August 15, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 15, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
American Bar Association Takes Aim at Lobbying Law Loopholes
Golf, Vacation Fundraisers Return
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
In Alabama, No Verdicts of Guilty in Graft Case
Arizona
Arizonans Want Legislators to Reject Gifts
California
Jerry Brown’s Charter Schools in Oakland Reap Big Donations
Colorado
Study Shows Who Breaks Campaign Laws
Florida
Palm Beach County Ethics Law Poses Hurdle for Firefighters’ Fundraiser
Georgia
Ethics Panel’s Chairman Stays Put, for Now
Hawaii
Ethics Director Blocks Texas Dinner for Hawaii Lawmakers
New Mexico
New Mexico Mayor Was Drunk When He Signed Deal
New York
Commission to Call for New Rules on Lobbying in the City
Pennsylvania
‘Kids for Cash’ Judge Sentenced to 28 Years for Racketeering Scheme
Utah
Utah Lawmakers, Lobbyists, Go On the Road
Wisconsin
Republicans Hold On to Wisconsin Senate after 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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
August 8, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 8, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Firm Gives $1 Million to Pro-Romney Group, Then Dissolves
Lobbying for Lobbyists on Capitol Hill
From the States and Municipalities:
California
California Poised to OK Political Donations via Text
Connecticut
Watchdog Panel Gives Malloy Three Choices for New Executive Director
Delaware
Weak Rules Make for Powerful Lobbyists
Hawaii
Ethics Chief Draws Ire for Stance on Task-Force Members Who Lobby
Illinois
Are State Worker Punishments Fitting the Crimes?
Michigan
Dispensary Offered Free Marijuana for Signing Up to Vote
New Jersey
N.J. Freeholder Resigns after Nude Photos Appear On-line
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Lobbyists Are Paying Attention to Freshman Lawmakers
Wisconsin
Court Tosses Wisconsin Limit on PAC Donations
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
August 1, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 1, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Crossroads GPS, Priorities USA Violate Tax Laws, Reform Groups Allege in IRS Petition
Oregon Congressman, Named in Sex Case, to Resign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Bob Riley’s PAC Admits Taking PAC-to-PAC Donation in Violation of Law Riley Pushed
California
Judge Ready to Strike down San Jose Law Barring Last-Minute Campaign Contributions
District of Columbia
D.C. Council Member Thomas to Repay D.C. $300,000
Florida
Judge Hears Challenge to Florida Campaign Law
Florida
Press Group in Talks to Take Over State Lobbyist Registration
Georgia
Ethics Commission Could See Major Reorganization
Illinois
Emanuel Ethics Reforms Back on Track at City Council
Massachusetts
GOP’s Winslow Uses On-line Coupon to Promote Fundraiser
New York
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz Fined $20,000 for Taking Free Foreign Trips for His Wife
Rhode Island
Twenty Politicians Owe $800,000 in Election Fines
Tennessee
Some Advocacy Avoids Tennessee Lobbying Label
Virginia
For Virginia Companies, Campaign Donations to Lawmakers Just another Cost of Doing Business
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
July 25, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 25, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Edwards Campaign Owes $2 Million
Pakistan’s Military Plotted to Tilt U.S. Policy, FBI Says
Washington’s Long Debt-Ceiling Debate Hits K Street in the Wallet
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Country Stars Push Senator to Vote
California
Jerry Brown Assumes Uncommon Influence over FPPC
Georgia
Ethics Panelists Gave to Campaigns
Hawaii
Hawaii Ethics Director: Lawmakers ‘Pushed’ the Line on Gifts
Maine
Judge Strikes Down Maine’s Matching Funds Law
Massachusetts
Massachusetts House Democrats Block Debate on Republicans’ Ethics Rules Changes
North Carolina
North Carolina Election Will Go On, Even if No One Is Running
Pennsylvania
Chairman: Ethics board ‘being strangled’ by budget cuts
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Official Fired for Accepting Meals, Gifts from City Contractors
Tennessee
Tennessee GOP Finds Loophole in Campaign Law
Washington
Judge Blocks Washington Limit on Recall Contributions
West Virginia
Some W.Va. Election Ad Rules Again Struck Down
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
July 18, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 18, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
State Legislative Bills Raise Conservative Group’s Profile
Federal:
Key Senator Urges Federal Investigation of Murdoch Media Company
The Influence Industry: Coming soon to a screen near you – a lobbying campaign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Legislature’s Ethics Chairs Say Referral Fees Are ‘Unquestionably Illegal’
Arizona
Arizona Lawmaker Says Pointing Gun at Reporter Wasn’t Deliberate
California
Gays Gaining Ground in State Political District Boundary Talks
Connecticut
Agency Head: Malloy’s undermining watchdogs’ fiscal autonomy
Idaho
Watchdog Group Says Idaho Should Have Stricter Lobbyist Reporting
Indiana
City Ponders Campaign-Gift Curbs
Minnesota
Full Eighth Circuit to Hear Minnesota Disclosure Law Case
Montana
High Court Sets Oral Arguments in Campaign Lawsuit
South Carolina
Campaign Reports, Fines Dog Son of Late S.C. Gov. Campbell
Tennessee
Haslam’s Office Cuts Off Hundreds from Clip Service
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
July 11, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 11, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
IRS Drops Audits of Political Donors
New Breed of ‘Super PACs,’ Other Independent Groups Could Define 2012 Campaign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Alabama Democratic Conference Files Lawsuit to Stop New Alabama Law Banning Political Fund Transfers
Arizona
Arizona Conservatives Scramble after Campaign Finance Law’s Defeat
California
Marijuana Lobbyist’s Fundraiser for DA Raises Questions
Veil Drawn on Donors to Latino Caucus-Controlled California Nonprofit
Connecticut
Agent Who Arrested Politicians Now Seeks House Seat
Georgia
Illinois
Mayor Rahm Emanuel Proposing New Round of Ethics Reforms
Iowa
Judge Upholds New Iowa Campaign Disclosure Rules
Massachusetts
House Leader Apologizes for Holocaust Remarks
Michigan
Justices Stop Political Gifts Taken at Work
Minnesota
Campaign Board Rejects NOM’s Efforts to Shield Donors in Marriage Battle
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Lt. Gov. Ard Paying $48,000 Fine
Washington
Ex-Prisons Chief Eldon Vail Says He Resigned Because of an Affair with Subordinate
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
July 5, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 5, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Colbert Declares Victory at FEC
FEC Limits Lawmakers’ Fundraising for Super PACs
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Gambling Trial Highlights Fees Paid to Legislators
Arizona
Justices Strike Down Arizona Campaign Finance Law
Florida
Judge Strikes Down Florida Campaign Finance Matching Law
Illinois
Jury Finds Blagojevich Guilty of Corruption
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Special Education Director Said to Siphon $10 Million
Missouri
Missouri Lawmakers Eat for Free
Nevada
Tougher Nevada Campaign Money Laws Come into Play
New York
New Contribution Rule Limits Assignments to Elected Judges
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Ethics Commission Reprimands NRA Lobbyist
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Justices in Altercation
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
June 27, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 27, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
FCC Report Finds Major Shortage in Local Reporting
Federal:
Donor Meeting at White House Draws Fire
FEC Asks Crossroads to Reveal Donors
Secret Election Financing Surges with Evasion of IRS Scrutiny
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Bill to Ban Event Tickets, Other Gifts to Lawmakers Gets New Life
Florida
Palm Beach County Ethics Code Exemption Allows Free High-Priced Tickets for Public Officials
Georgia
With Ethics Chief’s Exit, Who’ll Step In?
Illinois
Chicago Puts Lobbyists’ Pay On-line
Massachusetts
House Republicans Recommend ‘Snitch Rule,’ Ethics Reforms
North Carolina
Legislating at Lightning Speed with Lots of Goofs
Oregon
Oregon House Rejects Bill That Would Cap Penalties for Campaign Finance Violations
Rhode Island
U.S. Representative to Pay R.I. $127,000 for Campaign Fund Error
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
June 20, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 20, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Federal Election Commission Deadlocks on Greater 2012 Donor Disclosure
More Political Action Committees to Get ‘Super’ Powers?
U.S. Appeals Decision Overturning Ban on Corporate Donations to Candidates
Weiner Resigns in Chaotic Final Scene
From the States and Municipalities:
Colorado
Complaint Filed against Secretary of State Scott Gessler
Connecticut
Ethics Dispute Drained Local Budget of More than $630,000
Georgia
Shake-Up at Ethics Commission as Top Staffers to Exit
Hawaii
State Drops Campaign Gift Appeal
Massachusetts
DiMasi Found Guilty on Seven of Nine Counts in Kickback Scheme
No Fault Found in House Incident
Nevada
Justices Rule on When Lawmakers Should Recuse from Issues
New York
Ethics Clears Legislative Hurdles
Report: Grassroots lobbying in N.Y. skyrockets since 2008
Pennsylvania
Lawyers, Chamber of Commerce Oppose City’s Broad, New Lobbying Disclosure Law
Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Union Law That Cuts Bargaining Powers to Take Effect Following Supreme Court Ruling
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
June 13, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 13, 2011
Here are highlights from State and Federal Communications, Inc.’s latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
A Weiner Ethics Case Would Cover Uncharted Ground
Virginia Federal Judge Rejects Government Request to Reconsider on Donations
Democrat or Republican, National Party Committees Reap Campaign Riches from Registered Lobbyists
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Big Names in Alabama Politics Set for Bingo Trial Opening
District of Columbia
D.C. Attorney General: Council’s Thomas diverted public funds
Michigan
Koch-Backed Group’s Fake Eviction Notices Rile up Detroit
Nevada
Rory Reid to Pay $25,000 Fine in PAC Case
New York
Bill Not a Feast but Lunch is OK
Cuomo and Legislative Leaders Strike Deal on New Ethics Rules
N.Y. Finds a Growth Industry in Ethics Enforcement
Ohio
House Cozy with Charter School Lobby
Texas
Dallas City Council Rolls Back Some Changes to Ethics Ordinance
Washington
Former Evergreen Professor Fined $120,000 in Largest-Ever Ethics Penalty
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
June 6, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 6, 2011
Here are highlights from State and Federal Communications, Inc.’s latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal
Campaign Finance Experts See Few Implications of Virginia Ruling
The Influence Industry: The fine lines between a Palin vacation and Palin tour
When ‘Coordinate’ Is a Dirty Word
From the States:
California
Former Vernon Official Pleads Guilty to Illegally Using Public Money
Colorado
Gessler Rulemaking on Campaign Finance Raising Eyebrows
Florida
Legislature Fails to Add Stronger Ethics Laws
Illinois
Senator Wants Charges Filed against Colleague
Louisiana
Mark St. Pierre is Taken into Custody after Jury Finds Him Guilty of Bribery, Conspiracy
Massachusetts
Financial Disclosure Forms Still Outdated
Minnesota
Campaign Finance Board Fines Alleged Felon Who Can’t Be Found
New Jersey
Christie Refuses to Reimburse N.J. for Traveling By Helicopter to See Son’s Baseball Game
Ohio
Cuyahoga County Offers First Ethics Training for Businesses
Tennessee
Tennessee Opens Door to Corporate Political Donations
Washington
Port Fined after Failing to File Lobbying Expenses
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
May 23, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – May 23, 2011
Here are highlights from State and Federal Communications, Inc.’s latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal
Colbert at the FEC? Really
National
Fox Parent Company to Disclose Political Giving
From the States:
Arizona
Fiesta Bowl Seeks Repayment for Political Contributions
Illinois
Emanuel Jumps into Work, Signs Six Executive Orders
Maryland
Johnson, Ex-County Executive in Prince George’s, Pleads Guilty to Taking Bribes
Minnesota
Court Lets Minnesota Corporate Disclosure Law Stand
Tennessee
Four Named to State Ethics Commission
Virginia
Virginia Ethics Rules Questioned in Wake of Federal Case
Wisconsin
Officials Dismiss Ethics Complaints Over Anti-Union Bill
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
September 27, 2010 •
News You Can Use from Washington
The BIAW Receives a Fine.
The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) was fined $548,000 by the state Attorney General’s office for violating the state’s campaign finance disclosure law. The fine is for $584,527 in undisclosed funds that went to the campaign against Gov. Christine Gregoire.
Here is the source article: “For Conservative BIAW, a $548,000 Fine,” by Joel Connelly in the Seattle Post Intelligencer on September 24.
July 22, 2010 •
News You Can Use – July 22: Maryland Regulates Social Media
Maryland Lawmakers Regulate Social Media Activity
Lawmakers adopted rules for candidates using social networking Web sites, making Maryland one of the first states to regulate such activity.
Here are two articles for further reading:
“Candidates Must Adhere to New Social Media Rules,” by Julie Bykowicz in the Baltimore Sun
“Maryland Lawmakers Pass New Election Law Restricting Facebook Today,” by Chet Dembeck in the Baltimore Examiner
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.
