The 123rd General Assembly adjourned at 5 p.m. Thursday after approving a resolution allowing lawmakers to reconvene for a statewide session beginning May 20.

Concurrent Resolution 785 provides that the General Assembly meet in a statewide session to consider special matters including any vetoes by Gov. Henry McMaster.

Additionally, the Assembly will consider bills that have passed both Houses in different versions and are in a conference committee.

The General Assembly will return at noon on May 20 and continue until not later than 5 p.m. on May 22.

Business women in the Greater Akron Region gathered to honor Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling at the Greater Akron Chamber’s Knowledgeable Network of Women (KNOW) Empowering Women Luncheon on May 8 at the Fairlawn Hilton.

As WKYC-TV’s first female chief meteorologist and creator of Channel 3’s Weather Education Day with the Cleveland Indians, Kling addressed the daily challenges professional women face in striving to manage work and family life.

Kling narrated her journey in building her career and emphasizing the importance of setting aside occasional personal time.

She said taking time for herself strengthens the way she is able to help those around her.

A special election will take place on October 8 for City Council Districts 1, 6, and 7.

The seats were filled through appointments following vacancies late last year and early January.

The council appointed Clinton Woods to the District 1 seat formerly held by current Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales.

Crystal Smitherman was appointed to the District 6 seat previously held by current Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson.

Following the resignation of Jay Roberson, who left the council after moving to Alabaster, the council appointed Wardine Alexander to the District 7 seat.

The 111th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned May 2 after a nearly four-month session.

During the session, Senate Bill 234 passed requiring any multicandidate political campaign committee registering a new committee to pay the appropriate registration fee.

The fee is due at the time the committee certifies its political treasurer.

Additionally, payment of the registration fee by one affiliated political campaign committee includes disclosed affiliated committees registering separately.

The bill became effective when signed by the governor on April 1.

The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on January 14, 2020.

Gov. Janet Mills recently signed two lobbying bills and one campaign finance bill into law.

Legislative Document 76 bans future lawmakers from any paid lobbying within their first year out of office beginning with the 130th Legislature.

Legislative Document 825 expands the scope of harassment prevention training required for legislators, legislative staff, and lobbyists to include racial harassment.

The bill will take effect 90 days after adjournment of the legislative session.

Legislative Document 780 reduces from $850 to $500 the maximum allowable contribution individuals, corporations, PACs, and labor unions may make to candidates for municipal office.

The bill will take effect on January 1, 2020.

The 72nd Colorado General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 3 after 120 legislative days.

During the session, House Bill 1007 passed creating contribution limits under the Fair Campaign Practices Act for county office candidates.

Additionally, Senate Bill 68 passed expanding disclosure of electioneering communications.

The last day for the governor to act on bills for the 2019 session is June 2, 2019.

The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on January 8, 2020.

A three-judge federal panel unanimously ruled Ohio’s gerrymandered congressional district map unconstitutional under the First and 14th Amendments.

On behalf of the League of Women Voters, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio filed the suit.

The suit claimed the congressional map disfavored democratic voters on the basis of their political affiliation.

The court ordered the state to create a new map by June 14 to prepare for the 2020 election.

The 30th Hawaii Legislature adjourned sine die on May 2 after 60 legislative days in session.

During the session, House Bill 165 passed adding a new registration and reporting requirement for noncandidate committees.

Committees that do not intend to receive contributions or make expenditures of more than $1,000 in an election period must notify the commission of its intent in the committee’s organizational report by the fifth calendar day, before the due date of the preliminary primary report.

The 31st Legislature is scheduled to convene on January 15, 2020.

Delicately wrapped treats in a wicker basket laced by a gold ribbon arrived in a package outside the offices of State and Federal Communications yesterday. Along with the treat basket came a small card that read: A Special Gift…Just for You!

The Public Affairs Council congratulated State and Federal Communications on winning the Ready, Set, Walk challenge by sending a basket of treats from Wine Country Gift Baskets on August 2^nd.

President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz announced the arrival of the gift basket during the company staff meeting.

A special thank you to the Public Affairs Council for providing us with this wonderful surprise!

After a one-week walking challenge between the Public Affairs Council and State and Federal Communications, the results have arrived at last!

Coming in first place with 1,771,196 steps, 23 employees at State and Federal Communications took the win, out-walking the Public Affairs Council by 129,967 steps.

The top 23 walkers at the Public Affairs Council reached 1,641,229, coming very close to victory. Both teams utilized their time and effort to improve their health and spark friendly competition.

Intern Maria Varonis of State and Federal Communications, who participated in the walking challenge, spoke of how this competition influenced her and all of the participants.

“The first day we didn’t have to wear our pedometers, something felt amiss at my hip….It was sort of sad since I realized I wasn’t contributing to anything anymore,” Varonis said. “Working as a team to obtain a common goal both of health and of victory is an amazing feeling. We should all be proud of ourselves. I know I am.”

With only three days left of the “Ready, Set, Walk” competition against the Public Affairs Council, employees at State and Federal Communications are eagerly setting aside time to increase their number of steps.

Walking with pedometers strapped to their sides, the employees of State and Federal Communications are focused on prevailing in the competition against their friendly rivals in Washington, DC.

We created a quick video as inspiration for the final three days of our challenge. Take a look!

Video produced by Joanna Kamvouris.

Social media is constantly changing the way people communicate and receive information in today’s society. Through an organization of public relations professionals, the managing editor of Fox 8 spoke at a local event about news coverage in the Akron area.

The Public Relations Society of America hosted a luncheon at the Martin University Center to discuss the launching of a new Fox 8 bureau on the Akron University campus. Managing editor Toni Garbo addressed the audience about local news coverage involving social media and new technology.

Social Media Coordinator Joe May of State and Federal Communications, along with the company interns, attended the event to better understand the importance of accurate news coverage and communication. Garbo addressed topics including the significance of informative press release headlines and the value of objectivity in the field of journalism, especially now that Fox 8 is inaugurating a bureau on the university campus.

Garbo allowed the audience to ask questions during her presentation, and the interns had a chance to hear different perspectives and learn how Fox 8 will provide new opportunities for communications students at the University of Akron.

By attending local events, the interns at State and Federal Communications are learning the importance of social networking and becoming involved with issues in the Akron community.

In the midst of our employee walking challenge, State and Federal Communications has a new friendly rival.

Beginning July 23, the Public Affairs Council and State and Federal Communications will work up a sweat, taking part in a one week challenge called “Ready, Set, Walk” to promote wellness and stir up healthy competition.

Wearing pedometers to track their daily steps, 24 employees from each organization will aim to motivate their co-workers and accumulate the most steps by July 29. Both teams are giving their best effort to walk for the win.

Best of luck to all participants, and let the walking begin!

This year marks the 104^th annual meeting of the National Governors Association. The meeting will be held in Williamsburg, Virginia, from July 13 through the 15. Governors from different regions will attend to discuss leadership methods and issues regarding states.

Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, Inc., will attend the meetings and listen to the distinguished speakers discuss governing approaches.

A news conference will kick off the meeting on July 13, highlighting business tactics and economic development methods. Saturday’s events consist of meetings with organizations including the Economic Development and Commerce, the Human Services Committee and the Natural Resources Committee.

The sessions on July 15 cover entrepreneurial opportunities for governors and other policy leaders. According to the NGA news website, Delaware Governor Jack Markell, vice chair of the NGA, acknowledged the importance of governors joining to make improvements.

“The annual meeting brings governors together at a bipartisan level to develop innovative and improved approaches to governing,” Markell said. “As evidenced over the past year, when we come together great things can be accomplished. I look forward to hearing about the work governors are doing in their states.”