December 10, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
Campaign Finance
“2012 presidential election nearing all-time record, final campaign finance reports show” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.
Arkansas: “3 GOP lawmakers fined by Ark. ethics commission” in the San Francisco Chronicle.
District of Columbia: “Reneging on campaign finance reform” column by Jonetta Rose Barras in the Examiner.
Texas: “Contributions Blackout Serves Many Functions” by Ross Ramsey in The New York Times.
“Bad News for Campaign Finance” editorial by David Firestone in The New York Times.
Lobbying
“Think Tanks or Partisan Advocates? Distinction Is Getting Harder to See” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
Florida: “Former lobbyist Allison Tant joins race to lead Florida Democratic Party” by Adam C. Smith in the Tampa Bay Times.
Texas: “Ex-Arlington lawmaker forms lobbying firm” by Maria Recio, Anna M. Tinsley and Scott Nishimura in the Star-Telegram.
Wyoming: “Groups challenge Wyoming lawmakers’ lack of transparency with ALEC” by Joan Barron in the Star-Tribune.
Ethics
District of Columbia: “DC lottery contract is subject of federal probe” by Ben Nuckols in Bloomberg BusinessWeek.
West Virginia: “W.Va. Ethics Commission director gets exemption” by The Associated Press in the Herald-Dispatch.
Redistricting
“Redrawn districts complicate inquiries to incoming representatives” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.
“Redistricting fight puts Doggett in awkward situation” by Tim Eaton in the Austin American-Statesman.
Government Social Media
“North Carolina Archives Social Media” by Colin Wood in Government Technology.
December 6, 2012 •
Thursday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
“On the cutting edge of ‘fiscal cliff’ lobbying” by Dan Eggen & T.W. Farnam in the Washington Post.
“Lobbying Heats Up Over Online Gambling Bill” by Juliana Gruenwald in NationalJournal.
“Lobbyists Could See More Curbs Arising From Campaign Finance Movement” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
Maryland: “Top aide to Md. governor leaving for lobbying firm” by The Associated Press in WTOP.com.
Philadelphia: “District adds voice to lobby-law dispute” by Will Bunch in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Philadelphia: “City Ethics Board To Review Lobbying Complaints Against William Penn Foundation” by Mike DeNardo in CBS News Philadelphia.
Utah: “Shurtleff to take federal lobbying job” by Matt Canham in The Salt Lake Tribune.
Campaign Finance
“McConnell pushes back against campaign finance reform efforts” by Alexander Bolton in The Hill.
“Raese continues to fight campaign finance limits” by Ry Rivard in the Charleston Daily Mail.
“FEC: Angle Violated Campaign Finance Laws” by The Associated Press in CBS News Las Vegas.
“Campaign Finance — Solved!” by John Haber in The Huffington Post.
“Why lobbyists dislike Citizens United” by Timothy P. Carney in The Examiner.
Ethics
Florida: “State ethics commission: State Rep. Erik Fresen may have failed to disclose personal finances” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.
South Carolina: “State House expands ethics committee, eliminates partisan dominance” by Stephen Largen in the Post and Courier.
West Virginia: “W.Va. Ethics Commission director to step down” by The Associated Press in the State Journal.
November 30, 2012 •
WGR’s PACs, Politics and Grassroots Taskforce Annual Conference
Monday, December 3rd
State and Federal Communications is proud to be one of the sponsors for the Women in Government Relations PACs, Politics and Grassroots Taskforce Annual Conference. Federal Compliance Associate Rebecca South will represent the company at the event and will be moderating a panel of experts discussing the impact of money in politics in the post-Citizens United, Super PAC world.
The conference will also feature Charlie Cook of the Cook Political Report, as well as leading fundraising experts, top Congressional staff, representatives from Twitter, ASAE, the U.S. Chamber, the NCSL, grassroots leaders and more!
November 30, 2012 •
We’re Going to COGEL!
December 2-5, 2012
State and Federal Communications is excited to be sending 11 people to the Council on Government Ethics Laws (COGEL) 34th Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio. We are excited to have the conference in our home state capitol and we are helping every way we can – setting up, breakfast table topic leaders, a panelist for a breakout session, helping with social media, and more! It should be an exciting conference.
Maybe we’ll see you there?
Here is COGEL’s description of the conference:
JOIN US
COGEL and its Ohio Partners invite you to the 34th Annual Conference in COLUMBUS, Ohio! This thought provoking and educational conference is an opportunity to celebrate US — professionals in the fields of ethics, campaign finance, lobbying, elections and freedom of information.
FOCUS
With dynamic sessions, stimulating guest speakers, challenging discussions and endless opportunities for networking, this year’s COGEL Conference is not to be missed! The program includes elements of communicating your mission, understanding new technology, and catching up on legislation and litigation.
BONUS
There’s always something fun happening in Ohio’s capital city. With a lively arts scene, plenty of restaurants, shops, sports and entertainment venues, you don’t have to venture far to have a good time. This year’s Sunday evening reception will take place in the beautiful and historic Ohio Statehouse, directly across the street from the Sheraton Hotel at Capitol Square.
November 30, 2012 •
Thank you, SGAC
We had a great time at the Leaders’ Policy Conference!
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, and Social Media Coordinator Joe May attended the 2012 SGAC Leaders’ Policy Conference in Santa Monica from November 17 -20.
The conference featured an amazing lineup of speakers, including award winning author and economist Ben Stein; best selling author Mark Stein, who wrote How the States Got Their Shapes; Egil “Bud” Krogh, Senior Fellow and Chair on Leadership, Ethics, and Integrity at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress; and author and crisis management expert Judy Smith. Breakout sessions were rich with topics of great importance to state government, such as the economic crisis, the Supreme Court decision on healthcare, and the future of energy and the environment.
As the SGAC website states: “LPC is an annual meeting of the states’ legislative leadership and state government affairs professionals from America’s leading businesses, associations and service providers. LPC, sponsored by the SGAC Foundation in cooperation with NCSL and CSG, is designed to encourage dialogue on issues of importance between state legislative leaders and private sector representatives. Attendance is by invitation only. Those invited are: The legislative leadership of all 50 states, NCSL & CSG Executive Committees & ALEC Board of Directors, SGAC members and private sector representatives.”
We had a fantastic time. Thank you SGAC!
November 29, 2012 •
Thursday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News
Here are a few articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Campaign Finance
“Gessler: Campaign finance laws fail” by Joe Hanel in the Durango Herald.
Lobbying
“Ex-Rep. Davis, Bates Team Up” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Activists press SEC to expose political giving of US companies” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Ethics
“Ethics Commission to consider taking over watchdog job from Austin prosecutors” by Mike Ward in the Austin American-Statesman.
Government Tech
“Dashboard Government: The Politics of Measurement” by David Eaves in Politico.
November 28, 2012 •
Wednesday Government Relations News Roundup
Here are the latest articles about campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics:
Campaign Finance
“Column: Campaign-finance tweaks can fix big problems” editorial by Peter Schweizer in USA Today.
Missouri: “Missouri House Democrats propose new campaign finance restrictions, stiffer ethics rules” by Chris Blank (Associated Press) in The Republic.
Lobbying
“Lobbying group’s next president expected to fight White House rules” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Marlowe to Step Down as Head of American League of Lobbyists” by Andrew Ramonas in The Blog of Legal Times.
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“Lobbying, America’s One Truly Unstoppable Growth Industry” by Jim Geraghty in the National Review.
“When ‘Super PACs’ Become Lobbyists” editorial in The New York Times.
“VIDEO: Rep. Shuler Said He Wouldn’t Become A Lobbyist; Now He Will” by David Halperin in The Huffington Post.
Florida: “Slow revolving door to lobbying in Fla. Capitol” editorial in the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida: “Dorworth has a new career – as a lobbyist” by Jason Garcia in the Orlando Sentinel.
Ethics
New York: “Ethics panel investigating New York Republican” by The Associated Press in CBS News.
Pennsylvania: “Ethics board fines Philadelphia official for Facebook posts” by Dave Davies in Newsworks.
Redistricting
Montana: “Redistricting panel works on Montana Senate boundaries” by The Associated Press in the Billings Gazette.
Ohio: “Ohio Supreme Court upholds legislative maps” by Jim Siegel in the Columbus Dispatch.
November 27, 2012 •
Elizabeth Bartz Presents Public Affairs Council Webinar
Part Two of State Procurement Series
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is presenting the second installment of the Public Affairs Council’s State Procurement Webinar Series. The webinar, “Procurement Prospects: Learning to lobby for government contracts,” will take place today from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. EST.
Bartz will be speaking on state pay-to-play laws, the effective elements of a pay-to-play compliance program, and current trends in procurement.
According to the Public Affairs Council website:
Not adhering to the rules and regulations for acquiring government contracts could put your entire business at risk. Many of the laws for compliance in the procurement process differ from those commonly followed in other areas of government relations. Part two of this three-part series will cover how to build a sustainable state procurement compliance strategy and how to legally interact with government officials.
November 26, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
Lobbying
“K Street Files: On a Mission, Lobbying Power to the People” by Janie Lorber and Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Lobbying is stepped up on ‘fiscal cliff’ talks” by Maria Recio and David Lightman in the Sacramento Bee.
“Influence game: Election over, campaign continues” by Stephen Ohlemacher (Associated Press) in the Abilene Reporter News.
“With second term assured, Obama aides eye jobs as lobbyists on K Street” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Florida: “House Speaker Dean Cannon jumps from legislating to lobbying” by Jason Garcia in the Orlando Sentinel.
Missouri: “Freebies from lobbyists becoming harder to track in Missouri” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Campaign Finance
“Bevy of Fixes Might Complicate Efforts To Reshape Campaign Finance System” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“States crack down on campaigning nonprofits” by Matea Gold and Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times.
“Democratic super PACs get jump on 2014, 2016” by Kenneth P. Vogel in Politico.
California: “2 lawmakers accused of money laundering” by Lance Williams in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Ethics
“Ex-state official loses job in ethics flap” by Laura A. Bischoff and Meagan Pant in the Dayton Daily News.
Wisconsin: “Campaign, county work intertwined under Walker, prosecutor says” by Steve Schultze and Daniel Bice in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
November 16, 2012 •
Elizabeth Bartz Appointed to CSG Associates Advisory Committee
A valued voice from the Associate community
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, has been appointed to serve as a member of the Associates Advisory Committee of The Council of State Governments (CSG) for 2012/2013 term.
CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. It is our nation’s only organization serving all three branches of state government.
According to their website, “The [Associates Advisory Committee] consists of public and private representatives who assist CSG in identifying and recruiting potential associate members, provide advice on development and marketing techniques for the program, and make recommendations to the CSG Executive Committee for promising new public/private partnership opportunities. The committee also assists CSG in identifying key policy issues and state trends.”
Congratulations to you, Elizabeth, for this honor and service!
November 16, 2012 •
One Last News Roundup for the Week
Enjoy your weekend!
Lobbying
“Targeting the ‘Lobbyist’ Next Door” by Jeanette M. Petersen in The Wall Street Journal.
“K Street Files: The British Are Coming to Venn” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
Campaign Finance
“Watchdog group files FEC complaint against Crossroads GPS” by T.W. Farnam in The Washington Post.
“Technology Leaders Endorse Effort to Overhaul Campaign Finance” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.
“California’s political watchdog agency will probe $11 million political donation” by Steven Harmon in the Mercury News.
Michigan: “Campaign finance software updates designed to make filing easier; Candidate committees to experience simpler data entry” in Equities.com.
New York: “NYC Campaign Finance Board Throws The Book At Ex-Brooklyn Councilman Kendall Stewart” by Celeste Katz in New York Daily News.
Ethics
New York: “Annapolis to rewrite ethics rules for elected officials” by Erin Cox in the Baltimore Sun.
“Longtime Oklahoma Ethics Commission workers are honored” by Michael McNutt in the Oklahoman.
November 13, 2012 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Don’t miss the articles you need to keep up with the latest news about lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics:
Campaign Finance
“Result Won’t Limit Campaign Money Any More Than Ruling Did” by Nicholas Confessore in The New York Times.
“It’s hard to follow the money” by Ruth Marcus in the Columbia Daily Tribune.
“Campaign finance reform on Klobuchar’s to-do list” by John Croman in KARE11 News.
“Super-PACs already planning for 2014” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“Colbert shuts down super PAC” by Kevin Robillard in Politico.
California: “Secret donation hindered campaigns, GOP advisors say” by Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times.
Illinois: “Illinois congressional races belie fears that outside, anonymous money can buy elections” by John O’Connor in The Republic.
Kentucky: “Three Kentucky Agencies Probe Requests for Political Contributions” by The Associated Press in WKU Public Radio.
Montana: “Montana Voters Overwhelmingly Said That Corporations Aren’t People” by Erin Fuchs in Business Insider.
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma political action committee fails to file campaign financial reports” by Michael McNutt in the Oklahoman.
Texas: “County moving toward digitizing campaign finance reports” by Nolan Hicks in the San Antonio Express-News.
Lobbying
“Super PACs Make Move to Lobbying” by Elizan Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“Street Talk: Plum K St. Jobs Scarce in Post-Election Market” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Good news for lobbyists: Cyber dollars” by James Ball in The Washington Post.
“Majority of K Street Lobbyists’ Former Capitol Hill Staff” by David K. Rehr in the Huffington Post.
California: “Tim Howe, longtime political consultant and lobbyist, dies” by Robert D. Davila in the Sacramento Bee.
Ethics
District of Columbia: “Former DC Council chairman to be sentenced for bank fraud, campaign finance violation” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.
Illinois: “Blago gets ‘booked’” by Mackenzie Weinger in Politico.
Maryland: “Annapolis To Revise City Ethics Code” by Anna Staver in the Annapolis Patch.
Campaigns and Elections
“Obama’s Victory Is a Win for Big Data” by Steve Towns in Government Technology.
November 8, 2012 •
The 2012 U.S. Presidential Election
I am beginning to wonder if Prezi may replace PowerPoint as the most popular vehicle for delivering a presentation. Here is a nicely done summary of the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election someone placed on Prezi. It also covers some of the notable propositions across the country. Enjoy!
November 6, 2012 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Don’t miss the articles you need to keep up with the latest news about lobbying, campaign finance, and elections:
Campaign Finance
“Outside Spending Defines Elections” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
California: “California’s 11th-hour, $11 million campaign finance uproar” by Alexander Burns in Politico.
California: “California watchdog only half-way to bottom of Arizona donation” by Peter Henderson (Reuters) in the Chicago Tribune.
Maine: “Ethics Commission Rules a Republican Candidate Violated State Election Law” by The Associated Press in WABI News.
Lobbying
“2 firms unite in Capitol lobbying” by Mary Jo Pitzl in the Arizona Republic.
Ethics
“Campaigns use secretive ethics process as weapon against opponents” by Jordy Yager in The Hill.
Campaigns and Elections
“One Final Preview of the Election” by Meagan Dorsch in NCSL’s The Thicket.
“5 Unforgettable Social Media Election Moments” by Juliet Barbara in Forbes.
“How to cut through social media noise on Election Night” by Jenna Sakwa on CBS News.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
