Lobbying

“Comcast turns to K. St” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.

Florida: “Lawmakers move to tighten lobbying rules, but exempt themselves” by Anthony Man in the Sun Sentinel.

Campaign Finance

“FEC Seminar for Trade Assns., Membership, and Labor Organizations” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“Gillibrand’s Campaign and Others Pay Civil Penalties to FEC” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

West Virginia: “Statehouse Beat: New website for campaign finance reports proving problematic” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.

Ethics

“Office of Congressional Ethics Looking at Rep. Bobby Rush” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

California: “Ex-city official gets nearly 12 years in scandal” by John Rogers (Associated Press) in The Sacramento Bee.

Colorado: “Twist in ethics complaint against Hickenlooper to be heard Monday” by Lynn Bartels in The Denver Post.

Georgia: “Ethics panel ʹbrokenʹ” by Chris Joyner in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Kentucky: “Lawmakers want to amend ethics this week” by Tom Loftus in The Courier-Journal.

Missouri: “Mo. Senate could consider ethics legislation” by The Associated Press in KOAM News.

New Jersey: “Former watchdogs accuse Christie of interfering with state ethics agency” by Salvador Rizzo in The Star-Ledger.

South Carolina: “South Carolina graded ʹFʹ for ethics laws as debate rages on” by Cuthbert Langley in WCBD TV News.

Washington: “Ethics Board: How much free food to allow?” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.

Elections

“10 questions that could decide Election 2014” by James Hohmann and Alexander Burns in Politico.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Heartbleed Forces Emergency Maintenance of House, Senate Sites” by Hannah Hess in Roll Call.

“Federal Websites Avoid Heartbleed Risks, DHS Says” by Aliya Sternstein in NextGov.

U.S. Sen. Angus King and Rep. Beto O’Rourke have introduced legislation requiring all political committees to disclose contributions of more than $1,000 within 48 hours.

House Resolution 4397 and Senate Bill 2207, which were introduced on April 3, and House Resolution 4442, which was introduced on April 9, mandate the same threshold and disclosure requirements. The bills also apply the 48 hour reporting requirement to transfers of funds from joint fundraising committees.

King, in his weekly YouTube address, made clear this legislation is in reaction to the April 2 U.S. Supreme Court decision in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, which found aggregate contribution limits unconstitutional.

Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden and Elections Commissioner Elaine Manlove are appealing a federal district court ruling, enjoining enforcement of a Delaware campaign finance law.

Section 8031 of the Delaware Election Disclosures Act 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 exceeding $100. The district court found the disclosure provision to be too broad and likely unconstitutional.

Biden and Manlove are appealing the ruling.

The State Board of Elections has issued a guidance memo following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission. The board will no longer enforce a $10,000 aggregate limit on donors’ contributions to state candidates during a four-year election cycle.

The memo states personal contributions are unlimited, but still must not exceed $4,000 to any one candidate. The McCutcheon decision held such aggregate limits violate constitutional protections of free speech. Political action committees in Maryland had no previous aggregate limit and remain limited to $6,000 per candidate.

The guidance is effective immediately.

National:

States Look Harder at Rules on Gifts to Lawmakers

Philadelphia Inquirer – Amy Worden | Published: 4/6/2014

News that four state lawmakers from Philadelphia were caught on tape allegedly taking cash or gifts from a lobbyist has stoked new calls for reform. Pennsylvania is not alone. Organizations that monitor ethics laws nationwide say the last decade has brought tighter state laws involving gift-giving, lobbying, and conflict-of-interest, some driven by similar scandals.

Federal:

Big Donors Fear Shakedown after Decision

Politico – Anna Palmer and Tarini Parti | Published: 4/2/2014

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the limit on an individual’s overall campaign contributions infringed on First Amendment rights cleared the way for donors to give the maximum amount to as many candidates and political parties as they wish during a two-year election cycle. The decision means a common excuse for brushing off fundraising requests – that potential donors, many of them lobbyists,  have already “maxed out” their contributions under the cap – is now moot.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Ariz. Legislators Don’t Disclose Gifts, Resist Change

Arizona Republic – Mary Jo Pitzl | Published: 4/8/2014

Disclosure is not a comfortable topic at the Arizona Capitol, where four years ago the Fiesta Bowl scandal erupted over 28 current and former lawmakers accepting lavish trips and college-football game tickets. Since then, despite proposals to clarify disclosure rules, nothing has changed. State law requires elected officials to disclose gifts they received that were worth $500 or more. But that is not strictly followed, according to an Arizona Republic review of the annual reports. At least nine lawmakers did not initially report trips they took in 2013.

California – Suspended Senators Leave Millions of Constituents Short on Representation

Sacramento Bee – Jeremy White | Published: 4/6/2014

The legal troubles roiling Sacramento have left millions of constituents without the elected representatives they sent to the Capitol to advocate and vote for their interests. Three senators fighting criminal cases were suspended from office. When lawmakers are stripped of their most basic and potent tool for shaping policy – a vote on legislation – the constituents are also, in a sense, disenfranchised.

Delaware – Lobbying Fee Proposed to Pay for Oversight

Wilmington News Journal – Jonathan Starkey | Published: 4/9/2014

Legislation will be introduced in Delaware that would require lobbyists to pay an annual registration fee to help fund the state Public Integrity Commission. The bill would require lobbyists to pay the fee for each client they represent. Another measure filed recently would impose a fee for lobbyists who file disclosure reports late.

Georgia – Ethics Chief in Georgia Wins Suit over Ouster

Athens Banner Herald – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 4/5/2014

A jury ruled former state ethics commission Executive Secretary Stacey Kalberman was unfairly forced from that job as retribution for investigating Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal’s 2010 campaign, and ordered the state to pay her $700,000. Kalberman’s lawyers tried to show the decision to cut her salary by $35,000 and to eliminate an aide’s job were a response to the pair’s desire to issue subpoenas for records in the investigation. Attorneys for the commission tried to establish the agency’s budget was in crisis and that was what motivated the cuts.

Indiana – Rep. Eric Turner, Facing Ethics Probe, Has Long and Deep Ties to Nursing Home Companies

Indianapolis Star – Tony Cook | Published: 4/4/2014

An Indiana House ethics committee is set to probe Rep. Eric Turner’s role in quashing legislation that would have halted new nursing home development and helped his son’s company. An Indianapolis Star review of Turner’s personal business interests found he has a stake in at least a half dozen companies that have been engaged in building, leasing, or investing in nursing home properties. The Star also found Turner did not list some of the companies on financial disclosure statements.

Iowa – Supreme Court Declines to Hear Iowa Campaign Finance Challenge

Reuters – Lawrence Hurley | Published: 4/7/2014

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to an Iowa law that prohibits campaign donations from corporations but allows them from unions. By opting not to hear the case, the justices left intact an Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling from June 2013 that upheld the ban.

Minnesota – Minnesota’s Limits on Campaign Donations to Be Challenged

Minneapolis Star Tribune – Rachel Stassen-Berger | Published: 4/8/2014

For decades, Minnesota law has said campaigns can raise 20 percent of their cash from lobbyists, PACs, and donors who give large amounts. After candidates hit that limit, they only can accept lesser amounts from subsequent contributors. Opponents say the “first come, first served” law is an unconstitutional limit of free speech, and the libertarian Institute for Justice will file a lawsuit challenging the statute.

Ohio – Ohio House Approves Eliminating Rule on Corporate Political Spending after Lengthy Debate

Cleveland Plain Dealer – Jeremy Pelzer (Northeat Ohio Media Group) | Published: 4/9/2014

The Ohio House passed legislation that would abolish a state rule restricting corporate political spending. Under the rule, corporations have to identify themselves in political ads and disclose money they spend in support of candidates. It also bars political spending made independently of campaigns by foreign-owned corporations and companies that recently received government contracts. House bill 483 now goes to the Senate.

Pennsylvania – Pa. Senate Passes Bill to Ban Cash Gifts to Legislators

Philadelphia Inquirer – Amy Worden | Published: 4/9/2014

The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously approved a bill that bans cash gifts to lawmakers and other elected and appointed officials in state and local government. The Senate also approved unanimously passed an ethics rule change for the chamber that carries the same provisions on cash and cash-like gifts. The only difference between the two is the bill caries the weight of the law so violators could be prosecuted. The ethics rule does not; it calls for a civil penalty.

Pennsylvania – Sources: U.S. prosecutors made no judgment on sting case

Philadelphia Inquirer – Craig McCoy and Angela Couloumbis | Published: 4/8/2014

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported federal officials never came to a final conclusion about the merits of a suspended legislative sting operation before Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane asked them to halt that review. Kane, after revelations she decided to abandon the case in which several officials were caught on tape accepting cash and other gifts from an informant posing as a lobbyist, had said her decision had been endorsed by federal law enforcement officials who she has not identified by name.

South Carolina – SC Governor, AG Candidates Collected Excess Campaign Cash

The State – Andrew Shain | Published: 4/5/2014

An analysis by The State showed candidates for governor and attorney general in 2010 received $336,345 in campaign contributions above South Carolina’s legal limits. While the excessive donations represent a fraction of the amounts raised by these candidates, the newspaper said its analysis of state Ethics Commission data points to how campaigns can fail to follow campaign finance rules without getting caught by regulators.

Virginia – Va. Gov. Terry McAuliffe Wants Lobbyists to Report Gifts to Lawmakers’ Families

Columbus Republic – Alan Suderman (Associated Press) | Published: 4/8/2014

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe amended an ethics bill that passed the General Assembly in the wake of a gifts scandal that led to corruption charges against former Gov. Bob McDonnell. McAuliffe’s proposed changes would require lobbyists to report what they spend on gifts and entertainment for both lawmakers and their families. Lawmakers will have to approve the governor’s changes.

Wisconsin – GOP’s Mike Ellis Caught on Recording Talking of Illegal Fundraising

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley and Daniel Bice | Published: 4/10/2014

A secretly recorded video produced by a conservative activist shows state Senate President Mike Ellis talking about creating and raising money for a committee to run negative ads against his Democratic opponent, which would be illegal for a candidate to do in Wisconsin. Ellis issued a statement acknowledging the conversation but said he learned the next day the proposal was illegal and did not pursue it.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.

On Wednesday, April 9, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a large piece of Gov. Kasich’s mid-biennium budget proposal. Prior to passage, House Republicans added numerous amendments to House Bill 483; it is now more than 800 pages long.

One amendment voids administrative rule 111-3-05 and changes state campaign finance law by lifting the disclosure requirement for corporations and labor organizations making independent expenditures. It also allows foreign-owned corporations and corporations with state contracts to spend money promoting or opposing state candidates.

Former Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner issued the rule in 2011 and fears its repeal will make it easier for national political interests to operate state-based Super PACs.

The bill passed the House by a primarily partisan vote of 57-33 and will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

Photo of the Ohio State Capitol by Alexander Smith on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

“Comcast adds lobbyists for merger fight” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Anyone can lobby – but there’s more to lobbying than driving a Beemer: Roy J. Wells” op-ed by Roy J. Wells in PennLive.

Utah: “Hatch Praises Lobbying” by Bryan Schott in Utah Policy.

Campaign Finance

“Million-Dollar Contributions Fuel Super PACs” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Minnesota: “Minnesota’s limits on campaign donations to be challenged” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Star Tribune.

New York: “Ethics, campaign finance oversight just got weaker in Albany, say observers” by Michael Gormley in Newsday.

Wisconsin: “GOP’s Mike Ellis caught on recording talking of illegal fundraising” by Patrick Marley and Daniel Bice in the Journal Sentinel.

Ethics

“Illinois Democrat reveals ethics review” by Mario Trujillo in The Hill.

Kentucky: “KLEC: Former Rep. Arnold did not violate ethics laws” by Lawrence Smith on WDRB.

Pennsylvania: “Pa. Senate passes bill banning gifts of cash” by March Levy in The News Journal.

South Carolina: “Lawmakers propose appointing prosecutor to probe top state officials” by Andrew Shain in The Republic.

South Carolina: “Nikki Haley calls proposed broader ethics commission a ʹpoison pillʹ” by Andrew Shain in The State.

Government Tech and Social Media

Missouri: “Missouri politicians are mastering social media” by Nicholas J.C. Pistor in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

A lawsuit has been filed by the Institute for Justice, joined by several donors and candidates, challenging a Minnesota campaign finance law. Under section 10A.27(11) of the Minnesota Statutes, the “special sources limit” prohibits a campaign from raising more than 20 percent of its total contributions from lobbyists, political action committees, and large donors.

The Institute for Justice is arguing this law is unconstitutional under the First Amendment, stating “The first people to speak have full rights, but subsequent speakers have half rights.”

The case, Seaton v. Weiner, was filed in federal court on April 8.

Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

Hawaii’s SB 2629 Lobbyist Disclosure Bill passes House: “Hawaii lawmakers plow through mountain of bills” by Cathy Bussewitz and Sam Eifling  (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Wisconsin: “Dem legislator: Lobbyists don’t bother talking to us anymore” by Jack Craver in The Cap Times.

Campaign Finance

“Bitcoin players knock on Washington doors” by Jennifer Liberto in CNN Money.

“FCC: All Stations Must Post Political Files Starting In July” by John Eggerton in Broadcasting & Cable.

“Hillary Clinton knocks Supreme Court’s campaign finance decisions” by Dan Merica on CNN.

“Do Campaign Finance Violations Warrant Jail Time? | A Question of Ethics” by C. Simon Davidson in Roll Call.

Minnesota: “Minnesota’s limits on campaign donations to be challenged” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Star Tribune.

Ohio: “House expects vote on Ohio midterm budget bill” by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) on WTRF.com.

Ethics

Delaware: “Lobbyist fees proposed to fund ethics office” by Jonathan Starkey in The News Journal.

Missouri: “Legislators differ on accepting gifts from lobbyists” by Allyssa D. Dudley in the Salem News.

South Carolina: “SC House panel wants to create larger ethics commission” by Andrew Shain in The State.

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

Ottawa, Canada: “City rules allow lobbyists to donate to councillors’ campaigns” by Joanne Chianello in the Ottawa Citizen.

Campaign Finance

“FEC Publishes New Contribution Limits for 2013-2014” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Delaware: “Del. lawmakers eye campaign finance bill” by The Associated Press in The Washington Times.

Maine: “Maine rethinking campaign contribution limits after Supreme Court ruling” by Reid Wilson (Washington Post) in the Bangor Daily News.

New York: “NY ethics board tells 4 advocacy groups it won’t shield names of their financial backers” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Ethics

California: “California lawmakers propose reforms to regain public trust after series of scandals” by Fenit Nirappil (Associated Press) in the Daily Bulletin.

Georgia: “Deal proposes overhaul of Ga. ethics commission” by Phillip Lucas (Associated Press) in The Telegraph.

Georgia: “Another lawsuit from ex-ethics staffer is in the works” by Greg Bluestein in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Pennsylvania: “Pa. Senate committee approves ban on cash gifts” by Amy Worden in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

From the State Legislatures

California: “State lawmakers’ per diem claims topped $1.1M in 2013” by Nick Heynen and Matthew Defour in the Wisconsin State Journal.

Elections

“Report finds states cutting wait times for voters” by Martha T. Moore in USA Today.

Corporations in Iowa are still prohibited from making campaign contributions, despite an attempt by non-profit corporation Iowa Right to Life Committee, Inc. to remove the ban. The Supreme Court of the United States denied review of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals case with no comment.

In Iowa Right to Life v. Tooker, plaintiff Iowa Right to Life alleged the ban on corporate contributions is an unconstitutional bar to free speech and equal protection. The Eighth Circuit did not agree, thus upholding the ban.

Lobbying

“Lobbyists kick in for Ready for Hillary” by Anna Palmer in Politico.

Alabama: “Lobbying for former Alabama Legislature limited” by The Associated Press in the Daily Press.

Kentucky: “Ethics Reporter: Health care lobbying tops spending list first two months of 2014 session” by the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission in KyForward.

New York: “Lobbyists ready to get to work now that state budget is completed” by Tom Precious in The Buffalo News.

Wisconsin: “Lobbyist bill draws sharp reactions” by Bill Lueders in The Dunn County News.

Campaign Finance

“High Court Rejects New Campaign Finance Case” by The Associated Press in Time.

“Nancy Pelosi pushes campaign finance reforms” by Lauren French in Politico.

“John Roberts’s rules of money in politics” by Josh Gerstein in Politico.

“Campaign finance ruling shakes political world” by James R. Carroll in The Courier-Journal.

“Rep. Robert Pittenger Pays $31,000 Fine” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

California:  “How Will the Change in Campaign Finance Law Affect California?” by Scott Shafer in The California Report.

Connecticut: “Foleys Plead Guilty In Campaign Scheme Linked To Rowland” by Edmund H. Mahony and Jon Lender in The Courant.

Michigan: “Election campaign finance reports in Kalamazoo County to go online under Michigan pilot program” by Alex Mitchell in Michigan Live.

Ethics

“FEC Member Says it Aloud: We’re Dysfunctional” by Charles S. Clark in Government Executive.

Colorado: “Colorado ethics group hears arguments in Gov. Hickenlooper complaint” by Lynn Bartels in The Denver Post.

Georgia: “Former State Ethics Commission Director testifies in court” by Richard Elliot in WSB TV News.

Georgia: “Former ethics attorney said bosses didn’t want deep Deal investigation” by Aaron Gould Sheinin in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Missouri: “Mo. Senate panel endorses ethics law overhaul” by The Associated Press in The Rolla Daily News.

Pennsylvania: “States look harder at rules on gifts to lawmakers” by Amy Worden in The Inquirer.

Rhode Island: “R.I. lawmakers debate ethics oversight bills, hold for further study” by Randal Edgar in The Providence Journal.

West Virginia: “Ethics commission talks board changes” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill designed to strengthen campaign finance laws and bolster enforcement. Assembly Bill 800 gives the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) the authority to audit campaign funds and seek court injunctions to force compliance before elections.

Previously, the FPPC was unable to commence audits of committees until after the conclusion of the general election. The bill also gives preference to civil actions filed by the FPPC in court to ensure disclosures happen before the election.

The bill took effect upon signature.

National:

New G.O.P. Bid to Limit Voting in Swing States

New York Times – Steven Yaccino and Lizette Alvarez | Published: 3/29/2014

Some swing states under Republican control are enacting new restrictions on registering and voting that go beyond recent voter identification requirements. The bills, laws, and administrative rules shake up fundamental components of state election systems, including the days and times polls are open and the locations where people vote.

Federal:

Supreme Court Strikes Down Overall Political Donation Cap

New York Times – Adam Liptak | Published: 4/2/2014

The U.S. Supreme Court freed wealthy donors to give more money directly to congressional candidates. The conservative majority struck down aggregate limits that barred political donors from giving more than $123,000 in an election cycle to candidates running for seats in the House or Senate. The court said this limit violated the free-speech rights of the donors, and it was not needed to prevent corruption of the political process. The justices noted donors must still abide by rules that prevent them from giving more than $2,600 per election per candidate.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Wren Resigns

Montgomery Advertiser – Kala Kachmar and Brian Lyman | Published: 4/1/2014

Alabama Rep. Greg Wren resigned and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor ethics violation in a deal that will secure his cooperation with a corruption investigation at the Capitol. Court documents said Wren, an insurance agent by trade who served as chairperson of the Joint Legislative Medicaid Committee, tried to insert language in the state budget that would have given American Pharmacy Cooperative an edge in certain Medicaid contracts. At the same times, management with the cooperative helped Wren secure a contract with RxAlly for consulting worth $24,000.

California – Case against State Sen. Yee Raises Fundraising Questions

San Francisco Chronicle – Melody Gutierrez and Carla Marinucci | Published: 3/31/2014

Much of the money donated to California lawmakers comes from groups or individuals with pending business before the Legislature. The recent arrest of state Sen. Leland Yee prompted several lawmakers to suggest it is time to revisit campaign finance reform to fix inadequacies in the law or to, at the very least, stop politicians from using campaign donations to pay for their legal defense following criminal charges.

Connecticut – Co-Conspirators’ Guilty Pleas Make John Rowland a Target

Connecticut Mirror – Mark Pazniokas | Published: 4/1/2014

A former congressional candidate and her husband pleaded guilty in a scheme to set up a phony contract to hide the role played in the campaign by former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who resigned a decade ago in a corruption scandal. Prosecutors said Lisa Wilson-Foley, Brian Foley, and Rowland entered into an unlawful conspiracy in 2011 to make illegal contributions to Wilson-Foley. Rowland was paid about $35,000 for services to the campaign. The payments originated with Foley and constituted campaign contributions but were not reported to the FEC.

Delaware – Judge Grants Injunction Sought by Conservative Group Challenging Delaware Campaign Finance Law

Greenfield Daily Reporter – Randall Chase (Associated Press) | Published: 3/31/2014

A federal judge ruled in favor of Delaware Strong Families in its challenge to a 2012 state law requiring groups that spend $500 or more during an election period on third-party advertisements to disclose the source of donations. The judge issued a preliminary injunction that halts this reporting requirement.

District of Columbia – Councilwoman Bowser Defeats Incumbent Gray in D.C. Mayoral Primary

Washington Post – Mike DeBonis and Aaron Davis | Published: 4/1/2014

District of Columbia Councilperson Muriel Bowser won an upset victory in the Democratic primary for mayor in a race that turned on the integrity of the incumbent, Vincent Gray. Only three weeks before the election, Gray was comfortably ahead in the polls when a donor pleaded guilty to illegally pumping nearly $700,000 into Gray’s campaign four years ago. The donor said the mayor had participated in the plot. Gray denied knowledge of the under-the-table effort on his behalf, but overnight, a listless race became a referendum on the mayor’s credibility.

Georgia – Trial Begins in Lawsuit against Georgia Ethics Commission

Marietta Daily Journal – Christina Cassidy (Associated Press) | Published: 4/1/2014

A jury will decide whether they believe the claims brought by former state ethics commission Executive Secretary Stacey Kalberman in a wrongful termination lawsuit, who says she was forced out her job in an effort to stifle an investigation of Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, or side with state attorneys who argue she left after her salary was reduced by 30 percent for budgetary reasons in 2011 and it was unrelated to the governor’s ethics probe.

Illinois – NRA Lobbyist Breaks Hunting Law, Then Lobbies to Change It

Chicago Sun-Times – Dave McKinney | Published: 4/1/2014

Todd Vandermyde, the National Rifle Association’s Illinois lobbyist, was fined $120 last December for breaking a state hunting law. A month later, he worked with House Minority Leader Jim Durkin to rewrite the law he broke. “If I … changed the law because I got a ticket, people would be screaming bloody murder; I don’t think it’s any different when someone with the level of influence and access that he has does it, too,” said Rep. Kelly Cassidy.

Kentucky – 2014 Changes Will Strengthen Kentucky Ethics Law

Russellville News-Democrat & Leader – George Troutman (Legislative Ethics Commission) | Published: 4/3/2014

Kentucky lawmakers gave final approval to House Bill 28, which makes significant changes to the lobbying statute, including a “no cup of coffee” rule, meaning lobbyists and their employers will be prohibited from buying a meal, or even a cup of coffee, for an individual legislator, candidate, or the spouse or child of a lawmaker or candidate. In this opinion piece, George Troutman of the Legislative Ethics Commission delineates the reforms, and the positive effects he believes will ensue if Gov. Steve Beshear signs the measure into law.

Missouri – Pledge Asks Missouri Lawmakers to Refuse Gifts from Lobbyists

Columbia Tribune – Rudi Keller | Published: 3/30/2014

Missouri Rep. John Wright is calling on lawmakers to sign a pledge promising not to accept gifts from lobbyists. Last year, lobbyists purchased almost $1 million worth of meals, trips, golf outings, and sports tickets for lawmakers, including tickets to the World Series and University of Missouri football and basketball games. “Most of the people here are good people, but a lot of bad habits have developed and there is a culture of lobbyist gifts and a culture of entitlement that needs to be completely reset,” said Wright.

Montana – Commissioner Says Senate Majority Leader Art Wittich Broke Campaign Laws

The Daily Journal – Matt Volz (Associated Press) | Published: 4/1/2014

Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl concluded Senate Majority Leader Art Wittich violated the law by coordinating with Western Tradition Partnership and other entities to accept illegal corporate donations in his 2010 primary election campaign. Motl asked a state judge to weigh his findings and decide whether Wittich’s actions merit removal from office and from the 2014 election ballot.

New York – Capitol Corruption Panel’s Demise Angers Watchdogs

New York Times – Jesse McKinley and Thomas Kaplan | Published: 3/31/2014

Ethics provisions attached to the state budget signed into law by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo disbands the Commission to Investigate Public Corruption, which was formed last July and given a broad mandate to restore public trust in government. Cuomo said the reforms he wanted would be accomplished by changes to campaign finance reporting requirements and bribery laws, and the public financing of elections in this year’s race for state comptroller.

Pennsylvania – Pa. House Leaders Impose Ban on Most Cash Gifts

Philadelphia Inquirer – Mark Scolforo (Associated Press) | Published: 4/2/2014

Legislative leaders adopted a new ethics rule that prohibits members of the Pennsylvania House from accepting cash gifts, although money from specified close family members and non-lobbyist friends is allowed. A spokesperson for House Speaker Sam Smith said the policy change was made in response to reports in The Philadelphia Inquirer that four House members accepted payments from a lobbyist who was part of a sting operation.

Wisconsin – Lobbyist Bill Draws Sharp Reactions

WisconsinWatch.org – Bill Leuders | Published: 4/1/2014

Senate Bill 655, which was signed into law recently by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, allows lobbyists to start making personal donations the day candidates can circulate petitions for office, which is April 15. Under the previous law, they could not make any contributions until June 1. The bill has been assailed for both its process and its substance. Meanwhile, some lament that this dissent led to it being watered down.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.