April 12, 2012 •
Governors and Ethics
Here are news articles about two state governors and a former governor facing campaign finance issues:
Georgia: “Gov. Deal still has 3 pending ethics complaints” by the Morris News Service in the Augusta Chronicle.
Missouri: “Former Missouri governor, St. Louis attorney indicted in campaign contributions case” by Robert Patrick in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
South Carolina: “Ethics Commission to hear 7 allegations against Haley” by Gina Smith in The State.
April 9, 2012 •
ELEC Says PAC Contributions from Contractors Increasing
Calls for Reform
Jeff Brindle, Executive Director of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), has renewed efforts calling for campaign finance reform, specifically concerning political contributions from contractors.
In a press release detailing public contractors’ political contributions for 2011, ELEC’s analysis concludes that while contractors are making fewer contributions directly to candidates, they are making substantially more contributions to PACs.
Director Brindle states, “In some cases, contractors may be evading the intent of pay-to-play restrictions and contribution limits by giving indirectly through these PACs. That is why the Commission has recommended making it harder for one candidate or group to establish multiple, affiliated PACs.”
Director Brindle also reiterates the Commission’s recommendation to adopt a single statewide pay-to-play law. Previous LobbyComply blog posts discusses the earlier recommendations can be found here and here.
April 9, 2012 •
Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Keep up with the latest lobbying and campaign finance news:
“White House abandons push for federal contractors to disclose political giving” by Mike Lillis in The Hill.
“F.C.C. Pushes for Web Site on TV Political Ad Spending” by Brian Stelter in The New York Times.
“Limits on Lobbyists as Hosts? Simply Unworkable, They Say” by Robert Pear in The New York Times.
“FEC Ruling Leaves Ad Uncertainty” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
Arkansas: “Campaign Finance Reform in Arkansas Enters a New Phase” by KARK 4 News.
Maryland: “Lobbyist scores a ‘scoop’ of sorts” by Michael Dresser in The Baltimore Sun.
April 6, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – April 6, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Boycotts Hitting Group behind ‘Stand Your Ground’
GE, J&J among Firms to Give More Lobbying Detail
Federal:
As Women’s Issues Become More Prominent, Men Dominate Super PAC Funders
Campaign Donor Advertising Rule Invalidated by U.S. Judge
GAO: Lobbyist disclosure compliance ‘similar’ compared to prior years
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
Rep. Patterson to Keep Seat amid Ethics Inquiry
California
Campaign Treasurer Kinde Durkee Admits $7-Million Theft
California
Figure in Coliseum Corruption Case Is in ‘Jungles of Brazil’
Georgia
Lawmaker Returns $800 after Expenses Questioned
Illinois
Blagojevich’s Chief of Staff Gets 10 Days in Prison
Massachusetts
Timothy Cahill Indicted in Corruption Case
Mississippi
Political Stress Erupts at Capitol
New Jersey
Some of Christie’s Biggest Bills Match Model Legislation from D.C. Group Called ALEC
New York
State Ethics Board Won’t Disclose Record of Hiring Cuomo Aide
Wisconsin
Recall Elections Ordered for Walker, Kleefisch, 4 GOP Senators
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.
Signatures needed by July 6th to get on the ballot
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel certified the language of a proposed initiated act regarding campaign finance and ethics law. The measure would prohibit direct corporate and union contributions to individual campaigns. Currently, corporations and unions are able to directly contribute at the same $2,000 level as individuals.
The measure would also ban lawmakers from accepting gifts of any value from lobbyists. Legislators can currently receive gifts, food, or other items valued up to $100 from a lobbyist.
The group supporting the measure, Regnat Populus, must gather at least 62,507 signatures by July 6 to qualify for the November ballot.
April 5, 2012 •
A Bill by Any Other Name
Missouri Legislators are again addressing ethics and campaign finance laws following a Missouri Supreme Court decision that voided provisions of Senate Bill 844.
The 2010 ethics law increased disclosure requirements for lobbyists, banned campaign committee-to-campaign committee transfers, and gave greater investigative powers to the Missouri Ethics Commission. The court affirmed a circuit court decision holding all provisions of Senate Bill 844, except those relating to procurement, to be in violation of article III, section 21 of the Missouri Constitution, which prohibits changes in the original purpose of a bill. Senate Bill 844 violated this provision by being introduced as an act relating to contracts for purchasing but being passed as an act relating to ethical administration.
Reaction to the decision has been swift and urgent. On January 14, 2012, the same day the opinion was released, the Missouri Ethics Commission stated in a press release that the court’s decision “deals a blow to the Commission’s ability to enforce and administer the law.” Several lawmakers and Governor Jay Nixon quickly called for bills to reinstate the voided provisions. Representative Jason Kander sponsored a bill (House Bill 1756) filed the day after the decision that would reinstate the voided provisions.
Prior to the decision, Kander also sponsored a bill (House Bill 1080) that would go beyond Senate Bill 844 to prohibit gifts from lobbyists and limit campaign contributions. Senate Bills 546 and 825 propose contribution limits. Senate Bill 826, filed by Senator Crowell, would reenact the voided provisions of Senate Bill 844. Currently, Missouri does not have any campaign contribution limits and is the only state to allow lawmakers to receive both unlimited campaign contributions and unlimited gifts from registered lobbyists.
Not all of Missouri’s lawmakers are ready for change. House Majority Leader Tim Jones believes an ethics bill would have a better chance after this year’s elections. Jones notes that both Kander and the governor are proposing limits that will go into effect after their own campaigns benefit from the status quo. To date, no new ethics bill has been passed in Missouri, by any name.
Image of the Seal of the Missouri Senate by Tom Lemmens on Wikipedia.
April 3, 2012 •
Former Massachusetts Treasurer Indicted
Cahill said he made the right decision and will fight the charges.
Former Massachusetts Treasurer Timothy Cahill was indicted on charges that he used more than $1.6 million in publicly-funded state lottery advertising to promote his gubernatorial campaign in 2010.
According to Attorney General Martha Coakley as noted in the Boston Globe, “Cahill faces charges of violating state ethics laws, violating state procurement laws, and conspiracy charges in connection with both those alleged crimes. The procurement and ethics law violations each carry possible sentences of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.”
For full news coverage, be sure to read:“Timothy Cahill indicted on charges of using official funds for campaign-boosting ads” by Frank Phillips in the Boston Globe.
Here is Cahill’s response to the indictment: “Former state treasurer Timothy Cahill insists he acted to bolster the Massachusetts Lottery, vows to fight state corruption charges” in the Boston Globe.
April 2, 2012 •
FEC Disclosure Regulation Declared Invalid
US District Court Decision
A US District Court has declared a Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulation regarding disclosure for “electioneering communications” invalid.
The US District Court for the District of Columbia found FEC regulation 11 CFR §104.20(c)(9), which requires disclosure only of those making contributions over $1,000 to an entity for the purpose of furthering electioneering communications, contradicts the statute which requires disclosure of all donors making contributions over $1,000.
Concluding the FEC does not have the authority to narrow the disclosure requirement required by law, the Court declared the regulation invalid by granting the plaintiff, U.S. Representative Chris Van Hollen, summary judgment.
The FEC had argued for the need for the regulation after FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc. (WRTL), which concluded corporations and labor organizations were permitted to make expenditures for electioneering communications that did not constitute express advocacy or its functional equivalent. The commission believed requiring only disclosure of funds earmarked for the purpose of furthering electioneering communications appropriately provided the public with adequate disclosure information.
Addressing this argument in the decision, District Judge Amy Berman Jackson wrote, “The [FEC] cannot unilaterally decide to take on a quintessentially legislative function; if sound policy suggests that the statute needs tailoring in the wake of WRTL or Citizens United, it is up to Congress to do it.”
April 2, 2012 •
Campaign Finance in Monday’s News
The Federal Election Commission, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy’s campaign finance plan, and the New York Legislature are featured. Here are today’s articles:
“Federal judge says Federal Election Commission went too far in shielding campaign ad donors” by The Associated Press in the Washington Post.
“US Joins Countries Not Enforcing Campaign-Finance Regulations” by Samuel Rubenfeld in the Wall Street Journal.
Connecticut: “Governor’s controversial campaign finance fix rejected” by Mark Pazniokas on CTMirror.com.
New York: “Albany to begin Act II of legislative session” by Jon Campbell in the Lower Hudson Journal News. Campaign finance will be on the agenda.
March 30, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – March 30, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush Escorted from House Floor for Wearing Hoodie in Honor of Trayvon Martin
Payday Lender Political Donors Hidden in Corporate Names
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
After Bowl Scandal, Many Arizona Legislators Still Want Tickets to Baseball Opener
California
Medco Settles California Pension Fund Kickback Case
Delaware
Lobbying Disclosure Bill Shines Critical Sunlight on Lawmaking Process
District of Columbia
D.C. Ethics Law Overhaul Hampered by Hiring Difficulties, Enforcement Duties
Georgia
‘Revolving-Door’ Powers Politics
Hawaii
Judge Confirms Hawaii Can’t Limit Independent Expenditures
Illinois
Employee Gift Ban Recommendation Still Has Few Takers
Iowa
New Mexico
New York
Lobbyists Reaping $220 Million Bonanza
Utah
How Utah’s Capitol Marches to a Mormon Beat
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.
March 28, 2012 •
U.S. Sen. John McCain Speaks Out about Campaign Finance
And other campaign finance, super PAC, and lobbying headlines today:
Campaign Finance
“McCain predicts ‘huge’ U.S. campaign finance scandals” by Alina Selyukh (Reuters) in the Chicago Tribune.
“McCain Calls SCOTUS Decision on Campaign Spending ‘Stupid’” by Rebekah Metzler in the Chicago Tribune.
“Beware of the super-PAC: More lawmakers are fearing an ad ambush” by Joe Picard in The Hill.
Montana: “Conservative groups challenging campaign finance law formally seek Supreme Court intervention” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Lobbying
“Lobbyists reaping $220M bonanza” by Rich Karlin in the Albany Times Union.
“Memo details oil, gas industry lobbying expenditures” by The Associated Press in the News Tribune.
“Review of lobbyist spending prompts House ethics meeting” by Jason Clayworth in the Des Moines Register.
March 27, 2012 •
Tuesday Campaign Finance News Roundup
Disclosure and campaign finance reform issues made the news today. Take a look at today’s articles:
Federal: “Two SEC Commissioners Could Dramatically Change Campaign Finance” by George Zornick in The Nation. ↬via Eric Brown’s Political Activity Law blog.
California: “State political watchdog ramps up enforcement” by Brian Joseph in the Orange County Register.
Connecticut: “Connecticut legislators set focus on campaign finance reform; look to increase transparency” by Jordan Fenster in The Register Citizen.
District of Columbia: “Campaign money orders to cease?” by Jim McElhatton and Luke Rosiak in the Washington Times.
District of Columbia: “D.C. ethics law overhaul hampered by hiring difficulties, enforcement duties” by Mike DeBonis in The Washington Post.
March 26, 2012 •
Virginia Legislature Convenes Again
Special session to continue budget debate
Lawmakers began the 2012 Special Session I last week to consider budget bills including a two-year, $85 billion proposal.
The special session was convened immediately upon adjournment sine die of the 2012 regular session, but was in recess until Wednesday, March 21st.
The House and Senate adjourned in the afternoon on March 21st and will again convene this afternoon on Monday, March 26th to continue the special session.
No person or PAC may make or promise to make a contribution to a member of the general assembly, the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, or their campaign committees, during the annual regular session of the general assembly. This ban does not apply to contributions during special sessions.
Photo of the Virginia State Capitol by Amadeust on Wikipedia.
March 26, 2012 •
Today’s Campaign Finance Top Stories
Keep up with the latest news about campaign finance reform and super PACs with these items from around the country:
National and Federal
“Can 46 rich dudes buy an election?” by Charles Riley in CNN Money.
“Obama ‘Super’ PAC Donors Among White House Guests” by Jack Gillum (Associated Press) in The San Francisco Chronicle.
“Planners for Democratic convention in Charlotte scramble to raise funds” by David Nakamura in The Washington Post.
In the States
Indiana: “Super PACs start battle in Senate race” by The Associated Press in the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Iowa: “Group wants to close campaign finance loophole” by Rod Boshart in the Sioux City Journal.
Montana: “New arguments filed in campaign finance case” by Matt Gouras in the Great Falls Tribune.
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.
