June 18, 2012 •
Monday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News Summary
Start the week off right with these latest news items:
Campaign Finance
“‘Citizens United’ Case Gets Renewed Scrutiny” by David Welna on NPR.org.
“Post-Watergate campaign finance limits undercut by changes” by Dan Eggen in the Washington Post.
“Will Text-Message Fundraising Revolutionize the Political Cash Game?” by Alex Roarty in the Atlantic.
Connecticut: “Common Cause slams Malloy veto of campaign finance bill” by Mark Pazniokas in CTMirror.org.
Florida: “High school students create a super PAC” by Lane DeGregory in the Miami Herald.
Tennessee: “Many TN lawmakers have deeper pockets than challengers” by Elizabeth Bewly on WBIR.com.
Lobbying
“Does ALEC influence politics, laws?” by Dana Beyerle in the Tuscaloosa News.
Arkansas: “Ethics reform emerging in partisan politics” by Rob Moritz in Arkansas News.
Georgia: “Lobbyist fined for $17,000 European trip with Ralston” by Doug Richards in WXIA News.
Rhode Island: “Lawmakers Pocketed Thousands from Lobbyists in May” by Dan McGowan in GoLocalProv.
June 15, 2012 •
Connecticut Governor Vetoes Campaign Finance Bill
An override is unlikely
Governor Dannel Malloy vetoed House Bill 5556 today, June 15, 2012. The campaign finance bill would have required corporate board authorization for campaign-related expenditures of $4,000 or more and disclosure of donor identities for donations aggregating $1,000 or more.
The bill was opposed by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Connecticut Daily Newspaper Association, who argued that the bill would have a chilling effect on contributions.
The bill did not pass with a two-thirds vote, making a veto override unlikely.
June 15, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 15, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
FEC: Campaigns can raise money via text message
Howard Marlowe, Lobbyist Defender
K Street: ‘Let’s meet’; Hill staffers: ‘text me’
From the States and Municipalities:
Alaska
APOC Weighs in on Campaign Finance Question
Connecticut
ACLU, Businesses Oppose Campaign Financing Reporting Bill
Georgia
Former Director, Assistant File Lawsuits against Ethics Commission
New York
Lobbyists Directed Contributions
New York
Unexpected Stand against Disclosure
Pennsylvania
GOP Will Discuss Skinhead Winner
South Carolina
Rep. Jim Merrill Faces Ethics Questions over Work with Realtors
Texas
Constitution’s ‘Supreme Being’ Clause Targeted Again
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.
June 14, 2012 •
NYCCFB Executive Director Testifies in Maryland
Offers insight to the Maryland Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law
Amy Loprest, Executive Director of the New York City Campaign Finance Board, testified before the Maryland Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law about the campaign finance program in New York City and its progression.
According to the Campaign Finance Board’s press release, here is Loprest’s concluding statement:
“The New York City Campaign Finance Program amplifies the voice of the average, low-dollar contributor and reduces the influence of big-dollar contributors. The result has been less potential for corruption and a remarkable broadening of participation in the electoral process. At a time when voter turnout is low and voters everywhere are increasingly cynical about government, we’re very proud that people from around the country are looking at our Program as a model for reform.”
Here is the full text of her statement.
Be sure to read: “Md. state commission targets campaign-finance loophole” in the Baltimore Business Journal.
June 14, 2012 •
Thursday Campaign Finance News Summary
Keep up with the latest campaign finance articles with today’s roundup:
“U.S. Supreme Court meets Thursday to consider Montana’s ban on corporate political spending” by Charles S. Johnson in the Missoulian.
“No New Trial for John Edwards” by Kim Severson in The New York Times.
“Newswire : Romney tops Obama in fundraising for May” by Jim Kuhnhenn and Ken Thomas (Associated Press) in the Greene County Democrat.
“Campaign Aid Is Now Surging Into 8 Figures” by Nicholas Confessore in The New York Times.
“Beltway Bundlers Have Mitt Romney Sitting Pretty” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
Arizona: “Former Ariz. lawmaker who left office after campaign finance allegations being investigated” by The Associated Press in The Arizona Republic.
Maryland: “Maryland campaign donation loophole targeted” by David Hill in the Washington Times.
Ohio: “Ohio Elections Commission will reconsider allowing ex-Sheriff Gerald McFaul’s controversial spending” by Joe Guillen in the Plain Dealer.
June 13, 2012 •
Missouri Has New Online Campaign Finance Search Tool
And more campaign finance, lobbying, and government ethics news today:
“Ethics Commission offers new campaign finance search tool” by Mike Lear in MissouriNet.
“2 Campaigns Chasing Funds at Frantic Pace” by Ashley Parker and Helene Cooper.
“Entrepreneurs, small lobby shops challenging K Street’s old guard” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Arkansas: “Backers optimistic about ethics measure; GOP lawmaker questions proposal” by Jeff Arnold in the Arkansas News.
Connecticut: “Connecticut lawmakers return for special session” by Susan Haigh (Associated Press) in the Norwich Bulletin.
June 12, 2012 •
Texting Political Contributions Approved by FEC
Advisory Opinion
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has issued an advisory opinion approving text messaging of political contributions in federal elections.
Political and media consulting firms Red Blue T LLC and AnnourMedia, Inc., along with m-Qube, Inc, a merchant billing service provider, requested approval from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to use text messaging to raise funds for political committees.
In AO 2012-17, the commission concluded the proposed plan made to use the merchant billing service as intended is consistent with reporting requirements, conforms to the prohibition on corporate contributions, complies with forwarding requirements when making factored payments, and satisfies the segregation requirement for commercial vendors processing the contributions.
The proposal envisions two methods for the use of text messaging to make contributions:
In the first method, a wireless user would text a pre-determined message to a common short code registered to a political committee. A text message response sent by the merchant to the user would then require the user to respond with his or her own text message to confirm the user’s intent to engage in the transaction and certify the user’s eligibility to make a contribution.
With the second method, a user would enter his or her mobile phone number on a political committee’s website. Before submitting the phone number, the user will be required to certify his or her eligibility to make a contribution. After the user makes the certification and submits the phone number, the user will receive a text message from the merchant that includes a PIN. The user will enter the PIN on the political committee’s website to confirm the transaction.
No mobile phone number can be billed more than $50 per month for contributions to any one political committee.
June 12, 2012 •
FEC Allows Text Message Contributions
Plus FEC sues former Sen. Craig and more campaign finance and government ethics news
Campaign Finance
“FEC: Campaigns can raise money via text message” by Dave Levinthal in Politico.
“FEC sues ex-Sen. Craig over use of campaign cash” by The Associated Press on CBSNews.com.
“NJ considers changes to election finance rules” by The Associated Press in the Bergen Record.
Government Ethics
Georgia: “Squirrely Ethics in Georgia, Former Exec Says” by Iulia Filip in the Courthouse News Service.
New Mexico: “New Mexico agency compiled email list for governor’s PAC” by Steve Terrell in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
June 11, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Start the week off right with the latest government relations news:
“Text Messages as Campaign Finance Reform?” by Quentin Fottrell in the Wall Street Journal.
“The Politics of Social Networking” by Damon Eris on the Independent Voter Network.
“At Meeting of Left’s Online Activists, Weighing Impact of Attack Ads” by Sarah Wheaton in The New York Times.
Alaska: “Will Citizens United result in Big Oil deciding who wins Alaska elections?” in the Alaska Dispatch.
District of Columbia: “Ex-D.C. Council Chairman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud” by Tom Schoenberg in Bloomberg.
Georgia: “Taking the Pledge – Most see need for lobbyist gift cap” in the Marietta Daily Journal.
Kansas: “Voters will see big changes from new redistricting plan” by Scott Rothschild in the Lawrence Journal World.
New York: “Analysis: $2M gambling bet puts focus on lobbyist” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.
June 11, 2012 •
Chicago Mayor Introduces Ethics Reform Amendment
Gift ban, reverse revolving door, code of conduct, and regulating PACs
Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced an ethics reform amendment to the city council on June 8. The amendment, based on the recommendations given to him by the Ethics Reform Task Force, would strengthen the gift ban, add a reverse revolving door provision, and increase the penalties for PACs who accept illegal contributions. The amendment also includes a code of conduct for city officials and employees, which is something the city has never had before.
The city council will now decide the fate of the mayor’s initiatives. The Ethics Reform Task Force will release its second set of recommendations in late July, this time focusing on the relationship between, and the key responsibilities of, the city’s ethics institutions.
Photo of Chicago skyline by mindfrieze on Wikipedia.
June 8, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 8, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Poll: Sharp increase in partisan divides among Americans
Federal:
Lobbyists Ask Congress for a Mandate on Ethics
From the States and Municipalities:
Arkansas
Democratic, Republican Leaders Back Ethics Initiative
California
State’s Top 100 Political Donors Contribute $1.25 Billion
Delaware
Delaware Lawmakers Approve Campaign Finance Revisions
District of Columbia
D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown Resigns after He Is Charged with Bank Fraud
Florida
Research Group Says Florida Has Most Corrupt Officials
Georgia
Georgia Lawmakers Back Lobbying Cap but Ignored Bill
North Carolina
Legislators, Lobbyists Mix Business with Pleasure
North Carolina
State Ethics Panel to Investigate Lobbyists Tied to Tillis Aides
South Carolina
Gov. Nikki Haley Ethics Inquiry Could Have Major Statehouse Implications
Wisconsin
Walker Survives Wisconsin Recall Vote
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.
June 6, 2012 •
Today’s Campaign Finance and Lobbying News
Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:
Campaign Finance
California: “Txt 4 Ur Candidate” by By Ann Ravel, Jared DeMarinis and Hyla Wagner in The New York Times.
Louisiana: “La. lawmakers rework campaign finance enforcement” by The Associated Press in Real Clear Politics.
Lobbying
North Carolina: “State ethics panel to investigate lobbyists tied to Tillis aides” by J. Andrew Curliss and John Frank in the News & Observer.
Ethics
South Carolina: “House Ethics to refund former candidates’ fines” by the Associated Press in GoUpstate.com.
Gov 2.0
“New Website a One-Stop Shop for Colorado Data” by Sarah Rich in Govtech’s Public CIO.
Legislative Issues
“California voters OK changes to term limits for state legislators” by Phil Willon and Jean Merl in the Los Angeles Times.
June 6, 2012 •
Puerto Rico Amends Campaign Finance Provisions
Registration and Reporting Requirements Affected
Puerto Rico has continued its efforts to modernize and improve its campaign finance provisions by passing Project of the Senate 2674-2012. This project amends the Law for the Control of Financing of Political Campaign in Puerto Rico. This project has been referred to the Special Commission on Government Reform, and while not currently law, the Elections Commission has been working to update the campaign finance reporting requirements to reflect the project.
The project has several important elements. First, it elaborates on the definition of a coordinated expenditure by carving out a definition for specific expenditures made for the benefit of a party or candidate. Second, it modifies the campaign finance reporting dates for the 2012 general election. Lastly, the project addresses concerns with respect to state and federal PAC registration and reporting for entities wishing to participate in the electoral process without registering a PAC in Puerto Rico.
We will continue to track this project and provide updates as they become available.
June 5, 2012 •
Take a Look at the Tuesday News Roundup!
The American League of Lobbyists is approaching Congress to make ethics training mandatory for lobbyists. Also, we have campaign finance, redistricting, and social media in today’s summary.
Lobbying
“Lobbyists ask Congress for a mandate on ethics” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Campaign Finance
“Tammany businessman’s allegedly illegal campaign donations went to Gov. Jindal’s 2007 run” by Claire Galofaro in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Redistricting
Iowa: “Redistricting makes for tumultuous Iowa primary” by The Associated Press in the Quad-City Times.
New Hampshire: “Court to hear challenges to NH redistricting plan” by Holly Ramer (Associated Press) in the Boston Globe.
Social Media
“Political campaigns are in a constant technology arms race” by Scott Canon in the Kansas City Star.
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