Elections Georgia: “Georgia Supreme Court Rejects Trump Petition to Block Election Probe” by Holly Bailey (Washington Post) for MSN Ethics California: “Former San Francisco Building Inspector Gets One Year in Prison on Corruption Charges” by Michael Gennaro for Courthouse News Service National: “Supreme Court Justices and Donors Mingle at Campus Visits. These Documents Show the Ethical Dilemmas” by Brian Slodysko and Eric Tucker for Associated Press News National: “Trump Says He Received a Target Letter in Federal Jan. 6 Investigation” by Perry Stein, Josh Dawsey, and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) for MSN Illinois: “Michael Madigan’s Ousted Chief of Staff Fights to Block Secret Recordings in His Federal Perjury Trial” by Ray Long and Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) for MSN Legislative Issues Wyoming: “Wyoming Lawmakers Ready to Address Ethics Complaints Procedure in Interim” by Jasmine Hall for Wyoming Tribune-Eagle Lobbying North Carolina: “‘A Political Force’: How NC prosecutors sway criminal justice bills in General Assembly” by Ames Alexander and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi (Charlotte Observer) for MSN Procurement Rhode Island: “R.I. to Terminate Development Contract with Company That Accused State Officials of Inappropriate Behavior” by Alexa Gagosz (Boston Globe) for MSN

Campaign Finance

New York: “NYC Campaign Finance Board Demands Transparency from Everyone – but Itself” by Brigid Bergin for Gothamist

Pennsylvania: “Allegheny County Council Votes to Limit Role of Outside Money in Local Races” by Julia Zenkevich for WESA

Elections

National: “Prosecutors Ask Witnesses Whether Trump Acknowledged He Lost 2020 Race” by Michael Schmidt and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Ethics

California: “S.F. City Hall Corruption: Top SFPUC official found guilty of fraud” by St. John Barned-Smith (San Francisco Chronicle) for MSN

National: “Social Media Restrictions on Biden Officials Are Paused in Appeal” by David McCabe and Steve Lohr (New York Times) for Las Vegas Sun

Oregon: “Ethics Commission Says Fagan May Have Used Her Public Position for Private Gain, Launches Full Investigation” by Sophia Peel for Willamette Week

Lobbying

National: “Gallagher Rolls Out ‘Retroactive Foreign Agents Registration Act’ with Bipartisan Support” by Brooke Singman (Fox News) for Yahoo News

Florida: “Report: Moonlighting ex-Collier official lobbied for county vendor in ‘apparent’ conflict of interest” by Rachel Heimann Mercader (Florida Center for Government Accountability) for WGCU

Elections

Arizona: “Arizona Escalates Probe into Alleged Efforts to Swing Election for Trump” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Door-Knocker Complaints Show Risks of DeSantis Super PAC Strategy” by Michael Scherer and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

Illinois: “Chicago Watchdog Says Ald. Jim Gardiner, Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot Violated City Ethics Code” by Alice Yin and Gregory Royal Pratt (Chicago Tribune) for MSN

New York: “During First Year, State Ethics Watchdog Launched Few Inquiries” by Chris Bragg for Buffalo News

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Watchdog Agency’s Executive Director to Leave by End of Year” by Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) for MSN

Oregon: “Oregon Ethics Panel Dismisses Case Against Former Port Director Over Amazon Data Center Tax Breaks” by Mike Rogoway (Portland Oregonian) for MSN

Legislative Issues

National: “GOP Lawmaker Says He ‘Misspoke’ in Referring to ‘Colored People’ on House Floor” by Amy Wang (Washington Post) for MSN

Redistricting

New York: “Appeals Court Orders New Congressional Lines in New York, a Potential Boon for Democrats” by Michael Hill (Associated Press) for MSN

National/Federal

Trump Aide Walt Nauta Pleads Not Guilty in Classified Documents Case

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 7/6/2023

Donald Trump’s personal aide, Walt Nauta, pleaded not guilty to charges he schemed with the former president to hide classified documents from authorities at Mar-a-Lago, moving boxes containing top-secret government materials for Trump. Nauta was indicted along with Trump on five criminal charges, including conspiracy to obstruct justice. Nauta was also charged with lying to the FBI.

How Supreme Court Decisions Are Activating a Generation of Young Voters

MSN – Tamia Fowlkes (Washington Post) | Published: 7/9/2023

For many voters under 35 years of age, especially those on the left, the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent rulings have become a political issue in the same way that climate change, gun violence, and immigration have over the course of the past two decades, some political scientists and organizers have said. Democrats and liberals have viewed the court as an institution that historically protects the rights of marginalized groups. But Republican politicians and activists on the right have remade the court: Former President Trump, backed by a GOP Senate, appointed three justices to create a conservative majority.

Buddy Cianci is in the Political Corruption Hall of Shame – Literally

MSN – Edward Fitzpatrick (Boston Globe) | Published: 7/11/2023

He did not make the cut when the Museum of Political Corruption inducted the first five members of its Hall of Shame in 2021, a group that includes former President Richard Nixon and William “Boss: Tweed. But former Providence Mayor Vincent Cianci Jr. did make the second group of inductees in 2022, along with former Vice President Spiro Agnew and former New York City Mayor Jimmy Walker.

DOJ Will No Longer Intervene on Behalf of Trump in Carroll Defamation Suit

MSN – Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 7/11/2023

The Justice Department will no longer seek to make the U.S. government the defendants in a lawsuit filed against Donald Trump by a writer who says the former president raped her several decades ago. The decision comes after three years in which the department, under both Republican and Democratic leadership, argued Trump was acting within his presidential duties when he denied sexually assaulting columnist E. Jean Carroll. That determination made Trump, like other federal employees acting in their official capacity, totally immune from any liability.

The Californians Whose Scam PACs Tricked Trump and Clinton Supporters Out of Millions

MSN – Laura Nelson (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 7/9/2023

The FBI, along with consumer groups, have been warning for years of the rise of fraudulent PACs amid surging political spending by independent groups hoping to influence the electoral process. With the 2024 election approaching, including what is expected to be a highly charged presidential election, the climate is primed for another bumper crop of swindlers. Court decisions over the last decade that loosened restrictions on fundraising and led to a surge in independent expenditures in elections have also made it easier for scammers to blend in among the legitimate committees.

Fox News Sued for Defamation by Man Named in Jan. 6 Conspiracy Theories

MSN – Jeremy Barr and Will Sommer (Washington Post) | Published: 7/12/2023

Fox News, which recently settled two separate high-profile legal challenges for approximately $800 million, is now facing a lawsuit from a man who said the network presented him as a “scapegoat” for the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Ray Epps attended the pro-Trump rallies in Washington in January 2021 but was not among the people found to have breached the Capitol building and has not been charged for his conduct. In subsequent weeks, then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson highlighted a video clip of Epps outside the Capitol to suggest Epps might have been a government informant, a notion Epps and the FBI have strongly denied.

Inside the GOP Presidential Candidate Gift Card Ploy Turning Campaign Finance Upside Down

MSN – Roger Sollenberger (Daily Beast) | Published: 7/13/2023

The Republican National Committee requires at least 40,000 individual donors as one of its criteria for allowing a candidate on the stage for the first presidential debate in August. North Dakota Dov. Doug Burgum, one of the announced candidates is far from the household name who could gather all those donors. His solution is to give 50,000 campaign donors $20 all-purpose gift cards in exchange for a one-dollar contribution. The strategy could create its own set of problems, according to campaign finance experts who say it may not be legal.

Group Pushing [FEC] on Deepfake Ads Submitting New Petition

MSN – Daniela Altimari (Roll Call) | Published: 7/13/2023

Less than three weeks after the FEC deadlocked on a request to develop regulations governing so-called deepfake political ads generated using artificial intelligence tools, a non-partisan advocacy group pushing for the new rules is trying again. Public Citizen filed a petition to the FEC seeking regulations regarding deliberately misleading campaign communications generated through artificial intelligence.

Where Clarence Thomas Entered an Elite Circle and Opened a Door to the Court

Seattle Times – Abbie VanSickle and Steve Eder (New York Times) | Published: 7/9/2023

After Clarence Thomas joined the U.S. Supreme Court, he was soon accepted by another exclusive club: the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. At Horatio Alger, Thomas moved into the inner circle, a cluster of wealthy, largely conservative members who lionized him and all he had achieved. During his Horatio Alger tenure, interviews and documents show Thomas has received benefits from a broad cohort of powerful friends. They include major donors to conservative causes with broad policy and political interests and much at stake in Supreme Court decisions, even if they were not directly involved in the cases.

Vivek Ramaswamy Is Paying Supporters to Find Him Donors

Yahoo News – Natalie Adams (Politico) | Published: 7/10/2023

It now pays to be a supporter of Vivek Ramaswamy’s presidential bid, at least for those who can convince their friends to click a link and donate. The Republican is launching the “Vivek Kitchen Cabinet,” a scheme that promises to pay participants 10 percent of any money they raise for his campaign. The campaign continues to employ three traditional fundraising professionals to generate donations, and the new program will mostly generate new small-dollar gifts.

GOP States Quit the Program That Fights Voter Fraud. Now They’re Scrambling.

Yahoo News – Zach Montellaro (Politico) | Published: 7/9/2023

Over the past year, eight Republican-led states quit a nonpartisan program designed to keep voter rolls accurate and up to date. Top GOP election officials in those states publicly argued the program was mismanaged. But experts say the Electronic Registration Information Center was among the best nationwide tool states had to catch people trying to vote twice in the same election. Now, those Republican-led states who left, and other states who lost access to their data, are scrambling to police so-called double voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Social Media Injunction Unravels Plans to Protect 2024 Elections

Yahoo News – Cat Zakrzewski, Naomi Nix, and Joseph Menn (Washington Post) | Published: 7/8/2023

An injunction that places extraordinary limits on the government’s communications with technology companies undermines initiatives to harden social media firms against election interference, civil rights groups, academics, and tech industry insiders say. After companies and the federal government spent years expanding efforts to combat online falsehoods in the wake of the 2016 election, the ruling is the latest sign of the pendulum swinging in the other direction.  Tech companies are facing new election threats as leaps in artificial intelligence give bad actors new tools to create fake videos, photos, and ads.

US Says Missing GOP Whistleblower Is Arms Trafficker, Chinese Agent

Yahoo News – Josh Meyer (USA Today) | Published: 7/10/2023

The Justice Department filed charges against the co-director of a think tank, alleging he acted as an illegal arms broker and unregistered agent for the Beijing government while also seeking to help China obtain Iranian oil in violation of U.S. sanctions. Gal Luft is accused of recruiting and paying a former high-ranking U.S. government official and advisor to then President-elect Trump on behalf of principals based in China without registering as a foreign agent. Luft has accused President Biden’s family members of bribery and received payments from individuals with ties to Chinese military intelligence or energy firms.

Another Trump Legacy: Governor troll wars

Yahoo News – Lisa Kashinsky and Shia Kapos (Politico) | Published: 7/12/2023

Donald Trump changed the playbook when he ushered in both a new era of hyper-partisan politics and vicious personal put-downs. Governors deprived of foils in states with one-party rule are increasingly turning to trolling their ideological opposites in faraway places. As culture wars rage, it can help state executives shore up their home bases and amplify their agendas to a new, national audience. The brief spotlight each high-profile gambit brings is key for eager governors positioning for higher office.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Alaska Ballot Measure Filed to Set Term Limits for State Legislators

Yahoo News – Sean Maguire (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 7/2/2023

A newly filed ballot measure would set term limits for Alaka lawmakers. Legislators would be restricted to serving a maximum of 12 years consecutively in the state House or Senate, and they then would be required to take a six-year break before serving again. They would also be limited to serving for a lifetime maximum of 20 years as members of the Legislature.

Arizona – Arizona’s ‘Radically Different’ and Hyper-Partisan Legislature

Arizona Mirror – Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Published: 7/11/2023

The Arizona Legislature has been in session for 184 days with no end in sight. Many Capitol regulars say this session has been more tense, more partisan, and contentious than previous sessions. From a practical standpoint, the shift has transformed how work gets done at the Capitol – or does not get done. Some legislative veterans say they have seen this change coming for years.

California – What Happened to the Big Changes to California Elections?

CalMatters – Sameea Kamal | Published: 7/12/2023

The number of election-related bills introduced in California this legislative session, close to 50, is average, election officials said. But that number has been whittled down since January, and a deadline may narrow the active proposals more. The most sweeping bills got shelved in the Legislature. Instead, lawmakers are focusing on ballot measure language, local redistricting, voting integrity, and campaign finance tweaks before the 2024 election.

California – Ex-San Francisco Utilities Chief Painted as Cunning Manipulator in Corruption Trial

Courthouse News Service – Michael Gennaro | Published: 7/12/2023

In closing arguments, federal prosecutors painted former San Francisco Public Utilities Commission chief Harlan Kelly as a conniving businessperson who misused his authority and connections to rig the bidding process for city contracts. His defense argued Kelly was simply naïve. Kelly stands accused of two separate schemes – collaborating with businessperson Walter Wong to get Wong a city contract to install streetlights, and defrauding Quicken Loans of $1.3 million by lying on a loan application to remodel his home.

California – California Bill That Would Make Google, Meta, Twitter and Apple Pay for News Won’t Move Forward This Year

KCRA – Ashley Zavala | Published: 7/7/2023

A bill in California that would require large tech companies including Google and Facebook to pay news outlets a fee for posting their content has been shelved for the year. The California Journalism Preservation Act is primarily meant to help generate funds for newsrooms across the state. The bill’s author, Assemblyperson Buffy Wicks, said the decision to hold off on moving the measure forward this year was meant to give lawmakers more time to work on what would be a first in the nation law.

California – Ousted Skid Row Receiver Hosted Fundraiser for L.A. City Attorney’s Campaign

MSN – Liam Dillon and Doug Smith (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 7/11/2023

At a March press conference, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced they found the best person to prevent 1,500 formerly homeless Skid Row tenants from losing their homes once again. The tenants’ nonprofit landlord, Skid Row Housing Trust, had financially collapsed. The pair petitioned a judge to put the trust’s 29 buildings under a receivership led by Mark Adams. Feldstein Soto did not mention that Adams had hosted a fundraiser for her in October, with Adams and his associates contributing at least $8,500 to her election bid.

Colorado – Here’s How Much Lobbyists Spent to Sway Lawmakers During the 2023 Session

MSN – Nick Coltrain (Denver Post) | Published: 7/10/2023

At least $20 million was spent on lobbying during this past legislative session in Colorado, not counting money spent in the lead-up to the General Assembly’s January start date or spending unreported in a state database. It represents a snapshot of how industry and interest groups try to sway lawmakers into supporting, altering, or defeating some of the hundreds of measures considered by lawmakers every year. The secretary of state’s office, which manages the record-keeping for lobbing disclosures, said it found some reporting issues it is seeking to correct.

District of Columbia – Disciplinary Panel Calls for Rudy Giuliani’s Disbarment

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 7/7/2023

A District of Columbia-based bar discipline committee concluded Rudy Giuliani should be disbarred for “frivolous” and “destructive” efforts to derail the 2020 presidential election in support of former President Trump. Giuliani plans to challenge the panel’s findings and recommended sanction in front of a larger bar-discipline board. His ultimate disbarment or other penalty would be decided by the Court of Appeals.

Florida – A Supporter’s Plane Flew from Florida to N.H. DeSantis Won’t Say If He Was on It

MSN – Sally Goldenberg and Gary Fineout (Politico) | Published: 7/7/2023

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flew to New Hampshire for a campaign swing that coincided nearly exactly with the path of a private plane connected to a wealthy supporter. Daniel Doyle Jr. owns a plane whose flight path lines up with DeSantis’ July 4 trip to the Granite State. Neither DeSantis’ presidential campaign nor representatives for Doyle would say if the governor was aboard. It is a recurring pattern where DeSantis and the organizations assisting him remain quiet about who is bankrolling his travels and his frequent use of private charter jets.

Florida – Long-Running Ethics Case Against Former Florida Legislator Latvala Nears Dismissal

Yahoo News – Dara Kam (Miami Herald) | Published: 7/11/2023

A state lawyer filed a motion asking the Florida Commission on Ethics to dismiss a complaint against former state Sen. Jack Latvala, more than five years after he resigned from office amid sexual-harassment allegations. The request came after two women critical to the case refused to participate. Latvala left office in 2017 after the release of a special master’s report about allegations he had sexually harassed Rachel Perrin Rogers, a former high-ranking Senate aide. He denied wrongdoing with the aide but admitted he had an extramarital affair with former lobbyist Laura McLeod.

Florida – Billionaire Treated Mayor Suarez to $30K Grand Prix Weekend. Miami Says He’s Paying It Back

Yahoo News – Sarah Blaskey, Tess Riski, and Joey Flechas (Miami Herald) | Published: 7/13/2023

Mayor Francis Suarez watched the Miami Grand Prix from a viewing party as the personal guest of Florida’s wealthiest person, Citadel Chief Executive Officer Ken Griffin. Citadel has lobbyists registered in the city as the company pursues various development projects. Florida ethics laws prohibit elected officials from taking expensive gifts from anyone with business in front of their city. Citadel spokesperson Zia Ahmed said Suarez covered the cost of the events. He refused to say when Suarez paid or how much. Neither Citadel nor the city would provide documentation confirming the payment.

Georgia – New Ethics Ruling Allows Campaign Funds to Pay for Candidates’ Child Care

Georgia Public Broadcasting – Donna Lowry | Published: 7/6/2023

Georgia candidates can now use campaign money they raise for childcare. The funds can also cover care for people who have elderly parents or disabled dependents. In a bipartisan effort, Reps. Stacey Evans and Beth Camp asked the state ethics commission to align Georgia’s campaign regulations with federal rules. In 2018, the FEC ruling expanded to allow elder and dependent care payments.

Georgia – Election Officials Sue Conservative Voting Group Over Refusal to Produce Ballot-Harvesting Evidence

Yahoo News – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 7/12/2023

The Georgia State Election Board asked a judge to order a conservative voting organization to produce information to help investigate its claims of ballot trafficking in the state. True the Vote filed complaints with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in November 2021, including one saying it had received “a detailed account of coordinated efforts to collect and deposit ballots in drop boxes across metro Atlanta” during the 2020 general election and in a runoff election in January 2021. True the Vote’s assertions were relied upon heavily for the film “2000 Mules,” a widely debunked film by conservative pundit Dinesh D’Souza.

Illinois – Court Ends Oversight of Hiring in Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough’s Office, Closing Historic Anti-Patronage Case

MSN – Ray Long and A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/6/2023

In a historic decision, a federal judge ended the half-century-old anti-patronage case launched to fight the stubborn and unfair use of politics to decide most hiring, firing, and promotion in state and local government in Illinois. The judge granted the request of Democratic Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough to eliminate federal oversight of her office even though she had been criticized for politicizing hiring. The clerk’s office is the last of multiple public offices to be relieved of the supervision in the long-running case.

Illinois – ‘Let Me Put You on with the Boss, OK?’: Feds detail wiretaps involving former Michael Madigan chief of staff

MSN – Jason Meisner and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/10/2023

For the first time, federal prosecutors detailed wiretaps capturing Tim Mapes, the indicted former chief of staff to ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, discussing issues central to the scandal that rocked state government – from how to handle a burgeoning sexual harassment scandal to Mapes’ ouster from the speaker’s team and his encounter with the FBI. The filing comes as prosecutors are seeking to play many of the recordings at Mapes’ trial on charges he lied to a grand jury investigating Madigan and his relationship with confidant Michael McClain.

Iowa – Iowa Republicans Will Hold 2024 Caucuses on January 15

CNN – Ethan Cohen | Published: 7/8/2023

Iowa Republicans voted to hold their first-in-the-nation caucuses on January 15 next year, setting up the earliest start of the presidential nominating process since 2012. While there are still several moving parts, the schedule for next year’s early 2024 Republican nominating contests before Super Tuesday on March 5 is coming into focus.

Louisiana – How One Baton Rouge Lobbyist Is Harnessing AI

Baton Rouge Business Report – Holly Duchmann | Published: 7/7/2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how business owners and workers do their job as different industries experiment to see how the technology can be applied to their fields. Louisiana lobbyist Mary-Patricia Wray says AI tools like ChatGPT allow her to get more work done than in years past. Wray, founder of Top Drawer Strategies, has been testing ways to use AI at her firm. “Old school lobbying is dying,” Wray said. “… A donation is not going to convince a savvy, young legislator to go home and tell their constituents why they voted a certain way.”

Massachusetts – Massachusetts Ethics Commission: Former Methuen police chief violated conflict of interest

MSN – Lance Reynolds (Boston Herald) | Published: 7/6/2023

State ethics officials are continuing to press the former Methuen police chief who resigned in 2021 after a scathing investigative report questioned his handling of contracts that would have sent ranking officers’ pay soaring. The Massachusetts Ethics Commission issued an order to show cause alleging Joseph Solomon violated the conflict-of-interest law by changing a draft collective bargaining agreement to increase his salary and providing unwarranted benefits to five intermittent officers.

New Mexico – County Ethics Board Member Resigns Over Opposition to Year-Old Code Change

Yahoo Finance – Nicholas Gilmore (Santa Fe New Mexican) | Published: 7/10/2023

Santa Fe County officials contacted ethics board members recently and asked them to serve another term. Board member Michael Rosanbalm responded by resigning and released a scathing letter about an updated ethics ordinance. The changes were a milestone for the board, whose role initially seemed uncertain after it was created in response to what would become a years-long corruption case.

New York – 6 Charged in Alleged Straw Donor Scheme to Help Get Eric Adams Elected New York City Mayor

MSN – Jake Offenhartz and Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 7/7/2023

Six people were charged in an alleged scheme to divert tens of thousands of dollars in public money to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign months before his election. The indictment does not implicate Adams or other current city employees in the plot. Rather, it describes a straw donor conspiracy orchestrated by people with business before the city who hoped to maximize their donations in exchange for political favors.

Ohio – Under Appeals Court Order, Federal Judge Sentences John Raphael to 6 Months in Prison

MSN – Bill Bush (Columbus Dispatch) | Published: 7/11/2023

John Raphael will serve six months for his conviction on corruption charges after U.S. District Court Judge Michael Watson resentenced him. Watson originally sentenced Raphael to 18 months house arrest with no prison time for his role in a bribery scheme for a food services contract at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Federal prosecutors appealed Watson’s sentence to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court, which vacated the sentence and ordered the judge to resentence Raphael.

Ohio – Ohio Speaker Stephens Asks Rep. Bob Young of Green to Resign Amid Domestic Violence Charges

Yahoo News – Doug Livingston (Akron Beacon Journal) | Published: 7/9/2023

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens is asking state Rep. Bob Young to resign amid multiple criminal charges, including domestic violence, that allegedly occurred at Young’s residence following a GOP fundraiser. In a criminal affidavit, investigators with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office allege Young struck a female relative with an open hand at his house and, at another residence, rammed a male family member who “did sustain cuts from broken glass.”

Texas – Texas Republicans Divide Over Impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton

MSN – Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 7/7/2023

Divisions rippling through the Texas Republican Party ahead of state Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial on September 5 that political strategists say is likely to further divide its members and spur primary challenges next year. The state GOP’s infighting mimics the party’s national dispute, which has pitted traditional conservatives against Donald Trump allies. Paxton is perhaps the most powerful Trump surrogate in Texas.

Utah – Utah Supreme Court Scrutinizes Process That Sliced State’s Most Democrat-Heavy District into 4

Stamford Advocate – Sam Metz (Associated Press) | Published: 7/11/2023

The Utah Supreme Court heard arguments on whether courts should allow the state’s Republican-majority Legislature to carve up Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County into four congressional districts. The debate asks whether state courts can review whether district maps drawn by elected officials violate the state constitution and is the latest battle over how states draw political maps and follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling denying Legislatures absolute power to do so.

Washington – Lynnwood Councilman Tells PDC He Doesn’t Know How to Write Checks to Pay Fines

Lynnwood Times – Mario Lotmore | Published: 7/9/2023

The Washington Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) fined Lynnwood Councilperson Josh Binda $300 for failing to file his Personal Financial Affairs Statement on time. It will be waived if he pays $1,250 in fines from two previous violations. Binda said he did not see any of the nine reminder notices sent to both his personal and city council email accounts. He also said he recently discovered the PDC only accepts payments for fines in check form. “I have never written a check … before …,” Binda told the PDC. “… The whole checking process is fairly new to me …. I usually do electronic [payments].”

Washington – Complaint Pushes for WA AG Ferguson to Reveal Donors of $1.2M in Campaign Transfers

Seattle Times – Jerry Cornfield (Washington State Standard) | Published: 7/10/2023

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is facing further scrutiny over his shifting of $1.2 million in contributions from past campaigns into the account for his 2024 bid for governor. A complaint contends the individual donors of those contributions must be identified and their past donations, originally for Ferguson’s re-election and now considered “surplus” funds, should count toward contribution limits in his campaign for governor. A second complaint continues to be investigated. Both raise the question of whether Ferguson must abide by recent Public Disclosure Commission actions to require greater disclosure of the source of surplus funds.

 

Campaign Finance

National: “This Republican Candidate Is Offering $20 Gift Cards for $1 Donations” by Anjali Huynh (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Elections

National: “How Supreme Court Decisions Are Activating a Generation of Young Voters” by Tamia Fowlkes (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

Illinois: “‘Let Me Put You on with the Boss, OK?’: Feds detail wiretaps involving former Michael Madigan chief of staff” by Jason Meisner and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) for MSN

New Mexico: “County Ethics Board Member Resigns Over Opposition to Year-Old Code Change” by Nicholas Gilmore (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Yahoo Finance

Ohio: “Under Appeals Court Order, Federal Judge Sentences John Raphael to 6 Months in Prison” by Bill Bush (Columbus Dispatch) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Arizona: “Arizona’s ‘Radically Different’ and Hyper-Partisan Legislature” by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy for Arizona Mirror

Lobbying

National: “US Says Missing GOP Whistleblower Is Arms Trafficker, Chinese Agent” by Josh Meyer (USA Today) for Yahoo News

Redistricting

Utah: “Utah Supreme Court Scrutinizes Process That Sliced State’s Most Democrat-Heavy District into 4” by Sam Metz (Associated Press) for Stamford Advocate

Campaign Finance

National: “Vivek Ramaswamy Is Paying Supporters to Find Him Donors” by Natalie Adams (Politico) for Yahoo News

Washington: “Lynnwood Councilman Tells PDC He Doesn’t Know How to Write Checks to Pay Fines” by Mario Lotmore for Lynnwood Times

Elections

Iowa: “Iowa Republicans Will Hold 2024 Caucuses on January 15” by Ethan Cohen for CNN

National: “GOP States Quit the Program That Fights Voter Fraud. Now They’re Scrambling.” by Zach Montellaro (Politico) for Yahoo News

Ethics

California: “California Bill That Would Make Google, Meta, Twitter and Apple Pay for News Won’t Move Forward This Year” by Ashley Zavala for KCRA

National: “Where Clarence Thomas Entered an Elite Circle and Opened a Door to the Court” by Abbie VanSickle and Steve Eder (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Lobbying

Colorado: “Here’s How Much Lobbyists Spent to Sway Lawmakers During the 2023 Session” by Nick Coltrain (Denver Post) for MSN

Louisiana: “How One Baton Rouge Lobbyist Is Harnessing AI” by Holly Duchmann for Baton Rouge Business Report

Campaign Finance New York: “Ex-Cop with Ties to Eric Adams Among Donors Charged with Campaign Finance Scam” by Katie Honan and Gwynne Hogan for The City Ethics Washington DC: “Disciplinary Panel Calls for Rudy Giuliani’s Disbarment” by Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) for Yahoo News National: “Trump Aide Walt Nauta Pleads Not Guilty in Classified Documents Case” by Shayna Jacobs and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) for MSN Florida: “A Supporter’s Plane Flew from Florida to N.H. DeSantis Won’t Say If He Was on it” by Sally Goldenberg and Gary Fineout (Politico) for MSN Illinois: “Court Ends Oversight of Hiring in Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough’s Office, Closing Historic Anti-Patronage Case” by Ray Long and A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) for MSN Massachusetts: “Massachusetts Ethics Commission: Former Methuen police chief violated conflict of interest” by Lance Reynolds (Boston Herald) for MSN Texas: “Texas Republicans Divide Over Impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton” by Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) for MSN Legislative Issues Alaska: “Alaska Ballot Measure Filed to Set Term Limits for State Legislators” by Sean Maguire (Anchorage Daily News) for Yahoo News

National/Federal

‘I Get My Butt Kicked Every 20 Minutes’: Life in a state legislature’s superminority

MSN – Liz Crampton (Politico) | Published: 6/29/2023

There are 29 supermajorities in state Legislatures controlled by either Democrats or Republicans, up from 21 in 2019. In addition, there are 51 House or Senate chambers where the minority party makes up fewer than one third of seats. The result is a shrinking minority voice drowned out by a dominant majority that can stomp out any sliver of opposition. While lawmakers said most day-to-day dealings between the parties tend to be peaceful, sometimes tensions between the supermajority and superminority can build to high-profile stunts fueled by pent-up hostility.

Judge Blocks U.S. Officials from Tech Contacts in First Amendment Case

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 7/4/2023

A federal judge in Louisiana restricted the Biden administration from communicating with social media platforms about broad swaths of content online in an ongoing case that could have significant effects on the First Amendment. The injunction came in response to a lawsuit brought by Republican attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri, who allege government officials went too far in their efforts to encourage social media companies to address posts they worried could contribute to vaccine hesitancy during the pandemic or upend elections.

House Republicans Scared to Lose Majority Push Back on Extreme Agenda

MSN – Marianna Sotomayor and Leigh Ann Caldwell (Washington Post) | Published: 7/2/2023

The U.S. House’s focus on the far-right’s demands over the past month has irritated Republicans who represent swing districts or are worried an extreme legislative agenda will push voters away and hand the majority to Democrats in 2024. So they are learning to flex their procedural muscles, largely behind the scenes, to keep some proposals they see as most damaging off the House floor.

Investigation of Trump Documents Case Continues After His Indictment

Seattle Times – Alan Feuer and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 6/29/2023

Weeks after Donald Trump was indicted on charges of illegally retaining national security records and obstructing the government’s efforts to reclaim them, a federal grand jury in Miami is still investigating aspects of the case. In recent days, the grand jury has issued subpoenas to a handful of people who are connected to the inquiry. While it remains unclear who received the subpoenas and the kind of information prosecutors were seeking to obtain, it is clear the grand jury has stayed active and investigators are digging even after an indictment was issued against Trump and a co-defendant, Walt Nauta.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Progress Vancouver Barred from 2026 Election Over Campaign Finance Violations

Global News – Canadian Press | Published: 7/4/2023

Elections BC banned political organizer Mark Marissen and other Progress Vancouver candidates from running in the next round of local elections after it deregistered their party for breaking campaign finance rules. The party’s disclosure reports revealed an “impermissible” $50,000 loan, improperly recorded contributions, donations from outside British Columbia, and contributions that exceeded legal limits, Elections BC said.

Alabama – What Are the ‘Pork’ Handouts at the Center of a Birmingham Corruption Case?

MSN – Hannah Denham and Joseph Bryant (AL.com) | Published: 7/5/2023

Elected officials pose with giant checks, shake hands with constituents, and smile for the cameras as they hand out public money to schools, police departments, and nonprofits in Birmingham and Jefferson County. Now the source of those grants has come under scrutiny after a federal court case a kickback scheme involving two Alabama Lawmakers, a legislative aide, and a youth baseball league, which prosecutors say resulted in the misuse of thousands of public dollars spent on personal credit card bills and a mortgage instead of its intended community service.

Alaska – Complaint Alleges Opponents of Alaska’s Ranked Choice Voting Formed Church to Skirt Disclosure Laws

Anchorage Daily News – Iris Samuels | Published: 7/6/2023

The group that championed Alaska’s ranked-choice voting reform filed a complaint against several individuals and entities that are leading an effort to repeal the new election laws, alleging they violated multiple campaign finance rules and obscured the source of their funding in the process. The complaint alleges opponents of ranked-choice voting founded a church called the Ranked Choice Education Association that could have allowed donors to gain tax advantages for their contributions while skirting disclosure requirements.

Arizona – Trump Pressured Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to Overturn 2020 Election

MSN – Leigh Ann Caldwell, Josh Dawsey, and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/1/2023

In a phone call in late 2020, then-President Trump tried to pressure Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to overturn the state’s presidential election results, saying if enough fraudulent votes could be found it would overcome Trump’s narrow loss in the state. Trump also repeatedly asked former Vice President Mike Pence to call Ducey and prod him to find the evidence to substantiate Trump’s claims of fraud. Pence called Ducey several times to discuss the election, they said, though he did not follow Trump’s directions to pressure the governor.

California – Should Facebook and Google Pay Local News Outlets for Their Content? AB 886 Would Require It

MSN – Andrew Sheeler (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 7/5/2023

If supporters of Assembly Bill 886 – the California Journalism Preservation Act – prevail, Google and Meta will have to compensate local news publishers for linking to or displaying their work, paying potentially hundreds of millions of dollars to news outlets. California is on the cutting edge of a larger movement to hold social media companies financially accountable for the news they use.

Connecticut – CT Bans Utilities from Billing Customers for Lobbying Efforts

Connecticut Mirror – Akielly Hu (Grist) | Published: 7/4/2023

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed a bill into law that prohibits the state’s investor-owned utilities from charging customers for lobbying expenses and other efforts to sway political outcomes. The law bans utilities from charging customers for trade association dues, donations to political advocacy nonprofits that seek to influence elections, public relations expenses, and fees for consultants and lawyers hired by utilities to argue for rate increases.

Florida – Federal Judge Halts New Florida Law He Calls ‘Latest Assault’ on Voting

MSN – Gary Fineout (Politico) | Published: 7/3/2023

U.S. Chief District Court Judge Mark Walker blocked a new election law pushed by Republicans that puts restrictions on voter registration groups, calling it “Florida’s latest assault on the right to vote.” Walker granted a preliminary injunction against the law days after it went into effect. Walker has repeatedly ruled against the state in past legal challenges to election measures put in place by the GOP-controlled Legislature.

Florida – Mayor Francis Suarez Worked to Draft New Law with Developer Who Later Paid Him $170K

MSN – Joey Flechas, Sarah Blaskey, and Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 6/30/2023

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and his city staff joined forces with developer Rishi Kapoor to draft a new city law the developer saw as vital for his $70 million real estate project in Coconut Grove Kapoor later paid Suarez at least $170,000 for consulting for the developer in regular $10,000 increments dating back to at least 2021. The mayor’s financial deal with the developer is currently under federal investigation. Newly obtained emails reveal how the relationship between Kapoor and the mayor’s office began years before the aide made a call to the city’s zoning director, who ultimately overrode a code requirement.

Georgia – Attorney Who Challenged Trump’s 2020 Loss Gives Up Law License as States Weigh Disciplining Him

Yahoo News – Meg Kinnard (Associated Press) | Published: 7/5/2023

Attorney Lin Wood, who filed legal challenges seeking to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss, is relinquishing his law license, electing to retire from practicing rather than face possible disbarment. Multiple states have weighed disciplining him for pushing false claims he defeated Joe Biden. Wood asked officials in his home state of Georgia to “retire” his law license in light of “disciplinary proceedings pending against me.”

Indiana – Lax Ethics Rules Could Create Conflicts of Interest for Lawmakers

Indiana Environmental Reporter – Sade Ajishegiri, Sophie Kaelble, Nic Napier, Lily Staatz, Jasmine Wright, and Lizzie Wright (Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism) | Published: 6/30/2023

Indiana Lawmakers must file statements of economic interest at the start of each legislative session. Their employers, businesses they own or have stakes in, lobbyists they have relationships with, and government agencies they are affiliated with are all disclosed in the filings. Despite the legal requirement for disclosure, little in state law precludes legislators from pushing bills tied to their economic interests.

Michigan – Redistricting Commission Member’s New Job Raises Ethics Questions

WKAR – Rick Pluta | Published: 7/2/2023

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission ended its map drawing more than a year ago. But member Anthony Eid’s new leadership role within an advocacy group is raising questions about a possible conflict-of-interest. Michigan Voices announced Eid would be taking over as the group’s deputy director. The Detroit News noted text on the Michigan Voices website bragging about its work when it came to redistricting.

Minnesota – Minnesota Chamber Sues Over Campaign Disclosure Law

Minnesota Public Radio – Dana Ferguson | Published: 7/3/2023

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is suing over a new law set to take effect next year, alleging it would chill businesses’ free speech if allowed to take effect. The organization took issue with provisions in a broader election law that bar companies with foreign influenced ownership from making political contributions. Under the law, companies would face legal penalties if they make independent expenditures or contribute to ballot question committees and have foreign ownership thresholds that meet or exceed state limits.

Mississippi – Secretary of State’s Office Disables Online Campaign Finance Reporting Portal

Magnolia Tribune – Sarah Ulmer | Published: 7/3/2023

The Mississippi Secretary of State’s office announced the online campaign finance filing system is being disabled due to concerns over reliability. The next deadline to file campaign finance reports is July 10. Candidates and political committees must now file via email, mail, or fax, or in person.

Missouri – Former Missouri Legislators Keep Control of Leftover Campaign Funds

Missouri Independent – Erik Galicia | Published: 6/30/2023

Despite voters’ attempts to tighten Missouri’s campaign finance laws, many former state legislators keep control of tens of thousands of campaign dollars without running for public office again. A review of hundreds of former lawmakers’ campaign finance reports shows some of them drew from their candidate committees to spend on campaigns that never happened. They bought computers, reimbursed themselves and their relatives without specifying the expenses, and paid rent for their offices.

Nevada – Nevada Democrats Want to See List of Governor’s ‘Dark-Money’ Inaugural Donors

Las Vegas Sun – Casey Harrison | Published: 7/2/2023

The Nevada Democratic Party is requesting records from Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office after he vetoed a bill that would have required the disclosure of donors from the nonprofit that organized his post-election inauguration events. Party officials claim Lombardo’s camp established the nonprofit to prevent disclosing who contributed to the fund and how much. If the fund was established as part of a PAC, donors would be disclosed.

Nevada – How A’s Stadium Advocates Avoided Registering as Lobbyists

Nevada Current – Dana Gentry | Published: 7/6/2023

Consultant Jeremy Aguero and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s Steve Hill advocated for $380 million in public funding for a new stadium without registering as lobbyists for the Oakland A’s. The team signed a commitment to move to Las Vegas and play in the stadium for 30 years. Among the many effects of COVID-19 was the inability of lobbyists to register for two special sessions in 2020 and the beginning of the regular session in 2021 when the legislative building was closed to the public.

New Mexico – Ex-Director of Exploited Kirtland-Based Program Sentenced to Pay $1.2M in Restitution in Fraud Case

Albuquerque Journal – Colleen Heild | Published: 6/28/2023

Milton Boutte, who is supposed to start serving his prison term later this summer, asked to remain free during his appeal of the conviction to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Boutte was described as the “architect” of a scheme that siphoned money from sole source federal contracts to benefit the Big Crow Program Office and its lobbyists. Three others indicted in the case have pleaded guilty.

New York – In New York Senate, Lawmakers Change Their Votes, Sometimes Days Later

Buffalo News – Chris Bragg | Published: 7/4/2023

During its final legislative session day this year on June 9, the state Senate voted to pass a bill allowing New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to enter a new gaming compact with the Seneca Nation. Later that day, word leaked that the Hochul administration’s deal with the Nation included allowing a secretly negotiated new casino in the Rochester area. As that information spread, opposition quickly emerged from Rochester lawmakers. So, the results of the already-cast vote were altered.

Ohio – Republican Lobbyist Matt Borges Sentenced to 5 Years Prison for Role in Bribery Scandal

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 6/30/2023

Former Ohio Republican Party Chairperson Matt Borges was sentenced to five years in prison in connection with the Larry Householder-led political corruption scandal that engulfed state politics for years. Borges worked as a lobbyist for FirstEnergy Solutions and alongside Householder, the former House speaker who is now a federal prisoner, to scuttle opposition to a law that gave FirstEnergy a $1 billion bailout for two nuclear power plants owned by a subsidiary of the utility in exchange for $60 million in bribes.

Ohio – Why Haven’t Ohio Lawmakers Passed Any Ethics Reforms Since Larry Householder’s Arrest?

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 7/1/2023

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder was sentenced to twenty years in prison for accepting more than $60 million in bribes from utility company FirstEnergy, then hiding it through a web of groups to secure the passage of energy-related law, as well as help himself. As a judge read Householder’s sentence, “dark money” groups continued to operate in Ohio without any more restrictions or transparency rules than when Householder accepted the bribe money. Lawmakers and lobbyists do not have to disclose anything more than what Householder and his co-defendants had to. There is little sign that lawmakers will reform the ethics law.

Ohio – Abortion Rights Likely Headed for Showdown in Ohio This Fall

MSN – Madison Fernandez (Politico) | Published: 7/5/2023

Ohio is poised to become the latest battleground over abortion after advocates submitted more than enough signatures to get an abortion rights initiative on the ballot this fall. A coalition submitted more than 700,000 signatures for a ballot measure that would codify the right to an abortion in the state constitution. The submission sets up a crucial test of the potency of abortion as a political issue ahead of 2024, with vulnerable Democrats in the House and Senate attempting to cling to their seats in an increasingly red state.

Texas – Ethics Review Commission OKs Pandemic-Era Changes to Lobbying Ordinance

Austin Monitor – Nina Hernandez | Published: 7/5/2023

The Ethics Review Commission voted to recommend changes to Austin’s lobbying rules. The rules ensure phone calls and video conferences are properly recorded as appearances before a city official. City Auditor Corrie Stokes said her office found the city does not currently have any way of capturing or logging virtual meetings. Since the pandemic, many meetings between lobbyists, city council members, and other city employees have been virtual. “So, the first provision will show we’re just adding that, yes, if you have a meeting virtually, it still counts as a meeting,” Stokes said.

Virginia – Virginia Sheriff, 3 Businessmen, Indicted on Federal Bribery Charges

MSN – Denise Lavoie (Associated Press) | Published: 6/30/2023

Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins was indicted on federal corruption charges for allegedly handing out auxiliary deputy sheriff’s appointments in exchange for cash bribes and large donations to his reelection campaign. First elected sheriff in 2011, Jenkins is accused of soliciting and accepting bribes totaling at least $72,500 from the three indicted businesspeople and at least five others, including two FBI undercover agents during his 2019 reelection campaign.

Campaign Finance Minnesota: “Minnesota Chamber Sues Over Campaign Disclosure Law” by Dana Ferguson for Minnesota Public Radio Mississippi: “Secretary of State’s Office Disables Online Campaign Finance Reporting Portal” by Sarah Ulmer for Magnolia Tribune Elections Florida: “Federal Judge Halts New Florida Law He Calls ‘Latest Assault’ on Voting” by Gary Fineout (Politico) for MSN Ethics Alabama: “What Are the ‘Pork’ Handouts at the Center of a Birmingham Corruption Case?” by Hannah Denham and Joseph Bryant (AL.com) for MSN California: “Should Facebook and Google Pay Local News Outlets for Their Content? AB 886 Would Require It” by Andrew Sheeler (Sacramento Bee) for MSN Ohio: “Why Haven’t Ohio Lawmakers Passed Any Ethics Reforms Since Larry Householder’s Arrest?” by Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN Legislative Issues New York: “In New York Senate, Lawmakers Change Their Votes, Sometimes Days Later” by Chris Bragg for Buffalo News Lobbying Connecticut: “CT Bans Utilities from Billing Customers for Lobbying Efforts” by Akielly Hu (Grist) for Connecticut Mirror New Mexico: “Ex-Director of Exploited Kirtland-Based Program Sentenced to Pay $1.2M in Restitution in Fraud Case” by Colleen Heild for Albuquerque Journal Texas: “Ethics Review Commission OKs Pandemic-Era Changes to Lobbying Ordinance” by Nina Hernandez for Austin Monitor

Campaign Finance Missouri: “Former Missouri Legislators Keep Control of Leftover Campaign Funds” by Erik Galicia for Missouri Independent Elections Arizona: “Trump Pressured Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to Overturn 2020 Election” by Leigh Ann Caldwell, Josh Dawsey, and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) for MSN Ethics National: “Judge Blocks U.S. Officials from Tech Contacts in First Amendment Case” by Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) for MSN Florida: “Mayor Francis Suarez Worked to Draft New Law with Developer Who Later Paid Him $170K” by Joey Flechas, Sarah Blaskey, and Tess Riski (Miami Herald) for MSN Indiana: “Lax Ethics Rules Could Create Conflicts of Interest for Lawmakers” by Sade Ajishegiri, Sophie Kaelble, Nic Napier, Lily Staatz, Jasmine Wright, and Lizzie Wright (Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism) for Indiana Environmental Reporter Ohio: “Republican Lobbyist Matt Borges Sentenced to 5 Years Prison for Role in Bribery Scandal” by Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN Virginia: “Virginia Sheriff, 3 Businessmen, Indicted on Federal Bribery Charges” by Denise Lavoie (Associated Press) for MSN Legislative Issues Wyoming: “‘I Get My Butt Kicked Every 20 Minutes’: Life in a state legislature’s superminority” by Liz Crampton (Politico) for MSN

National/Federal

How Judges Navigate Offers of Free Lunch, Trips and NBA Tickets

Bloomberg Law – Zoe Tillman (Bloomberg News) | Published: 6/25/2023

Recent controversies over perks accepted by Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have raised questions not only about the justices’ conduct off the bench and what they disclose to the public, but also about how the judiciary broadly enforces ethics. Eight current and former federal judges shared their insights into how the judiciary operates as well as their own experiences with ethics issues. Judges said they usually found the rules clear on what to report, what gifts to refuse, and when to step down from a case. But the judges admit there is a gray area as well.

The Attention Was All on Mar-a-Lago. Some of the Action Was at Bedminster

DNyuz – Alan Feuer, Maggie Haberman, and Jonathan Swain (New York Times) | Published: 6/27/2023

For all the attention focused during the investigation into Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents at his private club and residence in Florida, another of Trump’s properties has played a crucial, if quieter, role in the case: his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Bedminster, where Trump spends his summers, has turned out also to have been a focus of investigators and the scene of a central episode in Trump’s indictment: a meeting in which he was recorded showing off what he described as a “highly confidential” plan to attack Iran.

A.I.’s Use in Elections Sets Off a Scramble for Guardrails

DNyuz – Tiffany Hsu and Steven Lee Myers (New York Times) | Published: 6/25/2023

What began a few months ago as a slow drip of fundraising emails and promotional images composed by A.I. for campaigns has turned into a steady stream of materials created by the technology, rewriting the playbook for elections. Political consultants, election researchers, and lawmakers say setting up new guardrails, such as legislation reining in synthetically generated ads, should be a priority. Existing defenses, such as social media rules and services that claim to detect A.I. content, have failed to do much to slow the tide. As the U.S. presidential race starts to heat up, some of the campaigns are already testing the technology.

Senate Panel Finds More Pre-Jan. 6 Intelligence Failures by FBI, DHS

MSN – Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 6/27/2023

A new Senate committee report sharply criticizes the FBI and Department of Homeland Security for what it says were failures to believe the intelligence tips they were receiving in the run-up to the attack on the U.S. Capitol, offering fresh examples of warnings and information that went unheeded. The document sheds new light on the many different types of warnings the FBI received from nongovernmental organizations tracking extremism online, from the public, and from its own field offices.

FEC Deadlocks on Whether to Govern Deepfake Campaign Ads

MSN – Daniela Altimari (Roll Call) | Published: 6/22/2023

The FEC deadlocked on a request to develop regulations for AI-generated deepfake political ads, meaning no action will be taken. Public Citizen submitted a petition asking the commission to establish rules, noting advances in artificial intelligence have given political operatives the tools to produce campaign ads with computer-generated fake images that appear real. Such ads could misrepresent a candidate’s political views, a violation of existing federal law.

Audio Undercuts Trump’s Assertion He Did Not Have Classified Document

Seattle Times – Maggie Haberman and Alan Feuer (New York Times) | Published: 6/26/2023

An audio recording of former President Trump in 2021 discussing what he called a “highly confidential” document about Iran he acknowledged he could not declassify because he was out of office appears to contradict his recent assertion the material that he was referring to was simply news clippings. Portions of a transcript of the two-minute recording were cited by federal prosecutors in the indictment of Trump on charges he had put national security secrets at risk by mishandling classified documents after leaving office and then obstructing the government’s efforts to retrieve them.

Watchdog Alleges Canadian Hedge Fund Gave Illegal Contributions to DeSantis Campaign

Yahoo News – Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) | Published: 6/28/2023

The Campaign Legal Center filed a second complaint against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s campaign, alleging a Canadian hedge fund made more than $167,000 in illegal contributions to his operation. The Federal Election Campaign Act prohibits the contributions to U.S. elections and bans foreign nationals from participating in any decision-making process with regard to making a political donation.

Ethics Committee Expands Investigation into Santos

Yahoo News – Mychael Schnell (The Hill) | Published: 6/23/2023

The House ethics committee expanded its probe into U.S. Rep. George Santos, adding allegations he fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits to the list of investigative areas. Santos is also accused of misleading donors and misrepresenting his finances to the public and government agencies. The indictment accuses Santos of fraudulently receiving more than $24,000 in unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Legal Fees Mount, Trump Steers Donations into PAC That Has Covered Them

Yahoo News – Shane Goldmacher and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 6/24/2023

Facing multiple intensifying investigations, former President Trump has begun diverting more of the money he is raising away from his 2024 presidential campaign and into a PAC he has used to pay his personal legal fees. The change raises fresh questions about how Trump is paying for his mounting legal bills, which could run into millions of dollars, as he prepares for at least two criminal trials, and whether his PAC, Save America, is facing a financial crunch.

The Super PAC Frenzy Redefining Campaign Operations

Yahoo News – Jessica Piper and Sally Goldenberg (Politico) | Published: 6/25/2023

Super PACs have been growing in strength for more than a decade, but this cycle are swimming in more money than ever. The groups are taking new approaches, deploying staffing at campaign events, paying for door-knocking operations, and even sending fundraising texts on candidates’ behalf. Some of the new strategies could test the legal limits on coordination between campaigns and super PACs, though campaign finance experts say the groups so far seem to be complying with how the FEC has interpreted the rules. But the greater on-the-ground presence of super PACs has not gone unnoticed.

Giuliani Sat for Voluntary Interview in Jan. 6 Investigation

Yahoo News – Ben Protess, Alan Feuer, and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 6/28/2023

Rudolph Giuliani, who served as former President Trump’s personal lawyer, was interviewed by federal prosecutors investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The voluntary interview, which took place under what is known as a proffer agreement, was a significant development in the election interference investigation led by Jack Smith, the special counsel, and the latest indication that Smith and his team are actively seeking witnesses who might cooperate in the case.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Federal Lobbying Hit a Record High Last Fiscal Year, Industry Watchdog Says

CBC – Staff | Published: 6/27/2023

Lobbying hit an all-time high in Ottawa during the last fiscal year, says a new report from the industry’s watchdog. Under the law, lobbyists must report their oral and arranged communications with certain public office holders. Consultant lobbyists must also report any communications relating to the awarding of a federal contract. A new code of conduct for the industry will come into effect on July 1.

Alabama – Former Alabama Ethics Commission Director Says New Law Could Silence Whistleblowers

MSN – Mike Cason (AL.com) | Published: 6/25/2023

The former executive director of the Alabama Ethics Commission said the loss of anonymity protection for people who file ethics complaints will result in fewer whistleblowers reporting what they believe are illegal acts. The bill passed by lawmakers requires the commission to tell a person under investigation who filed the complaint that sparked the probe. Legislators said public officials should know the identity of their accuser in an ethics investigation, just as they would in a criminal or civil trial.

Arizona – Kari Lake Accused of Defamation in Suit Filed by Arizona Election Official

MSN – Yvonne Winget Sanchez and Mariana Alfaro (Washington Post) | Published: 6/22/2023

A key election official in Arizona’s most populous county filed a defamation lawsuit on against Kari Lake, the former television newscaster who narrowly lost her 2022 race for governor and has falsely blamed widespread fraud and malfeasance in the months since. The lawsuit by Stephen Richer, the Maricopa County recorder, marks the most aggressive attempt to hold Lake and her allies accountable for election-related misinformation. It comes amid other efforts to make right-wing figures and media answerable for spreading election fabrications.

California – A Big Contract Went to a San Jose Private School Run by the Mayor’s Wife. Was It Competitive?

MSN – Gabriel Greschler (Bay Area News Group) | Published: 6/27/2023

A city contract worth nearly $1 million was awarded to a San Jose private high school run by Mayor Matt Mahan’s wife, with officials assuring it went through the routine competitive bidding process, though leaders at other schools say they were not aware of the opportunity. City officials insisted they performed the proper outreach to numerous schools so everyone had a fair chance. The private school, they contended, was the only one that applied for the funding for the work-study program at City Hall for high school students.

California – San Francisco’s Ex-Utilities Chief Accused of Shady Business Dealings on First Day of Corruption Trial

San Francisco Standard – Michael Barba | Published: 6/27/2023

To some, Harlan Kelly was a corrupt San Francisco official who exploited his role overseeing one of California’s largest public utilities for personal gain, including a lavish vacation to China. To others, the former head of the city’s Public Utilities Commission was an exemplary public servant whose key mistake was trusting a shady businessperson who sought to corrupt him. Those are the two versions of Kelly that jurors heard as his federal corruption trial began. Which version the jury chooses to believe could hinge on their trust in Walter Wong, the businessperson who is expected to testify against Kelly.

District of Columbia – D.C. Council Majority Calls for 3rd-Party Investigation into Ex-Aide

MSN – Meagan Flynn and Michael Brice-Saddler (Washington Post) | Published: 6/20/2023

A majority of District of Columbia Council members called for a broader, independent investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against Mayor Muriel Bowser’s former top adviser, John Falcicchio, following an investigation by Bowser’s legal office that substantiated some of the complaints a female employee made against him. Bowser faces mounting questions from lawmakers about whether it is sufficient for the investigative arm of the executive branch to investigate itself when a sexual harassment complaint is lodged against a mayoral appointee.

Florida – Former Broward Mayor Accused of Firing Staffer to Clear Developer for $102M Loan

MSN – Grethel Aguila (Miami Herald) | Published: 6/25/2023

A new report sheds more light into how a former Broward official allegedly bent the rules, and fired a staffer in the process, to help a developer secure $102 million in loans while in public office. Lynn Stoner, the former mayor of Plantation, was charged with official misconduct, falsification of records, and two counts of influencing a building official. If convicted, she faces up to eight years in prison.

Florida – DeSantis Agency Sent $92 Million in Covid Relief Funds to Donor-Backed Project

MSN – Michael Scherer, Isaac Arnsdorf, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 6/29/2023

The administration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis steered $92 million last year in leftover federal coronavirus stimulus money to a controversial highway interchange project that directly benefits a top political donor. The decision by the state Department of Transportation to use money from the American Rescue Plan for an I-95 interchange near Daytona Beach fulfilled a years-long effort by Mori Hosseini, a politically connected housing developer who owns two large tracts of largely forested land abutting the planned interchange.

Illinois – Do You Believe in ‘Magic’ Lobbyists? Illinois Businesses Stick by Madigan-Connected Lobbyists.

WBEZ – Dave McKinney | Published: 6/23/2023

More than two dozen lobbyists were on a handwritten registry of “magic lobbyists” that former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s now-convicted aide, Michael McClain, memorialized on a sheet of hotel stationery. The list helped convict four former Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists of bribing Madigan to boost the power company’s legislative fortunes. Despite being publicly identified in the corruption case, none of the other “magic” lobbyists are facing charges due to that investigation and these lobbyists appear to have faced no employment fallout from the scandal.

Kentucky – Kentucky Attorney General Is Accused of Seeking Donations from Company His Office Is Investigating

Yahoo News – Bruce Schreiner (Associated Press) | Published: 6/26/2023

State Attorney General Daniel Cameron directly solicited donations for his gubernatorial campaign from executives of a Kentucky drug treatment organization that his office began investigating last year, according to an attorney for the Edgewater Recovery Centers. Several Edgewater executives later gave $7,600 to Cameron’s campaign, which has been refunded. But the solicitations and their timing have led to demands for an investigation from the campaign of Gov. Andy Beshear.

Louisiana – Supreme Court Clears Way for Redrawing of Louisiana Congressional Map

MSN – Melissa Quinn (CBS News) | Published: 6/26/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court tossed out a bid by Louisiana Republicans seeking to reverse a lower court ruling that ordered it to redraw its congressional map, paving the way for new voting lines to be drawn to include a second majority-Black congressional district before the 2024 election. The case had been put on hold while the Supreme Court weighed a similar challenge to Alabama’s congressional voting lines.

Maryland – National Climate Group Asks: Should Md. lobbying firms take fossil fuel clients?

Maryland Matters – Josh Kurtz | Published: 6/28/2023

A new advocacy group is pressing clean energy lobbyists in Maryland and at state Legislatures across the country to part ways with fossil fuel interests. In Maryland, scores of institutions, nonprofit groups, and even clean energy organizations use statehouse lobbyists who are also representing fossil fuels interests. Most Annapolis lobbying firms usually hire teams of politically savvy generalists, who tend to work a range of issues for a broad variety of clients.

Massachusetts – Galvin Pushes to Update Lobbying Laws

Eagle-Tribune – Christian Wade | Published: 6/23/2023

Secretary of State William Galvin wants to bar individuals convicted on federal charges from serving as state lobbyists for at least 10 years. A proposal in the Legislature would expand a state statute “automatically” disqualifying people convicted of certain state crimes from registering as lobbyists to include individuals convicted of federal offenses. The move comes in response to a recent Supreme Judicial Court ruling that cleared former House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi to lobby the state Legislature and executive branch, despite his prior convictions on federal charges.

Massachusetts – Councilor Ricardo Arroyo Admits to Ethics Violation, Pays Penalty in Connection with Representing His Brother

MSN – Danny McDonald (Boston Globe) | Published: 6/27/2023

Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo admitted to a conflict-of-interest violation and paid a $3,000 penalty for continuing to represent his brother in a sexual harassment lawsuit after Arroyo became a member of the city council. The announcement from the state Ethics Commission is the latest controversy to enmesh Arroyo. One of his council colleagues suggested he consider resigning after two investigative reports found former U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins improperly tried to influence last year’s primary election for Suffolk district attorney in Arroyo’s favor.

Mississippi – Mississippi Dems Not Reporting Campaign Spending, Could Face Ethics Penalties

Mississippi Free Press – Ashton Pittman | Published: 6/28/2023

The Mississippi Democratic Party could face fines and other penalties after failing to file periodic campaign finance reports. Unless the party takes action by June 30, the secretary of state’s office will turn the issue over to the Mississippi Ethics Commission. In emails, Democratic Party Executive Director Andre Wagner said the party did not have to file campaign finance reports because they had not engaged in spending that would necessitate reporting.

Missouri – Ethics Commission Fines Ex-St. Louis Candidate $6,000, Citing Campaign Violations

St Louis Post-Dispatch – Austin Huguelet | Published: 6/24/2023

The Missouri Ethics Commission fined one of last year’s candidates for president of the St. Louis City Council $6,000, citing a litany of campaign finance violations. The commission said entrepreneur Mark Kummer failed to report donations of more than $5,000 within 48 hours, neglected to itemize a raft of in-kind contributions worth more than $50,000, and never filed a key disclosure when he terminated a campaign committee.

Nebraska – Nebraska State Senator Sues Conservative Lobbying Group That Accused Her of Grooming

Courthouse News Service – Andrew Nelson | Published: 6/28/2023

Nebraska Sen. Megan Hunt is suing a conservative PAC for defamation after it called her a groomer on Twitter. The Nebraska Freedom Coalition’s Tweet included childhood photos of her now 13-year-old, transgender son. The group also published a tweet in which it described the lawmaker’s “skills” as “grooming children, including her own.” The tweets were published after Hunt shared that her son was transgender on the floor of the Legislature during a debate on a measure that would restrict gender-affirming care for those younger than 19.

Nevada – Analyst, Consultant, or Lobbyist?

Nevada Current – Dana Gentry | Published: 6/28/2023

When consultant Jeremy Aguero co-presented a bill to pump hundreds of millions of dollars of public money into a homeless facility in Las Vegas, he never disclosed working on the project for Wynn Resorts. When Aguero touted to state lawmakers the potential benefits of investing hundreds of millions of dollars to publicly subsidize a baseball stadium, he once again failed to disclose he was working for the Oakland A’s, the team hoping to profit from the venture. Despite his frequent presence at the Nevada Legislature, Aguero is not registered as a lobbyist, a process that would require him to publicly disclose his clients.

New York – Adams’ Confidante Frank Carone Inks Another Deal with Real Estate Big – Advocates Give It a Wary Eye

Yahoo News – Michael Gartland (New York Daily News) | Published: 6/26/2023

Mayor Adams’ former chief of staff, Frank Carone, signed a consulting deal with Related Companies, one of the biggest players in the city’s real estate sector, a development that has good-government advocates concerned about the potential for influence peddling. Carone, who worked as one of Adams’ top lieutenants for a year before leaving to launch his Oaktree Solutions consulting firm, remains close to the mayor and is serving as chairperson of his reelection campaign. Carone said the company retained his firm to provide “strategic advice and ideas.”

North Carolina – Supreme Court Rejects Theory That Would Have Meant Radical Changes to Election Rules

MSN – Robert Barnes (Washington Post) | Published: 6/28/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a legal theory that would have radically reshaped how federal elections are conducted by giving state Legislatures largely unchecked power to set rules for federal elections and to draw congressional maps distorted by partisan gerrymandering. Maintaining the status quo is seen as significant for a court that in recent years has constricted voting and election protections in federal law and the Constitution.

Ohio – Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder Gets Maximum 20 Years in Prison for Largest Bribery Scandal in State History

Cleveland Plain Dealer – Adam Ferrise | Published: 6/29/2023

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the largest corruption scandal in state history. Jurors found Householder orchestrated a $60 million bribery scheme secretly funded by FirstEnergy to secure Householder’s power, elect his allies, pass legislation containing a $1 billion bailout for two aging nuclear power plants owned by a FirstEnergy affiliate, and then to use a dirty tricks campaign to stifle a ballot effort to overturn the bill.

Ohio – Ohio Froze an Ex-Utility Regulator’s $8 Million in Assets. Lawyers Disagree Over Whether It’s Legal.

MSN – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 6/28/2023

Lawyers disagreed sharply in arguments before the Ohio Supreme Court over whether $8 million in assets belonging to the state’s former top utility regulator should have been frozen after he was caught up in a sweeping bribery investigation. Sam Randazzo resigned as chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio after FBI agents searched his home, close on the heels of the arrest of then-House Speaker Larry Householder. He has not been charged in conjunction with the House Bill 6 scandal, which remains under investigation.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Lobbyist Spending Rebounds from Pandemic-Era Decline

Oklahoma Watch – Keaton Ross | Published: 6/26/2023

With COVID-19 concerns heightened, advocacy groups in Oklahoma scaled back large in-person gatherings during the 2021 legislative session. Expenditure reports show that sort of spending has rebounded. Lobbyists have spent nearly $380,000 this year on gifts, meals, and beverages for state legislators and other elected officials through May, a 42 person increase over the same period two years ago.

Oregon – Defying Pledges to Limit Campaign Contributions, Oregon Lawmakers Again Fail to Do So

MSN – Grant Stringer (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 6/22/2023

In a repeat of years past, state lawmakers ended the legislative session without tightening Oregon’s loose campaign finance laws, falling short on a key pledge to do so. Tony Lapiz, legislative director for Speaker Dan Rayfield, said lawmakers will continue to meet after the session with the goal of referring the issue to voters in 2024. Unlike the vast majority of states, Oregon law allows unlimited donations from corporations, unions, individuals, and other entities to candidates for governor, state offices, and the Legislature.

Oregon – Oregon Lawmakers Would Be Able to Remove the Governor Under a Measure Headed to Voters

Oregon Public Broadcasting – Dirk VanderHart | Published: 6/26/2023

Oregon lawmakers would gain the ability to remove the governor and other statewide elected officials under a proposal lawmakers sent to voters. It will appear on the November 2024 ballot. Oregon is the only state where lawmakers do not have the power to impeach the governor. The proposal gained steam after a scandal that forced Secretary of State Shemia Fagan to resign in May.

Oregon – Voters Will Be Asked to Create Commission to Change Elected Leaders’ Salaries

Salem Statesman-Journal – Dianne Lugo | Published: 6/25/2023

Oregon voters will get to decide on the creation of an independent commission to make decisions about elected officials’ compensation. The bipartisan effort to address the issue came at the heels of the resignation of Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. She faces ethical and criminal investigations after it was revealed she was being paid $10,000 a month by a cannabis company while her office was overseeing an audit of the cannabis industry. Fagan said accepted the contract because her salary as secretary of state was not enough to make ends meet.

Rhode Island – Ethics Panel Votes to Investigate R.I. Officials’ Conduct During Philly Trip, and Speaker Shekarchi

MSN – Edward Fitzpatrick (Boston Globe) | Published: 6/27/2023

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted to launch an investigation into potential ethics violations by the two former state officials who were accused of “outrageous behavior” during a business trip to Philadelphia, and it will probe a separate allegation against House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. Commission staff members initiated the complaint filed against David Patten and James Thorsen, the two former state officials who took a now-infamous trip to visit Scout Ltd., a Philadelphia company seeking to redevelop the Cranston Street Armory in Providence.

Rhode Island – Rhode Island Senator Arrested, Accused of Keying Car with Anti-Biden Bumper Sticker

MSN – Steph Machado (Boston Globe) | Published: 6/23/2023

State Sen. Josh Miller was arrested recently, accused of keying a car in a shopping center parking lot that was sporting a bumper sticker reading “Biden sucks.” Body-worn camera videos showed Miller initially denied keying the man’s car when stopped by police, but at his home later acknowledged he did so because he felt he was being threatened by the man. Miller said he has been stalked at the statehouse by “gun nuts” because he is the lead sponsor of a bill to ban assault-style weapons in Rhode Island.

Tennessee – Legislative Office Lawyers Say TN Records Laws Don’t Apply to Them in Lawsuit Over Ethics Docs

Tennessee Lookout – Adam Friedman | Published: 6/23/2023

Lawyers for the Tennessee legislative office believe the state’s public records do not apply to the legislative body, and it would violate the separation of government powers for a court to compel to release the documents related to their investigation into sexual harassment allegations against former Rep. Scotty Campbell. The case has the potential to widen the door on what records fall under the deliberative process privilege exemption, which Gov. Bill Lee has used to deny numerous public records’ request by journalists.

Texas – DeSantis’s Taxpayer-Funded Helicopter Ride in Texas Draws Scrutiny

DNyuz – Neil Vigdor and Nicholas Nehamas (New York Times) | Published: 6/28/2023

A photo op intended to turbocharge Republican voters, one showing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis posing in front of a helicopter at the southern border in Texas. But the display is creating an unwanted spotlight for DeSantis: The helicopter is funded by Texas taxpayers, raising questions about the political nature of the flight and its cost. Reflecting the split nature of his duties, DeSantis wore a shirt that said “Governor Ron DeSantis” on the right and “DeSantis for President” on the left.

Ohio: “Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder Gets Maximum 20 Years in Prison for Largest Bribery Scandal in State History” by Adam Ferrise for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Campaign Finance

National: “Watchdog Alleges Canadian Hedge Fund Gave Illegal Contributions to DeSantis Campaign” by Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) for Yahoo News

Elections

National: “A.I.’s Use in Elections Sets Off a Scramble for Guardrails” by Tiffany Hsu and Steven Lee Myers (New York Times) for DNyuz

Ethics

California: “San Francisco’s Ex-Utilities Chief Accused of Shady Business Dealings on First Day of Corruption Trial” by Michael Barba for San Francisco Standard

National: “The Attention Was All on Mar-a-Lago. Some of the Action Was at Bedminster” by Alan Feuer, Maggie Haberman, and Jonathan Swain (New York Times) for DNyuz

Massachusetts: “Councilor Ricardo Arroyo Admits to Ethics Violation, Pays Penalty in Connection with Representing His Brother” by Danny McDonald (Boston Globe) for MSN

Ohio: “Ohio Froze an Ex-Utility Regulator’s $8 Million in Assets. Lawyers Disagree Over Whether It’s Legal.” by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) for MSN

Lobbying

Canada: “Federal Lobbying Hit a Record High Last Fiscal Year, Industry Watchdog Says” by Staff for CBC

Maryland: “National Climate Group Asks: Should Md. lobbying firms take fossil fuel clients?” by Josh Kurtz for Maryland Matters

Procurement

California: “A Big Contract Went to a San Jose Private School Run by the Mayor’s Wife. Was It Competitive?” by Gabriel Greschler (Bay Area News Group) for MSN