A ban on contributions from lobbyists and PACs will be lifted for the 2016 Democratic National Convention. The ban was imposed by the party in 2008.

According to the New York Times, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) will accept these once banned contributions for both the convention and for joint fundraising with presidential campaigns. Holly Shulman, a DNC spokeswoman, said the party will “not [be] accepting donations from political action committees and lobbyists for its general fundraising operations.”

Photo of the Philadelphia skyline by Massimo Catarinella on Wikimedia.

Federal:

‘Influencers’ Poll Gives Grades to Lobby Groups
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 7/22/2015

The consulting firm APCO Worldwide interviewed 301 people from the public and private sectors, including lobbyists and top aides on Capitol Hill, to find out which trade groups are the most effective at influencing decision-makers. Of the 50 associations evaluated by participants, PhRMA came out on top of seven of the 15 categories – including lobbying, coalition building, social media, having a unified voice, and possessing the ability to work within the legislative, executive, and regulatory arenas. Overall, the financial services industry ranked number one out of the eight sectors listed as part of the survey. “Having a unified voice as an industry and having a positive perception in the media are now considered more important to a trade association’s effectiveness than lobbying or member mobilization,” said Bill Dalbec of APCO.

Rick Perry Finance Chairman Does Super PAC Two-Step
Center for Public Integrity – Carrie Levine | Published: 7/22/2015

Rick Perry’s presidential campaign raised $1.14 million between the former Texas governor’s announcement on June 4 and the end of that month, about one-tenth of what Jeb Bush reported raising in about half that time. But the underwhelming fundraising total is not threatening Kelcy Warren’s job as Perry’s presidential campaign chairperson. Warren is helping the candidate in a major way and is navigating a legal minefield to do it. The billionaire gave $6 million to a coalition of super PACs that are supporting Perry’s bid. Warren’s contribution illustrates how closely some presidential campaigns and advisers are working with the theoretically independent groups that exist to promote their candidate of choice.

Seeing Crowd, G.O.P. Donors Holding Back
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore and Sarah Cohen | Published: 7/18/2015

Only about a fifth of the 1,000 or so fundraisers and their spouses who rallied around Mitt Romney in 2012 have given money to any of the 2016 Republican presidential candidates. Those who remain uncommitted – hundreds of volunteer bundlers who could collect contributions from their friends and business associates – represent a huge pool of untapped campaign cash, potentially hundreds of millions of dollars that could remake the primary campaign. Some of the bundlers and donors said they had held back, in part, because the field was the strongest they had seen in years, with several viable contenders representing the party’s different generational and ideological segments.

Who Advises Candidate Trump? (Hint: His Name Is Donald)
New York Times – Maggie Haberman and Michael Barbaro | Published: 7/20/2015

At a candidate forum in Iowa, Donald Trump said U.S. Sen. John McCain “is not a war hero” because he was captured. It was an improvised fit of pique, denounced by his rivals, which exposed the biggest vulnerability of Trump’s campaign for president: it is built entirely around the instincts and grievances of its unpredictable candidate, and does not rely on a conventional political operation that protects presidential hopefuls from themselves. Even as Trump insisted no one was troubled by his comments, his small group of aides emailed one another about how to respond to the growing criticism. If nothing else, the incident reaffirmed that Trump is running a presidential campaign on his own unique terms.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Cleaning Up Politics or ‘Vindictive’ Nosy Neighbor? Shirley Grindle Is Making Last Stand as a Watchdog
Orange County Register – Martin Wisckol | Published: 7/19/2015

There are plenty of people who wish 80-year-old Shirley Grindle, Orange County’s best-known government watchdog, would just go away. “The community would be better off if Shirley Grindle focused her attention on 53 cats,” said Susan Kang Schroeder, chief of staff for District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. But Grindle is gearing up for one final battle, a 2016 ballot measure establishing an ethics commission that would keep officials looking over their shoulders long after she is gone.

California – Lobbyist Fee Set to Increase
San Diego Union-Tribune – David Garrick | Published: 7/17/2015

The annual lobbyist registration fee in San Diego would climb from $40 to $150 under a proposal approved by a city council committee. Annual registration fees paid by clients who hire lobbyists would double, from $15 to $30. City Clerk Elizabeth Maland said the increase is warranted based on the time and effort her office spends tracking and analyzing the work of lobbyists, which includes traditional lobbying, campaign activity, and fundraising efforts. The hike, which would take effect in January, still must be approved by the full council, probably in September.

Delaware – Delaware Wins Appeal, Can Enforce Law on Election Ads
Reuters – Jonathan Stempel | Published: 7/16/2015

A Delaware law requiring advocacy groups to disclose the donors behind political advertisements was deemed constitutional by a panel of three judges of the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Delaware Strong Families contended that forcing it to comply with the law would improperly damage the organization’s right to free speech. The act requires third-party groups and individuals to disclose their donors if they publish advertisements or other communications that refer to a candidate in an upcoming election. Previously, only groups that directly advocated for or against a candidate were required to disclose their donors.

Illinois – Court Overturns Some Blagojevich Senate-Seat Convictions
ABC News – Michael Tarm (Associated Press) | Published: 7/21/2015

An appeals court overturned four of Rod Blagojevich’s corruption convictions, a ruling that may not result in less prison time for the former Illinois governor. He was convicted in 2011 on 18 counts, including trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat of President Barack Obama, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Judges with the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned four of those convictions, saying Blagojevich’s attempt to appoint Valerie Jarrett to the Senate seat in exchange for a position on Obama’s cabinet was “a common exercise in logrolling.” The judges said trading one official act for another is unlike trading official acts for a private benefit and cannot be considered bribery or extortion.

Kansas – Brownback Campaign Sought Cash from Westar Official amid Ongoing Rate Case
Topeka Capital-Journal – Jonathan Shorman | Published: 7/20/2015

Documents show a campaign operative for Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback contacted Mark Schreiber, a government affairs vice president at Westar Energy, seeking help retiring debt left over from the governor’s re-election campaign last year. The contact with Schreiber took place amid the company’s request to the Kansas Corporation Commission for hike rates to pay for environmental upgrades, repairs at the company’s nuclear plant, and efforts to reduce storm-related outages.

Missouri – Missouri Capitol Intern Says She Declined Sexual Advances
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Alex Stuckey | Published: 7/23/2015

A Missouri Senate report details an intern’s claims that state Sen. Paul LeVota harassed her, asked her explicitly for sex, and retaliated when she refused. LeVota denied the account and said he never acted inappropriately with her or other interns. The investigation came after two University of Central Missouri students abruptly left an internship with LeVota partway through the last legislative session, which ended in May. That same day, former House Speaker John Diehl resigned after admitting to exchanging sexually suggestive text messages with a Capitol intern.

New York – Dean Skelos and His Son Face New Bribery Charges
New York Times – Susanne Craig | Published: 7/21/2015

Former New York Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son, Adam, were arrested in May on charges the Republican lawmaker performed legislative favors for companies with business before the state in an attempt to enrich his son. A superseding indictment adds two new charges of extortion and solicitation of bribes related to Adam Skelos’ employment by a medical malpractice insurance company, allegedly at the request of his father. The new indictment says Adam Skelos allegedly threatened to “smash in” the head of a supervisor who failed to grasp that he was a no-show employee.

New York – New York Ethics Panel Chief Taking State Tax Job
Albany Times Union – Casey Seiler | Published: 7/21/2015

New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics Executive Director Letizia Tagliafierro is resigning to take a new job as deputy commissioner at the state Department of Taxation and Finance, where she will lead the criminal investigations division. The ethics commission, scheduled to meet August 4, are expected to mount a national search for a new executive director. The change comes as the commission prepares to take on expanded duties as a result of the ethics changes included in this spring’s state budget agreement. Under the new rules, groups spending over $5,000 lobbying municipalities with populations of more than 5,000 must register that activity; the cutoff had been populations of 50,000 or more.

New York – Thomas Libous, New York State Senator, Is Convicted of Lying to F.B.I.
New York Times – Thomas Kaplan | Published: 7/22/2015

Thomas Libous, deputy majority leader of the New York Senate, was convicted of lying to federal agents, becoming the latest lawmaker to lose his seat amid a criminal investigation. The conviction triggers his automatic expulsion from the Legislature, where he has served since 1989. He was charged last year with lying to FBI agents who came to his Albany office to ask about his alleged efforts to get his son a job at a politically connected law firm. The trial offered a glimpse of the close dealings between legislators and the lobbyists seeking to influence them.

Vermont – Shumlin Backs Independent Ethics Commission
VTDigger.org – Erin Mansfield | Published: 7/23/2015

Amid conflict-of-interest allegations among Vermont public officials, Gov. Peter Shumlin said he supports the creation of a state ethics commission. Secretary of State Jim Condos is already drafting legislation that would create an independent panel to oversee the executive and legislative branches. “This is not about any individual person; this was always a bigger picture item about how we could improve the trust that Vermonters deserve to have about their government,” said Condos.

Washington – Seattle’s Richest, Whitest Areas Dominate Campaign Giving, Say Reform
Seattle Times – Daniel Beekman | Published: 7/21/2015

The Sightline Institute mapped contributions to candidates for mayor, city council, and city attorney in Seattle for the 2013 election and found a small number of donors from certain neighborhoods dominate the giving. Roughly half the money came from 1,683 donors, or 0.3 percent of the city’s adults. The institute is supporting Honest Elections Seattle, an initiative that that will be on the November ballot. It would lower the contribution limit, ban donations to candidates from entities with city contracts of $250,000 or more and from people spending at least $5,000 to lobby the city. The measure would also establish a public campaign finance system for Seattle.

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.

The City of San Diego Ethics Commission has proposed amendments to the city’s campaign finance laws related to the disclosure requirements applicable to referendum and initiative petitions.

The proposed amendments would require additional campaign disclosures of committees supporting or opposing the qualification of an initiative or referendum measure on the ballot.

The city Ethics Commission is scheduled to consider the amendments at its upcoming August 13, 2015 meeting.

Photo of the San Diego skyline courtesy of Tomcio77 on Wikimedia Commons.

The Brennan Center for Justice, on behalf of several New York lawmakers, filed suit against the New York State Board of Elections, challenging a 1996 board ruling that treats limited liability companies (LLCs) as individuals. The ruling has the result of creating a loophole allowing LLCs to circumvent stricter contribution limits imposed upon other business entities, namely partnerships and corporations.

The board had an opportunity to overturn its 1996 ruling at its April 2015 board meeting, but board members split along party lines to uphold the ruling, thus prompting the Brennan Center for Justice to file suit.

Plaintiffs allege the LLC loophole allows special interest groups to funnel tens of millions of dollars into political campaigns without transparency. Corporate contributions are limited to $5,000 per calendar year; partnerships are limited to $2,500 per calendar year at the partnership entity level. Under the 1996 board ruling, LLCs can contribute substantially more than other business entities because they are treated as individuals.

The lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court of New York, County of Albany.

Lobbying

“Top Navy Nominee Cleared of Improper Lobbying” by Jeremy Herb, Philip Ewing, and Austin Wright for Politico

“‘Influencers’ Poll Gives Grades to Lobby Groups” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“Rick Perry Finance Chairman Does Super PAC Two-Step” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

Washington”Seattle’s Richest, Whitest Areas Dominate Campaign Giving, Say Reform” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times

Ethics

Massachusetts: “Lobbying Picks Up on Proposed Public Records Law” by Todd Wallack for Boston Globe

New York: “Dean Skelos and His Son Face New Bribery Charges” by Susanne Craig for New York Times

New York: “New York Ethics Panel Chief Taking State Tax Job” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

South Carolina: “Key FBI Informant, 3 Others Sentenced in Pinson Case” by John Monk for The State

Wisconsin: “Jobs Agency Gov. Scott Walker Led Dogged by Allegations of Shoddy Lending, Political Influence” by Jeff Horwitz (Associated Press) for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Lobbying

“K Street Bouncing Back in 2015” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Washington: “PDC’s Lobbyist Filings to Get Upgrade” by the Editorial Board for The Olympian

Campaign Finance

“The Only Realistic Way to Fix Campaign Finance” by Lawrence Lessig for New York Times

“Dems Urge Obama to Veto Bill over Campaign Finance Restrictions” by Cristina Marcos for The Hill

Kansas: “Brownback Campaign Sought Cash from Westar Official amid Ongoing Rate Case” by Jonathan Shorman for Topeka Capital-Journal

Pennsylvania: “Teachers’ Union Gets Schooled for Violating Campaign Law” by Mensah Dean for Philadelphia Daily News

Ethics

Hawaii: “Will Honolulu Ethics Commission Take the Gag Off its Director?” by Anita Hofschneider for Honolulu Civil Beat

Illinois: “Court Overturns Some Blagojevich Senate-Seat Convictions” by The Associated Press for New York Times

Elections

“Ohio Gov. Kasich Joins GOP Race with Message of Conservatism, Compassion” by Dan Balz for Washington Post

Lobbying

“Jeb Bush Promises to Curb Lobbying and Cut Size of Government” by Michael Barbaro for New York Times

Campaign Finance

“Seeing Crowd, G.O.P. Donors Holding Back” by Nicholas Confessore and Sarah Cohen for New York Times

Alabama: “Alabama Lawmakers Again Try to Tighten Campaign Finance Law” by Mike Cason for AL.com

Delaware: “Delaware Wins Appeal, Can Enforce Law on Election Ads” by Jonathan Stempel for Reuters

Ethics

California: “Cleaning Up Politics or ‘Vindictive’ Nosy Neighbor? Shirley Grindle Is Making Last Stand as a Watchdog” by Martin Wisckol for Orange County Register

Ohio: “Red-Light-Camera Lobbyist Removed Himself from Committee Due to Conflict” by Mark Ferenchick for Columbus Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Turnpike Employees Continue to Get Free Ride on Toll Road” by Melissa Daniels for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Vermont: “State Contracts Needed by Scott’s Company May Impact ’16 Race” by Neal Goswami for The Times-Argus

Wisconsin: “Walker Calls for Dismantling of State Elections Board” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

Elections

“Who Advises Candidate Trump? (Hint: His Name Is Donald)” by Maggie Haberman and Michael Barbaro for New York Times

The United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court ruling granting a preliminary injunction against a Delaware campaign finance law requiring sponsors of third-party advertisements to disclose the identities of their donors.

Specifically, Section 8031 of the Delaware Election Disclosures Act, which became effective January 1, 2012, requires any person who makes an expenditure for a third-party advertisement exceeding $500 during an election period to file a report with the Elections Commission, including the names and addresses of each person who has made contributions to the sponsor of the third-party advertisements exceeding $100.

The Third Circuit ruled the lower court abused its discretion in granting the injunction. The Delaware Department of Elections may now enforce section 8031.

Seal of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit by Djwalsh3 on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

California: “Lobbyist Fee Set to Increase” by David Garrick for San Diego Union-Tribune

Colorado: “How Effective are Lobbyists in Colorado at Passing, Killing Legislation?” by Arthur Kane for Colorado Watchdog

Campaign Finance

“Presidential Campaign Donors Hedge Bets” by Carrie Levine, Michael Beckel, Ben Wieder, and Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

“Small Donor Myth Debunked” by Kenneth Vogel and Tarini Parti for Politico

North Carolina: “Gov.’s Legal Counsel Knew of Board Member Interest Conflict” by Michael Biesecker and Mitch Weiss (Associated Press) for Raleigh News & Observer

Utah: “Sign Company’s PAC Buys Billboards for Biskupski; Becker Camp Protests” by Christopher Smart for Salt Lake Tribune

Ethics

California: “Director Concerned over Ethics Pick” by Greg Moran for San Diego Union-Tribune

Pennsylvania: “FBI Looking at Same Contractors in Reading and Allentown” by Matt Assad, Scott Kraus, Paul Muschick, and Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call

Federal:

A Year after Rocky Merger, Patton Boggs Aims to Re-Establish K Street Dominance
Washington Post – Catherine Ho | Published: 7/13/2015

For decades, the name Patton Boggs was synonymous with K Street lobbying shops. But in 2014, the once dominant firm was acquired by Squire Sanders. Now, after a year of challenges – including the death of the firm’s renowned leader, Thomas Boggs, Jr., who helped define the modern-day lobbying industry – Patton Boggs is looking to re-establish itself with new leadership. That rebuilding is being led by Senate veterans Trent Lott and John Breaux.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Director Concerned over Ethics Pick
San Diego Union-Tribune – Greg Moran | Published: 7/15/2015

Attorney Robert Ottilie was nominated for a seat on the San Diego Ethics Commission. In response, longtime commission Executive Director Stacey Fulhorst said she would resign her post if Ottilie is selected, adding that staff members and possibly other commissioners would also leave. She said Ottilie, who has represented city council members and campaign committees in front of the commission, is a “uniquely disruptive individual” whose presence on the panel would undercut its mission of enforcing campaign finance and ethics rules.

Colorado – Colorado Lobbying Income Likely to Set a Record This Year
Colorado Watchdog – Arthur Kane | Published: 7/15/2015

Lobbyists in Colorado are likely to make as much as $40 million in 2015, which would be a new record. Lobbyists have gone from making about $5.5 million in 1995 to nearly eight times as much with some years showing double-digit increases over the previous year, show disclosure filings. Colorado State University political science professor John Straayer said the state used to have individual lobbyists, but recently they have formed into organized corporations that provide lobbying, political fundraising, public relations, and other services. “They’re full-service operations,” said Straayer.

Colorado – The Colorado Soap Opera That Could Be a Major 2016 Headache for the GOP
Washington Post – Ben Terris | Published: 7/15/2015

In Colorado, allegations of an extramarital affair involving state Republican Party Chairperson Steve House have elevated a seemingly mundane political power struggle into a statewide soap opera that has left the GOP in disarray, a situation that could have national implications as one of the most unpredictable swing states prepares for the 2016 presidential race. If House, who denied the affair allegations, has been bruised, so too has state Attorney General Julie Coffman. The wife of U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), she had been widely viewed as a likely contender for governor in 2018. Now commentators across Colorado are wondering aloud if the attorney general committed blackmail.

Georgia – Gift Rules for State Employees Mostly Ignored, Observers Say
Savannah Morning News – Walter Jones (Morris News Service) | Published: 7/11/2015

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal issued an executive order the day he was sworn into office prohibiting state employees or their families from accepting anything of value worth more than $25 from lobbyists or vendors. Existing state law requires anyone doing business with city, county, or state government that spends more than $250 in a year on gifts to file an annual report. Of the thousands of companies providing services to government agencies, only about two-dozen filed a gift report for 2014 activity. Some say the information reported by the few companies that do file raises questions about the exploitation of the law.

Louisiana – Ethics Report on New Orleans: Lots of progress since Katrina, but long way to go
New Orleans Times-Picayune – Richard Rainey | Published: 7/9/2015

Recovery from Hurricane spurred New Orleans to establish the Office of Inspector General, the Office of the Independent Police Monitor, and the Ethics Review Board, each watchdogs focused on rooting out corruption, wasteful spending, and generally bad behavior among the city’s elected officials and public employees. New Orleans voters approved their creation in 1995, but it took disaster in 2005 to spark some follow-through. But for one longtime ethics reform champion, that spark has not ignited enough improvement. David Marcello, executive director of the Public Law Center at Tulane University, praised the work of the inspector general and the police monitor, but came down hard on the ethics board in a new report.

New York – Bipartisan Group Sues to Close New York’s Corporate Donation Loophole
New York Times – Jesse McKinley | Published: 7/14/2015

A coalition of good-government advocates and state lawmakers has filed a lawsuit challenging New York’s so-called LLC loophole, which allows political donors to flout contribution limits by opening multiple limited liability companies. The lawsuit challenges the state Board of Elections deadlock in April when it was petitioned to reconsider how LLCs are viewed by the board, which counts each LLC as an individual. That allows each LLC to give up to $60,800 to a statewide candidate per election cycle. Critics contend the loophole allows donors, like real estate developers, to use multiple LLCs to make huge contributions to candidates.

North Carolina – Elections Board Finds No Violations in Sweepstakes Campaign Donations
Raleigh News & Observer – Craig Jarvis | Published: 7/15/2015

An investigation into more than $270,000 in questionable donations to the campaigns of top North Carolina officials from Chase Burns, an Internet sweepstakes magnate, has found no violations of state campaign finance law. Burns and his wife were among the top donors to North Carolina candidates in 2012, as the industry was lobbying lawmakers to overturn the state’s ban on the games. A watchdog group filed a complaint alleging Burns violated state laws against using corporate money for donations. Members of the elections board expressed frustration with ambiguities in North Carolina’s campaign finance laws.

North Carolina – NC Election Board Member’s Firm Worked for Target of Probe
WRAL – Michael Biesecker and Mitch Weiss (Associated Press) | Published: 7/10/2015

Paul Foley, a member of the North Carolina Board of Elections, demanded regular updates about an investigation into donations to the campaigns of Gov. Pat McCrory and dozens of other elected officials. Foley failed to disclose that his law firm had represented the target of the investigation, sweepstakes executive Chase Burns. Despite a law that demands officials remove themselves from proceedings if they have a financial relationship with a participant, Foley did not step aside for nearly a year-and-a-half, until State Elections Director Kim Strach learned of nearly $1.3 million in prior payments from Burns’ company to Foley’s law firm.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Lobbying Disclosures Lag Behind Other States
Oklahoma Watchdog – Arthur Kane | Published: 7/9/2015

Important information about lobbying activity is not required in Oklahoma when most other states have adopted rules or laws mandating the disclosures. Unlike most states, Oklahoma does not require lobbyists to disclose what legislation they are supporting or opposing. The rules also do not require lobbyists to report how much they received from the organizations and businesses that hired them, a practice required by at least 14 other states.

Pennsylvania – Ex-Mayor of Pennsylvania’s Capital Charged with Corruption
Albany Times Union – Marc Levy and Mark Scolforo (Associated Press) | Published: 7/15/2015

Former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed, who ended his 28-year tenure in 2010 with the city near financial ruin, was arrested and faces 499 criminal counts for theft, bribery, evidence tampering, and other charges. Reed and unnamed associates issued municipal bonds for legitimate purposes but allegedly used some of the proceeds to buy a bizarre list of artifacts for what Reed claimed was a plan to open a museum. The purchases included a life-size sarcophagus, a suit of armor, a “vampire hunter’s set,” and a $14,900 playbill from Ford’s Theatre on the night of the Lincoln assassination. Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane said investigators are looking into allegations of misconduct by others, and she expects more charges to be filed.

Virginia – Plastic Tumblers, a Night at Dad’s House Top Gifts in Post-McDonnell Richmond
Washington Post – Laura Vozzella | Published: 7/13/2015

After Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell was convicted on corruption charges, political gift-giving in the state has become such a modest and open affair that Matthew Ogburn would not spend the night in his boyhood bedroom without erring on the side of caution by making a public disclosure. Ogburn is a legislative assistant to a state senator and the son of David Ogburn, Jr., a Verizon lobbyist who lives in the Richmond suburbs. Lobbyists do not have to disclose gifts they make to their dependent children, but since Matthew Ogburn is 24 and living on his own, his father reports every time he comes for a visit.

Washington – Taxpayer Financed Campaign Proposal, with ‘Democracy Vouchers,’ Wins a Place Seattle’s Fall Ballot
Seattle Post-Intelligencer – Joel Connelly | Published: 7/13/2015

An initiative that qualified for the ballot would impose a property tax levy that would pay for publicly financed elections in Seattle. Initiative 122 would ban contributions from corporations with medium-sized and large city contracts, as well as corporations that spend money lobbying the city. It would also lower the donation limit for city races, and boost fines and penalties for election law violations.

Wisconsin – Vos: Time to ‘double down’ on GAB reform in wake of reported IRS links
Wisconsin Watchdog – M.D. Kittle | Published: 7/10/2015

Key legislative Republicans renewed their call to reform the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (GAB) after The Wall Street Journal reported the agency and the IRS may have shared information about the state’s so-called John Doe investigation, the secret probe that targeted dozens of conservative groups and the campaign of Gov. Scott Walker. The newspaper ran an editorial noting GAB Director Kevin Kennedy has had a professional relationship for 20 years with Lois Lerner, the former IRS official who was involved in reviewing the tax exempt status of conservative political organizations. Kennedy knows Lerner from their involvement over the years with the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Supreme Court Ends John Doe Probe into Scott Walker’s Campaign
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley | Published: 7/16/2015

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that a criminal investigation into coordination between conservative groups and Gov. Scott Walker’s 2012 campaign cannot continue. The decision ends the specter of an inquiry as Walker pursues the Republican nomination for president. The investigation began after the governor survived a recall election brought by voters who opposed limits he made to collective bargaining rights and union power. The probe looked at whether Walker’s advisers directed interactions with at least a dozen outside conservative groups, and whether that violated disclosure rules and donation limits.

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.

Today, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled campaign finance regulations for coordinated expenditures are limited only to expenditures made for “express advocacy and its functional equivalent.” Express advocacy is a communication expressly advocating for the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate.

In Wisconsin v. Peterson, the court held the state’s legal definition of political purposes, upon which the campaign finance regulations rely, is unconstitutionally overbroad. Instead of invalidating the entire statute, the court narrowed the definition to expenditures for express advocacy and its functional equivalent, thereby rejecting the argument that in cases where there is not express advocacy the “coordinated expenditures constitute disguised contributions to the candidate or candidate’s campaign committee.”

Initiative 122, a ballot measure proposing to raise property taxes in Seattle to create a publicly financed elections program, will appear on the general election ballot in Seattle. If passed, the “Honest Elections Seattle” measure would impose a $30 million tax levy over a 10 year period, granting citizens four $25 “democracy vouchers” to use towards the campaigns of city candidates.

Initiative 122 would also ban contributions from corporations with medium-sized and large city contracts as well as corporations who lobby city officials. Contribution limits would also be lowered under the measure, from $700 per election cycle to $500.

Voters in Seattle will have an opportunity to approve or deny Initiative 122 on November 3, 2015, at the regularly scheduled general election.

Lobbying

Colorado: “Colorado Lobbying Income Likely to Set a Record This Year” by Arthur Kane for Colorado Watchdog

Virginia: “Plastic Tumblers, a Night at Dad’s House Top Gifts in Post-McDonnell Richmond” by Laura Vozzella for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

“Revenge of Citizens United” by Kenneth Vogel and Tarini Parti for Politico

New York: “Bipartisan Group Sues to Close New York’s Corporate Donation Loophole” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Ethics

Minnesota: “Lobbyist Accuses Hastings Lawmaker of Defamation in Lawsuit” by David Montgomery for St. Paul Pioneer Press

Ohio: “Columbus Cancels Red-Light Camera Contract after Bribe Investigation” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Ex-Mayor of Pennsylvania’s Capital Charged with Corruption” by Marc Levy and Mark Scolforo (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

Redistricting

Florida: “One of America’s Weirdest Congressional Districts Has Just Been Trashed by the Florida Supreme Court” by Michael Miller and Nick Kirkpatrick for Washington Post

Lobbying

“Lobbyists Decamp for Capitol Hill Jobs” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Tennessee: “Lobbyist: Armstrong paid to help wholesaler” by Jamie Satterfield for Knoxville News Sentinel

Utah: “Utah Cities Turning to Lobbyists as Their Lifeline to the Legislature” by Dan Harrie for Salt Lake Tribune

Virginia: “Lobbyists Spend Less on Lawmakers in Wake of McDonnell Trial” by Jim Nolan (Richmond Times Dispatch) for Roanoke Times

Campaign Finance

Florida: “Miami Beach Commission Bickers over $`1 Million in Donations to New Political Committee” by Joey Flechas for Miami Herald

New Jersey: “Federal Case Could Impact New Jersey Pay-to-Play Limits” by Jeff Brindle (New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission) for PolitickerNJ

Washington: “Taxpayer Financed Campaign Proposal, with ‘Democracy Vouchers,’ Wins a Place Seattle’s Fall Ballot” by Joel Connelly for Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Ethics

North Carolina: “NC Election Board Member’s Firm Worked for Target of Probe” by Michael Biesecker and Mitch Weiss (Associated Press) for WRAL

Pennsylvania: “What FBI Was After in Allentown City Hall Investigation” by Emily Opilo and Matt Assad for Allentown Morning Call