September 10, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 10, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Republicans Losing Election Law War as Campaign Ramps Up
Federal:
Parties Raise Record Cash after ‘Soft Money’ Ban
Politics and Truth: Uneasy partners, easy enemies
From the States and Municipalities:
California: Campaigns against Proposition 8 Fined $80,000 for Reporting Violations
District of Columbia: D.C. Corporate Donations Ban Won’t Be on November Ballot
Georgia: Oversight Weak on Expense System for Georgia Lawmakers
Massachusetts: Lobbyists Sue Galvin Over Disclosure Rule
Minnesota: Court Quashes Part of Minnesota’s Campaign Finance Law
Montana: Denny Rehberg, GOP Senate Candidate, Said Lobbyists Are ‘Solution,’ Government Is ‘Enemy’
New York: New York Ethics Inquiry Won’t Look at Speaker’s Actions
New York: NY Super PAC Disclosures May Miss 2012 Elections
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.
August 31, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 31, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Voters Still Tuned in to Traditional News Media, Poll Finds
Federal:
Four-Day Political Conventions Could Be a Thing of the Past
GOP Plank in 2012 Platform Wants to Leave Campaign Spending Alone
From the States and Municipalities:
California
California Lawmakers Say ‘No Gifts, Please’ But Accept Them Anyway
Colorado
Court Rules against Gessler in Campaign Change
District of Columbia
New D.C. Campaign Finance Reform Would Ban Lobbyist Bundling
Iowa
Trust Donation Rules Spelled Out
New York
Lawmaker-Lobby Guidelines Emerge
South Carolina
Former South Carolina Governor Confirms Engagement to Argentine Ex-Mistress
Texas
Court Blocks Texas Voter ID Law, Citing Racial Impact
Washington
Campaign Finance Watchdog: Churches can’t be intermediary for gay marriage referendum money
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.
August 24, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 24, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Skinny-Dipping in Israel Casts Unwanted Spotlight on Congressional Travel
Text ‘GIVE’ to Obama: President’s campaign launches cell phone donation drive
Twitter’s Role in the Upcoming Conventions
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Higher Lobbyist Fees Approved to Fix Campaign Finance Database
California
San Bernardino County: Contribution limits approved
Florida
Campaign Vendors Say Republican Congressman David Rivera Funded Democrat’s Failed Primary Bid
Illinois
Illinois House Expels Rep. Derrick Smith over Bribery Charge
Minnesota
Donor against Marriage Amendment Will Remain Unnamed
Missouri
Akin Says He’ll Stay in Senate Race, Heightening Tension within GOP
New Hampshire
Most Campaign Money Remains Hidden in New Hampshire
New York
Gifts End in $1.7 Million Deal
North Carolina
Despite Laws, NC Legislators Still Ask Lobbyists for Money
Oregon
Oregon Political Social Scene a Thing of the Past
Pennsylvania
Report Faults Ethics Board: Small staff and lack of authority cited
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.
August 17, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 17, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Nonpartisan Groups Defend Neutrality in Harsh Climate
Tea Party Evolves, Achieves State Policy Victories
Federal:
Ethics Watchdogs Planning to Crash Convention Parties
Rentals Mean Quick Cash during Conventions
U.S. Regulators Clear Hurdle for Political Text Message Donations
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Bill to Limit Gifts to California Lawmakers Dies a Quiet Death
Colorado
Judge Rejects Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler’s Changes
Delaware
Delaware Governor Signs Campaign Finance Reform, Transparency Bills
Georgia
Ralston to Propose Total Lobbyist Gift Ban
Georgia
Sen. Balfour Agrees to Fine, Will Make Restitution
Minnesota
Top State Court Rules Campaign Finance Laws Apply to Schools
Ohio
Statehouse Office Served Conservative Group in Linking Ohio Legislators, Corporate Lobbyists
Pennsylvania
Pa. Voter ID Law Gets Approval of State Judge
Texas
Capitol Visitors Have New Speedy Option
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.
August 10, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 10, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Jack Abramoff Urges Ethics Reform in NCSL Speech
Policing the Politicians; State Ethics Commissions Lack Muscle
Federal:
Is Your Neighbor a Democrat? A New App Can Tell You
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Judge Sentences Siegelman to 78 Months in Prison in Corruption Case
Arkansas
Arkansas State Police Set Policy for Troopers Working College Sports Events
District of Columbia
Petition to Vote on Banning Corporate Political Donations Fails
Florida
Judge Voids Florida Limit on Minors’ Campaign Giving
Missouri
Missouri Lawmakers Keep Reeling in Gifts from Lobbyists
Nebraska
Supreme Court Overturns Campaign Finance Law
New York
Board Accused of Shielding Donors
Ohio
Ohioans to Vote on Drawing Political Maps
South Carolina
Ethics Reform Effort Faces Uphill Fight in S.C.
Virginia
A Facebook Court Battle: Is ‘liking’ something protected free speech?
Washington
Public Disclosure Commission Keeps Working to Inform Voters
West Virginia
Federal Judge Blocks W.Va. Cap on PAC Contributions Pending Legal 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.
August 3, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 3, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Conservatives Work to Cull Moderate Republicans
Poll: Public doesn’t like lobbyists, OK with lobbying
Federal:
Conservative Group Challenges Red Line Dividing Candidates, Super-PACs
FEC Says It Will Enforce Nonprofit Disclosure Rules
Households Divided by Campaign Donations
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Two Former Lynwood Officials Guilty of Illegally Boosting Salaries
Georgia
Georgia Voters Back Limits on Lobbyist Spending
Iowa
Contributions Dodged Rules, Records Show
Kentucky
Kentucky Lawyer’s Threatened Sanction Rejected on Free-Speech Grounds
New Jersey
Trenton Residents Lobby for Creation of City Ethics Board
New York
Lobbyists to Disclose Donors Since July 1
North Carolina
New Lobbyist Rankings Reflect GOP Takeover of NC Legislature
Ohio
Jimmy Dimora Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison, ‘A Life Sentence,’ Lawyers Say
Utah
Utah Supreme Court Ruling Ends Ethics Initiative Bid
West Virginia
W.Va. Election Commission Votes to Defend Public Financing Plan
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 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.
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.
