Campaign Finance

National: “Court Ruling Doesn’t Stop Untraceable Election Spending” by Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) for apnews.org

Tennessee: “Tennessee Lawmakers Appeared to Violate Fundraising Rules – but They’re Unlikely to Face Penalties” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean

Elections

National: “How Manafort’s 2016 Meeting with a Russian Employee at New York Cigar Club Goes to ‘the Heart’ of Mueller’s Probe” by Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

National: “Former Federal Election Commission Chair Ann Ravel Runs for State Senate in San Jose” by Casey Tolan for San Jose Mercury News

Oregon: “Oregon Secretary of State Proposes $95K Fine for Ballots Turned in Late” by Hillary Borrud for Portland Oregonian

Ethics

National: “Top Leader at Interior Dept. Pushes a Policy Favoring His Former Client” by Coral Davenport for New York Times

Montana: “Who Should Fall Under the Montana Legislature’s Anti-Harassment Policy? No Easy Answer” by Holly Michels for Helena Independent Record

New Mexico: “Ethics Commission Measure Unveiled” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Lobbying

Washington: “Seattle Ethics Commission May Shine Light on Political Work, City Hall Lobbying” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times

Procurement

California: “To Do Business with L.A., City Contractors Now Must Disclose Ties with the NRA” by Dakota Smith for Los Angeles Times

Campaign Finance

Louisiana: “Ethics Board to Reconsider If Louisiana Candidates Can Pay for Child Care with Campaign Funds” by Elizabeth Crisp for New Orleans Advocate

Ethics

National: “Rick Scott Won’t Put His Wealth in a Blind Trust Anymore” by Steve Contorno for Tampa Bay Times

Canada: “Ethics Inquiry Opened Over Justin Trudeau’s Actions in Bribery Case” by Ian Austen for New York Times

Colorado: “John Hickenlooper Ethics Complaint Over Travel Is Moving Forward After Commission Refuses to Dismiss” by Nic Garcia for Denver Post

Florida: “The Lawmaker Who Dressed in Blackface Is Pushing an Ethics Bill Today. Does It Matter?” by Lawrence Mower for Tampa Bay Times

North Dakota: “North Dakota Bill Would Keep Ethics Complaint Process Largely Secret” by Patrick Springer for Inforum.com

Lobbying

National: “Ex-Lawmakers Face New Scrutiny Over Lobbying” by Alex Gangitano for The Hill

National: “National Enquirer’s Parent Firm Asked U.S. If It Should Register as Foreign Agent for Saudis” by Josh Lederman for NBC News

New Mexico: “Public Disclosure of Legislation a Lobbyist Works on Moves Forward” by Marjorie Childress for New Mexico In Depth

Campaign Finance

Michigan: “Benson: Pro-Whitmer group broke campaign finance law, will pay fine” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

New York: “Analysis: Public matching program increases heft of small donors” by David Lombardo for Albany Times Union

Ethics

National: “House Democratic Leaders Call Ilhan Omar’s Tweets ‘Anti-Semitic’ and ‘Deeply Offensive’” by Rachel Bade, Kristine Phillips, Mike DeBonis, and Meagan Flynn for Washington Post

Georgia: “Ethics Commission Director Resigns in Middle of Ethics Investigation” by Dale Russell for WAGA

Pennsylvania: “No Prison Time for Former Mayor Ed Pawlowski’s Top Aide” by Emily Opilo and Peter Hall for Allentown Morning Call

Texas: “In Texas, More Than a Million Dollars in Ethics Fines Have Gone Unpaid” by Johnny Kampis for Texas Monitor

Virginia: “Virginia Democrats Looking for a Clear Path Forward from Scandals” by Amy Gardner and Jenna Portnoy (Washington Post) for San Francisco Chronicle

Lobbying

New York: “Claiming Attempt to Silence Them, Advocacy Groups Oppose Cuomo Lobbying Proposal” by Lysette Voytko for Gotham Gazette

Campaign Finance

National: “FEC Raises Contribution Limits for 2020” by Reid Wilson for The Hill

California: “Downtown L.A. Developer Donated $50,000 Before Pivotal Vote Involving High-Rise Project, Records Show” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

Ethics

National: “Prosecutors Probing Enquirer after Bezos Report” by Michael Sisak, Michael Balsamo, and Zeke Miller (Associated Press) for MSN

Florida: “City Manager Goad: City email to non-profits asking for tickets ‘out of step’” by Karl Etters for Tallahassee Democrat

Hawaii: “Former OHA Trustee Rowena Akana Hit with $23K Ethics Fine” by Anita Hofschneider for Honolulu Civil Beat

Missouri: “Missouri House Passes Bill on Closing Public Records” by Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for Jefferson News Tribune

Virginia: “Virginia Sen. Tommy Norment Was an Editor for VMI Yearbook Filled with Racist Photos and Slurs” by Katherine Hafner, Elisha Sauers, and Dave Ress for The Virginian-Pilot

Lobbying

Colorado: “High Cost of Influence: $33 million spent last year lobbying Colorado lawmakers” by Eric Garcia for Denver Post

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “Democrats Want More Disclosure of Campaign Advertising, But Dark Money Remains an Issue” by Sandra Fish for Colorado Sun

Ethics

National: “‘It’s the Human Way’: Corruption scandals play out in big cities across U.S.” by Richard Fausset, Monica Davey, and Tim Arango for New York Times

National: “Case Closed Against Sen. Bob Menendez After Committee Finds That He Paid Back All Gifts” by Rodrigo Torrejon for Bergen Record

National: “Elizabeth Warren Apologizes for Calling Herself Native American” by Annie Linskey and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Anti-Corruption, Campaign Finance Reform Bills Preview Likely 2020 Campaign Theme” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call

Virginia: “Democrats Grapple with Fairfax Assault Accusation in #MeToo Era” by Jenna Portnoy, Laura Vozzella, and Antonio Olivo for Washington Post

Virginia: “Virginia Attorney General Herring Says He Wore Blackface in College” by Gregory Schneider and Laura Vozzella for Washington Post

Wyoming: “As Lawmakers File Financial Disclosures, House Wants More” by Angus Theumer Jr. for WyoFile.com

Lobbying

Kentucky: “After Democratic Kickback Scheme, State Lawmaker Pushes for Ethics Bill” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

Oklahoma: “Senate Leader Puts Brakes on Lobbyist Parking at Capitol” by Barbara Hoberock for Tulsa World

Campaign Finance

National: “Trump Inaugural Committee Ordered to Hand Over Documents to Federal Investigators” by Maggie Haberman and Ben Protess (New York Times) for MSN

Massachusetts: “Massachusetts Campaign Finance Regulators Prepared to Lower Unions’ Donation Limit” by Shira Schoenberg for MassLive.com

Ethics

National: A Lobbyist at the Trump Tower Meeting Received Half a Million Dollars in Suspicious Payments” by Emma Loop, Tanya Kozyreva, Anthony Cormier, John Templon, and Jason Leopold for BuzzFeed News

Kentucky: “The Curious Case of a Kentucky Cybersecurity Contract” by Daniel Desrochers (Lexington Herald-Leader) and Jessica Huseman for ProPublica

Maryland: “Olszewski Proposes Public Financing for Baltimore County Executive, Council Elections” by Alison Knezevich for Baltimore Sun

New York: “Former Assemblyman Joseph Errigo and Lobbyist Robert Scott Gaddy Indicted in Bribery Plot” by Gary Craig and David Andreatta for Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Lobbying

National: “Lean Job Market for Dems on K Street” by Alex Gangitano for The Hill

National: “Firms Recruited by Paul Manafort Investigated Over Foreign Payments” by Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) for MSN

New Mexico: “Governor Signs Lobbyist Disclosure Bill, Others Martinez Had Vetoed” by Andrew Oxford (Santa Fe New Mexican) for NMPolitics.net

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “Aldermen Named in Secretly Recorded Chat Admit Sending Business to Reyes’ Firm” by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times

Mississippi: “Lt. Governor Candidate Hughes Sidesteps Campaign Finance Reform Law He Pushed for in 2017” by Luke Ramseth for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Ethics

Arkansas: “State Lawmakers Roll Out Ethics Reform Package to Address Capitol Corruption” by Wesley Brown for talkbusiness.net

Louisiana: “Politics and the Suite Life for Saints Playoffs? Insiders Got Wish Granted by Gov. Edwards” by Tyler Bridges for New Orleans Advocate

Lobbying

Alabama: “Economic Developers Seek Extension, Expansion of Lobbying Exemption” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

California: “Sebastian Ridley-Thomas’ Work as a Lobbyist Sparks Criticism in California Capitol” by Melody Gutierrez for Los Angeles Times

Connecticut: “When the Governor’s Adviser Is Married to a Lobbyist” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror

New Mexico: “Bill Would Reveal the Cost of a Free Lunch for Lawmakers” by Dan McKay for Albuquerque Journal

Campaign Finance

Oregon: Oregon Lawmakers Face Dueling Plans for Campaign Finance Reform by Connor Radnovitch for Salem Statesman Journal

Ethics

California: L.A. Deputy Mayor Raised Money from Developers with Major Projects in Downtown, Records Show by David Zahniser and Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

Florida: Report Details Ethics Allegations Against Andrew Gillum by Dara Kam (Associated Press) for Orlando Sentinel

Maryland: Audit: Former MTA manager appears to have steered contracts to firm that employed relatives by Katherine Shaver for Washington Post

Virginia: Northam Meets with Senior Staff and Considers Options, Including Resignation by Gregory Schneider, Laura Vozzella, and Jenna Portnoy for Washington Post

Lobbying

Missouri: Barred from Lobbying for Six Months, Ex-Missouri Rep Returns Anyway to Sway Lawmakers by Hunter Woodall for Kansas City Star

North Dakota: Legislative Lobbyists Feel Their Purpose Is Misunderstood by Diane Newberry (North Dakota Newspaper Association) for Inforum.com

Campaign Finance

New York: “Ex-AG Used Campaign Cash for Legal Bills” by Michael Sisak (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

Ethics

National: “Democrats’ Money-in-Politics Reform Package Draws Praise – and Strong Objections” by Raymond Arke for Center for Responsive Politics

National: “Steven Mnuchin Draws Claims of Conflict of Interest in Decision on Russian Oligarch” by Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) for MSN

Illinois: “Ald. Daniel Solis, Who Wore Wire for FBI, Paid Himself Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars from Campaign Fund” by Hal Dardick, Jason Meisner, and David Heinzman for Chicago Tribune

Indiana: “Lawmaker Who Employs Minors at Ski Resort Shelves Plan to Scrap Child Labor Laws” by Kaitlin Lange for Indianapolis Star

Pennsylvania: “Indictment of ‘Johnny Doc’, Councilman Bobby Henon Heaps Scrutiny on Philly’s Soda Tax” by Chris Brennan and Andrew Seidman for Philadelphia Inquirer

Lobbying

National: “K Street Women Seek Closer Ties to Female Lawmakers” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call

National: “Dem Bill Would Block Former Intel Chiefs from Lobbying for Foreign Governments” by Olivia Beavers for The Hill

Maryland: “Lobbyists Vent Frustrations About Assembly Website” by Diane Rey for MarylandReporter.com

Montana: “Bill to Create Lobbyist Code of Conduct, Require Anti-Harassment Training Opposed by Lobbyists” by Holly Michels for Helena Independent Record

Campaign Finance

New Mexico: “Campaign Finance Overhaul Clears Hurdle” by Dan McKay for Albuquerque Journal

Elections

Kentucky: “A Onetime Rising Democratic Star Faces Questions About Voter Privacy” by Daniel Desrochers (Lexington Herald-Leader) and Jessica Huseman for ProPublica

Ethics

Arizona: “GOP Maneuver Halts Effort to Oust Arizona Rep. David Stringer” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Illinois: “FBI Secretly Recorded Mike Madigan at His Law Office Pitching Firm’s Services” by John Seidel, Tina Sfondeles, and Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times

Legislative Issues

National: “All Red or All Blue, State Legislatures Run to Partisan Sides” by Timothy Williams (New York Times) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “Lawmakers Push Crackdown on Foreign Lobbyists” by Alex Gangitano for The Hill

Michigan: “Bill Targets Lawmakers’ Lobbyist Switchover” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Texas: “In the Texas House, They’re Seen as Lobbyists. In the Senate, They Sit at the Press Table.” by Emma Platoff for Texas Tribune

Campaign Finance

Europe: “Nick Clegg Uses Debut as Facebook Lobbyist to Win Over EU” by Natalia Drozdiak for Bloomberg

Maryland: “Bill Would Loosen Md. Campaign Donations” by Rachel Chason (Washington Post) for Laredo Morning Times

Utah: “Who Funds Utah Legislators’ Campaigns? Special Interests Provide 82% of Money, While Voters in Lawmakers’ Own Districts Gave Only 6%.” by Lee Davidson for Salt Lake Tribune

Ethics

Indiana: “Indiana Lawmaker Who Employs Hundreds of Minors Pushes to Scrap State Child Labor Laws” by Kaitlin Lange for Indianapolis Star

Maine: “Maine Bills Target Money in Politics, Lobbyist Influence” by Marina Villeneuve (Associated Press) for Fosters Daily Democrat

Lobbying

Oklahoma: “Groups on Right, Left Oppose Proposed Grassroots Lobbying Rules” by Paul Monies for Oklahoma Watch

South Dakota: “Lobbyist Can Return House Floor After Judge Issues Restraining Order” by Chris Huber for Rapid City Journal

Washington: “Ousted Lawmaker Registers as Lobbyist” by Rachel LaCorte (Associated Press) for Peninsula Daily News

Campaign Finance

Missouri: “St. Louis County’s Campaign Contribution Limit Is in Effect. Probably. Maybe. Who Knows.” by Jeremy Kohler for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Oregon: “Oregon Supreme Court Could Beat Gov. Brown to Campaign Finance Change” by Dirk Vanderhart for Oregon Public Broadcasting

Elections

National: “Longtime Trump Adviser Roger Stone Indicted by Special Counsel in Russia Investigation” by Devlin Barrett, Rosalind Helderman, John Wagner, and Manuel Roig-Franzia (Washington Post) for Seattle Times

Ethics

California: “State Controller Betty Yee Disputes Claim That City of Industry Audit Was ‘Politically Motivated’” by Melody Gutierrez and Adam Elmahrek for Los Angeles Times

Florida: “Florida Secretary of State Michael Ertel Resigns After Halloween Blackface Photos Emerge” by Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat

Florida: “Andrew Gillum’s Ethics Case Continues after Florida Commission Finds Cause” by Elizabeth Koh for Tampa Bay Times

Indiana: “Indiana Lawmakers Must Now Aide by Sexual Harassment Policy. Expert Calls It ‘Very 1980s.’” by Kaitlin Lange for Indianapolis Star

Tennessee: “Lee Signs 3 Executive Orders on Ethics, Transparency” by Kimberlee Kruesi and Jonathan Mattise for apnews.com

Ethics

National: “K Street Boosts Earnings Heading into Trump’s Third Year” by Alex Gangitano for The Hill

Pennsylvania: “Ex-PennDOT Exec Gets House Arrest for Soliciting and Accepting Bribes” by Sarah Cassi for lehighvalleylive.com

Utah: “Former Utah League of Cities and Towns Chief Charged with 7 Felonies for Theft, Misuse of Funds” by Lee Davidson for Salt Lake Tribune

Lobbying

National: “Indicted Russian Firm Cries Foul Over Skadden Arps Settlement” by Tim Ryan for Courthouse News Service

Canada: “Senate Lobbying Up 12 Percent in 2018, Sens. Grant Mitchell, Terry Mercer Lobbied Most” by Samantha Wright Allen for Hill Times

California: “Former California Lawmaker Registers as a Lobbyist After #MeToo Investigation” by Sophia Bollag for Sacramento Bee

Connecticut: “$97 Million of Influence: Lobbyists are fixtures at the Capitol, pushing their message amid rules on gifts, perks, receptions” by Josh Kovner for Hartford Courant

Florida: “Lawsuit Seeks to Nullify Beckham Stadium Resolution” by Brian Bandell for South Florida Business Journal

South Carolina: “After Ethics Snafu, SC Lawmakers Move to Change How They Accept Gifts from Public” by Avery Wilks for The State

South Dakota: “Lobbyist Files Suit Against South Dakota House Speaker” by Jonathan Ellis for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Redistricting

Virginia: “Federal Judges Choose Va. Redistricting Map Favorable to Democrats; Six GOP House Districts Would Get Bluer” by Gregory Schneider for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

National: “Mueller Wants to Know About 2016 Trump Campaign’s Ties to NRA” by Sara Murray for CNN

Colorado: “Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold Takes Aim at ‘Massive Secret Political Spending’” by Alex Burness for Colorado Independent

New York: “With De Blasio in Debt, City Council Considers Bill to Allow ‘Legal Defense Trusts’” by Andrew Millman for Gotham Gazette

Elections

National: “Lawmakers Eye Changes to Ballot Measures – Passed and Future” by Alan Greenblatt for Governing

National: “Giuliani Now Says His Moscow Plan Remarks Were ‘Hypothetical’” by Seung Min Kim (Washington Post) for San Jose Mercury News

North Carolina: “North Carolina Judge Declines to Certify 9th District Congressional Race as Fraud Investigation Continues” by Amy Gardner for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

New Mexico: “New Session, New Faces in Roundhouse” by Dan McKay for Albuquerque Journal

Lobbying

Illinois: “Former Ald. Will Burns Fined $5,000 in Ethics Settlement” by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times