June 29, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 29, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
After Winning Right to Spend, Political Groups Fight for Secrecy
Court Upholds Ban on Corporate Political Contributions
GOP Lawsuit Challenges Campaign Contribution Caps
From the States and Municipalities:
California: Cudahy Arrests Add Salt to L.A. County Area’s Civic Wounds
Connecticut: Malloy, Legislature Make Last Stab at Campaign Reform
Florida: Tom Lee Wants Back in the Senate, to the Chagrin of Some Lobbyists
Illinois: U of I Professor Relents, Will Take Ethics Training Developed by ‘Unwise Rulers to Annoy Us’
Montana: Supreme Court Reaffirms Citizens United, Tosses Montana Corporate Spending Ban
Nebraska: Special Interests Spent $14 Million to Influence State Government
New York: Supreme Court Declines to Hear NY Campaign Finance Case
South Carolina: State Ethics Law Has Disclosure Gaps
Vermont: Federal Judge Dismisses Vermont Campaign Finance Challenge
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
June 22, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 22, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Critics: Lobbying ethics rules go too far
Nonprofits Outspent Super PACs in 2010, Trend May Continue
Supreme Court Rules against Union on Nonmember Fees for Politics
From the States and Municipalities:
Connecticut
Malloy Vetoes Campaign Finance Bill
Connecticut
Probes Cast Shadow in Congressional Race
District of Columbia
District’s Political Corruption Has Deep Roots
Illinois
Illinois House Expulsion in 1905 Laid Groundwork for 2012 Smith Case
Montana
Montana AG Asks Federal Judge to Uphold Campaign Contribution Limits
New Jersey
N.J. Governor Candidates Can Receive More Money from Donors, Public Financing under New Guidelines
Ohio
Ex-Rep. Weddington Gets Three Years for Bribery
Wyoming
Wyoming Lawsuit Challenges FEC Regulations
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
June 15, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 15, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
FEC: Campaigns can raise money via text message
Howard Marlowe, Lobbyist Defender
K Street: ‘Let’s meet’; Hill staffers: ‘text me’
From the States and Municipalities:
Alaska
APOC Weighs in on Campaign Finance Question
Connecticut
ACLU, Businesses Oppose Campaign Financing Reporting Bill
Georgia
Former Director, Assistant File Lawsuits against Ethics Commission
New York
Lobbyists Directed Contributions
New York
Unexpected Stand against Disclosure
Pennsylvania
GOP Will Discuss Skinhead Winner
South Carolina
Rep. Jim Merrill Faces Ethics Questions over Work with Realtors
Texas
Constitution’s ‘Supreme Being’ Clause Targeted Again
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
June 8, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 8, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Poll: Sharp increase in partisan divides among Americans
Federal:
Lobbyists Ask Congress for a Mandate on Ethics
From the States and Municipalities:
Arkansas
Democratic, Republican Leaders Back Ethics Initiative
California
State’s Top 100 Political Donors Contribute $1.25 Billion
Delaware
Delaware Lawmakers Approve Campaign Finance Revisions
District of Columbia
D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown Resigns after He Is Charged with Bank Fraud
Florida
Research Group Says Florida Has Most Corrupt Officials
Georgia
Georgia Lawmakers Back Lobbying Cap but Ignored Bill
North Carolina
Legislators, Lobbyists Mix Business with Pleasure
North Carolina
State Ethics Panel to Investigate Lobbyists Tied to Tillis Aides
South Carolina
Gov. Nikki Haley Ethics Inquiry Could Have Major Statehouse Implications
Wisconsin
Walker Survives Wisconsin Recall Vote
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
June 1, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 1, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
$55 Million for Conservative Campaigns – but Where Did It Come From?
Most Americans Think Campaign Money Aids Rich
Federal:
Acquittal, Mistrial in Edwards Case
Chamber Says It Will Evade Disclosure Ruling by Tweaking Ads
K Street Not Thrilled with Tampa
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Alabama Legislature: Teachers can receive gifts of $25 or less
California
Senators Vote to Give up Free Tickets to Games, Concerts
Delaware
Lobbying Reform Bill Met with Debate
Florida
Florida Candidate Legally Changes Name to Web Address
Georgia
Senate Leader Balfour Piles Up Freebies
Illinois
Quinn Gets Bill to Relax Some Campaign Contribution Limits
Massachusetts
Wary of Fan Anger, Athletes Largely Avoid Political Fray
Ohio
Campaign Donor Limits Scrutinized
West Virginia
Political Groups Test Campaign Laws Ahead of High-Profile W.Va. General Election Races
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
May 25, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – May 25, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Study Shows Isolation May Lead to Corrupt State Capitals
Federal:
Researchers Dig Deeper for Dirt on Political Opposition
Study: Congressional speaking levels move back a grade
From the States and Municipalities:
Florida
Appeals Court Upholds Florida’s ‘Electioneering’ Law
Georgia
Republicans Will Vote on Ethics Reform in July
Illinois
Fitzgerald Stepping Down as U.S. Attorney in Chicago
Kentucky
Gov. Steve Beshear’s Backers Given Help on Kentucky Derby Tickets
New York
New NY Rules May ID Donors to Group Backing Cuomo
North Carolina
Federal Judge Strikes Down NC Rescue Funds for Public Financing for Appellate Court Candidates
North Carolina
N.C. House Speaker’s Staffers Receive Month of Pay after Resignations
Pennsylvania
Amid Charges, Critics Call for Justice Joan Orie Melvin’s Resignation
Pennsylvania
Capitol Rallies Not Persuasive, Pennsylvania Lawmakers Say
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
May 18, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – May 18, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
ALEC Memo Instructed Members to ‘Navigate Away’ from Tough Questions
Protesters Disrupt WellPoint Annual Meeting
Federal:
Court Ruling May Force Advocacy Groups to Disclose Secret Donors
Ex-Lawmakers on K Street Avoid ‘Scarlet L,’ Shy Away from Registering as Lobbyists
Gay Political Donors Move from Margins to Mainstream
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
State Legislator Arrested in FBI Sting
Kentucky
City Paid Louisville Metro Councilwoman’s Grandson While Jailed
Missouri
Rush Limbaugh Inducted into Hall of Famous Missourians
Missouri
Spence Criticized for Handing Out Sports Tickets to Lawmakers
Montana
Judge Strikes Down More Election Laws
New York
Business Lobby Supporting Cuomo Files Late Data
New York
Study: Matching funds up donor diversity in NYC
Tennessee
Tennessee Legislative Event Costs Totaled
Wisconsin
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
May 11, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – May 11, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Crop of College Super PACs Answer Call of Stephen Colbert
Federal:
Super PAC Supporting Romney Rethinks Donations from Federal Contractors
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Bond Firms’ Campaign Gifts Linked to Sales Pacts
Connecticut
Legislature Splits with Malloy over Campaign Bill
Florida
Palm Beach County’s Lobbying ‘Cone of Silence’ Questioned
Georgia
Despite Gift Ban, State Leaders Taking Them
Michigan
SEC Says Kilpatrick Extracted Lavish Gifts
Nevada
Political Favors ‘Just the Way You Do Business Here,’ Lobbyists Say
New Jersey
N.J. Senate Minority Leader Introduces Bill to Expand ‘Pay-to-Play’ to Labor Unions
North Carolina
Democrats Ask for Ethics Review of Tillis’ Office
Oklahoma
FBI Behind Illegal Contributions to Oklahoma Lawmakers
West Virginia
Unpopular Obama: Texas prison inmate gets four in 10 votes in Democratic primary in West Virginia
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
May 4, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – May 4, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Crowd-Sourcing Site Aims to Give Voters Lobbying Power
Federal:
Conservative Group Seeks FEC Approval to Keep Donors Secret
Obama Campaign Puts Bo on the Trail
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Lawmakers Mix Work with Fundraising in Sacramento
Illinois
Mayor’s Ethics Panel Offers Tweaks, Plans to Take Bigger Steps
Kentucky
Audit: Richie Farmer abused system
Maine
Lawmakers Decry Corruption Claim
Maryland
Legislation Would Give State Voters More Political Gift Information
Montana
Groups Ask That Montana Judge Toss Ban Restricting Campaign Donations
North Carolina
Second Tillis Staffer Admits to Inappropriate Relationship with a Lobbyist
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Ethics Panel Reprimands OU Doctor for Accepting Excessive Speaking Fees
Texas
Austin Approves New Campaign Finance Rules
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
April 27, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – April 27, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Conservative Nonprofit Acts as a Stealth Business Lobbyist
Social Media Directors Increasing in Government
Federal:
‘We the People’ Petition Site the Newest Tool in K Street Lobbying Repertoire
Who Pays When The President Travels for The Campaign?
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
California
AT&T Wields Enormous Power in Sacramento
California
California Ethics Czar Urges Disclosure of Payments to Web Pundits
Louisiana
Cap on Legislative Wining and Dining Moves to $56
Minnesota
Debt-Laden Minnesota GOP Notified of Eviction
New York
Lobby Formed for Cuomo Blew Deadline
North Carolina
Charles Thomas, N.C. Speaker’s Top Aide, Linked to Lobbyist
North Dakota
North Dakota Bridles at Neighbor’s Capitol Insult
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Lawmaker Wins and Loses on the Same Day
South Carolina
ALEC Has Special Exemption in South Carolina’s Lobbying Law
West Virginia
Ethics Ruling Regarding House Speaker Raises Concerns
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
April 20, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – April 20, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
WellPoint Is Focus of Aggressive Effort to Force Political Spending Disclosures
Federal:
Federal Judge Rules for FEC in Contractor Donation Dispute
Mystery Donor Gives $10 Million to Crossroads GPS Group to Run Anti-Obama Ads
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Arizona
Arizona Senate Rejects New Bans on Meals, Donations
California
Corruption Can Leave Cities with Enormous Legal Bills
California
S.B. County Seeks to Bring in Political Watchdogs
Florida
Authorities Call for Tougher Campaign Finance Laws Following Rivera Probe
Illinois
Small Town Rocked by $30 Million Theft Case
New Jersey
How N.J. PACs Are Skirting the Law on ‘Pay-to-Play’
South Carolina
State Ethics Agency Pinched by Staff Shortage
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
April 13, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – April 13, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Democrats Give Special Interests a Role at Convention
Lobbyists Push Congress to Toughen Rules for Their Industry
White House Abandons Push for Federal Contractors to Disclose Political Giving
From the States and Municipalities:
Alaska
Commission Nominee Withdraws after Racism Accusation Revived
Arkansas
Ethics, Campaign Finance Reform Measure Inspired by Occupy Movement
California
L.A. County Supervisors Campaign for Funds in Lightly Contested Races
Georgia
Gifts Continue to Rain on Lawmakers
Indiana
Union Says Right-to-Work Law Violates Free Speech
Massachusetts
House May Pull PR, CEOs, Communications Specialists into Lobbying Definition
Michigan
Wayne Co. Ethics Rules Get Mixed Welcome
Missouri
Former Missouri Governor Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering
New Mexico
New Charges Filed against NM Town’s Mayor-Elect
Ohio
Josh Mandel, Ohio Treasurer, Sent Top Aide to Beginner’s Course
South Carolina
Ethics Commission Probes Haley’s Campaign Finances
Washington
Ex-Evergreen Instructor Who Owes $119,000 for Ethics Violations Has Disappeared
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
April 6, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – April 6, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Boycotts Hitting Group behind ‘Stand Your Ground’
GE, J&J among Firms to Give More Lobbying Detail
Federal:
As Women’s Issues Become More Prominent, Men Dominate Super PAC Funders
Campaign Donor Advertising Rule Invalidated by U.S. Judge
GAO: Lobbyist disclosure compliance ‘similar’ compared to prior years
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
Rep. Patterson to Keep Seat amid Ethics Inquiry
California
Campaign Treasurer Kinde Durkee Admits $7-Million Theft
California
Figure in Coliseum Corruption Case Is in ‘Jungles of Brazil’
Georgia
Lawmaker Returns $800 after Expenses Questioned
Illinois
Blagojevich’s Chief of Staff Gets 10 Days in Prison
Massachusetts
Timothy Cahill Indicted in Corruption Case
Mississippi
Political Stress Erupts at Capitol
New Jersey
Some of Christie’s Biggest Bills Match Model Legislation from D.C. Group Called ALEC
New York
State Ethics Board Won’t Disclose Record of Hiring Cuomo Aide
Wisconsin
Recall Elections Ordered for Walker, Kleefisch, 4 GOP Senators
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
March 30, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – March 30, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush Escorted from House Floor for Wearing Hoodie in Honor of Trayvon Martin
Payday Lender Political Donors Hidden in Corporate Names
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
After Bowl Scandal, Many Arizona Legislators Still Want Tickets to Baseball Opener
California
Medco Settles California Pension Fund Kickback Case
Delaware
Lobbying Disclosure Bill Shines Critical Sunlight on Lawmaking Process
District of Columbia
D.C. Ethics Law Overhaul Hampered by Hiring Difficulties, Enforcement Duties
Georgia
‘Revolving-Door’ Powers Politics
Hawaii
Judge Confirms Hawaii Can’t Limit Independent Expenditures
Illinois
Employee Gift Ban Recommendation Still Has Few Takers
Iowa
New Mexico
New York
Lobbyists Reaping $220 Million Bonanza
Utah
How Utah’s Capitol Marches to a Mormon Beat
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
