September 21, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance “Trump Using Campaign, RNC Funds to Pay Legal Bills from Russia Probe: Sources” by Karen Freifeld and Ginger Gibson for Reuters Connecticut: “Counterattack at GOP Effort to Repeal Public Financing” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror Maryland: “Council […]
Campaign Finance
“Trump Using Campaign, RNC Funds to Pay Legal Bills from Russia Probe: Sources” by Karen Freifeld and Ginger Gibson for Reuters
Connecticut: “Counterattack at GOP Effort to Repeal Public Financing” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror
Maryland: “Council Candidate Wants to Tie Disaster Relief to Campaign Contributions” by Andrew Metcalf for Bethesda Magazine
Michigan: “Snyder Approves Unlimited Super PAC Cash” by Michael Gerstein for Detroit News
Lobbying
Florida: “Lacking Support, Lobbying Ordinance Gets No Hearing in Hernando” by Barbara Behrendt for Tampa Bay Times
New York: “JCOPE Commissioners Again Rule Civil Liberties Group Must Disclose Donors” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Oregon: “Portland Lawmaker Cleared of Allegation He Ranked Female Lobbyists on Looks” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian
Ethics
“Mueller Seeks White House Documents Related to Trump’s Actions as President” by Michael Schmidt for New York Times
“Price’s Private-Jet Travel Breaks Precedent” by Dan Diamond and Rachana Pradhan for Politico
“For Trump Aides Caught in Russia Probe, Legal Bills and Paranoia” by Shannon Pettypiece for Bloomberg.com
Washington: “Seattle City Council Picks Tim Burgess to Replace Bruce Harrell as Temporary Mayor” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times
September 20, 2017 •
Michigan Governor Signs Campaign Finance Bills into Law
Gov. Rick Snyder signed two campaign finance bills accounting for the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United into law on September 20, 2017. Senate Bill 335 excludes an independent expenditure from the definition of a contribution and defines independent […]
Gov. Rick Snyder signed two campaign finance bills accounting for the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United into law on September 20, 2017.
Senate Bill 335 excludes an independent expenditure from the definition of a contribution and defines independent expenditure committees.
Senate Bill 336 incorporate violations established in Senate Bill 335 into the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The bills are effective immediately.
September 20, 2017 •
Two Campaign Finance Bills Pass Michigan Legislature
The Michigan Legislature passed two campaign finance bills accounting for the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United from 2010. Senate Bill 355 excludes an independent expenditure from the definition of a contribution and defines independent expenditure committees. Senate Bill […]
The Michigan Legislature passed two campaign finance bills accounting for the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United from 2010.
Senate Bill 355 excludes an independent expenditure from the definition of a contribution and defines independent expenditure committees.
Senate Bill 336 incorporates violations established in Senate Bill 335 into the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Opponents of the bills argue it would allow candidates to raise unlimited contributions for independent expenditure committees, often referred to as super PACs.
Gov. Rick Snyder has 14 days upon receipt of the enrolled bills to sign or veto them.
September 20, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying Maryland: “Maryland Lobbyist Charged in Bribery Scandal Linked to Prince George’s County Liquor Board” by Scott MacFarlane for WRC Campaign Finance Canada: “Taxpayers Would Give Millions to Political Parties in NDP Plan” by Lindsay Kines and Amy Smart for […]
Lobbying
Maryland: “Maryland Lobbyist Charged in Bribery Scandal Linked to Prince George’s County Liquor Board” by Scott MacFarlane for WRC
Campaign Finance
Canada: “Taxpayers Would Give Millions to Political Parties in NDP Plan” by Lindsay Kines and Amy Smart for Times Colonist
California: “California Passes Bill to Track ‘Dark Money’ in Political Ads and Campaigns” by Jason Shueh for StateScoop
Kentucky: “Former Beshear Official Admits He Solicited Contributions from Fellow State Workers” by Sheldon Shafer for Louisville Courier-Journal
Ethics
“With a Picked Lock and a Threatened Indictment, Mueller’s Inquiry Sets a Tone” by Sharon LaFraniere, Matt Apuzzo, and Adam Goldman for New York Times
“Exclusive: US government wiretapped former Trump campaign chairman” by Evan Perez, Shimon Prokupecz, and Pamela Brown for CNN
Florida: “FPL Says Claim That Senator Used Lobbyist to Get Power Restored Is ‘Absurd’” by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald
Indiana: “Ethics Panel Forever Bans State Government Employee Who Hired Aunt, Sister, Stepdaughter” by Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) for Indianapolis Star
Kentucky: “Millions Go to Board Members of Lexington’s Farmland Conservation Program” by Beth Musgrave for Lexington Herald-Leader
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Senator’s Medical Marijuana Moonlighting Role” by Steve Esack for Allentown Morning Call
Elections
“Democrats Mount Effort to Recruit Women as State Attorneys General” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times
“Facebook’s Openness on Russia Questioned by Congressional Investigators” by Carol Leonnig, Elizabeth Dwoskin, and Craig Timberg for Washington Post
September 19, 2017 •
British Columbia Campaign Finance Bills Bans Corporation Contributions
On September 18, British Columbia’s Attorney General David Eby submitted a new campaign bill in the Legislative Assembly that would prohibit corporation and union contributions and limit contributions from individuals to $1,200 a year. The Election Amendment Act, 2017, would […]
On September 18, British Columbia’s Attorney General David Eby submitted a new campaign bill in the Legislative Assembly that would prohibit corporation and union contributions and limit contributions from individuals to $1,200 a year.
The Election Amendment Act, 2017, would also ban out-of-province donations, place a cap on contributions to third-party election advertisers, reduce campaign spending limits for candidates and political parties, provide some public funding for political parties, create new fines and penalties, and require public reporting and set donation limits for specified fundraising functions.
The bill defines “specified fundraising function” to mean a fundraising function attended by a member of the Executive Council, a parliamentary secretary, or a leader of a major political party, and that is held to raise funds for a major political party, a candidate who is a representative of a major political party, a leadership contestant for a major political party, or a constituency association that is the local organization for a major political party.
September 19, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance California: “Why Didn’t School Board President Ref Rodriguez Just Write Himself a Big Check?” by David Zahniser, Anna Phillips, and Howard Blume for Los Angeles Times Santa Fe: “Reform Laws Spurred by Treasurer Scandals Full of Loopholes” by […]
Campaign Finance
California: “Why Didn’t School Board President Ref Rodriguez Just Write Himself a Big Check?” by David Zahniser, Anna Phillips, and Howard Blume for Los Angeles Times
Santa Fe: “Reform Laws Spurred by Treasurer Scandals Full of Loopholes” by Andrew Oxford for Santa Fe New Mexican
New York: “Board of Elections Probes Ties Between Senate Democrats, Union Super PAC” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Ethics
“Request Denied: States try to block access to public records” by Andrew DeMillo and Ryan Foley (Associated Press) for San Jose Mercury News
“Trump Declines to Release List of His Mar-a-Lago Visitors” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
“Congress Struggles to Figure Out Which Russia Investigation Trumps the Others” by Erin Kelly for USA Today
California: “OC Ethics Commission Can Now Meet After Third Member is Appointed” by Nick Gerda for Voice of OC
Oregon: “Nepotism Runs Rampant in Oregon Legislature. Here’s How” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian
Pennsylvania: “Streetlight Executive Sentenced in City Hall Pay-to-Play Case” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call
September 18, 2017 •
Monday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance California: “L.A. School Board President Faces Felony Charges Over Campaign Contributions” by Anna Phillips, David Zahniser, and Howard Blume for Los Angeles Times Michigan: “Campaign Finance Bills Pass Michigan Senate, Give More Power to Big Donors, Critics Say” […]
Campaign Finance
California: “L.A. School Board President Faces Felony Charges Over Campaign Contributions” by Anna Phillips, David Zahniser, and Howard Blume for Los Angeles Times
Michigan: “Campaign Finance Bills Pass Michigan Senate, Give More Power to Big Donors, Critics Say” by Emily Lawler for MLive.com
Pennsylvania: “Former Judge to Admit Payments from Brady Campaign, Lawyer Says” by Chris Brennan and Craig McCoy for Philadelphia Inquirer
Ethics
“Government Ethics Office Says It Will Stick with Ban on Anonymous Gifts” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico
“Trump Lawyers Clash Over How Much to Cooperate with Russia Inquiry” by Peter Baker and Kenneth Vogel for New York Times
“Trump’s Divisive Presidency Reshapes a Key Part of His Private Business” by David Fahrenthold, Amy Brittain, and Matea Gold for Washington Post
“Trump’s FEC Nominee Has Questioned the Value of Disclosing Political Donors” by Matea Gold for Washington Post
Lobbying
“Mike Flynn’s Son Is Subject of Federal Russia Probe” by Carol Lee, Julia Ainsley, and Ken Dilanian for NBC News
Arkansas: “Lobbyist Got Part of Fees Paid by Bondsmen” by Brian Fanney for Arkansas Online
Colorado: “Big Bucks Flow to Colorado Lobbyist Offices Steps from The Capitol” by Sandra Fish for KUNC
North Carolina: “Lobbyist Faces Investigation after WBTV Uncovered Unregistered Lobbying” by Nick Ochsner (WBTV) for Charlotte Observer
Elections
“How Party Bosses, Not Voters, Pick Politicians in New York” by Shane Goldmacher for New York Times
Legislative Issues
California: “In California’s Capitol, the Real Battles Are Often Between the Assembly and the Senate” by Chris Megerian and Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times
Missouri: “Missouri Lawmaker Censured over Trump Assassination Post” by Associated Press for Wichita Eagle
September 15, 2017 •
San Antonio Finalizes Campaign Finance Proposals
After review and finalization, a package of campaign finance code revisions is going to the City Council Governance Committee for approval. Proposed revisions include language creating a blackout period for owners or top executives of primary bidders on city contracts […]
After review and finalization, a package of campaign finance code revisions is going to the City Council Governance Committee for approval.
Proposed revisions include language creating a blackout period for owners or top executives of primary bidders on city contracts making contributions to a council campaign within a certain time frame when the contract is out to bid.
Some members of the Ethics Board fear tighter campaign finance laws will decrease political activity and lead to political problems and controversy while others are happy to see steps taken towards transparency.
The committee will meet Sept. 20 to review the proposed changes completed by the City’s Ethics Review Board this week.
September 15, 2017 •
NYCU Video Digest – September 15, 2017
Jonathan Spontarelli is here to deliver this week’s News You Can Use from the new Washington D.C. branch of State and Federal Communications!
Jonathan Spontarelli is here to deliver this week’s News You Can Use from the new Washington D.C. branch of State and Federal Communications!
September 15, 2017 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 15, 2017
National: How Anna Nicole Smith’s Billionaire In Laws Secretly Lobbied the Courts Bloomberg.com – Zachary Mider | Published: 9/13/2017 When the heirs of billionaire J. Howard Marshall II, famous for his May-December romance with Playboy centerfold Anna Nicole Smith, went […]
National:
How Anna Nicole Smith’s Billionaire In Laws Secretly Lobbied the Courts
Bloomberg.com – Zachary Mider | Published: 9/13/2017
When the heirs of billionaire J. Howard Marshall II, famous for his May-December romance with Playboy centerfold Anna Nicole Smith, went to court in a $75 million tax dispute, they got help from an unlikely ally: Barber-Scotia College, the nation’s first institution of higher learning for black women. Barber-Scotia’s name, along with those of four other historically black colleges and universities, was on a friend-of-the-court brief submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The brief was part of a campaign by the Marshall family, orchestrated by a Washington, D.C. consulting firm, to influence two of the nation’s highest courts. The campaign shows how it is possible for well-funded litigants to stack the deck by generating phony friends of the court, or by paying advocates who present themselves as independent but are really lobbyists in disguise.
On Facebook and Twitter, a Hunt for Russia’s Meddling Hand
New York Times – Scott Shane | Published: 9/7/2017
The Russian information attack on the election did not stop with the hacking and leaking of Democratic emails. Far less splashy, and far more difficult to trace, was Russia’s experimentation on Facebook and Twitter, the American companies that essentially invented the tools of social media and, in this case, did not stop them from being turned into engines of deception and propaganda. An investigation reveals some of the mechanisms by which suspected Russian operators used Twitter and Facebook to spread anti-Hillary Clinton messages and promote the hacked material they had leaked. Given the powerful role of social media in political contests, understanding the Russian efforts will be crucial in preventing or blunting similar, or more sophisticated, attacks in upcoming elections.
Federal:
Russian Network RT Must Register as Foreign Agent in US
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 9/12/2017
The company that runs the U.S. version of RT, the Russian state-owned outlet originally known as Russia Today, must register with the Justice Department as a foreign agent, signaling that all of their content would be labeled as propaganda from Moscow. Media organizations have been exempted from the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which is wide-ranging in its disclosure requirements and generally applies to political consultants and those working in lobbying or public relations. It would be a felony if RT is found to have willfully failed to register as a foreign agent, however.
From the States and Municipalities:
Colorado
Denver City Council Approves New Rules Requiring Reports of Dark-Money Spending in Elections
Denver Post – Jon Murray | Published: 9/11/2017
The Denver City Council approved a bill that will require the reporting of at least $1,000 in independent spending by individuals, companies, or other organizations to support candidates or ballot issues. Those independent expenditures include any activity aiming to aid or hurt a candidate, including “electioneering communications” such as mailers, broadcast ads, or other advertising. The initial report to the Denver Elections Division, disclosing all expenses and donors above $25, will be required within two days after cumulative spending reaches $1,000.
Illinois
Weighing Third Term, Emanuel Relies on Campaign Donors Who Get City Hall Benefits
Chicago Tribune – Jeff Coen and Bill Ruthhart | Published: 9/8/2017
As Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel ramps up his campaign fundraising toward a possible third term, he continues to rely on donors who have received City Hall benefits, ranging from contracts and zoning approvals to appointments and personal endorsements from the mayor. With the mayoral election still a year and a half away, Emanuel has collected $3.1 million in high-dollar contributions. And more than $2.1 million of it, nearly 70 percent, has come from 83 donors who have benefited from actions at City Hall.
Massachusetts
Pro-Charter School Group Pays State’s Largest Campaign Finance Penalty
Boston Globe – Michael Levenson | Published: 9/11/2017
A group that backed last year’s charter school ballot question in Massachusetts paid $426,466 as part of a campaign finance settlement. The payment by Families for Excellent Schools-Advocacy is the largest civil forfeiture in the history of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Investigators say the organization violated the law by raising money from individuals and then contributing that money, more than $15 million, to the Great Schools Massachusetts Ballot Question Committee in a manner intended to disguise the source of the money. The group agreed with the IRS to dissolve itself, and Families for Excellent Schools, its umbrella group, agreed not to fundraise or engage in any election-related activity in Massachusetts for four years.
Minnesota
Scott County Attorney Declines Charges in Dai Thao Bribery-Solicitation Case
St. Paul Pioneer Press – Frederick Melo | Published: 9/12/2017
St. Paul City Councilperson Dai Thao will not face criminal charges over an allegation he attempted to solicit a bribe. The Scott County attorney’s office declined to prosecute the claims made against Thao and his former campaign manager, Angela Marlow. The allegations stemmed from a meeting between Thao, lobbyist Sarah Clarke, and some of Clarke’s clients. Clarke said that Thao told the group during the meeting that he needs “resources to spread his message.” She said it seemed clear he was asking for a bribe.
New Mexico
New Campaign Spending Rules to Take Effect
Albuquerque Journal – Dan Boyd | Published: 9/8/2017
Nonprofit advocacy organizations that spend unlimited amount of money to influence elections in New Mexico will have to disclose the names of contributors under rules adopted by state elections officials. The new requirements are set to go into effect on October 10, in time for 2018 primary and general elections, for so-called dark money groups that spend at least $2,500 on a statewide election or ballot measure. New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said vague and confusing rules are being cleaned up and the changes will “help shine a light on the dark money that has been plaguing our state’s campaigns.”
New York
Firm Uses Loophole to Secretly Donate $60G to de Blasio Campaign, Lobbying Records Show
New York Daily News – James Fanelli | Published: 9/9/2017
Constantinople & Vallone has a reputation as a powerful lobbying firm that gets its clients access to New York City Hall, but what is not so well known is it has helped steer $60,900 in campaign donations to Mayor Bill de Blasio. A loophole in the city’s campaign finance law has allowed the firm to stay under the radar as a fundraiser for the mayor. The only way to know Constantinople & Vallone has raised so much money for de Blasio is through obscure filings with the city clerk’s lobbying bureau.
Oregon
Legislators Consolidate Power, Cash, in Partially Invisible Cycle of Giving to Each Other
Salem Statesman-Journal – Cooper Green | Published: 9/9/2017
If a candidate passes contributions to another candidate, or to a re-election fund for fellow party members, the public can no longer see the money’s original donor. These transactions are known as pass-throughs. Transactions between Oregon legislators, or between lawmakers and re-election funds, are commonplace and have been for decades. An analysis shows legislative officeholders and candidates have utilized this system of pass-throughs more than 2,800 times in the last three election cycles alone, transferring $18.7 million dollars between themselves. Based on the total amount contributed to legislators during that time, this means more than a quarter of all money involved in legislative campaigns has seen more than one lawmaker as it moves through the system.
Pennsylvania
Elect Them, Then Lobby Them: Two firms blur the worlds of policy and politics in Harrisburg
Philadelphia Inquirer – Angela Couloumbis and Liz Navratil | Published: 9/11/2017
For years, lobbying in Pennsylvania was a secretive business, and more recently attracted scrutiny from federal investigators. A decade-old law strengthened registration and reporting requirements for lobbyists and their clients, but the state still lags behind others in transparency and accountability, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Among Harrisburg’s high-powered partnerships, only two have well-established campaign arms that, for the last decade, have dominated the market on both electing and lobbying Republicans who drive public policy.
Tennessee
Lobbyists Courted Lawmakers with Free Food, Baseball Tickets at Conferences
The Tennessean – Joel Ebert | Published: 9/11/2017
Under state law, Tennessee lawmakers can accept gifts like dinner and sports tickets at out-of-state conferences, provided they are related to the conference itself. Lobbyists can even pay for events labeled “state night” for lawmakers. And little disclosure is required, unlike the rules in place for how lobbyists interact with lawmakers at the Capitol. The practice at out-of-state conferences is increasingly widespread, including at conferences this year in Boston and Denver, according to interviews with lobbyists, lawmakers, and legislative staff.
Virginia
Virginia Lawmakers Attend Fewest Lobbyist-Paid Entertainment Events Since McDonnell Case
The Virginian-Pilot – Will Houp | Published: 9/7/2017
Virginia lawmakers continue to shrink away from meals, galas, and other entertainment occasions paid for by lobbyists as they attended less than half such events in 2016 and 2017 as they did three years ago. Data from the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council shows a stark difference in what delegates and senators felt comfortable accepting before and after the corruption charges against former Gov. Bob McDonnell. At the same time, several law changes related to lobbyist entertainment have muddied the water in terms of comparing year to year.
Washington
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray Resigns After Fifth Child Sex-Abuse Allegation
Seattle Times – Jim Brunner, Daniel Beekman, and Lewis Kamb | Published: 9/12/2017
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, beset over the past five months by sex abuse allegations, resigned his office. His announcement came after The Seattle Times reported that a fifth man, one of his cousins, had accused Murray of molesting him decades ago. Though he has denied all the accusations against him, Murray had already decided not to seek re-election. City Council President Bruce Harrell will temporarily serve as mayor and will decide within five days whether to take on the role of acting mayor past the November 7 election. If he demurs, the council will pick another of its members to serve until the election results are certified.
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
September 14, 2017 •
Denver City Council Amends Campaign Finance Ordinance
Denver City Council unanimously approved a proposal to close a loophole allowing campaign spending to go unreported if not coordinated directly with a candidate’s campaign. Individuals, companies, and other organizations making $1,000 in independent expenditures, including electioneering communications, will be […]
Denver City Council unanimously approved a proposal to close a loophole allowing campaign spending to go unreported if not coordinated directly with a candidate’s campaign.
Individuals, companies, and other organizations making $1,000 in independent expenditures, including electioneering communications, will be required to disclose all expenses and donors exceeding $25 within two days after reaching the $1,000 expenditure threshold.
The approved legislation also amends various campaign finance definitions, changes reporting periods for political committees, and imposes fines for late reports.
All bill provisions are effective Friday, September 15, unless otherwise provided in the legislative text.
September 14, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying “How Anna Nicole Smith’s Billionaire In Laws Secretly Lobbied the Courts” by Zachary Mider for Bloomberg.com “Russian Network RT Must Register as Foreign Agent in US” by Megan Wilson for The Hill Campaign Finance “Trump FEC Pick’s Twitter Goes […]
Lobbying
“How Anna Nicole Smith’s Billionaire In Laws Secretly Lobbied the Courts” by Zachary Mider for Bloomberg.com
“Russian Network RT Must Register as Foreign Agent in US” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
Campaign Finance
“Trump FEC Pick’s Twitter Goes Dark After Users Spot Anti-Protestant Links” by Tierny Sneed for TPM
New York: “Loophole Allows Public Officials to Shield Legal Expenses” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Ethics
Michigan: “Engineer Pleads Guilty to Bribery in Macomb County Public Corruption Probe” by Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press
Minnesota: “Scott County Attorney Declines Charges in Dai Thao Bribery-Solicitation Case” by Frederick Melo for St. Paul Pioneer Press
Mississippi: “Court: Governments can’t evade open meetings in small groups” by Jeff Amy (Associated Press) for Biloxi Sun Herald
Washington: “Seattle Mayor Ed Murray Resigns After Fifth Child Sex-Abuse Allegation” by Jim Brunner, Daniel Beekman, and Lewis Kamb for Seattle Times
Redistricting
Texas: “Supreme Court Puts Redrawing of Texas Political Maps on Hold” by Alexa Ura and Jim Malewitz for Texas Tribune
September 13, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying California: “California May Slow Revolving Door of Legislators Becoming Lobbyists” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times Tennessee: “Lobbyists Courted Lawmakers with Free Food, Baseball Tickets at Conferences” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean Campaign Finance Colorado: “Denver City […]
Lobbying
California: “California May Slow Revolving Door of Legislators Becoming Lobbyists” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times
Tennessee: “Lobbyists Courted Lawmakers with Free Food, Baseball Tickets at Conferences” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean
Campaign Finance
Colorado: “Denver City Council Approves New Rules Requiring Reports of Dark-Money Spending in Elections” by Jon Murray for Denver Post
Massachusetts: “Pro-Charter School Group Pays State’s Largest Campaign Finance Penalty” by Michael Levenson for Boston Globe
Ethics
“Trump Promised Not to Work with Foreign Entities. His Company Just Did” by Anita Kumar for McClatchy DC
“Interior Faulted for Subsidy to Firm Once Tied to David Bernhardt, Now the Deputy Secretary” by Juliet Eilperin and Jack Gillum for Washington Post
“Guam Delegate May Have Violated Emoluments Clause with Lease, Ethics Office Says” by Elise Viebeck for Washington Post
“Trump’s Legal Team Debated Whether Kushner Should Leave White House” by Carol Leonnig for Washington Post
September 12, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News
Lobbying Pennsylvania: “Elect Them, Then Lobby Them: Two firms blur the worlds of policy and politics in Harrisburg” by Angela Couloumbis and Liz Navratil for Philadelphia Inquirer Campaign Finance “Will Donald Trump Let the Federal Election Commission Rot?” by Dave […]
Lobbying
Pennsylvania: “Elect Them, Then Lobby Them: Two firms blur the worlds of policy and politics in Harrisburg” by Angela Couloumbis and Liz Navratil for Philadelphia Inquirer
Campaign Finance
“Will Donald Trump Let the Federal Election Commission Rot?” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity
Arizona: “Commissioner Bob Burns Can’t Force Political Funding Disclosure, Utility Argues” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star
Illinois: “Weighing Third Term, Emanuel Relies on Campaign Donors Who Get City Hall Benefits” by Jeff Coen and Bill Ruthhart for Chicago Tribune
Maine: “Network of Companies with Ties to York County Casino Bid Stretches Far and Wide” by Scott Thistle for Portland Press Herald
New Jersey: “Court Revives Campaign Complaint Against Essex County Executive” by Nicholas Pugliese for Bergen Record
Oregon: “Legislators Consolidate Power, Cash, in Partially Invisible Cycle of Giving to Each Other” by Cooper Green for Salem Statesman-Journal
Elections
New York: “Monserrate, Ex-Senator and Ex-Convict, Seeks Votes Amid Disdain” by J. David Goodman for New York Times
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