News You Can Use Digest – March 20, 2026

National/Federal

AI Money Is Already Influencing the Midterms. And More Is Coming.

MSN – Dan Merica and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) | Published: 3/12/2026

Money from artificial intelligence (AI) companies is flooding into the 2026 midterms. AI giants like OpenAI and Anthropic have already collectively contributed over $185 million to contests around the country as tech leaders work to influence how, and how much, AI will be regulated, with Democrats and Republicans preparing for an onslaught of campaign spending that could remake key elections.

What’s in the Voting Bill That Republicans Are Pushing to the Senate Floor

MSN – Mary Clare Jalonick (Associated Press) | Published: 3/17/2026

Legislation that would require proof of U.S. citizenship for new voters has become a rallying cry for President Trump, who claims that passage of the bill will “guarantee the midterms” for his Republican Party in November. The bill would require voters to provide proof of citizenship when they register and to present approved identification when they go to the polls, among other new rules that Trump and his most loyal supporters are pushing as part of an effort to assert more federal control over elections.

From the States and Municipalities

Hawaii – The Most Influential People at the State Capitol Are Out in the Hallway

Honolulu Civil Beat – Chad Blair | Published: 3/6/2026

Lobbying is a word that can carry negative connotations, especially in this age of political corruption. Some lobbyists in Hawaii expressed resentment that their entire profession has been tainted by recent headlines about bad legislators and the people who bought them off. In fact, they argue the key to successfully lobbying is relationships, which are already central in a small island state.

North Carolina – NC Senator Asks for Investigation of Ties Between His Colleague and a Lobbyist

MSN – Dan Kane (Raleigh News & Observer) | Published: 3/18/2026

North Carolina Sen. Terence Everitt wants the State Board of Elections to investigate the nearly $59,000 paid by state Sen. Dave Craven’s campaign to a company owned by the wife of lobbyist Kevin Wilkinson for consulting services. The News & Observer reported that the spending appears to be the only campaign work the business has done. A review of Craven’s campaign reports shows more than 20 percent of the money Craven raised in the last election came from people with ties to Wilkinson’s clients. Some of the campaign donors have been successful in winning favorable law changes or state appropriations.

Ohio – What the Jury Will Be Deciding in the FirstEnergy Corruption Trial

Yahoo News – Morgan Trau (WEWS) | Published: 3/18/2026

The jury has begun deliberating whether two former FirstEnergy executives are guilty of bribery for their role in the largest public corruption scheme in Ohio history. Former FirstEnergy Chief Executive Officer Chuck Jones and ex-lobbyist Mike Dowling are charged with bribing former Public Utilities Commission Chair Sam Randazzo with $4.3 million to get beneficial rulings. The defendants have also been accused of spending $61 million to help create and pass legislation to provide a billion-dollar bailout for the struggling company.

Pennsylvania – Treasurer Garrity Bought Israel Bonds. Candidate Garrity Then Campaigned at the Firm’s Gala.

Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso | Published: 3/16/2026

Ethics experts are raising concerns after state Treasurer Stacy Garrity campaigned at a gala hosted by a firm from which she purchased millions in bonds in her official state role. Garrity has invested $45 million in taxpayer money into Israel Bonds since the October 7, 2023, attacks in Gaza, a move that overrode earlier concerns within the Treasury Department that the bonds could be a risky investment. In gratitude, the firm behind the bonds invited her, in her capacity as state treasurer alongside an unknown number of other Pennsylvania investors, to a thank-you event.

Rhode Island – From Vegan Cheese to Ethics Scandal: Jim Thorsen says he was lied to in Philly

MSN – Eli Sherman (WPRI) | Published: 3/17/2026

Former Rhode Island Director of Administration Jim Thorsen testified at an administrative trial, defending his conduct during a 2023 trip to Philadelphia that has since become the center of a state ethics scandal. The state Ethics Commission previously found probable cause that Thorsen violated the ethics law. It is now weighing whether Thorsen accepted a free lunch on the trip and failed to intervene as his then-subordinate allegedly solicited vendors for free food and luxury items.

Texas – ‘The Public Should Know’: City Hall changes how lobbying is reported

MSN – Chaya Tong (Austin American-Statesman) | Published: 3/12/2026

The Austin City Council approved changes to the city’s lobbying rules, shifting the reporting of lobbyists’ interactions with city officials away from departments to the lobbyists themselves, a move some council members warn could make it harder for the public to track influence at City Hall. The changes come after the city auditor noted issues with transparency and accessibility in lobbyist compliance and recommended changes to the lobbying rules in September.

West Virginia – West Virginia Voters Will Lose Access to Donor Employer Data Under New Campaign Finance Law

Mountain State Spotlight – Duncan Slade | Published: 3/18/2026

At the beginning of next year, voters will no longer be able to see if groups of people who work for the same company are contributing to a campaign. West Virginia lawmakers passed legislation this year redacting employer information from political donations of more than $250. Democrats said that not having this information would reduce transparency about who is funding politicians and how they might stand to benefit.

Wyoming – Wyomingites Call for Lobbying Investigation in Response to ‘Checkgate’ Controversy

MSN – Jasmine Hall (Jackson Hole News&Guide) | Published: 3/18/2026

At least two Wyoming residents have asked state and law enforcement agencies to investigate whether laws about lobbying and other political activity were broken after check-passing on the floor of the House of Representatives. Stephanie Kessler, a Lander resident, asked the attorney general’s office to investigate whether Bextel was lobbying “on behalf of a corporation without registering as required under Wyoming law.” The law requires anyone who attempts to influence legislation on behalf of a corporation or certain organizations to register as a lobbyist within 48 hours of doing so.