January 23, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 23, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Big Spending on Presidential Candidates Can Have Little Effect
Google Protest of Anti-Piracy Bills Upends Traditional Lobbying
New Super PAC Breed Pushed by Group
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Business Interests Add to Speaker’s Rubber Duck Flock
Connecticut
SEEC Postpones Action on Giuliano Appointment
District of Columbia
Ballot Initiative Would Ban Corporate Donations in D.C. Political Campaigns
Indiana
Indiana Proposal Would Ban Anthem Embellishments
Maryland
City Council President Says He’ll Pay Back Ray Lewis for Tickets to Private Skybox
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Niche Political Groups Aim for Clout
Montana
Commission Office Often the Center of Controversy
Ohio
Lawmakers Can’t Be in Lobbyists’ Ads, Panel Says
Oklahoma
No Action Taken on Oklahoma’s Campaign Disclosure Laws
Wisconsin
Governor Who Took On Unions May Face a Closely Watched Recall Election
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.
January 16, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 16, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Democratic National Convention Rules Set off K St. Scramble
GOP Uses Citizens United to Challenge Corporate Donation Ban
What Donors? Super PACs Buy Time to Keep Secret the Names of Donors Ahead of GOP Primaries
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
State Sen. Scott Bundgaard Resigns from Legislature
California
Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi’s Shoplifting Incident Raises Medical Questions
Georgia
Idaho
Idaho Leaders Ready to Strengthen Ethics Laws
Illinois
Lobbying Disclosure Rules Spotty
Massachusetts
Ex-Avon Worker’s Revenge Attempt Brings $5,000 Fine
Mississippi
Mississippi Court Halts Quick Release of Some Pardoned
Montana
SCOTUS Expected to Weigh Montana Campaign Finance Appeal
New Jersey
Bill to Prohibit Political Fundraising at Government Facilities Wins Legislature’s Approval
New Mexico
Judge Puts Parts of Contribution-Limits Law on Hold
North Carolina
Oregon
Campaign Finance Regulations Go Before High Court
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.
January 9, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 9, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Abramoff as Ethics Guru Latest Chapter in Political Second Acts
Federal:
Santorum Surge Brings Ethics Questions
Super PAC Disclosure Requirements Hot Topic of Conversation among GOP Candidates
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Alabama Voters Often in the Dark on Judicial Races
California
California Campaign Site Returns after Technical Troubles
California
DA on Sweetwater Officials: “They simply lied”
District of Columbia
D.C. Council Member Harry Thomas Jr. Resigns after Being Charged with Embezzlement
Florida
County Ethics Law Already Changing Broward’s City Governments
Indiana
Daniels Throws Rules out the Door, Rescinding Crowd Limits
Iowa
Iowa High Court Says Corporations Don’t Need PACs
Maryland
Evans Regains Top Lobbying Spot in Annapolis
Montana
Montana Supreme Court Restores 100-Year-Old State Ban on Corporate Political Money
Nevada
Henderson Tightens Lobbying Rules
New York
Lobbyist Pleads Guilty to Paying Bribes to a State Senator
Oklahoma
Employer Fires New City Councilor Due to Possible Conflict-of-Interest
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.
January 3, 2012 •
Maryland Lobbyist Is Back as the Top Earner
According to the Maryland State Ethics Commission, Gerard Evans – who was convicted of fraud and spent time in prison – is back in the top earning position in the state for the past year.
Read the full story in “Evans regains top lobbying spot in Annapolis” by John Wagner in the Washington Post.
Here is a list of the top 135 lobbyists in compensation in Maryland by the State Ethics Commission.
January 2, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 2, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Fundraisers Take a Gamble on Lotteries
Romney Charity Used for Conservative Donations
Ron Paul’s House Record Marked by Bold Strokes, and Futility
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Business Interests Were Top Bill-Killers in California’s Capitol This Year
California
State Senator Aims to Double Lobby Fee in California – to 14 Cents a Day
Colorado
Gessler Issues 2012 Campaign Finance Rules
Florida
Palm Beach County Approves Countywide Lobbyist Registry
Ohio
Jimmy Dimora Faces Trial as Convictions in Federal Court Soar
South Carolina
Colbert Offering $500,000 to Pay for S.C. GOP Primary
Tennessee
Tennessee Lawmakers Still Haven’t Filled Ethics Commission Seat That Expired in ’09
Washington
Court Invalidates Washington State Cap on PAC Donations
West Virginia
Ethics Agency’s Informal Advice Kept Secret
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.
December 30, 2011 •
Jim Sedor’s Top 10 List
As editor of State and Federal Communications’ weekly News You Can Use, I see all kinds ethics news happen all over the country. Here is my list of the most egregious ethics news of 2011:
10) “Hamilton Sentenced in Bribery, Extortion Case” – from The Washington Post on August 12.
9) “City Hall Plotters Accused in Gun-Smuggling Scheme” – from The Wall Street Journal on March 14.
8) “Blagojevich Hit with 14-Year Prison Sentence” – from The Chicago Tribune on December 9.
7) “Leslie Johnson Gets One-Year Sentence” – from The Washington Post on December 9.
6) “Second Bribe Case for Lawmaker Just Acquitted” – from The New York Times on November 29.
5) “Ex-Judge Gets 17 1/2 Years in Pa. Kickbacks Case” – from The Seattle Times on September 23.
4) “Disgraced DiMasi Is Given Eight Years” – from The Boston Globe on September 10.
3) “Casino Developer Gilley Pleads Guilty” – from The Tuscaloosa News (Associated Press) on April 21.
2) “Weiner Resigns in Chaotic Final Scene” – from The New York Times on June 16.
And here it is, the number one most egregious news item of 2011 …
1) “Sen. Ensign, Under Ethics Inquiry, Admits No Wrongdoing But Says He Will Resign” – from The Washington Post on April 21.
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.
December 26, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – December 26, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
FEC Quashes New Disclosure Rules
Super PACs: The bad cops of 2012
From the States and Municipalities:
Alaska
Pebble Opponent Fined for Flying Candidates to Villages
Arizona
Arizona Prosecutor Won’t Charge Politicians Who Took Free Tickets, Trips from Fiesta Bowl
California
California Lobbyists Write Checks to Legislators Running for Congress
Colorado
Gessler, Lawmakers Clash on Campaign Finance Deadlines
Connecticut
Draft Report Renews Fears about Watchdogs’ Autonomy
District of Columbia
D.C. Council Overhauls Ethics Laws
Illinois
Donor to Madison County Judge Says Contribution Looks Bad, But Isn’t
Kentucky
Ex-Lobbyist Jack Abramoff to Speak at Kentucky Legislative Ethics Session
Maryland
Baltimore County Council Scales Back, Passes Ethics Reform Bill
Utah
Utah Lawmaker Resigning Due to Fundraising Ban
Washington
Firm Agrees to Big Fine over Tactics in Political Campaign
Wisconsin
State Elections Board Should Be Replaced, Assembly GOP Leader Says
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.
December 19, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – December 19, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
FEC Dysfunction Not Just Politics, it’s Personal
Gingrich’s Book-Selling Efforts Test Law
From the States and Municipalities:
California
California Web Site’s Glitches Block On-line Tracking of Campaign Donations
California
Measure to Curb Union, Corporate Clout Qualifies
Georgia
Report: No evidence Deal worked to fire ethics officials
Indiana
Ex-Chief’s Indictment Is Latest Black Eye
Maryland
Bereano Settles Ethics Charges for $2,750
Maryland
Leslie Johnson Gets One-Year Sentence
Missouri
Kander Files Ethics Bill That Would Bar Lobbyist Gifts
Montana
State Wins First Round in Suit Testing Montana’s Campaign Disclosure Laws
New Mexico
New Mexico Judge’s Bribery Case Is One for the Books
New York
North Carolina
Perdue Fundraiser Gets Probation, $25,000 Fine
Wisconsin
U.S. Appeals Court Strikes down Part of State Election Law
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.
December 12, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – December 12, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Gingrich, Romney Campaigns Count on Lobbyists to Pay the Bills
Occupy D.C. Protesters Shut Down K Street
Stephen Colbert Gets Love at FEC
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Alabama Ethics Law Limits What Students Can Give Teachers; Homemade Cookies OK, Hams Not Allowed
California
California Ethics Agency Relaxes Rules on Gifts to Politicians
California
Watchdog Agency Fines Former Pinole Councilman $111,500 for Ethics Violations
District of Columbia
D.C. Council Tentatively Approves Ethics Reform Bill
Georgia
Fines Levied on Georgia Politicians Reported Reduced Because of Notification Costs
Illinois
Blagojevich Hit with 14-Year Prison Sentence
Maryland
Jack Johnson, Former Prince George’s Executive, Sentenced to Seven Years in Corruption
Maryland
Rule Would Allow Campaign Donations by Text Message
Minnesota
Minnesota Ads Discussing Gay Marriage Approved For Less Financing Disclosure
Missouri
Missouri Politicians Enjoyed World Series Thanks to Lobbyists
Vermont
Vermont Court Imposes $10,000 Penalty in Campaign Finance Suit
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.
December 5, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – December 5, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
FEC Leaves Unclear Path for Super PACs
Gingrich’s Work Shows Limits of U.S. Lobbying Law
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
Clean Elections Foes Say Public Funds Are Used to Influence Election Outcomes
Colorado
Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler Proposes Rewriting of State Campaign Finance Rules
Georgia
Ethics Commission Deals with Challenges of Change
Indiana
Marion County Judge Scolded for Fundraising Language
Kansas
Kansas Governor Says Staff Overreacted to Teen’s Tweet
Massachusetts
Columbus Center Developer Fined $1.6 Million
Nevada
Ethics Commission Party May Not Have Been So Ethical
New York
Second Bribe Case for Lawmaker Just Acquitted
North Carolina
Three Perdue Associates Indicted
South Carolina
S.C. Governor’s Chef Told to Reimburse State after Using Its Resources for Catering
Washington
Washington Rep. Hinkle Seeks Change to Fundraising Law
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.
November 28, 2011 •
News You Can Use – November 28, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Democratic Groups Stalled on Launch Pad
FEC Permits Small Donor Channeling
Religious Lobbying Groups Multiply on Capitol Hill
South Jersey Congressman Spent $9,000 from Campaign Funds on Donor’s Wedding
From the States and Municipalities:
California
New Chair of Campaign Finance Watchdog Draws Strong Reactions
Connecticut
WFP Director Fined For Lobbying Without Badge
District of Columbia
D.C. Council to Consider Ethics Reform Bill
Illinois
Tony Rezko Sentenced to 10½ Years: Former Blagojevich fundraiser convicted of corruption
Massachusetts
Bump Knocked for Fundraising Letter
Mississippi
Campaigns Downplay Race, but Voters Don’t Follow Suit
Nevada
Trip to Brazil Raises Concerns about Lobbyists’ Access
Pennsylvania
City’s Lobbyist-Disclosure Program to Start in ’12
Washington
Right-Wing PAC Fights Campaign Disclosure
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.
November 21, 2011 •
News You Can Use – November 21, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Poll: Americans divided on companies that hire lobbyists
Federal:
Administration Officials Double as Obama Campaign Speakers
Corporate Lobbying Is a Very Exclusive Club
Gingrich Said to Be Paid By Freddie Mac to Court Republicans
Obama Administration Extends Review of Lobbyist Gift Ban
From the States and Municipalities:
Alaska
FEC Rejects Miller’s Senate Race Complaint
Arizona
Former Fiesta Bowl Employee Indicted
California
FPPC Sticks with $30,000 Fine for Lobbyist Frank Molina
California
New Gift Rules Would Benefit Legislators Dating Lobbyists
Colorado
Judge Says Gessler’s Campaign Finance Change Unconstitutional
Michigan
No Such Thing as Free Lunch? There Is for State Lawmakers in Lansing
Missouri
Missouri High Court Hears Challenge to 2010 Ethics Law
Nevada
No Vote on Transparency Bill Lets Lobbyists Keep Paying Tab
New Mexico
Gov. Martinez Says Officials and Lobbyists Are Too Cozy
New York
Appeals Court Allows New Trial for Bruno
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.
November 14, 2011 •
News You Can Use – November 14, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Special Sessions: A calculated risk
Federal:
Obama Administration Draft Memo Could Shed Light on ‘Lettermarking’
Sunlight Foundation Follows Lobbyist Tweets
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Alabama’s New Ethics Law Fails to Stop Exemption Requests from Lobbyists and Public Officials
California
California Legislators Head to Maui for Retreat Funded by Special Interests
California
Carrie Underwood Show Boosts Tribe’s Lobbying Expense
Colorado
Judge Warns Colorado Secretary of State Went Too Far in Raising Campaign Finance Threshold
Colorado
NBC News Can’t Pay for Colorado Governor’s Travel, Ethics Panel Says
Illinois
Clout, Corruption in Illinois to Take Other Forms
Kansas
Kansas’ Lobbyist Data Falls Far Short of Need, Watchdog Group Reports
Maryland
Maryland Sen. Currie Acquitted of Corruption Charges
Missouri
Missouri Lawmaking at Issue before High Court
North Carolina
N.C. Lobbyist Donations Ban Upheld By Federal Court
Wisconsin
First Recall Effort Launched against Walker, Triggering Unlimited Fundraising
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.
November 7, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – November 7, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Largest U.S. Companies Increasingly Disclose Political Spending
Report Cites Growing Role of Interest Groups in State Judicial Elections
Federal:
Abramoff Divulges K Street Secrets
Cain Blames Perry as New Sexual Harassment Allegations Surface
FCC To Rule on On-line Political Advertisement Disclosure
Justice Amps Up Enforcement of Law on Foreign Advocacy
Lawmakers Demand FEC Documents, Threaten Subpoena
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
New Alabama Ethics Law Sweeps in Culture Shift for Capital Lobbyists
California
Passion, Politics Link Lobbyist Couples
California
State Lobby Spending on Pace to Set Records
Illinois
Illinois Powerbroker Convicted in Shakedown Trial
Maryland
County Ethics Bill Would Restrict Lobbying, Add Enforcement
Minnesota
Campaign Finance Board Temporarily Upholds Disclosure Requirements
Nebraska
Report: Nebraska OK at tracking lobbyists, could do better
New Hampshire
N.H. Official Sets Primary for Jan.10
Ohio
Amid Corruption Scandal, Local Races Framed by Honesty and Character Issues
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.
