Campaign Finance

“PACs attack: N.Y. seeing a flood of outside money” by The Associated Press in Pressconnects.com.

Florida: “Meet Florida’s big-time donors to super PACs” by Alex Leary in the Miami Herald.

“Md. referendum campaigns raise $53 million” by John Wagner and Aaron C. Davis in The Washington Post.

Lobbying

“Loopholes abound in some lobbyist gift bans” by Chris Joyner in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“Patton Boggs moves to reinvent itself” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.

“Lobbying Efforts From Tech Companies Surge On Capitol Hill” in Fast Company.

Kentucky: “Ellen Williams joins McBrayer lobbying team” by Tom Lotus in the Courier-Journal.

Pennsylvania: “Lobbyists could be subject to open-records law” by Dan Miller in the Patriot-News.

Pennsylvania: “Lobbyists’ checks buy lawmaker access” by John L. Micek in the Morning Call.

Ethics

“Jackson Jr. probe focuses on house” by Kevin Robillard in Politico.

Campaigns and Elections

“Candidates turn to geo-targeting in ads” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“For politically playful news orgs, the 2012 election means social interactivity” by Adrienne LaFrance in Nieman Journalism Lab.

“Campaigns Mine Personal Lives to Get Out the Vote” by Charles Duhigg in The New York Times.

Lobbying

“Lawmaker Sues State Bar Over Lobbying” by Joe Harris in the Courthouse News Service.

“Long-time lobbyist to retire” by Bill Rankin in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Campaign Finance

“Changing campaign-finance laws might not deter corruption” by Lydia Coutré in the Columbus Dispatch.

“Top donors go all in on state ballot measures” by Will Evans in the Bay Citizen.

Ethics

“State Ethics Commission clears Sen. Gary Siplin in newsletter complaint”  in the Miami Herald.

Social Media and Technology

“The Rise of Mobile in Election 2012” by Matt Petronzio in Mashable.

“Online, Next Presidential Debate Will Feature a Moderator that Wasn’t” by Micah L. Sifry in TechPresident.

“Code for America Accelerator Program Takes Shape” by Sarah Rich in Government Technology.

Legislative Issues

“Bill limits N.J. legislators’ unexcused absences” by The Associated Press in NorthJersey.com.

National:

Are Voter ID Opponents Winning the Battle but Losing the War?

Federal:

House, Senate Campaigns Welcome Lobbyists Shunned by Team Obama

Obama, Romney Face Most Narrow Electoral Map in Recent History

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona

State Lawmaker Ben Arredondo Pleads Guilty to Two Felonies

Florida

Butterworth Skirts State Lobbying Laws to Land $44 Million-a-Year Contract in Broward

Illinois

Federal Judge Upholds Limits on Contributions to State Candidates

Maryland

Del. Tiffany Alston Suspended from Office, General Assembly Lawyer Says

Montana

Appeals Court Reinstates Campaign Finance Limits

Nevada

Ross Miller Pursues Campaign Finance Law Violations against AFP

Ohio

Ohio Republican Party Reaches Settlement to Resolve Complaint That it Lied in Campaign Literature against Redistricting Issue

Texas

DeLay Attorneys: Ex-GOP Star Didn’t Launder Money

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.

Campaign Finance

“How Citizens United has transformed campaigns: An introduction to Big Sky, Big Money” by Kai Ryssdal on Marketplace.

“Celebrities Recruited to Make Case on Campaign-Finance Reform” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.

Lobbying

“Nats fever sweeps Congress, K Street” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Government Tech and Social Media

“New App Opens Up Presidential Documents” in Government Technology.

Campaign Finance

California: “Prop 32: Union and Corporate Campaign Contributions” by Ben Adler in Capital Public Radio.

New Mexico: “Non-N.M. Groups Give Thousands” by Dan Boyd in the Albuquerque Journal.

Texas: “Court hears DeLay appeal in campaign finance case” by Peggy Fikac in the Houston Chronicle.

Ethics

“Hawaii Ethics Commission Still Missing a Member” by Anita Hofschneider in the Honolulu Civil Beat.

“W.Va. Ethics Commission sets Jan. 28 hearing on allegations against Beckley mayor” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Social Media and Government Tech

“Hardly Anyone Using Campaign Apps, Survey Says” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.

“Where is E-Government Communication Headed?” by Matt Williams in Government Technology.

Yesterday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated Montana’s campaign contribution limits under Montana Code Annotated §13-37-216, overruling the District Court. The District Court is ordered to outline the reasoning for its decision, according to AP reports.

On October 3, 2012, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, issuing a decision in Lair v. Murry, found the contribution limits in Montana Code Annotated §13-37-216 “prevent candidates from ‘amassing the resources necessary for effective campaign advocacy.’”

Yesterday, the District Court had denied a request to stay its Order, according to the Independent Record. The Attorney General and the Commissioner had appealed the October 3 Order to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Even though the District Court has ruled some of Montana’s political contribution limits unconstitutional, the Commissioner of Political Practices wants candidates and political donors to stick to the statutory restrictions.

On October 5, Commissioner James W. Murry issued a statement “strongly recommend[ing] that candidates, political committees, and contributors abide by the contribution limitations that are provided in the statute.”

In his statement, the Commissioner said, “This office will continue to review Judge Lovell’s October 3rd Order as well as any additional orders issued by the courts to determine the current status of the laws relating to campaign contributions.”

UPDATE: Today, the Commissioner has issued an additional statement regarding the Court of Appeal’s decision: “The result of the Ninth Circuit order is that contribution limits are in effect and will be enforced.”

Campaign Finance

“Members’ PACs Test Unregulated Spending” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

“Harvard Law professor talks campaign finance corruption” by Ben Atlas in the Michigan Daily.

South Carolina: “Groups calling for probe into Harrell spending” by Meg Kinnard (Associated Press) in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal.

Ethics

“Texas Ethics Commission fines Texas Rep. Allen Fletcher” by Caleb Harris in the Tomball Magnolia Tribune.

“Edward Wasserman: TV ‘watchdogs’ quiet as political ad cash rolls in” by Edward Wasserman in the Bellingham Herald.

South Carolina: “This year’s ‘hot’ SC campaign issue? Ethics” by Adam Beam in The State.

Elections

“Across the electoral map, a mixed picture for candidates down the ballot” by Karen Tumulty in the Washington Post.

The Fair Political Practices Commission has announced cancellation of the October 18, 2012 meeting. Regulations previously scheduled for review included a requirement for political committees to report expenses associated with online communications such as blogs, Facebook, and Twitter. Biennial adjustment reviews of campaign contribution limits, voluntary expenditure ceilings, and gift limits have also been postponed.

These and other potential regulation changes are tentatively scheduled to be considered during the December 13, 2012 commission meeting at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held in Board Chambers Room 310, County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, California 92101.

Campaign Finance

“Big donors give far and wide, influencing out-of-state races and issues” in NBC News.

“Prosecutors face off over suspect campaign activity” by Jeremy Duda in the Arizona Capitol Times.

“Connecticut firm at center of new ‘Citizens United’ controversy” by Michael Beckel in the CTMirror.org.

“Boutique PACs making big splash in surprise races” by Susan Davis in the Indianapolis Star.

Ethics

“Congressional ethics committees protect legislators, critics say” by Scott Higham in the Washington Post.

“Congress members back legislation that could benefit themselves, relatives” by Kimberly Kindy, David S. Fallis and Scott Higham in the Washington Post.

Florida: “Ethics commission ‘wish list’ waiting for Legislature” by Matt Dixon in the St. Augustine Record.

Campaigns and Elections

“Voter Data: What the Candidates Know About You” by Elana Varon in Mashable.

“Campaigns Use Social Media to Lure Younger Voters” by Jenna Wortham in The New York Times.

A federal court rejected an injunction trying to overturn Illinois’ political contribution law. Illinois Liberty PAC filed for the injunction contending the state law violated its First Amendment right to free speech. Illinois law limits the amount individuals, PACs, unions, and corporations may give to candidates each election. However, the law does not limit what political parties may contribute to a campaign.

Illinois Liberty PAC contended that if it was limited in what it could contribute, everybody should be limited. United State District Judge Gary Feinerman disagreed, holding that the injunction “would create a manifest possibility of actual or apparent corruption” and cause harm to the state’s citizens.

This ruling will not be the end of the case. Illinois Liberty PAC plans on filing an emergency motion with the appellate court in hopes of suspending the limits for the upcoming November election. Also, the courts will eventually have to rule on the constitutionality of Illinois’ contribution limits.

Campaign Finance

California: “Crosby, Stills, Nash and Morello rage against Prop. 32” by Michael J. Mishak in the Los Angeles Times.

Montana:  “Montana appeals ruling as campaigns eye unlimited donations” by Mike Dennison in the Billings Gazette.

“James Bopp Jr. Gets Creative” by Jon Campbell in Slate.

Lobbying

Florida: “Butterworth skirts state lobbying laws with Broward contract” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.

Ethics

“Todd Akin Flubs Another Financial Disclosure, Amends 10 Years of Forms” by Neils Lesniewski in Roll Call.

Illinois: “Illinois powerbroker Cellini is sentenced to a year in prison” by Annie Sweeney in the Morris Daily Herald.

Pennsylvania: “Ex-LCB chairman Stapleton resigns amid ethics probe” by Angela Couloumbis in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

South Carolina: “Ethics Commission Owed $2 Million Plus in Fines” by Shawn Drury in the St. Andrews Patch.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Digital Campaigning: Meet the Marketing Wizards of D.C.” by Matt Petronzio in Mashable.

“Are Digital States Graduating with Honors, or in Detention?” by Kristy Fifelski in GovTech.

Photo of the U.S. Capitol by UpstateNYer on Wikipedia.

The Oregon Supreme Court has sided with state officials who refused to enforce a ballot measure limiting campaign contributions and spending. In 2006, voters approved Measure 47, but also rejected Measure 46, a constitutional amendment needed in order to allow the Measure 47 regulations.

Then-Secretary of State Bill Bradbury did not enforce Measure 47 based on the failure of Measure 46 and a 1997 decision by the high court finding contributions were protected under Oregon’s constitutional guarantee of free expression. Unless voters change the state constitution, or a future court decides differently, Oregon will continue to allow unlimited campaign contributions.

National:

Selling Votes is Common Type of Election Fraud

Federal:

For Election Losers, Many Paths through the Political Wilderness

Medical Research Funding Tied to Advocacy, Study Finds

From the States and Municipalities:

Arkansas

Americans for Prosperity Puts Big Money on Legislative Races in Arkansas

Illinois

Emanuel Replaces Ethics Board

Maine

Supreme Court Won’t Hear Appeal by Anti-Gay Marriage in Maine Case

Massachusetts

Native Americans Chafe at Brown-Warren Race

Minnesota

Campaign Finance Board Rules Minnesota Majority’s Dan McGrath Did Not Break Lobbying Rules

Montana

Judge Tosses Montana Campaign Finance Limits

Nevada

Nevada Secretary of State Seeks More Campaign Disclosure, Restrictions in Aurora Act

Oregon

Oregon Supreme Court Refuses to Limit Campaign Spending

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Voter ID Law Shouldn’t Be Enforced This Time, Judge Rules

Rhode Island

Ethics Commission Sets Hearing on Disclosure of Paid Trips for Officials

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.

Campaign Finance

“Campaign Fundraisers in D.C. Continue Despite Recess” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

New York: “Campaign finance reform uncertain” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.

Lobbying

“US Rep. Frank: No paid lobbying after Congress” by The Associated Press in the Boston Globe.

Ethics

“SC lawmakers vow ethics reform” by Andrew Shain in The State.

Campaigns and Elections

“5 takeaways from the Denver debate” by Maggie Haberman in Politico.