Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Two Organizations Trying to Influence State Politics Attempting to Get Exemptions for Prop 211 Disclosures” by Howard Fischer (Arizona Capitol Services) for Arizona Capitol Times

New Jersey: “Former Top Aide to NJ Senate Leader Avoids Prison Time in Tax Evasion, Wire Fraud Case” by Ashley Balcerzak (Bergen Record) for Yahoo News

Ethics

California: “Marilyn Flynn, Ex-USC Dean in Corruption Case with Ridley-Thomas, Sentenced to 3 Years Probation” by Matt Hamilton (Los Angeles Times) for Yahoo News

California: “A Politician’s Downfall Reveals a Disney Exec and a Secret ‘Cabal’s’ Power Over Anaheim” by Adam Elmahrek, Gabriel San Román, and Nathan Fenno (Los Angeles Times) for MSN

Massachusetts: “Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson Admits to Ethics Violation, Pays Penalty in Connection to Hiring Relatives” by Sean Cotter (Boston Globe) for MSN

National: “How Right-Wing News Powers the ‘Gold IRA’ Industry” by Jeremy Merrill and Hanna Kozlowska (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

Rhode Island: “RI Ethics Panel to Investigate Gov. McKee’s Free Lunch with Lobbyist” by Eli Sherman for WPRI

Redistricting

National: “Many Redistricting Redos Pending, but ’24 Election Outlook Unclear” by Michael Macagnone and Mary Ellen McIntire (Roll Call) for MSN

The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board issued a Request for Comments regarding the possible adoption, amendment, and repeal of rules governing campaign finance regulation and reporting; lobbyist regulation and reporting; audits and investigations; and other topics, in Minnesota Rules, chapters 4501 through 4525.

The board may consider other rule topics that arise during the rulemaking process.

Meetings will be open to the public and interested parties will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed rule topics and language.

Information related to the rulemaking, including how to comment, how to sign up for the rulemaking notice list, the dates of upcoming subcommittee meetings, copies of official documents, and draft rules will be posted at cfb.mn.gov/citizen-resources/the-board/statutes-and-rules/rulemaking-docket/.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that California’s Government Code §3205, which bars employees of local governmental entities from soliciting political contributions from coworkers but places no such restriction on state employees, is unconstitutional.

U.S. Circuit Judge Marsha S. Berzon held the statute’s discrimination against local employees is not justified under any arguably applicable standard.

Berzon specified that the case, Progressive Democrats for Social Justice v. Bonta, was decided on First Amendment principles, not equal protection concerns.

National/Federal

Supreme Court Justices and Donors Mingle at Campus Visits. These Documents Show the Ethical Dilemmas

Associated Press News – Brian Slodysko and Eric Tucker | Published: 7/11/2023

Documents reveal the extent to which public colleges and universities have seen visits by U.S. Supreme Court justices as opportunities to generate donations – regularly putting justices in the room with influential donors, including some whose industries have had interests before the court. The documents also reveal that justices have lent the prestige of their positions to partisan activity, headlining speaking events with prominent politicians, or advanced their own personal interests, such as sales of their books, through college visits. The conduct would likely be prohibited if done by lower court federal judges.

The Biden Administration Is Without a Confirmed Ethics Czar

Government Executive – Eric Katz | Published: 7/18/2023

The federal agency responsible for enforcing ethics rules across government is without a confirmed leader for the first time in five years and President Biden has yet to appoint anyone to fill the role. The lack of a confirmed director should not hinder the Office of Government Ethics’ daily operations, but Biden would be smart to pick a new permanent leader soon to signal he is serious about ethics, former agency officials said. Shelley Finlayson, chief of staff and program counsel at the ethics agency, will fill in as director on an acting basis.

Social Media Restrictions on Biden Officials Are Paused in Appeal

Las Vegas Sun – David McCabe and Steve Lohr (New York Times) | Published: 7/13/2023

A federal appeals court paused a judge’s order that had blocked much of the Biden administration from talking to social media sites about content. The case could have significant First Amendment implications and affect the conduct of social media companies and their cooperation with government agencies. The appeals court also called for expedited oral arguments in the case.

Door-Knocker Complaints Show Risks of DeSantis Super PAC Strategy

MSN – Michael Scherer and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 7/13/2023

With his foot on the front porch of a home in Charleston, South Carolina, a canvasser for a $100 million field effort supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vented on July 7 about a homeowner who he said had told him to get off his lawn. The outburst seen on a Ring doorbell video recording highlighted a potential risk of the unprecedented effort by DeSantis donors to flood early primary states with thousands of paid door knockers armed with high-tech tools to win support one conversation at a time.

GOP Lawmaker Says He ‘Misspoke’ in Referring to ‘Colored People’ on House Floor

MSN – Amy Wang (Washington Post) | Published: 7/14/2023

Rep. Eli Crane said he “misspoke” when he referred to Black Americans as “colored people” on the U.S. House floor while arguing the military should not focus on diversity, a comment that sparked an immediate outcry in the chamber and was condemned by Democrats. Crane, who served in the Navy, suggested any focus on diversity would lead to a lowering of military standards.

Trump Says He Received a Target Letter in Federal Jan. 6 Investigation

MSN – Perry Stein, Josh Dawsey, and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 7/18/2023

Former President Trump received a letter from the Justice Department informing him that he is a target of the long-running investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The target letter and potential indictment further ensnare Trump in unprecedented legal peril while he is campaigning as the front-runner to be the 2024 Republican nominee for president. The letter also comes as state and federal prosecutors around the country appear to be preparing to lodge criminal charges related to efforts to overturn a presidential election.

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Explicit Visuals at Hunter Biden Hearing Draw Rebuke

MSN – Mariana Alfaro (Washington Post) | Published: 7/19/2023

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene showed what appeared to be sexually explicit images of Hunter Biden, President Biden’s son, during a hearing of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, drawing immediate rebukes from Democratic members of the panel. The committee was hearing testimony from two IRS whistleblowers involved in an investigation into Hunter Biden’s taxes when Greene, during her questioning, produced the graphic poster boards. While the faces of other people in the photographs were blocked with black boxes, what appeared to be Hunter Biden’s face was not censored.

Influential Activist Leonard Leo Helped Fund Media Campaign Lionizing Clarence Thomas

MSN – Shawn Boberg, Emma Brown, and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 7/20/2023

The 25th anniversary of Clarence Thomas’s confirmation to the Supreme Court was approaching, in a moment that would draw attention to his accomplishments but also to the misconduct claims that had nearly derailed his rise. A coordinated and sophisticated public relations campaign to defend and celebrate Thomas began. The campaign would stretch on for years and include the creation and promotion of a laudatory film about Thomas. It was financed with at least $1.8 million from conservative nonprofit groups steered by the judicial activist Leonard Leo.

No Labels Throws a Coming Out Party, Stoking Dem Fears of a Third-Party Bid

MSN – Lisa Kashinsky and Shia Kapos (Politico) | Published: 7/17/2023

The centrist group No Labels signaled it will present a candidate for a third-party presidential ticket by Super Tuesday if it is clear by then the choices will be Donald Trump and President Joe Biden and if the group sees public support for an alternative. The announcement underscored the group’s movement from a largely behind-the-scenes presence to a more visible force, one that has left Democrats increasingly alarmed about the prospect of a third-party candidate spoiling Biden’s reelection.

Judge Rebukes Tucker Carlson, QAnon Shaman for ‘Alarming’ Jan. 6 Show

MSN – Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 7/20/2023

A federal judge denied a bid from Jacob Chansley to withdraw his guilty plea to obstructing Congress and rebuked the so-called “QAnon Shaman” for going on a Tucker Carlson program that gave a distorted view of the Capitol riot. Chansley finished his sentence in March. But after leaving prison, he asked U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth to undo his conviction, saying security camera footage from inside the Capitol aired by Fox News host Tucker Carlson showed police allowed him to wander around the building on January 6. Lamberth expressed his concern with Carlson’s misleading depiction of the riot.

Ancient Israeli Artifacts Intended for an Exhibition in Washington in 2019 Are Stuck at Mar-a-Lago, with Israel Struggling to Get Them Back

Yahoo News – Joshua Zitser (Business Insider) | Published: 7/18/2023

In 2019, Israel sent some of its national treasures to an event at the White House on the condition they would be returned within weeks. But almost four years later, the ancient artifacts are still at former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, and senior Israeli figures are scrambling to get them back. The artifacts include ancient ceramic candles that were sent to the U.S. from Israel for a Hanukkah event at the White House attended by Trump, Haaretz reported.

Gallagher Rolls Out ‘Retroactive Foreign Agents Registration Act’ with Bipartisan Support

Yahoo News – Brooke Singman (Fox News) | Published: 7/11/2023

Rep. Mike Gallagher, chairperson of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, is rolling out legislation with bipartisan support that would require individuals to retroactively register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act if they failed to do so while they were working for a foreign interest. The bill comes after a federal court issued a ruling last year that said if someone stops acting as a foreign agent, they have no continuing obligation to register for their work as a foreign agent.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Alabama Legislature Passes Redistricting Maps That Democrats Say Defy Court Order

MSN – John Wagner and Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/19/2023

The Republican-led House and Senate in Alabama approved dueling congressional maps that would increase the percentage of Black voters in the state’s Second District but not by enough, Democrats argued, to comply with a federal court order to create two districts in the state with at least close to a majority-Black population. The legislature is in special session following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found lawmakers previously drew districts that unlawfully dilute the political power of its Black residents in violation of the Voting Rights Act.

Arizona – Arizona Allows Private Interests to Fund Politicians’ Legal Costs – and Keep It Secret

MSN – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 7/19/2023

Arizona law allows private companies, nonprofits, and other groups to contribute money for candidates’ legal fees without any reporting about who is donating how much. In 2016, lawmakers amended the state’s campaign finance laws amid a bitter debate over “dark money.” The standing practice of candidates not disclosing donations to cover legal costs was written into law. An exemption for accounting costs was included. Candidates and officeholders can voluntarily disclose their spending and fundraising as it relates to legal fees, but none contacted by The Arizona Republic chose to do so.

Arizona – Arizona Escalates Probe into Alleged Efforts to Swing Election for Trump

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/13/2023

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is ramping up a criminal investigation into alleged attempts by Republicans to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state by signing and transmitting paperwork falsely declaring Donald Trump the winner. Mayes assigned a team of prosecutors to the case in May, and investigators have contacted many of the pro-Trump electors and their lawyers. Investigators have requested records and other information from local officials who administered the 2020 election, and a prosecutor has inquired about evidence collected by the Justice Department and an Atlanta-area prosecutor for similar probes.

California – Former San Francisco Building Inspector Gets One Year in Prison on Corruption Charges

Courthouse News Service – Michael Gennaro | Published: 7/14/2023

Bernie Curran, a former senior building inspector for San Francisco, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for accepting gratuity payments in exchange for approving building permits. He pleaded guilty and had requested to serve his sentence at home. prosecutors said Curran used his position for his benefit and disregarded safety when issuing building permits.

California – S.F. City Hall Corruption: Top SFPUC official found guilty of fraud

MSN – St. John Barned-Smith (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 7/14/2023

Former San Francisco Public Utilities Commission General Manager Harlan Kelly was found guilty of federal fraud charges. Kelly was accused of misconduct related to two fraud schemes: trying to sway a city streetlight contract to a local contractor in exchange for gifts, and separately lying to a lender, Quicken Loans, to get a hefty loan to pay off construction debt and other financial obligations. The verdict concludes the prosecution of one of the most powerful city officials swept up in a yearslong corruption investigation.

California – S.F. Corruption Scandal: Chinese billionaire admits bribing former public works chief Mohammed Nuru

MSN – St. John Barned-Smith and J.K. Dineen (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 7/19/2023

Chinese billionaire Zhang Li admitted he bribed former San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru with food, drinks, and other amenities during a trip to China in 2018. Prosecutors agreed to drop the conspiracy to commit wire services charge after three years, as long as Zhang acknowledged the misconduct and paid a $50,000 fine. Prosecutors allege Zhang wanted to influence Nuru to win favorable treatment on decisions and city approvals needed during the construction and development of a property in the city.

California – CA Attorney General, FBI to See Complete Corruption Probe into Anaheim City Hall

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 7/19/2023

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the FBI are expected to see all 300 pages of an independent corruption probe into Anaheim City Hall. Federal agents alleged a shadowy group of resort interests and lobbyists controlled policy discussions in Anaheim in sworn affidavits that surfaced last year. In February, the city council was reluctant to increase the funding for the probe without limiting its scope, which the investigators successfully refused to do. In the end, elected officials doubled the budget for the probe to a total of $1.5 million.

Florida – Report: Moonlighting ex-Collier official lobbied for county vendor in ‘apparent’ conflict of interest

WGCU – Rachel Heimann Mercader (Florida Center for Government Accountability) | Published: 7/17/2023

Collier County Deputy Manager Sean Callahan was fired in January 2022 after staff discovered he was secretly working as a lobbyist for a powerful Washington, D.C. lobbying firm, a moonlighting job that violated county policies, ethical guidelines, and anti-fraud measures. A new report by the county’s inspector general reveals one of Callahan’s undisclosed lobbyist clients, Jacobs Solutions, is a long-time vendor for Collier County.

Florida – Francis Suarez Is Fundraising with Drawing for Tickets to Messi’s Inter Miami Debut

Yahoo News – Joey Flechas (Miami Herald) | Published: 7/13/2023

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s presidential campaign is raffling off Inter Miami tickets as part of a blitz to secure enough donors to make the first Republican primary debate in August. Federal campaign laws generally permit raffles, but the campaign’s actions could raise questions about compliance with Florida’s gaming laws. A donation to Suarez for President, Inc. is not required to enter the drawing. The free-to-enter policy is required for nonprofits to legally hold raffles. But other public notices required by state law, including contest rules and the location and time of the drawing, were not shared in the tweet Suarez sent promoting the contest.

Georgia – Georgia Supreme Court Rejects Trump Petition to Block Election Probe

MSN – Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 7/17/2023

The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously dismissed Donald Trump’s petition to block an Atlanta-area district attorney from investigating him over allegations of 2020 election interference and to throw out evidence gathered by a special purpose grand jury in the case. The court said the petition lacked proof Trump’s constitutional rights had been violated; that “the facts or the law necessary” to remove Willis from the case exist; or that other courts had rejected his claims.

Illinois – Michael Madigan’s Ousted Chief of Staff Fights to Block Secret Recordings in His Federal Perjury Trial

MSN – Ray Long and Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/17/2023

Tim Mapes, former chief of staff to ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, was captured on dozens of undercover FBI recordings talking about his family, political fundraising, and his ouster after a sexual harassment scandal. The conversations, described in a defense motion seeking to keep them out of Mapes’ perjury trial, shed new light on the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and relationships among key members of Madigan’s inner circle as a series of scandals began to threaten the speaker’s decades-long grip on power.

Illinois – Chicago Watchdog Says Ald. Jim Gardiner, Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot Violated City Ethics Code

MSN – Alice Yin and Gregory Royal Pratt (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/14/2023

Ald. Jim Gardiner violated the city’s ethics code when he allegedly retaliated against a constituent and vocal critic by directing staffers to issue bogus citations against him, Chicago’s top watchdog found. The city’s watchdog also found probable cause that former Mayor Lori Lightfoot solicited campaign contributions from city workers in this year’s mayoral race.

Indiana – Breaking a Nondisclosure Agreement from Todd Rokita’s Office Could Cost Employees $25,000

MSN – Johnny Magdaleno (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 7/19/2023

Nondisclosure agreements that employees in Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita’s office are expected to sign would impose a $25,000 penalty for sharing personal information about Rokita. The contract gives Rokita and his staff the power to decide what information counts as confidential. It covers “personal or private information” about the attorney general, his employees, and their families. The contract does not prevent employees from reporting unlawful behavior. Experts said it raises concerns about constraints on free speech and the public’s right to know what goes on in the offices of elected officials.

Michigan – Michigan Charges 16 Trump Electors Who Falsely Claimed He Won the State

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 7/18/2023

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged 16 Republicans who falsely claimed to be the state’s 2020 presidential electors with forgery and other felonies, bringing the first criminal prosecution against Donald Trump electors as investigations over attempts to overturn election results intensify across the country. Those charged submitted official-looking paperwork to the federal government asserting they were casting the state’s electoral votes for Trump. Joe Biden won Michigan, and courts swiftly threw out lawsuits claiming Trump was the true winner of the state.

New York – Assembly Refuses to Release Records on ‘Drop-In’ Day Care Center

Albany Times Union – Brendan Lyons | Published: 7/19/2023

The New York Assembly will not release its records regarding a childcare center that Speaker Carl Heastie allowed to be set up in a conference room of the Legislative Office Building this year. The large room had been converted to what Heastie called a drop-in center that was used by a handful of Democratic lawmakers who did not pay to have their children care for by staff aides, at times for hours. The space has been used for official purposes through the years ranging from legislative ethics meetings to employee training sessions.

New York – During First Year, State Ethics Watchdog Launched Few Inquiries

Buffalo News – Chris Bragg | Published: 7/16/2023

The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying and Government began only three new investigations and did not bring any enforcement action during its first year. Watchdogs criticized the law creating the new commission, the result of a compromise with a Legislature reluctant to relinquish influence over the panel. While there were significant changes, reform groups argued that because commissioners would still be appointed by top state elected officials, the new body would continue to lack independence.

New York – NYC Campaign Finance Board Demands Transparency from Everyone – but Itself

Gothamist – Brigid Bergin | Published: 7/17/2023

Following a media investigation, the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) acknowledged Executive Director Beth Rotman did not resign voluntarily as the agency publicly announced. Instead, she was asked to step aside following an inquiry by the CFB into concerns about her management. In the two months since announcing Rotman’s departure, internal documents and interviews show the agency, which prides itself on accountability and transparency, is facing an internal integrity issue of its own making related to Rotman’s exit.

New York – Appeals Court Orders New Congressional Lines in New York, a Potential Boon for Democrats

MSN – Michael Hill (Associated Press) | Published: 7/13/2023

A mid-level state appeals court ordered new congressional lines be drawn for New York, a ruling that could benefit Democrats in the 2024 fight for control of the U.S. House. The Appellate Division of the state Supreme Court reversed a lower court and directed a state redistricting commission to start work on new proposed state congressional lines. Democrats are supporting the lawsuit, which seeks to scrap the 2022 lines under which Republicans flipped four congressional seats. Republicans pledged to appeal the case to New York’s highest court.

New York – Judges Deliver Losses to Trump in Two New York Cases

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 7/19/2023

Two federal judges handed legal losses to Donald Trump – one rejecting the former president’s bid to move from state to federal court his upcoming criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records, and the other denying a request for a retrial in a civil sexual assault case Trump lost in May. A judge said Trump did not sufficiently prove his alleged involvement in hush money payments to an adult film actress, which stretched into Trump’s presidency, was related to his official role. Another judge rejected Trump’s request for a new trial against E. Jean Carroll or an adjustment of damages a jury awarded in her case.

North Carolina – ‘A Political Force’: How NC prosecutors sway criminal justice bills in General Assembly

MSN – Ames Alexander and Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi (Charlotte Observer) | Published: 7/17/2023

North Carolina’s elected district attorneys wield great influence with Republican leaders in the General Assembly. Working behind the scenes, prosecutors have lobbied to block criminal justice proposals that would eliminate life sentences for juveniles, take the death penalty off the table for those with severe mental illness, and more. A chief element of their success is the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, a state-funded association that vigorously lobbies the Legislature. Many familiar with the group say it has grown more powerful since Chuck Spahos began doing its lobbying work.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Watchdog Agency’s Executive Director to Leave by End of Year

MSN – Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) | Published: 7/15/2023

The executive director of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission is stepping down. Ashley Kemp plans to leave by the end of the year. In her resignation letter, Kemp repeated her longstanding complaint that the Legislature has refused to adequately fund the commission. Lawmakers only gave the agency $687,950 for the fiscal year that began July 1.

Oregon – Oregon Ethics Panel Dismisses Case Against Former Port Director Over Amazon Data Center Tax Breaks

MSN – Mike Rogoway (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 7/14/2023

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission overruled its staff and dismissed a complaint against Gary Neal, the former director of the Port of Morrow, regarding his role in awarding tax breaks to an Amazon data center. Neal is one of four Morrow County officials who purchased a local company called Windwave Communications. Windwave provides fiber-optic service to Amazon’s data centers in the county. Commissioners were considering whether Neal had failed to disclose a potential conflict-of interest at a meeting about Amazon tax incentives.

Oregon – State Ethics Watchdogs Launch Investigation into Former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan

Oregon Capital Chronicle – Julia Shumway | Published: 7/17/2023

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission launched a full investigation into former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan’s conduct while in office, including her $10,000-per-month consulting job for marijuana entrepreneurs and whether she accurately reported her income and expenses to the state. Fagan resigned following revelations she took a side job for the owners of a troubled cannabis company while her office audited the state agency that regulates the marijuana industry.

Pennsylvania – Allegheny County Council Votes to Limit Role of Outside Money in Local Races

WESA – Julia Zenkevich | Published: 7/12/2023

Allegheny County Council voted to limit coordinated campaign expenditures between PACs and candidates running for county office. The bill offers clearer definitions for coordinated expenditures, in-kind contributions, and other means outside groups use to support a candidate. It also outlines the kinds of communication campaigns can and cannot have with independent expenditure groups.

Rhode Island – R.I. to Terminate Development Contract with Company That Accused State Officials of Inappropriate Behavior

MSN – Alexa Gagosz (Boston Globe) | Published: 7/17/2023

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee’s administration is terminating its contract with Scout Ltd., the Philadelphia-based developer that submitted plans to redevelop the Cranston Street Armory. The move comes after a consulting firm hired by the state determined the project would not be “in the financial interest of the state taxpayers” and just months after the developer accused two Rhode Island state officials of inappropriate conduct during a business trip to visit a Scout property in Philadelphia.

Texas – Top Texas Official Not Immune from Discipline in 2020 Election Subversion

Courthouse News Service – Stephen Paulsen | Published: 7/14/2023

In more bad news for the scandal-plagued Texas attorney general’s office, a state appeals court ruled a top official at the office is not immune from discipline over his alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election. First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster previously dodged discipline by arguing that as a public official, he was immune from consequences sought by the Commission for Lawyer Discipline, a watchdog committee of the Texas state bar.

Virginia – Coworking Space for Lobbyists Opening in James Center

Richmond BizSense – Charlotte Matherly | Published: 7/19/2023

Inspired by years of working in hotel rooms and hallways, Angie Bezik and Cindy DiFranco are starting Capitol Caucus in Richmond, a coworking space exclusive to lobbyists, advocates, nonprofits, and others who engage with Virginia’s government. Bezik owns Principle Advantage, a government relations firm that she runs with DiFranco, who serves as its government affairs director. They want lobbyists to have a place just for themselves, where they can have private conversations and spend time with others in the industry.

Wyoming – Wyoming Lawmakers Ready to Address Ethics Complaints Procedure in Interim

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle – Jasmine Hall | Published: 7/13/2023

Wyoming lawmakers dipped their toes in the waters of ethics complaints as they began reviewing a portion of the joint rules of the Senate and House. Joint Rule 22-1 has provided means for any person to file a complaint against a lawmaker for misconduct involving legislative duties, such as a violation of the Ethics and Disclosure Act in state statute or “violence or disorderly conduct during legislative meetings, sessions or during the performance of the legislative duties.”

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Arizona Allows Private Interests to Fund Politicians’ Legal Costs – and Keep It Secret” by Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) for MSN

National: “How an FEC Deadlock Is Deterring a Push to Regulate AI in Campaigns” by Rebecca Klar (The Hill) for MSN

Elections

Michigan: “Michigan Charges 16 Trump Electors Who Falsely Claimed He Won the State” by Patrick Marley (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Ancient Israeli Artifacts Intended for an Exhibition in Washington in 2019 Are Stuck at Mar-a-Lago, with Israel Struggling to Get Them Back” by Joshua Zitser (Business Insider) for Yahoo News

Indiana: “Breaking a Nondisclosure Agreement from Todd Rokita’s Office Could Cost Employees $25,000” by Johnny Magdaleno (Indianapolis Star) for MSN

Texas: “Top Texas Official Not Immune from Discipline in 2020 Election Subversion” by Stephen Paulsen for Courthouse News Service

Legislative Issues

New York: “Assembly Refuses to Release Records on ‘Drop-In’ Day Care Center” by Brendan Lyons for Albany Times Union

Lobbying

Virginia: “Coworking Space for Lobbyists Opening in James Center” by Charlotte Matherly for Richmond BizSense

Campaign Finance

New York: “NYC Campaign Finance Board Demands Transparency from Everyone – but Itself” by Brigid Bergin for Gothamist

Pennsylvania: “Allegheny County Council Votes to Limit Role of Outside Money in Local Races” by Julia Zenkevich for WESA

Elections

National: “Prosecutors Ask Witnesses Whether Trump Acknowledged He Lost 2020 Race” by Michael Schmidt and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Ethics

California: “S.F. City Hall Corruption: Top SFPUC official found guilty of fraud” by St. John Barned-Smith (San Francisco Chronicle) for MSN

National: “Social Media Restrictions on Biden Officials Are Paused in Appeal” by David McCabe and Steve Lohr (New York Times) for Las Vegas Sun

Oregon: “Ethics Commission Says Fagan May Have Used Her Public Position for Private Gain, Launches Full Investigation” by Sophia Peel for Willamette Week

Lobbying

National: “Gallagher Rolls Out ‘Retroactive Foreign Agents Registration Act’ with Bipartisan Support” by Brooke Singman (Fox News) for Yahoo News

Florida: “Report: Moonlighting ex-Collier official lobbied for county vendor in ‘apparent’ conflict of interest” by Rachel Heimann Mercader (Florida Center for Government Accountability) for WGCU

National/Federal

Trump Aide Walt Nauta Pleads Not Guilty in Classified Documents Case

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 7/6/2023

Donald Trump’s personal aide, Walt Nauta, pleaded not guilty to charges he schemed with the former president to hide classified documents from authorities at Mar-a-Lago, moving boxes containing top-secret government materials for Trump. Nauta was indicted along with Trump on five criminal charges, including conspiracy to obstruct justice. Nauta was also charged with lying to the FBI.

How Supreme Court Decisions Are Activating a Generation of Young Voters

MSN – Tamia Fowlkes (Washington Post) | Published: 7/9/2023

For many voters under 35 years of age, especially those on the left, the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent rulings have become a political issue in the same way that climate change, gun violence, and immigration have over the course of the past two decades, some political scientists and organizers have said. Democrats and liberals have viewed the court as an institution that historically protects the rights of marginalized groups. But Republican politicians and activists on the right have remade the court: Former President Trump, backed by a GOP Senate, appointed three justices to create a conservative majority.

Buddy Cianci is in the Political Corruption Hall of Shame – Literally

MSN – Edward Fitzpatrick (Boston Globe) | Published: 7/11/2023

He did not make the cut when the Museum of Political Corruption inducted the first five members of its Hall of Shame in 2021, a group that includes former President Richard Nixon and William “Boss: Tweed. But former Providence Mayor Vincent Cianci Jr. did make the second group of inductees in 2022, along with former Vice President Spiro Agnew and former New York City Mayor Jimmy Walker.

DOJ Will No Longer Intervene on Behalf of Trump in Carroll Defamation Suit

MSN – Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 7/11/2023

The Justice Department will no longer seek to make the U.S. government the defendants in a lawsuit filed against Donald Trump by a writer who says the former president raped her several decades ago. The decision comes after three years in which the department, under both Republican and Democratic leadership, argued Trump was acting within his presidential duties when he denied sexually assaulting columnist E. Jean Carroll. That determination made Trump, like other federal employees acting in their official capacity, totally immune from any liability.

The Californians Whose Scam PACs Tricked Trump and Clinton Supporters Out of Millions

MSN – Laura Nelson (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 7/9/2023

The FBI, along with consumer groups, have been warning for years of the rise of fraudulent PACs amid surging political spending by independent groups hoping to influence the electoral process. With the 2024 election approaching, including what is expected to be a highly charged presidential election, the climate is primed for another bumper crop of swindlers. Court decisions over the last decade that loosened restrictions on fundraising and led to a surge in independent expenditures in elections have also made it easier for scammers to blend in among the legitimate committees.

Fox News Sued for Defamation by Man Named in Jan. 6 Conspiracy Theories

MSN – Jeremy Barr and Will Sommer (Washington Post) | Published: 7/12/2023

Fox News, which recently settled two separate high-profile legal challenges for approximately $800 million, is now facing a lawsuit from a man who said the network presented him as a “scapegoat” for the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Ray Epps attended the pro-Trump rallies in Washington in January 2021 but was not among the people found to have breached the Capitol building and has not been charged for his conduct. In subsequent weeks, then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson highlighted a video clip of Epps outside the Capitol to suggest Epps might have been a government informant, a notion Epps and the FBI have strongly denied.

Inside the GOP Presidential Candidate Gift Card Ploy Turning Campaign Finance Upside Down

MSN – Roger Sollenberger (Daily Beast) | Published: 7/13/2023

The Republican National Committee requires at least 40,000 individual donors as one of its criteria for allowing a candidate on the stage for the first presidential debate in August. North Dakota Dov. Doug Burgum, one of the announced candidates is far from the household name who could gather all those donors. His solution is to give 50,000 campaign donors $20 all-purpose gift cards in exchange for a one-dollar contribution. The strategy could create its own set of problems, according to campaign finance experts who say it may not be legal.

Group Pushing [FEC] on Deepfake Ads Submitting New Petition

MSN – Daniela Altimari (Roll Call) | Published: 7/13/2023

Less than three weeks after the FEC deadlocked on a request to develop regulations governing so-called deepfake political ads generated using artificial intelligence tools, a non-partisan advocacy group pushing for the new rules is trying again. Public Citizen filed a petition to the FEC seeking regulations regarding deliberately misleading campaign communications generated through artificial intelligence.

Where Clarence Thomas Entered an Elite Circle and Opened a Door to the Court

Seattle Times – Abbie VanSickle and Steve Eder (New York Times) | Published: 7/9/2023

After Clarence Thomas joined the U.S. Supreme Court, he was soon accepted by another exclusive club: the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. At Horatio Alger, Thomas moved into the inner circle, a cluster of wealthy, largely conservative members who lionized him and all he had achieved. During his Horatio Alger tenure, interviews and documents show Thomas has received benefits from a broad cohort of powerful friends. They include major donors to conservative causes with broad policy and political interests and much at stake in Supreme Court decisions, even if they were not directly involved in the cases.

Vivek Ramaswamy Is Paying Supporters to Find Him Donors

Yahoo News – Natalie Adams (Politico) | Published: 7/10/2023

It now pays to be a supporter of Vivek Ramaswamy’s presidential bid, at least for those who can convince their friends to click a link and donate. The Republican is launching the “Vivek Kitchen Cabinet,” a scheme that promises to pay participants 10 percent of any money they raise for his campaign. The campaign continues to employ three traditional fundraising professionals to generate donations, and the new program will mostly generate new small-dollar gifts.

GOP States Quit the Program That Fights Voter Fraud. Now They’re Scrambling.

Yahoo News – Zach Montellaro (Politico) | Published: 7/9/2023

Over the past year, eight Republican-led states quit a nonpartisan program designed to keep voter rolls accurate and up to date. Top GOP election officials in those states publicly argued the program was mismanaged. But experts say the Electronic Registration Information Center was among the best nationwide tool states had to catch people trying to vote twice in the same election. Now, those Republican-led states who left, and other states who lost access to their data, are scrambling to police so-called double voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Social Media Injunction Unravels Plans to Protect 2024 Elections

Yahoo News – Cat Zakrzewski, Naomi Nix, and Joseph Menn (Washington Post) | Published: 7/8/2023

An injunction that places extraordinary limits on the government’s communications with technology companies undermines initiatives to harden social media firms against election interference, civil rights groups, academics, and tech industry insiders say. After companies and the federal government spent years expanding efforts to combat online falsehoods in the wake of the 2016 election, the ruling is the latest sign of the pendulum swinging in the other direction.  Tech companies are facing new election threats as leaps in artificial intelligence give bad actors new tools to create fake videos, photos, and ads.

US Says Missing GOP Whistleblower Is Arms Trafficker, Chinese Agent

Yahoo News – Josh Meyer (USA Today) | Published: 7/10/2023

The Justice Department filed charges against the co-director of a think tank, alleging he acted as an illegal arms broker and unregistered agent for the Beijing government while also seeking to help China obtain Iranian oil in violation of U.S. sanctions. Gal Luft is accused of recruiting and paying a former high-ranking U.S. government official and advisor to then President-elect Trump on behalf of principals based in China without registering as a foreign agent. Luft has accused President Biden’s family members of bribery and received payments from individuals with ties to Chinese military intelligence or energy firms.

Another Trump Legacy: Governor troll wars

Yahoo News – Lisa Kashinsky and Shia Kapos (Politico) | Published: 7/12/2023

Donald Trump changed the playbook when he ushered in both a new era of hyper-partisan politics and vicious personal put-downs. Governors deprived of foils in states with one-party rule are increasingly turning to trolling their ideological opposites in faraway places. As culture wars rage, it can help state executives shore up their home bases and amplify their agendas to a new, national audience. The brief spotlight each high-profile gambit brings is key for eager governors positioning for higher office.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Alaska Ballot Measure Filed to Set Term Limits for State Legislators

Yahoo News – Sean Maguire (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 7/2/2023

A newly filed ballot measure would set term limits for Alaka lawmakers. Legislators would be restricted to serving a maximum of 12 years consecutively in the state House or Senate, and they then would be required to take a six-year break before serving again. They would also be limited to serving for a lifetime maximum of 20 years as members of the Legislature.

Arizona – Arizona’s ‘Radically Different’ and Hyper-Partisan Legislature

Arizona Mirror – Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Published: 7/11/2023

The Arizona Legislature has been in session for 184 days with no end in sight. Many Capitol regulars say this session has been more tense, more partisan, and contentious than previous sessions. From a practical standpoint, the shift has transformed how work gets done at the Capitol – or does not get done. Some legislative veterans say they have seen this change coming for years.

California – What Happened to the Big Changes to California Elections?

CalMatters – Sameea Kamal | Published: 7/12/2023

The number of election-related bills introduced in California this legislative session, close to 50, is average, election officials said. But that number has been whittled down since January, and a deadline may narrow the active proposals more. The most sweeping bills got shelved in the Legislature. Instead, lawmakers are focusing on ballot measure language, local redistricting, voting integrity, and campaign finance tweaks before the 2024 election.

California – Ex-San Francisco Utilities Chief Painted as Cunning Manipulator in Corruption Trial

Courthouse News Service – Michael Gennaro | Published: 7/12/2023

In closing arguments, federal prosecutors painted former San Francisco Public Utilities Commission chief Harlan Kelly as a conniving businessperson who misused his authority and connections to rig the bidding process for city contracts. His defense argued Kelly was simply naïve. Kelly stands accused of two separate schemes – collaborating with businessperson Walter Wong to get Wong a city contract to install streetlights, and defrauding Quicken Loans of $1.3 million by lying on a loan application to remodel his home.

California – California Bill That Would Make Google, Meta, Twitter and Apple Pay for News Won’t Move Forward This Year

KCRA – Ashley Zavala | Published: 7/7/2023

A bill in California that would require large tech companies including Google and Facebook to pay news outlets a fee for posting their content has been shelved for the year. The California Journalism Preservation Act is primarily meant to help generate funds for newsrooms across the state. The bill’s author, Assemblyperson Buffy Wicks, said the decision to hold off on moving the measure forward this year was meant to give lawmakers more time to work on what would be a first in the nation law.

California – Ousted Skid Row Receiver Hosted Fundraiser for L.A. City Attorney’s Campaign

MSN – Liam Dillon and Doug Smith (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 7/11/2023

At a March press conference, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced they found the best person to prevent 1,500 formerly homeless Skid Row tenants from losing their homes once again. The tenants’ nonprofit landlord, Skid Row Housing Trust, had financially collapsed. The pair petitioned a judge to put the trust’s 29 buildings under a receivership led by Mark Adams. Feldstein Soto did not mention that Adams had hosted a fundraiser for her in October, with Adams and his associates contributing at least $8,500 to her election bid.

Colorado – Here’s How Much Lobbyists Spent to Sway Lawmakers During the 2023 Session

MSN – Nick Coltrain (Denver Post) | Published: 7/10/2023

At least $20 million was spent on lobbying during this past legislative session in Colorado, not counting money spent in the lead-up to the General Assembly’s January start date or spending unreported in a state database. It represents a snapshot of how industry and interest groups try to sway lawmakers into supporting, altering, or defeating some of the hundreds of measures considered by lawmakers every year. The secretary of state’s office, which manages the record-keeping for lobbing disclosures, said it found some reporting issues it is seeking to correct.

District of Columbia – Disciplinary Panel Calls for Rudy Giuliani’s Disbarment

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 7/7/2023

A District of Columbia-based bar discipline committee concluded Rudy Giuliani should be disbarred for “frivolous” and “destructive” efforts to derail the 2020 presidential election in support of former President Trump. Giuliani plans to challenge the panel’s findings and recommended sanction in front of a larger bar-discipline board. His ultimate disbarment or other penalty would be decided by the Court of Appeals.

Florida – A Supporter’s Plane Flew from Florida to N.H. DeSantis Won’t Say If He Was on It

MSN – Sally Goldenberg and Gary Fineout (Politico) | Published: 7/7/2023

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flew to New Hampshire for a campaign swing that coincided nearly exactly with the path of a private plane connected to a wealthy supporter. Daniel Doyle Jr. owns a plane whose flight path lines up with DeSantis’ July 4 trip to the Granite State. Neither DeSantis’ presidential campaign nor representatives for Doyle would say if the governor was aboard. It is a recurring pattern where DeSantis and the organizations assisting him remain quiet about who is bankrolling his travels and his frequent use of private charter jets.

Florida – Long-Running Ethics Case Against Former Florida Legislator Latvala Nears Dismissal

Yahoo News – Dara Kam (Miami Herald) | Published: 7/11/2023

A state lawyer filed a motion asking the Florida Commission on Ethics to dismiss a complaint against former state Sen. Jack Latvala, more than five years after he resigned from office amid sexual-harassment allegations. The request came after two women critical to the case refused to participate. Latvala left office in 2017 after the release of a special master’s report about allegations he had sexually harassed Rachel Perrin Rogers, a former high-ranking Senate aide. He denied wrongdoing with the aide but admitted he had an extramarital affair with former lobbyist Laura McLeod.

Florida – Billionaire Treated Mayor Suarez to $30K Grand Prix Weekend. Miami Says He’s Paying It Back

Yahoo News – Sarah Blaskey, Tess Riski, and Joey Flechas (Miami Herald) | Published: 7/13/2023

Mayor Francis Suarez watched the Miami Grand Prix from a viewing party as the personal guest of Florida’s wealthiest person, Citadel Chief Executive Officer Ken Griffin. Citadel has lobbyists registered in the city as the company pursues various development projects. Florida ethics laws prohibit elected officials from taking expensive gifts from anyone with business in front of their city. Citadel spokesperson Zia Ahmed said Suarez covered the cost of the events. He refused to say when Suarez paid or how much. Neither Citadel nor the city would provide documentation confirming the payment.

Georgia – New Ethics Ruling Allows Campaign Funds to Pay for Candidates’ Child Care

Georgia Public Broadcasting – Donna Lowry | Published: 7/6/2023

Georgia candidates can now use campaign money they raise for childcare. The funds can also cover care for people who have elderly parents or disabled dependents. In a bipartisan effort, Reps. Stacey Evans and Beth Camp asked the state ethics commission to align Georgia’s campaign regulations with federal rules. In 2018, the FEC ruling expanded to allow elder and dependent care payments.

Georgia – Election Officials Sue Conservative Voting Group Over Refusal to Produce Ballot-Harvesting Evidence

Yahoo News – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 7/12/2023

The Georgia State Election Board asked a judge to order a conservative voting organization to produce information to help investigate its claims of ballot trafficking in the state. True the Vote filed complaints with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in November 2021, including one saying it had received “a detailed account of coordinated efforts to collect and deposit ballots in drop boxes across metro Atlanta” during the 2020 general election and in a runoff election in January 2021. True the Vote’s assertions were relied upon heavily for the film “2000 Mules,” a widely debunked film by conservative pundit Dinesh D’Souza.

Illinois – Court Ends Oversight of Hiring in Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough’s Office, Closing Historic Anti-Patronage Case

MSN – Ray Long and A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/6/2023

In a historic decision, a federal judge ended the half-century-old anti-patronage case launched to fight the stubborn and unfair use of politics to decide most hiring, firing, and promotion in state and local government in Illinois. The judge granted the request of Democratic Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough to eliminate federal oversight of her office even though she had been criticized for politicizing hiring. The clerk’s office is the last of multiple public offices to be relieved of the supervision in the long-running case.

Illinois – ‘Let Me Put You on with the Boss, OK?’: Feds detail wiretaps involving former Michael Madigan chief of staff

MSN – Jason Meisner and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/10/2023

For the first time, federal prosecutors detailed wiretaps capturing Tim Mapes, the indicted former chief of staff to ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, discussing issues central to the scandal that rocked state government – from how to handle a burgeoning sexual harassment scandal to Mapes’ ouster from the speaker’s team and his encounter with the FBI. The filing comes as prosecutors are seeking to play many of the recordings at Mapes’ trial on charges he lied to a grand jury investigating Madigan and his relationship with confidant Michael McClain.

Iowa – Iowa Republicans Will Hold 2024 Caucuses on January 15

CNN – Ethan Cohen | Published: 7/8/2023

Iowa Republicans voted to hold their first-in-the-nation caucuses on January 15 next year, setting up the earliest start of the presidential nominating process since 2012. While there are still several moving parts, the schedule for next year’s early 2024 Republican nominating contests before Super Tuesday on March 5 is coming into focus.

Louisiana – How One Baton Rouge Lobbyist Is Harnessing AI

Baton Rouge Business Report – Holly Duchmann | Published: 7/7/2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how business owners and workers do their job as different industries experiment to see how the technology can be applied to their fields. Louisiana lobbyist Mary-Patricia Wray says AI tools like ChatGPT allow her to get more work done than in years past. Wray, founder of Top Drawer Strategies, has been testing ways to use AI at her firm. “Old school lobbying is dying,” Wray said. “… A donation is not going to convince a savvy, young legislator to go home and tell their constituents why they voted a certain way.”

Massachusetts – Massachusetts Ethics Commission: Former Methuen police chief violated conflict of interest

MSN – Lance Reynolds (Boston Herald) | Published: 7/6/2023

State ethics officials are continuing to press the former Methuen police chief who resigned in 2021 after a scathing investigative report questioned his handling of contracts that would have sent ranking officers’ pay soaring. The Massachusetts Ethics Commission issued an order to show cause alleging Joseph Solomon violated the conflict-of-interest law by changing a draft collective bargaining agreement to increase his salary and providing unwarranted benefits to five intermittent officers.

New Mexico – County Ethics Board Member Resigns Over Opposition to Year-Old Code Change

Yahoo Finance – Nicholas Gilmore (Santa Fe New Mexican) | Published: 7/10/2023

Santa Fe County officials contacted ethics board members recently and asked them to serve another term. Board member Michael Rosanbalm responded by resigning and released a scathing letter about an updated ethics ordinance. The changes were a milestone for the board, whose role initially seemed uncertain after it was created in response to what would become a years-long corruption case.

New York – 6 Charged in Alleged Straw Donor Scheme to Help Get Eric Adams Elected New York City Mayor

MSN – Jake Offenhartz and Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 7/7/2023

Six people were charged in an alleged scheme to divert tens of thousands of dollars in public money to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign months before his election. The indictment does not implicate Adams or other current city employees in the plot. Rather, it describes a straw donor conspiracy orchestrated by people with business before the city who hoped to maximize their donations in exchange for political favors.

Ohio – Under Appeals Court Order, Federal Judge Sentences John Raphael to 6 Months in Prison

MSN – Bill Bush (Columbus Dispatch) | Published: 7/11/2023

John Raphael will serve six months for his conviction on corruption charges after U.S. District Court Judge Michael Watson resentenced him. Watson originally sentenced Raphael to 18 months house arrest with no prison time for his role in a bribery scheme for a food services contract at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Federal prosecutors appealed Watson’s sentence to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court, which vacated the sentence and ordered the judge to resentence Raphael.

Ohio – Ohio Speaker Stephens Asks Rep. Bob Young of Green to Resign Amid Domestic Violence Charges

Yahoo News – Doug Livingston (Akron Beacon Journal) | Published: 7/9/2023

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens is asking state Rep. Bob Young to resign amid multiple criminal charges, including domestic violence, that allegedly occurred at Young’s residence following a GOP fundraiser. In a criminal affidavit, investigators with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office allege Young struck a female relative with an open hand at his house and, at another residence, rammed a male family member who “did sustain cuts from broken glass.”

Texas – Texas Republicans Divide Over Impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton

MSN – Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 7/7/2023

Divisions rippling through the Texas Republican Party ahead of state Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial on September 5 that political strategists say is likely to further divide its members and spur primary challenges next year. The state GOP’s infighting mimics the party’s national dispute, which has pitted traditional conservatives against Donald Trump allies. Paxton is perhaps the most powerful Trump surrogate in Texas.

Utah – Utah Supreme Court Scrutinizes Process That Sliced State’s Most Democrat-Heavy District into 4

Stamford Advocate – Sam Metz (Associated Press) | Published: 7/11/2023

The Utah Supreme Court heard arguments on whether courts should allow the state’s Republican-majority Legislature to carve up Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County into four congressional districts. The debate asks whether state courts can review whether district maps drawn by elected officials violate the state constitution and is the latest battle over how states draw political maps and follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling denying Legislatures absolute power to do so.

Washington – Lynnwood Councilman Tells PDC He Doesn’t Know How to Write Checks to Pay Fines

Lynnwood Times – Mario Lotmore | Published: 7/9/2023

The Washington Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) fined Lynnwood Councilperson Josh Binda $300 for failing to file his Personal Financial Affairs Statement on time. It will be waived if he pays $1,250 in fines from two previous violations. Binda said he did not see any of the nine reminder notices sent to both his personal and city council email accounts. He also said he recently discovered the PDC only accepts payments for fines in check form. “I have never written a check … before …,” Binda told the PDC. “… The whole checking process is fairly new to me …. I usually do electronic [payments].”

Washington – Complaint Pushes for WA AG Ferguson to Reveal Donors of $1.2M in Campaign Transfers

Seattle Times – Jerry Cornfield (Washington State Standard) | Published: 7/10/2023

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is facing further scrutiny over his shifting of $1.2 million in contributions from past campaigns into the account for his 2024 bid for governor. A complaint contends the individual donors of those contributions must be identified and their past donations, originally for Ferguson’s re-election and now considered “surplus” funds, should count toward contribution limits in his campaign for governor. A second complaint continues to be investigated. Both raise the question of whether Ferguson must abide by recent Public Disclosure Commission actions to require greater disclosure of the source of surplus funds.

 

Campaign Finance

National: “This Republican Candidate Is Offering $20 Gift Cards for $1 Donations” by Anjali Huynh (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Elections

National: “How Supreme Court Decisions Are Activating a Generation of Young Voters” by Tamia Fowlkes (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

Illinois: “‘Let Me Put You on with the Boss, OK?’: Feds detail wiretaps involving former Michael Madigan chief of staff” by Jason Meisner and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) for MSN

New Mexico: “County Ethics Board Member Resigns Over Opposition to Year-Old Code Change” by Nicholas Gilmore (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Yahoo Finance

Ohio: “Under Appeals Court Order, Federal Judge Sentences John Raphael to 6 Months in Prison” by Bill Bush (Columbus Dispatch) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Arizona: “Arizona’s ‘Radically Different’ and Hyper-Partisan Legislature” by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy for Arizona Mirror

Lobbying

National: “US Says Missing GOP Whistleblower Is Arms Trafficker, Chinese Agent” by Josh Meyer (USA Today) for Yahoo News

Redistricting

Utah: “Utah Supreme Court Scrutinizes Process That Sliced State’s Most Democrat-Heavy District into 4” by Sam Metz (Associated Press) for Stamford Advocate

Campaign Finance

National: “Vivek Ramaswamy Is Paying Supporters to Find Him Donors” by Natalie Adams (Politico) for Yahoo News

Washington: “Lynnwood Councilman Tells PDC He Doesn’t Know How to Write Checks to Pay Fines” by Mario Lotmore for Lynnwood Times

Elections

Iowa: “Iowa Republicans Will Hold 2024 Caucuses on January 15” by Ethan Cohen for CNN

National: “GOP States Quit the Program That Fights Voter Fraud. Now They’re Scrambling.” by Zach Montellaro (Politico) for Yahoo News

Ethics

California: “California Bill That Would Make Google, Meta, Twitter and Apple Pay for News Won’t Move Forward This Year” by Ashley Zavala for KCRA

National: “Where Clarence Thomas Entered an Elite Circle and Opened a Door to the Court” by Abbie VanSickle and Steve Eder (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Lobbying

Colorado: “Here’s How Much Lobbyists Spent to Sway Lawmakers During the 2023 Session” by Nick Coltrain (Denver Post) for MSN

Louisiana: “How One Baton Rouge Lobbyist Is Harnessing AI” by Holly Duchmann for Baton Rouge Business Report

Lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled House and Senate completed their final session for the year and adjourned sine die on March 30.

Bills related to campaign finance and lobbying reports were passed and signed by the governor.

Senate Bill 255 requires campaign finance reports to be filed 42 days before any election instead of just general elections.

Senate Bill 1630 increases penalties for repeated late filings of lobbyist reports by $50 for each successive violation.

Both bills are effective 90 days after the adjournment.

Lawmakers passed a campaign finance bill to double contribution limits and define terms regarding in-kind donations.

Senate Bill 846 raises the individual contribution limit from $1,000 to $2,000 per year and doubles permitted anonymous donations from $100 to $200.

In an effort to police in-kind contributions, fair market value is defined as the usual and normal charge for goods and services.

The bill became effective without the governor’s signature on June 27.

Campaign Finance New York: “Ex-Cop with Ties to Eric Adams Among Donors Charged with Campaign Finance Scam” by Katie Honan and Gwynne Hogan for The City Ethics Washington DC: “Disciplinary Panel Calls for Rudy Giuliani’s Disbarment” by Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) for Yahoo News National: “Trump Aide Walt Nauta Pleads Not Guilty in Classified Documents Case” by Shayna Jacobs and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) for MSN Florida: “A Supporter’s Plane Flew from Florida to N.H. DeSantis Won’t Say If He Was on it” by Sally Goldenberg and Gary Fineout (Politico) for MSN Illinois: “Court Ends Oversight of Hiring in Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough’s Office, Closing Historic Anti-Patronage Case” by Ray Long and A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) for MSN Massachusetts: “Massachusetts Ethics Commission: Former Methuen police chief violated conflict of interest” by Lance Reynolds (Boston Herald) for MSN Texas: “Texas Republicans Divide Over Impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton” by Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) for MSN Legislative Issues Alaska: “Alaska Ballot Measure Filed to Set Term Limits for State Legislators” by Sean Maguire (Anchorage Daily News) for Yahoo News

National/Federal

‘I Get My Butt Kicked Every 20 Minutes’: Life in a state legislature’s superminority

MSN – Liz Crampton (Politico) | Published: 6/29/2023

There are 29 supermajorities in state Legislatures controlled by either Democrats or Republicans, up from 21 in 2019. In addition, there are 51 House or Senate chambers where the minority party makes up fewer than one third of seats. The result is a shrinking minority voice drowned out by a dominant majority that can stomp out any sliver of opposition. While lawmakers said most day-to-day dealings between the parties tend to be peaceful, sometimes tensions between the supermajority and superminority can build to high-profile stunts fueled by pent-up hostility.

Judge Blocks U.S. Officials from Tech Contacts in First Amendment Case

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 7/4/2023

A federal judge in Louisiana restricted the Biden administration from communicating with social media platforms about broad swaths of content online in an ongoing case that could have significant effects on the First Amendment. The injunction came in response to a lawsuit brought by Republican attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri, who allege government officials went too far in their efforts to encourage social media companies to address posts they worried could contribute to vaccine hesitancy during the pandemic or upend elections.

House Republicans Scared to Lose Majority Push Back on Extreme Agenda

MSN – Marianna Sotomayor and Leigh Ann Caldwell (Washington Post) | Published: 7/2/2023

The U.S. House’s focus on the far-right’s demands over the past month has irritated Republicans who represent swing districts or are worried an extreme legislative agenda will push voters away and hand the majority to Democrats in 2024. So they are learning to flex their procedural muscles, largely behind the scenes, to keep some proposals they see as most damaging off the House floor.

Investigation of Trump Documents Case Continues After His Indictment

Seattle Times – Alan Feuer and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 6/29/2023

Weeks after Donald Trump was indicted on charges of illegally retaining national security records and obstructing the government’s efforts to reclaim them, a federal grand jury in Miami is still investigating aspects of the case. In recent days, the grand jury has issued subpoenas to a handful of people who are connected to the inquiry. While it remains unclear who received the subpoenas and the kind of information prosecutors were seeking to obtain, it is clear the grand jury has stayed active and investigators are digging even after an indictment was issued against Trump and a co-defendant, Walt Nauta.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Progress Vancouver Barred from 2026 Election Over Campaign Finance Violations

Global News – Canadian Press | Published: 7/4/2023

Elections BC banned political organizer Mark Marissen and other Progress Vancouver candidates from running in the next round of local elections after it deregistered their party for breaking campaign finance rules. The party’s disclosure reports revealed an “impermissible” $50,000 loan, improperly recorded contributions, donations from outside British Columbia, and contributions that exceeded legal limits, Elections BC said.

Alabama – What Are the ‘Pork’ Handouts at the Center of a Birmingham Corruption Case?

MSN – Hannah Denham and Joseph Bryant (AL.com) | Published: 7/5/2023

Elected officials pose with giant checks, shake hands with constituents, and smile for the cameras as they hand out public money to schools, police departments, and nonprofits in Birmingham and Jefferson County. Now the source of those grants has come under scrutiny after a federal court case a kickback scheme involving two Alabama Lawmakers, a legislative aide, and a youth baseball league, which prosecutors say resulted in the misuse of thousands of public dollars spent on personal credit card bills and a mortgage instead of its intended community service.

Alaska – Complaint Alleges Opponents of Alaska’s Ranked Choice Voting Formed Church to Skirt Disclosure Laws

Anchorage Daily News – Iris Samuels | Published: 7/6/2023

The group that championed Alaska’s ranked-choice voting reform filed a complaint against several individuals and entities that are leading an effort to repeal the new election laws, alleging they violated multiple campaign finance rules and obscured the source of their funding in the process. The complaint alleges opponents of ranked-choice voting founded a church called the Ranked Choice Education Association that could have allowed donors to gain tax advantages for their contributions while skirting disclosure requirements.

Arizona – Trump Pressured Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to Overturn 2020 Election

MSN – Leigh Ann Caldwell, Josh Dawsey, and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/1/2023

In a phone call in late 2020, then-President Trump tried to pressure Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to overturn the state’s presidential election results, saying if enough fraudulent votes could be found it would overcome Trump’s narrow loss in the state. Trump also repeatedly asked former Vice President Mike Pence to call Ducey and prod him to find the evidence to substantiate Trump’s claims of fraud. Pence called Ducey several times to discuss the election, they said, though he did not follow Trump’s directions to pressure the governor.

California – Should Facebook and Google Pay Local News Outlets for Their Content? AB 886 Would Require It

MSN – Andrew Sheeler (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 7/5/2023

If supporters of Assembly Bill 886 – the California Journalism Preservation Act – prevail, Google and Meta will have to compensate local news publishers for linking to or displaying their work, paying potentially hundreds of millions of dollars to news outlets. California is on the cutting edge of a larger movement to hold social media companies financially accountable for the news they use.

Connecticut – CT Bans Utilities from Billing Customers for Lobbying Efforts

Connecticut Mirror – Akielly Hu (Grist) | Published: 7/4/2023

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed a bill into law that prohibits the state’s investor-owned utilities from charging customers for lobbying expenses and other efforts to sway political outcomes. The law bans utilities from charging customers for trade association dues, donations to political advocacy nonprofits that seek to influence elections, public relations expenses, and fees for consultants and lawyers hired by utilities to argue for rate increases.

Florida – Federal Judge Halts New Florida Law He Calls ‘Latest Assault’ on Voting

MSN – Gary Fineout (Politico) | Published: 7/3/2023

U.S. Chief District Court Judge Mark Walker blocked a new election law pushed by Republicans that puts restrictions on voter registration groups, calling it “Florida’s latest assault on the right to vote.” Walker granted a preliminary injunction against the law days after it went into effect. Walker has repeatedly ruled against the state in past legal challenges to election measures put in place by the GOP-controlled Legislature.

Florida – Mayor Francis Suarez Worked to Draft New Law with Developer Who Later Paid Him $170K

MSN – Joey Flechas, Sarah Blaskey, and Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 6/30/2023

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and his city staff joined forces with developer Rishi Kapoor to draft a new city law the developer saw as vital for his $70 million real estate project in Coconut Grove Kapoor later paid Suarez at least $170,000 for consulting for the developer in regular $10,000 increments dating back to at least 2021. The mayor’s financial deal with the developer is currently under federal investigation. Newly obtained emails reveal how the relationship between Kapoor and the mayor’s office began years before the aide made a call to the city’s zoning director, who ultimately overrode a code requirement.

Georgia – Attorney Who Challenged Trump’s 2020 Loss Gives Up Law License as States Weigh Disciplining Him

Yahoo News – Meg Kinnard (Associated Press) | Published: 7/5/2023

Attorney Lin Wood, who filed legal challenges seeking to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss, is relinquishing his law license, electing to retire from practicing rather than face possible disbarment. Multiple states have weighed disciplining him for pushing false claims he defeated Joe Biden. Wood asked officials in his home state of Georgia to “retire” his law license in light of “disciplinary proceedings pending against me.”

Indiana – Lax Ethics Rules Could Create Conflicts of Interest for Lawmakers

Indiana Environmental Reporter – Sade Ajishegiri, Sophie Kaelble, Nic Napier, Lily Staatz, Jasmine Wright, and Lizzie Wright (Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism) | Published: 6/30/2023

Indiana Lawmakers must file statements of economic interest at the start of each legislative session. Their employers, businesses they own or have stakes in, lobbyists they have relationships with, and government agencies they are affiliated with are all disclosed in the filings. Despite the legal requirement for disclosure, little in state law precludes legislators from pushing bills tied to their economic interests.

Michigan – Redistricting Commission Member’s New Job Raises Ethics Questions

WKAR – Rick Pluta | Published: 7/2/2023

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission ended its map drawing more than a year ago. But member Anthony Eid’s new leadership role within an advocacy group is raising questions about a possible conflict-of-interest. Michigan Voices announced Eid would be taking over as the group’s deputy director. The Detroit News noted text on the Michigan Voices website bragging about its work when it came to redistricting.

Minnesota – Minnesota Chamber Sues Over Campaign Disclosure Law

Minnesota Public Radio – Dana Ferguson | Published: 7/3/2023

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is suing over a new law set to take effect next year, alleging it would chill businesses’ free speech if allowed to take effect. The organization took issue with provisions in a broader election law that bar companies with foreign influenced ownership from making political contributions. Under the law, companies would face legal penalties if they make independent expenditures or contribute to ballot question committees and have foreign ownership thresholds that meet or exceed state limits.

Mississippi – Secretary of State’s Office Disables Online Campaign Finance Reporting Portal

Magnolia Tribune – Sarah Ulmer | Published: 7/3/2023

The Mississippi Secretary of State’s office announced the online campaign finance filing system is being disabled due to concerns over reliability. The next deadline to file campaign finance reports is July 10. Candidates and political committees must now file via email, mail, or fax, or in person.

Missouri – Former Missouri Legislators Keep Control of Leftover Campaign Funds

Missouri Independent – Erik Galicia | Published: 6/30/2023

Despite voters’ attempts to tighten Missouri’s campaign finance laws, many former state legislators keep control of tens of thousands of campaign dollars without running for public office again. A review of hundreds of former lawmakers’ campaign finance reports shows some of them drew from their candidate committees to spend on campaigns that never happened. They bought computers, reimbursed themselves and their relatives without specifying the expenses, and paid rent for their offices.

Nevada – Nevada Democrats Want to See List of Governor’s ‘Dark-Money’ Inaugural Donors

Las Vegas Sun – Casey Harrison | Published: 7/2/2023

The Nevada Democratic Party is requesting records from Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office after he vetoed a bill that would have required the disclosure of donors from the nonprofit that organized his post-election inauguration events. Party officials claim Lombardo’s camp established the nonprofit to prevent disclosing who contributed to the fund and how much. If the fund was established as part of a PAC, donors would be disclosed.

Nevada – How A’s Stadium Advocates Avoided Registering as Lobbyists

Nevada Current – Dana Gentry | Published: 7/6/2023

Consultant Jeremy Aguero and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s Steve Hill advocated for $380 million in public funding for a new stadium without registering as lobbyists for the Oakland A’s. The team signed a commitment to move to Las Vegas and play in the stadium for 30 years. Among the many effects of COVID-19 was the inability of lobbyists to register for two special sessions in 2020 and the beginning of the regular session in 2021 when the legislative building was closed to the public.

New Mexico – Ex-Director of Exploited Kirtland-Based Program Sentenced to Pay $1.2M in Restitution in Fraud Case

Albuquerque Journal – Colleen Heild | Published: 6/28/2023

Milton Boutte, who is supposed to start serving his prison term later this summer, asked to remain free during his appeal of the conviction to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Boutte was described as the “architect” of a scheme that siphoned money from sole source federal contracts to benefit the Big Crow Program Office and its lobbyists. Three others indicted in the case have pleaded guilty.

New York – In New York Senate, Lawmakers Change Their Votes, Sometimes Days Later

Buffalo News – Chris Bragg | Published: 7/4/2023

During its final legislative session day this year on June 9, the state Senate voted to pass a bill allowing New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to enter a new gaming compact with the Seneca Nation. Later that day, word leaked that the Hochul administration’s deal with the Nation included allowing a secretly negotiated new casino in the Rochester area. As that information spread, opposition quickly emerged from Rochester lawmakers. So, the results of the already-cast vote were altered.

Ohio – Republican Lobbyist Matt Borges Sentenced to 5 Years Prison for Role in Bribery Scandal

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 6/30/2023

Former Ohio Republican Party Chairperson Matt Borges was sentenced to five years in prison in connection with the Larry Householder-led political corruption scandal that engulfed state politics for years. Borges worked as a lobbyist for FirstEnergy Solutions and alongside Householder, the former House speaker who is now a federal prisoner, to scuttle opposition to a law that gave FirstEnergy a $1 billion bailout for two nuclear power plants owned by a subsidiary of the utility in exchange for $60 million in bribes.

Ohio – Why Haven’t Ohio Lawmakers Passed Any Ethics Reforms Since Larry Householder’s Arrest?

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 7/1/2023

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder was sentenced to twenty years in prison for accepting more than $60 million in bribes from utility company FirstEnergy, then hiding it through a web of groups to secure the passage of energy-related law, as well as help himself. As a judge read Householder’s sentence, “dark money” groups continued to operate in Ohio without any more restrictions or transparency rules than when Householder accepted the bribe money. Lawmakers and lobbyists do not have to disclose anything more than what Householder and his co-defendants had to. There is little sign that lawmakers will reform the ethics law.

Ohio – Abortion Rights Likely Headed for Showdown in Ohio This Fall

MSN – Madison Fernandez (Politico) | Published: 7/5/2023

Ohio is poised to become the latest battleground over abortion after advocates submitted more than enough signatures to get an abortion rights initiative on the ballot this fall. A coalition submitted more than 700,000 signatures for a ballot measure that would codify the right to an abortion in the state constitution. The submission sets up a crucial test of the potency of abortion as a political issue ahead of 2024, with vulnerable Democrats in the House and Senate attempting to cling to their seats in an increasingly red state.

Texas – Ethics Review Commission OKs Pandemic-Era Changes to Lobbying Ordinance

Austin Monitor – Nina Hernandez | Published: 7/5/2023

The Ethics Review Commission voted to recommend changes to Austin’s lobbying rules. The rules ensure phone calls and video conferences are properly recorded as appearances before a city official. City Auditor Corrie Stokes said her office found the city does not currently have any way of capturing or logging virtual meetings. Since the pandemic, many meetings between lobbyists, city council members, and other city employees have been virtual. “So, the first provision will show we’re just adding that, yes, if you have a meeting virtually, it still counts as a meeting,” Stokes said.

Virginia – Virginia Sheriff, 3 Businessmen, Indicted on Federal Bribery Charges

MSN – Denise Lavoie (Associated Press) | Published: 6/30/2023

Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins was indicted on federal corruption charges for allegedly handing out auxiliary deputy sheriff’s appointments in exchange for cash bribes and large donations to his reelection campaign. First elected sheriff in 2011, Jenkins is accused of soliciting and accepting bribes totaling at least $72,500 from the three indicted businesspeople and at least five others, including two FBI undercover agents during his 2019 reelection campaign.