On August 14, Citizens United filed suit in federal court against Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler. The lawsuit is a response to Deputy Secretary of State Suzanne Staiert’s June decision classifying the group’s upcoming documentary as a reportable electioneering communication.

Citizens United had hoped the documentary would be excluded from the definition of reportable electioneering communication under a general press-entity exemption. Although the Federal Election Commission applies such an exemption for Citizens United at the federal level, the secretary of state lacked the authority to import the FEC’s analysis and decision.

Citizens United is now asking the court to permanently enjoin enforcement of applicable reporting and disclosure requirements in their entirety or, in the alternative, enjoin enforcement of the requirements as applied to Citizens United. The group argues its right to engage in political speech is significantly burdened while the rights of print media and broadcast facilities are not. Moreover, the group claims the reporting and disclosure requirements discriminate based on a speaker’s identity and, therefore, violate both the U.S. and Colorado constitutions.

Lobbying

Canada: “A fond farewell to former staffer and lobbyist Devon Jacobs” by Rachel Aiello in Hill Times.

Massachusetts: “AG hit on settlement with lobbyist” by Chris Cassidy in the Boston Herald.

Miami-Dade County, Florida: “Ethics Backs Lobbying Ban” on Miami Today.

Campaign Finance

“Planes, trains and campaign finance reports — the bane of every Senate candidate” by Jaime Fuller in The Washington Post.

Ethics

“I-Team: North Carolina Ethics Commission’s website problems could be a sign of a bigger issue” by Jon Camp on WTVD ABC News.

Georgia: “Ethics Commission: We’re back on track” by Aaron Gould Sheinin in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

North Carolina: “Carteret County man named chairman of State Ethics Commission” by Brad Christian on WNCT News.

Oklahoma: “Ethics Commission To Consider Fees For Training” on KGOU.

Washington: “Ethics Board Settles On 12 Lobbyist-Paid Meals Per Year” by Austin Jenkins on Northwest Public Radio.

Elections

“The 65 people who may run for president in 2016” by Bob Cusack in The Hill.

A group called Grow Connecticut recently paid $193,000 to produce a television ad targeting incumbent democratic governor Dannel Malloy. The conservative super PAC made the ad buy on the same day the state’s Republican Party filed a complaint against the Governor’s campaign and Connecticut Forward, a similar group, for illegal coordination.

Connecticut Forward, created and funded by the Democratic Governor’s Association, has also paid over $100,000 in support of Governor Malloy. The recent activity by these two groups brings to light the influence of outside groups on publicly funded campaigns.

Both Governor Malloy and the Republican nominee, Tom Foley, are participants in the Citizen’s Election Program, which caps their campaign funds to a $6.5 million grant from taxpayers. The program was created in an attempt to insulate state campaigns from special interest groups. Groups like Grow Connecticut, however, are allowed unlimited independent expenditures, increasing the call for greater transparency through disclosure to the voters.

Lobbying

“Spending on lobbying is actually falling. Or is it?” by Alexander Becker in The Washington Post.

“Researchers Try To Quantify The Value Of Lobbying” by Michael Ide in Value Walk.

Campaign Finance

“DCCC outraises NRCC by $3.5M in July” by Alexandra Jaffe in The Hill.

Arizona: “Scottsdale campaign-finance violation likely, city says” by Beth Duckett in The Republic.

California: “California lawmakers pass 3 campaign reform bills” by The Associated Press in the News & Observer.

Missouri: “Missouri Democratic group to pay $10K ethics fine” by The Associated Press in the News & Observer.

Ethics

“House Ethics panel probing Rep. Petri” by Mario Trujillo in The Hill.

“The Grimes family discount” by Manu Raju in Politico.

Florida: “Update: Group blasts city for challenging ethics initiative” by Jeff Burlew in the Tallahassee Democrat.

Oklahoma: “Ethics Commission Seeks Input Regarding Financial Disclosure Availability” on KGOU.

Washington: “Washington Legislative Ethics Panel To Consider Free-Meals Rule” by Austin Jenkins on KPLU.

Elections

“Revised Election Schedule Submitted in Florida Map Case” by Bridget Bowman in Roll Call.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Local Governments Open Data with Performance Dashboard” by Colin Wood in Government Technology.

“Report Ranks Top Open Data States” by Colin Wood in Government Technology.

Lobbying

“AGRP lauds lobbying reversal — Can big $$ save Ex-Im?” by Byron Tau and Adam Sneed in Politico.

“There are 65 former lobbyists currently working in the Obama administration” by Philip Bump in The Washington Post.

Florida: “Firms lobbying Florida Legislature collected millions in payments during second quarter” by Jim Saunders in The Florida Times-Union.

Missouri: “When It Comes To Gifts, Lobbyists Don’t Discriminate By Party” by Chris McDaniel in St. Louis Public Radio.

“At lobbying unit of Drinker Biddle & Reath, testing out a new consulting model” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.

Campaign Finance

“Nancy Pelosi brings pols, donors to wine country” by Anna Palmer and John Bresnahan in Politico.

Arizona: “Officials: Arizona Free Enterprise Club violated election law” by The Associated Press in KTAR.

Colorado: “Citizens United movie spawns campaign finance lawsuit” in The Kansas City Star.

Florida: “Big industry behind PAC spending” by Heather Wysocki in the News-Press.

Virginia: “Big money, sharp elbows in special senate election” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.

Wisconsin: “Scott Walker: Campaign finance reform crusader?” by Jessie Opoien in The Capital Times.

Ethics

“Bill would limit members of Congress in hiring family” by Corey Mitchell in the Star Tribune.

“Former DARPA Chief Broke Ethics Rules, Watchdog Finds” by Charles S. Clark in Government Executive.

“Media Matters founder joins watchdog CREW” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

Arkansas: “Arkansas Ethics Commission to ask for more funding” by Johnathan Reaves on KASU.

Government Technology

“How the Cloud is Changing Everything for Government IT” by David Raths in Government Technology.

A ruling is expected in the coming days in a federal lawsuit challenging certain provisions of Maine’s campaign finance law.

Four supporters of gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler sued the state of Maine, alleging minor parties, including independent candidates, are at a disadvantage under sections 1015(1) and 1015(2) of Chapter 21-A of the Maine Revised Statutes. These provisions of law limit political contributions to a gubernatorial candidate from an individual, political committee, corporation, or business entity to $1,500 in any election.

Cutler is running as an independent and therefore did not participate in a primary election. As a result, the law only allows Cutler to collect $1,500 per contributor because he will only participate in the general election.

The plaintiffs are seeking both a preliminary and a permanent injunction to stifle enforcement of the $1,500 per election limit as applied to independent candidates. If U.S. District Judge D. Brock Hornby decides to enjoin the law, the injunction will apply to the 2014 election cycle.

Secretary of State Dianna Duran has dropped an effort to force Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gary King to return $10,900 in campaign contributions. Initially, Duran claimed the contributions violated campaign finance limits because donors were attempting to give for both the primary and general election after the date of the primary election.

In a letter to King, Duran updated her position by stating the questionable contributions were permissible as long as King shows the post-primary contributions were used to retire debt from the primary election. Duran also expects King to provide statements from the contributors indicating part of their contributions were intended to help with the candidate’s primary debt.

The decision will likely make moot a legal action King filed against Duran set for hearing by the state Supreme Court.

Federal:

GOP Looks to Shake Loose More Wall Street Cash

Politico – Patrick Temple-West | Published: 8/13/2014

The Securities and Exchange Commission rule limiting some campaign contributions from investment firms violates free speech, two state Republican parties said in a lawsuit seeking to overturn the regulation. The rule bars an investment firm from managing a state’s assets for two years if the company, or certain of its executives, make more than a nominal donation to a state official with power over state contracts with investment advisors. The regulation forces investment advisers to make “an impermissible choice [between] exercising a First Amendment right and retaining the ability to engage in professional activities,” wrote the New York and Tennessee Republican parties.

Media Matters’ David Brock Expands Empire

Politico – Kenneth Vogel | Published: 8/14/2014

Democratic operative David Brock is now the chairperson of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). Brock’s arrival is part of a broader shakeup at CREW, with Melanie Sloan, the executive director and longtime leader of the organization, announcing she will step down. Brock confirmed the basics of the shakeup in an interview. The reconfigured CREW will add a more politically oriented arm, expand its focus into state politics and donor targeting, and will operate in close coordination with Brock’s fleet of nonprofits and super PACs: Media Matters, American Bridge, and the American Independent Institute.

White House Eases Lobbyist Ban

The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 8/12/2014

The Obama administration rolled back part of its ban on lobbyists serving in government. Under a new rule, registered lobbyists whom Obama had previously barred from serving on government advisory boards may now participate if they are representing companies or groups and not acting on their own behalf. The change was published in the Federal Register and took effect immediately. It comes after an appeals court rejected the administration’s efforts to dismiss a lawsuit by six lobbyists who challenged the ban’s constitutionality after being excluded from a trade advisory committee. The lobbyists said their First Amendment rights to petition the government had been violated.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – How Public Financing Changed Politics in Arizona

Vox.com – Andrew Prokop | Published: 8/13/2014

Arizona voters in 1988 approved the public financing of campaigns. Under the Clean Elections Act, candidates for office are given public funds as long as they do not raise other money and abide by spending limits. Though reformers hoped this would help get money out of politics, some have argued clean elections model could actually lead to increased polarization and dysfunction. Michael Miller, a political science professor and author of the book Subsidizing Democracy, surveyed over 1,000 candidates for office in states with public financing systems about their experience. In an interview, Miller discusses Arizona’s law and his research.

Florida – Businessman Settles Ethics Complaint in Connection with Miami Beach Convention Center

Miami Herald – Joey Flechas | Published: 8/13/2014

The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust said businessperson John Portman settled an ethics charge against him by agreeing to pay $2,000. Portman met with several Miami Beach commissioners from January 2013 to July 2013 to talk about a project to redo the Miami Beach Convention Center, but did not register as a lobbyist until July. He was part of a group of architects and developers, Portman CMC, who were in the race for the convention center deal. Portman’s attorney told the ethics panel that Portman did not intentionally violate the city’s lobbyist-registration law because, as the company’s owner and principal, he did not know he had to register.

Florida – Florida Legislators Approve New Redistricting Map but New Challenge Is Expected

Miami Herald – Mary Ellen Klas and Michael Van Sickler | Published: 8/11/2014

The Florida Legislature approved a new congressional map that slightly modifies seven districts in an effort by the Republican-controlled body to comply with a judge’s order to redraw the lines without taking into account partisan advantage. A hearing on the map and its potential impact on the 2014 election is set for August 20, less than a week before the scheduled primary elections. Democratic-aligned groups, who took the map to court, are expected to argue the new boundaries do not make any significant changes and the lines were once again drawn behind closed doors.

Georgia – State Ethics Commission Hires 2 New Staff Lawyers

The Daily Report – Kathleen Baydala Joyner | Published: 8/12/2014

Robert Lane and Bethany Whetzel joined the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission as staff attorneys. The two are tasked with analyzing complaints against elected officials. The pair join the agency in the wake of the commission settling several whistleblower lawsuits brought by former employees who claimed they were fired for investigating Gov. Nathan Deal.

Illinois – Former Red Light Camera CEO Indicted, Federal Probe Expands

Chicago Tribune – David Kidwell | Published: 8/13/2014

Former Redflex Traffic Systems Chief Executive Officer Karen Finley was indicted on corruption charges in a federal investigation of one of the nation’s largest red-light camera programs. Finley is accused of funneling nearly $600,000 in cash and other benefits to a now-retired Chicago official, John Bills, for his help in landing the firm $124 million in city contracts. Bills was charged in May with one count of bribery. In the new indictment, he faces additional charges, including extortion and filing false income tax returns. Also named the indictment is Martin O’Malley, a former Redflex company liaison. He faces a bribery charge for allegedly passing much of his $2 million Redflex compensation to Bills.

Maine – Federal Judge Hears Arguments on Maine Campaign Finance Donation Limits for Independents

Lewiston Sun Journal – Scott Thisle | Published: 8/12/2014

A federal judge heard arguments in a case challenging a Maine law that allows major-party candidates to accept $1,500 contributions from individuals for both the June primary and the general election, but does not restrict when that money must be spent. Independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler can collect a maximum of only $1,500, which his supporters claim in the lawsuit is unconstitutional. Jamie Kilbreth, the attorney representing Cutler’s supporters, said Maine’s law was clearly unfair. He also said it was in conflict with several U.S. Supreme Court and Circuit Court decisions in other states, including one from Colorado earlier this year.

North Carolina – McCrory Misstated Duke Energy Holdings, Sold Stock after Coal-Ash Spill

Raleigh News & Observer – J. Andrew Curless and Craig Jarvis | Published: 8/13/2014

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory filed a new ethics and economic disclosure that now makes clear he owned at least $10,000 of Duke Energy stock on the last day of 2013, reversing disclosure filings he made in April and May. The governor sold the stock after the Duke Energy plant in Eden spilled 39,000 tons of coal ash, into the Dan River. The crisis generated national news, put a spotlight on McCrory’s ties to Duke, where he worked for about 29 years, and prompted the governor and legislators to propose laws about cleaning up coal ash that Duke Energy says could cost the company as much as $10 billion over the next 30 years. A major reform bill has not passed the General Assembly.

Pennsylvania – Pa. Limits on PAC Donations Voided Due To Citizens United

Law360.com – Kelly Knaub | Published: 8/14/2014

U.S. District Court Judge William Caldwell struck down a Pennsylvania law that banned corporations and labor groups from donating more than $250 to expenditure-only political committees. Caldwell granted General Majority PAC’s bid to convert a preliminary injunction issued in March into a permanent one, agreeing with the group that the state law violated the First Amendment in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizen United decision.

Rhode Island – Fung Filmed Campaign Ad in Ohio

WJAR – Parker Gavigan | Published: 8/13/2014

A television ad for Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Allan Fung says his state is “open for business” and showcases Fung in a diner. But the diner is in Ohio. The restaurant has been the setting for political commercials in the past, but the candidates are usually campaigning for office in Ohio or for president, said Michael Pappas of Tommy’s Diner in Columbus. “You’re trying to tout the fact that you believe in Rhode Island and business should come to Rhode Island but you travel all the way to Ohio to film your television commercial; so that just says to me, ‘What are you thinking?'” said Wendy Schiller, a professor at Brown University.

Rhode Island – Welcome to Rhode Island, America’s Least Polarized State

New York Times – Josh Barrow | Published: 8/13/2014

Political scientists Boris Shor and Nolan McCarty analyzed state legislative voting records from 1996 to 2013 and found Rhode Island had the least ideological difference between the typical Republican and Democratic lawmakers. It is common for Republican officials in heavily Democratic Northeastern states to be moderates. What makes Rhode Island stand out is the number of conservatives within its Democratic legislative supermajority. The median Democrat in Rhode Island was more conservative than in all but 13 state Legislatures.

Texas – Court: Texas PAC campaign waiting period unconstitutional

KROI – Brandon De Hoyos | Published: 8/13/2014

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a provision in the Texas Election Code that imposes a 60-day waiting period and 10-contributor requirement on PACs before they could spend more than $500. Groups defined by the Texas Ethics Commission as a “specific purpose” committee – organizations formed to support identified candidates – were not subject to a waiting period. The appeals court upheld a separate requirement that PACs must register before exceeding $500 in expenditures. The judges also rejected a narrow challenge to the state’s ban on corporate contributions.

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A federal judge in Pennsylvania struck down a state campaign finance law restricting the amount corporations and labor unions could donate to expenditure-only political committees. U.S. District Judge William W. Caldwell found Pennsylvania Election Code Section 3253(a) violates the First Amendment by limiting the amount a corporation or labor group can donate to political committees only making independent expenditures.

In his decision, Judge Caldwell cites to the Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission declaring limitations on independent expenditures made by corporations and labor unions restrict free speech.

The case, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, is General Majority PAC v. Aichele et al.

Lobbying

“Universities chase big defense dollars” by Austin Wright in Politico.

“Obama reversal shows difficulty of limiting lobbyists’ D.C. clout” by Mark Trumbull (Christian Science Monitor) in the Alaska Dispatch News.

Campaign Finance

“The Transparency Trap” by David Frum in The Atlantic.

“GOP looks to shake loose more Wall Street cash” by Patrick Temple-West in Politico.

“Sen. Mike Lee doing ‘due diligence’ on illegal donation claims” by Lisa Riley Roche in the Deseret News.

Maine: “Maine campaign finance law challenged as unfair to independents” by Dave Sherwood in Reuters.

Texas: “Bitcoin Plays A ‘Bit’ Part In Campaign Fundraising, But Could That Change?” by Shelley Kofler in KERA News.

Ethics

North Carolina: “Conflict of interest statements for NC officials now online” by Tyler Dukes in WRAL.

North Carolina: “McCrory misstated Duke Energy holdings, sold stock after coal-ash spill” by J. Andrew Curliss and Craig Jarvis in The News & Observer.

Political Advertising

“GOP makes no apologies for ads disguised as news sites” by Jessica Taylor in The Hill.

Redistricting

Florida: “Scott signs congressional redistricting bill” by Lloyd Dunkelburger in the Herald-Tribune.

The Republican parties of New York and Tennessee have filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 206(4)-5. The plaintiffs allege the rule, which imposes restrictions upon investment advisors and their covered associates making contributions to officials of state and local government entities, violates the freedom of speech protections of the First Amendment.

The suit also takes the position that the SEC does not have the authority to regulate campaign contributions.

If struck down, the elimination of the rule would make it easier for any state governor making a run for president to raise money from the financial sector.

On August 12, 2014, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a state law restricting expenditures by certain political committees.

The law prevented a general-purpose committee from making political expenditures of more than $500 until a treasurer appointment had been on file with the Ethics Commission for at least 60 days and contributions had been accepted from at least 10 persons.

The same restriction did not apply to specific-purpose committees. The court held the restriction to be an unconstitutional burden on free speech.

Lobbying

“White House eases lobbyist ban” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Obama Administration Loosens Ban on Lobbyists in Government” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis in The New York Times.

“Lobbyists Are People, Too” by Jonanthan Bernstein in Bloomberg.

“Report: The NCAA has spent $240,000 on lobbying in 2014” by Terrence Payne in NBC Sports.

Campaign Finance

“Hollywood pumps cash to save Senate majority for Democrats” by Judy Kurtz in The Hill.

California: “CalPERS board member facing another FPPC fine” by Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee.

Maine: “Judge weighing Maine campaign contribution limits” by The Associated Press in the SeattlePI.com.

Ethics

California: “New indictment in San Diego campaign finance case adds gun, bribery charges” on KGTV ABC News.

Government Tech and Social Media

“How the Open Source Election Technology Foundation is Remaking the Voter Experience” by Miranda Neubauer in TechPresident.

“White House U.S. Digital Service Aims to ‘Identify and Fix Problems’” by Jason Shueh in Government Technology.

Utah: “Utah Leading the Mobile-Friendly Government Movement” by Tod Newcombe in Governing.

Lobbying

“White House vs. K Street” by Byron Tau in Politico.

“Antonia Ferrier Settles Into New Role at Forbes-Tate | Downtown Moves” by Bridget Bowman in Roll Call.

Wisconsin: “Taxpayers group is top-spending lobbyist again” by Bill Leuders in the Post-Crescent.

Campaign Finance

California: “California campaign finance measure booted off ballot” by Christopher Cadelago and Jim Miller in the Sacramento Bee.

Florida: “Watchdogs want data on campaign spending” by James L. Rosica in The Tampa Tribune.

Ethics

Alaska: “APOC approves opinion saying lawmakers can use to state resources to stake referendum position” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Georgia: “State Ethics Commission Hires 2 New Staff Lawyers” by Kathleen Baydala Joyner in the Daily Report.

New York: “Poll: Shrugs at Andrew Cuomo ethics woes” by Jonathan Topaz in Politico.

Redistricting

Florida: “Florida Legislature Approves New Congressional Map” by Bridget Bowman in Politico.

Florida: “Arguing Florida Failed Again, Dems Want Court-Drawn Map” by Mary Ellen Klas and Michael Van Sickler in Governing.