts 2 Employees on Administrative Leave” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

South Carolina: “SCDOT Rule Requires 1-Year Wait for Employees Hired by Firms” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

Elections

“It’s Not Just Trump: Voter anger fuels outsider candidates” by Philip Rucker for Washington Post

Ethics

Ohio: “Was Council Members’ Football Trip Worth More Than $250?” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“First on CNN: Ted Cruz to release the names of his bundlers” by Theodore Schleifer for CNN

“Jeb Bush Super PAC Donors Also Spend Big To Influence Washington” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post

Ohio: “State Rep. Ron Gerberry Resigns amid Investigation of Campaign Funds” by Jim Siegel for Columbus Dispatch

Oklahoma: “Democratic Party Sues Oklahoma Ethics Commission” by Rick Green for The Oklahoman

Ethics

“Will Common Cause Still Be Georgia’s Watchdog?” by Max Blau for Atlanta Magazine

Illinois: “Illinois’ Corrupt Women” by Maureen Foertsch McKinney for WUIS

Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Top Prosecutor Says Charges Tied to Porn Emails” by Peter Jackson (Associated Press) for Philadelphia Inquirer

Elections

“‘Little House on the Prairie’ Actress Melissa Gilbert Just Became Another Celebrity Turned Politician” by Lindsey Bever for Washington Post

“Hillary Clinton Agrees to Provide Private E-mail Server to FBI” by Carol Leonnig, Tom Hamburger, and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

Maine: “Maine Court: 65 bills are law after LePage misses deadline” by Alanna Durkin (Associated Press) for Lexington Herald-Leader

Lobbying

Missouri: “MEC Dismisses Complaint against Redmon” by Travis Zimpfer for Missouri Times

Ohio: “Mills Stepping Off City Council, Ballot Amid Ethics Questions” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“Lawrence Lessig Wants to Run for President – in a Most Unconventional Way” by Philip Rucker for Washington Post

California: “Watchdog Issues Campaign Fines in Los Angeles Mayor’s Race” by Juliet Williams (Associated Press) for Miami Herald

Ethics

Connecticut: “Ganim Pushes Anti-Corruption Reforms” by Brian Lockhart for Connecticut Post

New York: “Halfmoon Ex-Supervisor Melinda Wormuth Admits to Corruption Charges” by Brendan Lyons for Albany Times Union

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Lawmaker Resigns amid Embezzlement Investigation” by Tim Talley (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

Virginia: “Federal Appeals Court Turns Down Former Va. Governor McDonnell, Again” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Elections

“Rick Perry’s Campaign Details a Path Forward despite Money Woes” by Philip Rucker for Washington Post

Lobbying

California: “Anaheim Councilwoman Criticized for Trip with Disneyland Lobbyist” by Adam Elmahrek for Voice of OC

Campaign Finance

“New Challenge Filed to Party ‘Soft-Money’ Limits” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

Alabama: “Federal Court Upholds Alabama PAC-to-PAC Transfer Ban Law” by Shaun Zinck for Legal Newsline

Montana: “Campaign Finance Rules Released, Upcoming Public Hearings” by Alexander Deedy for Helena Independent Record

Ethics

Pennsylvania: “Corruption Accusations Paint Troubling Picture of Politics in Philadelphia Region” by Jonathan Tamari and Chris Palmer for Philadelphia Inquirer

Michigan: “Recordings: State rep asked aide to hide relationship” by Chad Livengood for MLive.com

South Carolina: “S.C. Statehouse Corruption Probe Continues, but Where Will it Lead?” by Schuyler Kropf for Charleston Post and Courier

Texas: “Texas Watchdog Group Calls another Political Titan to Account” by Manny Fernandez for New York Times

Elections

Arkansas: “Arkansas Attorney General Approves Wording of Term Limits Amendment” by The Associated Press for Arkansas Business

Procurement

Mississippi: “Gov. Bryant Orders Contracting Reform” by Geoff Pender for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Lobbying

“Bennet, Franken Introduce Lobbying Reform Bill – CWA Goes after Planned Parenthood Consultant – New Dems Break Fundraising Record” by Tarini Parti for Politico

Ohio: “Redflex-Funded Groups Helped Columbus Lobby for Cameras” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“IRS Mismanaged Tea Party Groups, Senate Report Finds” by Bernie Becker for The Hill

Minnesota: “Mark Dayton Drew Big Inaugural Checks after Election” by Brian Bakst (Associated Press) for St. Paul Pioneer Press

Ethics

Georgia: “Investigator: Corruption in DeKalb County ‘stunning’” by Dave Williams for Atlanta Business Chronicle

Indiana: “Pence Cancels BMV Contract, Asks for Ethics Investigation” by Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star

Oregon: “Cylvia Hayes Must Turn Over Emails to Judge for Review, Release” by Nick Budnick and Laura Gunderson for Portland Oregonian

Pennsylvania: “Montco DA Charges Attorney General Kane” by Craig McCoy, Angela Couloumbis, and Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

West Virginia: “Law Restricts WV Elected Officials’ Self-Promotion Using Taxpayer Money” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette