Lobbying

“K St. winners and losers in budget votes” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“Under Contract” in The Hill.

“K Street Files: SEIU Launches Immigration Ads” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

Georgia: “Drama over ethics reform builds toward session’s finale” by Aaron Gould Sheinin, Chris Joyner and Kristina Torres in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Nevada: “State Senate votes for more lobbyist transparency” by Ed Vogel in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Campaign Finance

New York: “OFA joins New York campaign finance reform fight” by Maggie Haberman in Politico.

West Virginia: “Campaign financing bill advances” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.

Ethics

Maryland: “Dixon to give talk, consider return to politics” by Jena Marbella in the Baltimore Sun.

From the State Legislatures

“Committee recommends Brooks be expelled from Legislature” by Anjeanette Damon in the Las Vegas Sun.

Political Advertising

“Think Your Advocacy Group is Not Subject to FEC Rules? Think Again.” in Political Law Briefing via Eric Brown’s Political Activity Law Blog.

Open Government

“New Transparency Grades Issued for States” by Mike Maciag in Government Technology.

Arkansas: “Arkansas gets ‘C’ in spending transparency report” in Arkansas News.

Tennessee: “Rep. Glen Casada withdraws bill on open meetings law” by The Associated Press in The Tennessean.

West Virginia: “W.Va.’s spending transparency grade falls” by Eric Eyre in the Charleston Gazette.

Redistricting

Florida: “Legislators ask court to shield them from having to testify over maps” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.

Lobbying

Georgia: “House makes ethics changes; Deal urges action” by Greg Bluestein, Aaron Gould Sheinin and Kristina Torres in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“Ex-lawmakers go to lobbying-related jobs” by Fredreka Schouten in USA Today.

“Facebook’s Zuckerberg to launch lobby group with Washington consultants” by Jennifer Martinez in The Hill.

Campaign Finance

Florida: “Friend of U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan evades prison time for illegal fundraising” by Susan Taylor Martin in the Tampa Bay Times.

Montana: “Bill to overhaul campaign finance law passes” by Charles S. Johnson in the Billings Gazette.

Ethics

“Michele Bachmann under investigation for campaign finance violations” by John Bresnahan and Byron Tau in Politico.

Connecticut: “Today’s lesson: Politicians dislike being called corrupt” by Mark Pazniokas in the Connecticut Mirror.

Texas: “Donations to Judicial Campaigns Spur Ethics Worries” by Maurice Chammah in the Texas Tribune.

Elections

Alabama: “Election runoffs targeted; legislation would allow candidates to win nominations with just 35 percent to win in a primary vote” by Brian Lyman in the Montgomery Advertiser.

Maine: “Bill would bar secretary of state, attorney general and treasurer from running for office” by Christopher Cousins in the Bangor Daily News.

From the State Legislatures

Idaho: “House targets Friday adjournment – barring mishaps” by The Associated Press in the Idaho State Journal.

South Dakota: “SD Legislature ends annual legislative session” in the Rapid City Journal.

Utah: “Utah Legislature passed record number of bills” by Lee Davidson in the Salt Lake Tribune.

Government Tech

“San Francisco Tells New York: Our Data Is Bigger Than Your Data” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.

New York City mayoral candidate George McDonald has momentarily thrown up the white flag in his attempt to circumvent the contribution limits. McDonald, who is running for the Republican nomination, filed suit against the New York City Campaign Finance Board in hope of removing the city’s very strict contribution limits.

McDonald’s argument relied on the theory that the state’s contribution limits, which are higher than the city’s limits, superseded the city’s restrictions. McDonald had hoped for a quick resolution, but the court has taken nearly a month to decide the case and McDonald fears he is running low on time.

McDonald now plans on raising enough funds to qualify for the public financing system, meaning he will have to raise at least $250,000 from donations of up to $175. If he is able to do that, the city will give his campaign $1.5 million.

McDonald is considered a long shot to win the Republican nod as he is going up against a political veteran, Joseph Lhota, and a billionaire businessman, John A. Catsimatidis. McDonald has argued that the city’s laws give these two types of candidates an unfair advantage over first-time candidates.

McDonald’s lawsuit still must be decided by the court, but most experts believe he has little chance of winning.

Image of the flag of New York courtesy of Wikipedia.

On March 21, 2013, the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) issued an advisory opinion deciding it does not have the jurisdiction to declare contribution limits unenforceable or unconstitutional for political committees making only independent expenditures.

Advisory Opinion 01-2013 holds current state registration and reporting requirements and contribution limits apply to political committees making independent expenditures.

Fund for Jobs and Growth, a political organization not registered in the state and intending to make independent expenditures in the state’s 2013 elections, requested the opinion in order to determine whether it needed to register and report with the state and whether the state contributions limits for political committees applied to its fundraising activity. The organization was held to be a political committee requiring registration and reporting.

While holding state contribution limits apply, the opinion notes several other jurisdictions have held contribution limits applied to political committees making independent expenditures are unconstitutional. ELEC did not find “that the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has addressed these issues, nor has the United States Supreme Court issued a specific determination concerning the constitutionality of contribution limits for political committees making only independent expenditures.”

Lobbying

Georgia: “Lobbying reform: what’s gone down, what’s up next” by Chris Joyner and Kristina Torres in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Pennsylvania: “Lobbying money flows in state store debate” by Steve Esack and Scott Kraus in the Morning Call.

Washington: “Washington Teachers’ Union Top Lobbying Spender In Olympia So Far” by Austin Jenkins in Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Campaign Finance

“Rules of the Game: Hispanic Caucus Leverages Latino Power” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

California: “Former ethics chief would ban fundraising while California lawmakers work” by Torey Van Oot in the Sacramento Bee.

Florida: “House approves no limits on campaign contributions” by Mary Ellen Klas and Michael Van Sickler in the Miami Herald.

Florida: “Campaign finance bill allows higher limits, mandates quicker reporting” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.

Montana: “Coalition ‘blasts’ campaign finance bill” in the Independent Record.

Ethics

New Jersey: “Sexually explicit e-mails sent by Assemblyman Joe Cryan to lobbyist are revealed, report says” in the Star-Ledger.

From the State Legislatures

Georgia: “Georgia lawmakers have 3 days left” by Walter C. Jones in the Augusta Chronicle.

Kentucky: “Dizzying pace for Ky. legislators in next 2 days” by The Associated Press in the Bowling Green Daily News.

Mississippi: “Miss. state Rep. Jessica Upshaw found dead” by The Associated Press in the Hattiesburg American.

Missouri: “Missouri lawmakers to return from midsession break” by Chris Blank (Associated Press) in the Columbia Missourian.

Montana: “Montana Senate backs amendment to limit legislators to 16 years in office” by The Associated Press in the Missoulian.

Nevada: “Nevada Legislature sees quiet session so far” by Ed Vogel in the Las Vegas Review Journal.

New York: “No new budget bills; final voting pushed to Thursday” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Capitol Confidential.

Open Government

Missouri: “Missouri lawmakers don’t follow open records rules, auditor says” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Tennessee: “Casada says open meetings bill can be fixed” by Lucas L. Johnson II (Associated Press) in The Tennessean.

Procurement

Kentucky: “Well-paid Kentucky lawmaker Dennis Horlander a toothless watchdog” by Tom Loftus in the Courier-Journal.

The Senate approved its version of a House ethics bill on Friday, March 25, 2013. Now the House and Senate are seeking common ground between the different versions of House Bill 142.

The House version of the bill bans most gifts from lobbyists to individual legislators, but allows unlimited gifts to legislative groups. The Senate version imposes a $100 gift cap and erases the exception for legislative groups, but does not limit the number of gifts allowed. The Senate version also erases the House version’s expanded lobbyist registration for unpaid advocates.

Both chambers are expected to appoint a joint committee to negotiate in an effort to reach compromise before the session reaches its scheduled end on Thursday, March 28, 2013.

Photo of the Georgia State Capitol dome by Connor Carey on Wikipedia.

National:

Conflicts of Interest Run Rampant in State Legislatures

Democratic Women Eye City Hall Gains

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Supreme Court Hears Arguments over Whether States Can Ask for Proof of Citizenship to Register

California – Bell Trial Ends in Chaos

California – Judge Orders San Jose to Disclose Officials’ Messages on Private Devices

Florida – Gaming Committee Chairman Relies on Flights from Gaming Lobbyist for Travel to Tallahassee

Georgia – State Senate Offers $100 Lobbying Cap in Split Plan

Kansas – Kansas House Passes Bill on Union Pay Deductions

Kentucky – Richie Farmer Could Be Fined $210,000 over 42 Ethics Violations

Maryland – Campaign Finance Reform Passes House and Is Moving in Senate

Maryland – Former Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold Gets Jail Time from Judge

New Mexico – Social Media Plays a Bigger Role in Legislative Session

New York – Artists Against Fracking May Not Be Registered As New York Lobbying Group

South Carolina – Former Governor Advances in South Carolina Race

South Carolina – Misuse of SC State Plane Alleged

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.

Lobbying

“Lobbying Without a Trace” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Under Contract” in The Hill.

“K Street firms working US-EU trade talks from both sides of the Atlantic” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“Casino Jack’s New Game” by Mariah Blake in The Atlantic.

Florida: “House revises its ethics bill, allows for revolving door lobbying of exec branch” by Mary Ellen Klas in The Miami Herald.

Georgia: “Senate to present $100 lobbyist cap” by Ray Henry (Associated Press) in the Marietta Daily Journal.

Minnesota: “Minnesota lobbying reports show big spending by business groups” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Star Tribune.

Pennsylvania: “Lobbying frenzied as Pa. House vote nears on privatizing alcohol sales” by Angela Couloumbis in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Toronto, Ontario: “Ban on after-hours lobbyist schmoozing gets a cold shoulder from Toronto city hall” by Paul Moloney and Robyn Doolittle in the Toronto Star.

Campaign Finance

“Campaign Finance: Raise Spending Limits, Increase Transparency” by Jonathan Rauch in The Atlantic.

Ethics

Georgia: “Delay on ethics bill” by Kristina Torres in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

New York: “NYS Senate GOP Looking To Cut Ethics Commission Funding” by Ken Lovette in the New York Daily News.

Legislative Issues

Rhode Island: “R.I. legislature begins live streaming floor sessions, hearings” by Katherine Gregg in the Providence Journal.

Lobbying

Georgia: “Ga. Senate expected to unveil lobbying rules” by The Associated Press in WSAV TV.

Indiana: “Purdue moving to trim its federal lobbying costs” by The Associated Press in the Indianapolis Business Journal.

Ethics

Arizona: “Campaign-finance case against Horne recommended for dismissal” by Lindsey Collom and Craig Harris in the Arizona Republic.

Georgia: “Ethics reform at critical juncture” Chris Joyner and Kristina Torres in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

New Jersey: “N.J. Politics Roundup: House committee investigates Andrews over spending” by Brent Johnson in the Star-Ledger.

Rhode Island: “R.I. ethics panel mulls statute of limitations on complaint filings” by Karen Lee Ziner in the Providence Journal.

Elections

Ohio: “Ohio House panel OKs elections bill” by Michelle Everhart in the Columbus Dispatch.

Procurement

Iowa: “Iowa businesses would get preference on state contracts under bill approved by Iowa Senate” by William Petroski in the Des Moines Register.

From the State Legislatures

“State Legislative Leaders Gather in Washington” by  Jon Kuhl in NCSL’s The Thicket.

Term Limits

Texas: “Senate votes to let voters decide on term limits for statewide officeholders” by Mike Ward in the Austin American-Statesman.

Lobbying

“K Street Files: FTI Consulting Snaps Up C2 Group” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

California: “California cities, counties find funds to hire Capitol lobbyists” by Anthony York in the Los Angeles Times.

Georgia: “Ga. senators to debate House plan to limit lobbyist spending; end-of-session drawing near” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

New York: “Artists Against Fracking May Not Be Registered As New York Lobbying Group, AP Reports” by Michael Gormley in the Huffington Post.

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “The ‘Ernie Newton’ campaign finance ban moves forward” by Ken Dixon in the Connecticut Post.

Las Cruces, New Mexico: “Las Cruces council refines proposed campaign finance ordinance” by Steve Ramirez in the Las Cruces Sun-News.

Vermont: “Vermont Senate’s campaign finance bill: many find something to like” by Nancy Remsen in the Burlington Free Press.

Ethics

“Reps. Andrews, Young to be investigated by House Ethics panel” by Jordy Yager in The Hill.

Florida: “Coalition calls for ethics improvements” by Bill Cotterell in the Florida Current.

Kentucky: “Richie Farmer could be fined $210,000 over 42 ethics violations” by Tom Loftus in the Courier-Journal.

Rhode Island: “Common Cause web site counts days, hours since ethics vote quashed” by Katherine Gregg in the Providence Journal.

From the State Legislatures

“2012 Election Legislation: National Summary” on NCSL.org.

Social Media

New Mexico: “Social media plays a bigger role in leg session” by Julie Ann Grimm in the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Lobbying

“Street Talk: K Street Hiring Chill Leaves Members Cold” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Former Rep. Rehberg joins K Street firm” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Georgia: “House lobbyist gift ‘ban’ has loopholes” by Chris Joyner in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Campaign Finance

“Russ Feingold on the Path to Campaign Finance Reform” by John Light on BillMoyers.com.

“Former Fla. Dem candidate pleads guilty to campaign finance fraud, claims he was ‘used’” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

New York: “Eyes On Albany As State Considers Campaign Finance Changes” by The Associated Press in WHAM ABC News.

Ethics

“Lawmakers add relatives to campaign payrolls” by Fredreka Schouten and Christopher Schnaars in USA Today.

“Conflicts of interest run rampant in state legislatures” by Nicholas Kusnetz in The Center for Public Integrity.

“A year in prison, Rod Blagojevich in good spirits” by Mackenzie Weinger in Politico.

Florida: “Gaming committee chairman relies on flights from gaming lobbyist for travel to Tallahassee” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.

Minnesota: “Minn. Judges May be Required to Reveal Financial Ties” by Nick Winkler in KAAL TV ABC News.

Open Government

Missouri: “Push for exemptions adds to debate over Missouri’s open-records law” by Chris Blank in the Kansas City Star.

Vermont: “Vermont Senate advances open-records bill” by Nancy Resmen in the Burlington Free Press.

Federal:

Obama Meets with New Advocacy Group

From the States and Municipalities:

California – California Lawmakers Avoid Campaign Contribution Limits with Ballot Measure Account

Florida – Investigators: Florida gambling probe that led to resignation of lieutenant governor will grow

Iowa – Statehouse Coffee Budget Running at $1,400 Deficit

Kentucky – Dennis Horlander Paid More than Most in Kentucky Legislature

Michigan – Former Mayor of Detroit Guilty in Corruption Case

Missouri – St. Louis Police Sergeant Plans to Sue Department for Silencing His Pro-Pot Work

Oregon – Oregon Legislators Reap Big Post-Election Donations – Much of it ‘Makeup Money’

Pennsylvania – Ex-Senate Leader, 7 Others Charged in Turnpike Probe

Rhode Island – RI House Leadership Faulted over Ethics Vote

Tennessee – Black Keys Manager Ticket Offer Raises Questions

Washington – Blind Lawmaker Up to Task in Olympia

West Virginia – Gainer Queries Ethics Panel over Visa Ads

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.

Lobbying

“Howard Berman signs up for K Street job” by Tarini Parti in Politico.

“K Street Files: Under Attack, Gamers Add In-House Lobbyists” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“K Street lobbyists leap to the planet’s defense after asteroid scare” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Campaign Finance

Utah: “Legislature to change law on who probes campaign violations” by Robert Gehrke in the Salt Lake Tribune.

Vermont: “Vermont Senate panel delays vote on campaign finance” by Dave Gram in the Burlington Free Press.

Ethics

“Florida Official Resigns in Wake of Gambling Probe” by Cameron McWhirter and Ana Campoy in the Wall Street Journal.

“Fla. charity probe to next focus on campaign money” by Mike Schneider and Gary Fineout in the Miami Herald.

Open Government

“Oversight panel pushes for transparency” by Eric Martinson in Politico.

Kansas: “Senate committee discusses changes to ‘open records’ law” by Stevi Wilson in the Lawrence Journal-World.

North Carolina: “How to bring more sunshine to the NC legislature” by John Frank in the News & Observer.

Procurement

Iowa: “Panel told of revised process for equipment procurement” by Jason Noble in the Des Moines Register.

Legislative Issues

Kentucky: “Ky. lawmakers approve 107 bills during first 28 days of legislative session” by Jack Brammer in the Herald-Leader.

Montana: “Montana lawmakers consider longer term limits” by The Associated Press in the Billings Gazette.

Redistricting

Wisconsin: “New court filing: Documents were deleted from GOP redistricting computers” by Patrick Marley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The New York City Council has overridden Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s veto of a campaign finance bill loosening the disclosure requirements. The law, which will go into effect immediately, was fiercely opposed by both Bloomberg and New York City Campaign Finance Board Director Amy Loprest, but the City Council has nearly unanimously supported it from the outset.

The law will allow labor or other membership organizations, as well as corporations, to send campaign communications to its members, executive and administrative personnel, and stockholders without having to disclose that information to the Campaign Finance Board. According to Loprest, $35,000 in outside spending on mass mailers was spent in the two special elections since the city adopted its stringent rules.

In a statement Loprest said, “Disclosure helps voters understand who is speaking and trying to influence the outcome of their election. Just as important, disclosure helps voters hold candidates accountable for their supporters during an election and for the policies they pursue. New Yorkers want and deserve access to complete information about the interests supporting candidates for city office. The legislation approved by the Council today will hide some of that information from public view.”

Councilwoman Gale Brewer disagreed with this notion, saying “Member-to-member communications are not intended to influence the public. So, the public’s interest in source disclosure is significantly reduced.”

With city elections upcoming in November, both sides will see how these new rules actually affect the elections and spending.

Photo of the New York City Hall by Howrealisreal on Wikipedia.