Campaign Finance

National: “Appeals Court Reverses Conviction Against Jeff Fortenberry” by Eric Bazail-Eimil (Politico) for MSN

New York: “Hochul Vetoes Controversial Campaign Finance Changes” by Joshua Solomon for Albany Times Union

Elections

Maine: “Donald Trump Removed from Maine Primary Ballot by Secretary of State” by Patrick Marley (Washington Post) for MSN

Michigan: “Michigan Supreme Court Allows Trump to Appear on 2024 Primary Ballot” by Patrick Marley (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Clarence Thomas’ Clerks: An ‘extended family’ with reach and power” by Abbie VanSickle and Steve Eder (New York Times) for Yahoo News

Illinois: “Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke Convicted on 13 of 14 Counts at Landmark Federal Corruption Trial; Jury Convicts One Codefendant and Acquits the Other” by Jason Meisner, Ray Long and Megan Crepeau (Chicago Tribune) for MSN

Legislative Issues

National: “Lawmakers Who Linger After Accepting New Jobs Stir Concerns” by Justin Papp (Roll Call) for MSN

Redistricting

Georgia: “Federal Judge Approves Georgia’s Republican-Drawn Congressional Districts” by Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) for MSN

National/Federal

Here Are the Other States Where Trump’s Ballot Eligibility Faces a Challenge

Las Vegas Sun – Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 12/21/2023

The decision by the Colorado Supreme Court to disqualify Donald Trump from holding office again was the first victory for a legal effort that is still unfolding across the country. At least 16 other states have pending legal challenges to Trump’s eligibility for office under the 14th Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court will face some pressure from the political calendar if it takes up an appeal. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said her office must certify which candidates are on the ballot by January 5 to print ballots in time for the state’s primary election two months later.

A Fight for Black Representation, with a Civil Rights Landmark on the Line

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 12/13/2023

Litigation filed across the South that alleges Republican lawmakers illegally drew district lines to limit the power of minority voters. The outcome of the suits likely will influence which party controls the next Congress. The cases will also test how much a 58-year-old landmark of the civil rights era still matters. The potency of the Voting Rights Act has been eroded in recent years by the courts. Voting rights advocates view the decisions as a threat to the guarantee all eligible voters can cast ballots and people of color will get an equal say. Conservatives say it is less necessary after generations of progress for minority groups.

FEC Revises Rules for Candidates Drawing Salaries from Campaigns

MSN – Daniela Altimari (Roll Call) | Published: 12/15/2023

Advocates for working-class candidates are applauding a new FEC rule that makes it easier for those running for Congress to draw salaries from their campaign accounts. The rule more accurately reflects the demands of running for federal office, which typically require full-time campaigning for a year or more leading up to the election, said Shana Broussard, a Democratic member of the FEC.

The Rise of AI Fake News Is Creating a ‘Misinformation Superspreader’

MSN – Pranshu Verma (Washington Post) | Published: 12/17/2023

Artificial intelligence is automating the creation of fake news, spurring an explosion of web content mimicking factual articles that instead disseminates false information about elections, wars, and natural disasters. Historically, propaganda operations have relied on armies of low-paid workers or highly coordinated intelligence organizations to build sites that appear to be legitimate. But AI is making it easy for nearly anyone to create these outlets, producing content that is at times hard to differentiate from real news.

Ron DeSantis Wanted to Change the Way Campaigns Were Funded. Then the Fights Started.

MSN – Michael Scherer, Hannah Knowles, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 12/16/2023

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had a plan to change how presidential campaigns are usually funded as he sought the White House. His first campaign manager developed the strategy and selected the leadership to lead a new super PAC called Never Back Down. Under campaign finance rules, the PAC and the campaign could not privately coordinate most of their spending. But they aimed to function as an integrated whole. It was the first time a major campaign ceded so much of its operations to an entity it could not legally control. With just weeks to go before the Iowa caucuses, the experiment is now in tatters.

GOP Voter-Fraud Crackdown Overwhelmingly Targets Minorities, Democrats

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 12/20/2023

As Donald Trump falsely claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, Republicans in some states launched special units to prosecute voter fraud as part of a controversial push to stamp out cheating some claimed was rampant. But the election integrity units obtained only 47 convictions during a period in which tens of millions of votes were cast, and the units overwhelmingly targeted minorities and Democrats for prosecution, according to an analysis by The Washington Post.

Venezuela Hands over ‘Fat Leonard,’ Mastermind in U.S. Navy Scandal

MSN – Samantha Schmidt, Ana Vanessa Herrero, and Craig Whitlock (Washington Post) | Published: 12/20/2023

Leonard Glenn Francis, the fugitive defense contractor who admitted to a $35 million bribery scheme in the largest corruption scandal in U.S. military history, was arrested and returned by Venezuela to the United States as part of a major prisoner swap between the estranged countries. Francis, known as “Fat Leonard,” was apprehended by Venezuelan authorities in Caracas last year after escaping U.S. sentencing.

Feds Charge Ex-Miami Congressman Rivera Anew with Breaking Income Tax Laws in Venezuela Case

MSN – Jay Weaver (Miami Herald) | Published: 12/19/2023

A year after being charged with working as an unofficial agent for the Venezuelan government, former U.S. Rep. David Rivera is now accused of failing to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in income and diverting some of that money through a campaign account to himself. The charges were added to an original indictment that charges Rivera with acting as an agent for Venezuela without legally registering wit for a lobbying job that paid him $20 million before he was fired.

A ‘Delicate Matter’: Clarence Thomas’ private complaints about money sparked fears he would resign

ProPublica – Justin Elliot, Joshua Kaplan, Alex Mierjeski, and Brett Murphy | Published: 12/18/2023

In January 2000, Justice Clarence Thomas gave a speech at an off-the-record conservative conference. He was seated next to a Republican member of Congress on the flight home. The lawmaker left the conversation worried Thomas might resign. Congress should give Supreme Court justices a pay raise, Thomas told him – if lawmakers did not act, “one or more justices will leave soon.” Documents and interviews offer insight into how Thomas was talking about his finances in a crucial period in his tenure, just as he was developing his relationships with a set of wealthy benefactors.

Material From Russia Investigation Went Missing as Trump Left Office

Seattle Times – Maggie Haberman, Julian Barnes, Charlie Savage, and Jonathan Swan (New York Times) | Published: 12/15/2023

Material from a binder with highly classified information connected to the investigation into Russian efforts to meddle in the 2016 election disappeared in the final days of Donald Trump’s presidency, two people familiar with the matter said. The disappearance of the material, known as the “Crossfire Hurricane” binder for the name given to the investigation by the FBI, vexed national security officials and set off concerns that sensitive information could be inappropriately shared.

House Dysfunction by the Numbers: 724 votes, only 27 laws enacted

Yahoo News – Annie Karni (New York Times) | Published: 12/19/2023

In 2023, the Republican-led U.S. House has passed only 27 bills that became law, despite holding a total of 724 votes. That is more voting and less lawmaking than at any other time in the last decade. The numbers reflect the challenges that have plagued Republicans and are likely to continue, and maybe even get worse, in 2024.

Judge Orders Rep. Scott Perry to Disclose 1,600 Messages to Federal Prosecutors

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 12/19/2023

A judge ruled U.S. Rep. Scott Perry must disclose to federal prosecutors more than 1,600 emails, text messages, and other communications related to the investigation into Donald Trump and his allies’ bid to subvert the 2020 election. District Court Judge James Boasberg concluded that the vast majority of the messages Perry exchanged, some with other members of Congress, some with members of the Trump administration, and some with allies outside of government, could not be shielded from prosecutors by Perry’s constitutional protections as a member of Congress.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Dem Lawmaker Sun Goes Before Ethics Committee for Intimidation, Alleged Death Threat

Arizona Mirror – Gloria Rebecca Gomez | Published: 12/19/2023

A school superintendent, a trio of Tolleson city officials, and a social worker are accusing Arizona Rep. Leezah Sun of using her position to intimidate and harass them – in one case, even going so far as making a death threat – but she maintains the allegations are false and overblown. The House Ethics Committee considered a bevy of allegations made against Sun and whether her behavior meets the Legislature’s threshold for disorderly conduct of one of its members.

California – Independent Governance Reform Group Calls for Stronger Ethics Commission

MSN – Caroline Petrow-Cohen (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 12/14/2023

After three years marked by scandal in City Hall, an independent government reform group is recommending a larger and more powerful Los Angeles Ethics Commission. The newly imagined commission would have seven members instead of five and would have the authority to approve city council ethics legislation. They also would be able to place proposed policy changes directly on the ballot with a supermajority vote. The revamp is part of a larger set of recommendations put forth by the Los Angeles Governance Reform Project.

California – Orange Becomes the Latest City in OC to Strengthen Lobbyist Rules

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 12/19/2023

Orange County’s largest public corruption scandal in recent history is leading some city officials in the county to tighten regulations and try to create more transparency surrounding lobbyists. Officials in the city of Orange voted to finalize an ordinance that would require lobbyists to register and publicly disclose their activities in the city.

California – Can an Ethics Officer Restore Trust in Anaheim After the FBI Corruption Scandal?

Voice of OC – Spencer Custodio | Published: 12/14/2023

Elected officials in Anaheim are slated to create an ethics officer position to oversee campaign finance laws, public records requests, and a host of other good government practices in the wake of Orange County’s public corruption scandal. City council members are also expected to discuss reforming the city’s campaign finance laws next year.

California – Fresno Councilmember Under Scrutiny for Private Jet Travel with Executive

Yahoo News – Tim Sheehan (Fresno Bee) | Published: 12/18/2023

Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias is under investigation by the California Fair Political Practices Commission following an anonymous complaint over a private flight he accepted from a commercial trash contractor who does business with the city. Arias said he reimbursed Joseph Kalpakoff, president of Mid Valley Disposal, for the full cost of the flight. Arias acknowledged the reimbursement was delayed by more than the statutory 30 days in state law.

Colorado – Trump Disqualified from Colorado’s 2024 Primary Ballot by State Supreme Court

MSN – Patrick Marley and Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) | Published: 12/19/2023

In a historic decision, the Colorado Supreme Court barred Donald Trump from running in the state’s presidential primary after determining he had engaged in insurrection on January 6, 2021. The ruling marked the first time a court has kept a presidential candidate off the ballot under an 1868 provision of the Constitution that prevents insurrectionists from holding office. If other states reach the same conclusion, Trump would have a difficult, if not impossible, time securing the Republican nomination and winning in November.

Florida – ‘You Can’t Morally Lead’: Florida Republicans strip party chair of power

MSN – Kimberly Leonard (Politico) | Published: 12/14/2023

The Republican Party of Florida voted to strip Chairperson Christian Ziegler of his power, reduce his salary to one dollar, and begin a three-week countdown to formally oust him from his position. Police are investigating Ziegler after a woman accused him of rape. His refusal to step down has forced party members to deal with an ongoing embarrassment ahead of the 2024 elections.

Florida – Absentee Mayor: Miami’s Francis Suarez blurs line between public duty, pursuit of wealth

Yahoo News – Sarah Blaskey, Joey Flechas, Tess Riski, and Susan Merriam (Miami Herald) | Published: 12/18/2023

Mayor Francis Suarez spent at least 85 days outside Miami in 2022, including about half those days abroad, primarily in the Middle East. He is on track to be out of town just as much in 2023. He will not give any specifics about what he has been doing in the Middle East. His penchant for secrecy, including not naming his legal clients, makes it nearly impossible to identify potential conflicts-of-interest between Suarez’s public office and his much more lucrative private business endeavors.

Georgia – Rudy Giuliani Ordered to Pay $148 Million for False 2020 Election Claims

MSN – Spencer Hsu, Tom Jackman, Rachel Weiner, and Olivia Diaz (Washington Post) | Published: 12/15/2023

A jury awarded $148 million in damages to two former Georgia election workers who sued Rudy Giuliani for defamation over lies he spread about them in 2020 that upended their lives with racist threats and harassment. The verdict came in a defamation lawsuit filed against Giuliani by election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea ArShaye “Shaye” Moss, whom Donald Trump and others on the former president’s campaign and legal teams falsely accused of manipulating the absentee ballot count in Atlanta.

Georgia – Appeals Court Shoots Down Mark Meadows’ Bid to Derail Georgia Racketeering Case

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 12/18/2023

A federal appeals court denied Mark Meadows’ bid has to move his Georgia-based criminal charges into federal court, rejecting a procedural gambit that could have derailed the state’s election-related charges against not only Meadows but also Donald Trump. Meadows could appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court. But for now, the ruling from a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals keeps on track Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ racketeering prosecution of Trump, Meadows, and a dozen other allies for efforts connected to the bid to subvert the 2020 election.

Indiana – Supreme Court to Review Former Indiana Mayor’s Corruption Appeal

Bloomberg Law News – Lydia Wheeler | Published: 12/13/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear an appeal from former Portage Mayor James Snyder, who was convicted of bribery for accepting money from a government contractor for what he said were “consulting services.” Federal prosecutors say Snyder successfully steered two contracts for town garbage trucks worth $1.125 million to a trucking company in return for $13,000.

Kansas – A Lawsuit by Latinos in Kansas Claims Their City’s Election Method Is Unfair

MSN – Silvia Foster-Frau (Washington Post) | Published: 12/19/2023

Known for its cowboy culture and as a symbol of the Western frontier, Dodge City, Kansas, an emblem of an older, Whiter America, is now 65 percent Latino. Despite its changing demographics, the city commission – the local body in charge of enacting policies that affect its residents most directly – remains nearly all White. Every commissioner is elected city-wide rather than by just one district. Experts who study representation have found at-large election systems have frequently diluted the minority vote in towns and cities with significant non-White populations across the country.

Kansas – Kansas Supreme Court Rules Against Kris Kobach and Scott Schwab in Election Law Case

MSN – Jason Alatidd (Topeka Capital Journal) | Published: 12/15/2023

The Kansas Supreme Court sided with voter advocacy groups in a lawsuit against Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Attorney General Kris Kobach challenging the legality of an election law enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature over the veto of Gov. Laura Kelly. The matter was one of two argued before the Supreme Court this year stemming from the same case. The ruling addressed the dispute over a provision of House Bill 2183 that makes it a felony crime to impersonate an election official.

Kentucky – Kentucky Supreme Court Upholds Congressional Boundaries Passed by GOP-Led Legislature

ABC News – Bruce Scheiner (Associated Press) | Published: 12/14/2023

The Kentucky Supreme Court upheld Republican-drawn boundaries for state House and congressional districts, rejecting Democratic claims the majority party’s mapmaking amounted to gerrymandering in violation of the state constitution. The court noted an alternative proposal would have resulted in nearly the same lopsided advantage for Republicans in House elections and would not have altered the GOP’s advantage in U.S. House seats from the state.

Michigan – Appeals Panel Won’t Block Trump from Michigan’s Presidential Primary Ballot

Detroit News – Beth LeBlanc | Published: 12/14/2023

The Michigan Court of Appeals will not block Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot, ruling the issue is not ripe for a decision from a three-judge panel. The decision upheld lower court rulings that found arguments Trump should be disqualified from the ballot under the Insurrection Clause were not yet relevant ahead of Michigan’s February 27 presidential primary. Opponents seeking to oust Trump from the ballot had asked judges to order Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to determine Trump’s eligibility.

Minnesota – Judge Halts Minnesota Law Barring Donations by Businesses with Level of Foreign Investors

Minnesota Public Radio – Brian Bakst | Published: 12/20/2023

A federal judge halted a Minnesota campaign finance law that aimed to curtail political donations from corporations with at least some degree of foreign ownership. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce won an injunction while a lawsuit filed in July proceeds. U.S. District Court Judge Eric Tostrud said the law could squelch speech and is therefore counter to the First Amendment. His ruling also said lawmakers failed to show how contributions or independent spending by companies with foreign shareholders results in undue influence.

Missouri – In a Statehouse Short on Space, Missouri Speaker Converted an Office into a Liquor ‘Pantry’

Missouri Independent – Jason Hancock | Published: 12/20/2023

Room 306B is not the biggest office in the space-starved Missouri statehouse, where staff often work out of tiny, windowless rooms. But it has direct access to the House Lounge, where conference committees, leadership meetings, and press conferences are often held. Speaker Dean Plocher took over that space and converted it into what has been jokingly referred to as his “butler’s pantry,” a makeshift storage room stocked with liquor, beer, wine, and soda to complement the supply in his separate office.

New Mexico – Ethics Commission Affirms State Treasurer Laura Montoya Violated Campaign Finance Law

MSN – Daniel Chacón (Santa Fe New Mexican) | Published: 12/20/2023

The State Ethics Commission upheld a hearing officer’s decision finding New Mexico Treasurer Laura Montoya violated campaign finance reporting laws by accepting $10,000 in concealed contributions. An investigation revealed Montoya received the money from a real estate developer through a PAC that acted as a conduit and then failed to report the true source of the donation.

New Mexico – Ethics Board Advances Search for Online Critic ‘Jay Baker’

Santa Fe New Mexican – Carina Julig | Published: 12/14/2023

The Ethics and Campaign Review Board ruled a complaint filed by incoming city council member Pilar Faulkner against an online critic known as “Jay Baker” could move forward but two other complaints filed after the recent election could not. Jay Baker is an anonymous Facebook poster who is a frequent critic of Mayor Alan Webber’s administration. In her complaint, Faulkner alleges the poster paid for digital ads without including identifying information required under city law.

New York – State Ethics Panel in Limbo as It Appeals Ruling It’s Unconstitutional

Albany Times Union – Brendan Lyons | Published: 12/18/2023

The ability of New York’s ethics panel to investigate complaints and impose penalties remains in limbo after a state Supreme Court justice issued a stay on the commission’s request to continue performing its ministerial duties as it awaits an appellate court’s review of whether its structure violates the state constitution. State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Marcelle determined the commission was formed and assigned enforcement powers in violation of the constitution, in part, because it was not done through a constitutional amendment that would have required a vote “of the people.”

New York – After 40 Witnesses and 43 Days of Testimony, Here’s What We Learned at Trump’s Civil Fraud Trial

MSN – Michael Sisak and Jennifer Pelz (Associated Press) | Published: 12/15/2023

New York Attorney General Letitia James has accused Donald Trump of inflating his wealth on financial statements used to secure loans and make deals. Closing arguments are scheduled for early January. The judge has already ruled Trump is liable for making fraudulent statements, but other claims and a potential final penalty still need to be decided.  The trial offered fresh insight into Trump’s finances and gave a glimpse of Trump’s political and legal strategies as his court and campaign calendars increasingly overlap.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Rural Water Association PAC Turns Itself in for Ethics Violations

KOSU – Graycen Wheeler | Published: 12/19/2023

In 2015, the Oklahoma Rural Water Association (ORWA) formed a PAC to accept donations and support candidates. The PAC broke state rules about political contributions and recordkeeping. It agreed to pay $12,000 to Oklahoma’s general revenue fund before dissolving its assets, getting rid of its funds, and shutting down.

Oklahoma – Ethics Commission Retains Attorney Ahead of ‘Nightmare’ Guardian System Scenario

NonDoc – Michael McNutt | Published: 12/15/2023

With the plug possibly being pulled on the public website for state-level campaigns and lobbyist reporting in the middle of the 2024 election cycle, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission authorized its executive director to retain an attorney to file a claim in a contractual dispute with the system’s vendor. Representatives from Civix, a public software and services firm, notified the Ethics Commission in July that the software used to operate The Guardian System would no longer be updated after July 1, 2024.

Oregon – Portland’s Campaign Finance Program Scales Back Ahead of 2024 Election

OPB – Alex Zielinski | Published: 12/19/2023

Portland’s public campaign financing program does not have enough money to operate at full capacity ahead of the 2024 election. For some candidates, this means losing hundreds of thousands of anticipated dollars to run their campaigns. The city’s Small Donor Election program works to help candidates who lack wealthy donors by rewarding those who pledge to only accept individual campaign contributions under $250.

South Carolina – Nancy Mace Racked Up Nearly $17K in Fines as a State Rep. She Will Only Pay a Fraction of It.

Charleston Post and Courier – Nick Reynolds | Published: 12/14/2023

In the years after leaving the South Carolina House, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace amassed thousands of dollars in unpaid ethics fines due to an old campaign account she never closed. With $16,700 in unpaid fines as of March 2023, Mace was one of the largest delinquent accounts the House Ethics Committee had on its books. Mace finally closed the account on December 12. And after years of trying, the Ethics Committee might finally collect on those fines. It will just be a lot less than they were owed.

South Dakota – New Briefs Details South Dakota Officials’ Questions About Conflict of Interest Clause

Yahoo News – Annie Todd (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) | Published: 12/14/2023

The South Dakota governor, attorney general, and Legislature sent briefs to the state Supreme Court so the justices can issue clearer guidance on the state constitution’s contract clause. Gov. Kristi Noem had requested the Supreme Court issue an advisory opinion back in October. The request came after former Sen. Jessica Castleberry resigned following an investigation that found she had improperly received COVID-19 federal stimulus loans for her daycare business, violating the state constitution.

Tennessee – Tennessee Legislature’s Harassment Policy So Far Unchanged Since Lawmaker Resignation

Yahoo News – Vivian Jones (Tennessean) | Published: 12/20/2023

No changes have been made to the Tennessee Legislature’s workplace harassment policy after a lawmaker faced no known consequences from Republican leadership following an ethics panel finding he harassed a 19-year-old intern last year. Former Rep. Scotty Campbell maintained his elected seat, committee assignments, office and staff, and his leadership position as vice chair of the House Republican Caucus until mounting public pressure led him to suddenly resign.

West Virginia – W.Va. Governor’s Efforts to Save Coal Plant Raise Conflict-of-Interest Concerns

E&E News – Scott Waldman | Published: 12/20/2023

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice went to unusual lengths four years ago to save a single coal-burning power plant. Now that he is running for the U.S. Senate, his efforts to rescue that plant are coming under new scrutiny as he tries to step onto the national stage. Justice leaned on state lawmakers in 2019 to pass an annual $12.5 million tax break for the plant, which was owned by a subsidiary of FirstEnergy. At the time, FirstEnergy was suing a Justice family coal company for $3.1 million over a contract dispute.

San Jose City Council voted to pass a memorandum to bar multinational corporations from spending money to influence elections.

Corporations would be prohibited from spending money in elections if they are foreign-influenced.

This would be defined as 1 percent or more ownership by a single foreign investor or five percent or more ownership by multiple foreign investors.

The passage of this memorandum will go to a final reading at a city council meeting in January where it is expected to pass unanimously.

 

Campaign Finance

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Rural Water Association PAC Turns Itself in for Ethics Violations” by Graycen Wheeler for KOSU

Oregon: “Portland’s Campaign Finance Program Scales Back Ahead of 2024 Election” by Alex Zielinski for OPB

Elections

Colorado: “Trump Disqualified from Colorado’s 2024 Primary Ballot by State Supreme Court” by Patrick Marley and Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) for MSN

Georgia: “Appeals Court Shoots Down Mark Meadows’ Bid to Derail Georgia Racketeering Case” by Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) for Yahoo News

Ethics

California: “Fresno Councilmember Under Scrutiny for Private Jet Travel with Executive” by Tim Sheehan (Fresno Bee) for Yahoo News

National: “A ‘Delicate Matter’: Clarence Thomas’ private complaints about money sparked fears he would resign” by Justin Elliot, Joshuaq Kaplan, Alex Mierjeski, and Brett Murphy for ProPublica

National: “Material From Russia Investigation Went Missing as Trump Left Office” by Maggie Haberman, Julian Barnes, Charlie Savage, and Jonathan Swan (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Indiana: “Supreme Court to Review Former Indiana Mayor’s Corruption Appeal” by Lydia Wheeler for Bloomberg Law News

Lobbying

California: “Orange Becomes the Latest City in OC to Strengthen Lobbyist Rules” by Hosam Elattar for Voice of OC

Campaign Finance

National: “Ron DeSantis Wanted to Change the Way Campaigns Were Funded. Then the Fights Started.” by Michael Scherer, Hannah Knowles, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN

South Carolina: “Nancy Mace Racked Up Nearly $17K in Fines as a State Rep. She Will Only Pay a Fraction of It.” by Nick Reynolds for Charleston Post and Courier

Elections

Georgia: “Rudy Giuliani Ordered to Pay $148 Million for False 2020 Election Claims” by Spencer Hsu, Tom Jackman, Rachel Weiner, and Olivia Diaz (Washington Post) for MSN

Michigan: “Appeals Panel Won’t Block Trump from Michigan’s Presidential Primary Ballot” by Beth LeBlanc for Detroit News

Ethics

National: “The Rise of AI Fake News Is Creating a ‘Misinformation Superspreader'” by Pranshu Verma (Washington Post) for MSN

New York: “State Ethics Panel in Limbo as It Appeals Ruling It’s Unconstitutional” by Brendan Lyons for Albany Times Union

Oklahoma: “Ethics Commission Retains Attorney Ahead of ‘Nightmare’ Guardian System Scenario” by Michael McNutt for NonDoc

South Dakota: “New Briefs Details South Dakota Officials’ Questions About Conflict of Interest Clause” by Annie Todd (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) for Yahoo News

Campaign Finance

National: “FEC Revises Rules for Candidates Drawing Salaries from Campaigns” by Daniela Altimari (Roll Call) for MSN

Elections

Georgia: “Judges Dubious of Mark Meadows’ Bid to Avoid Facing Charges in Georgia State Court” by Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney (Politico) for Yahoo News

Kansas: “Kansas Supreme Court Rules Against Kris Kobach and Scott Schwab in Election Law Case” by Jason Alatidd (Topeka Capital Journal) for MSN

National: “A Fight for Black Representation, with a Civil Rights Landmark on the Line” by Patrick Marley (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

California: “Independent Governance Reform Group Calls for Stronger Ethics Commission” by Caroline Petrow-Cohen (Los Angeles Times) for MSN

New Mexico: “Ethics Board Advances Search for Online Critic ‘Jay Baker'” by Carina Julig for Santa Fe New Mexican

New York: “After 40 Witnesses and 43 Days of Testimony, Here’s What We Learned at Trump’s Civil Fraud Trial” by Michael Sisak and Jennifer Pelz (Associated Press) for MSN

Redistricting

Kentucky: “Kentucky Supreme Court Upholds Congressional Boundaries Passed by GOP-Led Legislature” by Bruce Scheiner (Associated Press) for ABC News

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three campaign finance bills effective February 13, 2024.

House Bill 5141, House Bill 5143, and House Bill 5144, prohibit distributing materially deceptive media and amend the disclaimer requirements for political ads and add definitions to the Campaign Finance Act to facilitate the implementation of the new laws.

House Bill 5144 prohibits a person from distributing materially deceptive media if all of the following apply:

• The person knows the media falsely represents a depicted individual;
• The distribution occurs within 90 days before an election;
• The person intends the distribution to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate in an election and likely to cause that result; and
• The person intends the distribution to change the voting behavior of electors in an election by deceiving the electors.

House Bill 5141 amends the disclaimer requirements for political ads, including special requirements for ads generated by artificial intelligence.

House Bill 5143 adds the definitions to the Michigan Campaign Finance Act including artificial intelligence, ballot question committee, bundling committee, and business.

National/Federal

Kevin McCarthy Uses PAC to Lavish Cash on High-End Resorts, Private Jets and Fine Dining

MSN – Paul Pringle and Adam Elmahrek (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 12/7/2023

As her exits Congress two months after his historic ouster as House speaker, political obituaries tout Kevin McCarthy’s skills as a prolific fundraiser on behalf of Republican candidates. Also setting him apart from other congressional leaders was his roughly decade-long pattern of using his Majority Committee PAC to spend lavishly on hotels, private jets, and fine dining establishments, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis. From 2012 through last June, McCarthy’s PAC shelled out more than $1 million on hotels, private air travel, and eateries.

Trump Gag Order Reinstated but Narrowed in Jan. 6 Case

MSN – Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 12/8/2023

A federal appeals court narrowed an order limiting what Donald Trump can say about people involved in the criminal case alleging he tried to subvert the 2020 election results, saying he cannot talk about witnesses’ involvement or single out other individuals in ways likely to interfere with the case. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan had prohibited him from “targeting” any individuals involved in the case involved in the case. The judges said “targeting” was too broad a prohibition on Trump and could be “chilling speech” unlikely to have any impact on the case.

House Ethics Committee Requests Interview with Witness in Gaetz Probe

MSN – Paula Reid and Annie Grayer (CNN) | Published: 12/7/2023

The House ethics committee reached out to at least one witness as part of its investigation into U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz to schedule an interview in the coming weeks, the latest sign the once dormant probe remains open. The Justice Department in February informed Gaetz’s lawyers it would not bring criminal charges against the Florida Republican after a yearslong sex-trafficking investigation. Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Dictator-for-a-Day? Scholars Say Trump Can Do Damage Without Being One.

MSN – Sarah Ellison (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2023

For autocracy scholars and constitutional law experts, Donald Trump’s statements about being a dictator for a day if he is elected again raised alarms that he had thought carefully about how to consolidate the levers of power should he return to office in ways that eluded him in his first four years in the White House. Scholars say even without violating the letter of the law, Trump would have access to broad powers granted to him as chief of the executive branch. He does not need to become a dictator to subvert democracy, they say: he can simply use the tools of democracy to do so.

As Advertisers Flee Musk’s X, Democrats Splurge on Political Ads

MSN – Cristiano Lima and Aaron Schaffer (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2023

Advertisers are fleeing Elon Musk’s X amid rising concerns the social media site and its owner are amplifying antisemitic and hateful material. But an unlikely group of holdouts has continued to pump ad dollars into the embattled platform: Democrats running for office. Democrats have spent over a million dollars to run thousands of political ads on X since the platform lifted its ban on such messages earlier this year.

Supreme Court Will Consider Fast-Tracking Trump Appeal in D.C. Trial

MSN – Devlin Barrett, Perry Stein, Robert Barnes, and Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court will consider special counsel Jack Smith’s request to fast-track consideration of Donald Trump’s claim he is immune from prosecution for alleged election obstruction in 2020, intensifying the legal jockeying over whether Trump’s criminal trial will stay on schedule for early next year. The response by the Supreme Court came hours after Smith’s office filed its request seeking to essentially leapfrog an appeals court process that Trump has already started but which could take months to resolve.

DeSantis’ Campaign and Allied Super PAC Face New Concerns About Legal Conflicts, AP Sources Say

MSN – Steve Peoples and Thomas Beaumont (Associated Press) | Published: 12/12/2023

As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis works to project strength in the Republican presidential primaries and cut into Donald Trump’s huge lead, DeSantis’s expansive political machine is facing leadership challenges, stagnant polling numbers, and new concerns about potential legal conflicts. There has been concern in recent weeks among some within DeSantis’s operation that interactions between his campaign and his network of outside groups are blurring the lines of what is legally permissible.

Still Lacking Evidence, House GOP Votes to Formalize Biden Impeachment Inquiry

MSN – Jaqueline Alemany and Matt Viser (Washington Post) | Published: 12/13/2023

House Republicans voted to formally authorize an impeachment inquiry against President Biden to strengthen their oversight powers as GOP lawmakers continue to investigate the Biden family’s finances. The foundation of the impeachment inquiry rests on an unsubstantiated allegation that has become the linchpin of conspiracy theories and false claims regarding the Biden family’s purported corrupt and criminal conduct.

A ‘Black Hole’ Exists in State Lobbying Disclosures: Report

Yahoo News – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 12/13/2023

A report commissioned by Public Citizen found 98 percent of S&P 500 companies do not provide their investors with state-specific data on lobbying activity. Since 2010, investors have filed 576 shareholder resolutions requesting more details on how much companies spend on lobbying activities and oversight of those activities, the report found. The only S&P 500 company that disclosed material risk connected to lobbying on its annual report to investors was FirstEnergy, which was wrapped up in a recent scandal that thrust this issue into the spotlight.

Supreme Court Will Review Scope of Obstruction Law That Trump Is Charged with Breaking

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 12/13/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up a case that could derail hundreds of January 6 felony prosecutions and could also deal a blow to special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecution of Donald Trump. The case, arising from the prosecution of a defendant accused of pushing against police and inflaming a mob attempting to breach the Capitol, calls into question prosecutors’ handling of an Enron-era obstruction law to punish those who stormed Congress.

Kansas Republican Watkins, Ousted Amid Voter Fraud Charges, Returns to Congress as Lobbyist

Yahoo News – Daniel Desrochers (Kansas City Star) | Published: 12/11/2023

Former Rep. Steve Watkins is back in the U.S. Capitol, this time as a lobbyist. He waited more than two years after leaving office before registering as a lobbyist. Watkins entered a diversion agreement on three felony charges for voting in the wrong city council race in Topeka’s 2019 municipal election. A little less than a year after admitting guilt, Watkins registered a company called Huxley Rock LLC. Huxley Rock is a one-man firm. Watkins’ LinkedIn page says it specializes in business and political consulting.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Alaska Campaign Watchdog Rules Anti-Ranked Choice Group Can Continue Gathering Signatures

Yahoo News – Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 12/7/2023

An anti-ranked choice voting ballot group will be allowed to continue operating with no immediate consequences for alleged campaign finance violations after a decision by the Alaska Public Offices Commission. The commission considered whether to expedite the adjudication of a complaint alleging the ballot group was helped by an Anchorage church, in violation of the law, as the group works to repeal Alaska’s voting system. By the time the commission rules on whether the law was violated, the group’s work will be done.

Arizona – Phoenix Approves Ethics Commission After 6 Years and on the Fourth Attempt

MSN – Sam Kmack (Arizona Republic) | Published: 12/13/2023

The Phoenix City Council approved the creation of ethics commission after spending six years trying and failing to convene the group, which will now independently investigate complaints of ethical violations against elected officials and other city leaders. Such groups exist in almost every other sizable city in the country, said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. But since 2017, Phoenix has struggled to put the commission together thanks to consistent objections from officials on both sides of the isle.

Arizona – Arizona GOP Leaders Sued to Stop ‘Dark Money’ Transparency. A Judge Will Rule by Year’s End

Yahoo News – Mary Joe Pitzl (Arizona Republic) | Published: 12/13/2023

A judge said he will rule by December 29 in a case challenging the constitutionality of a voter-approved law on campaign finance transparency. Attorneys representing Republican legislative leaders are asking Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Timothy Ryan to issue a preliminary injunction to block the law. It requires disclosure of major donors to campaigns that until now has been able to mask their contributors by creating a class of nonprofit organizations that do not have to name their donors.

California – How Well Is Your Legislator Representing You?

CalMatters – Sameea Kamal | Published: 12/10/2023

Despite the hundreds of laws that legislators pass each year, many Californians are not always aware of what their representatives do, or how their decisions impact their lives. Their job description is modeled after what federal lawmakers do, in response to specific needs, or based on how legislators interpret the principles of representation. Given the lack of strict requirement, how do we measure how well a lawmaker is performing?

Colorado – Lawyer on Denver Health Board Says He’s Stopped Lobbying for Tobacco Giant Altria After Getting a Call to Resign

Colorado Public Radio – John Daley | Published: 12/13/2023

Denver updated its application for those who want to sit on one of the city’s 130 boards and commissions. The application now includes questions that ask applicants if they are a registered lobbyist and if they would have a conflict-of-interest in their new position. The change was a request from the city council to add transparency after some members thought there was not enough when the former mayor appointed a lobbyist whose clients included a tobacco company to the board of Denver Health.

Florida – DeSantis Staffers Blocked Release of Travel Records, Whistleblower Says

MSN – Beth Reinhard (Washington Post) | Published: 12/13/2023

During a meeting, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) officials said some of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s travel records should be released, but the governor’s aides overruled them, citing a new state law that restricts access to those records. The dispute escalated into a major battle over the law limiting disclosure of DeSantis’s travel activities and information about his state taxpayer-funded security detail as he crisscrosses the country seeking the Republican presidential nomination. The FDLE is tasked with protecting and transporting the governor and maintaining his travel records.

Florida – A Report Rips Disney for Freebies to Its Local Board. It Omits Gifts to Top Florida Politicians.

NBC News – Noah Pransky and Alec Hernández | Published: 12/7/2023

A war of words – and regulations – escalated when a board, hand-picked by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, endorsed an audit alleging Disney World for decades used free park perks to improperly influence public officials and employees tasked with the oversight of the park. The audit claimed Disney gave complimentary annual passes and steep discounts to the public employees, calling the perks “akin to bribes.”

Florida – Howland Files Legislation for Certain No-Bid Contracts to Go Through Jacksonville City Council

Yahoo News – Hanna Holthaus (Florida Times-Union) | Published: 12/11/2023

New legislation could bring an end to no-bid lobbying contracts in Jacksonville city government. The city council’s finance committee criticized the $300,000 federal grant writing and lobbying contract to Langton Consulting, owned by Mayor Donna Deegan supporters, because the administration offered it directly without shopping for other bids. Committee Chairperson Nick Howland asked the administration to drop the contract and filed a bill to require all future state and federal lobbying and grant writing contracts to be approved by city council.

Georgia – Georgia Libertarians Fight Two-Party Campaign Finance Law at 11th Circuit

Courthouse News Service – Kayla Goggin | Published: 12/13/2023

An appeals court will decide whether to give the Libertarian Party of Georgia another chance at pursuing its challenge to a campaign finance law that allows some candidates to accept unlimited campaign contributions, a fundraising advantage the party says benefits Republican and Democratic hopefuls over third-party contenders. The lawsuit claims the act unfairly allows Republican and Democratic candidates to create special leadership committees to accept campaign contributions over the typical limits.

Georgia – Giuliani Could Pay Millions as Ga. Election Worker Defamation Trial Starts

MSN – Spencer Hsu and Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 12/10/2023

Former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani could be on the hook for up to $43.5 million in damages as a defamation lawsuit filed against him by two Georgia election workers goes to trial. The showdown between the financially strapped Giuliani and the two temporary poll workers he baselessly accused of ballot tampering in 2020 will highlight a major court battle over false claims that became central to former President Trump’s efforts to stay in power and is now at the heart of two criminal cases against him.

Illinois – Four Years Later, City Council Finally Poised to Extend Lobbyist Requirements to Nonprofits

Chicago Sun-Times – Fran Spielman | Published: 12/11/2023

Chicago is finally getting around to broadening the definition of registered lobbyists to include nonprofits, but only after softening the blow to avoid tying their hands with costly red tape. The city council’s Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight passed a revised ordinance that calls for Chicago to join New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Philadelphia in requiring nonprofit lobbyists to register and file regular reports with the Board of Ethics.

Illinois – Board of Ethics Finds Probable Cause Four Lobbyists Improperly Donated to Johnson

MSN – A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 12/13/2023

The Chicago Board of Ethics found two registered lobbyists appeared to violate an executive order by giving money to Mayor Brandon Johnson. The violations do not carry a penalty for the mayor but could mean those lobbyists lose their ability to work at City Hall. Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2011 signed the orders barring donations from city contractors and lobbyists, which will remain in place until a future mayor rescinds them.

Iowa – Iowa Lawmaker Calls for Gov. Kim Reynolds to Remove Satanic Display from Capitol

MSN – Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez and Noelle Alviz-Gransee (Des Moines Register) | Published: 12/11/2023

A satanic display placed in the Iowa Capitol is unconstitutional, said Rep. Brad Sherman, who is calling on Gov. Kim Reynolds to order its removal. But other Republican legislators say they would oppose the government limiting freedom of speech in reaction to the display, which will be in place for a total of two weeks.

Maine – Anti-Super PAC Campaign Says They Have Enough Signatures to Get on the Maine Ballot

Maine Beacon – Dan Neuman | Published: 12/7/2023

A ballot campaign led by activist Lawrence Lessig to limit contributions to super PACs says it has collected enough signatures to qualify for the Maine ballot in 2024. Super PACs differ from traditional PACs in that they give corporations the ability to make unlimited contributions. Maine Citizens to End Super PACs, the group behind the ballot question, argues that if successful, the initiative would cap donations to super PACs at $5,000, all but eliminating their effectiveness.

Maine – Maine Media Groups, Utilities Challenge New Law on Foreign Spending on Referendums

Portland Press Herald – Rachel Ohm | Published: 12/12/2023

Maine’s two largest power companies and groups representing media outlets filed separate federal lawsuits challenging a state law passed by voters in November to ban foreign governments and affiliated organizations from spending money on state and local referendum campaigns. The measure is largely a response to foreign government spending in the referendum campaign two years ago over the future of a planned electricity corridor in western Maine.

Massachusetts – Brookline School Officials Violated Massachusetts Campaign Finance Laws by Sending Emails About Tax Increases

MSN – James Vaznis (Boston Globe) | Published: 12/9/2023

Tucked inside various newsletters to parents in Brookline last spring were appeals from school administrators to support property tax hikes at the ballot box for the school budget, accompanied by warnings about devastating cuts if the votes failed. Brookline officials got their way at the ballot box, but repeatedly broke the state’s campaign finance law by sending out the emails to influence the vote, according to an investigation by the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

Michigan – Records: Michigan senator helped steer $25M Clare grant now under investigation

Bridge Michigan – Jonathan Oosting and Mike Wilkinson | Published: 12/13/2023

A state senator and a lobbyist intervened to help a former legislative staffer obtain a $25 million grant that is now under investigation by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel for possible prosecution. Records shed new light on how a no-bid contract was awarded to a nonprofit created and run by Dave Coker, who once worked for them-House Speaker Jason Wentworth. State Sen. Rick Outman acknowledged he phoned state health officials on behalf of the project, but maintained he had no idea that Coker would benefit.

Michigan – Whitmer Signs Bills Criminalizing Election Official Intimidation, Curbing AI in Campaigns

Detroit News – Beth LeBlanc | Published: 11/30/2023

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed nearly 20 bills that will create penalties for intimidating an election worker, solidify the process for presidential electors, change the way young people register to vote, and put restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence in campaign ads. Bill sponsors described the legislation as a way to button up state laws in the wake of controversy over the 2020 presidential election.

Michigan – Whitmer Signs Bills Implementing Proposal 1

MSN – Clara Hendrickson (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 12/9/2023

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bills implementing requirements for top state officials and lawmakers to report information about their finances after voters approved a constitutional amendment mandating the disclosures. The bills go beyond Proposal 1, subjecting candidates for office to financial reporting requirements, for instance. But they do not go as far as some Democratic lawmakers and transparency advocates had hoped.

Nevada – Lombardo Spurned Ethics Commissioner’s Reapplication Ahead of Major Vote, Emails Show

Nevada Independent – Tabitha Mueller | Published: 12/13/2023

Days before a Nevada Commission on Ethics on a potential $1.6 million fine for using his sheriff’s badge and uniform during his 2022 campaign for governor, Gov. Joe Lombardo appointed two new members to the eight-member board, both of whom later voted against fining or censuring the governor. Emails indicate Lombardo made the new appointments despite a former Republican commissioner expressing interest in serving another term.

New Jersey – Judge Throws Out Suit That Tried to Block Changes to NJ Campaign Finance Law

Yahoo News – Ashley Balcerzak (Bergen Record) | Published: 12/11/2023

A state judge dismissed a lawsuit that  the former leader of New Jersey’s campaign finance watchdog agency filed against Gov. Phil Murphy seeking to overturn a controversial new law revamping campaign finance rules. It was the second of two lawsuits filed by Jeff Brindle, the former executive director of the Election Law Enforcement Commission. The judge dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning Brindle cannot file the same lawsuit again.

New York – Hochul Vetoes Lobbying Loophole Bill After Chief Judge Battle

Albany Times Union – Joshua Solomon | Published: 12/10/2023

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed bipartisan legislation intended to close a loophole in lobbying laws that was exposed during a political battle over her initial, and failed, nomination of a new chief judge of the Court of Appeals. The efforts to influence the selection of the state’s top judge had centered on Hochul’s efforts to install Justice Hector LaSalle as the top jurist on the state’s highest court. The nomination triggered well-funded efforts to influence the Legislature’s decision on LaSalle’s appointment, revealing a gap in state law that allows unregistered lobbying in judicial nominations and other top state offices.

New York – New York High Court Allows State Democrats Chance to Alter Congressional Maps

MSN – Maegan Vazquez and Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) | Published: 12/12/2023

The New York State Court of Appeals granted Democrats who control the state Legislature a chance to approve a new set of congressional district lines, effectively throwing out a map that led to several Republican victories in 2022 House races. The ruling could be consequential in determining which party controls the House during the next Congress. In 2022, Republicans flipped four districts in New York, giving them a razor-thin majority in the House.

New York – Appeals Court Denies Trump’s ‘Presidential Immunity’ Argument in Defamation Lawsuit

MSN – Philip Marcelo (Associated Press) | Published: 12/13/2023

A federal appeals court ruled Donald Trump gave up his right to argue presidential immunity protects him from being held liable for statements he made in 2019 when he denied he raped advice columnist E. Jean Carroll. A three-judge panel upheld a lower court’s ruling that Trump had effectively waived the immunity defense by not raising it when Carroll first filed a defamation lawsuit against him four years ago.

Oklahoma – Okla. Ethics Commission Names New Executive Director

NonDoc – Michael McNutt | Published: 12/7/2023

Lee Anne Bruce Boone was named as the new executive director of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. She will start her duties on January 4, succeeding Ashley Kemp. Commission Chairperson Jarred Brejcha said Boone’s leadership skills stood out among the 14 applicants for the post. All the applicants were from Oklahoma.

Oregon – ‘Thank God They Walked Out’: Oregon’s partisan divide highlights heightened animosity in statehouses

Yahoo News – Paul Demko (Politico) | Published: 12/13/2023

Ten Oregon Republican state senators may face the end of their legislative careers for a six-week legislative walkout aimed at thwarting what they see as a radical Democratic agenda. The lawmakers are banned from running for reelection for accumulating at least 10 unexcused absences during this year’s legislative session. It is arguably the most glaring example of how Washington’s toxic partisan culture is increasingly infecting statehouses across the country.

Pennsylvania – The Philly Ethics Board Dropped Its Case Against the ‘Super PAC’ That Backed Mayoral Candidate Jeff Brown

MSN – Sean Collins Walsh (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 12/11/2023

The Philadelphia Board of Ethics dropped its lawsuit against the super PAC that supported Jeff Brown’s unsuccessful run for mayor, ending a legal saga that shook up the election and contributed to Brown’s fifth-place finish in the Democratic primary. The board announced it will instead focus on revising the campaign finance regulations that were at the center of the dispute.

Texas – Supreme Court Allows Texas Voting Map Challenged by Civil Rights Advocates

MSN – Robert Barnes and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 12/12/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court allowed a local Texas election to go forward under a map that a lower court had found diluted the votes of Black and Latino residents. The order came in response to a challenge from civil rights advocates opposed to the voting districts in Galveston County. While the case involves the boundaries in just one locality, it could have broader implications for challenges to election maps and the protection of voting rights nationwide.

Washington – WA GOP Fights Secretary of State’s Effort to Track Election Misinformation

Seattle Times – Jim Brunner | Published: 12/11/2023

An effort by Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs to track and refute viral online misinformation about elections has prompted objections from the state Republican Party. The state GOP recently filed a formal complaint with the Executive Ethics Board, accusing Hobbs of violating the constitution and his oath of office by hiring a firm to scour social media for harmful “narratives and threats” about Washington elections officials and voting.

Campaign Finance Maine: “Maine Media Groups, Utilities Challenge New Law on Foreign Spending on Referendums” by Rachel Ohm for Portland Press Herald Elections National: “Supreme Court Will Review Scope of Obstruction Law That Trump Is Charged with Breaking” by Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) for Yahoo News Ethics Florida: “DeSantis Staffers Blocked Release of Travel Records, Whistleblower Says” by Beth Reinhard (Washington Post) for MSN Nevada: “Lombardo Spurned Ethics Commissioner’s Reapplication Ahead of Major Vote, Emails Show” by Tabitha Mueller for Nevada Independent Legislative Issues Oregon: “‘Thank God They Walked Out’: Oregon’s partisan divide highlights heightened animosity in statehouses” by Paul Demko (Politico) for Yahoo News Lobbying Colorado: “Lawyer on Denver Health Board Says He’s Stopped Lobbying for Tobacco Giant Altria After Getting a Call to Resign” by John Daley for Colorado Public Radio Illinois: “Board of Ethics Finds Probable Cause Four Lobbyists Improperly Donated to Johnson” by A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) for MSN National: “A ‘Black Hole’ Exists in State Lobbying Disclosures: Report” by Taylor Giorno (The Hill) for Yahoo News Redistricting New York: “New York High Court Allows State Democrats Chance to Alter Congressional Maps” by Maegan Vazquez and Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) for MSN Texas: “Supreme Court Allows Texas Voting Map Challenged by Civil Rights Advocates” by Robert Barnes and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “Alaska Campaign Watchdog Rules Anti-Ranked Choice Group Can Continue Gathering Signatures” by Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) for Yahoo News

New Jersey: “Judge Throws Out Suit That Tried to Block Changes to NJ Campaign Finance Law” by Ashley Balcerzak (Bergen Record) for Yahoo News

Pennsylvania: “The Philly Ethics Board Dropped Its Case Against the ‘Super PAC’ That Backed Mayoral Candidate Jeff Brown” by Sean Collins Walsh (Philadelphia Inquirer) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Supreme Court Will Consider Fast-Tracking Trump Appeal in D.C. Trial” by Devlin Barrett, Perry Stein, Robert Barnes, and Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “George Santos Attorney Expresses Optimism About Plea Talks as Expelled Congressman Appears in Court” by Philip Marcelo (Associated Press) for ABC News

Florida: “A Report Rips Disney for Freebies to Its Local Board. It Omits Gifts to Top Florida Politicians.” by Noah Pransky and Alec Hernández for NBC News

Legislative Issues

Iowa: “Iowa Lawmaker Calls for Gov. Kim Reynolds to Remove Satanic Display from Capitol” by Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez and Noelle Alviz-Gransee (Des Moines Register) for MSN

Lobbying

Illinois: “Four Years Later, City Council Finally Poised to Extend Lobbyist Requirements to Nonprofits” by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times

Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy recently dismissed a lawsuit filed by the head of the state’s enforcement agency challenging the constitutionality of a recent campaign finance overhaul.

The lawsuit was initially filed by former Executive Director Jeff Brindle of the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), seeking to block sections of the Elections Transparency Act.

This included a provision allowing Gov. Phil Murphy to directly appoint the four members of ELEC without the advice and consent of the Senate within a temporary 90-day period.

A provision reducing the amount of time the commission has to investigate campaign finance violations was also challenged.

Lougy determined the legislation was focused on several valid purposes that pertained directly to its subject matter.

The case was dismissed with prejudice and therefore unable to be filed again.

 

Campaign Finance Massachusetts: “Brookline School Officials Violated Massachusetts Campaign Finance Laws by Sending Emails About Tax Increases” by James Vaznis (Boston Globe) for MSN Elections Michigan: “Whitmer Signs Bills Criminalizing Election Official Intimidation, Curbing AI in Campaigns” by Beth LeBlanc for Detroit News National: “As Advertisers Flee Musk’s X, Democrats Splurge on Political Ads” by Cristiano Lima and Aaron Schaffer (Washington Post) for MSN Washington: “WA GOP Fights Secretary of State’s Effort to Track Election Misinformation” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times Ethics National: “Dictator-for-a-Day? Scholars Say Trump Can Do Damage Without Being One.” by Sarah Ellison (Washington Post) for MSN Legislative Issues California: “How Well Is Your Legislator Representing You?” by Sameea Kamal for CalMatters Lobbying National: “Kansas Republican Watkins, Ousted Amid Voter Fraud Charges, Returns to Congress as Lobbyist” by Daniel Desrochers (Kansas City Star) for Yahoo News Procurement Florida: “Howland Files Legislation for Certain No-Bid Contracts to Go Through Jacksonville City Council” by Hanna Holthaus (Florida Times-Union) for Yahoo News

The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board issued draft rule language staff considers to be potentially controversial.

The language will be considered by the board’s three-member rulemaking committee at one or more public meetings to be announced at a later date.

Interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on the draft rule language.

Once it is available staff will also release draft rule language intended to implement changes made by the Legislature in 2023 to statutes governing lobbyist regulation and reporting.

Information related to the rulemaking process, including how to sign up for the rulemaking notice list, the dates of any scheduled rulemaking committee meetings, copies of official documents, copies of formal comments received by the board, and draft rules, will be posted on the board’s rulemaking docket webpage at cfb.mn.gov/citizen-resources/the-board/statutes-and-rules/rulemaking-docket.

Campaign Finance National: “Kevin McCarthy Uses PAC to Lavish Cash on High-End Resorts, Private Jets and Fine Dining” by Paul Pringle and Adam Elmahrek (Los Angeles Times) for MSN Maine: “Anti-Super PAC Campaign Says They Have Enough Signatures to Get on the Maine Ballot” by Dan Neuman for Maine Beacon Elections Georgia: “Giuliani Could Pay Millions as Ga. Election Worker Defamation Trial Starts” by Spencer Hsu and Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) for MSN Ethics National: “Trump Gag Order Reinstated but Narrowed in Jan. 6 Case” by Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) for MSN National: “House Ethics Committee Requests Interview with Witness in Gaetz Probe” by Paula Reid and Annie Grayer (CNN) for MSN Michigan: “Whitmer Signs Bills Implementing Proposal 1” by Clara Hendrickson (Detroit Free Press) for MSN Oklahoma: “Okla. Ethics Commission Names New Executive Director” by Michael McNutt for NonDoc Lobbying New York: “Hochul Vetoes Lobbying Loophole Bill After Chief Judge Battle” by Joshua Solomon for Albany Times Union