Lobbying

“Ireland’s Tough Lobbying Rules Spark Cries for Similar Laws Elsewhere” by Harry Cooper for Politico

New York: “JCOPE Moves Forward with Lobbying, FOIL Regulations” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Judge Rejects APS Arguments in Rate Increase Case” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Verde Independent

Maryland: “Md. Delegates Weigh Matching Funds for Candidates on a County-by-County Basis” by Rachel Siegel for Washington Post

Ethics

“FBI Conducted Predawn Raid of Former Trump Campaign Chairman Manafort’s Home” by Carol Leonnig, Tom Hamburger, and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post

“Secrecy and Suspicion Surround Trump’s Deregulation Teams” by Danielle Ivory and Robert Faturechi for New York Times

“Mueller, Several Team Members Gave Up Million-Dollar Jobs to Work on Special Counsel Investigation” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

California: “Ethics Commissioner Had Private Meetings with Democrats Over Recall Election Rules” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Texas: “Are Lawmakers’ Business Ties with Public Entities a Conflict of Interest?” by Neil Thomas for Texas Tribune

Elections

Maine: “Maine Regularly Sells Voter Data It Denied to Feds” by Scott Thistle for Governing

Lobbying

Illinois: “Even After Hefty Lobbyist Fines, Rahm Pals Sought Help Via Email” by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times

Rhode Island: “City Treasurer Refuses to Pay Elorza Administration’s State House Lobbyist” by Dan McGowan for WPRI

Campaign Finance

“Political Donors Put Their Money Where the Memes Are” by Kevin Roose for New York Times

California: “Upscale Santa Monica Hotel Faces $310,000 Fine for Concealing Campaign Contributions” by Alene Tchekmedyian for Los Angeles Times

Virginia: “Republican Donor from Virginia Beach Sues GOP, Accusing the Party of Fraud Over Failed Obamacare Repeal” by Bill Bartel and Scott Daugherty for The Virginian-Pilot

Ethics

“How the Trump Hotel Changed Washington’s Culture of Influence” by Jonathan O’Connell for Washington Post

“Many Politicians Lie. But Trump Has Elevated the Art of Fabrication.” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg for New York Times

Elections

“The Socialist Movement Is Getting Younger, Thanks to One 75-Year-Old” by David Weigel for Washington Post

On August 3, a federal campaign finance constitutional amendment with public financing authority was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

House Joint Resolution 113, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 20, 2017, proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States granting explicit authority to Congress and to the states to regulate contributions and expenditures in political campaigns and to enact public financing systems for such campaigns.

Rep. Adam Schiff introduced the legislation with the intent to increase regulation of campaign contributions and spending.

“The regulatory process is at a standstill as we watch billions of dark money pour into elections,” Schiff said in a press release.

Campaign Finance

“Soft Money Is Back – And Both Parties Are Cashing In” by Carrie Levine for Politico

New York: “Law Requires Names of Campaign Workers, But Is Little Enforced” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Ohio: “Rosenberger Memo Seems to Call into Question Legality of Cuyahoga County GOP Donation to House Speaker Candidate” by Andrew Tobias for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ex-Senator Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Campaign Funds” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman

Ethics

“Special Counsel Mueller Using Grand Jury in Federal Court in Washington as Part of Russia Investigation” by Carol Leonnig, Sari Horwitz, and Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

“Flynn Files Amended Disclosure Report Showing Additional Payments” by Tom Hamburger and Matea Gold for Washington Post

Elections

Michigan: “Michigan Petitioners Stretch Truth for Signatures” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Legislative Issues

Utah: “Utah Lawmakers Pick Top Mormon Church Lobbyist to Run Office” by Associated Press for Cache Valley Daily

Procurement

“Missing Data Hinders Contractor Disclosure Rule Nine Years” by Sam Skolnick for Bloomberg BNA

Let Becky Campbell catch you up on any of the news you might have missed in this weeks video digest!

National:

Need a Job? Bob Brady and the Art of the Political Buyout
Philadelphia Inquirer – Andrew Seidman and Jeremy Roebuck | Published: 7/30/2017

Prosecutors’ allegations that U.S. Rep. Robert Brady’s 2012 campaign paid a challenger $90,000 to drop out of the race may seem like a particularly brazen power play. Such transactions may look like backroom dealing, but campaign finance experts agree the line between the simply unseemly and the outright illegal can be difficult to determine. “Rarely are these situations an explicit quid pro quo: ‘I’ll give you money so you’ll drop out,'” said Kenneth Gross, who heads the political law practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. “But there are many shades of gray. There are often agreements to help a candidate retire [campaign] debt.”

Federal:

Democrats Introduce Bill to Strengthen Foreign Agents Law
Bloomberg BNA – Kenneth Doyle | Published: 7/31/2017

A new Senate bill would increase the U.S. Justice Department’s authority to impose civil fines people who do not comply with the Foreign Agent Lobbying Transparency Enforcement Act, which requires individuals working on behalf of a foreign government or official to register with the Justice Department within 10 days of signing a contract. In addition to fines, the legislation from Senate Democrats would create even more requirements for foreign agents. The registration laws on foreign lobbying are routinely flouted, according to Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz.

Jared Kushner Stepped Down from 266 ‘Corporate Positions.’ What Does That Mean?
Washington Post – Jena McGregor | Published: 8/1/2017

In Donald Trump’s White House, Jared Kushner has many jobs. The president’s son-in-law is a senior adviser to Trump, has been charged with leading the administration’s revamping of the federal bureaucracy, and has a foreign policy portfolio that includes Mexico and the Middle East. But counting up the titles he stepped down from leading up to Trump’s inauguration, and the number looked to some, at first glance, as even more eye-popping. In a recent story following the release of his financial disclosures, it was reported Kushner had “resigned from 266 corporate positions.” Some on social media were scratching their heads. How does one person hold more than 250 positions?

No Going Back: Anthony Scaramucci’s White House job could cost him $7.5 million
USA Today – Gregory Korte | Published: 8/3/2017

Anthony Scaramucci took no salary during his short tenure as White House communication director, yet his 10-day career detour could end up costing him more than $7.5 million. That is because the hedge fund founder left the White House before he could obtain a “certificate of divestiture” giving him the special tax treatment available to federal employees who give up assets in order to avoid conflicts-of-interest. Without that certificate, the sale of Scaramucci’s Skybridge Capital to a Chinese holding company will be taxed at the capital gains rate of 15 percent. According to Scaramucci’s financial disclosure report, his share of the sale is worth at least $50 million; other estimates put that number even higher.

Trump Loyalist Mixes Businesses and Access at ‘Advisory’ Firm
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore and Kenneth Vogel | Published: 8/1/2017

Corey Lewandowski, Donald Trump’s former campaign chairperson, left the K Street firm he helped to establish amid scrutiny over his clients and his access to the president. Lewandowski then started a new consulting business. Now, as he takes on an increasingly broad role as an unofficial White House adviser, he is building a roster of clients with major interests before the Trump administration. Lewandowski appears to be positioning his new firm as an “advisory” business, part of a growing cohort of Washington, D.C. influencers who advise companies on how to navigate the government but do not register as lobbyists or disclose their clients.

From the States and Municipalities:

California: Anaheim City Council Passes County’s Toughest Restrictions on Lobbying
Orange County Register – Joseph Pimentel | Published: 8/1/2017

The Anaheim City Council voted to approve a bill that requires paid lobbyists to register with the city and file quarterly reports, and prohibits the city from hiring people from lobbying firms. Anaheim elected officials and workers also will be barred from lobbying the city for two years after they leave their government jobs. The ordinance defines a lobbyist as anyone who receives $500 or more a month to communicate with city officials for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative actions. The council needs to take a second vote on the ordinance, slated for August 15, before it goes into effect.

California: San Diego Boosts Qualifications for Ethics Commission Members
San Diego Union-Tribune – David Garrick | Published: 8/1/2017

The city council approved four changes that aim to boost the experience and expertise of San Diego Ethics Commission members. The council amended the commission’s rules to say “priority consideration” will be given to nominees familiar with campaign finance laws, government ethics, lobbying laws, and conflict-of-interest regulations. In addition, the council clarified that rules prohibiting commission members from seeking elective office in the city do not extend to seeking other offices, such as county supervisor or the state Legislature. In September, the council is scheduled to consider amending a rule that prohibits anyone who ran for office against a current member of the council from being appointed to the commission.

Colorado: Walker Stapleton Found a Way Around Governor’s Race Donation Limits – It’s Raising Money and Eyebrows
Denver Post – Mark Matthews | Published: 8/3/2017

The longer that state Treasurer Walker Stapleton waits before formally announcing his bid for governor of Colorado, the more he can help steer unlimited sums of money toward a super PAC-style group that is expected to provide his major funding during the campaign. It is a setup that watchdogs said could stretch the limits of the state’s election law, even as it projects Stapleton’s fundraising might. And it is another sign that the 2018 race to replace Gov. John Hickenlooper is likely to surpass spending records in Colorado’s gubernatorial elections.

Maryland: Marijuana Experts Scored Prospective Md. Pot Businesses. Some Had Ties to Them.
Washington Post – Fenit Nirappil and Aaron Gregg | Published: 7/30/2017

Several of the independent experts hired to review applications to open medical marijuana businesses in Maryland had ties to companies whose materials they reviewed. The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission said it is investigating these potential conflicts of interest. The connections, which The Washington Post discovered after a public records request, raise new questions about how the state tried to avoid conflicts in setting up a legal marijuana industry where hundreds of businesses were competing intensely for a limited number of growing, processing, and selling licenses.

Missouri: Greitens Faces More ‘Dark Money’ Questions Over No-Bid Contract with Express Scripts
Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock | Published: 7/28/2017

When Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens issued an executive order creating a prescription drug monitoring program, he said his goal was to help combat the scourge of opioid addiction in the state. His critics quickly homed in on another detail: to start the program, Greitens’ administration was giving a no-bid contract  to Express Scripts, a St. Louis-based pharmacy benefits management company that donated an undisclosed amount of money to the governor’s inauguration. It has become a familiar accusation, one that has dogged Greitens throughout his nearly eight months in office – that secret campaign contributions could be influencing his actions. Critics say this is the unavoidable byproduct of the governor’s reliance on so-called dark money.

Missouri: Lobbyist Gifts Averaging $1,760 Per Missouri Lawmaker – Less Than Year Before
Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock and Kelsey Ryan | Published: 8/3/2017

Lobbyists reported giving Missouri lawmakers and their staff members $347,368 in gifts from during the first six months of this year, which is less than the same period in 2016. Lobbyist gifts have declined every year since 2013. Observers point to numerous factors contributing to the decline, from increased public scrutiny on the practice to a series of embarrassing legislative scandals two years ago. Regardless of the reason, reform advocates say the drop is a sign that the tide is turning and lobbyist gifts are increasingly seen as a potential political liability.

Pennsylvania: Firms to Pay $9M to Feds to Resolve LCB Payola Case
PennLive.com – Mike Miller | Published: 7/27/2017

Four suppliers of alcohol to the state-owned system of liquor stores agreed to pay about $9 million in penalties for providing gifts to Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board officials. The U.S. attorney’s office in Harrisburg said the vendors, in turn, will not be prosecuted. Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Pennsylvania will pay $5 million for giving cash, all-expenses paid trips, and tickets to shows and sporting events to board officials from 2000 to 2012. Breakthru Beverage Pennsylvania, formerly Capital Wine and Spirits, and White Rock Distilleries will pay $2 million each for giving away gift cards, tickets, meals, and entertainment to the officials. Pio Imports will pay $200,000 for handing out gift cards to officials.

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.

Lobbying

“Trump Loyalist Mixes Businesses and Access at ‘Advisory’ Firm” by Nicholas Confessore and Kenneth Vogel for New York Times

“Spending Surges in Lobbying’s Top 50” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

Florida: “Maddox Says ‘Clerical Error’ Led to Inaccurate Campaign Report” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Minnesota: “St. Paul Rep. John Lesch Fined $20,000 for Using Campaign Cash for Personal Expenses” by Rachel Stassen-Berger for St. Paul Pioneer Press

Ohio: “Report: Ohio rep gives illegal donation to his own gubernatorial campaign” by Josh Delk for The Hill

Ethics

“Jared Kushner Stepped Down from 266 ‘Corporate Positions.’ What Does That Mean?” by Jena McGregor for Washington Post

Arizona: “Indicted Lobbyist’s Wife Gave FBI Documents” by Katie Campbell for Arizona Capitol Times

California: “San Diego Boosts Qualifications for Ethics Commission Members” by David Garrick for San Diego Union-Tribune

Texas: “Lawmakers Take Aim at Abbott on Ethics Reform, But He Fires Back” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Lobbying

“Democrats Introduce Bill to Strengthen Foreign Agents Law” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

“Lobbying After Congress Declines in Popularity” by Kyle Stewart and Griffin Connolly for Roll Call

“In Trump Era, Lobbyists Boldly Take Credit for Writing a Bill to Protect Their Industry” by Kimberly Kindy for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

California: “What Happened to L.A.’s Push to End Its Pay-to-Play Reputation? So Far, Not Much” by Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

Connecticut: “Ganim to Sue for Connecticut Clean Elections Cash for State Run” by Brian Lockhart for Torrington Register Citizen

Ethics

“Lawsuit Says Fox Knowingly Faked Seth Rich Story” by Hadas Gold for Politico

“Halliburton Hit for $29.2 Million in FCPA Case” by David McCann for CFO.com

Elections

North Carolina: “Judges: No special elections in North Carolina” by Associated Press for Politico

Lobbying

California: “Anaheim City Council Passes County’s Toughest Restrictions on Lobbying” by Thy Vo for Voice of OC

Campaign Finance

“Secret Donations Are Helping to Boost President Trump’s Agenda, Fights with Investigators” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

Michigan: “Big Money from Thanedar, Hines Means No Spending Limits for Other Candidates for Governor” by Kathleen Gray for Detroit Free Press

Missouri: “Greitens Faces More ‘Dark Money’ Questions Over No-Bid Contract with Express Scripts” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

New York: “Why Outside Groups Aren’t Spending in the New York Mayor’s Race” by David Goodman for New York Times

Ethics

“Trump Dictated Son’s Misleading Statement on Meeting with Russian Lawyer” by Ashley Parker, Carol Leonnig, Philip Rucker and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

“John Kelly, Asserting Authority, Fires Anthony Scaramucci” by Michael Shear, Glen Thrush, and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

“Need a Job? Bob Brady and the Art of the Political Buyout” by Andrew Seidman and Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

California: “Did Conflict-of-Interest Rules Give County Officials Special Treatment on Tax Bills Instead?” by Brad Branan for Sacramento Bee

Maryland: “Marijuana Experts Scored Prospective Md. Pot Businesses. Some Had Ties to Them.” by Fenit Nirappil and Aaron Gregg for Washington Post

Pennsylvania: “Prosecutors Face High Bar in Proving Case against Pawlowski” by Peter Hall, Riley Yates, and Kaitlin Washburn for Allentown Morning Call

On July 28, Rep. David E. Price introduced a 252-page bill which would reform campaign finance laws, amend the current federal lobbying laws, and address integrity and transparency problems in the Executive Branch.

House Resolution 3537, We the People Act of 2017, is a comprehensive attempt to address issues such as federal lobbying, campaign finance, redistricting imbalances, and voter eligibility in order to focus on “major structural problems facing our democracy,” according to Price’s press release.

The law would change lobbying registration requirements and no longer exempt an individual who spends less than 20 percent of his or her time serving as a lobbyist for a particular client if he or she meets the other thresholds for registration. In addition, the legislation would require U.S. presidents to divest assets with potential conflicts of interest, require states to allow eligible individuals to register to vote on the same day of a federal election, and replace the Federal Election Commission with a new enforcement agency.

In the bill, other pending legislation currently in Congress dealing with ethics and transparency are referenced and incorporated. The bill also provides suggested solutions to be used in state and local legislative reform efforts.

Campaign Finance

“Roots, Bark and a Burger: Tennessee Sen. Bill Ketron goes to China” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean

California: Watchdog Panel’s Support for Lifting Some Donation Limits Is Likely Boost to State Senator Facing Recall by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

New Mexico: Rio Grande Foundation Sues Over Santa Fe Campaign Disclosure Rule by T.S. Last for Albuquerque Journal

Pennsylvania: Lawyers for Brady, Rival Rebut Claims of Illegal Campaign Payoff by Jeremy Roebuck, Chris Brennan, and Tricia Nadolny for Philadelphia Inquirer

Elections

“Voter by Voter, GOP Super PAC Tries to Separate the Party from Trump” by David Weigel for Washington Post

Ethics

Steve Bannon Has a Shadow Press Office. It May Violate Federal Law. By Christina Wilkie for Center for Public Integrity

Florida: “New Opa-locka Boss Says He Wasn’t a Witness in Kickback Case. Records Say Otherwise.” by Jay Weaver for Miami Herald

Florida: City Officials Could Be Reimbursed for Legal Fees in FBI Probe by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Illinois: Judge Denies Windfall to Teachers Union Lobbyist Who Was Substitute for a Day by Ray Long for Chicago Tribune

New York: Firing of Official Who Says He Resisted de Blasio Is Under Review by William Neuman and William Rashbaum for New York Times

Pennsylvania: Firms to Pay $9M to Feds to Resolve LCB Payola Case by Matt Miller for PennLive.com

Legislative Issues

Republicans Worry That White House Disarray Is Undermining Trump by Alexander Burns and Michael Shear for New York Times

Lobbying

“Lawmakers Push to Toughen Foreign Lobbying Rules” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

“Anaheim Considers ‘Sunshine Ordinance’ and Restrictions on Lobbyists” by Thy Vo for Voice of OC

Keeping you informed on all the government and ethics news you can use in this weeks video digest!

National:

Lobbyist Gift-Giving at Issue in More States
Governing – Scott Rodd (Stateline) | Published: 7/21/2017

The laws that govern gift-giving from lobbyists to public officials vary widely from state to state. In states with relatively lenient laws, watchdogs and some elected officials have been working to impose tougher restrictions. They argue gifts from lobbyists may corrupt elected officials’ decision-making and cause them to stray from the best interests of their constituents. But critics have met resistance from lawmakers who say lobbyists offer informed perspectives on key issues, and these exchanges often happen over meals or sporting events that lobbyists pay for. A federal judge recently ruled a Kentucky law banning gifts from lobbyists to legislators violates lobbyists’ First Amendment rights.

Local Governments Keep Using This Software – But It Might Be a Back Door for Russia
Washington Post – Jack Gillum and Aaron Davis | Published: 7/23/2017

Many local and state government agencies say they are using a Russian brand of security software despite the federal government’s instructions to its own agencies not to buy the software over concerns about cyberespionage. The General Services Administration recently removed Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab from its list of approved vendors. In doing so, the agency’s statement suggested a vulnerability exists in Kaspersky that could give the Russian government backdoor access to the systems it protects, though they offered no explanation or evidence of it. Kaspersky has strongly denied coordinating with the Russian government and has offered to cooperate with federal investigators.

Federal:

New Ethics Chief Has Fought to Roll Back Restrictions
New York Times – Eric Lipton | Published: 7/26/2017

Former colleagues of David Apol, who was named the new director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), praised his intelligence and his experience as a government ethics lawyer at a half-dozen different federal agencies over three decades. But tension has been building during two stints that Apol served at the OGE, his former colleagues said. Former OGE employees said they wondered if at times Apol had gone too far in questioning agency standards. Apol acknowledged he had frequently raised questions about how the OGE interprets ethics laws that govern the activity of 2.7 million federal employees in more than 130 executive agencies, including the White House.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona: Arizona Legislators Attend Conference with Help from Corporations That Lobby Them at Home
Arizona Republic – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez | Published: 7/23/2017

More than a third of the Republicans in the Arizona Legislature gathered in Denver to absorb conservative ideas and mingle with lobbyists at a conference where corporate donors picked up much of the tab. Arizona is always well-represented at the annual gathering of the American Legislative Exchange Council, an organization best-known for producing ready-to-introduce legislation crafted with input from corporate America. Helping to foot the bill were some of the very companies and lobbyists who work the halls of the Legislature to advance their own agendas.

Illinois: Ex-Ald. Singer Among 6 Fined for Illegally Lobbying Emanuel Via Email
Chicago Tribune – Hal Dardick | Published: 7/21/2017

A former city council member and an Internet pioneer turned venture capitalist were penalized for illegally lobbying Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel through his personal email account. The Board of Ethics levied a fine of $25,000 on former Ald. William Singer. The panel imposed a $2,000 fine on Marc Andreesen, the inventor of the Netscape Internet browser. Those were among the latest group of individuals the ethics panel said had violated city law and been fined for attempting to influence Emanuel or other officials through emailed contacts. The new sanctions raise the total to eight of those fined for improper lobbying in connection with the emails.

Kentucky: Complaints Over Gov. Matt Bevin’s Anchorage Mansion Unanimously Dismissed by Ethics Panel
Louisville Courier-Journal – Tom Loftus | Published: 7/21/2017

A state ethics panel said even if Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin got a $1 million discount on a mansion bought from a political donor and appointee, he did not violate the law. The ruling comes after two complaints were filed against Bevin over his purchase of a house and 10 acres of land from Neil Ramsey, who Bevin appointed to the Kentucky Retirement Systems board of trustees. The complaints alleged Bevin accepted what amounted to an improper gift in buying the mansion in March.

Nevada: 20 Years of Term Limits: How the faces of Nevada’s Legislature have changed
Las Vegas Sun – Yvonne Gonzalez | Published: 7/20/2017

Term limits have helped make the Nevada Legislature more diverse in the almost 20 years since they were implemented, though the higher turnover has come with some costs. Experts say term limits have brought in new faces but reduced institutional knowledge as veteran lawmakers are pushed out. They say lobbyists have more power and the Legislative Counsel Bureau is even more vital both in educating new lawmakers and keeping the legislative process moving.

New Mexico: Secretary of State Unveils Changes to Proposed Disclosure Rules
Albuquerque Journal – Dan Boyd | Published: 7/25/2017

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver released revisions to proposed rules aimed at so-called dark money groups that can spend unlimited amounts to influence elections and ballot measures when acting independently. Several conservative groups with a statewide and national presence say Toulouse Oliver is overstepping her authority by requiring that independent expenditure groups disclose their contributors. Toulouse Oliver says New Mexicans have a right to know who is paying for ads that attempt to influence their vote. The revisions would raise the spending threshold to $2,500 before independent expenditure groups must reveal their donors.

New York: De Blasio Ally Didn’t Register as Lobbyist Despite Big Push for a Donor
New York Times – William Neuman | Published: 7/24/2017

Neal Kwatra, a political consultant and lobbyist with ties to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, ended up working so closely with top City Hall officials on behalf of a restaurant owner, Harendra Singh, that a city commissioner complained officials were giving Kwatra confidential information during delicate negotiations to settle a lawsuit with Singh. Yet none of Kwatra’s efforts on behalf of Singh in 2015 were registered as lobbying work, even though Kwatra and his company, Metropolitan Public Strategies, have registered as lobbyists for other clients, including United for Affordable NYC, a short-lived nonprofit group created by de Blasio to support his housing policies.

New York: Watchdogs Say Cuomo Is Skirting Campaign Finance Rules
New York Times – Brian Rosenthal | Published: 7/26/2017

Watchdogs say New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is again skirting campaign finance rules by using a secretive nonprofit to advance his agenda. The rules limit donations to political campaigns and require disclosure, and politicians are not supposed to get around them by using organizations that can accept unlimited secret contributions. But New Yorkers United Together is the third nonprofit formed by allies of Cuomo’s to emerge and support his policies.

North Carolina: NC Elections and Ethics Oversight Is Frozen Between Old and New, with Local Votes Approaching
Raleigh News and Observer – Anne Blythe | Published: 7/21/2017

The North Carolina Supreme Court said a revamped state elections board that also oversees ethics and lobbying controversies can stay in limbo for now, a holding pattern that could last months. The justices said Gov. Roy Cooper is not required to appoint members of the new state elections and ethics enforcement board created by Republican legislators. That means the board would be unable to make decisions or settle disputes until after the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the case on August 28.

Pennsylvania: Aide Pleads Guilty, Says Brady Campaign Paid Primary Challenger to Quit
Philadelphia Inquirer – Jeremy Roebuck and Chris Brennan | Published: 7/25/2017

A former aide to a political challenger of U.S. Rep. Robert Brady admitted she helped funnel the Brady’s cash to her former boss in exchange for his withdrawal from an election. Carolyn Cavaness, a pastor who was an aide to Philadelphia Judge Jimmie Moore during his 2012 candidacy in the Democratic primary, told officials she set up at Moore’s direction a shell company that would be used to accept $90,000 from Brady. In turn, she said, Moore would drop out of the race and use the cash to pay off his campaign debt. The money was routed through two political consultants who falsified invoices intended to justify the payments, officials said. Cavaness pleaded guilty to filing false statements to hide the transactions.

Pennsylvania: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski Put City Hall Up for Sale to Highest Bidders, Prosecutor Says
Allentown Morning Call – Emily Opilo, Peter Hall, and Matt Assad | Published: 7/27/2017

The mayor of Allentown and the former mayor of Reading were indicted on federal corruption charges for engaging in an alleged series of “pay-to-play” schemes in which the politicians shook down businesses and individuals for campaign contributions in exchange for political favors. Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski and former Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer have been charged with multiple counts of bribery and fraud. In two indictments, federal prosecutors spelled out charges against five people in the parallel corruption cases in Allentown and Reading.

South Carolina: FBI Investigating South Carolina Statehouse Corruption, Could Expand Scope of State Probe
Charleston Post and Courier – Andy Shain, Glenn Smith, and Schuyler Kropf | Published: 7/22/2017

Two former South Carolina Ports Authority officials say they have talked with FBI agents about an ongoing political corruption investigation. Former authority Chairperson Pat McKinney said the agents focused on the work the consulting firm run by Richard Quinn Sr. did for the agency. His son, state Rep. Rick Quinn Jr., was suspended from his seat after being charged with misconduct in office. The probe already has rattled the capital, where the Quinn family has been a force for decades. The addition of the FBI to the case only ratchets up the stakes, putting the federal government’s resources at the disposal of investigators and potentially allowing them to expand the scope of the inquiry to other targets.

Virginia: Transgender Woman Challenges Virginia Bathroom Bill Sponsor
Roanoke Times – 2017 Sarah Rankin (Associated Press) | Published: 7/25/2017

Democrat Danica Roem is challenging Republican Bob Marshall for his seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. With such stark differences between the candidates, the race is expected to draw in big money and is seen by some as a referendum on rights for gay and transgender people. Roem would be the first openly transgender candidate to win and serve in a state Legislature, according to the Victory Fund, a PAC that supports her and calls Marshall “the most anti-LGBTQ member of the Virginia state legislature.” Marshall has sponsored some of the most socially conservative legislation in the past 25 years, including a measure this year that would have restricted the bathrooms that transgender people can use.

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.

Lobbying

Maryland: “Petroleum Industry Leads Maryland Lobbying Spenders – But Lost” by Michael Dresser for Baltimore Sun

Campaign Finance

Canada: “Ban on Big Money in Politics Could Be Delayed by Lobby Reform: BC NDP” by Mike Hager for Globe and Mail

New Mexico: “Secretary of State Unveils Changes to Proposed Disclosure Rules” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

New York: “Watchdogs Say Cuomo Is Skirting Campaign Finance Rules” by Brian Rosenthal for New York Times

Ethics

“New Ethics Chief Has Fought to Roll Back Restrictions” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

California: “Ethics Commission: Oakland Councilmember McElhaney violated conflict-of-interest rules, accepted illegal gifts” by Darwin BondGraham for East Bay Express

Louisiana: “Report: Official in New Orleans IG’s office steered contracts to friends, altered reports for ‘personal agenda’” by Jeff Adelson for New Orleans Advocate

Pennsylvania: “Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski Put City Hall Up for Sale to Highest Bidders, Prosecutor Says” by Emily Opilo and Peter Hall for Allentown Morning Call

Pennsylvania: “Aide Pleads Guilty, Says Brady Campaign Paid Primary Challenger to Quit” by Jeremy Roebuck and Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Inquirer