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

Lobbying

“The Wealthiest Are Getting Wealthier, and Lobbying Has a Lot to Do with It” by Simone Pathe for PBS

“Poll Shows Wide Public Support for Lobbyist Disclosure” by Steve Terrell for Santa Fe New Mexican

Campaign Finance

“Supreme Court Is Divided Over Judges’ Fundraising” by Richard Wolf for USA Today

“The ‘Draft Elizabeth Warren’ Movement Is About to Get Help from New Campaign Finance Rules” by Emily Schultheis for National Journal

Ethics

“Phoenix Stalls on Overhaul of Ethics Rules” by Dustin Gardiner for Arizona Republic

“Jeb Bush Kept Key Roles in Florida Firm amid Signs of Trouble” by Tom Hamburger and Matea Gold for Washington Post

“Cuomo Plans Panel on Legislative Pay and Restricting Outside Income” by Susanne Craig for New York Times

“Spokane Updates its Ethics Code” by Nick Deshais for Spokane Spokesman-Review

Legislative Issues

“House Follows Senate, Bans Open Gun Display in Visitor Galleries” by Joel Connelly for Seattle Post-Intelligencer

“The Freshmen: New lawmakers experience highs, lows of serving in Legislature” by Laura Hancock for Casper Star-Tribune

Lobbying

“Some K Street Donors Slow to Commit to another Romney Bid” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

“Gifts to Va. Lawmakers down Last Year Following McDonnell Scandal” by Jenna Portnoy for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

“RNC Date Change Gives Dark Money More Room to Operate” by Jacob Fenton and Peter Olsen-Phillips for Sunlight Foundation

“Outside Donors, ‘Dark Money’ Influenced Ariz. Races” by Alia Beard Rau for Arizona Republic

“Can Connecticut’s Campaign Finance Reforms Be Saved?” by Mark Pazniokas for CT Mirror

“Jury Returns Split Verdict in Campaign Finance Case” by Hugh McQuaid for CTNewsJunkie.com

“With Ballot Question, Maine Group Aims to Bolster Struggling Public Financing Elections Law” by Alanna Durkin (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter

“At $37 Million and Counting, Mega-Donor Sinquefield Says He’s Not Going Anywhere” by Kevin McDermott and Virginia Young for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Changes Afoot to Tighten Campaign Finance Reporting Laws in Montana” by Mike Dennison for The Missoulian

Ethics

“Prosecutor: Perry veto forced an end to several cases” by Ross Ramsey and Reeve Hamilton for Texas Tribune

Campaign Finance

“Two PACs Fined over Disclosure Failures” by Anita Wadhwani for The Tennessean

Ethics

California: “Alfred Villalobos, Fixture in CalPERS Corruption Scandal, Apparently Commits Suicide” by Dale Kasler for Sacramento Bee

Florida: “Court Hears Case Challenging Constitutionality of Florida’s Blind Trust Law” by Mary Ellen Klas for Tampa Bay Times

Florida: “Hialeah Mayor Hit with Ethics Charges Related to Ponzi Schemer” by Jay Weaver for Miami Herald

Elections

California: “Online Announcements Replace Speeches in California Senate Race” by Sharon Bernstein for Reuters

Campaign Finance

Federal: “In 2014, Outside Groups Spent More Than the Candidates in Most Top Races” by Jamie Fuller for Washington Post

Federal: “Rating 2016 Candidates by Donors Busts Conventional Wisdom” by Chris Moody for CNN

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Elections Board Recommends Lawmakers Overhaul Campaign Finance Laws” by Todd Richmond for Greenfield Reporter

Lobbying

Hawaii: “Ex-Chief of Staff Negotiates Revolving Door as Lobbyist” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat

Washington: “Check, Please: Lawmaker would ban free meals for state officials” by Jordan Schrader for Bellingham Herald

Washington: “From State Job to Lobbying Gig? Officials Want ‘Cooling-Off’ Year First” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Ethics

California: “Ex-Schools Boss Sent to Prison” by Greg Moran for San Diego Union Tribune

Illinois: “Rauner Spends 1st Full Day as Governor on Ethics, Reversal of Quinn Actions” by Monique Garcia, Rick Pearson, and Ray Long for Chicago Tribune

South Carolina: “Ex-Sen. Ford Pleads Guilty Then Says ‘I Ain’t No … Crook’” by John Monk for The State

Virginia: “Ethics Issues Loom over General Assembly’s Start” by Patrick Wilson for The Virginian-Pilot

Lobbying

“New Rules Target House Witnesses” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

“Minnesota Sen. Tomassoni Takes Job with Group That Lobbies Legislature” by J. Patrick Coolican for Minneapolis Star Tribune

“W.Va. Ethics Commission to Hold Lobbyist Training Course” by The Associated Press for Charleston Gazette

Campaign Finance

“Campaign Finance Bill Seeks to Toughen Disclosure Rule” by Bill Salisbury for St. Paul Pioneer Press

“Ex-Missouri Lawmaker Fined $100,000 by Ethics Commission” by Marie French (Associated Press) for The Daily Journal

“Supreme Court Declines to Review VT Campaign Law” by David Gram (Associated Press) for Burlington Free Press

Ethics

“Mike Hubbard Wins 2nd Term as Ala. House Speaker” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

“Ethics Deadbeats: Debt collectors seek $500K in outstanding fines from Florida public servants” by Christina Veiga for Miami Herald

“HHSC Revamping Rules after Paying for Janek Aide’s MBA” by Terri Langford for Texas Tribune

“Legislators Push Deadline on Ethics Training” by Lee Davidson for Salt Lake Tribune

Lobbying

“L.A. Alliance for a New Economy Confirms Failure to Report Lobbying” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

“In Unusual Arrangement, W.Va. Party Chairmen Double as Lobbyists” by David Gutman for Charleston Gazette

Campaign Finance

“Brian Foley Gets 3 Months in Halfway House in Rowland Case” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror

“Illinois Inauguration Raises Questions of Corporate Influence” by Mark Guarino for Reuters

“Judge Blocks City Campaign Fundraising Rule” by Theodore Schleifer for Houston Chronicle

Ethics

“Christie Ethics Adviser’s Law Firm Does Work for Port Authority” by Matt Friedman for Newark Star Ledger

Elections

“How Campaigns Are Courting 16-Year-Olds” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico

“Vermont Governor Re-Elected After Failing to Win Majority” by David Gram (Associated Press) for ABC News

Legislative Issues

“G.O.P. Governors Face Test in Shift on Ideological Agendas” by Campbell Robertson and Trip Gabriel for New York Times

“Expenses Quietly Inflate S.C. Legislators’ Salaries” by Jamie Self for The State

Campaign Finance

“GOP 2016 Hopefuls Race to Cash In on Small Online Donors” by Scott Bland for National Journal

“Grand Jury Investigates Loans to the Re-Election Campaign of Gov. Sam Brownback” by Roxana Hegeman (Associated Press) for Kansas City Star

“House Panel Recommends Texas Legislature Take Action on Dark Money” by David Saleh Rauf for Houston Chronicle

Ethics

“Deal Reconsiders Campaign Pledge to Overhaul Ethics Commission” by Jonathan Shapiro for WACB

Lobbying

“LD 1750: A study in how special interests get their way in the Maine Legislature” by Naomi Schalit (Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting) for St. John Valley Times

Campaign Finance

“Governors’ Inaugural Celebration Plans, by State” by The Associated Press  for New York Times

“FEC Alleges Personal Use of Campaign Funds by Former Senate Candidate O’Donnell” by Randall Chase (Associated Press) for Daily Journal

“Parties Poised to Exploit Broad New Rules” by Eliza Newlin Carney for Roll Call

Ethics

“Jeb Bush Education Foundation Played Leading Role in Mixing Politics, Policy” by Lindsey Layton for Washington Post

“House Edits Rules to Help Members Facing Ethics Probes” by Paul Singer for USA Today

“Former Alabama Education Official Gets 2-Year Sentence” by Philip Rawls (Associated Press) for Tuscaloosa News

“In Stamford, Donation to City Raises Ethics Questions” by Elizabeth Kim for Stamford Advocate

Legislative Issues

“Peoria Lawmaker Proposes More Difficult Route to Amend State Constitution” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for East Valley Tribune