November 2, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – November 2, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Little Girl Cries over ‘Bronco Bamma’
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
AEA Plays Bigger Role in Politics than Teachers Unions in Most Other States, Study Finds
California
Anti-Tax Group’s Support Can Come with a Price
California
Arizona Nonprofit Must Reveal $11 Million Donor Details
District of Columbia
Inspector General Audit Details Hiring, Ethics Abuses at MWAA
Florida
Justin Lamar Sternad Invokes Fifth Amendment Right in FEC
Idaho
Idaho Nonprofit Reveals Donors after Losing Lawsuit; Bloomberg Gave $200K, Scott $250K
Maine
Senate District 25 Candidate Lachowicz Cleared by Ethics Panel
Michigan
Term Limits Launching Political Careers, Free Press Analysis Shows
Mississippi
Officials to Call for New Anti-Corruption Laws
Montana
Political Practices Reports Apparent Break-in
North Dakota
Judge Blocks ND Election Day Campaign Ban
West Virginia
WV House of Delegates Candidate Killed Because of Storm, Still on Ballot
Wisconsin
Five Wisconsin Lawmakers Settle Suit with Groups Seeking ALEC E-mails
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.
November 1, 2012 •
501(c)(4) Group Ordered to Disclose Contributors
Contributions funded ballot measure ads
An Idaho judge ordered Education Voters of Idaho (EVI), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, to disclose the names of its contributors.
EVI contributed more than $200,000 to Parents for Education Reform, which spent the funds on television commercials in support of three school reform ballot measures, but claimed that as a 501(c)(4), it was exempt from state disclosure requirements. The judge disagreed, ruling that the disclosure requirements applied to all individuals, corporations, associations, and entities of any kind.
EVI filed its disclosure statement on October 31st, as ordered by the court, and is contemplating an appeal of the order.
November 1, 2012 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying, Campaign Finance, Ethics
From the States
“Capitols After Dark: A Haunting Prospect” by Mark Wolf in NCSL’s The Thicket.
Lobbying
“Romney Would Limit Lobbyist Roles” by Damian Paletta and Brody Mullins in The Wall Street Journal.
Campaign Finance
“Billionaires, outside groups fueled pricey campaigns” by The Associated Press in the Dallas Morning News.
“30 Issues: Why You Should Care About … Campaign Finance” by Ibby Caputo on WGBH.
California: “Limit on campaign contributions may be increasing the spending of outside groups” by Stephen Hobbs in the Richmond Confidential.
Ethics
“City Council OKs overhaul of ethics board” by Fran Speilman in the Chicago Sun Times.
Campaigns and Elections
“Romney Campaign Will Use Smartphones To Track Voter Turnout” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
“Why there won’t likely be an electoral vote/popular vote split — in one map” by Chris Cillizza in The Washington Posts’ The Fix.
October 31, 2012 •
Wednesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Here is our government relations news roundup for today:
Lobbying
“K Street Lobbyists Ready for Post-Sandy Disaster Aid Requests” by Kate Ackley and Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
“The Hill’s 2012 Top Lobbyists” in The Hill.
“5 Wisconsin lawmakers settle suit with groups seeking ALEC emails” by Jason Stein in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Campaign Finance
“Outside cash trumps candidates’ in half a dozen tight races” by Kevin Bogardus and Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
California: “Judge backs Jerry Brown, FPPC on Arizona campaign donations” by Kevin Yamamura in the Sacramento Bee.
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma candidates accept corporate contributions, afoul of state law” by Megan Rolland in The Oklahoman.
Oklahoma: “Chickasaw Nation leads state superPAC donors” by Randy Kehbiel in the Tulsa World.
Campaigns and Elections
“Where’s Your Polling Location? On IOS 6, There’s Now An App To Help You Find Out” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
October 29, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
“Federal Offices, Metrorail System in Washington Closed Monday” in the National Journal.
Lobbying
“Lobby shop revenues continue fall” by Catherine Ho in the Washington Post.
“K Street Lobbyists Hit the Campaign Trail in Virginia” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Jack Abramoff on America’s bipartisan culture of corruption” by Joseph Cotto in the Washington Times.
Michigan: “Most term-limited Michigan officials stay in government or lobbying” in the Lansing State Journal.
Campaign Finance
“In state races, N.Y.C., Albany dominate campaign donations” by Jon Campbell in the Democrat and Chronicle.
Ethics
“Ron Paul-Inspired Group Lobbies for Bill Prompted by Paul Reimbursements” by Jonathan Strong in Roll Call.
Campaigns and Elections
“Campaign lawyers gear up for nail-biter election” by Michael Knigge in Deutsche Welle.
October 29, 2012 •
Massachusetts OCPF Extends Pre-election Report Due Date
11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Because of the state of emergency declared in advance of Hurricane Sandy, the Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance (OCPF) has issued a notice extending the due date of pre-election reports until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. Reports covering activity from August 20 to October 19 were to be due October 29.
Although its office is closed today, the OCPF notice states, “Office staff will be checking their office voice mail during the day on Monday and will be returning calls to assist filers as they are able.”
October 26, 2012 •
One Last News Roundup for the Week
Enjoy your weekend!
Lobbying
“American League of Lobbyists asks for end to registration loopholes” by Kent Hoover in the New Mexico Business Weekly.
“K Street’s Q4 Expectations” by Michael Catalini in the National Journal’s Influence Alley.
Ohio: “Ethics laws could get overhaul” by Jim Siegel in The Columbus Dispatch.
Campaign Finance
“Former IRS Official Accuses ALEC of Lying About Assets” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
“Poll: Majority wants corporate money out of politics” by Jordy Jager in The Hill.
California: “California Watchdog Sues Arizona Nonprofit over Secret Donation” by McClatchy News in Governing.
New York: “Bill: Jail campaign finance report scofflaws” by Rick Karlin in the Albany Times Union.
New York: “Super PAC clout under challenge” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.
Campaigns and Elections
“Presidential election hits $2B fundraising mark” by Beth Fouhy in The Associated Press.
“Bing Releases ‘One-Stop-Shop’ for Election 2012 Info” by Alex Fitzpatrick in Mashable.
“Survey: Campaign contributors stick to traditional tools” by Josh Smith in Nextgov.
Ethics
Alaska: “Alaska state Senate candidate Bell fined $390 by APOC over disclosure requirement” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
October 26, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 26, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
K Street Flags Shortcomings of Lobbying Law
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
Judge: Listing of PAC contributors unconstitutional
California
California’s Campaign Finance Watchdog Agency Demands Names of Donors to Shadowy Arizona Group
California
Judge Rejects Former Bell Police Chief’s Bid to Double Pension
Florida
State Ethics Commission: David Rivera broke 11 ethics laws while serving in Florida Legislature
Georgia
Atlanta Region Sees Spike in Public Corruption Cases
Idaho
Idaho Sues to Force Disclosure of Secret Donations
Illinois
Appeals Court Allows Illinois Limits on Campaign Financing
Iowa
‘Donations’ to State Agency Let Landlords Avoid Charges
Kentucky
Ethics Panel Wants Lobbyists to Report Ad Spending
Montana
Supreme Court Won’t Block Montana Campaign Finance Law Ahead Of Elections
New Jersey
Infamous Federal Informant Solomon Dwek Is Sentenced to Six Years, Must Pay $22.8 Million
North Dakota
Campaigning Fargo Candidate Finds Body under Tree
Tennessee
With Registry’s Ruling, Burchett Case Closed
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.
October 25, 2012 •
Thursday Campaign Finance and Ethics News
Here is a short roundup of articles for you:
Campaign Finance
“Obama’s Campaign Quick to Capitalize on Text-to-Donate Option” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
Idaho: “Idaho sues to force disclosure of secret donors” by Betsy Z. Russell in the Spokesman Review.
South Carolina: “‘Secret’ money targets some SC legislators” by Gina Smith in The State.
Ethics
“Florida ethics panel hits David Rivera with 11 counts” by John Bresnahan in Politico.
Tech and Social Media
“Illinois Open Technology Challenge Seeks Innovative Apps” by Colin Wood in Government Technology.
“FCC May Consider Whether Unsolicited Email To Text On Mobile Phones Is Legal” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
Case goes back to trial court to determine constitutionality of state’s contribution limits
The Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Illinois’ limits on campaign financing will remain in force at least through the upcoming general election. Illinois Liberty PAC initially sought an injunction to suspend the limits, but its effort was refused by the district court. They appealed and the appellate court ruled that the PAC’s attorneys “have not shown that they are likely to succeed on the merits of their challenge to contribution limits.”
The case will now go back to the district court, where the actual merits of the case can be decided. The PAC claims that the limits violate their First Amendment right to free speech and their equal protection rights because it allows political parties to spend unlimited amounts of money, while limiting contributions from other sources.
The PAC was not surprised by the ruling saying, “We knew it was going to be an uphill battle.”
October 24, 2012 •
Our Wednesday Government Relations News
Don’t miss the articles you need to keep up with the latest news about lobbying, campaign finance, and elections:
Lobbying
“K Street flags shortcomings of lobbying law” by Dave Levinthal in Politico.
“Lobbying spending goes up even with Congress away” by Dave Levinthal in Politico.
“K Street prepares for sequestration battle” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Facebook continues record lobbying spending” by Jennifer Martinez in The Hill.
“Lobbying Groups Object to Proposed NY Ethics Regulations” by Chris Vest in Associations Now.
“Romney and the lobbysists” by Heath Brown in The Hill.
Campaign Finance
“Citizens United: What Obama, Romney would do about campaign finance reform” by Justin Elliott in the Alaska Dispatch.
“Mauled by Ads, Incumbents Look to Declaw Outside Groups” by Jennifer Steinhauer in The New York Times.
Campaigns and Elections
“Why Are Elections On Tuesdays?” by Selena Simmons-Duffin on NPR.
“Why Campaigns Are Happy Your Vote Isn’t as Private as Many Think It Is” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.
Tech and Social Media
“Federal website satisfaction dips slightly” by Joseph Marks in Nextgov.
October 24, 2012 •
U.S. Supreme Court Denies Application to Vacate Stay in Montana Contribution Limits Case
State to Continue to Enforce Limits
Yesterday the United States Supreme Court denied an application to vacate the stay allowing Montana to enforce its political contribution limits.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals had stayed a District Court’s decision ruling certain state contribution limits unconstitutional and unenforceable. 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.’”
The case is pending in the Court of Appeals.
October 23, 2012 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:
Lobbying
“Campaign season idles K Street” by Kevin Bogardus and Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“K Street Lobbyists Decamp to the Campaign Trail” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Chamber ramps up lobbying spending” by Peter Schroeder in The Hill.
“Jack Abramoff: Congress members don’t know they’re being bribed” by Louis C. Hochman on NJ.com.
Michigan: “Stateside: Lobbying in Michigan, the ‘Wild, Wild West’” on Michigan Radio.
Ontario: “Fixing ‘user errors’ in city lobbying registry not officials’ job” by David Reevely in the Ottawa Citizen.
Campaign Finance
New York: “Spending big to take money out of politics” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.
Colorado: “Springs considers new campaign finance rules” by Niel Chacón in the Colorado Springs Gazette.
Minnesota: “Minnesota serves as political campaign ATM” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Tech and Social Media
“Crush Robocalls, Win $50K” in Government Technology.
“Tool helps agencies manage social media messaging” in Nextgov.
October 22, 2012 •
Appellate Court Enjoins Puerto Rico Campaign Finance Provisions
Law 222
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on October 19, 2012 ordered the district court to enjoin Puerto Rico from enforcing provisions of Law 222, a campaign finance law passed in 2011. The provisions in question required corporations and unions to establish separate committees in order to make independent expenditures.
Such committees were required to hold membership meetings and vote to approve expenditures related to elections. The court found those provisions were likely to be held unconstitutional regulations of political speech.
Coat of Arms of Puerto Rico courtesy of Creative Commons on Wikipedia.
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