Lobbying

Nebraska: “Money Spent on Lobbying Nebraska Legislature Hit Record $15.6 Million in 2015” by Joe Duggan (Omaha World-Herald) for Kearney Hub

Texas: “Texas Ethics Commission Tightens Rules on Trips Paid by Lobbyists” by Sean Collins Walsh for Austin American-Statesman

Campaign Finance

“The Price of Public Money” by Marilyn Thompson for The Atlantic

California: “In California, Varied Election Filing Practices Reveal a System Struggling to Catch Up” by Kaitlyn Landgraf and Ana Santos for Los Angeles Times

Minnesota: “DFL Rep. Joe Atkins, GOP Rep. Joe Hoppe Hit for Campaign Violations” by Rachel Stassen-Berger and David Montgomery for St. Paul Pioneer Press

Oregon: “Another Strikeout for Limiting Big Money in Oregon Politics” by Taylor Anderson for Bend Bulletin

Ethics

Alabama: “Former Ethics Director Says He Advised Hubbard of Law” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

Arizona: “Judge Tosses Last Bid to Get Arizona Regulator Stump’s Texts” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Florida: “Prison Inspectors Detail Alleged Interference in Their Investigations” by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald

New York: “De Blasio Doled Out City Appointments from Shady Spreadsheet of Big Campaign Donors” by Jennifer Fermino and Greg Smith for New York Daily News

Elections

“I Can Watch It on TV’: Excuses for Republicans skipping a Donald Trump” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times

“Can Donald Trump Win? These Battleground Regions Will Decide” by Jonathan Martin, Alexander Burns, Trip Gabriel, and Fernanda Santos for New York Times

Lobbying

Florida: “Broward Health Will Start Lobbyist Registration in June” by Dan Christensen and Karla Bowsher for FloridaBulldog.org

Illinois: “Daily Fantasy Sports Betting Bill Shelved amid Lobbying Accusation” by Ivan Moreno (Associated Press) for State Journal-Register

Oregon: “Lobbying, Campaign Contributions Give Special Interests Clout” by Hillary Borrud for Hillsboro Tribune

Pennsylvania: “Investigation Puts Scrutiny on Lobbyists, Political Ties” by Brad Bumsted and Mike Wereschagin for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Rhode Island: “Rhode Island Senate Passes Lobby Reform” by Matt O’Brien (Associated Press) for WJAR

Campaign Finance

Minnesota: “Campaign Regulatory Board Stymied by Legislature” by Brian Bakst for Minnesota Public Radio

Montana: “Group of Republicans Calls for Special Session on Campaign Finance” by Holly Michels for Helena Independent Record

Ethics

Colorado: “Councilman Says He Will Start Drafting Changes to Denver Code of Ethics” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Kentucky: “Governor Gets 237 Derby Tickets. Who Uses Them?” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

New York: “SUNY Polytechnic Office Scoured for Evidence of Bid Rigging” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Elections

“Clinton’s Challenge: Become a change agent in a year shaped by voter” by Philip Rucker for Washington Post

Lobbying

Illinois: “Rauner Board Asked Builders to Lobby Lawmakers” by The Associated Press for Crain’s Chicago Business

Nevada: “Council Votes to Delay Passing Lobbyist Registration Ordinance” by Anjeanette Damon for Reno Gazette-Journal

Oregon: “As Spending on Lobbying Increases, Transparency Remains Murky” by Hillary Borrud for East Oregonian

Campaign Finance

Kansas: “Amid Criticism, Kansas Launches New Campaign Finance Website” by Peter Hancock for Lawrence Journal World

Montana: “Judge Issues Stay Reinstating Campaign Contribution Limits from Political Parties” by Holly Michels for Helena Independent Record

Ethics

Rhode Island: “Ethics Commission Considers Election-Season Blackout” by Matt O’Brien (Associated Press) for WJAR

Elections

“Do Sanders Supporters Favor His Policies?” by Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels for New York Times

“Obama Can’t Endorse During the Democratic Primary, So He’s Just Pointing Out How Hard the Job Is Instead” by Christi Parsons and Michael Memoli for Los Angeles Times

“Trump Reaches the Magic Number to Clinch Nomination” by The Associated Press for Yahoo!News

National:

Getting a Photo ID So You Can Vote Is Easy. Unless You’re Poor, Black, Latino or Elderly.
Washington Post – Suzi Horwitz | Published: 5/23/2016

In November, 17 states will have voting restrictions in place for the first time in a presidential election. Supporters say everyone should easily be able to get a photo ID and the requirement is needed to combat voter fraud. But many election experts say the process for obtaining a photo ID can be far more difficult than it looks for hundreds of thousands of people across the country who do not have the required photo identification cards. Those most likely to be affected are elderly citizens, African Americans, Hispanics, and low-income residents.

Federal:

A Growing Concern in Cleveland: Chaos off the convention floor
Washington Post – Ed O’Keefe | Published: 5/25/2016

Fears of chaos inside the Republican National Convention have subsided as Donald Trump has tightened his grip on the party’s presidential nomination. But outside the arena, an assortment of planned demonstrations and marches is raising safety concerns about what happens when protesters, police, and convention participants converge on the streets of Cleveland. Many are increasingly worried the city is ill-prepared to deal with the tens of thousands of people that are expected to descend on Cleveland in July.

As Donald Trump Pushes Conspiracy Theories, Right-Wing Media Gets Its Wish
New York Times – Jonathan Martin | Published: 5/25/2016

Ever since talk radio, cable news, and the Internet emerged as potent political forces on the right, Republicans have used those media to attack their opponents. Political operatives would secretly place damaging information with friendly outlets like Fox News and with radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh, and then they would work to get the same information absorbed into the mainstream media. Candidates themselves would avoid being seen slinging mud. Yet by personally broaching topics like Bill Clinton’s marital indiscretions and the conspiracy theories surrounding the suicide of Vincent Foster, a Clinton White House aide, Donald Trump is again defying the norms of presidential politics and fashioning his own style. Trump has begun a real-life political science experiment: what happens when a major party’s nominee is more provocateur than politician?

Despite Recommendations, FEC Won’t Pursue Charges that Murray Energy Coerced Campaign Donations from Employees
Cleveland Plain Dealer – Sabrina Eaton | Published: 5/23/2016

Despite the fact that FEC staff found “reason to believe” Robert Murray and his company violated federal law by coercing employees to donate to and support Republican candidates, the agency will not pursue charges. During the 2012 election, Murray Energy workers said they were required to attend a rally for Mitt Romney. Other employees later said they were pushed to donate to Romney. An FEC report states “the record suggests Murray solicited employees for contributions to individual candidates in a manner that further elevated the pressure to contribute, including the implicit threat that potential job-related reprisals may follow for not doing so.” The FEC’s three Democratic members released a statement expressing fear the precedent would let corporations “feel they may ride roughshod over the rights of their employees.”

Hillary Clinton Is Criticized for Private Emails in State Dept. Review
New York Times – Steven Lee Myers and Eric Lichtblau | Published: 5/25/2016

The State Department’s inspector general criticized Hillary Clinton’s exclusive use of a private email server while she was secretary of state, saying she had not sought permission to use it and would not have received approval if she had. The report sent to members of Congress undermined some of Clinton’s previous statements defending her use of the server. The report, as well as an FBI investigation and other legal challenges seeking information about her emails, is certain to keep alive a controversy that has shadowed Clinton’s campaign for president.

Lawmakers’ Dues to Party: ‘Extortion’ or team effort?
USA Today – Deirdre Shesgreen and Christopher Schnaars | Published: 5/25/2016

At the start of each two-year election cycle, the Democratic and Republican campaign committees set up elaborate contribution programs, in which the U.S. House leaders, committee chairpersons, veteran lawmakers, and even relative newcomers are given fundraising goals. Lawmakers get credit for paying their so-called dues when a donor they have contacted gives to the campaign committees, or when they transfer money from their own accounts to the committees. Those who make or exceed their expected dues are considered “team players,” a label that lifts their chances of landing plum committee assignments. Senators do the same thing, although the quotas appear to be more loosely enforced. “It is clear that political party fundraising has been moved directly into Congress, at levels never imagined by the Founders,” said U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur.

NFL Tried to Influence ‘Unrestricted’ Research Gift, Congressional Report Says
Washington Post – Rick Maese | Published: 5/23/2016

When the National Football League (NFL) agreed in 2012 to donate tens of millions of dollars to concussion research overseen by the National Institutes of Health, it was widely seen as a positive turning point in football’s long history of playing down the long-term effects of brain injuries on players. At the time, the league said it would have no influence over how the money was used. But the NFL and its head, neck, and spine committee worked to improperly influence the government research, trying to steer the study toward a doctor with ties to the league, according to a congressional committee.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – One-Time Rising Star Hubbard to Stand Trial on Ethics Charges
AL.com – Mike Cason | Published: 5/22/2016

Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard is on trial on charges he used his political position to make money and obtain financial favors from lobbyists and company executives with business before the Legislature. Hubbard faces 23 felony ethics charges accusing him of steering Republican campaign work to his media companies and using his office to obtain employment, investments, and benefits for his companies. Prosecutors have painted him as a politician consumed by greed as he climbed to the top of the state’s political hierarchy and desperate to obtain work when being laid off by his primary employer, Auburn University’s IMG Sports Network.

Florida – Facing Bribery Charges, Opa-locka Commissioner Rams SUV into Tree, Killing Himself
Miami Herald – Charles Rabin, Jay Weaver, David Ovalle, and Michael Sallah | Published: 5/24/2016

Days before Opa-locka Commissioner Terence Pinder was ordered to turn himself over to prosecutors on corruption charges, he agonized to a friend over the shame of his imminent arrest. He fretted over the ordeal of fighting bribery charges for a second time in his political career, and wondered how he would ever be able to pay the legal costs. Hours later, he revved up the engine of his city-leased Chevy Tahoe, sped across several hundred yards of a grassy field, and rammed into a towering banyan tree. The impact killed him instantly. Pinder’s suicide represents another crisis for a city on the verge of a financial takeover by the state over massive debts and a corruption scandal that has led to a sweeping FBI investigation into its most powerful leaders.

Hawaii – Hawaii Lawmakers Again Balk at Ethics, Lobbying Reform
Honolulu Civil Beat – Nathan Eagle | Published: 5/23/2016

The Hawaii Ethics Commission tracked more than 16 bills related to ethics and lobbying this past legislative session, which ended May 5. Each one died, many without a public hearing. “I think it sends a bad message to the people about the Legislature’s commitment to open and responsible government when nearly all bills related to ethics and transparency just die a non-transparent death at the end,” said Rep. Matt LoPresti, who introduced a measure to restrict lawmakers’ use of their official position for personal benefit.

Missouri – Impact of Missouri’s ‘Revolving Door’ Lobbyist Law Questioned
Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock | Published: 5/23/2016

Under a new law in Missouri, legislators must wait six months after the end of their term before they can return to the Capitol to lobby their former colleagues. That would delay a lawmaker’s lobbying career until after the next legislative session. Bu opponents of the legislation said it was just window dressing. After a year marked by scandal, including the resignations of two lawmakers over inappropriate conduct with interns, the reform that ultimately was accomplished will do little to change the culture in Jefferson City, said Sen. Jason Holsman. “We concoct these solutions that don’t do anything but make us feel good, and someone can write a story saying we’ve addressed the problem,” Holsman said.

Montana – Term Limits Have Weakened Legislature, Some Observers Say
Helena Independent Record – Jayme Fraser | Published: 5/23/2016

Term limits have weakened Montana’s Legislature, shifting power to governors and lobbyists as well as contributing to divides within parties and a decline in bipartisan collaboration, many political observers agree. Under term limits, the Legislature lost the encyclopedic knowledge of people who worked sometimes decades on environmental regulation, taxation, or other complex topics, said Bob Brown, who served 30 years in the Legislature before being elected secretary of state. He said the lost veterans frequently offered guidance to legislators from any party.

Pennsylvania – Pa. Officials, Lobbyists Split on How to Vet Business Propositions
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review – Brad Bumsted | Published: 5/22/2016

FBI agents and operatives for decades have gone undercover as developers, racetrack lobbyists, and Arab sheiks to snare dozens of elected officials and lobbyists in corrupt transactions. Pennsylvania has been no exception, but some state officials and legal scholars question whether offering bribes to legislators is an effective way of fighting public corruption and are divided over how lawmakers should vet the validity of business propositions. “How would you know a company is flimsy?” asked Stephen Miskin, spokesperson for House Republicans. “Are we at the point where lobbyists have to hire private investigators to do background checks?”

Rhode Island – R.I. House Unanimously Approves Lobbying Bill with Stricter Penalties
Providence Journal – Jennifer Bogdon | Published: 5/24/2016

The Rhode Island House unanimously approved changes to the state’s lobbying law. The bill clarifies the definition of lobbying and strengthens penalties for those who fail to register, allowing for fines of up to $5,000 and a revocation of registration for up to three years. It also requires monthly reporting from January through June and quarterly reporting from July through December, among other reforms. An identical version of the legislation is scheduled for a full vote of the Senate.

Virginia – Inquiry Highlights Terry McAuliffe’s Ties to Chinese Company
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore and Stephanie Saul | Published: 5/24/2016

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the FBI and prosecutors from the Justice Department’s public integrity unit, officials briefed on the probe say. Investigators are examining the relationship between the Dandong Port Group’s wealthy and connected chairperson, Wang Wenliang, and the governor. A federal law enforcement official said the inquiry included $120,000 in contributions that a New Jersey construction firm controlled by Wang made to McAuliffe’s 2013 campaign and inaugural committee. The investigation also encompasses McAuliffe’s role as a board member of the Clinton Foundation, to which another company linked to Wang pledged a $2 million contribution in 2013.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

On May 25, U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell partially stayed his order from May 17 striking Montana’s contributions limits. On May 17, Lovell ruled the state’s current statutory campaign finance contribution limits were unconstitutionally low. The state determined the ruling reinstated the contribution limits in place before the statute was enacted.

However, the contribution limits allowed from political parties in the previously enacted law were lower than the amounts ruled unconstitutionally low. Because of this, the court issued its partial stay as to the amount political parties may contribute. All other contribution limits will remain from the reinstated law, adjusted for inflation. The partial stay will remain in effect pending the state’s appeal of the entire case to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Lobbying

California: “California Senate Votes to Ban Private Talks at Coastal Board” by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee

Rhode Island: “R.I. House Unanimously Approves Lobbying Bill with Stricter Penalties” by Jennifer Bogdan for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

New York: “Gov. Andrew Cuomo Offers Eight Options to End LLC Campaign Cash” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times-Union

Ethics

“These States Are Stepping Up to Reform Money in Politics in 2016” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post

“State Dept. Inspector General Report Sharply Criticizes Clinton’s Email Practices” by Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

Florida: “Facing Bribery Charges, Opa-locka Commissioner Rams SUV into Tree, Killing Himself” by Charles Rabin, Jay Weaver, David Ovalle, and Michael Sallah for Miami Herald

Elections

“This Is What the Future of American Politics Looks Like” by Michael Lind for Politico

“As Donald Trump Pushes Conspiracy Theories, Right-Wing Media Gets Its Wish” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times

Ohio: “Ohio’s Limits on Early Voting Are Discriminatory, Judge Says” by Richard Pérez-Peña for New York Times

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed eight bills to the state Legislature to close a controversial loophole in campaign finance law permitting limited liability companies (LLCs) to make donations up to $60,800 per statewide candidate, with an aggregate limit of $150,000.

Each bill offers different levels of control over LLC funding with one seeking to close the loophole for all candidates running for state office, another impacting only gubernatorial and state Legislature candidates, and four separate bills aiming to close the loophole for at least one state office.

All of the bills propose to bring the LLC contribution limit in line with state limits on corporate contributions to candidates and committees, which are currently set at $5,000 annually.

The San Diego Ethics Commission released a draft of proposed amendments to San Diego’s Election Campaign Control Ordinance.

The proposed changes would extend the one-year pre-election fundraising time period to January 1 of odd-numbered years and eliminate the third pre-election filing for primarily formed recipient committees.

Comments and suggestions regarding the draft amendments can be made at the next commission meeting on June 9, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Written comments can also be sent via email to ethicscommission@sandiego.gov.

Lobbying

Missouri: “Impact of Missouri’s ‘Revolving Door’ Lobbyist Law Questioned” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Campaign Finance

“Despite Recommendations, FEC Won’t Pursue Charges that Murray Energy Coerced Campaign Donations from Employees” by Sabrina Eaton for Cleveland Plain Dealer

“NRA to Pay $15,000 for Breaking State Campaign-Finance Rules” by Joseph O’Sullivan for Seattle Times

Virginia: “Officials: Federal prosecutors investigating Virginia Gov. McAuliffe” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Ethics

“Facebook Says an Investigation Found No Evidence of Bias in a News App” by Mike Isaac for New York Times

“NFL Tried to Influence ‘Unrestricted’ Research Gift, Congressional Report Says” by Rick Maese for Washington Post

Massachusetts: “Legislature Poised to Pass Public Records Measure” by Joshua Miller for Boston Globe

Elections

“Getting a Photo ID So You Can Vote Is Easy. Unless You’re Poor, Black, Latino or Elderly.” by Sari Horwitz for Washington Post

“Democrats Are Gay, Republicans Are Rich: Our stereotypes of political parties are amazingly wrong” by John Sides for Washington Post

“Reeling from 2016 Chaos, G.O.P. Mulls Overhaul of Primaries” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times

Lobbying

Pennsylvania: “Pa. Officials, Lobbyists Split on How to Vet Business Propositions” by Brad Bumsted for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Campaign Finance

“Key G.O.P. Donors Still Deeply Resist Donald Trump’s Candidacy” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns for New York Times

Massachusetts: “New Bill Would Rein in State GOP’s Fund-Raising” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe

Ethics

Alabama: “One-Time Rising Star Hubbard to Stand Trial on Ethics Charges” by Mike Cason for AL.com

Colorado: “Audit: Colorado ethics commission rarely helps those filing complaints” by Joey Bunch for Denver Post

Hawaii: “Hawaii Lawmakers Again Balk at Ethics, Lobbying Reform” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Elections

“Why Democrats Are Set to Retake State Legislatures in 2016 (and It’s Not Just Trump)” by Amber Phillips for Washington Post

“Bernie Sanders Makes a Campaign Mark. Now, Can He Make a Legacy?” by Jonathan Mahler and Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Montana: “Term Limits Have Weakened Legislature, Some Observers Say” by Jayme Fraser for Helena Independent Record

Redistricting

Virginia: “Supreme Court Upholds Virginia Redistricting” by Richard Wolf for USA Today

Gov. Terry is the subject of a federal investigation surrounding contributions to his gubernatorial campaign. The Department of Justice is looking into donations received while McAuliffe was a board member of the Clinton Global Initiative, a charitable foundation set up by former President Bill Clinton.

Among many contributions of interest, the FBI is focusing on $120,000 from a Chinese businessman, Wang Wenliang. Contributions from foreign nationals are illegal, though Wang holds permanent U.S. resident status. Wang has been known for his contributions in the U.S., giving to Clinton’s foundation as well as to universities and political causes in other states.

Lobbying

Rhode Island: “Do R.I. General Assembly Grants Funnel Back into Lobbying?” by Patrick Anderson for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“G.O.P. Donors Shift Focus from Top of Ticket to Senate Races” by Nick Corasaniti and Ashley Parker for New York Times

California: “Tony Strickland Agrees to $40,000 Ethics Fine” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

New York: “De Blasio’s Elections Strategy, Under Scrutiny, Recalls Predecessor’s” by William Neuman for New York Times

Ethics

Arkansas: “Ark. High Court Rejects Lawsuit over Campaign Finance Ballot Measure” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) for Baxter Bulletin

Hawaii: “Hawaii Ethics Commission Picks Interim Director” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Hawaii: “Totto Tells Ethics Commission to Scrap ‘Silly’ Time Sheet Rules” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

Michigan: “Panel OKs Added Transparency for Governor, Legislators” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Elections

“A History of Insurgent Candidates’ Impact On Down-Ballot Races” by Louis Jacobson for Governing

Legislative Issues

“Chaos in House after GOP Votes Down LGBT Measure” by Cristina Marcos and Mike Lillis for The Hill

On May 19, the fifth session of the 40th parliament of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia adjourned. The Local Elections Campaign Financing (Election Expenses) Amendment Act, 2016, also received royal assent on May 19. Member Bills 213, 219, and 229, which also dealt with campaign finance, did not progress pass the first reading stage.

The Legislature is scheduled to convene again this year on October 3.

On May 18, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed campaign finance legislation advancing the effective date of implementation of some of the changes to June of this year. House bills 2296 and 2297 complement Senate Bill 1516, another campaign finance bill signed into law in March. The legislation also includes criminal penalties left out of the earlier Senate bill.

The package of legislation is controversial among many because of the relaxation of disclosure by some entities involved in political activity.