National:

Amid Federal Gridlock, Lobbying Rises in the States
Center for Public Integrity – Liz Essley White and Ben Weider | Published: 2/11/2016

The number of business and interest groups lobbying in state Capitols has risen nearly 11 percent in recent years as organizations have shifted some efforts away from the stalemates in Washington, D.C. to statehouses, which are more apt to act on key policy initiatives, according to a new study. The Center for Public Integrity found 101 businesses, associations, or interest groups had lobbyists in at least two-thirds of the states between 2010 and 2014. That includes 21 entities registered to lobby in every state at some point during that period.

Michele Fiore, the Gun-Toting, Calendar-Posing Politician Who Negotiated the Ore. Occupiers’ Surrender
Washington Post – Michael Miller | Published: 2/11/2016

The remaining occupiers of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon tentatively agreed to turn themselves in, largely thanks to Nevada Assemblyperson Michele Fiore’s intervention. Fiore acted as act as the de facto negotiator for the occupiers, at times agreeing with their radical views and at others, calming them down. If the standoff ends peacefully, Fiore will emerge as the most unlikely of saviors. The brash lawmaker is one of the most colorful, controversial political people in the country.

Federal:

IRS Grants Long-Delayed Tax Exempt Status to Crossroads GPS
Politico – Kenneth Vogel | Published: 2/9/2016

Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS has been granted tax-exempt “social welfare” status. After deliberating for more than five years, the IRS sent a letter to Crossroads GPS in November telling the group that it qualifies under section 501(c)4 of the tax code that allows it to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money while keeping its donors’ identities secret. During the 2012 election cycle, Crossroads GPS technically abided by the social welfare requirement, reporting it spent only 39 percent of its total $189 million spending on “direct political activities.” But millions of the non-political expenditures involved issue advocacy without expressly advocating for or against a candidate. Campaign finance reformers are incensed by the decision, which they believe validates “dark money” spending on a huge scale.

Line Blurs Between PR, Lobbying
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 2/9/2016

Many on K Street say that offering public relations services has become a necessity in an era when controlling the media message is just as important to clients as cultivating relationships, especially with the explosion of information online. “I think lobbying is changing,” said lobbyist Steve Elmendorf. “People realize that decision makers get their information in so many different ways than they used to, and there are more channels of information. You need to do more than just [direct] lobbying.”

The Politico 100: Billionaires dominate 2016
Politico – Kenneth Vogel and Isaac Arnsdorf | Published: 2/6/2016

The 100 biggest donors of 2016 election cycle have spent $195 million trying to influence the presidential election, more than the $155 million spent by the two million smallest donors combined. The analysis found the leading beneficiaries of checks from the top 100 donors were Jeb Bush’s floundering campaign for the Republican nomination, Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, and Ted Cruz’s insurgent GOP campaign. The intensifying courtship of ultra-rich political partisans, which is occurring in private on both sides of the aisles in luxury resorts and phone calls, stands in contrast to the public discussion on the campaign trail, which is dominated by the concerns of the lower- and middle-class just struggling to get by.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Two Nonprofits Face More Than $47,000 in Fines over L.A. Lobbying Forms
Los Angeles Times – Emily Alpert Reyes | Published: 2/10/2016

Los Angeles Ethics Commission staffers have proposed a fine of $30,000 for the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) and $17,500 for the Hospital Association of Southern California for not properly reporting their lobbying at City Hall. The Los Angeles Times reported a year ago that LAANE had failed to fill out key parts of city forms that are supposed to publicly reveal its lobbying activities. Several of its employees had registered as lobbyists, but the nonprofit did not report any payments to those employees or any related expenses for years at a time. Nor did LAANE report any issues that its employees were lobbying about. Commission investigators found similar gaps in the lobbying forms filed by the Hospital Association of Southern California.

Florida – Manatee Judge John Lakin Says Inexperience Led Him to Take Baseball Tickets
Bradenton Herald – Kate Irby | Published: 2/8/2016

Facing possible disciplinary action by the Florida Supreme Court, a Manatee County circuit judge has apologized for using Tampa Bay Rays tickets supplied by a firm with a case pending in his court. Judge John Lakin acknowledged violating canons of judicial conduct but denied baseball tickets influenced his decision in the case. A notice of formal charges says Lakin in June presided over a personal injury case in which a client of the firm Kallins Delgado & Little sued Wal-Mart. A jury found Wal-Mart was not liable, and a day later, Lakin’s judicial assistant contacted the firm about tickets for a Rays game. Lakin used two tickets and did not advise Wal-Mart’s attorneys, despite the case not being final. In August, Lakin issued an order setting aside the jury’s verdict and granting a new trial.

Hawaii – ‘Good Government’ Measures Take another Go at Hawaii Lawmakers
Honolulu Civil Beat – Nathan Eagle | Published: 2/10/2016

Watchdogs in Hawaii have championed ethics reform legislation for years, along with the state ethics and campaign spending commissions. But the Legislature often balks, and in some cases even works contrary to them. It is early yet in the 2016 session, which runs until May. Many reform measures are still alive, and a handful are moving forward. In a few instances, bills that stalled last year have been resurrected.

Maine – Why it’s Hard to Figure out Who’s Influencing Maine Lawmakers
Bangor Daily News – Darren Fishell | Published: 2/10/2016

For the 50 lobbyists in Maine who spent the most in 2015, The Bangor Daily News attempted to link together what those entities spent with the legislation they sought to influence and what has, so far in this ongoing session, happened with those bills. It is an exercise the state ethics commission also is going through as it prepares for another update to its website that Jonathan Wayne, the agency’s executive director, said will bring “significant improvements in the next year.” Maine has a relative abundance of information about lobbying activity, albeit self-reported and unaudited. The problem is presenting that information in a way that is understandable.

Michigan – Judge Puts Michigan ‘Gag Order’ Election Law on Hold
Detroit Free Press – Kathleen Gray and Lori Higgins | Published: 2/5/2016

A federal judge has put a temporary stop on a controversial part of a recently passed campaign finance bill. Senate Bill 571, which included significant changes in Michigan’s election law, contained a provision prohibiting the use of public resources by public entities such as schools and libraries in the 60 days before an election. The provision was found to be unconstitutionally vague by the judge, as it did not clarify what was permissible. While several bills to fix the provision have subsequently been introduced, it is likely none of them will be passed by the upcoming March 8 election.

New Hampshire – Sanders Defeats Clinton in Decisive New Hampshire Primary Victory
Washington Post – John Wagner and Anne Gearan | Published: 2/9/2016

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders notched his first win of the 2016 presidential race, defeating Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire Democratic primary by a large margin. The win for Sanders amounted to a forceful rejection of Hillary Clinton, who has a deep history with New Hampshire voters and offered policy ideas that seemed to reflect the politics of the state. But Sanders, who has proposed an emphatically liberal agenda, drew support from a wide cross-section of voters, even edging her out among women, boosted by his appeal among the young. The outcome provides a fresh burst of momentum for Sanders in a race that will soon broaden to more challenging terrain and that is widely expected to grow more combative as Clinton tries to regain her footing.

New Hampshire – Trump Notches an Easy Victory in New Hampshire’s Republican Primary
Washington Post – Philip Rucker and Robert Costa | Published: 2/10/2016

Donald Trump won the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary by a decisive margin, claiming his first victory of the 2016 campaign and leaving the rest of the GOP field as murky as ever. Trump, whose blunt language and outsider image have electrified many Republicans, benefited from an unusually large field of candidates that split the vote among traditional politicians like Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who finished second, and Jeb Bush. Trump also galvanized voters with a visceral fixation on immigration and economic populism, affirming that even after the setback in the Iowa caucuses, his candidacy has genuine appeal with the GOP base as well as with the independent voters who were part of his winning coalition.

New York – Ethics Watchdog Clarifies Expanded Lobbying Definition
Albany Business Review – Marie French | Published: 2/5/2016

The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics released answers to a list of frequently asked questions concerning a recent advisory opinion requiring the disclosure of more activities by political consultants that could be considered lobbying. Public relations firms are concerned about wording that could pull in activity ranging from talking with editorial boards to training sessions on how to advocate. Some have publicly declared they will not comply and questioned the rules’ clarity.

Ohio – Cleveland Council Approves Higher Caps on Campaign Donations
Cleveland Plain Dealer – Leila Atassi | Published: 2/8/2016

The Cleveland City Council voted to raise campaign contribution limits in mayoral races to $5,000 from an individual and $7,500 from PACs. Donations to council candidates will be capped at $1,500, with PACs donating up to $3,000. Council President Kevin Kelley, who sponsored the ordinance, has argued that increasing the limits could help newcomers run more robust campaigns against incumbents. But several council members said the legislation does nothing but widen the gap between incumbents and new candidates, setting up well-entrenched politicians to collect almost ten times more from their wealthiest donors.

Texas – FBI Arrests Nearly All The Top Officials of Crystal City, Tex.
Washington Post – Sarah Kaplan | Published: 2/8/2016

Federal agents arrested five current and former Crystal City officials – the mayor, city manager, mayor pro tempore, one of three current council members and a former councilperson – on bribery and kickback charges after a long-running public corruption probe in the low-income South Texas city. Long-suffering residents last year tried to recall three of those charged. How the city will function with only one city council member, Joel Barajas, not under federal indictment remains to be seen. The fifth council member, Marco Rodriguez, was charged recently with human smuggling in an unrelated case.

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.

Cleveland City Council voted Monday, February 8, to increase campaign contribution limits for mayoral and council candidates.

After much debate, the Finance Committee agreed on a $5,000 annual limit from individuals and a $7,500 annual limit from political action committees giving to mayoral candidates. Individual contributions to council candidates were capped at $1,500 annually, with PAC contributions limited to $3,000.

The ordinance passed with three council members voting against it.

Photo of the Cleveland skyline by Eric Drost in Wikimedia Commons.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has updated some of its disclosure forms required by PACs, political parties, and campaigns. Specifically, the FEC has added a “memo item” box to Forms 3, 3P, and 3x. Formerly, committees would routinely write the phrase “memo item” on the form. The new box, which the FEC hopes increases “reporting clarity”, can be used to report supplemental  information and the expense amounts not included in the line item total, such as reattributions, reimbursements, and certain credit card transactions. The FEC believes the new box will shorten document processing time and allow public access to disclosed data faster, according to the FEC’s press release.

Lobbying

“Line Blurs Between PR, Lobbying” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“IRS Grants Long-Delayed Tax Exempt Status to Crossroads GPS” by Julie Bykowicz (Associated Press) for Arizona Daily Star

“Kentucky House Passes Bill to Boost Campaign Donations” by John Cheves for Lexington Herald-Leader

“Money the Big Question in NLV Judge Challenger’s Campaign” by Bethany Barnes and Alexander Corey for Las Vegas Review-Journal

“Cleveland Council Approves Higher Caps on Campaign Donations” by Leila Atassi for Cleveland Plain Delaer

“WV Senate GOP Stalls Campaign Finance Bill after Dem Amendments” by David Gutman for Charleston Gazette

Ethics

“Manatee Judge John Lakin Says Inexperience Led Him to Take Baseball Tickets” by Kate Irby for Bradenton Herald

“Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney, Takes a Victory Lap in Albany after Winning Corruption Cases” by Vivian Yee and Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Elections

“The Movie That Foretold the Rise of Donald Trump” by Marc Fisher for Washington Post

“Sanders Defeats Clinton in Decisive New Hampshire Primary Victory” by John Wagner and Anne Gearan for The Washington Post

“Trump Notches an Easy Victory in New Hampshire’s Republican Primary” by Philip Rucker and Robert Costa for The Washington Post

Lobbying

New York: “Ethics Watchdog Clarifies Expanded Lobbying Definition” by Marie French for Albany Business Review

Campaign Finance

“O’Malley Campaign Secures Public Cash before Dropping Out” by John Fritze for Baltimore Sun

“Campaign Reform Group Calls White House Response to Secret Money Petition ‘Offensive’” by Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post

“The Politico 100: Billionaires dominate 2016” by Kenneth Vogel and Isaac Arnsdorf for Politico

Kentucky: “Grand Jury Brings Fresh Scrutiny to Alison Grimes’ Campaigns” by John Cheves for Lexington Herald-Leader

Michigan: “Judge Puts Michigan ‘Gag Order’ Election Law on Hold” by Kathleen Gray and Lori Higgins for Detroit Free Press

Ohio: “Weak Controls Led to Corruption while Boyce Was State Treasurer, Report Says” by Jim Siegel and Randy Ludlow for Columbus Dispatch

Elections

California: “Finding Statewide Office Hard to Attain, Tea Party Stakes Claim to City, County Races” by Phil Willon for Los Angeles Times

Maryland: “Trone Fires Campaign Staffers Who Tried to Plant Themselves with Opponents” by John Fritze for Baltimore Sun

North Carolina: “Federal Court Invalidates Maps of Two NC Congressional Districts” by Anne Blythe, Craig Jarvis, and Jim Morrill for Raleigh News & Observer

The State Assembly has passed a campaign finance bill requiring many political advertisements to prominently display or announce the names of the ad sponsor’s top donors of $50,000 or more. Assembly Bill 700 requires the true source of funds to be disclosed, making efforts to hide contributions using middleman organizations or earmarked funds impermissible.

The bill is currently under consideration in the Senate.

Photo of the California State Assembly chamber by David Monniaux on Wikimedia Commons.

A federal judge has put a temporary stop on a controversial part of a recently passed campaign finance bill. Senate Bill 571, which included significant changes in the state’s election law, contained a provision prohibiting the use of public resources by public entities such as schools and libraries in the 60 days before an election.

The provision was found to be unconstitutionally vague, as it did not clarify what was permissible. While several bills to fix the provision have subsequently been introduced, it is likely none of them will be passed by the upcoming March 8 election.

Lobbying

“Does Lobbying Involve Social Media Activity? New York Regulators Are Looking Into It” by Dipka Bhambhani for PRWeek

Campaign Finance

“Clinton Blasts Wall Street, but Still Draws Millions in Contributions” by Matea Gold, Tom Hamburger, and Anu Narayanswamy for Washington Post

“Ted Cruz, a Public Firebrand on Social Issues, Is Cooler When Wooing Donors” by Jeremy Peters and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

Minnesota: “Does Minnesota’s Constitution Need a Campaign Finance Amendment? DFL Thinks So” by Rachel Stassen-Berger for St. Paul Pioneer Press

Virginia: “Panel Punts on Bill to Limit Personal Use of Campaign Funds” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) for WTOP

Ethics

“Senate Ethics Panel Has Issued No Punishments in 9 Years” by Paul Singer and Jenny Ung for USA Today

California: “San Jose Mayor Cancels Calls with His ‘Kitchen Cabinet’” by Ramona Giwargis for San Jose Mercury News

Colorado: “Michael Hancock Seeks Guidance on City Money for Super Bowl Trip” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Michigan: “Amid the Flint Water Crisis, Journalists Are Calling for Changes to Michigan’s FOIA Law” by Annie Byrnes for Poynter.org

Texas: “Federal Corruption Case Snares Leaders of South Texas City” by Nomaan Merchant (Associated Press) for ABC News

Elections

“Young Democrats Flock to Bernie Sanders, Spurning Hillary Clinton’s Polish and Poise” by Amy Chozick and Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

In an effort to repair and modernize Minnesota’s campaign finance system, House Democrats have announced their intention to introduce a state constitutional amendment requiring disclosure of all election-related spending. The bill would require disclosure for contributions and expenditures made for communications clearly identifying a candidate, as well as the use of words or phrases of express advocacy.

Mailings, ads, or anything a reasonable person would interpret to be advocating for or against a candidate will also be required in the disclosure.

Similar bills have been previously introduced, but have defeated. If the proposal is passed it will then be added to the upcoming November ballot for voter approval.

Photo of the Minnesota Capitol Building by Jonathunder on Wikimedia Commons.

National:

How Bob McDonnell’s Case Might Help Others Accused of Public Corruption
Washington Post – Matt Zapotosky | Published: 1/29/2016

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell was rightly convicted of corruption for his efforts on behalf of a businessperson who bestowed money and gifts on the governor and his family. Experts said if the court overturns the conviction, it could narrow what is considered criminal public corruption and halt investigations of politicians across the country. The McDonnell case strikes at the core issue of when, and to what extent, money should be allowed to influence politics. The justices are essentially being asked to clarify the line between a public official legally performing a routine courtesy for a benefactor, and a politician corruptly using government power in exchange for a bribe.

State Integrity Investigation Spurs Proposals for Reform
Center for Public Integrity – Nicholas Kusnetz | Published: 1/29/2016

Many states are proposing ethics reform this year, in part because of the State Integrity Investigation, an evaluation of state government accountability and transparency, published by the Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity. The best score, a grade of “C,” went to Alaska, while 11 states received failing grades. The project found that in most states, ethics and open records laws are riddled with loopholes while the government agencies meant to enforce them are often toothless and underfunded. Many states that earned poor grades could see improvement if the new proposals are enacted.

Will Online Polls Revolutionize Elections?
Governing – Louis Jacobson | Published: 2/1/2016

Most public-opinion surveys are conducted by phone, with pollsters calling a large enough sample of the population to ensure a statistically valid survey. To do this, pollsters have had to expand their reach to cellphone users, which adds to the already considerable operational costs of survey work. Pollsters have also had to grapple with the reality that many Americans no longer want to pick up calls from an unfamiliar phone number, much less spend 20 minutes sharing their personal opinions with a stranger (or a computer) on the other end of the line. Because of these trends, some polling has moved online. Still, this shift brings with it a series of other challenges, notably the fact that a fraction of Americans remain offline. That is where The American Panel Survey comes in.

Federal:

Kool & the Gang Won’t Celebrate Republican National Convention
Center for Public Integrity – Carrie Levine | Published: 1/28/2016

Regardless of which presidential candidates win their parties’ nominations, partisan operatives view national conventions as prime networking opportunities. Corporate-and-lobbyist-sponsored events that happen alongside the conventions are classic venues for politicians and influencers to connect. Congress passed reform legislation that in part attempted to curb the convention-related mingling between lawmakers and the corporations and lobbyists that advocate before them. Still, there are loopholes that have allowed the parties to continue. Because of them, convention attendees, especially members of Congress, continue to have their pick of functions tailored to comply with the law.

Lobbying’s Top 50: Boeing, Amazon on the rise
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 2/3/2016

An elite group of 50 companies and trade associations spent a combined $714 million to lobby Washington in 2015. The total represents a quarter of all the money spent on federal advocacy, and it includes some of the biggest names in corporate America, including Boeing, Exxon Mobil, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. The total does not purely encompass lobbying. Several groups, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Realtors, notably, included campaign and political spending in their totals. Still, a look at the top 50 provides a snapshot of where lobbying dollars went in 2015, with many corporate interests significantly boosting their spending in response to legislative and regulatory battles.

N.R.A. Victories in Congress Grow with Chief Lobbyist’s Role
New York Times – Eric Lichtblau | Published: 1/28/2016

Chris Cox, the National Rifle Association’s chief lobbyist, has emerged as the group’s point man in pushing to defeat new gun control laws, expand existing gun rights measures, and gain even more lobbying clout for an organization he calls “the greatest political force in America.” He has also been instrumental in working on one of the association’s biggest political priorities this year: defeating Hillary Clinton in her bid for the White House. Cox leads the NRA’s PAC, which took in $31.3 million in the last three years to dole out on gun rights candidates and causes, and he is the ultimate arbiter of the coveted “grades” the group gives political candidates, which can make or break a campaign.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – San Jose Mayor Cancels Calls with His ‘Kitchen Cabinet’
San Jose Mercury News – Ramona Girwagis | Published: 2/3/2016

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo will no longer hold weekend calls with his “kitchen cabinet” after the hidden Saturday conversations with advisers and lobbyists were reported in the media. While it is not unusual for mayors to chat with a cabinet of close advisers, Liccardo’s group drew some criticism for being mostly white, male, and business-oriented and including two registered lobbyists who have lucrative projects before the city council.

Iowa – Cruz Edges Trump in Iowa Caucuses; Rubio Finishes Strong Third
Washington Post – Philip Rucker and Jenna Johnson | Published: 2/1/2016

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, powered by a surge of support from evangelical Christians, dealt a humbling loss to Donald Trump in the Iowa caucuses, throwing into question the depth of support for Trump’s unconventional candidacy.  In the first contest of what so far has been more a populist revolt against the political order than a traditional Republican primary, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio finished a strong third, bolstering his case to consolidate the support of Republicans uneasy about the two top finishers.

Iowa – Iowa Count: Clinton nudges past Sanders in photo-finish race
Washington Post – Anne Gearan and John Wagner | Published: 2/2/2016

Hillary Clinton eked out a win over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Iowa caucuses, but the razor-thin margin suggested the Democratic contest is headed toward a protracted wrestling match between its progressive and pragmatic wings. The virtual tie between the two candidates instantly raised the stakes for their next face-off, in the New Hampshire primary. Sanders holds a solid lead in polls there and has the advantage of being from Vermont; candidates from neighboring states have won the state’s primary in recent decades. Nevada holds its Democratic caucuses on February 20 and the South Carolina Democratic primary is a week later and Clinton could fare better in those more diverse electorates.

Michigan – Amid the Flint Water Crisis, Journalists Are Calling for Changes to Michigan’s FOIA Law
Poynter.org – Annie Byrnes | Published: 2/2/2016

Under fire for his administration’s role in Flint’s lead-tainted water emergency, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder released his government emails related to the crisis. But Snyder withheld the emails of everyone else in the 70-person executive office along with his own emails from his first three years in office. Also left out were an unknown number of messages the public sent to the governor’s office about Flint through the state website and his staff’s responses. Michigan is one of only two states that exclude the governor’s office from public records searches. In the absence of those emails, it is still unclear when and to what extent the Snyder administration was involved in and aware of the decision to switch water sources and the resulting public health emergency.

New Mexico – Report: Perceptions of cronyism hurt state’s bottom line
NMPolitics.net – Bruce Krasnow (Santa Fe New Mexico) | Published: 1/28/2016

A new report says the perception in New Mexico that moneyed interests gain more advantage through lobbying and tax subsidies is a subtle but negative factor as businesses decide where to expand or relocate. “No question that education and infrastructure and things like broadband matter, but corruption and cronyism matter as well,” said Michael Rocca, a political scientist at the University of New Mexico. To curb cronyism in the state, the report suggests three changes that are already under consideration: a statewide ethics commission, greater transparency in campaign financing and lobbying, and a more detailed review of tax breaks given to businesses.

New York – Does Lobbying Involve Social Media Activity? New York Regulators Are Looking Into It
PRWeek – Dipka Bhambhani | Published: 2/4/2016

The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) posted a solicitation for comments from the public on the extent to which social media activity could be considered lobbying. JCOPE is planning to accept feedback until February 19 when it will draft a proposal that could establish guidelines on the issue. Among the questions, JCOPE asked if communications must be made directly to a public official, such as via his or her social media pages, to be considered lobbying. JCOPE is also considering whether posts or tweets with hyperlinks to lobbying websites are reportable activity, and whether social media expenditures can be considered expenses under the lobbying law.

Tennessee – Tennessean Investigation Finds Inappropriate Text Messages
The Tennessean – Dave Boucher and Jill Cowan | Published: 1/24/2016

The Tennessean has been investigating inappropriate text messages from Tennessee House Majority Whip Jeremy Durham to three women who worked at the statehouse. Republican leaders were told of a potential sexual harassment complaint about Durham’s behavior about a week before an unprecedented GOP caucus meeting to decide the fate of his leadership role, but the specific concerns were never disclosed to his fellow legislators. The incidents point to a legislative sexual harassment policy experts have said is mired in secrecy and contributes to an environment where sexual harassment by the state’s elected leaders can go essentially unchecked.

Texas – As Ethics Panel Bars Guns in Meetings, Others Not So Lucky
Houston Chronicle – Lauren McGaughy | Published: 2/1/2016

The Texas Ethics Commission will ban guns from their meetings. State law allows those with a license to carry holstered handguns into the Capitol in Austin. The guns can be carried openly or concealed. But another state law allows governmental entities that hold certain public meetings to ban guns from their gatherings by posting signs to that effect. Texas Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw said the state House and Senate are also subject to these same open meetings laws, and therefore have the power to ban open and concealed carry in the gallery that overlooks the chambers and at legislative hearings. Before the open carry law went into effect on January 1, the Senate allowed concealed carry in its gallery and hearings.

Utah – Registered Lobbyists Outnumber Utah Lawmakers by More than 4 to 1
Salt Lake Tribune – Mariah Noble | Published: 2/1/2016

There are 441 lobbyist registered in Utah, more than four for every one of the 104 state legislators. While a number of the registered lobbyists never make an appearance on Capitol Hill, some represent as many as 50 client organizations. “We’re an integral part of democracy,” said lobbyist Frank Pignanelli. “Elections are obviously the first and foremost key element, but for individuals and companies and organizations to have their interests represented in the law and policy-making process is absolutely imperative.”

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

“Lobbying’s Top 50: Boeing, Amazon on the rise” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “Political Groups That Supported Walker Violated Law, Settlement Says” by Alex DeMarban for Alaska Dispatch

Arizona: “Court Ruling Intensifies Ariz. ‘Dark Money’ Battle” by Mary Jo Pitzl for Arizona Republic

Florida: “Miami-Dade Commissioners Resist Greater PAC Disclosures” by Michael Vasquez for Miami Herald

Ethics

New Mexico: “Despite Concerns, Ethics Commission Heads to House Floor” by Joey Peters for New Mexico Political Report

Pennsylvania: “FBI Probe Expands to Lehigh County” by Emily Opilo and Tom Shortell for Allentown Morning Call

Texas: “As Ethics Panel Bars Guns in Meetings, Others Not So Lucky” by Lauren McGaughy for Houston Chronicle

Elections

“Will Online Polls Revolutionize Elections?” by Louis Jacobson for Governing

“Rand Paul Drops Out of Presidential Race” by Ashley Parker for New York Times

Procurement

“Businesses Owned by Women Less Likely to Win U.S. Contracts, Study Shows” by Jackie Calmes for New York Times

Lobbying

New York: “JCOPE’s Overreaching Rule Violates First Amendment” by Tom Shanahan for Albany Times Union

Utah: “Registered Lobbyists Outnumber Utah Lawmakers by More than 4 to 1” by Mariah Noble for Salt Lake Tribune

Campaign Finance

“Hillary Clinton’s Women Donors Could Change Politics Forever” by Li Zhou for The Atlantic

Arizona: “Arizona Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Kill Clean Elections” by Ryan Van Velzer (Associated Press) for Washington Times

District of Columbia: “D.C. Audit Reopens Questions about Vincent Gray’s 2010 Election Campaign” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post

Ethics

Pennsylvania: “Former Reading Official Gets 2 Years in Bribery Case” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Elections

“Martin O’Malley to Drop Out After Finish in Iowa Vote” by Ashley Parker for New York Times

“Cruz Edges Trump in Iowa Caucuses; Rubio Finishes Strong Third” by Philip Rucker and Jenna Johnson for Washington Post

“Iowa Count: Clinton nudges past Sanders in photo-finish race” by Anne Gearan and John Wagner for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

Kansas: “Kansas Sen. Mitch Holmes Apologizes for Women’s Dress Code” by Dani Stewart for CNN

North Carolina: “NC Lawmakers’ Government Staffers Double as Campaign Workers” by Colin Campbell for Raleigh News & Observer

A resolution has been introduced in the Howard County Council proposing a citizen funded campaign system. The resolution would make public resources available to qualifying candidates. The resolution, if passed, would create the Commission on Citizen Funded Campaigns, which would be comprised of five county residents appointed by the council and two county residents appointed by the county executive, and would calculate estimated costs to the citizen funded campaign citizen budget.

If the resolution is passed, it would be added to ballots this year and take effect for the 2022 election cycle. The resolution will be similar to the opt-in system in Montgomery County, Maryland’s first county to have any kind of opt-in campaign finance system.

Lobbying

“Kool & the Gang Won’t Celebrate Republican National Convention” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

Pennsylvania: “Lehigh Valley Zoological Society Faces $3,400 Fine over Late Lobbying Report” by Tom Shortell for Allentown Morning Call

Campaign Finance

“Bernie Sanders Tops His Rivals in Use of Outside Money” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Arizona: “Utility Regulator Robert Burns Launches Investigation of APS Political Spending” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

Texas: “Ethics Commission Fails to Approve Out-of-State Donations to Help Ken Paxton Pay His Legal Costs” by Bobby Blanchard for Dallas Morning News

Washington: “Union Settles Over Campaign Finance Omissions” by Jordan Schrader (Tacoma News Tribune) for The Olympian

Ethics

“How Bob McDonnell’s Case Might Help Others Accused of Public Corruption” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

“U.S. Navy Commander Pleads Guilty in Corruption Scandal” by Marty Graham for Reuters

Tennessee: “Tennessean Investigation Finds Inappropriate Text Messages” by Dave Boucher and Jill Cowan for The Tennessean

Virginia: “Alexandria Council Agrees to Study Ethics Its Own Way” by Patricia Sullivan for Washington Post

Elections

“Cruz Edges Trump in Iowa Caucuses; Rubio Finishes Strong Third” by Philip Rucker and Jenna Johnson for Washington Post

“Little Separates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton in Tight Race in Iowa” by Patrick Healy for New York Times