Jim Sedor, Author at State and Federal Communications

January 17, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Arizona: “Where Did Arizona Gov. Hobbs’ Inaugural Funds Come From?” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for KAWC Elections Ohio: “Military Families Frustrated as States Change Mail Ballot Timelines” by Julie Carr Smyth and Gary Fields (Associated Press) […]

January 16, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Massachusetts: “Mass. GOP Chairman May Have Violated Campaign Finance Law, Party Treasurer Alleges, in Escalating Woes for State Republican Party” by Emma Platoff (Boston Globe) for MSN Virginia: “‘A Missed Opportunit’: Virginia subcommittee on campaign finance reform has […]

January 13, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – January 13, 2023

National/Federal At Proud Boys Trial, U.S. Aims to Win Another Seditious Conspiracy Case MSN – Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 1/9/2023 Henry “Enrique” Tarrio and four other members of his right-wing group Proud Boys are standing trial on charges of […]

National/Federal

At Proud Boys Trial, U.S. Aims to Win Another Seditious Conspiracy Case
MSN – Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 1/9/2023

Henry “Enrique” Tarrio and four other members of his right-wing group Proud Boys are standing trial on charges of seditious conspiracy in a case that will test the limits of a rarely used law. Prosecutors will seek to convince a jury the riot at the U.S. Capitol was not the spontaneous outburst of a misguided mob but an assault on democracy galvanized by dedicated extremists. The strongest evidence against the Proud Boys comes from on and around January 6, as they discussed storming the Capitol and members of the group engaged in violence. The government’s challenge will be tying that to a broader political plot.

Attorneys Clash in E. Jean Carroll Defamation Case Against Trump
MSN – Keith Alexander (Washington Post) | Published: 1/10/2023

An appeals court heard arguments on whether Donald Trump was acting within his job as president when he denied a writer’s allegations that he sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s. Lawyers for E. Jean Carroll argued Trump acted as a private citizen when he denied raping Carroll, and therefore can be sued like anyone else. Trump’s lawyers and an attorney for the Justice Department countered that his responses were made as part of his job as president, which would effectively end Carroll’s case against him.

Here Are the K Street Lobbyists Closest to McCarthy
Yahoo News – Karl Evers-Hillstrom (The Hill) | Published: 1/11/2023

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s ascension to speaker of the House could be a boon for a small group of lobbyists within his inner circle. He has relied on a small handful of lobbyists for advice and fundraising help. Now those allies are a hot commodity among corporate clients eager to make inroads with McCarthy, who is in lockstep with corporate America on economic policy but has chastised major companies for wading into social and political issues.

House Narrowly Approves Rules Amid Concerns About McCarthy’s Concessions
Seattle Times – Catie Edmondson (New York Times) | Published: 1/9/2023

House Republicans pushed through an overhaul of operating rules for the new Congress, overcoming the concerns of some rank-and-file members about concessions that Speaker Kevin McCarthy made to the hard right in the desperate and drawn-out process of securing his job. Taken together, the rules increase transparency around how legislation is put together. But they could also make it difficult for the House to carry out even its most basic duties in the next two years, such as funding the government, including the military, or avoiding a catastrophic federal debt default.

How Kevin McCarthy Survived the GOP Revolt to Become House Speaker
MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf, Mariana Sotomayor, Michael Scherer, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 1/8/2023

Months of posturing and saber-rattling at last gave way to serious talks on changing how the new House would operate, which eventually led to Kevin McCarthy winning the speakership. What emerged was a deal that would secure McCarthy his prize only by diminishing it and putting the House on a collision course for more crises like the one just barely resolved, next time over funding the government or raising the debt limit.

Official U.S. Capitol Tour Guides Told to Only Mention Jan. 6 If Asked
Yahoo News – Joe Heim (Washington Post) | Published: 1/5/2023

Visitors on official guided tours of the U.S. Capitol are peppered with facts about its rich history. But they probably will not hear a word about the January 6, 2021, attack by supporters of Donald Trump who were seeking to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s electoral win. Guides have been told to only refer to January 6 if questioned on a tour, according to former tour guides and people familiar with the Capitol Visitor Center’s operations. It is a policy that in many ways reflects a country at odds with itself, unable to agree on fact and truth and reluctant to engage on the history of a day that threatened democracy.

Scandal-Hit EU Assembly Set to Move on Anti-Corruption Plan
Yahoo News – Lorne Cook (Associated Press) | Published: 1/11/2023

Spurred into action by a major corruption scandal, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola wants to prevent former lawmakers from lobbying on behalf of businesses or governments soon after they leave office and to make public the names of current members who break assembly rules. Metsola also seeks tougher checks on lobbyists and the public listing of any meetings that lawmakers may have with them. The plans were divulged a month after Belgian authorities arrested four people on charges of corruption, money laundering, and participation in a criminal organization.

Second Biden Search Yields Additional Classified Documents
MSN – Devlin Barrett, Matt Viser, Tyler Pager, and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 1/11/2023

President Biden’s personal lawyers discovered a small number of classified documents at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, an institute Biden started after serving as vice president. Legal representatives for the president then announced they found additional classified material at a second location. White House officials have said they are cooperating with the Justice Department and that Biden’s lawyers quickly handed over the documents to the National Archives and Records Administration.

The Mysterious, Unregistered Fund That Raised Big Money for Santos
DNyuz – Alexandra Berzon and Grace Ashford (New York Times) | Published: 1/12/2023

A month before George Santos was elected to Congress, one of his large campaign donors was asked to consider making another sizable contribution. The request came from a Republican loyalist on behalf of RedStone Strategies, which was described in an email to the donor as an “independent expenditure” group. The donor sent $25,000 to a bank account belonging to RedStone Strategies. But where the donor’s money went is unclear. The FEC said it had no evidence RedStone Strategies was registered as a political group, and there do not appear to be any records documenting its donors, contributions, or spending.

The New Soldiers in Propane’s Fight Against Climate Action: Television stars
DNyuz – Hiroko Tabuchi (New York Times) | Published: 1/11/2023

For DIY enthusiasts, Matt Blashaw is a familiar face, judging bathroom remodels or planning surprise home makeovers on popular cable television shows. He also has a strong opinion about how Americans should heat their homes: by burning propane. Less well known is Blashaw is paid by a fossil fuel industry group that has been running a furtive campaign against government efforts to move heating toward electricity made from cleaner sources. The Propane Education and Research Council has spent millions of dollars on “provocative anti-electrification messaging,” using influencers like Blashaw, according to the group’s internal documents.

Trump Campaign Officials Got Subpoena Asking New Questions About Jan. 6
MSN – Josh Dawsey, Devlin Barrett, and Rosalind Helderman (Washington Post) | Published: 1/11/2023

A wide-ranging subpoena sent to Donald Trump’s campaign officials in December shows new areas of investigative interest as part of the Justice Department’s extensive January 6 criminal probe, and lawyers say a grand jury focused on the day’s events and related fundraising has increased its activities in recent months. The document seeks more than two dozen categories of information and includes some questions that were not part of a series of similar subpoenas that were sent to several dozen people in September.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Wasilla Lawmaker Advised Not to Solicit Campaign Funds for Oath Keepers Trial Costs
Yahoo News – Sean Maguire (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 1/6/2023

Staff at the Alaska Public Offices Commission advised Rep. David Eastman not to keep soliciting campaign contributions to pay his legal bills, saying that would run afoul of state law. Anchorage Superior Court Judge Jack McKenna ruled in December that Eastman was eligible to hold public office despite his membership in the Oath Keepers, a far-right militia group that had some members and leadership participate in the riot at the U.S. Capitol. Without being able to solicit campaign contributions, he can still accept donations to a separate legal fund, but as a sitting legislator, the law prohibits him from accepting monetary “gifts” worth $250 or more.

California – Lobbyist’s $1,100 Payment to El Monte Councilmember for Breast Augmentation Lawful, FPPC Rules
San Gabriel Valley Tribune – Jason Henry (Pasadena Star News) | Published: 1/8/2023

The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) found El Monte Councilperson Victoria Martinez Muela did not violate the law by accepting $1,100 for breast augmentation surgery from a friend, even though the friend’s employer had business before the city council. The FPPC determined the payment for the procedure did not constitute a “gift” under state law, would not have been subject to state limits, and did not qualify as reportable income, said Alex Rose, counsel for the agency’s enforcement division.

California – San Jose Lobbyists Skirt Transparency
San Jose Spotlight – Tran Nguyan | Published: 1/5/2023

A review of 2022 disclosure reports shows how some lobbyists failed to divulge details of their meetings with San Jose officials. San Jose adopted lobbying rules in 2007 to increase transparency at City Hall and allow the public a window into how lobbyists influence city business and policies. The ordinance requires lobbyists to submit weekly reports and disclose details, including who their client is, who they meet with, how they communicate, and the topic being discussed.

Colorado – ‘Laughable’: Is it too easy to get on the Denver mayoral ballot?
Denver Post – Joe Rubino | Published: 1/5/2023

It took Leslie Herod’s campaign less than 17 hours to collect the 300 verified voter signatures needed to get the mayoral hopeful on the ballot for Denver’s April 4 municipal election. The speed with which Herod hit the petition mark – turning in her signatures at 4:30 p.m. on the first day signature gathering was allowed – highlights a concern that has been rumbling beneath the surface of Denver elections: is it too easy for candidates and citizens’ initiative to get on the ballot?

Florida – DeSantis Inauguration Planned to Give Donors Special Treatment. They Got Long Lines, Few Seats
MSN – Mary Ellen Klas and Lawrence Mower (Miami Herald) | Published: 1/5/2023

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proclaimed to a crowd of about 250 people at a candlelight dinner for donors that his swearing-in ceremony was “the most requested ticket” of any inauguration in state history. In fact, organizers sold more tickets than there were seats for the swearing-in, leaving numerous people, including the chief executive officer of Publix and the future speaker of the Florida House, without a place to sit. The treatment of the VIPs left some egos bruised. Many paid between $25,000 and $1 million for sponsorship packages that included seats to the VIP section for the swearing-in ceremony and tickets to the inaugural ball.

Georgia – Fani Willis, the Georgia Prosecutor Investigating Trump, Has Taken on Seemingly Untouchable Targets
MSN – Tom Hamburger, Matthew Brown, and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 1/9/2023

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is considering using Georgia’s racketeering statute in a politically treacherous investigation. The question is whether former President Trump conspired with his allies to break the law and attempt to overturn the 2020 election in the state. Willis finds herself at the center of an inquiry with the potential to make history and influence the course of the next presidential vote. A special grand jury convened as part of the investigation submitted a report that could include recommendations for charges.

Hawaii – Commission Fines Cayetano Campaign, Super PAC Over Josh Green Attack Ads
Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 1/11/2023

The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission fined gubernatorial candidate Vicky Cayetano’s campaign and her super PAC, Victory Calls. Commission staff found probable cause the campaign improperly coordinated with the PAC to run a print ad in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser attacking Gov. Josh Green, who at the time was a gubernatorial candidate and Cayetano’s opponent in the Democratic primary. The commission voted to fine the campaign and Victory Calls $1,000 jointly for the print ad, meaning either the PAC or the campaign can pay the fine.

Hawaii – Proposal Would Increase Public Funding for Hawaii Campaigns
Yahoo News – Dan Nakaso (Honolulu Star-Advertiser) | Published: 1/10/2023

State Sen. Karl Rhoads plans to introduce legislation this year to help county, state, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs candidates raise more campaign money through public funds to ease their reliance on lobbyists and private donors with the goal of promoting “clean elections.” The proposal follows the guilty pleas of Sen. J. Kalani English and Rep. T.J. Cullen on bribery and corruption charges that led to calls for ethics and fundraising reform that largely did not materialize last year but did lead to a ban on fundraising while the Legislature is in session and to the creation of a House commission on legislative conduct.

Illinois – Ex-U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez Allegedly Lobbied Speaker Michael Madigan for ComEd Board Appointment for Juan Ochoa, According to New Filing
Yahoo News – Jason Meisner and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 1/11/2023

Federal prosecutors revealed new evidence they intend to use against four people accused in an alleged bribery scheme between Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) and then-House Speaker Michael Madigan. Former McPier chief executive Juan Ochoa is expected to testify he enlisted the help of a member of Congress in 2017 to help repair his tattered relationship with Madigan and ultimately secure a lucrative position on ComEd’s board of directors. Sources said the member is ex-U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez. The trial promises to be the biggest corruption trial in Illinois since ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted in 2011.

Illinois – Lightfoot Campaign Asks CPS Teachers to Encourage Students to Help Her Win Reelection in Return for Credit
WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 1/11/2023

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s reelection campaign sent an email to Chicago Public Schools teachers asking them to encourage their students to volunteer to help Lightfoot win a second term as mayor and earn class credit. The message was sent to teachers’ official work email accounts. As mayor, Lightfoot appoints not only the superintendent of the Chicago Public Schools but also the members of the city Board of Education. Chicago’s ethics ordinance prohibits the use of public resources, including email accounts, for non-official purposes.

Kansas – Prominent Kansas Senate Republican to Pull Double Duty as Kris Kobach Adviser, Legislator
MSN – Andrew Bahl (Topeka Capital Journal) | Published: 1/11/2023

State Sen. J.R. Claeys will serve as a senior adviser to Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, a move that is not unprecedented but has brought concerns about a potential conflict-of-interest. There is nothing in the rules preventing Claeys, who also served as Kobach’s campaign manager during the 2022 election cycle, from simultaneously serving in a state agency. Legislators, both current and past, have worked for executive branch agencies and Kansas Board of Regents institutions, among other day jobs.

Kentucky – Pfizer Gives $1 Million to Republican Party of Kentucky to Expand Its Headquarters
Kentucky Lantern – Tom Loftus | Published: 1/9/2023

In what may be the largest political contribution ever given to a political party in Kentucky, the drug maker Pfizer Inc. gave $1 million last month to the building fund of the state Republican Party. A report filed by Republican Party of Kentucky Building Fund listed the $1 million from Pfizer along with five other big corporate contributions in the final quarter in 2022 totaling $1.65 million. That is an extraordinarily large haul for the fund which had raised only $6,000 during the first three quarters of last year.

Louisiana – Former Louisiana Democrats Chair, State Senator Gets Prison Time for Wire Fraud
Louisiana Illuminator – Greg La Rose | Published: 1/11/2023

Former state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson was sentenced to 22 months in prison after admitting she used money from her campaign and the Louisiana Democratic Party to support a gambling addiction. Peterson was accused of pilfering $147,000 from her campaign and party coffers through a series of payments to close political allies.

Massachusetts – SJC Rules DiMasi’s Federal Corruption Convictions Do Not Disqualify Him, or Others, from Lobbying on Beacon Hill
MSN – John Element (Boston Globe) | Published: 1/5/2023

Secretary of State William Galvin misinterpreted Massachusetts law when he denied former House Speaker Sal DiMasi’s registration as a lobbyist in 2019, the state’s highest court ruled. The Supreme Judicial Court said amendments to ethics laws enacted by state legislators in 2009 specified that only state corruption convictions could be used to prevent someone from registering as a lobbyist for 10 years after being convicted. DiMasi was convicted in federal court of fraud and extortion for taking bribes while in office.

Massachusetts – The Latest Challenge for the Beleaguered Massachusetts State GOP: Tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid bills
MSN – Emma Platoff (Boston Globde) | Published: 1/10/2023

Fresh off an electoral defeat in the November midterms. the Massachusetts Republican Party now appears to have mounting financial and legal problems, too – a pile of overdue bills, much of that money owed to an opposition research firm that party leaders hired last year to dig up dirt on Maura Healey during her run for governor. As of late December, the state GOP owed at least $86,000 to at least two outside vendors hired for election-related services, bills that were late by more than two months. Republican sources, including one familiar with the party’s direct mail process, estimated the debt far exceeds that amount.

New Mexico – Democratic Officials’ Homes, Offices Shot Up in New Mexico
Associated Press News – Susan Montoya Bryan and Morgan Lee | Published: 1/6/2023

The homes or offices of five elected Democratic officials in New Mexico, including the new attorney general, have been hit by gunfire over the past month, and authorities are working to determine if the attacks are connected. Nobody was injured in the shootings. Federal officials have warned about the potential for violence and attacks on government officials and buildings, and the Department of Homeland Security has said domestic extremism remains a top terrorism threat in the U.S. Local officials have also faced an increasing number of threats in recent years.

New York – Lawmaker’s Victory May Cost Him Coveted Manhattan Apartment
DNyuz – Luis Ferré-Sadurní (New York Times) | Published: 1/6/2023

Democrats in the New York Assembly had been considering whether to expel a Republican member because of evidence suggesting he lived in Manhattan, not in the South Brooklyn district he was recently elected to represent. But the efforts to remove Assemblyperson Lester Chang were seen as politically contentious. So Democratic leaders decided they would not try to remove Chang. But even though Mr. Chang will keep his seat, he may be at risk of losing something equally precious: his rent-stabilized apartment in Manhattan.

New York – Rensselaer County’s Former GOP Elections Commissioner Admits Voter Fraud
Albany Times Union – Robert Galvin | Published: 1/11/2023

Jason Schofield, Rensselaer County’s former elections commissioner, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of voter fraud charges, admitting he fraudulently filed absentee ballots in 2021 using the personal information of at least eight voters without their permission. The plea is part of a broader, ongoing investigation by the U.S. Justice Department that led to the guilty plea of ex-Troy City Council Member Kimberly Ashe-McPherson. The probe is examining the election activities of several top county officials.

New York – Trump Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg Sentenced to Five Months in Jail
MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 1/10/2023

Longtime Trump Organization finance chief Allen Weisselberg, who pleaded guilty to 15 counts including tax fraud, conspiracy, and grand larceny, was sentenced to serve five months in jail. Authorities had promised Weisselberg a steeply reduced sentence in exchange for testifying against the Trump Organization. He had faced up to 15 years in prison. The company was convicted of tax crimes. Donald Trump was not charged with wrongdoing.

North Dakota – As Lawmakers Return to Bismarck, Lobbyists Fill the Capitol
Grand Forks Herald – Jeremy Turley (Forum News Service) | Published: 1/6/2023

Lobbyists are sure to be present wherever laws are made, and the North Dakota Capitol is no exception. For each of the state’s 141 lawmakers, there are more than two registered lobbyists, and their numbers are expected to grow as the Legislature’s four-month session unfolds. Lobbyists, whether paid or not, are a vital piece of the Capitol ecosystem, according to policymakers and political scientists.

North Dakota – Bill Would Add 9,000 State Employees to North Dakota Ethics Panel’s Jurisdiction
Jamestown Sun – Jack Dura (Bismarck Tribune) | Published: 1/6/2023

North Dakota’s Ethics Commission is asking the state Legislature to expand the panel’s oversight authority to include thousands of state employees. Senate Bill 2048 includes several changes requested by the commission, such as extending the time frame to notify an accused person of an ethics complaint and adding criteria for who can make complaints. The bill also would add about 8,960 executive branch employees to the ethics panel’s jurisdiction over “public officials.”

Ohio – Ex-Ohio Governor Candidate Joe Blystone Fined $105K, Can’t Run for Office for 5 Years
Yahoo News – Jessie Balmert (Cincinnati Enquirer) | Published: 1/5/2023

Joe Blystone, who unsuccessfully challenged Gov. Mike DeWine in the Republican primary election last May, will pay a $105,000 fine and not run for office for five years as part of a settlement with the Ohio Elections Commission. The $105,000 fine is what is left in Blystone’s campaign account minus $75,000 placed in reserve for a pending lawsuit. The case stemmed from a slew of campaign finance violations committed by Blystone.

Oklahoma – After Dark Money Flooded Elections, Oklahoma GOP Chair Wants Changes to Help Political Parties
Tulsa World – Carmen Forman | Published: 1/11/2023

After millions of dollars in “dark money” flowed into Oklahoma elections last year, the state Republican Party chairperson is seeking reforms. A.J. Ferate asked the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to consider updating campaign finance rules so political parties can raise more money and provide additional assistance to state candidates. Corporations and other entities can contribute unlimited sums of money to influence elections through groups that do not have to report their donors. Political parties have to report their campaign fundraising and spending.

Pennsylvania – DA Larry Krasner’s Impeachment Trial Gets Indefinitely Postponed by the Pa. Senate
MSN – Ellie Rushing (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 1/11/2023

The Pennsylvania Senate voted to indefinitely postpone the impeachment trial of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. A Commonwealth Court ruling to dismiss the articles of impeachment as legally insufficient, the future of the trial – and the timeline for when, or even if, it resumes – remains uncertain. Judge Ellen Ceisler said the articles did not sufficiently demonstrate Krasner failed to perform his duties or acted with an improper or corrupt motive, a standard required under the state constitution to impeach a public official.

Rhode Island – As Judge Caprio Moves On, Questions About ‘Caught in Providence,’ and the Profits, Are Raised
Yahoo News – Katherine Gregg (Providence Journal) | Published: 1/9/2023

In 2015, The Rhode Island Ethics Commission gave the chief judge of Providence Municipal Court, Frank Caprio, its blessing to expand his “Caught in Providence” television show into wider markets. Caprio told the commission that “he has never and will never accept financial compensation of any kind from the broadcast of these Municipal Court proceedings.” But the judge’s brother, David Caprio, chair of the state’s higher education board, recently acknowledged he has made a little more than $100,000 a year from the broadcast, which he did not list on his ethics-disclosure filing.

South Carolina – South Carolina US House District Ruled Racial Gerrymander
Yahoo News – James Pollard and Jeffrey Collins (Associated Press) | Published: 1/5/2023

Federal judges ordered South Carolina lawmakers to draw new congressional maps, ruling the U.S. House district lines of a seat flipped by Democrats four years ago were intentionally redrawn to split Black neighborhoods to dilute their voting power. The state used the maps in this past November’s midterm elections after the Republican-dominated state Legislature redrew the lines following the 2020 U.S. Census. With Republicans holding a thin margin in the House, any change to competitive districts has a chance to alter the balance of power after the 2024 elections.

Utah – The Utah Executive Ethics Committee Has Been Understaffed for 2 Years
Local Today – Emily Anderson Stern (Salt Lake Tribune) | Published: 1/11/2023

After major scandals that led to the FBI investigating a Utah attorney general and lieutenant governor, the Legislature passed a bill establishing an ethics committee to review complaints against the state’s executive branch. But for nearly two years, the Executive Ethics Committee operated with fewer than half its legally required members and has limited public avenues to file a grievance against Utah’s top officials.

Washington – Seattle Ethics Committee Restricts Collection of Democracy Vouchers
Real Change – Guy Oron | Published: 1/11/2023

The Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission amended the city’s democracy voucher program, limiting the ability of paid campaign staffers to collect vouchers, a move campaigns say could reduce the impact of the system. The program allocates four $25 vouchers to eligible Seattle residents who can donate them to candidates. Previously, staff could collect replacement forms from potential donors. That made it easy for supporters to give their vouchers immediately to a campaign. Now, supporters must turn in a replacement form to a volunteer or to the city directly, either by mail or online.

Washington – Sutherland to Pay $2.5K to Settle Ethics Violation Complaint
Everett Herald – Jerry Cornfield | Published: 1/6/2023

State Rep. Robert Sutherland will pay $2,500 to settle a complaint alleging he violated Washington’s ethics law when he berated and swore at a House security official and then bragged about it at a political rally hours later on the Capitol campus. Sutherland and Sean Hartsock, the chamber’s director of security, became embroiled in a heated exchange when the lawmaker sought access to a building he had been barred from entering because he had not taken a required COVID test.

West Virginia – W.Va. Journalist Let Go After Reporting on Abuse Allegations
Yahoo News – Leah Willingham (Associated Press) | Published: 1/7/2023

West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) reporter Amelia Ferrell Knisely said she was told to stop reporting on the Department of Health and Human Resources after leaders of the agency “threatened to discredit” the network. She then learned her position was being eliminated. Knisely had reported about alleged abuse of people with disabilities within the state agency. She said her news director told her the order came from WVPB Executive Director Butch Antolini, former communications director for Gov. Jim Justice. The governor has tried to eliminate funding for WVPB and was accused of appointing partisan operatives to its board.

January 12, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Hawaii: “Proposal Would Increase Public Funding for Hawaii Campaigns” by Dan Nakaso (Honolulu Star-Advertiser) for Yahoo News Oklahoma: “After Dark Money Flooded Elections, Oklahoma GOP Chair Wants Changes to Help Political Parties” by Carmen Forman for Tulsa World […]

January 11, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Kentucky: “Pfizer Gives $1 Million to Republican Party of Kentucky to Expand Its Headquarters” by Tom Loftus for Kentucky Lantern Elections National: “At Proud Boys Trial, U.S. Aims to Win Another Seditious Conspiracy Case” by Rachel Weiner (Washington […]

January 10, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance National: “Watchdog Group Asks FEC to Investigate Embattled New York Rep. George Santos’ Campaign Finances” by Fredreka Schouten (CNN) for MSN Alaska: “Wasilla Lawmaker Advised Not to Solicit Campaign Funds for Oath Keepers Trial Costs” by Sean Maguire […]

January 9, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Florida: “DeSantis Inauguration Planned to Give Donors Special Treatment. They Got Long Lines, Few Seats” by Mary Ellen Klas and Lawrence Mower (Miami Herald) for MSN Ohio: “Ex-Ohio Governor Candidate Joe Blystone Fined $105K, Can’t Run for Office […]

January 6, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – January 6, 2023

National/Federal Advocacy Groups Denounce GOP Proposals to ‘Gut’ Ethics Office MSN – Kate Ackley (Roll Call) | Published: 1/3/2023 Ethics advocacy groups are sounding alarms that a proposal from House Republicans to change the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) could eviscerate […]

National/Federal

Advocacy Groups Denounce GOP Proposals to ‘Gut’ Ethics Office
MSN – Kate Ackley (Roll Call) | Published: 1/3/2023

Ethics advocacy groups are sounding alarms that a proposal from House Republicans to change the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) could eviscerate the watchdog, leaving it unable to function. The proposals, part of a package of new rules for the chamber, appear subtle but would have a major impact on the OCE, the groups say. Republicans have proposed term limits on OCE board members, a move that critics say would disproportionately affect Democratic members of the bipartisan body. The OCE would have to make hiring decisions within the first 30 days, a potentially impossible task if the board does not have a full slate.

House Joins Senate in Passing Electoral Count Act Overhaul in Response to Jan. 6 Attack
MSN – Amy Wang and Liz Goodwin (Washington Post) | Published: 12/19/2022

President Biden signed the omnibus spending bill to fund the federal government, which included the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act. It amends an 1887 law and reaffirms the vice president has only a ministerial role at the joint session of Congress where electoral college votes are counted. The measure raises the threshold necessary for members of Congress to object to a state’s electors.

Jan. 6 Report Recommends Congress Ban Trump from Office
MSN – Amy Gardner, Rosalind Helderman, and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 12/22/2022

The House committee investigating attack on the U.S. Capitol recommended Congress consider barring former President Trump from ever holding public office again as a result of his role inciting that day’s insurrection. The committee released its final report, concluding 18 months of work with a carefully footnoted document intended to cement its findings that Trump’s conduct following the 2020 presidential election was to blame for the unprecedented assault on Congress.

Lobbyists Relish Return to Capitol After Years of COVID Restrictions
MSN – Karl Evers-Hillstrom (The Hill) | Published: 1/5/2023

Lobbyists returned to Capitol Hill on January 3. The end of strict rules for visitors at the Capitol will boost K Street’s visibility in time for the new Congress. Thousands of lobbyists roamed the Capitol campus without an appointment or congressional escort for the first time since March 2020, when Congress implemented COVID-19 restrictions. The rules made it difficult for lobbyists to meet with lawmakers in their offices. Congressional aides and K Street representatives increasingly relied on Zoom calls because getting people into Capitol buildings required too much time and planning.

Sam Bankman-Fried Funded More Than 90% of a Leading DC Ethics Group’s Political Arm in 2021
MSN – Brent Griffiths and Dave Levinthal (Business Insider) | Published: 12/29/2022

Indicted cryptocurrency financier Sam Bankman-Fried donated $760,000 to the Campaign Legal Center’s (CLC) action fund in 2021. The contribution amounted to more than 95 percent of CLC Action’s revenue for that year and roughly 94 percent of its expenses. Bankman-Fried’s spending helped support CLC Action, a 501(c)(4), as well as the ethics watchdog’s tax-exempt charitable arm. Under its action group, the CLC filed a number of prominent lawsuits in 2021.

Santos, a Suburban House and $11,000 in Campaign Payments for ‘Rent’
DNyuz – Grace Ashford and Dana Rubinstein (New York Times) | Published: 12/29/2022

There were a series of unusual disbursements in U.S. Rep.-elect George Santos’s campaign filings that experts say could warrant further scrutiny. There are also dozens of expenses pegged at $199.99, one cent below the threshold at which federal law requires receipts. It is not known if the spending was illegal, or merely unusual. Federal and local prosecutors said they would begin inquiries into Santos’s finances and background. A New Yor Times investigation revealed he misrepresented details of his education, work history, and property ownership, along with a previously undisclosed criminal charge in Brazil.

The ‘Red Wave’ Washout: How skewed polls fed a false election narrative
DNyuz – Jim Rutenberg, Ken Bensinger, and Steve Eder (New York Times) | Published: 12/31/2022

Polling helped feed what quickly became an inescapable political narrative in 2022: a Republican wave election was about to hit the country. In the election’s immediate aftermath, the polling failures appeared to be in keeping with misfires in 2016 and 2020, when the strength of Donald Trump’s support was widely underestimated and with the continuing struggles of an industry that arose with the corded home telephone to adapt to the mass migration to cellphones and text messaging. A New York Times review of the forces driving the narrative of a coming red wave, and of that narrative’s impact, found new factors at play.

Trump Tax Returns Undermine His Image as a Successful Entrepreneur
DNyuz – Jim Tankersley, Susanne Craig, and Russ Buettner (New York Times) | Published: 12/30/2022

House Democrats released six years of former President Trump’s tax records, offering new insight into his business dealings that further undermined his long-cultivated image as a successful businessperson. The release contained thousands of pages of tax documents, including individual returns for Trump and his wife, as well as business returns for several of the hundreds of companies that make up his business organization.

Twitter Reverses Longstanding Ban on Political Advertising
MSN – Elizabeth Dwoskin (Washington Post) | Published: 1/3/2023

Twitter said it was relaxing its ban on political and issue-based advertising, a reversal of the company’s long-standing approach to paid political speech. The policy change, which comes at a moment when major advertisers are defecting from the social media platform, would allow candidates and advocacy groups to spend money to promote themselves and their causes on the service. The company announced the change and promised to “share more details” as the work got underway. There was no explanation of why Twitter made the changes or how extensive the changes would be.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – After Overwhelming Voter OK, Political ‘Dark Money’ Law Hailed as Model
Cronkite News – Emilee Miranda | Published: 12/23/2022

Proposition 211, which Arizona voters approved in November, requires independent organizations that spend $50,000 or more in an election cycle to support or oppose a candidate or issue in a statewide race identify any donors who gave $5,000 or more. The trigger for disclosure in local campaigns, such as city council or school board races, is $25,000. Supporters call the ballot measure a model for the rest of the country, while opponents call it a threat to free speech.

Arizona – Gov.-Elect Hobbs Refuses to Disclose Donors to Inaugural Party
Arizona Daily Star – Bob Christie (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 1/1/2023

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is kicking off her term with a celebratory ball, a first for a new governor since Fife Symington had one in the 1990s. But Hobbs, who touted transparency as part of her leadership, has refused to disclose which people or corporations are paying for the party. The lack of full public disclosure extended to her taking the oath of office on January 2. That event was closed to the public and media, with the exception of a news photographer.

Arizona – Judge Rules Against Kari Lake in Bid to Overturn Arizona Election Results
MSN – Isaac Stanley-Becker and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 12/24/2022

A judge rebuffed an effort by Kari Lake, the defeated Republican candidate for governor in Arizona, to reverse the outcome of the November election, ruling against her after a trial that showcased speculation about systematic malfeasance at the polls but failed to prove it. The finding was in line with recent judgements against Abe Hamadeh and Mark Finchem, the unsuccessful candidates for attorney general and secretary of state, respectively, who also challenged their losses. The rulings show how the judiciary in Arizona rejected challenges to election results and affirmed the will of voters.

Arizona – Phoenix Council Members’ Suns Arena Suite Usage Raises Ethics Policy Questions
Yahoo News – Taylor Seely (Arizona Republic) | Published: 12/26/2022

For years, the city of Phoenix has had access to a luxury suite at the Footprint Center to promote economic development, but a controversy about city council members attending NBA playoff games and concerts the past two years is prompting discussion over whether or when such activity is ethically acceptable. While no one at City Hall says the council members violated the suite usage policy, some there are questioning whether it was appropriate for elected leaders to attend events in the skybox with campaign donors. Others wonder if it causes a perception problem.

California – Buried Treasure: California politicians stash $35 million in leftover campaign cash
MSN – Alexei Koseff and Ben Christopher (CalMatters) | Published: 12/21/2022

There are nearly 100 accounts belonging to political candidates in California with leftover campaign money. Some of the politicians holding onto past campaign contributions are simply waiting to figure out their next race, at which point they may tap into those eligible funds. Others are using the money to keep a foothold in the public arena, slowly spending down what is left on political donations, charitable contributions, and administrative expenses. Some of the money is merely sitting idle, in accounts where nothing much goes in or out, save interest and annual state filing fees.

California – Will Pay to Play Politics Be Curbed in the New Year?
Voice of OC – Spencer Custodio | Published: 1/3/2023

A new law in California aimed at curbing “pay-to-play” schemes at the local level across the state takes effect this year but questions are mounting on how effective it will be. The law mandates a 12-month waiting period for local elected officials to vote on items that could benefit campaign donors who gave $250 or more, among other provisions. Critics say it does not go far enough, arguing special interests can simply wait out the time restriction or bypass it by spending through PACs.

Florida – Florida’s Expanded Lobbying Ban Faces Legal Challenge. Some Officials Already Resigned
MSN – Anna Ceballos (Miami Herald) | Published: 12/30/2022

Five elected officials in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Leon counties are suing to block new lobbying restrictions that are among the toughest in the country. The measures prohibit elected officials in the state from working as lobbyists while holding public office, and bar state and local elected officials from lobbying their state agencies or offices for six years after leaving office. The court will hear arguments in the case on January 27. In the meantime, a number of public officials will be forced to decide whether to quit public office or their private jobs, said attorney Scott Hiaasen.

Florida – Newly Released Records Show Top DeSantis Adviser Used Private Email and Alias to Coordinate Migrant Flights
MSN – Matt Dixon (Politico) | Published: 12/28/2022

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s top safety official helped write language that helped a former legal client secure a state contract to oversee a controversial program to fly migrants from the southern border to Martha’s Vineyard. In the process, the official, Larry Keefe, used a non-public email address that made it appear emails were coming from “Clarice Starling,” the main character from “The Silence of the Lambs.” They show Keefe helping Vertol Systems, who he represented when in private legal practice, draft invoice language the company used when submitting its proposal to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Illinois – Mayor Lori Lightfoot Wanted Chicago Bears to Change Her Season Ticket Seats Over Security Concerns
MSN – Gregory Pratt (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 1/5/2023

Citing security concerns, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration in 2019 requested “updating” her Chicago Bears season tickets, which she had held for years before being elected months earlier. Lightfoot’s security detail worried she would be hard to protect in the seats on the stadium’s 400 level, so they approached the Bears about moving her to a different location. Team officials worked with Lightfoot’s representatives to try to move the mayor’s seats, but the Bears had a problem of their own. A 2016 city ethics board ruling complicated the question of whether they could offer the mayor a free or even face-value upgrade.

Kansas – A Battle Over Subpoenas of Kansas Republican Officials Is Heating Up. Here Is What’s at Stake.
Yahoo News – Andrew Bahl (Topeka Capital Journal) | Published: 12/27/2022

A judge declined a request from the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission to shield from the public hearings and documents related to a court tussle over subpoenas of top Republican Party officials. The cases regarding each of the seven individuals are at varying stages of adjudication, with the matter dismissed for some but ongoing for others. Attorneys for some of the defendants have sought to strike the commission’s court efforts under a state statute designed to crack down on lawsuits that are deemed to silence citizens.

Kansas – Newly Elected Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach Fined $30,000 by FEC for Illegal Contribution from ‘WeBuildTheWall’ Scam Organization
Yahoo News – Bryan Metzger (Business Insider) | Published: 12/30/2022

Incoming Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach was fined $30,000 by the FEC for violating campaign finance laws during a failed 2020 U.S. Senate campaign. Kobach’s campaign rented the email list of “WeBuildTheWall, Inc.” for just $2,000 in 2019, significantly below the normal rate for corporate list rentals. The FEC found that discrepancy constituted an illegal in-kind contribution from a corporation.

Maryland – Nick Mosby Files Last-Minute Rebuttal to Ethics Charges, Suggesting Next Week’s Court Hearing Will Be Delayed
Baltimore Brew – Mark Reutter | Published: 1/3/2023

The Baltimore Board of Ethics asked a judge to penalize city council President Nick Mosby for noncompliance, saying he “is seeking only to delay” the proceedings in a case concerning a fundraiser that collected over $14,000, including $5,100 from persons doing business with the city, for Mosby’s legal defense fund. A fine of up to $1,000 a day can be imposed for failing to follow a city ethics order. Mosby’s attorney recently filed a court document that argues the board misapplied ethics rules and prohibitions against gifts to elected officials to ensnare his client, which is likely to further delay a hearing in the matter.

Montana – Lawmakers Deadlock on Political Practices Commissioner
Montana Free Press – Alex Sakariassen | Published: 1/3/2023

A panel of four state legislators reached an impasse over who should become Montana’s next commissioner of political practices. Now, the task of selecting a candidate falls squarely on Gov. Greg Gianforte, whose office has yet to provide a glimpse of any frontrunner. Five candidates appeared before the committee to answer questions about their past political affiliations, lobbying activity, and understanding of the commissioner’s responsibilities in state government.

New Jersey – NJ Law Is Meant to Increase Campaign Finance Transparency. It Also Guts Local Pay-to-Play Rules.
Gothamist – Nancy Solomon | Published: 12/26/2022

The New Jersey Legislature is on the verge of changing the state’s campaign finance restrictions, despite opposition from good government groups. The Elections Transparency Act would double the amount individuals or groups could give to non-gubernatorial candidates, parties, and county party organizations. It also would dismantle local laws that prohibit campaign donations from people who do business directly with local government and regulate all those contributions through state law instead.

New Mexico – Albuquerque Officials Will Have to Reveal More About Their Personal Finances in 2023
Albuquerque Journal – Jessica Dyer | Published: 1/1/2023

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller signed legislation updating the city’s ethics code regarding how much financial information the mayor and council members must reveal. City Clerk Ethan Watson said the new rules mirror financial disclosure standards once proposed for state officials but never adopted at that level. He said Albuquerque is now at the forefront of transparency policy.

New York – New York State Lawmakers to Be the Highest Paid in Nation at $142,000
Yahoo News – Joseph Spector (Politico) | Published: 12/22/2022

The New York Legislature voted to increase the pay of lawmakers who take office on January 1 from $110,000 to $142,000 a year, making it by far the highest paid state legislative body in the country. The next highest is California where lawmakers get $122,694. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the bill into law. Democrats defended the 29 percent increase, saying their salaries were stuck at $79,500 for 20 years before jumping to $110,000 in 2019 after a recommendation from a special compensation committee. The deal also includes limiting lawmakers’ outside income to no more than $35,000 a year.

North Carolina – New Year Brings Higher Limits for North Carolina Campaign Contributions
The Center Square – Victor Skinner | Published: 1/4/2023

The new year triggered higher campaign contribution limits in North Carolina to candidates and political committees, with the cap now set at $6,400. The State Board of Elections recalculates the donation limit every odd-numbered year based on the Consumer Price Index.

North Carolina – North Carolina Will Not Prosecute Mark Meadows for Voter Fraud
MSN – Meryl Kornfield and Kyle Rempfer (Washington Post) | Published: 12/30/2022

Mark Meadows, who was chief of staff to President Trump, will not be charged for voter fraud related to his 2020 registration and absentee vote in North Carolina, the state’s chief law enforcement official said. Meadows was under investigation after media reports that said the voter registration for Meadows listed a mobile home in Scaly Mountain, North Carolina he had never owned, stayed at, or visited.

Ohio – FirstEnergy Secretly ‘Engaged’ Corey Lewandowski to Lobby Trump for a Public Bailout, Subpoenaed Records Confirm After Years of Denials
Energy and Policy Institute – Dave Anderson | Published: 12/22/2022

FirstEnergy secretly ‘engaged’ Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, to lobby the White House to deliver a public bailout for the utility company’s coal and nuclear power plants in 2017 and 2018, records released by the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel show. Lewandowski never registered as a federal lobbyist during the Trump administration and has for years denied worked for FirstEnergy as the company lobbied to secure a federal bailout.

Ohio – FirstEnergy to Pay $3.9M Fine for Withholding Lobbying Info from Federal Regulators
MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/3/2023

FirstEnergy will pay $3.9 million for failing to fully provide the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with requested lobbying and accounting information. The utility admitted it violated the FERC’s “duty of candor” rule and agreed to two years of compliance monitoring. FirstEnergy is continuing to work through issues related to bribes it doled out in support of House Bill 6, energy legislation in Ohio that provided about $1 billion to two nuclear power plants owned by a former subsidiary.

Oregon – The State Elections Director Advocated for Compliance and Investigations. Her Boss Says She ‘Didn’t Get It.’
Willamette Week – Nigel Jaquiss | Published: 1/4/2023

Deborah Scroggin’s resignation as Oregon’s elections director came 18 months after Secretary of State Shemia Fagan hailed her hiring following a nationwide search. But emails and interviews reveal Scroggin, a stickler for rules and transparency, and Fagan, who rose rapidly to the state’s second-highest office based on her bold approach to politics, were never on the same page. Initially, the Associated Press reported Scroggin stepped down because of the pressure of dealing with misinformation about elections. But when reporters asked her to confirm that explanation, Scroggin said Fagan had, in fact, asked for her resignation.

Pennsylvania – Mayoral Candidate Allan Domb Has Triggered the ‘Millionaire’s Amendment’ for Campaign Fundraising
MSN – Sean Collins Walsh (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 1/4/2023

Mayoral candidate and real estate magnate Allan Domb triggered the “millionaire’s amendment” of Philadelphia’s political fundraising rules, which doubles the annual limits on how much money campaigns can raise from donors if any candidate gives their campaign $250,000 or more out of their own pocket. The limit on contributions from individuals is now $6,200, and $25,000 on donations from corporations or political committees. The provision stays in effect even if Domb drops or out of the race.

Pennsylvania – Philly’s Board of Ethics Has Fined Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson and Mayoral Candidate Allan Domb
MSN – Sean Collins Walsh (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 12/22/2022

Philadelphia City Councilperson Kenyatta Johnson and former council member Allan Domb agreed to pay $2,000 in fines for violating city ethics rules in unrelated cases that involve mishandling required disclosures of real estate interests. Domb failed to follow the city’s process for disclosing conflicts-of-interest when the council considered legislation that affected a property in which he has an ownership stake. Johnson was investigated for failing to list rental income on his public financial disclosure after The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the omission.

Texas – Individuals and Other Politicians Can Spend Money on Texas House of Representatives Race, Court Agrees
MSN – Robert Garrett (Dallas Morning News) | Published: 1/4/2023

A federal judge permanently barred the state from enforcing laws that prevent outside money from being spent on a race for Texas House speaker. Three individuals had sued, saying they wished to make expenditures on behalf of Rep. Tony Tinderholt, who is challenging current Speaker Dade Phelan. The trio argued the restrictions violate the First Amendment, specifically its protections for freedom of speech and association.

January 5, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance California: “Will Pay to Play Politics Be Curbed in the New Year?” by Spencer Custodio for Voice of OC Kansas: “Newly Elected Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach Fined $30,000 by FEC for Illegal Contribution from ‘WeBuildTheWall’ Scam Organization” […]

January 4, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance National: “Sam Bankman-Fried Funded More Than 90% of a Leading DC Ethics Group’s Political Arm in 2021” by Brent Griffiths and Dave Levinthal (Business Insider) for MSN New Jersey: “NJ Law Is Meant to Increase Campaign Finance Transparency. […]

January 3, 2023 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance National: “Santos, a Suburban House and $11,000 in Campaign Payments for ‘Rent’” by Grace Ashford and Dana Rubinstein (New York Times) for Yahoo News Arizona: “After Overwhelming Voter OK, Political ‘Dark Money’ Law Hailed as Model” by Emilee […]

December 23, 2022 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – December 23, 2022

National/Federal An ‘Imperial Supreme Court’ Asserts Its Power, Alarming Scholars Yahoo News – Adam Liptak (New York Times) | Published: 12/19/2022 The conventional critique of the U.S. Supreme Court these days is that it has lurched to the right and is […]

National/Federal

An ‘Imperial Supreme Court’ Asserts Its Power, Alarming Scholars
Yahoo News – Adam Liptak (New York Times) | Published: 12/19/2022

The conventional critique of the U.S. Supreme Court these days is that it has lurched to the right and is out of step with the public on many issues. Recent legal scholarship makes a deeper point, saying the current court is distinctive in a different way: it has rapidly been accumulating power at the expense of every other part of the government.

Bribery Case Cracks Open European Parliament – and Finds Hidden Cash
DNyuz – Matina Stevis-Gridneff, Monika Pronczuk, Tariq Panja, and Sarah Hurtes (New York Times) | Published: 12/15/2022

Belgian authorities uncovered what prosecutors say was a cash-for-favors scheme at the heart of the European Union. It highlighted the vulnerabilities in an opaque, notoriously bureaucratic system that decides policies for 450 million people in the world’s richest club of nations. The investigation has jolted Brussels and unleashed a flurry of whispered accusations of corrupt behavior by lawmakers of all political stripes. It has also sparked scrutiny of foreign influence at a time when the European Union is asserting itself on issues like human rights and the war in Ukraine.

Congress Passes Bill to Rein in Conflicts of Interest for Consultants Such as McKinsey
ProPublica – Ian MacDougall | Published: 12/16/2022

Congress passed a bill that takes aim at the risk of improper influence when government contractors work for both federal agencies and private-sector clients. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the legislation. The bill makes several changes to federal contracting rules. It includes provisions requiring contractors to disclose information about potential conflicts-of-interest and clarifying when a contractor’s work for outside clients may create such a conflict. The bipartisan group of senators who sponsored the bill cited the consulting giant McKinsey & Company’s work for the Food and Drug Administration.

House Committee Votes to Make Public Trump’s Tax Returns
MSN – Michael Kranish, Jonathan O’Connell, Amy Wang, Azi Paybarah, and Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) | Published: 12/20/2022

The House Ways and Means Committee voted to release former President Trump’s tax returns, capping a protracted legal and political battle. After the vote, the committee revealed the IRS did not audit Trump’s returns during his first two years in office, despite a rule mandating such reviews, and never completed any audits while he served. The IRS began its first audit of Trump’s returns on the same day that Ways and Means Committee Chairperson Richard Neal sent a written request in April 2019 for the information and then assigned the bulk of the work to just one agent, the panel said.

In Testimony, Hannity and Other Fox Employees Said They Doubted Trump’s Fraud Claims
Seattle Times – Jeremy Peters (New York Times) | Published: 12/21/2022

Sean Hannity said in a sworn deposition he did not believe Sidney Powell’s claims that voting machines were rigged to help Joe Biden in the 2020 election when she appeared on his show. Dominion Voting Systems is suing Fox News for defamation. Hannity’s disclosure, along with others that emerged from court about what Fox News executives and hosts really believed as their network became one of the loudest megaphones for lies about the 2020 election being stolen from Donald Trump, is among the strongest evidence yet to emerge publicly that some Fox employees knew what they were broadcasting was false.

Jan. 6 Panel Urges Trump Prosecution with Criminal Referral
MSN – Eric Tucker, Mary Claire Jalonick, and Farnoush Amiri (Associated Press) | Published: 12/19/2022

The House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection recommended criminal charges against former President Trump and associates who helped him launch a wide-ranging campaign to overturn his 2020 election loss. The committee alleged violations of four criminal statutes by Trump, in both the run-up to the riot and during the insurrection itself, as it recommended the former president for prosecution to the Justice Department. Among the charges is aiding an insurrection, an effort to hold him directly accountable for his supporters who stormed the Capitol that day.

Lawyer for Key Jan. 6 Witness Seeks to Rebut Panel’s Claim of Interference
MSN – Maggie Haberman and Luke Broadwater (New York Times) | Published: 12/20/2022

A former lawyer for a White House aide who became a key witness for the January 6 House select committee took a leave of absence from his law firm and defended himself against what he said were false insinuations that he had interfered with his client’s testimony. Stefan Passantino represented Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to the White House chief of staff at the end of the Trump administration. The committee suggested that people connected to Donald Trump had attempted to influence at least one witness’s testimony, promising her jobs that never materialized and coaching her to be less than forthcoming with the panel.

Scam PAC Operator Uncovered by CNN’s KFile Pleads Guilty in Federal Court
MSN – Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck (CNN) | Published: 12/20/2022

Matthew Tunstall pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering while operating two so-called scam PACs during the 2016 election and collecting more than $3 million from unwitting donors. Tunstall was one of three men the Justice Department charged with multiple counts in perpetuating the fraud. The scheme tricked people into giving them money by using robocalls and written solicitations meant to imply they were supporting 2016 presidential candidates. The PACs’ operators used the funds to enrich themselves and pay for more robocalls and radio advertisements.

Skepticism Before a Search: Inside the Trump Mar-a-Lago documents investigation
Anchorage Daily News – Devlin Barrett, Jacqueline Alemany, Perry Stein, Josh Dawsey, Ann Marimow, and Carol Leonnig (Washington Post) | Published: 12/21/2022

FBI officials had a lot to worry about as they discussed whether to search one of Donald Trump’s homes for evidence of crimes. They decided any search warrant should be authorized by the attorney general himself, and they did not want the former president to be at Mar-a-Lago when it happened. The FBI also was wary of the remote possibility of a confrontation between the federal agents searching the location and the Secret Service agents who guard the former president. Leaders of the Justice Department were proceeding cautiously as well, agreeing with the FBI on these points even as tensions sometimes flared between agents and prosecutors.

‘THE Central Issue’: How the fall of Roe v. Wade shook the 2022 election
Yahoo News – Elena Schneider and Holly Otterbein (Politico) | Published: 12/19/2022

In May 2022, the midterm elections looked bleak, if not disastrous, for Democrats. But in dozens of focus groups, held by Democrats and Republicans in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down Roe v. Wade, campaign strategists kept making the same finding: abortion had not simply awakened Democratic voters, it was influencing swing voters. In many battleground and red-leaning states and districts, especially where Democrats spent millions of dollars to keep it at the forefront for voters, abortion access played an outsized role, reversing the party’s once abysmal outlook and stemmed the GOP’s expected “red wave.”

This Year’s Ballot Measures Will Change How Many Americans Vote
Center for Public Integrity – Aaron Mendelson | Published: 12/15/2022

Voting itself was on the ballot in the 2022 midterm elections, with initiatives seeking to revamp election laws in states across the country. Measures that promoted early voting and increased access to the ballot box saw wins in multiple states, but so did restrictive proposals that tightened voter ID laws or barred non-citizens from voting on local matters. The ballot measures suggest voters may take a more nuanced view on democracy than the politicians they elect, said Jasleen Singh of the Brennan Center for Justice.

Top Government Ethics Officer Was Late Disclosing His Personal Finances on Multiple Occasions
MSN – Kimberly Leonard (Business Insider) | Published: 12/20/2022

Office of Government Ethics General Counsel David Apol missed deadlines to report at least 12 different financial transactions since 2015. In two instances representing five transactions, he filed his federally mandated reports several months passed the deadline. Improperly reporting purchases and sales of bonds or stocks is a violation of the STOCK Act. Apol paid a fine for a late disclosure in 2020, certified documents show. His responsibilities include reviewing financial disclosures and writing ethics guidance for nearly 3 million federal employees.

U.S. Scrutinizes Political Donations by Sam Bankman-Fried and Allies
DNyuz – Kenneth Vogel and Ken Bensinger (New York Times) | Published: 12/17/2022

After cryptocurrency entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was charged with multiple crimes, including campaign finance violations, prosecutors reached contacted campaigns and committees that had received millions of dollars from Bankman-Fried and his colleagues. The Justice Department’s inquiries appear to be an effort to gather evidence against Bankman-Fried and other former FTX executives, rather than against their political beneficiaries. Bankman-Fried is accused of conspiring with unnamed others to violate campaign finance laws that prohibit corporate donations to candidates’ campaigns and bar “straw donations.”

While Advising Trump on Judges, Conway Sold Her Business to a Firm with Ties to Judicial Activist Leonard Leo
MSN – Heidi Przybyla (Politico) | Published: 12/20/2022

Judicial activist Leonard Leo appears to have helped facilitate the sale of former White House adviser Kellyanne Conway’s polling company in 2017 as she was playing a key role in advocating for Leo’s handpicked list of U.S. Supreme Court candidates. The transaction came at a critical moment for Conway, shortly after her ownership of The Polling Company had come under scrutiny from a congressional committee for potential “conflicts-of-interest,” likely creating pressure to unload it even though its value was unclear because she was its biggest asset and committed to her White House job.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Campaign Donors Attended Suns Games, Concerts with Council Members in Phoenix Suite
Axios – Jessica Boem | Published: 12/21/2022

Donors to Phoenix City Council campaigns attended concerts and sporting events with those council members in a city suite. The suite is to be used to promote the city, host distinguished guests, and enhance relationships with public agencies. It can also be used for youth groups or adults with developmental disabilities. Councilperson Laura Pastor said as the chair of the Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee, her time in the suite was “spent promoting the city and building strong relationships with businesses and labor groups.”

California – Beverly Hills Developer Gets 4 Years in Prison for Bribing L.A. County Official
MSN – Michael Finnegan (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 12/15/2022

A developer was sentenced to four years in prison for bribing a Los Angeles County official. Arman Gabaee admitted giving Thomas Shepos dozens of cash payoffs during furtive meetings in cars, restaurants, and men’s rooms while reaping lucrative real-estate leases in return. He also offered to buy Shepos a $1-million home in return for the county spending $45 million to lease office space at a Gabaee property. U.S. District Court Judge George Wu called the case an example of “systemic” public corruption. “There is so much of it going around,” the judge said.

California – Oakland Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan Fined $19,000 for Not Disclosing Property She Owned
MSN – Shomik Mukherjee (Bay Area News Group) | Published: 12/15/2022

Oakland City Council member Rebecca Kaplan was fined $19,000 for voting to fund millions of dollars in improvements for a large waterfront park after failing to disclose she and her parents owned a condominium nearby. Investigators determined Kaplan most likely made an honest mistake, though she had enough experience to know better. She did not list the condo’s address on her Form 700, in which elected officials must disclose annually their real property interests, later telling investigators she had not fully understood the reporting requirements.

Colorado – $10,000 Contribution to County Commissioner Did Not Require Recusal, Appeals Court Says
Denver Gazette – Michael Karlik (Colorado Politics) | Published: 12/16/2022

A judge was wrong to conclude a Larimer County Commission member needed to recuse himself from a land-use vote in which one of the parties was responsible for nearly 20 percent of his campaign contributions, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled. Applying U.S. Supreme Court precedent, Judicial District Court Judge Juan Villaseñor considered the contributions so outsized as to suggest Donnelly would not be a neutral decision-maker, which is a key component of due process.

Colorado – The Fair Elections Fund Rollout Is Facing Issues. City Council and the Clerk and Recorder’s Office Are Discussing Last-Minute Fixes
Denverite – Kyle Harris | Published: 12/14/2022

The rollout of Denver’s Fair Election Fund, which aims to level the playing field between well-funded candidates and those with fewer resources, has been sort of messy. The April 4 election cycle is well underway, but questions about issues like donation limits, the qualifying period, and reporting deadlines linger. Now, the Clerk and Recorder’s Office is taking tweaks to the rules to the city council’s Finance and Governance Committee, hoping to make last-minute changes.

Connecticut – Bacon Brothers and Lobbyists Are Players at Lamont’s Inaugural Ball
MSN – Mark Pazniokas (Connecticut Mirror) | Published: 12/20/2022

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s second inaugural ball on January 4 will feature live music by the Bacon Brothers and a pre-party reception with the governor to thank sponsors who give as much as $25,000. Inaugural balls are perhaps the last place where a lobbyist or state contractor can exceed a $50 annual limit on entertaining an elected official. Contributions to an inaugural are deemed a gift to the state, not an individual. The inauguration itself is free and open to the public.

Florida – Miami Beach Limits Developers’ Spending on Elections. Here’s How They Get Around It
MSN – Aaron Leibowitz (Miami Herald) | Published: 12/16/2022

Developers and lobbyists seeking certain city approvals in Miami Beach, as well as active city vendors, are barred from donating to campaigns under rules that have expanded over the past two decades. The city’s laws, which are among the strictest in Miami-Dade County, say those on a list maintained by the city clerk’s office, cannot give to campaigns, either “directly or indirectly.” A Miami Herald review found that despite the city’s efforts to curb the influence of money in politics, Miami Beach developers routinely circumvent the rules and give to campaigns in various ways.

Florida – Pompano Vice Mayor Beverly Perkins Accused of Misusing Leftover Campaign Funds in 2020 Election
MSN – Lisa Huriash (South Florida Sun-Sentinel) | Published: 12/20/2022

Pompano Beach Vice Mayor Beverly Perkins, under investigation by Broward’s top government watchdog, is accused of misusing thousands of dollars in leftover campaign funds following her successful reelection campaign in 2020. The Broward Office of the Inspector General found Perkins and her treasurer made 22 post-election expenditures totaling $7,381.92, including J. Mark’s Restaurant and Bar, Costco, and Dollar Tree. The inspector general’s office will refer the case to prosecutors.

Hawaii – Honolulu Teacher Violated Ethics by Accepting $16,600 From School Volunteer
Honolulu Civil Beat – Viola Gaskell | Published: 12/16/2022

The Hawaii Ethics Commission said a teacher at Moanalua Elementary School must return $16,600 given to her by an elderly donor who volunteered at the school. The donor gave Irene Bayudan six cashier’s checks while working on volunteer projects with her at the school, all of which she deposited into her personal bank account. The donor told the commission he gave Bayudan the money because “he felt that teachers were underpaid and he wanted to help her out.”

Illinois – Judge Gives 16 Months to Chinatown Developer Whose Cooperation Helped Kick Off Massive Corruption Probe
MSN – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 12/21/2022

Developer See Wong was sentenced to 16 months in prison for a $1.65 million fraud scheme stemming from a condominium project in Chicago that collapsed amid the global financial crisis in the late 2000s. Wong received a break on his sentence because of his cooperation with federal authorities – including wearing a wire on former Ald. Daniel Solis – that helped ensnare Solis, former Ald. Edward Burke, and ex-House Speaker Michel Madigan in what has become one of the biggest public corruption cases ever brought in Chicago.

Maryland – Ethics Board Asks Judge to Fine Council President Mosby $1,000 Per Day
MSN – Chris Berinato and Maxine Streicher (WBFF) | Published: 12/20/2022

The Baltimore City Board of Ethics is asking a judge to fine city council President Nick Mosby up to $1,000 per day for failing to comply with its order to stop fundraising and disclose legal defense fund donors. In May, the Board determined Mosby violated ethics rules when a legal defense fund was established in his name and some contributions had come from city contractors.

Maryland – Harford County Withholds Jacob Bennett’s Council Paycheck Amid Lawsuit
MSN – Jason Fontelieu (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 12/20/2022

Harford County Councilperson Jacob Bennett did not receive a paycheck from the county when council members were paid. Bennett has faced backlash from County Executive Bob Cassilly due to a provision in the law that Cassilly believes prevents Bennett from serving on the council while maintaining his job as a public-school teacher. Lawyers for the Maryland State Education Association and Harford County Public Schools have said there is no conflict-of-interest preventing Bennett from serving on the council.

Massachusetts – A Charlie Baker-Aligned Super PAC Broke State Law by Touting Him as ‘Special Guest’ at Fundraiser, Regulators Say
MSN – Matt Stout (Boston Globe) | Published: 12/16/2022

A super PAC aligned with Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker broke state campaign finance law when it advertised him as a special guest at a summer fundraiser, despite being previously warned by regulators that using Baker’s name to raise cash was not allowed, according to a letter officials sent the group. The Massachusetts Majority PAC was forced to purge $17,500, the amount it raised from the event. State law strictly prohibits coordination between candidates and super PACs, including barring elected officials from helping “finance” a PAC.

Minnesota – Lobbying Law Could Squeeze Some Minnesota Legislators
MPR News – Brian Bakst | Published: 12/16/2022

A lobbying law about to take effect in Minnesota aims to bar legislators from working for entities that exist primarily for lobbying or government affairs work. The same prohibition would apply to lawmakers who take on certain roles at organizations that employ or contract with lobbyists. Depending on how the statute is interpreted and enforced, it could require some lawmakers to choose between serving in the Legislature or continuing in their outside occupations. Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board Executive Director Jeff Sigurdson said one aspect of the law redefined who could fall under the lobbyist umbrella.

Minnesota – Regulators Push for More Financial Transparency in Minnesota Politics
Minneapolis Star Tribune – Jessie Van Berkel | Published: 12/17/2022

Spouses of public officials in Minnesota, unlike many other states, do not publicly report their financial interests. That would change if legislators follow the direction of the state’s Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, which made numerous recommendations largely aimed at improving transparency in campaigns and government. The board also proposed regulating cryptocurrency donations to campaigns and expanding public reporting on lobbying and on ads that do not expressly advocate for a candidate but can influence votes.

Nevada – For These Nevada Lobbyists, Politics Is a Family Affair
MSN – Taylor Avery (Las Vegas Review-Journal) | Published: 12/17/2022

Having the opportunity to follow in a family member’s footsteps and carry on the legacy of their work is a dream many envision but few realize. In Nevada’s political sphere, however, many have successfully taken up the helm and followed their parents into the world of lobbying. Even before joining his father’s firm, the Ferraro Group, becoming a lobbyist was Tommy Ferraro’s dream job since “Day One.”

New York – Foes of Drag Queen Story Hours Invade New York Councilman’s Home
DNyuz – Liam Stack (New York Times) | Published: 12/20/2022

Protesters descended on the home and the office of a gay member of the New York City Council, vandalizing the walls with homophobic graffiti and attacking one of his neighbors over his support for Drag Story Hour events at local libraries. The council member, Erik Bottcher, documented the vandalism on social media, where he also shared a video of protesters screaming and banging on his office door. Drag story hour events have drawn an increasing number of protests and threats across the country in recent years, including a series of tense demonstrations in New York, a city known for its inclusivity.

New York – Who Is Rep.-Elect George Santos? His Résumé May Be Largely Fiction.
Yahoo News – Grace Ashford and Michael Gold (New York Times) | Published: 12/19/2022

George Santos’ upset victory in a Long Island district helped Republicans gain control of the U.S. House. His campaign biography amplified his storybook journey. He is the son of Brazilian immigrants and is the first openly gay Republican to win a U.S. House seat as a non-incumbent. By his account, he became a “seasoned Wall Street financier and investor” with a family-owned real estate portfolio and an animal rescue charity. But a New York Times review of public documents and court filings, as well as various attempts to verify claims that Santos made on the campaign trail, calls into question key parts of the résumé he sold to voters.

North Carolina – N.C. Court Strikes Down Voter ID Law as Intentional Racial Discrimination
MSN – Eugene Scott, Azi Paybarah, and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 12/16/2022

The North Carolina Supreme Court struck down a state voter identification law, ruling Republican lawmakers acted unconstitutionally to minimize Democratic voters’ power with a law that intentionally discriminated against Black voters. Senate Bill 824 required every voter to present one of a few specific forms of photo identification, a measure the justices ruled was passed in part to discriminate against Black voters. Despite most voters having at least one of the forms of identification, the risk of having voters suppressed was very real, they said.

Ohio – Butler County Auditor Found Guilty on One Felony Count
WCPO – Lauren Pack and Rick McCrabb | Published: 12/21/2022

A jury found Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds guilty of one of the five charges he faced in a public corruption trial. Because he was convicted of a felony, he will not be able to serve as auditor. The charge was related to Reynolds advocating for Lakota Schools to build a golf academy at a private country club with tax money that school districts receive from the auditor’s office.

Ohio – FirstEnergy Execs Promised DeWine Administration Would ‘Step In’ for Scandal-Tainted HB6, Emails Show
MSN – Jake Zuckerman and Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 12/22/2022

A FirstEnergy executive privately pledged that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration would “step in” to support legislation now at the center of the largest public corruption scheme in state history, documents show. As the tainted legislation neared the finish line in 2019, FirstEnergy executives discussed deploying lawmakers and top state officials to push for the law’s passage. Prosecutors allege FirstEnergy paid roughly $60 million to a nonprofit controlled by then-House Speaker Larry Householder so he would champion a bailout of two nuclear plants and energy legislation worth more than $1.3 billion to the company and its subsidiary.

Ohio – Three Former Toledo City Councilmembers Plead Guilty in Corruption Probe
MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 12/16/2022

Three of four former Toledo City Council members accused of soliciting and taking bribes in exchange for votes pleaded guilty to federal charges. Yvonne Harper pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery, and Larry Sykes and Tyrone Riley each pleaded guilty to one count of extortion. The FBI in July 2020 arrested the group, along with attorney Keith Mitchell, in connection with the probe that shined a light on the tactics the council used to line their pockets with cash in exchange for favors. The four former members of council represented one-third of council at the time of the arrests. All four later resigned from council.

Oregon – Oregon Agencies Scrutinize Controversial Fiber-Optic Deal in Morrow County
MSN – Mike Rogoway (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 12/15/2022

The nonprofit Inland Development Corp. provides fiber-optic internet connections for local government offices and health care agencies. It also served businesses in Morrow County, including Amazon, which has spent more than $8 billion dollars building large data centers in the remote Oregon community. Inland sold the business side of its organization to four local officials as Amazon was seeking new tax breaks. The transaction positioned the local officials to profit from Amazon’s continued growth in the county. The buyers continued to participate in some votes on issues affecting Amazon after the purchase.

South Carolina – SC Coroner Flouts Transparency Laws, Hires Ex-SC State Police Chief Caught in Scam
Charleston Post and Courier – Tony Bartelme | Published: 12/18/2022

In 2019, Michael Bartley applied for a part-time job as a county deputy coroner. He seemed well-qualified, with previous mortuary experience and having served as police chief at South Carolina State University. When asked on a hiring questionnaire whether he had ever stolen anything from his employers, Bartley wrote no. Left unmentioned was his guilty plea to federal charges that he used his public law enforcement job for personal gain in a kickback scheme involved a kickback scheme. His boss, Orangeburg County Coroner Samuetta Marshall, owes the state Ethics Commission $12,430 over violations of open government rules.

South Dakota – Ethics Board Dismisses Noem Plane Case, Says Law Is Unclear
MSN – Stephen Groves (Associated Press) | Published: 12/20/2022

The Government Accountability Board dismissed a complaint against South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for using state government aircraft to attend events hosted by political organizations because state law does not define what is meant by “state business.” “It is not felt that the board has authority to establish a definition of state business,” board member David Gienapp said, and suggested that was the purview of the Legislature. Hughes County State’s Attorney Jessica LaMie said in October that her office found “no basis” to pursue charges on the allegations that Noem had misused the state plane or that the plane’s flight records had been altered.

Texas – Grid Reforms Becomes Power Company Lobbyist
Texas Observer – Justin Miller | Published: 12/20/2022

The former chairperson of the House State Affairs Committee, Chris Paddie, has registered as a lobbyist. Though many other Texans have gone straight from public office into private sector lobbying, Paddie’s case is unique in that it poses a challenge to an untested “revolving door” law. That law is one of the state’s few restrictions on a former elected official’s otherwise unfettered ability to capitalize on insider access and legislative expertise.

Virginia – Virginia Subcommittee on Campaign Finance Reform Still Failing to Complete Only Job
Virginia Mercury – Graham Moomaw | Published: 12/21/2022

For a second year in a row, the subcommittee created to take a “comprehensive” look at whether Virginia needs stronger limits on money in politics appears to be failing to complete its only task. It has not met in 2022 and no meeting dates have been set ahead of the 2023 legislative session that starts in January. Virginia currently has virtually no limits on how much money political campaigns can accept from one source and no law prohibiting politicians from spending that money on themselves instead of their campaigns.

Washington DC – Rudy Giuliani Likely Committed Misconduct Over 2020 Election, DC Bar Panel Finds
MSN – Zoe Tillman (Bloomberg) | Published: 12/15/2022

Attorney disciplinary regulators recommended Rudy Giuliani be disbarred in Washington, D.C., after a local bar association panel’s preliminary finding he likely committed misconduct in pressing Donald Trump’s failed legal challenge to President Biden’s 2020 win in Pennsylvania. Disciplinary Counsel Hamilton Fox argued the severe sanction was appropriate because Giuliani’s conduct in Pennsylvania was part of a broader effort to undermine the legitimacy of an election. The hearing committee’s decision is not final and could change as the case continues to wind through the District of Columbia Bar Association’s disciplinary process.

December 22, 2022 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance National: “Scam PAC Operator Uncovered by CNN’s KFile Pleads Guilty in Federal Court” by Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck (CNN) for MSN Florida: “Pompano Vice Mayor Beverly Perkins Accused of Misusing Leftover Campaign Funds in 2020 Election” by […]

December 21, 2022 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Colorado: “The Fair Elections Fund Rollout Is Facing Issues. City Council and the Clerk and Recorder’s Office Are Discussing Last-Minute Fixes” by Kyle Harris for Denverite Connecticut: “Bacon Brothers and Lobbyists Are Players at Lamont’s Inaugural Ball” by […]

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