Campaign Finance

Kansas: “Kansas House Committee Advances Election-Reform Bill That’s More Than a Name Change” by Tim Carpenter (Kansas Reflector) for Yahoo News

Maine: “Maine Lawmaker Accused of Forging Signatures on Campaign Finance Forms” by Rachel Ohm (Portland Press Herald) for Yahoo News

Texas: “Critics of Texas House Leadership Spent Big in This Year’s Speaker’s Race. They Fought Years for That Chance.” by Kate McGee (Texas Tribune) for MSN

Ethics

National: “U.S. Plan to Award $400M Vehicle Contract Removes Reference to Musk’s Tesla” by Leo Sands (Washington Post) for MSN

Illinois: “Former Mayors Johnson and Lightfoot Accused of Impeding Inspector General’s Investigations” by Fran Spielman for WBEZ

New York: “Mass Resignation Marks a New Kind of Defiance in the Second Trump Era” by Naftali Bendavid (Washington Post) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Arizona: “Legislative Immunity Is a Privilege in Most States. A Speeding Ticket Could Change That in Arizona” by Eric Sandoval (Associated Press) for MSN

Lobbying

California: “Who’s Paying for California Politicians’ Travel? After CalMatters’ Report, Audit Proposes a Legal Fix” by Alexei Koseff (CalMatters) for MSN

National/Federal

Trump’s New Line of Attack Against the Media Gains Momentum

DNyuz – David Enrich (New York Times) | Published: 2/7/2025

Media lawyers scoffed last year when Donald Trump sued two news organizations for producing journalism that, he claimed, violated laws meant to protect consumers from things like deceptive advertising. First Amendment experts still believe that Trump’s cases, against CBS News and The Des Moines Register, lack legal merit. But they now realize the lawsuits are proving effective at harassing the press and more of them are probably on the way.

Trump Tries to Fire Chair of Federal Election Commission. Why She’s Refusing to Leave.

MSN – Joey Garrison (USA Today) | Published: 2/6/2025

Ellen Weintraub, who has served as a Democratic member of the FEC since 2002, posted a letter signed by Donald Trump on social media that said she was “hereby removed as a Member of the Federal Election Commission, effective immediately.” Weintraub, who is currently chairperson of the FEC, questioned the legal validity of the move and signaled her intent to fight the removal.

Bondi Ends FBI Effort to Combat Foreign Influence in U.S. Politics

MSN – Ken Dilanian (NBC News) | Published: 2/6/2025

Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered a halt to a years-old federal law enforcement effort to combat secret influence campaigns by China, Russia, and other adversaries that try to curry favor and sow chaos in American politics. The order disbands the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force and pares back penalties for violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, despite years of warnings by U.S. intelligence agencies that foreign malign influence operations involving disinformation were a growing and dangerous threat.

GOP Laws Aimed at Very Rare Noncitizen Voting Could Hit Eligible Voters

MSN – Patrick Marley and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 2/9/2025

Republicans in Congress and state Legislatures are charging forward with plans to require Americans to prove they are citizens as they say they seek to crack down on noncitizen voting, an almost nonexistent problem. Voting by noncitizens is already illegal in all state and federal elections and requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship could make it harder for millions of legitimate voters to cast ballots. Driver’s licenses and other state IDs can be used only for people who provided proof of citizenship to get those IDs, so some people will need to track down other documents.

In Trump’s Actions, Opponents See More Than Cuts – They See a Constitutional Crisis

MSN – Naftali Bendavid and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) | Published: 2/8/2025

As President Trump and congressional Democrats clash about spending authority, citizenship rules, control of the government, and other fundamental powers, the president’s opponents are increasingly making an unnerving accusation: that the country is in the grip of a full-blown constitutional crisis. That term recalls some of the most perilous moments in American history, from the Civil War to Watergate. Some of Trump’s adversaries contend that in seizing powers the Constitution does not give him and forcing clashes with Congress and the courts, the president has thrust American democracy into a similarly dangerous moment.

Trump Halts Aid to South Africa, Claiming Discrimination Against Afrikaners

MSN – María Luisa Paúl (Washington Post) | Published: 2/8/2025

President Trump signed an executive order halting all U.S. aid to South Africa and directing his administration to develop a plan for resettling White Afrikaners as refugees, citing what he called “government-sponsored race-based discrimination” against them. The subject of Trump’s criticism appears to be a recent law that allows land expropriation without compensation in rare cases. South African officials have said the policy is part of an effort to address disparities left by apartheid, a system that for decades barred Black South Africans from owning land.

Trump Administration Cuts Teams That Fight Foreign Election Interference

MSN – Colby Itkowitz, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Sarah Ellison, and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 2/8/2025

The Trump administration eliminated much of the federal government’s front line of defense against foreign interference in U.S. elections. The move alarmed state election officials and election security experts, who warned that safeguarding Americans from foreign disinformation campaigns will be difficult if no one at the federal level is doing that work.

Trump Pauses DOJ Enforcement of Bribery Laws for US Firms Overseas

MSN – Josh Meyer (USA Today) | Published: 2/10/2025

President Trump signed an executive order pausing enforcement of a federal law that makes it a crime for U.S. businesses to bribe foreign officials, saying the law puts companies at a disadvantage on the global stage. Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to stop actions taken under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, including prosecutions of American individuals and companies who the Justice Department has charged with bribing foreign government officials in attempts to gain business in other countries.

Trump Removes Top Government Ethics Czar

MSN – Fredreka Schouten (CNN) | Published: 2/10/2025

President Trump removed the head of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) from his post, the latest example of Trump acting against a government watchdog. The agency’s director, David Huitema, was confirmed to the post by the Senate in November and officially began the job in December. OGE directors typically serve five-year terms, allowing them to overlap administrations as part of an attempt to reduce partisanship.

Trump Dismisses Archivist to the United States

MSN – Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 2/8/2025

President Trump fired the head of the National Archives and Records Administration, targeting an independent agency that was involved in trying to recover documents he took to his Florida estate after his first presidential term. Colleen Shogan was named archivist of the United States by Joe Biden in 2022 and confirmed to her role in 2023, a year after the Archives referred its search for documents in Trump’s possession to the FBI.

Judge to Trump-Terminated Ethics Watchdog: You’re un-fired

MSN – Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 2/10/2025

A federal judge reined in President Trump’s firing spree, ruling a federal ethics watchdog can return to his job for at least a few days while the judge receives more detailed legal arguments about the case. Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued the reprieve to Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger, after he sued to contest the email he received from the White House indicating he had been dismissed from his position. Dellinger leads an independent federal agency that handles whistleblower issues and complaints about violations of the Hatch Act, which limits political activity by government employees.

Trump White House Says It Can Talk to Justice Dept. on Criminal Cases

MSN – Perry Stein and Jeff Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 2/9/2025

The Trump administration’s rules for how White House staff can interact with the Justice Department are a departure from Biden-era guidance, explicitly saying the president and vice president and their top lawyers can discuss ongoing criminal and civil cases with the attorney general and her deputies. Legal experts say the guidance could erode guardrails that have traditionally given the Justice Department a degree of independence from the White House that does not exist for other executive branch agencies.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – State-Commissioned Report Finds ‘Significant’ Issues in Alabama Ethics Law, Recommends Major Reforms

Alabama Daily News – Alexander Willis | Published: 2/11/2025

A report commissioned by the Alabama Legislature found “significant overbreadth concerns” in the state’s ethics law, including “structural vulnerabilities” that could enable discriminatory enforcement, with state lawmakers recommended to enact sweeping reforms. The Bopp Law Firm found provisions that raised “serious First Amendment concerns” regarding secrecy agreements amid ethics complaints, vagueness and due process concerns, and breadth of issues in who the ethics law applies to.

California – California Regulators Allege This Silicon Valley Ex-Lawmaker Violated Campaign Finance Law Dozens of Times

MSN – Yue Stella Yu (CalMatters) | Published: 2/7/2025

California’s campaign finance investigators allege former state Assemblyperson Evan Low, who raised money for a foundation co-managed by his chief of staff, received non-monetary donations worth more than $113,000 from that foundation for his re-election campaign. If proven true, such donations, and a lack of timely disclosures from Low and the nonprofit foundation, would violate reporting requirements and contribution limits, according to a staff report from the California Fair Political Commission.

California – S.F. Union Files Another Ethics Complaint Against Waymo After First Try Gets Tossed

MSN – Chase DiFeliciantonio (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 2/6/2025

The San Francisco Ethics Commission will not pursue allegations brought against Waymo last year by the Teamsters union that the company improperly lobbied San Francisco airport officials. In a second complaint to the commission, the union’s attorneys argued other lobbyists and executives for the autonomous vehicle maker failed to properly register before meeting with airport officials last year, and other meetings since then also violated ethics rules.

California – LA’s Top Homelessness Official Signed $2.1 Million Contract with Husband’s Employer

MSN – Nick Gerda and David Wagner (LAist) | Published: 2/11/2025

Documents show Va Lecia Adams Kellum, chief executive of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, signed a $2,1 million contract and two other contract amendments with Upward Bound House, a nonprofit where her husband works in senior leadership. State law bans public officials from any involvement in contracts in which they have a financial interest, including agreements that financially benefit their spouse or groups that pay their spouse.

Hawaii – Hawai’i Executive Indicted for Illegal Campaign Donations

Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 2/11/2025

Developer Timothy Lee was indicted on nine felony counts of illegally funneling money to Honolulu mayoral candidates in 2020. The details of Lee’s case harken back to an earlier era of campaign spending cases when felony charges were more common. In the early 2000s, dozens of executives at design and engineering firms were accused of laundering money to the campaigns of Hawai’I’s most prominent politicians. Many avoided any jail time and paid hefty fines instead.

Hawaii – Hawai’i’s Crackdown on Lobbyists Has Come a Long Way. Is It Far Enough?

Honolulu Civil Beat – Patty Epler | Published: 2/8/2025

Fifty years ago, Hawaii was considered a national leader in what was then a growing movement to crack down on inappropriate political influence by special interests. But things soon stalled. Hawaii remained stuck, for the most part, with the barest of transparency requirements and minimal punishment. Then, two state lawmakers and some Maui County officials were arrested for taking millions of dollars in bribes. The Legislature could not ignore the public outrage and things improved.

Illinois – Ethics Board ‘Revokes’ Informal Agreement That Allowed Mayor to Accept Pricey Gifts

WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 2/11/2025

Mayor Brandon Johnson is subject to the city’s ethics ordinance and prohibited from accepting most gifts worth more than $50, the Chicago Board of Ethics announced. No longer will gifts accepted by Chicago’s mayor on behalf of the city be covered by an “unwritten arrangement” dating back to the 1980s, board President William Conlon said during a meeting.

Illinois – ‘People Really Stood Their Ground,’ Juror Says of Split Michael Madigan Verdict

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner, Megan Crepeau, and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 2/12/2025

A jury delivered a split verdict against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, finding him guilty on 10 of 23 criminal counts in his case. The jury also found Madigan not guilty on seven counts and was unable to reach a verdict on six additional counts. The convictions related to Madigan’s efforts to secure a valuable state board position for former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis and to an alleged bribery scheme involving Commonwealth Edison.

Illinois – President Donald Trump Pardons Ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Nearly 5 Years After Commuting His Sentence, AP Says

Yahoo News – Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 2/10/2025

Nearly five years after commuting former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s federal prison sentence, President Trump granted a full pardon to the disgraced former governor who was convicted more than 13 years ago on an array of corruption charges, including fundraising schemes and attempting to sell a U.S. Senate seat for his personal benefit. Unlike the commutation, which left intact Blagojevich’s conviction, pardon wipes clean the criminal slate of the only Illinois governor in history to be impeached and convicted by the General Assembly, and banned from seeking any state elected office ever again.

Indiana – Almost $30M Spent Lobbying Indiana General Assembly Last Year

Yahoo News – Leslie Bonilla Muñiz (Indiana Capital Chronicle) | Published: 2/10/2025

Experienced lawmakers from both parties said lobbyists bring valuable information. Sometimes they even use their expertise to write legislation or contribute fixes. But they had varying opinions on accepting lobbyist-funded dinners and gifts, and on how well Indiana regulates the influence of political contributions on legislation. Many groups also operate 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations, which can engage in lobbying related to social welfare goals. Their donors and contributions are confidential.

Kentucky – What Is Executive Branch Lobbying? How People Get Paid to Influence KY’s Top Leaders

Yahoo Finance – Austin Horn (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 2/10/2025

Lobbying efforts to sway executive branch decisions are an important, lucrative, and growing aspect of Frankfort. The subject matter of executive branch lobbying often revolves around state contracts. Lobbyist Bob Babbage said one key distinction between executive and legislative lobbying is that the people you are lobbying have different perspectives. Cabinet members always look at the statewide picture, but legislators’ first loyalties lie with their constituents.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Agrees to Keep Governor’s Staff Information Private in Spite of Law

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 2/12/2025

The home addresses of Gov. Jeff Landry’s executive staff will be kept out of public records, despite a state law that requires the information to be disclosed. The Louisiana Board of Ethics voted to keep their addresses secret. Its members agreed with Attorney General Liz Murrill’s view that the disclosure conflicts with the right to privacy contained in the state constitution.

Minnesota – Judge Blocks Minnesota Campaign Law to Limit Donations from Corporations with Foreign Ownership

MSN – Briana Bierschbach (Minneapolis Star Tribune) | Published: 2/7/2025

A federal judge permanently blocked the implementation of a Minnesota campaign finance law that aimed to limit political contributions from corporations with foreign ownership. In his ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Eric Tostrud said the law was too broad.

Mississippi – Evidence in Jackson’s Bribery Scandal Can’t Be Made Public Until Trial, Judge Says

MSN – Charlie Drape (Jackson Clarion Ledger) | Published: 2/6/2025

A federal judge granted a protective order blocking all evidence in Jackson’s bribery scandal from being released until the trial begins. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, and city Councilperson Aaron Banks were accused of soliciting and accepting bribes from undercover FBI agents who said they wanted to develop to a convention center hotel in Jackson. The order means the evidence may not become public before the spring elections.

Montana – Montana Senate Votes to Send Ellsworth Investigation to Department of Justice

Montana Free Press – Tom Lutey | Published: 2/6/2025

Allegations of criminal activity by former Montana Senate leader Jason Ellsworth are being handed over to the state Department of Justice following a heated floor debate in the Senate chambers in which minority Democrats prevailed. Republicans have openly stated Ellsworth is guilty since news broke that he awarded $170,100 in contracted work to a former business associate, Bryce Egglsteon. Ethics proceedings against Ellsworth were launched in the Senate after a brief investigation.

Nevada – Many Nevada Candidates Are Fined Over Transparency on Campaign Funds. Few Pay in Full.

Nevada Independent – Eric Neugeboren | Published: 2/11/2025

Across the first 11 months of 2024, the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office assessed more than $440,000 in fines related to campaign finance violations, with the PAC associated with Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford facing one of the largest at more than $20,000. But almost all of those fines have not yet been paid off, and many of them will likely end up being waived or reduced, which is part of the reason why the secretary of state’s office is looking to reform the penalty process in this year’s legislative session.

New York – Gov. Hochul’s Administration Seeks Investigation of $10M Ad Blitz Against Her

Gothamist – Jon Campbell | Published: 2/11/2025

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration wants an official investigation into the organizations behind a $10 million advertising campaign that criticized her for changes to a home health care program for the elderly and disabled. State Health Commissioner James McDonald requested a formal inquiry into the Alliance to Protect Home Care and two other nonprofits tied to the spending. McDonald accused the groups of “flouting the state’s ethics and charitable registration laws” in part by failing to disclose the true identity of the people or groups funding the television, radio, and online ads blanketing the state in recent months.

New York – Mayor Adams Aide Under NYC Council Probe Didn’t Recuse from Ex-Employer Dealings Due to ‘Miscommunication’

MSN – Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) | Published: 2/6/2025

Nate Bliss, a senior aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, did not recuse himself for years from city government business dealings with his ex-employer and is now blaming the slipup on a “miscommunication” with the Conflicts of Interest Board. The city council’s Oversight and Economic Development Committee launched a probe over his ties to his ex-employer after it emerged his jump from Taconic to City Hall happened less than three months before Adams’ administration picked Taconic to execute “Innovation East,” a major redevelopment of the city’s Manhattan public health lab.

New York – Top Justice Department Official Orders Prosecutors to Drop Charges Against New York Mayor Eric Adams

MSN – Jake Offenhartz, Alanna Durkin Richer, and Eric Tucker (Associated Press) | Published: 2/10/2025

The Justice Department ordered federal prosecutors to drop their case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, which would clear him of all corruption charges. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove said the order was not based on the strength of evidence in the case, but rather because it had been brought too close to Adams’ reelection campaign and was distracting from the mayor’s efforts to assist in the Trump administration’s law-and-order priorities.

New York – Mohamed Bahi, Ex-Eric Adams Aide, to Plead Guilty to Federal Conspiracy Charges

The City – Greg Smith | Published: 2/7/2025

A onetime senior aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams who was charged with organizing an illegal straw donor scheme for the mayor has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy. Mohamed Bahi, formerly one of the mayor’s liaisons to the Muslim community, was initially charged with witness tampering and obstruction of justice in a criminal complaint that alleged he had direct conversations with Adams about the campaign donation scheme.

New York – Report: State campaign finance match program combats megadonor influence

WAMC – Jeongyoon Han (WXXI) | Published: 2/6/2025

More small donors are contributing to state elections in New York, according to a recent report, and the share of large donations for candidates’ fundraising decreased from 2024 to 2020. The report by the Brennan Center for Justice credits a state-run public campaign finance program for the change. Proponents say it encourages candidates to rely more on donations from constituents, and less on megadonors and special interest groups.

Ohio – Jim Tressel Nominated as Lieutenant Governor to Gov. Mike DeWine

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 2/10/2025

Gov. Mike DeWine nominated former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel as his lieutenant governor. Tressel, who retired as president of Youngstown State University in 2023, will, if confirmed by the General Assembly, finish the final 22 months of Jon Husted’s term as lieutenant governor. DeWine appointed Husted to JD Vance’s U.S. Senate seat.

Ohio – Advocacy Groups Take Issue with Ohio House Rules on Chamber Lobby, Floor Votes

Ohio Capital Journal – Susan Tebben | Published: 2/11/2025

Nearly five dozen advocacy groups signed on to a letter opposing Ohio House rules for this General Assembly, including a ban on public gathering near the House chamber at certain times and decreasing public notice for floor votes. When the rules were first approved, Republicans said they would create more efficiency in legislative business, while Democrats questioned the effect on transparency going forward with the new rules.

Ohio – Ex-Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld Loses Appeal, Could Be Sent Back to Prison

WCPO – Paula Christian and Felicia Jordan | Published: 2/11/2025

Former Cincinnati City Councilperson P.G. Sittenfeld could be heading back to prison after a three-judge panel of the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against his appeal to have his public corruption conviction thrown out. The appeal focused on whether the government presented enough evidence for a jury to rule an explicit quid pro quo had occurred, and whether Sittenfeld’s indictment “was constructively amended,” meaning the jury was given evidence pointing to crimes outside of Sittenfeld’s actual indictment.

Oregon – Oregon Legislator Seeks Stricter Lobbying Limits for Former Lawmakers Representing State Agencies

Yahoo News – Julia Shumway (Oregon Capital Chronicle) | Published: 2/11/2025

Rep. Anna Scharf is pushing to tighten Oregon’s anti-revolving-door law, saying it unfairly discriminates between former lawmakers who lobby for private industries and those who obtain state jobs after leaving the Legislature. Oregon, like most states, makes former lawmakers wait before they can become lobbyists who ask their former colleagues to support bills. In Oregon, lawmakers cannot take a paid lobbying job until they have been out of office for at least a year.

Rhode Island – RI Ethics Panel to Review ‘Gift Rule’ Following ILO Group Investigation

Yahoo News – Eli Sherman (WPRI) | Published: 2/11/2025

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted to reexamine the state’s gift law, in a move that could limit the value of what lobbyists for nonprofit organizations can give to public officials. The panel voted to take another look at the rule, which currently prohibits any “interested party” from giving a gift exceeding $25 to a public official if the gift-giver might profit from their decisions.

South Dakota – South Dakota House Restores ‘Loan Loophole’ Bill Back to Original Form, Sends to Governor

Yahoo News – Joshua Haiar (South Dakota Searchlight) | Published: 2/6/2025

A bill that would close a campaign finance loophole in South Dakota allowing unlimited funds into a campaign is headed to the governor’s desk. It would prevent the ability to make unlimited campaign donations as long as the contribution is categorized as a loan. The debate took a tense turn when Rep. Brandei Schaefbauer accused the bill’s sponsors of using it as a tool to target businessperson Toby Doeden.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Supreme Court Says Swing State’s Embattled Elections Chief Can Remain in Post

MSN – Scott Bauer (Associated Press) | Published: 2/7/2025

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled the state’s nonpartisan top elections official, Meagan Wolfe, who has been targeted for removal by Republican lawmakers over the 2020 presidential election, can remain in her post despite not being reappointed and confirmed by the state Senate. The court said no vacancy exists and, because of that, the elections commission “does not have a duty to appoint a new administrator to replace Wolfe simply because her term has ended.”

Campaign Finance

Hawaii: “Hawai’i Executive Indicted for Illegal Campaign Donations” by Blaze Lovell for Honolulu Civil Beat

New York: “Report: State campaign finance match program combats megadonor influence” by Jeongyoon Han (WXXI) for WAMC

Elections

Ohio: “Jim Tressel Nominated as Lieutenant Governor to Gov. Mike DeWine” by Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Ethics

California: “LA’s Top Homelessness Official Signed $2.1 Million Contract with Husband’s Employer” by Nick Gerda and David Wagner (LAist) for MSN

Illinois: “Ethics Board ‘Revokes’ Informal Agreement That Allowed Mayor to Accept Pricey Gifts” by Heather Cherone for WTTW

Illinois: “‘People Really Stood Their Ground,’ Juror Says of Split Michael Madigan Verdict” by Jason Meisner, Megan Crepeau, and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

Louisiana: “Louisiana Ethics Board Agrees to Keep Governor’s Staff Information Private in Spite of Law” by Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

Oregon: “Oregon Legislator Seeks Stricter Lobbying Limits for Former Lawmakers Representing State Agencies” by Julia Shumway (Oregon Capital Chronicle) for Yahoo News

Rhode Island: “RI Ethics Panel to Review ‘Gift Rule’ Following ILO Group Investigation” by Eli Sherman (WPRI) for Yahoo News

The U.S. District Court permanently enjoined a statute passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023 that prevented entities who had a single foreign investor with a 1% interest or an aggregate of foreign investors holding 5% interest from making any independent expenditures or contributions. The court determined in its final ruling in Minnesota Chamber of Commerce v. Choi the statute violated the First Amendment right to free speech. Specifically, the court acknowledged the state has a compelling interest to prevent foreign influence in its elections but concluded the statute was not narrowly tailored to accomplish that interest.

Campaign Finance

California: “California Regulators Allege This Silicon Valley Ex-Lawmaker Violated Campaign Finance Law Dozens of Times” by Yue Stella Yu (CalMatters) for MSN

Nevada: “Many Nevada Candidates Are Fined Over Transparency on Campaign Funds. Few Pay in Full.” by Eric Neugeboren for Nevada Independent

Elections

National: “Trump Administration Cuts Teams That Fight Foreign Election Interference” by Colby Itkowitz, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Sarah Ellison, and Patrick Marley (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

Alabama: “State-Commissioned Report Finds ‘Significant’ Issues in Alabama Ethics Law, Recommends Major Reforms” by Alexander Willis for Alabama Daily News

National: “Trump Pauses DOJ Enforcement of Bribery Laws for US Firms Overseas” by Josh Meyer (USA Today) for MSN

National: “Trump Removes Top Government Ethics Czar” by Fredreka Schouten (CNN) for MSN

Illinois: “President Donald Trump Pardons Ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Nearly 5 Years After Commuting His Sentence, AP Says” by Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

New York: “Gov. Hochul’s Administration Seeks Investigation of $10M Ad Blitz Against Her” by Jon Campbell for Gothamist

Campaign Finance

Minnesota: “Judge Blocks Minnesota Campaign Law to Limit Donations from Corporations with Foreign Ownership” by Briana Bierschbach (Minneapolis Star Tribune) for MSN

New York: “Mohamed Bahi, Ex-Eric Adams Aide, to Plead Guilty to Federal Conspiracy Charges” by Greg Smith for The City

Elections

National: “GOP Laws Aimed at Very Rare Noncitizen Voting Could Hit Eligible Voters” by Patrick Marley and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) for MSN

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Supreme Court Says Swing State’s Embattled Elections Chief Can Remain in Post” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for MSN

Ethics

National: “In Trump’s Actions, Opponents See More Than Cuts – They See a Constitutional Crisis” by Naftali Bendavid and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump Halts Aid to South Africa, Claiming Discrimination Against Afrikaners” by María Luisa Paúl (Washington Post) for MSN

New York: “Top Justice Department Official Orders Prosecutors to Drop Charges Against New York Mayor Eric Adams” by Jake Offenhartz, Alanna Durkin Richer, and Eric Tucker (Associated Press) for MSN

Lobbying

Indiana: “Almost $30M Spent Lobbying Indiana General Assembly Last Year” by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz (Indiana Capital Chronicle) for Yahoo News

Campaign Finance

National: “Trump Tries to Fire Chair of Federal Election Commission. Why She’s Refusing to Leave.” by Joey Garrison (USA Today) for MSN

South Dakota: “South Dakota House Restores ‘Loan Loophole’ Bill Back to Original Form, Sends to Governor” by Joshua Haiar (South Dakota Searchlight) for Yahoo News

Ethics

National: “Bondi Ends FBI Effort to Combat Foreign Influence in U.S. Politics” by Ken Dilanian (NBC News) for MSN

Mississippi: “Evidence in Jackson’s Bribery Scandal Can’t Be Made Public Until Trial, Judge Says” by Charlie Drape (Jackson Clarion Ledger) for MSN

Montana: “Montana Senate Votes to Send Ellsworth Investigation to Department of Justice” by Tom Lutey for Montana Free Press

National: “Trump’s New Line of Attack Against the Media Gains Momentum” by David Enrich (New York Times) for DNyuz

New York: “Mayor Adams Aide Under NYC Council Probe Didn’t Recuse from Ex-Employer Dealings Due to ‘Miscommunication'” by Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) for MSN

Lobbying

California: “S.F. Union Files Another Ethics Complaint Against Waymo After First Try Gets Tossed” by Chase DiFeliciantonio (San Francisco Chronicle) for MSN

The Kentucky Registry of Election Finance published the new contribution limits effective January 1 on its website. Contribution limits for individuals and PACs increased from $2,100 to $2,200 to candidates per election and to PACs and contributing organizations per year. The $2,200 contribution limit is not applicable to political issues committees.

Ellen Weintraub, who has served as a Democratic member of the FEC since 2002, posted a letter signed by Donald Trump on social media that said she was “hereby removed as a Member of the Federal Election Commission, effective immediately.”

Weintraub, who is currently chairperson of the FEC, questioned the legal validity of the move and signaled her intent to fight the removal.

Her term expired in 2007, but under federal law, she is allowed to remain a commissioner until a replacement is confirmed by the Senate.

Weintraub voted to investigate the president over allegations involving violating rules barring coordination between Trump’s campaign and allied super PACs and accusations that Russia tried to influence the outcome of the 2016 election.

She also voted to investigate Trump for promoting some of his businesses, including hotels and golf courses, during the 2016 campaign, including at rallies.

National/Federal

Ethics Pledges by Trump Cabinet Draw Questions and Skepticism

DNyuz – Eric Lipton (New York Times) | Published: 2/1/2025

Publicly released letters lay out negotiated agreements between the members of the new administration and federal ethics officials. These letters, and associated financial disclosures, illustrate the extraordinary wealth of President Trump’s cabinet picks, as well as the uncharacteristically large list of potential conflicts-of-interest with which they enter the government. Each signed letter is supposed to detail what decisions these officials can be involved in, and which they must stay away from, to avoid violating federal rules.

CBS to Hand Over Harris Interview After Trump, FCC Pressure. What to Know.

MSN – Annabelle Timsit (Washington Post) | Published: 2/2/2025

CBS News plans to provide the Federal Communications Commission with the transcript of a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris that is at the heart of a lawsuit against the network filed by Donald Trump, the latest development in a battle that critics say is being used to target press freedom. The controversy over the interview, which was broadcast during the last few weeks of the presidential campaign, centers on Harris’s response in a conversation about Israel led by journalist Bill Whitaker.

As DOJ Probes FBI’s Jan. 6 Work and Weighs Firings, Agents Told to Detail Roles

MSN – Perry Stein, Carol Leonnig, Jeremy Roebuck, and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 2/2/2025

FBI officials sent out a questionnaire to determine the involvement of thousands of FBI personnel in cases related to the attack on the U.S. Capitol. It came a day after the FBI’s acting director said the bureau would conduct a broad examination, at the request of the Justice Department, of anyone who touched the January 6 investigation. The survey and other moves prompted a team of high-profile lawyers to threaten legal action if FBI or Justice Department personnel are fired without due process.

Why the Supreme Court May Be Open to Trump’s Push for Expanded Power

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 2/4/2025

Donald Trump’s rapid-fire efforts to expand presidential authority seem likely to prompt key test cases at the Supreme Court he helped shape, according to legal experts, with the conservative supermajority signaling in past rulings it may be open to landmark changes in the balance of power. Behind the seemingly scattershot array, analysts see a common goal: A decades-long effort by conservatives to boldly grow the power of the presidency through a principle that says the executive branch has sole authority to hire and fire agency employees and control their policies.

Elon Musk Shielded by Ethics Loophole as Trump ‘Special Government Employee’

MSN – Haisten Willis (Washington Examiner) | Published: 2/4/2025

Elon Musk may have a novel role within the Trump administration, but the title that allows him to serve in the government has drawn the ire of ethics watchdogs for decades. Musk’s status as a special government employee protects him from typical ethics disclosures, a loophole that has been used by administrations from both parties since the last century.

Md. FBI Site Pick Had Flaws but No Conflict of Interest, Report Finds

MSN – Aaron Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 2/3/2025

The controversial selection of a suburban Maryland site for the future FBI headquarters was not the result of a conflict-of-interest, a federal inspector general who launched a review of allegations of such improprieties concluded. But a decision to weight the cost of development during the decision-making process in a way that benefited the Prince George’s County site was “not justified,” the inspector general’s report found.

Greenland Bans Foreign Political Funding as Trump Seeks Control

MSN – Kelsey Ables (Washington Post) | Published: 2/4/2025

Greenland passed a law banning foreign contributions to political parties, an assertion of self-governance amid concern over President Trump’s calls for the United States to acquire the island. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, whose officials have repeatedly emphasized it is not for sale. Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland in January, generating global attention that “shows how susceptible Greenland may be to potential foreign political influence,” said Donald Rothwell, an expert on the law of the polar regions.

Republican Ire at USAID Finds an Unusual Target: Politico

MSN – Sarah Ellison, Clara Ence Morse, and Laura Wagner (Washington Post) | Published: 2/5/2025

Conservative attacks on the embattled U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) landed on an unexpected target when Elon Musk, right-wing influencers, elected Republicans, and the White House zeroed in on subscription money that federal government agencies paid for Politico Pro and other specialty subscription publications aimed at corporations and government entities. Musk and other Republicans claimed USAID alone had spent millions of dollars on Politico over the past 12 months. But that characterization is false.

Top Trump Prosecutor in DC Dropped Federal Case Against Capitol Rioter He Represented

MSN – Brad Heath, Sarah Lynch, and Andrew Goudsward (Reuters) | Published: 2/5/2025

As President Trump moved to free the people who attacked the U.S. Capitol, his newly appointed top prosecutor in Washington put his name on a request that a judge drop charges against one of them he represented as a defense attorney. Lawyers generally are prohibited from taking both sides in the same case and U.S. Justice Department regulations require lawyers to step aside from cases involving their former clients for at least a year.

Prosecutors Seek Dismissal of Campaign Finance Case Against Ex-Nebraska Congressman Fortenberry

MSN – Associated Press | Published: 1/29/2025

Federal prosecutors asked a judge to dismiss their case against a former member of Congress charged with lying to authorities about a foreign billionaire’s illegal $30,000 contribution to his campaign. The Nine U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had reversed Fortenberry’s conviction, ruling the case should not have been tried in Los Angeles. Fortenberry was subsequently charged with two counts: falsifying and concealing material facts and making false statements.

Democrats Elect Ken Martin, Head of Minnesota Party, as Next Chair

MSN – Patrick Svitek (Washington Post) | Published: 2/1/2025

Ken Martin, a longtime Democratic Party insider who leads the party in Minnesota, was elected to take over as chairperson of the Democratic National Committee after the party suffered devastating defeats in the November election, including losing the presidency to Donald Trump. The candidates for the job generally agreed that the Democratic Party needs to do more to appeal to working-class voters, to amplify their message in less traditional media settings, and to organize year-round. They mostly sought to avoid recriminations over the 2024 election.

Lobbying Firms Tied to Trump Report Wave of New Clients

Politico – Caitlin Oprysko | Published: 1/29/2025

Lobbying firms with close ties to President Trump have added new clients in droves since the election, with several disclosing close to two dozen so far, as companies, industry groups, and other organizations look for an in with the new administration. Some of the biggest winners have been firms whose owners have helped Trump from outside of the government, or whose current or former employees have more formal ties to the administration.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Ranked Choice Voting Opponents Fined $157K for Repeated Violations of Campaign Reporting Requirements

Yahoo News – Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 1/29/2025

The Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) fined Alaskans for Honest Elections, Alaskans for Honest Government, the Ranked Choice Education Association, and Arthur Matthias a combined total of almost $157,000. That comes after a prior penalty of more than $94,000. APOC imposed the maximum allowed fines, stating the respondents have “proven themselves shockingly poor at complying with their reporting obligations throughout their campaign.”

California – California Blesses Political Donors’ Strategy to Multiply Their Influence

MSN – Alexei Koseff (CalMatters) | Published: 1/31/2025

The Fair Political Practices Commission cleared the way for a new approach to raising and spending money in California elections. Political committees now have state regulators’ blessing to create an unlimited number of affiliated committees with different leaders, and then closely coordinate fundraising and candidate donations among them. That could exponentially increase their influence on campaigns.

California – State Senator Retains Key Role Over Fire Insurance Laws Despite Cannabis Corruption Probe

MSN – Anabel Sosa (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 1/30/2025

California Sen. Susan Rubio was reappointed as chairperson of the committee that oversees insurance-related legislation, a powerful position that went unoccupied for weeks while swaths of Los Angeles burned. Rubio’s reappointment as chair comes amid lingering questions about her role in an ongoing federal investigation into an alleged cannabis industry bribery scheme that dates back to her time on the Baldwin Park City Council and her 2018 campaign for state office.

California – Newsom Weakens Financial Disclosure Requirements for LA Officials as Relief Pours In

MSN – Kenneth Schrupp (The Center Square) | Published: 2/4/2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order for Los Angeles fire relief includes provisions creating a 60-day reporting extension for required ethics disclosures of behested payments or conflicts-of-interest for government officials in Los Angeles County. Transparency watchdogs say elected officials should disclose financial conflicts in real time to avoid corruption, while Republicans warn the measures will make politicians even less accountable as billions in state, and eventually, federal aid comes pouring in.

California – Oakland’s Tiny Government Watchdog Sparked an FBI Investigation. Why Is It Neglected?

MSN – Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) | Published: 2/5/2025

When federal prosecutors announced corruption charges against former Mayor Sheng Thao and her boyfriend, they gave a tip of the hat to the Oakland’s Public Ethics Commission for launching the investigation and federal prosecutors to allegations of bribery and conspiracy at City Hall. But in October, the commission’s enforcement chief, Simon Russell, quit his job. In a departing letter, Russell wrote he was burned out from long, exhausting hours, and he was upset and baffled that city officials had ignored his requests for more money and staff.

District of Columbia – D.C. Council Expels Trayon White Over Allegations He Took Bribes

MSN – Paul Schwartzman, Jenny Gathright (Washington Post) | Published: 2/4/2025

The District of Columbia City Council voted to expel council member Trayon White. His expulsion, the first imposed by the council in its 51-year history, forces White to immediately surrender his seat. Federal prosecutors allege White used his elected position to keep government contracts flowing to two companies, accepting envelopes with thousands of dollars in cash and lucrative kickbacks.

Hawaii – Bill To Close Pay-To-Play Loophole in Hawai’i Moves to Full House

Honolulu Civil Beat – Blaze Lovell | Published: 2/6/2025

State legislators are seeking to close a 20-year-old loophole that has allowed government contractors to donate to politicians despite a law that purports to ban such contributions. Last year, a media investigation found that people with ties to contractors contributed $24 million to campaigns and the donations often coincided with key decisions by lawmakers regarding the contracts.

Hawaii – 2 Honolulu Officials to Plead Guilty in Kealoha Payout, Avoiding Jail Time

Honolulu Civil Beat – Christina Jedra | Published: 2/3/2025

Former Honolulu officials reached agreements with the government to resolve federal charges that they improperly arranged a $250,000 payout to the city’s now-disgraced former police chief. The pleas likely mark the end of the road for the special public corruption unit whose findings rocked Honolulu for a decade.

Illinois – Illinois Governor Bans Jan. 6 Rioters Pardoned by Trump from State Jobs

MSN – Tobi Raji (Washington Post) | Published: 2/1/2025

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker directed the state’s hiring authority to block all those who participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol from state employment. The order would apply to more than 50 people from Illinois who were given pardons or commutations by President Trump in one of the earliest acts of his second term and marks the latest effort by the blue state governor to push back against Trump.

Illinois – Mayor Johnson Outlines New Gift Policy After Critical Report from Inspector General

WBEZ – Fran Spielman | Published: 2/5/2025

Inspector General Deborah Witzburg accused Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson of accepting valuable gifts and failing to report them while denying internal investigators access to the room where the items are purportedly stored. Now, logs of the gifts that Johnson receives from visiting dignitaries and the public will be maintained and posted on the city’s website, along with a video of the “gift room” in the mayor’s City Hall office where those items are stored.

Kentucky – KY Legislative Lobbying Shatters Record, Topped $28 Million in 2024. Why Is Spending Up?

MSN – Austin Horn (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 2/3/2025

Companies and organizations looking to influence the Kentucky Legislature are spending more and more to influence the decisions made and the laws passed in Frankfort. In 2024, companies and other organizations spent almost $28.2 million on lobbying efforts. That is up from 2023’s record of $25.5 million. Observers say more entities are learning just how important the state Legislature is. Combine that with the growing cost of doing business in general, the increase in size of the government, and the Republican caucuses’ penchant for ignoring Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, and you get a system that is grown steadily over the last three years.

Maine – Efforts to Expand Maine Clean Elections Reckon with Currently Inadequate Program Funding

Yahoo News – Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 2/3/2025

Advocates and lawmakers seeking to stem the influence of money on elections in Maine are hoping to expand the state’s pioneering clean elections program. But during a public hearing on a reform proposal, it became clear they are running up against a funding landscape where the state’s current allocation is being drained faster than it is being replenished.

Maine – Maine Approves Rules to Restrict Utilities’ Lobbying, Prevent Costs from Being Passed to Customers

Yahoo News – Stephen Singer (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 2/5/2025

Maine regulators approved a set of rules restricting utility spending. The new rules forbid those expenses from being passed on to ratepayers. Utilities may not bill ratepayers for donations to political campaigns or parties, contributions to trade associations or business groups, or spending on lobbying or educational activities, except to inform customers about energy efficiency, conservation, and other measures.

Mississippi – MS Senate, House Advance Election, Campaign Finance Reforms by Deadline. See What Happened

MSN – Grant McLaughlin (Jackson Clarion Ledger) | Published: 2/4/2025

A Mississippi Senate committee, albeit against some opposition, advanced legislation to establish a 15-day early voting period, several bills to amend and add enforcement to campaign finance laws, and a bill to require online filing of campaign finance reports. The House Apportions and Elections Committee also advanced its own campaign finance l legislation earlier in the session.

Mississippi – Lumumba Files 3 Campaign Finance Reports After Having Not Done So Since 2021

Yahoo News – Charlie Drape (Jackson Clarion Ledger) | Published: 2/4/2025

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba filed three campaign finance reports after failing to do so for the last three years, even though state law requires them to be filed annually. Lumumba’s campaign finance reports are at the center of his federal indictment, which accuses him of accepting $50,000 in bribes from undercover FBI agents posing as real estate developers.

Montana – Senate Ethics Investigation into Former President Expected to Take All of February

Montana Free Press – Tom Lutey | Published: 2/3/2025

The ethics committee investigation into former Montana Senate leader Jason Ellsworth will take most of February, if not longer, to ensure hen is afforded time for a defense. Ellsworth is accused of splitting in two a $170,100 contract awarded to a business associate in order to avoid a state law requiring contracts of $100,000 or more to be competitively bid. The split contract, and questions about whether contractor Bryce Eggleston could do the work, are the foundation of the Senate’s case against its former leader.

New York – Former FDNY Chief Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Receive Bribes to Speed Up Building Inspections

MSN – Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) | Published: 1/29/2025

Former New York Fire Department Chief Anthony Saccavino pleaded guilty to conspiring to accept thousands of dollars in bribes for speeding up inspections for businesses with matters before the department. Saccavino is accused of expediting fire inspections for building owners who could pay up in a scheme that saw him and his co-conspirators rake in nearly $200,000 in illegal kickbacks.

New York – Eric Adams’ 2021 Campaign Could Be on the Hook for $10 Million

MSN – Joe Anuta and Jeff Coltin (Politico) | Published: 2/3/2025

New York City election officials are raising the stakes in their audit of Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 campaign, a move that could foreshadow the beleaguered mayor being forced to repay $10 million. The Campaign Finance Board informed Team Adams it was taking more time to complete an audit of his election effort after discovering bookkeeping irregularities and learning of an alleged straw donor scheme via the mayor’s federal criminal case.

New York – Mystery Donor Funds $10 Million Campaign Against Hochul Home Care Plan

New York Focus – Chris Bragg | Published: 2/4/2025

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is facing fierce opposition to her overhaul of a popular but pricey home care program that allows people with chronic medical issues to choose their own caregivers and pay them through Medicaid. The Alliance to Protect Home Care, a social welfare nonprofit, spent $10.6 million last year on a public relations campaign criticizing the reforms, the second-highest spending lobbying campaign in Albany that year. But it is unclear who is bankrolling the spending.

North Dakota – Bill Offers Immunity from Conflict Crimes to North Dakota Lawmakers If They Follow Ethics Rules

Yahoo News – Jeff Beach (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 1/31/2025

Legislation in North Dakota would give state lawmakers immunity from conflict-of-interest crimes if they disclose potential conflicts and follow legislative ethics rules. A separate bill seeks to overhaul how the North Dakota Ethics Commission handles complaints encountered opposition from the state attorney general’s office.

Ohio – Householder, Convicted of Racketeering, Tells Judges He’s Only Guilty of ‘Ordinary Politics’

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 2/5/2025

While prosecutors said ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder orchestrated the biggest bribery scheme in state history, his lawyers told an appellate court that he is only guilty of “regular politics.” The arguments in Householder’s appeal came nearly two years after a jury convicted him of racketeering, predicated on a bribery scheme to pass a 2019 bailout of nuclear plants owned by a subsidiary of FirstEnergy. In exchange for the bailout, FirstEnergy funneled millions of dollars in campaign contributions from its subsidiary and the corporate parent.

South Dakota – Dakota First Action, Supporters Attack Bill to Reform ‘Unlimited’ Campaign Loan Loophole

Yahoo News – Dominik Dausch (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) | Published: 2/3/2025

The South Dakota House State Affairs Committee passed Senate Bill 12, which would require loans made by an individual to a candidate or political committee to count toward individual contribution limits. Brian Lewis, political director for Dakota First Action, said the bill was not meant to reform campaign finance law. He asserted the bill was instead a means of eking vengeance against Dakota First Action and its founder, Toby Doeden, for its recent political activities.

Texas – Critics Argue a Texas Court Ruling Jeopardizes Election Integrity

Houston Public Media – Natalie Weber | Published: 2/3/2025

A criminal case against Robbie Gail Charette, a candidate for a judicial seat in Washington County, for errors related to financial paperwork and political ads, could set a precedent that the Texas Ethics Commission has sole authority to enforce certain laws related to campaign finance, political advertising, and lobbyists.  In practice, this means prosecutors must go to the commission before filing charges in these cases, at least for now.

Utah – Audit: Utah AG Reyes’ office lacked transparency and his involvement in the office was minimal

MSN – Emma Pitts (Deseret News) | Published: 2/1/2025

Former Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes’ office lacked sufficient transparency, Reyes’ direct involvement in the office was minimal, and there were concerns about potential conflicts-of-interest with nonprofit organizations, according to an audit. Common law allows the attorney general to govern with broad discretion. Because of this, “there is a lack of well-defined limitations on outside activities, such as nonprofit involvement, that the AG may pursue,” the report said. Consequently, the auditor general found potential conflicts to be a cause for concern that merits legislative attention.

Utah – Independent Reporter Sues Utah Legislature to Obtain Press Pass

Salt Lake Tribune – Sean Means | Published: 2/2/2025

Senior staff of the Utah Legislature defended their denial of press credentials to an independent reporter, arguing in a court filing that doing so does not violate the reporter’s First Amendment right to cover lawmakers. In his lawsuit, Bryan Schott demands state officials issue him a credential to cover this year’s Legislature, and that they no longer prohibit other journalists who write outside of “established” news outlets from receiving those same credentials. Schott argues he was denied a credential because of his reporting, to which the Legislature’s Republican leadership objected.

Virginia – Virginia Bill to Bar Corporate Donations to Campaign Funds Dies

Richmond Times-Dispatch – Dave Ress | Published: 2/4/2025

For the first time in years, a bill to rein in Virginia politicians’ wide open door for corporate contributions to their campaigns made it to the floor of a General Assembly chamber and died there in a minute, without a vote or debate. For decades, critics have argued this money gives special interests an inside edge when arguing for or against legislation. The bill would have barred any corporation from donating to any candidate, campaign committee, PAC, or political party committee.

Washington – Amazon Sues State Agency to Block Release of Company Records to Bezos-Owned Washington Post

MSN – Haleluya Hadero (Associated Press) | Published: 1/30/2025

Amazon is suing a Washington state agency to prevent the release of some company materials to The Washington Post, the newspaper which is owned by Jeff Bezos. The company asked the court to step in and block the release of documents that include “trade secrets” about Project Kuiper, an Amazon initiative to provide internet through satellites in space.

Wisconsin – Altered Image of Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate in New Ad Raises Ethics Concerns

MSN – Scott Bauer (Associated Press) | Published: 2/4/2025

A new television attack ad in Wisconsin’s hotly contested Supreme Court race features a doctored image of the liberal candidate, a move her campaign claims could be a violation of a recently enacted state law. The winner of the high-stakes race on April 1 will determine whether the Wisconsin Supreme Court remains under a liberal majority or flips to conservative control.

Campaign Finance

Mississippi: “MS Senate, House Advance Election, Campaign Finance Reforms by Deadline. See What Happened” by Grant McLaughlin (Jackson Clarion Ledger) for MSN

National: “Greenland Bans Foreign Political Funding as Trump Seeks Control” by Kelsey Ables (Washington Post) for MSN

Elections

Wisconsin: “Altered Image of Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate in New Ad Raises Ethics Concerns” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for MSN

Ethics

California: “Newsom Weakens Financial Disclosure Requirements for LA Officials as Relief Pours In” by Kenneth Schrupp (The Center Square) for MSN

California: “Oakland’s Tiny Government Watchdog Sparked an FBI Investigation. Why Is It Neglected?” by Eli Wolfe (Oaklandside) for MSN

National: “Elon Musk Shielded by Ethics Loophole as Trump ‘Special Government Employee'” by Haisten Willis (Washington Examiner) for MSN

Illinois: “Mayor Johnson Outlines New Gift Policy After Critical Report from Inspector General” by Fran Spielman for WBEZ

Lobbying

Maine: “Maine Approves Rules to Restrict Utilities’ Lobbying, Prevent Costs from Being Passed to Customers” by Stephen Singer (Portland Press Herald) for Yahoo News

The State Board of Elections published the new contribution limits summary sheet, which increases limits on January 1 of every odd-numbered year to reflect increases in inflation. The amount corporations and labor organizations may contribute in each election cycle increased from $13,700 to $14,600 to any candidate committee; from $27,400 to $29,100 to any political party or legislative caucus committee; and from $27,400 to $29,100 to any PAC. The amount an individual may contribute in each election cycle increased from $6,900 to $7,300 to any candidate committee; from $13,700 to $14,600 to any political party or legislative caucus committee; and from $13,700 to $14,600 to any PAC. The amount PACs are limited to contributing to any candidate committee, political party committee, legislative caucus committee, or PAC each election cycle increased from $68,500 to $72,800.

Campaign Finance

Maine: “Efforts to Expand Maine Clean Elections Reckon with Currently Inadequate Program Funding” by Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) for Yahoo News

South Dakota: “Dakota First Action, Supporters Attack Bill to Reform ‘Unlimited’ Campaign Loan Loophole” by Dominik Dausch (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) for Yahoo News

Virginia: “Virginia Bill to Bar Corporate Donations to Campaign Funds Dies” by Dave Ress for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Ethics

Washington DC: “D.C. Council Expels Trayon White Over Allegations He Took Bribes” by Paul Schwartzman, Jenny Gathright (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Why the Supreme Court May Be Open to Trump’s Push for Expanded Power” by Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) for MSN

Montana: “Private Contractor Says He’s the One Who Split Controversial Contract, Not Former Senate President” by Tom Luty for Montana Free Press

Lobbying

Kentucky: “KY Legislative Lobbying Shatters Record, Topped $28 Million in 2024. Why Is Spending Up?” by Austin Horn (Lexington Herald-Leader) for MSN

New York: “Mystery Donor Funds $10 Million Campaign Against Hochul Home Care Plan” by Chris Bragg for New York Focus

Campaign Finance

New York: “Eric Adams’ 2021 Campaign Could Be on the Hook for $10 Million” by Joe Anuta and Jeff Coltin (Politico) for MSN

Ethics

National: “CBS to Hand Over Harris Interview After Trump, FCC Pressure. What to Know.” by Annabelle Timsit (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “As DOJ Probes FBI’s Jan. 6 Work and Weighs Firings, Agents Told to Detail Roles” by Perry Stein, Carol Leonnig, Jeremy Roebuck, and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) for MSN

New York: “Former FDNY Chief Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Receive Bribes to Speed Up Building Inspections” by Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) for MSN

Texas: “Critics Argue a Texas Court Ruling Jeopardizes Election Integrity” by Natalie Weber for Houston Public Media

Washington: “Amazon Sues State Agency to Block Release of Company Records to Bezos-Owned Washington Post” by Haleluya Hadero (Associated Press) for MSN

Legislative Issues

California: “State Senator Retains Key Role Over Fire Insurance Laws Despite Cannabis Corruption Probe” by Anabel Sosa (Los Angeles Times) for MSN

Utah: “Independent Reporter Sues Utah Legislature to Obtain Press Pass” by Sean Means for Salt Lake Tribune