August 18, 2011 •
Highlights from the NCSL Legislative Summit 2011
Here is a video highlighting our time at the NCSL Summit in San Antonio, Texas:
August 10, 2011 •
Elizabeth Bartz Elected President of SGAC
Luncheon Marks Officer Transition
Today at the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) annual Member Business Meeting and Luncheon held in San Antonio, Elizabeth Bartz was elected the organization’s president for 2011-2012.
Departing President Joseph Crosby was presented the Steuben Eagle by Elizabeth Bartz in recognition for his leadership and his past year of service.
August 9, 2011 •
A Big Day at NCSL
We are at booth 217. If you are at the Legislative Summit, come and say hello!
We are working hard, meeting new people, and seeing old friends! Here are some pictures of the day:
August 4, 2011 •
See Us in Person!
Plan to say hello at future events where State and Federal Communications will be attending and/or speaking regarding compliance issues.
August 8 – 11, 2011
NCSL Legislative Summit, Booth 217, San Antonio, TXAugust 16, 2011
The Watergate CLE: John Dean and the Ultimate Lawyer’s Ethics Dilemma, Akron, OHSeptember 8 – 9, 2011
Practising Law Institute, Washington DCNovember 19 – 22, 2011
SGAC Foundation Leaders’ Policy Conference, Miami, FLNovember 29 – December 2, 2011
NCSL 2011 Fall Forum, Tampa, FLJanuary 30 – February 2, 2012
National Grassroots Conference, Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach, Miami Beach, FLFebruary 27 – March 1, 2012
National PAC Conference, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando, FL
August 1, 2011 •
Smartphone Political Contributions in California
FPPC supports the plan
California may become the first state to allow political contributions on the state and local levels to be made by text message on your smartphone. The California Fair Political Practices Commission is behind a plan that would allow such contributions by the 2012 elections. Approval is expected by October.
The hope is that this will allow for small donations and widen the number of people who are engaged in the political process. Last December, the Federal Election Commission rejected a similar plan for federal campaigns.
Here is a Capital Public Radio recording of Commission Chair Ann Ravel talking about the idea and what regulations would need to accompany it.
Today’s San Francisco Chronicle offers “Calif. poised to OK political donations via text,” by Carla Marinucci.
July 26, 2011 •
Social Media Now Employed by Cuyahoga County Council
New tools for engagement, transparency, and public access
Amid declining web traffic and engagement, Cuyahoga County Council has turned to social media as a way to better engage its constituents.
Today’s Cleveland Plain Dealer features “Cuyahoga County Council streams meetings, turns to social media” by Harlan Spector. The article reveals that the Cuyahoga County Council is now on Facebook, has a Twitter account, and offers live video streaming of council meetings.
I also found a county government YouTube channel and separate Facebook.
July 26, 2011 •
Social Media on Capitol Hill
A New Report from the Congressional Management Foundation
The Congressional Management Foundation has released a new report about the use of social media on Capitol Hill.
The 16-page document says congressional offices are using social media as a way to monitor public opinion, as a tool to get the word out about lawmakers’ messages and activities, and as another way to communicate with constituents.
The study says younger staffers see more value in the use of social media than older staffers.
You can read the Congressional Management Foundation’s article, “Social Media Used Extensively by Congress,” which was posted today. Here is the pdf of the report.
July 22, 2011 •
The Nation’s Governors and Social Media
New article gives us a new tally
Elected officials and government agencies increasingly are using social media platforms as a way to be in touch with their constituents. I am often asked, “How do I find them?”
For anyone interested in lists of public officials on social media, there are a few key places to go. One place is the Government and Social Media Wiki with its ever expanding lists of federal, state, and local elected officials and agencies. There is also DCI Group’s Digital America with its interactive map of the states offering a Twitter and Facebook grade for each state and links to connect with your state officials.
The latest offering comes from Stateline.org. They published an article today, “How many governors are using social media?” According to the article, 47 of our 50 governors are using social media. You’ll find an interactive infographic by Mary Mahling showing the state, the name of the governor, and links to their Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube accounts.
This is a valuable resource. Thank you Mary Mahling and Stateline.org!
July 8, 2011 •
Elizabeth Bartz Nominated President of SGAC
Election on August 10, 2011.
We are happy to announce Elizabeth Bartz has been nominated president of the State Government Affairs Council.
The official election will be on August 10, during SGAC’s member business lunch at the National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit 2011. It is a one-year term.
In addition to owning and operating State and Federal Communications, Elizabeth participates in many professional organizations including:
State Government Affairs Council, Public Affairs Council, Council on Government Ethics Laws, Washington Area State Relations Group, Diversity Business, Innovate to Motivate, American League of Lobbyists, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, US Chamber of Commerce, Society of Professional Journalists, and many local organizations.
Congratulations to you, Elizabeth!
July 7, 2011 •
See Us in Person!
Plan to say hello at future events where State and Federal Communications will be attending and/or speaking regarding compliance issues.
July 12 -15, 2011 Social Media for Government Conference by Advanced Learning Institute, Washington, D.C.
August 8 – 11, 2011 NCSL Legislative Summit Booth 217, San Antonio, Texas
November 19-22, 2011 2011 SGAC Foundation Leaders’ Policy Conference , Miami, Florida
July 1, 2011 •
State and Federal Communications Celebrates an Anniversary!
July 1, 2011 marks our 18th year.
State and Federal Communications is marking 18 extraordinary years of serving our clients. We are having a party in the office today, complete with decorations and ice cream.
We even have a video to mark the occasion:
June 30, 2011 •
After the FEC Open Meeting
Colbert Gives a Statement to the Press
Elizabeth Bartz offers a few more pictures from after Stephen Colbert’s appearance at the Federal Election Commission’s open meeting today:
June 30, 2011 •
Legislative News from the States
Sessions in Alaska, Maine, and Texas adjourn
ALASKA: The Legislature’s second special session ended with the Senate adjourning sine die on June 27 and the House adjourning sine die on June 28.
MAINE: The Maine Legislature adjourned sine die June 29, 2011.
TEXAS: The Texas Legislature adjourned their special session on Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Barring another special session, the Legislature will not meet again until January, 2013.
June 30, 2011 •
Elizabeth Bartz Attending the FEC Open Meeting
Live from the FEC and Stephen Colbert is there, too!
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications is attending the Federal Election Commission Open Meeting where Stephen Colbert will be answering questions about his super PAC. You can follow her tweets covering the event at @ElizabethBartz. Be sure to follow Dan Backer’s @DBCapStrategies tweets – he is also covering the event.
There is a live broadcast of the FEC Open Meeting here.
Elizabeth Bartz tweets: “We are starting. Mr. Colbert’s request is first. Then there will be a break so people can leave.”
Here are a few pictures she took while waiting for and from inside the event:
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.
