Campaign Finance Archives - Page 207 of 314 - State and Federal Communications

June 24, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday Government Relations News

Lobbying Rhode Island: “Edward Fitzpatrick: A final test for R.I. General Assembly on lobbying law” by Edward Fitzpatrick for Providence Journal Campaign Finance “Can Unlimited Contributions to Political Parties Really Reduce Polarization?” by Lee Drutman for Washington Post “Will Doug […]

June 23, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Lobbying “Lobbyists: Easy target, easy touch” by Tarini Parti for Politico Florida: “How Some of Florida’s Top Lobbyists Produce Blockbuster Budget Results” by Peter Schorsch for SaintPetersBlog Idaho: “Lobbying at the Capitol: Should Idaho state employees have to register under […]

June 22, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday News Roundup

Lobbying Arkansas: “Ethics Panel Issues Opinion on Lobbyist Gifts” by John Lyon for Arkansas News Campaign Finance “White Supremacist Leader Was a Political Donor” by Nick Gass for Politico Kansas: “No Charges Filed after Federal Probe into Election Loans to […]

June 19, 2015 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

News You Can Use Digest – June 19, 2015

Federal: Jeb Bush Announces Presidential Bid: ‘We will take command of our future once again’ Washington Post – Ed O’Keefe | Published: 6/15/2015 Jeb Bush announced he is running for president, promising to remove Washington as an obstacle to effective government […]

Federal:

Jeb Bush Announces Presidential Bid: ‘We will take command of our future once again’
Washington Post – Ed O’Keefe | Published: 6/15/2015

Jeb Bush announced he is running for president, promising to remove Washington as an obstacle to effective government and economic prosperity. Bush is declaring his White House ambitions nearly 27 years after his father was elected president, molding a political dynasty that would propel one son into a governor’s office and another into the White House. But Bush will enter a presidential contest that is unlike any faced by his father, who won the office in 1988, or his brother, who claimed it in 2000.

Neil Young Message to Donald Trump: Stop rockin’
Christian Science Monitor – Jessica Mendoza | Published: 6/17/2015

Donald Trump announced his presidential candidacy to the sound of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” but Trump did not have permission to use the song, said Elliot Roberts, Young’s manager. The incident makes the real estate developer the latest candidate to butt heads with a musician about song copyright in a campaign. A spokesperson said Trump, a fan of Young’s music despite their differing views, used the song legally through a licensing deal with the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. But even when a campaign does get copyright permission, artists can still object to the use of their music under other laws that protect their brand or image, or ban implications of endorsement.

Republican Operative Sentenced to 2 Years in Landmark Election Case
Washington Post – Matt Zapotosky and Matea Gold | Published: 6/12/2015

A Republican political operative was sentenced to two years in prison after becoming the first person convicted of illegally coordinating campaign donations between a super PAC and a congressional campaign. Tyler Harber said he knew what he was doing was wrong, but he did it anyway because of his desire to win elections and his belief that the law banning such coordination is routinely ignored. “This shows [the U.S. Justice Department is] willing to venture into areas of criminal enforcement in the 2016 election, beyond what they had done previously,” said Kenneth Gross, a former associate general counsel at the FEC.

Russ Feingold’s PAC Funded Fees, Salaries for Former Staffers, Himself
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel – Daniel Bice | Published: 6/15/2015

Former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, co-author of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, founded a PAC that has given only five percent of its funds to candidates and political parties. Instead, nearly half of the $7.1 million that Progressives United PAC has spent since 2011 has gone to raising more money for itself. The data also show the group has paid another sizable portion of money on salaries or consulting fees for Feingold, his top aide, and former staffers. Feingold is taking on U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson in 2016 to try to win back his old seat.

From the States and Municipalities:

Illinois – $2M Rauner Donor’s Company Does Business with State, Has Exceeded $50K Limit Past 4 Years
State Journal-Register – Bernard Schoenburg | Published: 6/13/2015

Richard Uihlein, chief executive officer of Uline, a packaging supply company, gave $2 million to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign fund in December. Uihlein’s wife, Elizabeth, is president of the firm, and she donated $25,000 to Rauner in October. The company has done more than $50,000 in business with the state in each of the last four years, which means the contributions may have violated state campaign finance law.

Kentucky – John Schaaf to Head Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission
Connecticut Post; Associated Press – | Published: 6/16/2015

The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission named current general counsel John Schaaf as its new executive director effective August 1. Schaaf has worked as the commission’s lawyer since 2004, following 16 years as general counsel of the Legislative Research Commission. He helped craft legislation in 1992 that paved the way for ethics reform in the state.

Massachusetts – Lobbyists Were Quick to Donate to Both Baker, Coakley
WCVB; Associated Press – | Published: 6/13/2015

Lobbyists hedged their bets during the 2014 Massachusetts gubernatorial race, often giving to both Charlie Baker and Martha Coakley. The strategy of contributing to multiple candidates in the same race is not new, according to Pam Wilmot, executive director of Massachusetts Common Cause. “Lobbyists give because they want access – that means access to whoever is elected and the best way to ensure that is to give to both candidates,” Wilmot said.

New York – Education Reforms Spur N.Y. Lobbying ‘Arms Race’
USA Today – Jon Campbell (Gannett Newspapers) | Published: 6/14/2015

Various education interests have spent at least $124 million trying to influence New York lawmakers, officials, and the general public at the state and local level since the start of 2006, including a record of at least $16 million last year. That is in addition to $45.3 million in lobbying expenses reported by the New York State United Teachers union and its New York City affiliate over the past nine years. They are tallied as labor organizations, not education groups, by the state’s lobbying regulator. Add in political spending and the numbers are starker: Education interests and teachers unions have spent $285.5 million on lobbying, campaign contributions, and independent political expenditures over the past decade.

Pennsylvania – Fifth Former LCB Official Accused of Violating State Ethics Laws
Pittsbugh Tribune-Review – Kari Andren | Published: 6/12/2015

A former state Liquor Control Board (LCB) executive was fined for illegally accepting gifts. The Pennsylvania Ethics Commission ordered Timothy Fringer to pay $7,200. The commission said Fringer, the board’s former chief of product management and pricing, accepted gifts from vendors such as meals, golf outings, and tickets to sporting events. Fringer told investigators he was instructed to accept the gifts by Jim Short, the LCB’s former marketing director, and as long as no one complained, “it’s like it never happened.” Short and three other officials in 2014 were fined for a variety of violations stemming from gifts they received from vendors.

Pennsylvania – Some Critical That Officials Caught in Sting Keep State Pensions
Philadelphia Inquirer – Craig McCoy and Angela Couloumbis | Published: 6/13/2015

By pleading guilty to violating the state’s conflict-of-interest law, four defendants in a Pennsylvania corruption case are now disgraced. The two legislators in office at the time of their plea had to resign immediately, as required by the state constitution. But former Philadelphia Traffic Court President Judge Thomasine Tynes and the former lawmakers – Michelle Brownlee, Harold James, and Ronald Waters – did not get hit with prison time or have to forfeit their annual government pensions, estimated at $54,000 to $85,000. To critics, the deals seem unduly lenient, especially the failure to go after their taxpayer-financed retirement checks.

Utah – Ex-A.G. Mark Shurtleff Defers Evidence Hearing; Prosecutors Amend Charges
Deseret News – Dennis Romboy | Published: 6/15/2015

Prosecutors amended charges against former Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, dropping three bribery counts his lawyer insists were the foundation of allegations that the state’s former top lawyer had operated a “pay-to-play” scheme while in office. Prosecutors say Shurtleff accepted money and gifts like beach vacations and the use of luxury homes and boats while he was attorney general. Seven charges remain against Shurtleff, including accepting improper gifts, obstruction of justice, and a count alleging he tried to bribe a victim to derail an investigation. It appears that prosecutors are tailoring the charges to the evidence, not necessarily scaling back the case, said former prosecutor Kent Morgan. The charge of accepting improper gifts is generally simpler to prove at trial than bribery.

Washington – Lawmakers’ Watchdog Asks for Money
Tacoma News Tribune – Jerry Cornfield | Published: 6/15/2015

The interim executive director of the Washington Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) has been asking lawmakers for more money in the next state budget to help deal with a backlog of enforcement cases. Under the Senate budget proposal, the job of general counsel would be eliminated and a portion of the savings used to hire a contract lawyer. Also, the Senate approach would axe one position handling requests from the public and another one dealing with the agency’s website and campaign finance database. “This work is important; it is part of that entire ecosystem of good government,” said Fred Kiga, who took over at PDC on June 1.

Jim Sedor 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.

June 18, 2015 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

Vermont Governor Approves Changes to Lobbyist Disclosure Requirements

Gov. Peter Shumlin has signed Senate Bill 93, changing lobbyist reporting requirements. Reports must now be filed for each month the legislature is in session with an additional report in September. The new law also requires identification of lobbyists contributing […]

June 18, 2015 • Written by Allyson Smith

Thursday News Roundup

Lobbying “Lobbying World” in The Hill “Lobbyist bundlers pledge allegiance to Team Bush” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill “Coalitions of the willing are latest lobbying trend” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post Minnesota: “Reports offer peek at […]

June 17, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday Government Relations News

Lobbying “Where the Billions Spent on Lobbying Come From, in Maps” by Philip Bump for Washington Post Texas: “Ethics Commission Seeks to Force Empower Texans to Turn over Records” by Tim Eaton for Austin American-Statesman Campaign Finance “State and Local […]

June 16, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Lobbying “Lobbyists Were Quick to Donate to Both Baker, Coakley” by The Associated Press for WCVB “Lobbyists Spend $5.8 Million at 2015 Montana Legislature” by Alison Noon (Associated Press) for Montana Standard “Education Reforms Spur N.Y. Lobbying ‘Arms Race’” by Jon […]

June 15, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday News Roundup

Lobbying “Robert Reich: Lobbyists are snuffing our democracy, one legal bribe at a time” by Robert Reich for Salon Campaign Finance “Corporations Open Up About Political Spending” by Eduardo Porter for New York Times “Legislation Puts More Enforcement in Campaign […]

June 12, 2015 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

News You Can Use Digest – June 12, 2015

National: Eyeing 2016, G.O.P Embraces Digital Strategies, but Doubts Persist New York Times – Ashley Parker | Published: 6/10/2015 With the 2016 campaign already underway, Republicans are eager to show they have learned the lessons of past election cycles and are […]

National:

Eyeing 2016, G.O.P Embraces Digital Strategies, but Doubts Persist
New York Times – Ashley Parker | Published: 6/10/2015

With the 2016 campaign already underway, Republicans are eager to show they have learned the lessons of past election cycles and are placing a premium on hiring top people to handle digital strategy and tactics. This type of work – often described in political circles as digital, data, and analytics – encompasses many areas, from building email systems for small-dollar fundraising to generating buzz on social media to analyzing data to help direct ads at specific groups of voters. But their immediate problem is slightly more low-tech: the basics of supply and demand. “Shopping around for a digital data firm was already difficult, and when you’re one of 20 possible candidates in a party that has yet to establish its own expertise in this area, it’s even harder,” said Sasha Issenberg, the author of “The Victory lab: The Secret Science of Winning Campaigns.”

Federal:

Kevin McCarthy’s Flair for Fundraising Fuels His Swift Rise to Power in House
Los Angeles Times – Noah Bierman and Evan Halper | Published: 6/5/2015

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the new House majority leader, commands a multimillion-dollar political operation featuring lavish meals, opulent getaways with lobbyists, and privately chartered aircraft. In the two years leading up to last fall’s election, McCarthy, through his re-election campaign and leadership PAC, spent $140,000 on steakhouses alone. He paid $426,000 to companies that charter private jets, covering 46 trips. And he raised at least $10.5 million for his own and party political committees. That spending and fundraising have fueled one of the fastest rises to power in congressional history.

Senator Would Limit Lobbyist Money That Fueled Liberal Allies
Center for Public Integrity – Carrie Levine and Michael Beckel | Published: 6/4/2015

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet introduced the Lobbying and Campaign Finance Reform Act, a bill that would, among other things, change the way registered lobbyists can support campaigns and also tweak the requirements for who must register as a lobbyist. This latter change would be accomplished by nixing the 20 percent rule, which says that only people who spend more than 20 percent of their time on lobbying activities must register as lobbyists. This has allowed many lobbyists to avoid registration, which can obscure lobbying activity from the public. The bill would also ban registered lobbyists from bundling campaign contributions and keep members of Congress from asking lobbyists for financial support while Congress is in session. Bennet introduced the same bill in 2014, but it never got out of committee.

Shaun McCutcheon Blew Up Campaign-Finance Law and Became a GOP Hero. Then He Set His Sights on Paris Hilton.
Washingtonian Magazine – Luke Mullins | Published: 6/7/2015

A few years ago, Scott McCutcheon was running his own engineering firm near Birmingham, Alabama, and leading a fairly anonymous life. He had, however, begun writing checks to benefit Republican candidates across the country. Before long, his ambitions for a more conservative America collided with the complex world of campaign finance, including the law that capped how much money an individual can donate. The Supreme Court in McCutcheon v. FEC ruled the limits were unconstitutional restrictions on free speech. McCutcheon now travels the country telling his story and has been on television programs such as Meet the Press. And his victory has gotten him invited to a lot of parties, hobnobbing with Republican politicians, as well as celebrities like Paris Hilton.

Two FEC Officials Implore Agency to Curb 2016 Election Abuse
USA Today – Fredreka Schouten | Published: 6/8/2015

FEC Chairperson Ann Ravel and Commissioner Ellen Weintraub are filing a formal petition, urging their own agency to write rules to clamp down on political spending and unmask the anonymous money in elections. FEC petitions of this kind typically are made by outsiders – organizations or individuals trying to spur the nation’s election regulators take up some matter. Ravel said no sitting commissioner has ever filed such a petition in the agency’s 40-year history. The six-member commission is locked in partisan gridlock, however, often deadlocking on major cases. The action will not force the FEC to start writing rules, but such petitions typically trigger an opportunity for public comment.

Why So Many Women Are Raising Money for Hillary Clinton
Washington Post – Matea Gold | Published: 6/7/2015

Energized by the prospect of helping Hillary Clinton make history, many women are activating their personal networks for the first time to pool contributions for her presidential campaign, helping Clinton tap into new sources of cash as she assembles what is expected to be a more-than-$1 billion operation. Their efforts come ahead of the public launch of a formal program by the campaign to organize female fundraisers. Analea Patterson, a lawyer in Sacramento, said she decided to take on the project after her eight-year-old daughter asked her why there has never been a female president. “I didn’t have a good answer – I have two daughters, and I want them to grow up in a world where they don’t see barriers for women,” said Patterson.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Legislation Puts More Enforcement in Campaign Finance Reporting Laws
Decatur Daily – Mary Sell | Published: 6/9/2015

Senate Bill 241, which was sent to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley for his signature, amends current law to clarify when campaign contributions are received and expenditures are made. Under the legislation, a donation must be reported either within 10 days after a check is received or at the time of deposit, whichever is earlier. Expenditures are made the day they are authorized. The bill also gives the state Ethics Commission the power to interpret and enforce campaign finance laws, issue advisory opinions, issue penalties for inaccurate reports, and hear appeals of penalties levied by the secretary of state or local probate office.

California – Businesses with Stake in California Politics Utilize Capitol Grounds
Sacramento Bee – Jeremy White | Published: 6/7/2015

Advocacy outside the Capitol building is part of the daily rhythm of California politics. On any given day, interest groups organize rallies on the steps or lawn to promote or condemn bills, often with legislators urging participants on. By contrast, corporate-sponsored events are often free of any explicit legislative focus. But the vents do offer increased visibility and exposure to policymakers and their staff. Any such occasion serves a dual purpose, said political consultant Steven Maviglio. “It’s always the carrot-and-stick approach: the lobbyists do the heavy lifting inside the building, and the soft and cuddly stuff is on the outside,” Maviglio said.

Hawaii – Contractor Campaign Contributions Raise Concerns of Corruption
Honolulu Civil Beat – Nick Grube | Published: 6/10/2015

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Hawaii law that bans government contractors from donating to candidates. But the state cannot block individuals from contributing to campaigns, even if they own a company that has ongoing contracts with state and local governments. The same rule applies to top executives, employees, and family members of government contractors. Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission Executive Director Kristin Izumi-Nitao said such contributions are lawful as long as they are within legal limits and the money does not come directly from the company’s treasury, such as through a reimbursement or end-of-year bonus. “That’s why you see a lot of these business owners giving from their own pocket,” Izumi-Nitao said.

Hawaii – Ethics Director Survives Political Challenge
Honolulu Civil Beat – Ian Lind | Published: 6/10/2015

The Hawaii Ethics Commission took no action against Les Kondo, the panel’s executive director, after completing an evaluation of his job performance stemming from recent criticism that his office has overstepped its bounds in enforcing ethics rules. After three-and-a-half hours behind closed doors in executive session, the commission emerged to announce it had completed its evaluation and that further reviews would be conducted in the future as situations arise.

Massachusetts – Baker, State GOP’s Use of Federal Funds Questioned
Boston Globe – Frank Phillips | Published: 5/8/2015

Since Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker took office in January, his campaign committee has used the state Republican Party’s staff and its headquarters to solicit, collect, and organize donations at events to bulk up his depleted political account, according to several party officials and others involved in the fundraising for the governor. This is despite a 1998 Massachusetts law banning the use of federal funds for state political activities. Watchdogs say the practice of using federal funds is contrary to the statute’s purpose of ensuring only money raised and disclosed according to state laws is used to influence state elections.

New York – Carl Heastie’s Campaign Spending Blurs Line between Political and Personal
New York Times – Russ Buettner | Published: 6/8/2015

New York Assemblyperson Carl Heastie’s campaign spending received little attention during his first 14 years in office. But in February, he became speaker, one of the most powerful positions in state government. Heastie pledged to enact ethics reform, but a review of his campaign disclosure records suggests he has frequently used political donations to burnish his lifestyle. In addition to keeping his car in good repair, his campaign money has been used to cover expensive restaurant and nightclub bills, evenings in a karaoke bar with his staff, and tickets to football games. State law prohibits the use of campaign funds for personal purposes. A Heastie spokesperson said the speaker had always followed the applicable laws and all of the spending in question was for legitimate political purposes.

Pennsylvania – Fourth Defendant in Sting Case Pleads Guilty
Philadelphia Inquirer – Angela Couloumbis and Craig McCoy | Published: 6/8/2015

Pennsylvania Rep. Michelle Brownlee pleaded guilty to accepting money from an undercover informant who videotaped the conversations in a bribery-related probe. Brownlee, of Philadelphia, became the fourth official to admit to taking money or gifts in return for official acts in the investigation. She pleaded guilty to a conflict-of-interest charge, was sentenced to 18 months of probation, and agreed to resign her House seat. Brownlee admitted to accepting $2,000 wrapped in a napkin while providing the informant posing as a lobbyist special access to her office.

Rhode Island – Ex-RI House Speaker Fox Gets 3 Years in Prison
Providence Journal – Katie Mulvaney | Published: 6/11/2015

Former Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox was sentenced to three years in federal prison on charges of bribery, wire fraud, and filing a false tax return. The judge also ordered him to pay $109,000 in restitution. Fox was accused of taking $52,000 bribe to help grant a liquor license to Shark Sushi Bar and Grill while he a member of the Providence Board of Licenses. He was also accused of using campaign funds to pay for personal expenses such as his mortgage, car loan payments, and American Express payments for purchases at stores such as Tiffany’s and Urban Outfitters.

Jim Sedor 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.

June 11, 2015 • Written by Jonathan Spontarelli

Colorado Secretary of State Adopts Campaign Finance Rule Amendments

On June 10, the Colorado Secretary of State posted notice of the permanent adoption of amendments to campaign finance rules. The rules concerning campaign and political finance have been recodified to improve the administration and enforcement of state campaign finance […]

June 11, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday News Roundup

Lobbying Rhode Island: “RI’s Biggest Spending Special Interest Groups at the Statehouse” by Stephen Beale for GoLocalProv.com Campaign Finance “The IRS Chief’s Mistake about ‘Dark Money’” by Miriam Galston for Washington Post Ethics Florida: “Ethics Panel: Carroll misreported income” by […]

June 10, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday Government Relations News

Lobbying “Did Obama’s Pick to Head Navy Break Lobbying Law?” by Austin Wright and Philip Ewing for Politico Louisiana: “What Good Do Lobbyist Reporting Laws Do without Enforcement” by the Editorial Board for New Orleans Times-Picayune Pennsylvania: “Bill to Ban […]

June 9, 2015 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Lobbying California: “Businesses with Stake in California Politics Utilize Capitol Grounds” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee Campaign Finance “Two FEC Officials Implore Agency to Curb 2016 Election Abuse” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today “Why So Many Women Are […]

Wednesday Government Relations News

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Monday News Roundup

News You Can Use Digest – June 19, 2015

Vermont Governor Approves Changes to Lobbyist Disclosure Requirements

Thursday News Roundup

Wednesday Government Relations News

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

Monday News Roundup

News You Can Use Digest – June 12, 2015

Colorado Secretary of State Adopts Campaign Finance Rule Amendments

Thursday News Roundup

Wednesday Government Relations News

Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update

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