August 17, 2012 •
Social Media and Political Campaigns in the News
Here is a roundup of the latest articles about how political campaigns are using social media and technology:
“Announcing techPresident’s ‘Politics and the Internet’ Timeline” by Micah L. Sifry in TechPresident.
“How the Presidential Candidates Use the Web and Social Media” in the Pew Research Center’s Journalism.org.
“Fake social media followers newest ploy, accusation in political campaigns” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.
“‘Pics or it Didn’t Happen’: 5 Ways Politicians Are Using Instagram” by Amanda Le in the Independent Voter Network.
“Politic365 Launches #VoiceYourVote” on Politic365 Blog.
August 15, 2012 •
Wednesday News Roundup
Keep up with the latest lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news with these articles:
Lobbying
“Ethics Watchdogs Planning to Crash Convention Parties” by Elizabeth Flock in U.S. News and World Report.
“Conservative lobby group’s guard shot in D.C.” by The Associated Press on CBS News.
Alabama: “Former lobbyist Jimmie Clements convicted in two-year college corruption case” by Jeremy Gray in the Birmingham News.
Maryland: “Last-minute lobbying intense for gambling expansion” by Earl Kelly in the Capital Gazette.
Campaign Finance
“Romney campaign bars press from Adelson, Ryan ‘finance meeting’” by Justin Sink in The Hill.
New Mexico: “State Senate Dems launch PACs” by The Associated Press in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
West Virginia: “Lawsuit Filed Against Campaign Finance Pilot Program” on WDTV.com.
Ethics
New York: “State pols can’t accept US Open freebies, ethics panel rules” by Sally Goldenberg in the New York Post.
August 13, 2012 •
Sponsoring Local NPR Coverage of the National Conventions
State and Federal Communications is proud to sponsor WKSU’s 2012 Democratic and Republican Convention Coverage!
WKSU reporter M.L. Schultze will be covering the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida starting on August 27. Reporter Mark Urycki will be covering the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina starting on September 3.
Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications, has been a long supporter of the station, which is an NPR affiliate and a treasure of Northeast Ohio.
Bartz had this to say: “We are super-psyched to be the sponsor! It is important that our local NPR station has the ability to attend the national conventions.”
Photo of the Democratic National Convention in 2008 by Qqqqqq on Wikipedia.
August 13, 2012 •
Monday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Roundup
Start your week off right with these news articles:
Lobbying
Georgia: “Exclusive: Ralston to propose total lobbyist gift ban” by Aaron Gould Sheinin and Kristina Torres in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Indiana: “Ethics rulings say Daniels can lobby for Purdue” by The Associated Press in the Indiana Business Journal.
Campaign Finance
Colorado: “Judge rejects Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler’s changes” by Erin Udell in the Denver Post.
Florida: “Unlimited Corporate Money In Fla. Political Races ‘Worries Political Scientists’” by Jessica Palombo on WFSU.org.
Minnesota: “Top state court rules campaign finance laws apply to schools” by Jennifer Brooks in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
“When is a campaign contribution a bribe?” by Robert Barnes in The Washington Post.
Social Media
“Paul Ryan VP pick adds social media muscle” by Steve Friess in Politico.
Oregon: “More Oregon lawmakers harness power of Twitter, Facebook” by Laura Barron-Lopez in The Oregonian.
August 10, 2012 •
NCSL Announces New Leadership
New lineup for 2012-2013
The National Conference of State Legislatures has announced its leadership team for the upcoming year.
Take a look at their news release found on NCSL’s website: “NCSL Welcomes New Leadership: Norelli, Starr and Spaw set to lead national organization for 2012-13.”
August 10, 2012 •
Jack Abramoff Gives Speech at NCSL
Presentation called an “eye opener”
On Thursday, former lobbyist Jack Abramoff spoke at the NCSL Legislative Summit in Chicago. While he maintained that 99 percent of his work in lobbying had been ethical, his speech championed the need for ethics and campaign finance reform.
For the full story, be sure to read “Jack Abramoff Urges Ethics Reform In NCSL Speech” by John Celock in the Huffington Post.
According to the article: “Abramoff, who served four years in federal prison for crimes related to the Indian gaming lobby, told the National Conference of State Legislatures that public officials need to be mindful of what lobbyists do, and take money and gifts out of politics. Abramoff has spent his time since prison advocating for ethics reform, along with writing a 2011 book on his crimes.”
August 9, 2012 •
Thursday News Roundup
Keep up with the latest lobbying, ethics, and social media news with these articles:
Lobbying
“How lobbyists became Congress’s leading policy wonks” by Suzy Khimm in The Washington Post.
New York: Editorial: “NY lobbying disclosures are a breakthrough” in Newsday.
“The Nation: It’s Still Party Time At The Conventions” by George Zornick on NPR.
Ethics
“Why Ethics Training Is a Waste of Time” by Mark Funkhouser in Governing.
Michigan: “Michigan: AG Will File Charges in Thaddeus McCotter Petition Scandal Thursday, Per Report” by Shira Toeplitz in Roll Call.
New Hampshire: “Speaker calls for more oversight over ethics” by Garry Rayno in the Union Leader.
Social Media
“Wikipedia locks down pages of VP contenders after excessive edits” by Alicia M. Cohn in The Hill.
From the State Legislatures
“Legislative Leaders Share Stories, Offer Lessons on Leadership” by Alex Fitzsimmons in NCSL’s blog The Thicket.
August 8, 2012 •
Our Wednesday NCSL Photo Scrapbook
Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy from the NCSL Legislative Summit in Chicago and the SGAC Dinner.
August 7, 2012 •
Social Media News Update
Here are the latest news articles showing how political campaigns and the government are using social media:
“How the President Tweets” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.
“Rep. Polis wins social-media contest for House Democrats” by Alicia M. Cohn in The Hill.
“Will Online Political Targeting Generate a Voter Backlash?” by Micah L. Sifry in TechPresident.
“Dems have new mobile app for convention” by Adam Mazmanian in NextGov.
“House Dems Battle for Social Media Supremecy” by Corey Bennett in NextGov.
“Local Governments Do Not ‘Like’ Facebook’s New Page Name Policy” by Lindsey Tepe in GovLoop.
August 6, 2012 •
NCSL Legislative Summit Phone App
Follow everything that is happening at the NCSL 2012 Legislative Summit in Chicago with their new smart phone app.
You can receive session updates, alerts, a list of exhibitors, and the summit agenda. The app works for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices.
According to their site:
“At this year’s NCSL Legislative Summit, we’re offering a mobile app that will help you navigate the meeting with ease, take advantage of all its features, and enjoy the great cultural resources of Chicago during your visit. The app includes the entire agenda, automatic updates, alerts, maps, personalized agenda and note-taking features.”
August 6, 2012 •
Monday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Don’t miss these articles on lobbying, campaign finance, ethics, and social media:
Lobbying
“Conventions Lose Appeal for D.C. Lobbyists” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
California: “Highest-billing lobbying firms” by Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee.
Colorado: “University of Colorado’s in-house lobbyists hire out for other firms” by Allison Sherry in the Denver Post.
Indiana: “Daniels still waiting on lobbying decision” by The Associated Press in the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Missouri: “Missouri lawmakers keep reeling in gifts from lobbyists” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Campaign Finance
“O’Connor: Declining approval for high court a ‘disappointment’” by Meghashyam Mali in The Hill.
Ethics
Alabama: “Former Gov. Don Siegelman sentenced to 78 months in prison” by Kim Chandler in the Birmingham News.
Government Social Media
“More government officials embrace social media” by Adam Silverman in USA Today.
“Tweets, social media help more officials get the word out” by Adam Silverman in USA Today.
South Carolina “SC governor goes to Facebook to get message across” by The Associated Press in GoUpstate.com.
August 2, 2012 •
Social Media and Political Campaigns in the News
Social media continue to play a big role in the political campaigns. Take a look at these articles:
“New App Delivers Latest Political Polls Instantly to Your iPhone” by Alex Fitzpatrick in Mashable.
“Twitter will gauge voter sentiment in new venture” by Stephen Shepard in NextGov.
“Twitter Political Index Launches, But Is It Actually Measuring ‘Voter Sentiment?’” by Micah Sifry in TechPresident.
“Obama Campaign Debuts Mobile Canvassing App” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
“Ohio Democrats cry foul over Republican Gov. John Kasich’s social media blasting of Obama during president’s visit” by Reginald Fields in the Plain Dealer.
“It’s the Romney Veepstakes, Pushed Straight to Your Phone” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
August 2, 2012 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics
Lobbying
“Commish claims board shields lobbyist” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.
“GOP Hits Obama on Lobbyist Meetings at ‘Caribou’” by Devin Dwyer, Shushannah Walshe and Mary Bruce on ABC News.
Campaign Finance
“TV stations begin publishing political ad spending” by Mark Binker on WRAL.com.
“Oregon Gets Low Marks For Campaign Finance” by April Baer in Oregon Public Broadcasting.
“The New Rules Of Campaign Finance: Small Dollars Are No Longer King” by Michael Scherer in TIME Magazine.
Ethics
“Laura Richardson fined $10K by ethics panel” by John Bresnahan in Politico.
Utah: “Push for ethics initiative will continue, backers say” by Robert Gehrke in the Salt Lake Tribune.
August 1, 2012 •
Lobbying and Campaign Finance in Today’s News
Take a look at our Wednesday news summary:
Lobbying
Georgia: “Voters want lobbyist gift cap” by Kristina Torres in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Utah: “Utah Supreme Court ruling ends ethics initiative bid” by Robert Gehrke in The Salt Lake Tribune.
The Hill’s “Lobbying World” from July 31.
Campaign Finance
“Washington mayor under fire as finance scandal swirls” by Ian Simpson in Reuters.
“NY board keeps secret donors to pro-Cuomo lobbyist” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.
Ethics
“Attorney general appoints former prosecutor to Oklahoma Ethics Commission” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
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.
