July 31, 2012 •
Tuesday Lobbying News Summary
Keep up with the latest lobbying news with these articles:
“Poll: Public looks down on lobbyists, but OK with firms using them” by Bernie Becker in The Hill.
“Hey, Big Companies: People Like You! (And Don’t Mind Your Lobbying)” by Elahe Izadi in the National Journal.
“For retailers chief lobbyist, battles in Congress go on and on” by Vicki Needham in The Hill.
“Silicon Valley web giants go their own way with new lobbying startup” by Brendan Sasso in The Hill.
Florida: “Several lawmakers work for lobbyists, group says” by Matt Dixon in the Florida Times-Union.
Georgia: “Ga. voters weigh in on lobbying caps, abortion” by Ray Henry in the Sacramento Bee.
North Carolina: “New lobbyist rankings reflect GOP takeover of NC legislature” by Robert Willett in the News & Observer.
Utah: “Loophole lets thousands in lobbyist expenses go unreported” by Robert Gehrke in the Salt Lake Tribune.
July 30, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Don’t miss these articles on lobbying, campaign finance, ethics, and social media:
Lobbying
“Statehouse Live: At least 8 GOP legislators registered to attend ALEC meeting” by Scott Rothschild in the Lawrence Journal World.
Oklahoma: “Lobbyist gift-giving to Oklahoma lawmakers is up again for the third straight year” by Michael McNutt in the Oklahoman.
Campaign Finance
“Massachusetts Senate calls for Congress to pass law reversing Citizens United decision” by Robert Rizzuto in the Republican.
“Big campaign donors can remain a big secret” by Jon Murray and Mary Beth Schneider in the Indianapolis Star News.
Ethics
Alabama: “Lawmakers plan to run again as ‘double dipping’ ban looms” by Sebastian Kitchen in the Montgomery Advertiser.
Connecticut: “7 charged in Donovan probe” by Ken Dixon in the Connecticut Post.
Illinois: “Feds widen probe into newly retired South Side lawmaker” by Ray Long and Monique Garcia in the Chicago Tribune.
Illinois: “Ex-Illinois lawmaker subpoenaed over scholarships” in the Quad-City Times.
South Carolina: “Taxpayer bill for Haley ethics probe is $61,000” by Andrew Shain in the Charlotte Observer.
Utah: “Utah Supreme Court weighs fate of 2010 ethics initiative” by Cathy McKitrick in the Salt Lake Tribune.
Political Campaigns and Social Media
“New Site Seeks to Aggregate User-Generated Political Videos” by Miranda Neubauer in TechPresident.
July 30, 2012 •
Conservative…No, Liberal!
See if you can spot a certain famous State and Federal Communications couple in this United Way Campaign video!
Too much fun. We are proud to be a supporter United Way of Summit County, and thankful for all of the wonderful work they do!
July 27, 2012 •
News on Disclosure Rules from the FEC
Nonprofit groups that put out issue ads will have to disclose who is paying for them
“FEC says it will enforce nonprofit disclosure rules” by Dan Eggen in The Washington Post.
“FEC Releases Disclosure Rules” by Elahe Izadi in the National Journal’s Influence Alley.
“Outside groups may have to disclose donors” by Robin Bravender and Dave Levinthal in Politico.
Here is the Federal Election Commission’s news release.
July 27, 2012 •
Supreme Court Justice Scalia Defends Citizens United
Interview to be broadcast on C-Span this Sunday
Here is a video clip of C-Span’s Brian Lamb interviewing Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who discussed the Citizens United decision.
For the full story , be sure to read “Scalia Defends ‘Citizens United,’ Arizona Immigration Decision” by Tony Mauro in The Blog of LegalTimes.
You’ll find more of the coverage in the press here:
“Scalia: ‘We get clobbered by the press’” by Dylan Byers in Politico.
“Scalia Unconcerned About Money in Politics; People Aren’t ‘Sheep’” by Ariane de Vogue on ABC News.
“Scalia Defends Decision in Citizens United” on Capitol Correspondent.
“Justice Scalia downplays reports of discord on court” by Mark Sherman in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
July 26, 2012 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics
Lobbying
“Top congressional staffer to lead new Internet lobbying group” by Brendan Sasso in The Hill.
Campaign Finance
California: “Divided Richmond council approves major campaign finance reforms” by Robert Rogers in the Mercury News.
Rhode Island: “Speaker Fox Cops to Campaign Finance Violation; Writes Check to Cover 2007 Fundraiser” by Dan McGowan in GoLocalProv.
“The rise of the Mom and Pop super PAC” by Charles Mathesian in Politico.
“Senate Democrats Push Constitutional Amendment to Reverse Citizens United” by Seth Cline in U.S. News and World Report.
“Citizens United Constitutional Amendment Floated By Senate Democrats” by Paul Blumenthal in the Huffington Post.
Ethics
“Murky Standards for Ethics Cases” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
Georgia: “House ethics chairman: 49 candidates tout ethics, flout campaign laws” by Jim Galloway in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Hawaii: “Ethics Commission fining 22 legislative candidates for not filing financial disclosures” by The Associated Press in the Honolulu Star Advertiser.
Social Media
“DC Political Firms Launch Embarrassingly Silly Social Media Tool” by Micah L. Sifry in TechPresident.
July 25, 2012 •
Getting Ready for NCSL
August 6-9, 2012
We are very excited to go to the National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit in Chicago. The motto of the conference this year is “Build Strong States,” and six members of our staff will be attending. If you are planning to be there, please stop by booth 923 and say hello!
We sent our booth ahead to Chicago and had a little fun making a little video about it. Take a look!
July 24, 2012 •
Campaign Finance, Campaign Ads, and Ethics in the News
You’ll find many articles in today’s campaign finance and ethics news summary:
Campaign Finance
“Apps to Identify Who Backs Political Ads” in Government Technology.
“Romney-Obama Lawyers Raking in Millions” by Jonathan D. Salant in Bloomberg News.
Massachusetts: “Mass. groups take aim at Citizens United” in the Patriot Ledger.
Montana: “Group seeks to take measure saying corporations aren’t people off ballot” by Charles S. Johnson in the Billings Gazette.
Campaign Ads
“Ad-Rating Project Will Assess Campaign TV Spots by Asking Voters” by Gregory Giroux on Bloomberg News.
“Voters Say They Are Wary of Ads Made Just for Them” by Tanzina Vega in The New York Times.
“Obama, Romney Attack Ads Top Charts” by Tim Hanrahan in The Wall Street Journal.
“Obama puts $46.7M into ads, outspends what he raised in June” by Fredreka Schouten and Christopher Schnaars in USA Today.
“Report: Super PACs make up 80 percent of Romney ad spending” by Chris Moody in ABC News.
“Florida PAC Lets Internet Users Create Own Voiceovers For Romney Campaign Ad” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
Ethics
Arizona: “Legislator files ethics complaint against another” by The Associated Press in the Arizona Daily Sun.
Georgia: “Governor admits to ethics missteps, but major cases dismissed” by Aaron Gould Sheinin in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
July 24, 2012 •
Tuesday Lobbying News
Keep up with the latest lobbying news with these articles:
“K Street Files: Bundlers Give to Both Parties” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“You don’t know Jack: Abramoff’s multimedia return” by Patrick Gavin in Politico.
The Hill’s “Bottom Line”.
“Caught on K Street candid camera?” by Dave Levinthal & Anna Palmer in Politico Influence.
Here is the Sunlight Foundation’s 180 ° project link.
“Lobbyists are paid $52.6 million over first half of 2012” in the Boston Globe.
Florida: “Florida Lobbyists Find Reasons to Spread Cash Around; Washington Lobbyists, Not so Much” by Nancy Smith in the Sunshine State News.
Pennsylvania: “SEPTA says it didn’t think it had to report lobbyist spending” by Mark Fazlollah in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
July 23, 2012 •
Monday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News Roundup
Start your week off with these articles:
Campaign Finance
“Tallying Up Presidential Campaign Finances” in The New York Times.
Arizona: “Arizona campaigns often in gray area financially” by Mary Jo Pitzl in The Arizona Republic.
Montana: “Former Montana governor candidate wants political practices findings reversed” by Charles S. Johnson in the Missoulian.
New York: “Analysis: New York political money gushing to campaigns, but upstart Democratic group makes strides” by Michael Gormley (Associated Press) in the Syracuse Post-Standard.
Lobbying
“K Street’s continuing slump” by Anna Palmer in Politico.
“Blue Chips Mull Moves to K Street” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Chamber ups lobbying spending” by Erik Wasson in The Hill.
“Facebook lobbying sets record in Q2” by David Saleh Rauf in Politico.
Nevada: “Dems honor longtime women’s lobbyist” by Ray Hagar in the Reno Gazette-Journal.
New York: “Lobbyists in swing of things at political golf fundraisers” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.
New York: “Cuomo’s Office Releases 2,200-Word Letter on Lobbying Group” by Jon Campbell in State Politics Albany Watch.
Oklahoma: “Report: Lobbyists provided pols Thunder tickets” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
July 18, 2012 •
Gov 2.0 News
Here is the latest news about government technology and social media:
“Wash. to unveil voter registration on Facebook” by Rachel La Corte (Associated Press) in the Seattle Times.
“How the New iPhone Will Expose Cities Lagging on Open Data” by Emily Badger in The Atlantic Cities.
“Political Ad Database Debuted by FCC” by Brian Heaton in Government Technology.
“Legislating Social Media in the States” by Dylan Scott in Governing.
July 18, 2012 •
Today’s Lobbying and Ethics News Roundup
Don’t miss these latest articles:
Lobbying
“NY ethics board member resigns from lobbying group” by The Associated Press in the Wall Street Journal.
The Hill’s “Lobbying World” news summary.
“Farm bill tops health care law in lobbying dollars” by Carolyn Lochhead in the San Francisco Gate.
Connecticut: “Attorney, lobbyist Albert Pirro arraigned on charges he attacked woman at Conn. Restaurant” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
District Columbia: “D.C. lawmakers, lobbyists talked nearly 600 times” by Alan Blinder in the Washington Examiner.
Ethics
“Ethics Committee launches probe of Dem Rep. Robert Andrews” by Jordy Yager in The Hill.
“Blagojevich administration official Ali Ata is spared prison for lying” by Annie Sweeney in the Chicago Tribune.
“Ethics panel has track record of leniency” by Jordy Yager in The Hill.
July 17, 2012 •
DISCLOSE Act Fails Again in Partisan Vote
Fell short in Tuesday’s 53-45 vote
“DISCLOSE Act dies again” by Tarini Parti in Politico.
“Secret political donors remain secret” by Charles Riley in CNN Money.
“Campaign finance reformer McCain blasts DISCLOSE” by Tarini Parti in Politico’s blog On Congress.
July 17, 2012 •
Tuesday News Summary
Campaign finance, lobbying, ethics, and social media
Campaign Finance
Connecticut: “Vote to kill filibuster on campaign finance bill fails, despite Connecticut senators’ support” by Ana Radelat in the CT Mirror.
Florida: “Unlimited campaign contributions finding a route to Florida lawmakers” by Steve Bousquet in the Miami Herald.
Lobbying
“ALEC struggles to retain members” by Steve Terrell in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
“Tech lobbyists’ new mantra: Strength through unity” by Michelle Quinn in Politico.
Connecticut: “Lobbyists form SuperPAC to help Murphy in Senate race” by Ana Radelat in the CT Mirror.
Government Ethics
“Former top state administrator fined for conflicts of interest” by Jennifer Gollan in the Bay Citizen.
Gov 2.0
“Despite Cuomo’s Vow of Sunlight, a Bid to Keep Aides’ E-Mail in the Dark” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.
“What Social Media Do Government Officials Use Most?” by Matt Williams in Government Technology.
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.
