May 17, 2012 •
CSG’s National Leadership Conference 2012
May 17-20
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is attending the Council of State Governments’ National Leadership Conference 2012.
She was appointed to CSG’s Intergovernmental Affairs Committee for the 2011/2012 term.
The event is being held in La Quinta, California, and runs from May 17-20.
May 16, 2012 •
Speaker.gov is Back and More Gov 2.0 News
We are always intrigued by the interplay between government, political campaigns, social media, and technology.
“House Republicans Relaunch Speaker.gov” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
Having a good social media policy in place is crucial: “Think before You Tweet” by Joseph Marks in Nextgov.
Social-media style journalism and the Obama campaign: “We’re All Journalists, Indeed: Obama Campaign Guests Checked Mobile Phones at the Door” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.
Do-it-youself ROI for government websites: “Free Tool Gauges Website Engagement Effectiveness” by Brian Heaton in Government Technology.
May 16, 2012 •
NCSL Offers Online Election Reform Information
and other election law and redistricting news
Election Law
NCSL is now offering a searchable database of election reform legislation from the states in one convenient location on their website: “Election Reform Legislation Online on NCSL Website”
“Brewer signs elections bill, vetoes 6 bills” by Mary JO Pitzl in the Tucson Citizen.
Redistricting
Alabama: “Alabama Legislature holding final day of session” by The Associated Press in the News Courier. According to the article, “Legislative leaders have asked the governor to call a special session starting Thursday to draw new legislative districts.”
Alaska: “Redistricting board unveils changes made in Southeast” by Becky Bohrer in the Anchorage Daily News.
Kansas: “Republicans at war with each other over redistricting” by Scott Rothschild in the Lawrence Journal World.
Minnesota: “$628K sought for redistricting costs in Minn.” by Martiga Lohn (Associated Press) in the Crookston Times.
May 16, 2012 •
Today’s Campaign Finance, Lobbying, and Ethics News
Here is a summary of the latest news articles for you:
Campaign Finance
“Ads highlight cozy campaign-super PAC relationship” by Beth Fouhy in The Associated Press.
“Sen. McCain huddles with Dems on campaign finance reform” by Alexander Bolton in The Hill.
“Edwards’ campaign finance chairman paid mistress” by Michael Biesecker in Bloomberg Businessweek.
“Judges refuse to block disclosure ruling” by The Associated Press in Bloomberg Businessweek.
“Election decision may force disclosure of secret donors” by Matea Gold in the Los Angeles Times.
Lobbying
“Lobbying firms get big paydays in Tallahassee” by Jim Saunders in The Miami Herald.
“Law firm’s collapse leaves lobbying clients up for grabs” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Ethics
“Ethics Panel Opens Inquiry Into No. 2 Leader in State Senate” by Danny Hakim in The New York Times.
“‘Stunt’ alleged in ethics pursuit” by Casey Seiler in the Albany Times Union.
May 15, 2012 •
Citizens United Making the News
From the U.S. Congress to a town in Massachusetts, reaction to the Supreme Court’s campaign finance ruling is in the news today.
Sen. Baucus’ constitutional amendment to dismantle the Citizens United ruling: “Baucus’ campaign finance amendment gets hearing” by The Associated Press in the Billings Gazette.
“Money Unlimited” by Jeffrey Toobin in the The New Yorker.
“Citizens United: The Untold Story” by Joe Palazzolo in the Wall Street Journal’s Law Blog.
“How a Kennedy Concurrence Turned into a Majority Opinion in Citizens United” by Debra Cassens Weiss in the American Bar Association Journal.
Needham, Massachusetts: “Needham Town Meeting calls for constitutional amendment on campaign spending” by Evan Allen in the Boston Globe.
May 14, 2012 •
Monday’s News Roundup
Keep up with the latest campaign finance, ethics, and redistricting news:
Campaign Finance
“FEC to Congress: Expand ban on personal use of political committee funds” by Rachel Leven in The Hill.
Ethics
Arkansas: “Group throws financial weight behind ethics reform initiative” by Rob Moritz in Arkansas News.
Florida: “Gov. Rick Scott’s chief of staff draws ethics complaint for using state staff to apply for a job” by May Ellen Klas in The Miami Herald.
Florida: “Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s Chief of Staff Resigns Amid Scrutiny of State Contracts Awarded Friends” by Mary Ellen Klas in Governing.
Redistricting
Alaska: “State redistricting board will meet Monday to address supreme court concerns in SE Alaska” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Arizona: “Clean Elections Commission weighs in on redistricting suit” by Mary Jo Pitzl in the Arizona Republic.
Kansas: “Kansas redistricting fight may navigate to the courts” in the Kansas City Business Journal.
May 10, 2012 •
Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Roundup
Keep up with the latest news items with the following articles:
Lobbying
“Panel discusses effect of campaign and finance reforms on lobbyist spending at St. Peter’s College” by Charles Hack in the Jersey Journal.
“Political favors ‘just the way you do business here,’ lobbyists say” by Joe Schoenmann in the Los Vegas Sun.
Jack Abramoff makes another statement in “Ex-lobbyist: Lawmakers, not lawbreakers, to blame” by Ross Ramsey in the San Angelo Standard-Times.
Campaign Finance
Connecticut: “Legislature splits with Malloy over campaign bill” by Mark Pazniokas in the Connecticut Mirror.
Louisiana: “Senate moves Jindal ethics bills” by Marsha Shuler in the Baton Rouge Advocate.
New Hampshire: “NH Senate considers campaign reporting today” by Grant Bosse in the New Hampshire Watchdog.
New Hampshire: “Campaign finance bill targets nonprofits” by Ted Siefer in the Union Leader.
Vermont: “State senator resigns from committee over campaign finance bill” by Olga Peters in The Commons Online.
Super Pacs
“Dem pollster: Independents want candidates to address money in politics” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Insight: Super PACS: Follow the money – if you can” by Marcus Stern, Kristina Cooke and Alexander Cohen (Reuters) in the Chicago Tribune.
May 9, 2012 •
American League of Lobbyists President on C-SPAN
Spoke about the group’s reforms and faced difficult questions on the air.
Howard Marlowe, the president of the American League of Lobbyists was featured on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal program. Marlowe discussed the LDA reforms the group is proposing.
According to C-SPAN’s post, Role of Federal Lobbyists: “Howard Marlowe talked about the role of federal lobbying, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. Topics included legislation that affects the industry, and changes the industry itself is proposing that would alter law that governs those engaged in lobbying Congress and senior officials in the Executive Branch.”
The Chicago Tribune posted an article giving an account of the nature of the conversations Marlowe faced from callers on the program. Be sure to read “Lobbyists’ lobbyist draws public anger” by David Ingram.
May 9, 2012 •
Today’s Redistricting News Roundup
We have news on redistricting issues from four states:
Alaska: “High court to hear redistricting petition” by The Associated Press in The Anchorage Daily News.
Kansas: “GOP redistricting fight could mean courts make final decision” by John Hanna (Associated Press) in the Lawrence Journal World.
North Carolina: “Redistricting sets stage for fall elections” by Emery Dalesio (Associated Press) in the Winston-Salem Journal.
Washington: “Supreme Court upholds state redistricting plan” by Warren Kagarise in the Issaquah Press.
May 8, 2012 •
The Digital Factor in the Presidential Campaigns
Social media and the internet continue to make news in the presidential campaign strategies. Take a look at these articles:
“Obama campaign curating songs for Spotify playlist” by Natalie Jennings in the Washington Post.
“Twitter playing a big role in 2012 presidential campaign” by The Associated Press on the Times-Picayune.
“The 140-Character-or-Less Campaign” by Charlie Warzel in AdWeek.
May 8, 2012 •
On the Air in Akron
Elizabeth Bartz is called in to offer Greek wedding music expertise
This morning State and Federal Communications’ Elizabeth Bartz made a guest appearance on WAKR radio to help News Anchor Lindsay McCoy pick songs for her wedding reception! Opa!
May 8, 2012 •
Mass. OCPF Director Reappointed
For new six-year term
Michael Sullivan, the Director of the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, has been reappointed for another six-year term to the agency.
According to the Boston Herald, the decision was unanimous to reappoint Sullivan, who has been the director for almost 18 years.
For full news coverage, read:
“Michael Sullivan reappointed as OCPF chief” by Gintautas Dumcius in the Boston Herald.
A thank you goes to Jim Sedor, Editor of News You Can Use, for alerting us to this news.
Lobbying Compliance in the States
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is speaking today in Washington, D.C. at the American League of Lobbyists State Lobbying Educational Seminar. The event is part of the group’s Lobbying Certificate Program.
According to the event details on the American League of Lobbyists website, this is the aim of the session:
“For many in D.C., lobbying starts with what goes on in the Beltway. But it doesn’t end there. No organization or corporation seeking to fulfill their entire legislative agenda can rely solely on federal lobbying. State-level lobbying, however, comes with an entirely new set of regulations and compliance landmines than federal lobbying. Did you know that ‘lobbying activities’ has a different definition depending where you are and to correctly filing disclosure forms takes a whole new process? Plus, even if you simply want to monitor what’s going on at the state level, you’ve got to coordinate effectively with different in-house or entirely new outside government relations teams.”
May 4, 2012 •
Friday Government Tech News
Let’s wind up the week with the latest news about government technology and social media:
“How House Oversight Conquered YouTube and What It Means”by Joseph Marks in Nextgov.
“Is Procurement Killing Innovation?” by Steve Towns in Government Technology.
“Twitter #Hashtags a #DoubleEdgedSword for #Obama, #Romney Campaigns” by Ray Suarez on PBS NewsHour.
“No Credible Proof that Twitter Can Predict Elections, Researcher Finds” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.
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.
