National:

Dennis Hastert Sentenced to 15 Months, and Apologizes for Sex Abuse
New York Times – Monica Davey, Julie Bosman, and Mitch Smith | Published: 4/27/2016

A judge sentenced former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert to 15 months in federal prison for paying $1.7 million in hush money to cover up sexual abuse from decades ago. He also must undergo sex offender treatment, two years of supervised release after his time behind bars, and a $250,000 fine to go to a fund for crime victims. Shortly before learning his sentence, Hastert admitted for the first time that he sexually abused boys decades ago when he was the wrestling coach for Yorkville High School. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Durkin took Hastert to task, saying, “Nothing is more stunning than having the words serial child molester and speaker of the House in the same sentence.”

With Uncertainty at Top of Ticket, Republicans Back Off in Some States
New York Times – Jonathan Martin | Published: 4/21/2016

The Republican National Committee is scaling back its financial commitments to some of the most hotly contested states because of flagging fundraising, the most concrete evidence yet of how the party’s divisive and protracted presidential race is threatening the entire GOP ticket in November. The party is also taking steps to create a separate fundraising entity dedicated to U.S. Senate races, an acknowledgment that many of the wealthiest contributors are increasingly focused on protecting Republican control of Congress rather than a presidential campaign they fear is lost.

Federal:

Congressmen Challenge ‘Bipartisan Shakedown’ Pressuring Members to Raise $18,000 Every Day
WCMH – Chance Seales | Published: 4/24/2016

When U.S. Rep. David Jolley came to Capitol Hill after winning a special election in 2014, he was surprised to discover what his leading priority was expected to be – fundraising. In an interview with “60 Minutes,” Jolley said he met behind closed doors with party leadership, where he was told he had six months to raise $2 million. “Your job, new member of Congress, is to raise $18,000 a day …,” Jolley said he was told. To do so, he said, members are given lists of names and scripts. Because members are not allowed to fundraise on Capitol grounds, the campaign arms of the parties have setup call bank headquarters where members can duck in to spend a few hours on the phone.

The Rise of Trump Studies
Politico – Darren Samuelsohn | Published: 4/24/2016

As Donald Trump’s surprise presidential candidacy disrupts everything it touches, it has now entered the academic realm, launching a new wave of what might be called Trump Studies. From philosophy to law to computer science and history, researchers are finding they cannot look away from Trump. For some, the popularity of the celebrity real estate developer is the perfect tent pole to hang their existing research on. For others, his candidacy is like an experiment on a national scale, blowing up conventional wisdom about how American politics and society work.

Trump’s ‘Woman’s Card’ Comment Escalates the Campaign’s Gender Wars
Washington Post – Anne Gearan and Katie Zezima | Published: 4/27/2016

While celebrating his sweeping victories in five recent primaries, Donald Trump mocked Hillary Clinton’s qualifications, saying she would be a bad president who lacks “strength.” The remarks seemed like a preview of a general-election strategy to use Clinton’s potential to be the first female president against her. It also crystallized the question of how the nation will reckon with its first presidential election between a man and a woman. What was once subtext – latent sexism in American life and the question of what is off-limits when contemplating a woman as commander in chief – is now a full part of the political debate.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alaska – Lobbyists Bought $100 Meal for Alaska Senate President before Vote on Building
Alaska Dispatch News – Nathaniel Herz | Published: 4/27/2016

Alaska Senate President Kevin Meyer accepted a $100 meal from two lobbyists for one of the developers of state lawmakers’ Anchorage offices a week before voting to buy those offices for $32.5 million. Under the state’s ethics laws, lawmakers and legislative employees are barred from accepting gifts from lobbyists, though there are exceptions for tickets to charity events and food and drinks “for immediate consumption.” Meyer said the idea that lawmakers should pay for their own meals when they dine with lobbyists is an issue that should be debated. But the very idea seemed to perplex him. “We could pay for our own way; I’m just trying to think how that would work,” said Meyer.

California – Here Are All the Sports Events California State Lawmakers Attended for Free
Los Angeles Times – Javier Panzar | Published: 4/26/2016

California lawmakers passed a measure two years ago to tighten restrictions on gift-giving. The bill would have outlawed entertainment-related gifts and any gift over $200 in value. It was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown, who said the bill would further complicate gift rules “without commensurate benefit” to the public. The Los Angeles Times tallied the free baseball, football, basketball, and golf games that state lawmakers attended in 2015 and who paid for them. “There are always ways to get money to politicians and essentially treat politicians to nice events; the gift limits, they do some work, but there are loopholes,” said Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor and president of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission.

California – The Most Influential Person on the Coastal Commission May Be This Lobbyist
Los Angeles Times – Kim Christensen | Published: 4/23/2016

Lobbyist, political insider, and owner of a consulting firm, Susan McCabe enjoys a close relationship and prominent standing with a state agency that regulates development along California’s 1,100-mile coast. Unlike other regulatory agencies in the state, the California Coastal Commission may be lobbied directly. Although legislation is pending to change it, state law allows members to communicate or meet privately with interested parties, as long as they disclose those contacts and what was discussed. In the last 15 months, commissioners have reported more than 100 ex-parte exchanges with McCabe, far more than with anyone else who represents business interests or environmental causes.

Maryland – Fundraising Ban Loophole Allows Some Maryland Lawmakers to Take Lobbyist Cash
Washington Post – Fenit Nirappil | Published: 4/22/2016

State lawmakers in Maryland who are running for Congress and local office are exempt from the ban on campaign fundraising during the annual legislative session, enabling them to take money from lobbyists and others with business before them. State lawmakers competing in those races took at least $33,000 from lobbyists and executives of groups trying to sway government officials during the session. The donations are legal and just a sliver of a multimillion-dollar haul, but they raise concerns from good government advocates who say they violate the spirit of the fundraising ban, which aims to insulate legislators from undue influence.

Missouri – Some Progress on Missouri Ethics Reform, But Does It Go Far Enough?
Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock | Published: 4/26/2016

Cleaning up Missouri’s ethics laws was a top priority of Republican leaders entering the 2016 session. With time running out on this year’s legislative session, how much progress they have made toward that goal is in the eye of the beholder. Missouri is the only state in the nation with the trio of no caps on campaign contributions, no limits on lobbyist gifts to legislators, and no waiting period after leaving office before lawmakers can return to the Capitol as lobbyists. As a result, six-figure campaign donations have become a normal part of politics, lawmakers collectively accept $900,000 a year in lobbyist-provided meals, alcohol, trips, and event tickets, and lobbyists’ ranks have swelled with former legislators and staff cashing in on their expertise and connections. Changing that dynamic took on new urgency after a series of controversies rocked the General Assembly in 2015.

New Jersey – Birdsall CEO Gets 4 Years in Huge N.J. Pay-to-Play Scheme
Newark Star-Ledger – S.P. Sullivan (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 4/22/2016

Howard Birdsall, the former head of one of New Jersey’s most prestigious engineering firms, was sentenced to four years in prison in a “pay-to-play” corruption case that brought about the demise of the company that bore his family’s name. The judge also ordered Birdsall to forfeit $49,808 that represented illegal campaign contributions he made. Birdsall and six other of the firm’s executives, as well as the firm itself, were indicted in 2013 on charges they masked corporate campaign contributions as individual political donations in order to skirt the state’s “pay-to-play” laws and get contracts it otherwise would have been disqualified from.

New York – De Blasio Team Violated Campaign Finance Laws, Report Says
New York Times – William Neuman and Jesse McKinley | Published: 4/22/2016

The state Board of Elections found New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his political team committed “willful and flagrant violations” of campaign finance laws in efforts to oust Republican senators and referred the matter for criminal prosecution. The board’s investigation, and a subsequent continuing inquiry by local prosecutors, is looking at whether there was an effort to illegally circumvent limits on campaign contributions to individual candidates by directing money instead through Democratic Party county committees and a statewide party campaign committee. The county and statewide committees can receive contributions of up to $102,300, which is much greater than the general election limit of $11,000 per donor on contributions to candidates’ campaigns.

North Carolina – Federal Judge Upholds North Carolina Voter Rules
New York Times – Alan Blinder and Richard Fausett | Published: 4/25/2016

A federal judge upheld North Carolina’s controversial new voting law, dealing a blow to critics who said the state’s rules will discourage minorities from casting ballots during this fall’s presidential election. The law reduces the number of days of early voting, prohibits people from registering and voting on the same day, stops ballots cast in the wrong precinct from being counted, and requires a photo ID to vote. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit will be the first to consider an appeal, which the law’s opponents said they would pursue. The ruling is an early signal of how federal judges might regard changes and challenges to voting laws in the aftermath of a Supreme Court decision that effectively eliminated a portion of the Voting Rights Act that had forced nine states, mostly in the South, to obtain advance federal approval before changing their election laws.

Virginia – McDonnell Trial: Supreme Court justices express skepticism of former Virginia governor’s conviction
Washington Post – Robert Barnes and Laura Vozzella | Published: 4/27/2016

The U.S. Supreme Court appeared likely to rule that federal bribery and corruption laws are unfairly ensnaring public officials. A clear majority of justices during oral arguments sided with lawyers for former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell, who is appealing his conviction for accepting more than $175,000 in gifts and loans from a wealthy executive in exchange for government favors. The problem, many justices agreed, is that the laws characterize common favors as criminal acts. “Officials routinely arrange meetings for donors, take their calls, politely listen to their ideas, and refer them to aides,” McDonnell’s attorneys argued in legal papers. “In criminalizing those everyday acts, the government has put every federal, state, and local official nationwide in its prosecutorial crosshairs.”

Virginia – Virginia Governor Restores Voting Rights to Felons
New York Times – Sheryl Gay Solberg and Erik Eckholm | Published: 4/22/2016

Gov. Terry McAuliffe issued an executive order that will allow more than 200,000 ex-cons in Virginia to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election, one of the biggest actions taken by a state to instantly restore voting rights. The change applies to all felons who have completed their sentences and been released from supervised probation or parole. The governor’s decision particularly affects black residents of Virginia: one in four African-Americans in the state has been permanently banned from voting because of laws restricting the rights of those with convictions. The move led to accusations that McAuliffe was playing politics; he is a longtime friend of, and fundraiser for, Hillary Clinton, the likely Democratic nominee for president, and former President Bill Clinton.

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

Lobbying

California: “Here Are All the Sports Events California State Lawmakers Attended for Free” by Javier Panzar for Los Angeles Times

Campaign Finance

Maine: “LePage Vetoes Proposed Fix to Maine Clean Election Fund” by A.J. Higgins for Maine Public Broadcasting

Ethics

“Dennis Hastert Sentenced to 15 Months, and Apologizes for Sex Abuse” by Monica Davey, Julie Bosman, and Mitch Smith for New York Times

Arkansas: “Leslie Rutledge Rejects Wording of Campaign Finance Measure” by Associated Press for Arkansas Business Journal

Rhode Island: “R.I.’s Sen. Sheehan Buys Ads to Promote His Ethics Bill” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal

Virgina: “McDonnell Trial: Supreme Court justices express skepticism of former Virginia governor’s conviction” by Robert Barnes and Laura Vozzella for Washington Post

Elections

“Is the U.S. Ready for Post-Middle-Class Politics?” by Charles Homans for New York Times

“Ted Cruz Names Carly Fiorina as His Running Mate, Seeking a Jolt” by Jonathan Martin, Matt Flegenheimer, and Alexander Burns for New York Times

“Rep. Fattah Becomes First Lawmaker to Lose Primary” by Cristina Marcos for The Hill

Elections

“Clinton Decisively Wins Democratic Primaries in 4 States” by Abby Phillip, John Wagner, and Anne Gearan for Washington Post

“Voters in Eastern Seaboard Primaries Embrace Trump” by Philip Rucker and Jose DelReal for Washington Post

North Carolina: “Federal Judge Upholds North Carolina Voter Rules” by Alan Blinder and Richard Fausett for New York Times

Ethics

Colorado: “Court: Ethics Commission’s Frivolous Complaint Rulings are Final” by Marianne Goodland for Colorado Independent

Kentucky: “AG Asks for Ethics Probe of Bevin Allegations” by Deborah Yetter for Louisville Courier-Journal

Missouri: “Some Progress on Missouri Ethics Reform, But Does It Go Far Enough?” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

New Jersey: “Questions Raised on New N.J. Supreme Court Justice’s Role in Campaign Case” by Salvador Rizzo for Bergen Record

Virginia: “Ethics Lawyer: ‘Common Interest’ in Sports Clears Va. Officials to Accept Free Tickets” by Graham Moomaw for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Lobbying

New Hampshire: “Ethics Panel Calls for Broader Conflict Disclosure for State Lawmakers” by Dave Solomon for Manchester Union-Leader

Campaign Finance

“Checks: Political Money and Democracy” by Justin Miller for American Prospect

Lobbying

California: “The Most Influential Person on the Coastal Commission May Be This Lobbyist” by Kim Christensen for Los Angeles Times

Campaign Finance

“Congressmen Challenge ‘Bipartisan Shakedown’ Pressuring Members to Raise $18,000 Every Day” by Chance Seales for WCMH

Alaska: “Parade of Politicians Expected to Appear at Trial over Alaska Campaign Donation Limits” by Alex DeMarban for Alaska Dispatch News

Michigan: “Labor Unions Sue State of Michigan over Election Law” by Kathleen Gray for Detroit Free Press

New York: “De Blasio Team Violated Campaign Finance Laws, Report Says” by William Neuman and Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Ethics

Alabama: “Jon Mason Should Be Concerned about Ethical Conflicts, Former Ethics Officials Say” by Connor Sheets for AL.com

Hawaii “Les Kondo Confirmed As State Auditor” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Idaho: “Initiative Proposes Sweeping Changes to Idaho’s Campaign Finance Laws” by Betsy Russell for Spokane Spokesman-Review

Elections

“Ted Cruz and John Kasich to Coordinate Against Donald Trump” by Matt Flegenheimer and Jonathan Martin for New York Times

Virginia: “Virginia Governor Restores Voting Rights to Felons” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Erik Eckholm for New York Times

Former state lawmaker Holli Woodings is leading the campaign for a voter initiative to make large-scale changes to state ethics laws. Changes would include prohibiting political contributions from state contractors as well as cutting contribution limits across the board, banning gifts of more than $50 from lobbyists, and creating a one-year revolving door provision for public officers.

Having collected the required 48,000 signatures in less than two months, Woodings hopes the measure will appear on the November 2016 ballot. Signature collection will continue to be sure enough valid signatures have been gathered before the April 30 deadline.

The Michigan election law enacted by last session’s Senate Bill 571 is facing yet another legal challenge. A group of labor unions filed suit against the State of Michigan claiming that the law is unconstitutional.

The contested provision of the law allows corporations to use payroll deductions for employees to make contributions to the business’ political action committee (PAC). The unions claim this is unfair because they are prohibited from using payroll deductions for members to make contributions to union PACs.

The lawsuit comes just weeks after a federal judge in a separate matter found other provisions of this law unconstitutionally vague.

Lobbying

“Lobbyists Capitalize on Election Scramble” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Alabama: “Muslim Activists from Alabama See the Capitol’s Sights, but Not Their Delegation” by Abigail Hauslohner for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

“Gyrocopter Pilot Who Landed at U.S. Capitol Sentenced to Four Months in Prison” by Spencer Hsu for Washington Post

Florida: “With Uncertainty at Top of Ticket, Republicans Back Off in Some States” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times

Maryland: “Fundraising Ban Loophole Allows Some Maryland Lawmakers to Take Lobbyist Cash” by Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post

New Jersey: “Birdsall CEO Gets 4 Years in Huge N.J. Pay-to-Play Scheme” by S.P. Sullivan (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger

Ethics

“Senate Backs Ethics Panel Plan That’s Seen as Too Little, Too Late” by Mark Johnson for VTDigger.org

Missouri: “State Lawmakers Send Ethics Bills to Governor” by Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for Springfield News-Leader

Pennsylvania:”Mike Fleck, Allentown Mayor’s Adviser, Friend Charged in FBI Probe” by Emily Opilo and Peter Hall for Allentown Morning Call

Indiana: “Indiana Lawmaker Defends Taking Family on California Trip” by Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) for Sacramento Bee

Elections

“Special Election Results Buoy Hope for Reform” by David Howard King for Gotham Gazette

“Pro-Hillary Super PAC to ‘Correct’ Reddit and Facebook” by Steven Klett for Epoch Times

National:

Elizabeth Warren, Comic Book Hero? Senator Is Latest to Star
Albuquerque Journal – Steve LeBlanc (Associated Press) | Published: 4/18/2016

“Female Force: Elizabeth Warren” tells the true-life story of Warren’s rise from Oklahoma schoolgirl to U.S. senator and champion of the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. The 22-page comic is the brainchild of publishers Storm Entertainment and is part of a larger series designed to celebrate the lives of notable women. Instead of leaping over tall buildings, Warren’s political superpowers are focused on something she sees as even more threatening: the Wall Street and Capitol Hill power brokers she holds responsible for hollowing out the middle class. The bulk of the book steers clear of ideological battles and instead zeroes in on Warren’s personal and professional struggles.

Voters Angry About Big Money in Politics Take Their Complaints to City Hall
Washington Post – Matea Gold | Published: 4/18/2016

A backlash against wealthy interests in politics that has lifted the White House bids of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders is reverberating beyond this year’s presidential race. The large sums swamping campaigns have prompted voters to appeal to City Halls and state Capitols, hoping to curb the influence of well-heeled donors in their communities. One of the biggest public protests drew thousands to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. But similar, if smaller, efforts have been playing out across the country. The growing number of local campaigns means politicians at every level of government are contending with voters who believe their voices are being drowned out by those with more resources.

Federal:

PAC Donations from Elderly Donors Draw Scrutiny
USA Today – Fredreka Schouten and Christopher Schnaars | Published: 4/18/2016

VIGOP, an obscure fundraising committee from the Virgin Islands, is one of the top-spending PACs in a constellation of groups tied to Scott Mackenzie, a political treasurer. Mackenzie, whose spending practices have drawn scrutiny in recent years from watchdogs and candidates, has served as treasurer of more than 20 PACs at some point in this election cycle. Three of them, including VIGOP, have collected more than $1 million so far for the 2016 election. In each case, more than half their contributions larger than $200 came from retirees. At the same time, a large share of the donations these groups took in went to fund operating expenses instead of direct contributions to Republican candidates. FEC member Ann Ravel has sounded alarms about the rise of PACs she believes are engaged in “consumer deception” but says there is little in current federal law that gives the agency authority to act.

The New Gilded Age: Close to half of all super PAC money comes from 50 donors
Washington Post – Matea Gold and Anu Narayanswamy | Published: 4/15/2016

Close to half of the money raised by the groups by the end of February came from just 50 donors and their relatives, according to a Washington Post analysis. In all, donors this cycle have given more than $607 million to 2,300 super PACs, which can accept unlimited contributions from individuals and corporations. That means super PAC money is on track to surpass the $828 million the Center for Responsive Politics found was raised by such groups for the 2012 elections. The huge amounts reflect how super PACs are fundraising powerhouses just six years after they came on the scene. The concentration of fundraising power carries echoes of the end of the 19th century, when wealthy interests spent millions helping put William McKinley in the White House.

Trade Group for Lobbyists Closing Down
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 4/19/2016

The Association of Government Relations Professionals (AGRP), formerly the American League of Lobbyists, is shutting down. The closure reportedly stems from a contract dispute with Columbia Books, which runs the website Lobbyists.info and had been a sponsor for events organized by AGRP. Founded to raise the image of the lobbying profession, AGRP offered networking and courses through its Lobbying Certificate Program. Paul Miller, a lobbyist with Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, said he has created a new organization called the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics in the wake of AGRP discontinuing its certificate program.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Supreme Court Upholds Arizona Redistricting Plan
Washington Post – Robert Barnes | Published: 4/20/2016

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously upheld the state legislative districts in Arizona drawn by an independent commission, rebuffing complaints the electoral maps diminished the clout of Republican voters. The justices said the commission that draws legislative boundaries did not violate the U.S. Constitution’s principle of “one person, one vote.” The case focused on state legislative districts drawn for the 2012 election based on 2010 census numbers. The challengers said the new districts favored Democrats over Republicans by packing GOP voters into certain districts in a way that would minimize their influence in neighboring districts while enhancing the sway of Democratic voters.

California – Are You an Independent Voter? You Aren’t If You Checked This Box
Los Angeles Times – John Myers, Christine Mai-Duc, and Ben Welsh | Published: 4/16/2016

The American Independent Party (AIP) is bigger than all of California’s other minor parties combined. The ultraconservative party’s platform opposes abortion rights and same sex marriage, and calls for building a fence along the entire U.S. border. But a Los Angeles Times investigation has found a majority of its members have registered with the party in error. Nearly three in four people did not realize they had joined the party, according to a survey of registered AIP voters. That mistake could prevent people from casting votes in the June 7 presidential primary. Voters from all walks of life were confused by the use of the word “independent” in the party’s name, according to the newspaper’s analysis.

California – Political Fine from 2012 Mayor’s Race Sets Record
San Diego Union-Tribune – Greg Moran | Published: 4/15/2016

A company that illegally funneled campaign contributions in San Diego’s 2012 mayoral race was fined $128,000 by the city Ethics Commission, the largest penalty ever levied by the agency for campaign finance violations. The investigation revealed the owner of Advantage Towing, Ayman Arekat, orchestrated a series of straw-donor contribution to three campaigns, then hid the source. Arekat, whose company dis business with the city, had employees make $500 contributions – at the time, the maximum allowed under the law – and then reimbursed them with checks drawn on the company’s account.

Florida – Florida Says Firm Didn’t Illegally Try to Influence Attorney General
New York Times – Eric Lipton | Published: 4/20/2016

Bernard Nash, a partner in a former Washington, D.C. law firm who allegedly sought favorable attention from Florida’s attorney general on his clients’ behalf without being registered as a lobbyist, did not violate Florida lobbying law, the state ethics commission found. The investigation began in response to a series of articles that examined the increasing efforts by a wide range of corporations to influence state attorneys general. Lawyers who handle this kind of business rarely register as lobbyists, even though in many cases they also work on general policy matters, like urging state attorneys general to intervene with the federal government on environmental regulations their corporate clients oppose, The New York Times found.

Kentucky – Beshear Aide Tim Longmeyer Pleads Guilty to Bribery; Investigation Continues
Lexington Herald-Leader – John Cheves and Bill Estep | Published: 4/19/2016

A onetime high-ranking state official whose criminal charges were an embarrassment for former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge. Tim Longmeyer abruptly resigned as a deputy in the state attorney general’s office two days before a criminal complaint was announced in March. Longmeyer pleaded guilty to using his influence as the head of the state’s Personnel Cabinet under former Beshear to steer contracts to a public relations firm in 2014 and 2015. Longmeyer admitted to receiving more than $200,000 in kickbacks from the firm. He faces up to 10 years in prison. Prosecutors have not named the consulting firm, but said more people could be charged in the case.

Louisiana – Who’s Really Being Wined and Dined? Louisiana Legislators Trying to Clear up Vague Lobbyist Disclosure Laws
New Orleans Advocate – Elizabeth Crisp | Published: 4/17/2016

Louisiana’s lobbying disclosure laws leave large gaps that lawmakers are trying to fix this year. Several bills making their way through the Legislature this session are aimed at making disclosures more specific – from lobbyists’ reports to the financial disclosures that elected officials have to file. Rep. Chris Broadwater noted in a recent House committee meeting that he did not attend many of the events where his name is listed in lobbyist disclosure reports and he was not treated to nearly all the fancy steak dinners that were ascribed to him. “We work with some very good lobbyists, but I think there are some mistakes made,” Broadwater said.

Michigan – ‘More to Come,’ Attorney General Vows, as Officials Criminally Charged in Flint Water Crisis
Washington Post – Brady Dennis and Mark Berman | Published: 4/20/2016

The first criminal charges stemming from the Flint water crisis were filed as two state officials and a city employee were accused of covering up evidence of lead contamination. Two people at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality were charged with misleading the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about whether Flint was using the treatment needed to control lead levels after the city switched its water supply in 2014. Michael Prysby, a district engineer, and Stephen Busch, a district supervisor, were also accused of impeding a Genesee County investigation. Michael Glasglow, the city’s utilities administrator, was charged with tampering with test results to make the lead contamination appear less severe. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette stressed that the charges mark the beginning of a broadening investigation.

Oregon – Political Consultants Must Disclose Clients under New Portland Rule
Portland Oregonian – Brad Schmidt | Published: 4/21/2016

New regulations that take effect on September 1 will require political consultants to register if they advise members of the Portland City Council or the city’s elected auditor. Elected officials also will be required to disclose the consultants who give them advice. But the rules do not prohibit consultants from lobbying the clients they help elect or keep in City Hall. Portland’s new rules will require consultants and lobbyists to disclose when political service begins. But there is not a requirement to reveal the topics or type of service provided.

Virginia – Va. Lawmakers Sustain Series of McAuliffe Vetoes
Richmond Times Dispatch; Staff –   | Published: 4/20/2016

State lawmakers rejected proposed changes by Gov. Terry McAuliffe to Virginia’s new ethics law, saying they were unnecessary. Lawmakers agreed to a $100 cap on gifts in last year’s session, but passed legislation this year that makes exceptions for certain kinds of gifts, including food and drinks under $20. The governor also wanted to prohibit lobbyists from bundling gifts together from multiple clients to avoid exceeding the $100 cap. McAuliffe will review whether to veto the legislation following the rejection of his amendments.

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

Lobbying

“Trade Group for Lobbyists Closing Down” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

“Va. Lawmakers Sustain Series of McAuliffe Vetoes” by Jim Nolan for Richmond Times Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“Inquiry of Mayor de Blasio Fund-Raising Extends to ’14 State Senate Races” by William Rashbaum for New York Times

Ethics

“Beshear Aide Tim Longmeyer Pleads Guilty to Bribery; Investigation Continues” by John Cheves and Bill Estep for Lexington Herald-Leader

“‘More to Come,’ Attorney General Vows, as Officials Criminally Charged in Flint Water Crisis” by Brady Dennis and Mark Berman for Washington Post

“Tough Job, Tough Questions for Campaign Watchdog Hopefuls” by Rachel Stassen-Berger for St. Paul Pioneer Press

Elections

“Why Ohio’s Bribery Law Isn’t Going to Upend the GOP Race” by Philip Elliott for Time

Legislative Issues

“Court Rules Indiana Lawmakers Can Keep Emails Private” by Tom Davies (Associated Press) for Indianapolis Business Journal

Redistricting

“Supreme Court Upholds Arizona Redistricting Plan” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post

San Luis Obispo City Council voted yesterday not to proceed with a proposed ordinance to create a system of democracy voucher funding for municipal elections. The voucher system would have provided each registered voter with a $20 voucher that could be donated to the municipal candidate of choice.

Additionally, this ordinance would have created an ethics commission and required reporting on independent expenditures over $500.

Lobbying

“Lobbyists and Corporations, Arm-in-Arm” by Rani Molla for Bloomberg.com

“What is Shadow Lobbying? How Influence Peddlers Shape Policy in the Dark” by Libby Watson for Sunlight Foundation

Campaign Finance

“PAC Donations from Elderly Donors Draw Scrutiny” by Fredreka Schouten and Christopher Schnaars for USA Today

“George Clooney Certainly Has Raised Some ‘Obscene’ Amounts of Campaign Money” by Justin Moyer for Washington Post

Mississippi: “No Restrictions on Legislators as Mississippi House Turns Back Campaign Cash Rules” by The Associated Press for Mississippi Business Journal

Montana: “Judge Weighs Whether Low Contribution Limits Are Justified” by Matt Volz (Associated Press) for The Missoulian

Ethics

District of Columbia: “DC Schools Chief Asked Contractor for $100K” by Ben Nuckols (Associated Press) for Idaho Statesman

Elections

“New York Blowout Gives Donald Trump Big Boost in GOP Race” by Jenna Johnson and Philip Rucker for Washington Post

“Strong Showing by Clinton in Defeat of Sanders in New York Primary” by Abby Phillip, John Wagner, and Anne Gearan for Washington Post

Procurement

“Governments Struggle to Root Out Fake Minority Contractors” by Mattie Quinn for Governing

Lobbying

Colorado: “Lobbyist Ben Walters May Be in Hot Water for Lying to Lawmakers” by Marianne Goodland for Colorado Independent

Louisiana: “Who’s Really Being Wined and Dined? Louisiana Legislators Trying to Clear up Vague Lobbyist Disclosure Laws” by Elizabeth Crisp for New Orleans Advocate

Campaign Finance

“Voters Angry About Big Money in Politics Take Their Complaints to City Hall” by Matea Gold for Washington Post

“FEC’s Petersen Hints Interest in Foreign-Money Rules” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

“Inside a Contest Winner’s Starry Night at George and Amal Clooney’s Fundraiser for Hillary Clinton: ‘They made us feel at home’” by Rennie Dyball for People.com

“Court Unseals Investigative File from Ex-D.C. Mayor Gray Campaign Probe” by Mike DeBonis, Anne Marimow, and Spencer Hsu for Washington Post

Florida: “Jacksonville Rep. Reggie Fullwood Indicted on Federal Charges, Accused of Embezzling Campaign Money” by Kristen Clark for Miami Herald

Ethics

“Elizabeth Warren, Comic Book Hero? Senator Is Latest to Star” by Steve LeBlanc (Associated Press) for Albuquerque Journal

Indiana: “Do City’s New Ethics Rules Go Far Enough?” by Haleigh Colombo for Indianapolis Business Journal

Elections

California: “Are You an Independent Voter? You Aren’t If You Checked This Box” by John Myers, Christine Mai-Duc, and Ben Welsh for Los Angeles Times

A bill to double contribution limits died in the Senate as the 2016 legislative session came to a close. The session adjourned Friday, April 15, 2016. House Bill 147 would have raised contribution limits to $2,000 to state candidates and $5,000 to political parties.

The State and Local Government Committee passed an amended version of the bill but the full Senate declined to act on it because of constitutionality concerns. Litigation is currently making its way through federal court to declare Kentucky’s contribution limits unconstitutional.

Lawmakers were successful, however, in passing a budget compromise but, because the session has ended, will not be able to override any items vetoed by the governor.

Lobbying

Ohio: “Many GOP Lobbyists Will Go to Cleveland but the Thrill Is Gone” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

“The New Gilded Age: Close to half of all super PAC money comes from 50 donors” by Matea Gold and Anu Narayanswamy for Washington Post

California: “Political Fine from 2012 Mayor’s Race Sets Record” by Greg Moran for San Diego Union-Tribune

Ethics

“Unsealed Document Alleges Silver Had Two Extramarital Affairs” by Coby Hamilton and Josefa Velasquez for Capital New York

“Inquiries Cloud de Blasio’s Bid to Come Off as Strong Manager Before ’17 Race” by J. David Goodman and William Neuman for New York Times

South Carolina: “SLED Report Names 2 with Ties to SC Attorney General Wilson” by John Monk for The State

Alabama: “Alabama Governor Had His Wallet Delivered to Him by Law Enforcement Helicopter” by Travis Andrews for Washington Post

Missouri: “Missouri’s Nixon Signs Bill Tightening Loose Ethics Laws” by Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for ABC News

Elections

“Prosecutor Says He Won’t Pursue Case against Trump Campaign Manager” by Terrence Dopp for Bloomberg.com

Michigan: “Gov. Snyder Sets Elections to Fill Virgil Smith’s Senate Seat” by Kathleen Gray for Detroit Free Press

Legislative Issues

Tennessee: “Gov. Bill Haslam Vetoes Bible Bill” by Dave Boucher, Holly Meyer, and Joel Ebert for The Tennessean