March 7, 2025 •
News You Can Use Digest – March 7, 2025
National/Federal
Democrats Challenge Trump Effort to Control Federal Election Commission
Courthouse News Service – Ryan Knappenberger | Published: 2/28/2025
The Democratic National Committee sued the Trump administration, challenging an executive order that ostensibly granted President Trump increased control over the executive branch, including independent agencies like the FEC. The order requires independent agencies to submit any proposed rules to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within the White House. That gives Trump final say over previously nonpartisan decisions. Democrats argue the move eviscerates the Federal Election Campaign Act and would allow the president to dictate to the FEC’s bipartisan board.
Who Paid for Trump’s Transition to Power? The Donors Are Still Unknown.
DNyuz – Ken Bensinger (New York Times) | Published: 3/6/2025
After six weeks in office, President Trump has not disclosed the names of the donors who paid for his transition planning, despite a public pledge to do so. Preparing to take power and fill thousands of federal jobs is a monthslong project that can cost tens of millions of dollars. Previous presidents used private contributions as well as federal money to foot the bill. Those presidents made public the names of donors and their contributions within 30 days of taking office, as required under agreements they signed with the departing administration.
‘We Will Not Falter.’ Trump-Era Resignation Letters Take Center Stage
MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 3/6/2025
Dozens of federal officials and employees have quit in protest or been forced out amid the upheavals the Trump administration has unleashed across government agencies. A number of the departing have documented their discontent in resignation letters that have found their way into public view. Taken together, the letters from career bureaucrats who in many cases worked under Democratic and Republican presidents, amounts to a collective cry of frustration in response to an administration they feel has belittled and discounted their work.
MSN – Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott, and Alex Mierjeski (ProPublica) | Published: 2/28/2025
House Speaker Mike Johnson has been staying at a District of Columbia home with Steve Berger, an evangelical pastor. Berger’s stated goal is to minister to members of Congress so that what “they learn is then translated into policy.” The house is owned by a major Republican donor who has joined Berger in advocating for and against multiple bills before Congress. House ethics rules allow members of Congress to live anywhere, as long as they are paying fair-market rent.
Trump’s Opponents Decry a Sweeping Crackdown on Free Speech
MSN – Naftali Bendavid (Washington Post) | Published: 3/3/2025
Since taking office, Donald Trump has mounted what critics call a sweeping attack on freedom of expression. Some of the attacks are against diversity, equity, and inclusion, while others are aimed at media organizations that Trump dislikes. Also targeted are opponents who have spoken sharply about the administration. Together, critics – and in some cases, judges – have said Trump’s efforts have gone beyond shaping the message of the federal government to threaten the First Amendment rights of private groups and individuals.
The D.C. Power Broker Embroiled in a Global Hacking Scandal
MSN – Christopher Matthews and Jenny Strasburg (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 3/3/2025
A Washington strategist and lobbyist with deep connections to the Republican Party, Justin Peterson is accustomed to fighting aggressively on behalf of powerful clients such as Exxon Mobil. But at a November 2015 breakfast with an Israeli private investigator, Peterson launched a yearslong campaign that federal prosecutors now say crossed a line. As he put it in an email following the breakfast, Peterson wanted the investigator to “operationalize the research on the bad guys.” According to prosecutors, in practice that led to something very specific: hacking into the email accounts of Exxon’s enemies.
MSN – Robert Faturechi (ProPublica) | Published: 3/4/2025
Earlier this year, the Air Force revealed that Maj. Gen. Christopher Finerty, who oversaw the Air Force’s lobbying before Congress, had inappropriate romantic relationships with three women who worked on Capitol Hill. Sources say one of the women whose relationship with Finerty was scrutinized by the Air Force inspector general was Sen. Joni Ernst. She sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which oversees the Pentagon and plays a crucial role in setting its annual budget.
Republicans Advised to Avoid In-Person Town Halls After Confrontations Over Cuts Go Viral
MSN – Melanie Zanona (NBC News) | Published: 3/4/2025
Congressional Republicans are again being advised against holding in-person town halls after several instances of lawmakers being berated by attendees went viral. The cautions against town halls are just the latest warnings by top GOP leaders about participating in the events, which give constituents the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns.
Musk’s Starlink Gets FAA Contract, Raising New Conflict of Interest Concerns
MSN – Chris Isidore (CNN) | Published: 2/25/2025
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) agreed to use SpaceX’s Starlink internet system to upgrade the information technology networks it uses to manage U.S. airspace, raising new concerns about conflicts of interest for Elon Musk in one of his other roles, that of recommending funding cuts at federal agencies, including the FAA. Musk’s SpaceX is a is dependent on federal contracts. Its Starlink satellite internet provides service for government and private customers around the world.
Supreme Court Says Judge Can Force Trump Administration to Pay Foreign Aid
MSN – Justin Jouvenal, Annie Gowan, and Ann Morrow (Washington Post) | Published: 3/5/2025
A divided Supreme Court denied the Trump administration’s request to block a lower court order on foreign aid funding, clearing the way for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to restart nearly $2 billion in payments for work already done. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the court’s three liberal justices in the order, which was the high court’s first significant move on lawsuits related to President Trump’s initiatives in his second term.
Al Green Kicked Out of Trump’s Speech as Democrats Bring Signs, Heckle
MSN – Justine McDaniel (Washington Post) | Published: 3/5/2025
Within the first minutes of President Trump’s address to Congress, an extraordinary exchange unfolded as House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered the sergeant at arms to remove from the chamber Rep. Al Green, who protested the president’s remarks. Green shouted at Trump, shaking his cane and saying the president had “no mandate” to cut Medicaid. Democrats have worked to find their footing in resisting Trump, and the speech brought different approaches from lawmakers, a handful of whom skipped it altogether and some of whom walked out mid-address.
Appeals Court Allows Trump to Remove Watchdog Hampton Dellinger for Now
MSN – Derek Hawkins (Washington Post) | Published: 3/5/2025
A federal appeals court allowed President Trump to temporarily remove the head of an independent watchdog agency while the judges decide whether the president has the authority to fire him without cause. A lower court had blocked the president from firing Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit paused that ruling, saying the government had met the “stringent requirements” for securing a stay during the appeal.
From the States and Municipalities
California – Have Federal Agents Served Warrants at California’s Capitol? The Legislature Doesn’t Want You to Know
CalMatters – Ryan Sabalow | Published: 3/5/2025
The Legislative Open Records Act gives lawmakers and their staff members more discretion to withhold records than most other public agencies have under the similar California Public Records Act. But David Loy, legal director for the First Amendment Coalition, said even if they have a legal right to withhold records, public agencies usually have broad discretion to release them. “We should err on the side of disclosure. The public has a right to know,” Loy said.
California – Ethics Violation Lodged Against Former CalRecycle Director
MSN – Susanne Rust (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 3/4/2025
The former director of CalRecycle, Rachel Wagner – who oversaw, wrote, and promoted the single-use plastic legislation known as Senate Bill 54 – is now the executive director of the Circular Action Alliance, a coalition of plastic and packaging companies determined to delay, if not derail, the law. A whistleblower submitted a formal complaint to the California Fair Political Practices Commission, asking the agency to investigate Wagoner on the grounds she violated a ban that prevents former regulators from receiving compensation to work against the state on matters they once oversaw.
California – Jury Convicts Fired S.F. Building Inspector Who Approved Family Projects
MSN – Michael Barba (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 3/4/2025
Van Zeng, a former San Francisco building inspector who inspected projects linked to his family – including construction on his own home – was found guilty by a jury of breaking conflict-of-interest rules. Zeng’s father is a building contractor who allegedly arranged illegal payments for Bernie Curran, a disgraced former building inspector at the center of a larger corruption scandal. Zeng’s parents flip houses, and his sister is a real estate agent.
California – Huntington Park City Hall and Mayor’s Home Raided in Corruption Investigation
MSN – Ruben Vives (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 2/26/2025
Huntington Park City Hall and the homes of the mayor and current and former city council members were searched as part of a corruption investigation. Electronics, paperwork and records were seized as part of the probe, dubbed “Operation Dirty Pond.” Investigators have been looking into alleged misuse of millions of dollars allocated for the construction of a regional aquatic center at Salt Lake Park, according to the district attorney’s office. The city allocated more than $20 million to the project and has spent about $14 million even though nothing has been constructed yet.
California – SF Waives Ethics Rules in Asks for Private-Sector Help
San Francisco Examiner – Adam Shanks | Published: 3/5/2025
San Francisco is asking the private sector to step up and fund what city government cannot – or will not – as it faces a major budget deficit. The Board of Supervisors has approved special waivers to allow department heads to widely solicit donations to support city services. In doing so, they have won an exception to an ethics law that was tightened up just a few years ago – and, according to those who shepherded the new rules through, with good reason.
Connecticut – Kosta Diamantis and Chris Ziogas Charged in Corruption Scheme
Connecticut Mirror – Andrew Brown and Dave Altimari | Published: 2/28/2025
Former Deputy Budget Director Konstantinos Diamantis and former Connecticut Rep. Christopher Ziogas were indicted on federal corruption charges for allegedly pressuring state employees to cancel a 2020 audit that was examining an optometrist’s Medicaid billing practices. The indictment comes just weeks after Helen Zervas, the optometrist and Ziogas’ fiancée, pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare and Medicaid and conspiring with two state officials to cancel the audit.
Connecticut – CT Lawmaker Eyeing PURA Seat Owes Struggling Ratepayers Over $1 Million
Energy and Policy Institute – Itai Vardi | Published: 3/4/2025
Connecticut Sen. John Fonfara, who is reportedly a candidate for commissioner at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), headed a delinquent electric supplier company that owes over $1.1 million to customers who are struggling to pay their electric bills. Fonfara has started multiple new companies whose interests could be affected by decisions made by PURA. At least one of them is in the electric supply industry. Another is invested in building data centers, which often require large investments in electricity infrastructure.
Georgia – Georgia Committee That Has Pursued Fani Willis Now Wants to Investigate Stacey Abrams
MSN – Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 2/28/2025
A Georgia Senate committee pursuing a thus-far fruitless investigation of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis wants to add Stacey Abrams to its list of targets. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and other Republicans say they want to further examine recent ethics findings that voter participation group New Georgia Project improperly coordinated with Abrams’ 2018 campaign for governor.
Hawaii – Hawaii Defense Contractor Exec Must Face Some Campaign Finance Conspiracy Claims
Courthouse News Service – Jeremy Yurow | Published: 3/3/2025
A federal judge in Hawaii dismissed racketeering claims against a defense contractor but allowed conspiracy and state law claims to proceed. Duke Hartman was formerly an executive at PacMar Technologies. PacMar claims he participated in a scheme to funnel illegal campaign contributions to a PAC. Hartman claims PacMar’s former chief executive, Martin Kao, along with his wife Tiffany and fellow executives, orchestrated an illegal donation scheme and subsequent cover-up.
Hawaii – Honolulu Officials Charged in Kealoha Retirement Payout Case
Yahoo News – Peter Boylan (Honolulu Star Advertiser) | Published: 3/4/2025
Honolulu’s former managing director, corporation counsel, and chairperson of the Police Commission were charged with conspiracy for their handling of a $250,000 retirement payment in 2017 to former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha. The plea deal signals an end to a long-running public corruption probe by federal prosecutors in California that began with the Kealoha case and expanded to examine the intersections between politics, business, and law enforcement in Hawaii.
Illinois – Judge Grants Retrial on Four Bribery Counts in ‘ComEd Four’ Case Involving Madigan
Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 3/3/2025
A federal judge granted a partial retrial on several bribery counts in the case of four former executives and lobbyists for electric utility Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) who were convicted in 2023 for their roles in bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. U.S. District Court Judge Manish Shah left intact the convictions on a number of other counts, including the lead count of conspiracy and charges alleging the defendants altered ComEd’s books to hide the scheme.
Kansas – Kansas Republican Dissidents Put Spotlight on Ethics Investigation and Effort to Rewrite State Law
Yahoo News – Sherman Smith (Kansas Reflector) | Published: 2/28/2025
A sudden burst of chatter around a three-year-old campaign finance investigation that has largely played out in the shadows, included the disclosure of a confidential document that details the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission’s findings of an alleged far-reaching scheme to circumvent campaign donation limits and the commission’s decision to clear a central figure in the investigation. But at least a handful of Republicans harbor a grudge over the alleged violations and an apparent attempt by others in the party to rewrite state ethics law.
Louisiana – More Louisiana Officials Can Shield Their Home Addresses, Ethics Board Decides
MSN – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 2/28/2025
The Louisiana Board of Ethics will allow statewide elected officials and more high-ranking government employees to keep their home addresses off forms posted online. Last year, the board’s staff redacted the home addresses of five executive office employees who work for Gov. Jeff Landry. The new ruling will allow 28 more officials to keep their home addresses off the ethics board website if they request it.
Louisiana – Bill Would Require Live Broadcast of Louisiana Ethics Board Meetings
The Center Square – Nolan McKendry | Published: 2/27/2025
A bill in Louisiana would mandate live broadcast and online archiving of meetings of the state Board of Ethics and the Supervisory Committee on Campaign Finance Disclosure. The legislation comes amid growing tension between the Legislature, the Board of Ethics, and Gov. Landry’s administration.
Baltimore Banner – Rona Kobell | Published: 3/5/2025
The Baltimore County Public Library appears to be closing the book on a county council candidate’s plan to host events there after two delegates complained to library officials about a campaign kickoff held at one of its branches. Sharonda Huffman held a campaign event in December and put down $60 to reserve a room for a second event in February. The library canceled the February after it was alleged that Huffman’s December event was a fundraiser. The library encourages political activity but does not allow fundraisers or parties.
Michigan – Judge Will Take Additional Briefs Before Deciding on Trial for Ex-Speaker Lee Chatfield
MSN – Arpan Lobo (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 2/28/2025
A hearing to decide if former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield should stand trial over a series of alleged financial crimes related to his use of political funds wrapped up recently, although it could be months still before a judge issues a ruling. Chatfield was charged last year with embezzlement, conspiracy, and larceny. State Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office claims he knowingly used money from political funds to pay for vacations, dinners at upscale restaurants, and other non-permitted items when he was a lawmaker.
Mississippi – Mississippi Judge Vacates Her Order That a Newspaper Remove Its Editorial Criticizing Local Leaders
MSN – Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) | Published: 2/26/2025
A Mississippi judge vacated her order that a newspaper remove its editorial criticizing local officials, days after a city decided to drop the lawsuit that spurred it. The judge’s order had been widely condemned by free speech advocates as a clear violation of the paper’s First Amendment rights.
Montana – Judge Denies State Representative’s Request to Block Tobacco Lobbyists at MT Legislature
Longview News-Journal – Seaborn Larson | Published: 2/26/2025
A federal judge denied a state representative’s attempts to block lobbyists from major cigarette manufacturers from engaging lawmakers on his bill. Rep. Ron Marshall sued Altria and R.J. Reynolds, alleging the companies were violating anti-lobbying provisions set out in the 1998 settlement those companies made with several states.
New Mexico – No More Free Meals? House Approves Bill Restricting Certain Lobbyist Spending
Albuquerque Journal – Dan Boyd | Published: 3/4/2025
A bill expanding lobbyist reporting requirements was broadened before passing the New Mexico House. The change would also prohibit lobbyists from spending large amounts on food, beverages, or entertainment for state-elected officials, including lawmakers, during and just before legislative sessions.
New York – The Case of the Missing $3M: Eric Adams’ campaign finance woes grow
MSN – Joe Anuta (Politico) | Published: 2/27/2025
A mysterious $3 million sitting in New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ reelection account is the latest irregularity giving campaign finance officials cause to deny him public matching funds. The Campaign Finance Board nixed Adams’ request for $4.5 million in taxpayer-funded campaign dollars in December and has renewed its decision monthly. “The Campaign is not eligible for payment because the difference between the Campaign’s reported receipts and documented receipts is equal to or greater than [10 percent],” the board said.
New York – Andrew Cuomo Enters Crowded NYC Mayor Race, Says He Will Fix a City in Crisis
MSN – Ginger Adams Otis and Victoria Albert (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 3/1/2025
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in disgrace three years ago, announced his return to politics with a bid to be New York City’s next mayor, joining a crowded primary field that includes embattled incumbent Eric Adams. Cuomo launched his comeback with a video that acknowledged past errors, without providing details, while outlining how he would tackle housing, crime, and other issues if elected to lead the city. He promised to work with his party’s progressive wing, as well as President Trump.
New York – N.Y. Ethics Watchdog Pressures Legislative Leaders to Fill Open Vacancies
Spectrum News – Kate Lisa | Published: 2/28/2025
The head of New York’s ethics watchdog said he is putting pressure on legislative leaders to quickly fill three vacancies on the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) after the state’s highest court affirmed the agency’s constitutionality. COELIG Executive Director Sanford Berland said commissioners will have a busy year with the case behind them, but legislative leaders must step in to make that possible.
Ohio – Neo-Nazis Targeted a Majority-Black Town. Locals Launched an Armed Watch.
MSN – Daniel Wu (Washington Post) | Published: 2/27/2025
For weeks, men carrying rifles have guarded the roads leading into Lincoln Heights, Ohio, stopping and questioning those who approach the small, majority-Black town near Cincinnati suburb. In February, a truck of neo-Nazis came to Lincoln Heights’s doorstep. Masked demonstrators, some carrying rifles, hurled racist slurs and waved flags with red swastikas on a highway overpass leading into town. Residents say they are distraught after being surrounded by hate and suspicious of police officers whom county officials criticized for not cracking down on the neo-Nazi march.
Oregon – Portland Voters Approved a Strict Campaign Finance Law. A City Watchdog Wants to Soften It
MSN – Shane Dixon Kavanaugh (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 2/28/2025
City Auditor Simone Rede is pushing to upend significant portions of Portland’s pioneering campaign finance law, alarming advocates who have worked to curb the influence of money in politics. Rede wants the mayor and city council to take actions that would allow potential changes to contribution limits and disclosure requirements, either by allowing state law to preempt the city’s stricter rules or by proposing a local ballot measure this fall.
Oregon – ‘Get the Junk Out of Our Rates’ Bill Could Limit How Oregon Utilities Pay for Lobbying, Ads
OPB – Monica Samayoa | Published: 3/4/2025
Legislation in Oregon aims to ensure customers are not paying for utilities’ lobbying and advertising expenses. Natural gas rates and electric rates are set through a process that allows utilities to charge rates that cover the cost of doing business, and then to turn a profit. Senate Bill 88 would create more clarity around utility spending, and when it must come out of those allowed profits. If they spend on advertising, political influence, litigation, or pay for trade associations or membership fees and fines, that spending would not be allowed to push up rates.
Pennsylvania – Former Dauphin County Employees Are Getting Contracts, Raising Ethical Questions
MSN – Juliette Rihl (PennLive) | Published: 3/5/2025
When government employees in Pennsylvania leave their jobs, state law prohibits them from getting a contract with their former agency for the first year. But in Dauphin County, some former employees are getting contracts anyway. Over the past year, the county hired at least four former employees as consultants almost immediately after they left their full-time government roles, some at a higher pay rate than they had as full-time employees. Several ethics experts said the practice is unethical and, in some cases, may have been illegal.
South Carolina – North Charleston Council Members, Others Charged in Money Laundering, Bribery Schemes
Yahoo News – John Monk (The State) | Published: 2/26/2025
Three North Charleston City Council members and five other people were accused of being involved in a variety of bribery, kickback, extortion, and money laundering schemes. The charges follow a yearlong investigation by the FBI code-named “Southern Shake.” Some of the charges have to do with the rezoning of a hospital site and others with a million-dollar-plus violence prevention grant program run by the city government.
Tennessee – Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. Federally Charged with Bribery and Tax Evasion
Memphis Commercial Appeal – Lucas Finton | Published: 2/28/2025
An indictment charges Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. with one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, and six counts of attempting to evade or defeat tax payments. Three nonprofits were named in the criminal complaint along with businesses owned and operated by Ford. The charges are connected to a nearly four-year-long investigation into Ford’s grant-funding habits.
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.
