February 11, 2013 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
Lobbying
District of Columbia: “Washington lobbying is key part of Williams Mullen’s evolution” by Catherine Ho in the Washington Post.
North Dakota: “Bill would allow use of public funds to hire lobbyists” by Nick Smith in the Bismarck Tribune.
Texas: “Despite Reforms, Some Elected Officials Still Lobby” by Aman Batheja in the Texas Tribune.
Campaign Finance
“Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. admits to campaign finance violationsFormer Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. admits to campaign finance violations” by ASndrew Rafferty in NBC News.
“Review: Ex-House members still dipping into campaign funds” by Fredreka Shouten in the Montgomery Advertiser.
District of Columbia: “D.C. campaign finance proposals await more public comment” by Tim Craig in the Washington Post.
Florida: “Indicted Developer Jay Odom Set to Enter Plea in Campaign Finance Case” by Lucy Morgan in the Ledger.
Georgia: “Ralston Amends Proposed Lobbying Rules” by the Associated Press in GPB News.
Iowa: “Campaign finance bill offers new approach” by William Petroski in the Des Moines Register.
Montana: “Several campaign finance bills introduced in 2013 session” in the Missoulian.
Philadelphia, PA: “2 move to regulate campaign $” by Jan Ransom in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Ethics
Connecticut: “Legislator pushes conflict of interest bill” by Brian Lockhart in the Connecticut Post.
Idaho: “Lawmakers propose ethics committee” by Katherine Wutz in the Idaho Mountain Express.
Oklahoma: “New Ethics Commission leader seeks better campaign-reporting software” by Barbara Hoberock in Tulsa World.
West Virginia: “Ethics Commission in contract talks with director finalist” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.
Open Government
Oklahoma: “Disputes over Oklahoma’s open records and open meetings laws continue” by Zeke Campfield and Phillip O’Connor in the Oklahoman.
Redistricting
Ohio: “Ohio Redistricting Overhaul Gains Support” by Josh Goodman in Stateline.
Social Media
“Social Media: Becoming a Trusted Source for Political Information” by Pam Greenberg in NCSL’s The Thicket.
February 8, 2013 •
News You Can Use Digest – February 8, 2013
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
U.S. Groups Flex Their Muscles in Brussels
From the States and Municipalities:
California – FPPC Examining Changes to California Lobbyist Disclosure
Colorado – Judge Denies Halting Ethics Probe of Gessler; Appeal Coming
Kansas – NRA Lines Up Support for Anti-Public Lobbying Bill
Maine – America’s Capital of Divided Government
Maryland – Maryland Ethics Panel Says Delegate Should Not Have Tried to Silence Football Player
Massachusetts – DiMasi, Lobbyist Ask Appeals Court to Overturn Convictions
Massachusetts – Lobbyists Win Challenge to Galvin Requirement
Missouri – Missouri Gov. Nixon Got Donation from Contractor While Decrying Big Political Money
Nebraska – Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy Resigns in Scandal Involving Cell Phone Calls to Four Women
New Jersey – N.J. Budget Official Questions Florida Debris Firm’s $100 Million Contract, Political Connections
New York – Two Campaign Aides Going on Trial, but Comptroller May Face Judgment
Texas – Text Donations Spread Down Ballot
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.
February 5, 2013 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:
“Senate lobbying data revamp causing problems for data watchdogs” by Dave Levinthal in the Center for Public Integrity.
“Lobbyists rush to shape immigration deal” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Georgia: “Lobbyists asked to sponsor Senate lunches” by Kristina Torres in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Michigan: “Lobbying expenses add up in 2012” by Kristen M. Daum in the Battle Creek Enquirer.
Campaign Finance
Kansas: “House panel may allow politicians to rollover campaign funds” by Tim Carpenter in the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Missouri: “Seminar will focus on Missouri campaign finance laws” by Paul Hampel in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
South Dakota: Legislature: “Panel endorses greater campaign disclosure” in the Argus Leader.
Ethics
“Attorneys Want Public Input on Ethics Office Rules Changes” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
Kansas: “Bill would set term limits for Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission” by Scott Rothschild in the Lawrence Journal World.
Maryland: “Reprimand, apology recommended for lawmaker” by Erin Cox and Michael Dresser in the Baltimore Sun.
Redistricting
“Emails show legislative staff talked with party over redistricting maps” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.
February 4, 2013 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
New York: “Newest NY Senator says she’ll fight for campaign finance reform” by Karen DeWitt in North Country Public Radio.
Lobbying
“Unregistered Lobbyists Keep Business Humming” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Business Roundtable Head Says CEOs Will Be Visible Lobbyists” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
California: “Capitol lobbying rises” by Laurel Rosenhall” in the Sacramento Bee.
Georgia: “House vs. Senate on the lobbyist gift ban” by Chris Joyner in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
New Jersey: “State watch: Hidden persuaders and local lobbying” by David Neese in the Trentonian.
Ethics
Nebraska: “Nebraska’s lieutenant governor quits amid scandal” by The Associated Press in the Los Angeles Times.
From the State Legislatures
Nevada: “All you need to know about the 77th Legislature convening today” by Anjeanette Damon and David McGrath in the Las Vages Sun.
Ohio: “Lawmaking 101: There’s a process” by Jim siegel in the Columbus Dispatch.
Wisconsin:“Lawmakers Have Mixed Feelings About Part Time Legislature” Marti Mikkelson on WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio.
NCSL’s “Legislative Social Media Sites”
Open Government
Missouri: “Mo. measure seeks to strengthen open records law” by The Associated Press in the News Tribune.
February 1, 2013 •
Maine Increases Contribution Limits for Legislative Candidates
Contribution limits for all other candidates remain unchanged
The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices increased some of the state’s contribution limits as required by state law. The state requires the commission to examine the limits each December of an even-numbered year based upon the consumer price index.
This time around, the commission increased only the limits for candidates to the state legislature by $25. Now, those candidates may accept $375 for the primary and another $375 for the general election per contributor.
A candidate may accept contributions for the primary election, even if he or she is running opposed. The commission will next evaluate the contribution limits in December 2014.
February 1, 2013 •
News You Can Use Digest – February 1, 2013
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Menendez Pushes Back on Scandal Implications
On K Street, Score One for the Little Guy
From the States and Municipalities:
Colorado
Accidental E-mail Attachment Gets Lobbyist in Hot Water with Senate Majority Leader
Florida
House Proposes Closing Slush Funds, Raising Contribution Limits
Georgia
Georgia Speaker Unveils Sweeping Ethics Legislation
Hawaii
Lobbying Lessons: What Hawaii can learn from other states
Idaho
Armed Man in Security Video is Sorry He Alarmed Idaho Legislators
Illinois
Ex-Illinois State Ethics Panel Member Gets Ethics Fine
Kansas
Labor Groups Suffer Blow in Kansas House
Michigan
North Carolina
N.C. Budget Chairs Change Seats, Start Lobbying Careers
Pennsylvania
Pa. Lawmaker Seeks to Change Offensive Name of Mountain
Rhode Island
RI Rep: Ban lobbyist contributions during session
South Carolina
Ethics Panel Created by Gov. Haley Releases Report
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.
January 31, 2013 •
Arizona Political Contribution Limits Updated
2013-2014 Election Cycle
The Arizona Office of the Secretary of State has released the 2013-2014 election cycle contribution limits.
Individuals and noncertified political committees can now contribute up to $912 to a statewide candidate, $450 to a non-statewide local candidate, and $440 to a non-statewide legislative candidate. Additionally, committees certified by the state may contribute up to $4,560 to a statewide candidate, $2,270 to a non-statewide local candidate, and $1,816 to a non-statewide legislative candidate. These limits apply to candidates not receiving public funds under the Citizens Clean Elections Act.
Other changes include allowing individuals to make annual political contributions up to $6,390 to political committees or candidates. The contributions limits are required by law to be adjusted every two years.
January 31, 2013 •
Rhode Island Bill Would Ban Contributions During Session
House Bill 5187
A bill was introduced that would prohibit lobbyists from making any political contributions to any member of the Rhode Island General Assembly during legislative sessions.
House Bill 5187, introduced by Representative John Lombardi on January 29, delineates the ban’s time-frame for each annual session from January 1 through July 1.
In his press release, Representative Lombardi states, “Perhaps buying a ticket to a legislator’s fundraiser is done with the best intentions, but it can still appear to be for a different reason entirely. Perceptions are important and there should never be the perception, even if incorrect, that a political contribution is a means to a special favor, to special treatment.”
January 31, 2013 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:
“Lobbyist for lobbyists steps away” by Dave Levinthal in The Center for Public Integrity.
Florida: “Wilton Manors mayor takes on lobbying ban in county ethics code” by Brittany Wallman in the Sun Sentinel.
Idaho: “Dueling petitions: Signers have some fun at lobbyist’s expense” in the Idaho Statesman.
Campaign Finance
“Obama’s Flip-Flops on Money in Politics: A Brief History” by Justin Elliott (ProPublica) in the Huffington Post.
“Justice to SCOTUS: Don’t allow direct corporate campaign spending” by Alison Frankel in Thomson Reuters.
Florida: “House proposes closing slush funds, raising contribution limits” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.
Indiana: “Some familiar names make campaign-finance violation list” by Kevin Leininger in the News-Sentinel.
Rhode Island: “RI Rep: ban lobbyist contributions during session” by The Associated Press in NECN.
Ethics
Colorado: “Gessler sues ethics commission to stop investigation of his spending” by Tim Hoover in the Denver Post.
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission hires general counsel” by Michael McNutt in the Oklahoman.
South Carolina: “Disgraced Former Gov. Mark Sanford Is Ready To Make Another Move” by Alan Greenblatt on NPR.
Open Government
South Dakota: “South Dakota lawmakers reject plan to record closed meetings” in the Sioux City Journal.
January 30, 2013 •
FEC Updates Contribution Limits
2013-2014
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has published the 2013-2014 election cycle contribution limits indexed for inflation. As required by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, the FEC must adjust certain contribution limits every two years.
The individual and non-multicandidate PAC contribution limit to federal candidates has increased from $2,500 to $2,600 for both primary and general elections, allowing for a total of $5,200 for a federal candidate. The overall biennial limit for individuals has increased to $123,200, with a maximum of $48,600 for all candidates and $74,600 for all PACs and parties. Among the other adjustments is the increased contribution limit of $32,400 per year to national parties from individuals and non-multicandidate PACs.
January 30, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Keep up with the latest articles on campaign finance, lobbying, ethics, and more!
Lobbying
“K Street Files: Defense, Tax Aides Join McBee” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
California: “Former assemblyman registers as a lobbyist” by Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee.
Georgia: “Georgia speaker unveils sweeping ethics legislation” by Chris Joyner in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Missouri: “Lawmaker: Legislators should never become lobbyists” by Bob Watson in the News Tribune.
Campaign Finance
“FEC Increases Contribution Limits for 2014” by Kyle Trygstad in Roll Call.
Montana: “Montana legislators, groups at odds on campaign donation limits” by Mike Dennison in the Missoulian.
New York: “On Campaign Finance Reform, Senate Republicans Stand in Gov. Cuomo’s Way” opinion piece by John Petro in the Huffington Post.
Ethics
“Ethics Office Opened 32 Cases During 112th Congress” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
Hawaii: “Honolulu Ethics Commission Wants to Double Its Resources to Fight Public Corruption” in the Hawaii Reporter.
Illinois: “Former state ethics commissioner hit with $2,500 ethics violation” by Rafael Guerrero in the Chicago Tribune.
Maine: “Bill would bar state officials from quitting to immediately work for industries they regulated” by Naomi Schalit and John Christie in the Bangor Daily News.
New York: “NY ethics board talks conflicts in secret session” by The Associated Press in the Albany Times Union.
New York: “Ex-aide to City Controller John Liu snared in campaign finance fraud probe is granted immunity to testify in former treasurer’s trial” by Robert Gearty in the New York Daily News.
South Carolina: “SC Supreme Court to hear Nikki Haley ethics case” by Andrew Shain in The State.
Elections
Michigan: “Snyder nixes plan to split Michigan electoral votes” by Alexander Burns in Politico.
Ohio: “State Sen. Turner proposes election reform package” by Joe Hallett in the Columbus Dispatch.
Ohio: “Secretary of State Jon Husted and other Republicans say Electoral College changes not in store for Ohio” by Henry J. Gomez in the Plain Dealer.
Open Government
Mississippi: “Mississippi gets low grades for transparency on state, local websites” by Donna Harris in the Sun Herald.
South Dakota: “Legislature: Public records plan falls short” by David Montgomery in the Argus Leader.
January 29, 2013 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:
Lobbying
“K Street Files: New Faces at Harlow Foundation, Thorn Run” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Abramoff lists 8 tips to overhaul lobbying laws” by Keith Matheny in USA Today.
“10 Strange Lobbying Groups That We Swear Are Real” by Elizabeth Flock in U.S. News & World Report.
Kentucky: “Kentucky sets lobbying record in 2012” by Phil Impellizzeri in the Bluegrass Institute.
Nevada: “Former Nevada legislative director joins high profile public relations, lobbying firm” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Campaign Finance
Missouri: “Nixon makes pitch for Medicaid, campaign donation limits” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Utah: “Some ethics bills advance, while calls arise for more” by Lee Davidson in the Salt Lake Tribune.
Vermont: “Ben and Jerry push campaign finance ‘petition on steroids’” Dan D’Ambrosio in the Burlington Free Press.
Ethics
Arizona: “Arizona Democrats introduce trio of ethics bills” by AJ Vicens in Cronkite News.
Arizona: “Arizona Democrats introduce trio of ethics bills” by Mary Jo Pitzl in the Arizona Republic.
New Jersey: “Christie make case for taking over independent agencies” by Matt Katz in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
South Carolina: “Gov.’s commission suggests ‘clean, honest’ ethics plan” by Andrew Shain in The State.
Texas: “Ethics Commission to Debate Fundraising Opinion” by Emily Ramshaw in the Texas Tribune.
Virginia: “Va. lawmakers’ gifts last year were padded with travel” by Bill Sizemore in the Virginian-Pilot.
Redistricting
North Carolina: “Judges to hear N.C. redistricting challenge” by Dale Gibson in the Triangle Business Journal.
Virginia: “Va. Senate OK’s constitutional amendments” by Laura Vozzella in the Washington Post.
Wisconsin: “Rep. Vos subpoenaed in Wisconsin redistricting case” by The Associated Press in the Post Crescent.
January 28, 2013 •
Potential Vermont Legislation May Increase PAC Disclosures
Bill may also increase filing frequency
Representative Kurt Wright announced his intention to introduce campaign finance legislation that will enhance disclosures in an election year. Wright and 10 other legislators are working on legislation that would require campaign finance reports to be filed monthly after January 15 in an election year, and increase filing to biweekly leading up to a primary or general election.
Currently, filings are due monthly after July 15.
The bill will also contain provisions related to donor disclosure, requiring PACs to disclose a top contributor if he or she provides more than half of all contributions in a six-month period, and super PACs to disclose their top three donors if their combined contributions account for more than half of contributions received.
Photo of Vermont State House by Jared C. Benedict on Wikipedia.
January 28, 2013 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
Lobbying
“D.C. Circuit Upholds Conviction of Former Abramoff Lobbying Associate” by Tom Ruger in the Blog of the Legal Times.
Arizona: “Inquiry of Fiesta Bowl lobbyist drags on” by Craig Harris in the Arizona Republic.
Georgia: “Lobbyist gifts decline amid citizen outcry” by Chris Joyner in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Hawaii: “Hawaii legislators push reforming ethics rules for lobbyists and public officials” by Anita Hofschneider (Associated Press) in The Republic.
Kentucky: “Some notes on 2012 lobbying spending” by Tom Loftus in the Courier-Journal.
New Mexico: “Lobbyists haven’t reported all event expenses” by Steve Terrell in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
North Carolina: “N.C. budget chairs change seats, start lobbying careers” by Rob Christensen in the Charlotte Observer.
Washington: “Spin Control: Lobbying season kicks off in Olympia” by Jim Camden in the Spokesman Review.
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “Campaign finance violations targeted” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez in the Arizona Republic.
Montana: “Montana bill seeks cash to fight ‘dark money‘” by Matt Gouras (Associated Press) in the Great Falls Tribune.
Ethics
South Dakota: “Sunshine laws draw support, resistance” by David Montgomery in the Argus Leader.
Government Tech and Social Media
“6 Ways to Optimize Gov-to-Citizen Communication” by Colin Wood in Government Technology.
Legislative Issues
Arizona: “Arizona’s new Legislature not demographically representative of population” by Mary Jo Pitzl in the Arizona Republic.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.