November 8, 2017 •
Seattle Elects New Mayor
Jenny Durkan is expected to defeat Cary Moon and become Seattle’s next mayor. With 39 percent of the vote tallied, Durkan captured 61 percent of the vote Tuesday night. Durkan is a former U.S. Attorney General and Seattle’s first female […]
Jenny Durkan is expected to defeat Cary Moon and become Seattle’s next mayor.
With 39 percent of the vote tallied, Durkan captured 61 percent of the vote Tuesday night.
Durkan is a former U.S. Attorney General and Seattle’s first female mayor since the 1920s.
Photo of Jenny Durkan By Dennis Bratland via Wikimedia Commons
November 8, 2017 •
Democrat Phil Murphy is New Jersey’s Next Governor
Democrat Phil Murphy was elected as New Jersey’s 56th governor. Murphy, a former Goldman Sachs executive and U.S. Ambassador to Germany, may impact Congress if he appoints a replacement for U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez. Menendez is currently on trial for […]
Democrat Phil Murphy was elected as New Jersey’s 56th governor.
Murphy, a former Goldman Sachs executive and U.S. Ambassador to Germany, may impact Congress if he appoints a replacement for U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez.
Menendez is currently on trial for corruption charges and the jury began deliberations on November 6, 2017. If convicted, Menendez will face pressure to step down allowing a Democrat, opposed to exiting Republican Gov. Chris Christie, to appoint a replacement.
Murphy is set to take office on January 16, 2018.
November 7, 2017 •
Florida Governor Calls Special Election
Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order calling for a special election to replace state Sen. Jeff Clemens. A special primary will be held on January 30, 2018, with a special general election to follow on April 10. Clemens resigned […]
Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order calling for a special election to replace state Sen. Jeff Clemens.
A special primary will be held on January 30, 2018, with a special general election to follow on April 10. Clemens resigned his Senate District 31 seat on October 27 after reports stated he had an extramarital affair with a lobbyist.
The winner of the election will serve the remainder of Clemens’s term, running through election day in 2020.
November 7, 2017 •
Special Election Called in Oregon
A special election will be held on January 23, 2018, to consider a veto referendum on taxes included in a 2017 legislative session bill. The taxes at issue are on healthcare insurance premiums intended to provide funding for people on […]
A special election will be held on January 23, 2018, to consider a veto referendum on taxes included in a 2017 legislative session bill.
The taxes at issue are on healthcare insurance premiums intended to provide funding for people on the Oregon Health Plan, Oregon’s version of Medicaid.
November 6, 2017 •
Nevada Recall Petition Will Likely Trigger Special Election
A recall petition seeking to remove Democratic Senator Joyce Woodhouse has enough valid signatures to force a recall election according to the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office. The recall petition was filed in August by a former Nevada Republican Assemblyman […]
A recall petition seeking to remove Democratic Senator Joyce Woodhouse has enough valid signatures to force a recall election according to the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office.
The recall petition was filed in August by a former Nevada Republican Assemblyman with no reason cited. State democrats are fighting the recall efforts with a “Decline to sign” campaign as well as a federal Voting Rights Act lawsuit filed on behalf of five voters seeking to end the recall before a special election could occur.
Attorneys fighting the recall efforts assert the recall would undermine a republican form of government by threatening to upend the undisputed results of legitimate and regularly scheduled elections.
Two other Nevada Republican-led recall campaigns targeting both Democratic and Independent state senators have signature deadlines this month.
November 6, 2017 •
Four Federal By-Elections to be Held December 11
On November 5, Elections Canada announced several by-elections for the House of Commons will be held on December 11. The federal by-elections will be held for the electoral districts of Battlefords–Lloydminster (Saskatchewan), Bonavista–Burin–Trinity (Newfoundland and Labrador), Scarborough–Agincourt (Ontario), and South […]
On November 5, Elections Canada announced several by-elections for the House of Commons will be held on December 11. The federal by-elections will be held for the electoral districts of Battlefords–Lloydminster (Saskatchewan), Bonavista–Burin–Trinity (Newfoundland and Labrador), Scarborough–Agincourt (Ontario), and South Surrey–White Rock (British Columbia) to fill vacancies in the House of Commons.
Battlefords–Lloydminster (Saskatchewan) MP Gerry Ritz resigned on August 31 in order to retire from politics.
Bonavista–Burin–Trinity (Newfoundland and Labrador) MP Judy Foote resigned Bonavista-Burin-Trinity in September. Foote has been on leave since April for personal family medical reasons. In August, she had resigned her position as Minister of Public Services and Procurement.
The seat for Scarborough–Agincourt (Ontario) became vacant on September 14 when MP Arnold Chan died at the age of 50 of cancer after a three-year battle.
South Surrey–White Rock (British Columbia) MP Dianne Watts resigned to run for the provincial Liberal leadership.
November 3, 2017 •
NYCU Video Digest – November 3, 2017
Jon Spontarelli is here with this week’s government and ethics news you can use from a busy week around the country!
Jon Spontarelli is here with this week’s government and ethics news you can use from a busy week around the country!
November 2, 2017 •
Special Election Set for Iowa Senate District 3
Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for Senate District 3. The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of State Sen. Bill Anderson. In September, Anderson accepted a job as the director of […]
Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for Senate District 3. The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of State Sen. Bill Anderson.
In September, Anderson accepted a job as the director of the Cherokee Area Economic Development Corporation, but Reynolds had to wait until Anderson submitted his formal resignation to call the special election.
With a formal resignation date of November 1, 2017, Reynolds has set the special election for December 12, 2017.
October 31, 2017 •
Bill Introduced Banning Corporate Contributions in British Columbia’s Municipal Elections
On October 30, a bill was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia banning corporate and union political contributions for local elections in the Canadian province. Bill 15, Local Elections Campaign Financing Amendment Act, 2017, was introduced by Municipal […]
On October 30, a bill was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia banning corporate and union political contributions for local elections in the Canadian province. Bill 15, Local Elections Campaign Financing Amendment Act, 2017, was introduced by Municipal Affairs Minister Selina Robinson.
Among other related changes, the legislation also caps contributions from individual donors to $1,200 for the 2018 elections with contribution limits then indexed for inflation in sequent election years. If passed, the law would be in effect for British Columbia’s October 28, 2018, municipal elections and would be retroactive to October 31, 2017.
October 30, 2017 •
Guam Legislature Considers Primary Election Changes
The Legislature of Guam passed one bill and is contemplating another that will change the electoral process in the territory. Bill 156-34, passed Friday, Ocotober 27, 2017, proposes moving the date of primary elections and changing the filing date for […]
The Legislature of Guam passed one bill and is contemplating another that will change the electoral process in the territory.
Bill 156-34, passed Friday, Ocotober 27, 2017, proposes moving the date of primary elections and changing the filing date for candidate nomination papers; while Bill 45-34 calls for the elimination of primary elections in their entirety.
If Bill 45-34 also passes and both bills are signed by the governor, whichever bill is signed second will void the one that is signed first.
October 30, 2017 •
Monday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Ethics Justice Department Agrees to Settle Lawsuits Over IRS Scrutiny of Tea Party Groups by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post California: Sexual Harassment Complaints Topic of California Assembly Public Hearings by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee Florida: City Commissioners Nix Key Wording in Ethics Ordinance by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee […]
Ethics
Justice Department Agrees to Settle Lawsuits Over IRS Scrutiny of Tea Party Groups by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post
California: Sexual Harassment Complaints Topic of California Assembly Public Hearings by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee
Florida: City Commissioners Nix Key Wording in Ethics Ordinance by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
South Carolina: South Carolina GOP Caucus: Open records law doesn’t apply by The Associated Press for Raleigh News and Observer
Campaign Finance
FEC Drops Foreign Money Case Involving Super PAC Contributions by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA
Kansas: Kansas Ethics Panel Says No to Bitcoin Contributions, at Least for Now by Peter Hancock for Lawrence Journal-World
Lobbying
Florida: Ethics Board Cites Justin Sayfie, Capitol Group for Reporting Violations by Jim Rosica for Florida Politics
Illinois: Emanuel’s Ethics Board Walks Back $2,500 Fines Against 3 Who Illegally Lobbied Him by Bill Ruthhart for Chicago Tribune
Elections
Kentucky: Fired Elections Staffer Alleges Grimes Improperly Gathered Voter Data During Campaigns by Daniel Desrochers for Lexington Herald-Leader
Procurement
With Business Booming Under Trump, Private Prison Giant Gathers at President’s Resort by Amy Brittain and Drew Harwell for Washington Post
October 26, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying Florida: “City Manager Asked Lobbyist for Football Tickets” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat New York: “Reform Group Criticizes JCOPE’s Online Lobbying Filing System” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union Campaign Finance Arizona: “Tempe Considers Ballot Measure to […]
Lobbying
Florida: “City Manager Asked Lobbyist for Football Tickets” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
New York: “Reform Group Criticizes JCOPE’s Online Lobbying Filing System” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “Tempe Considers Ballot Measure to Curb ‘Dark Money’ Influence in Elections” by Jerod MacDonad-Evoy for Arizona Republic
Missouri: “New Limits to Campaign Financing Confuse Missouri’s Political Candidates” by Jo Mannies for St. Louis Public Radio
Pennsylvania: “2 Top Brady Aides Charged in Probe of Payoff to 2012 Primary Rival” by Jeremy Roebuck, Chris Brennan, and Craig McCoy for Philadelphia Inquirer
Ethics
Illinois: “Women Want Statehouse Sexual Harassment Exposed – and Stopped” by Tina Sfondeles for Chicago Sun-Times
Pennsylvania: “Irate Judge Gives Ex-Philly DA Seth Williams 5-Year Sentence in Bribery, Corruption Case” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer
South Carolina: “Quinn’s State House ‘Tentacles’ Included Paying Lawmakers $1.3 Million, Judge Told” by John Monk for The State
Tennessee: “Ethics Commission Levies $30,000 Fine Against Jeremy Durham” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean
Elections
“Study: Despite changing demographics, the political playing field still tilts toward white men” by Vanessa Williams for Washington Post
“Clinton Campaign, DNC Paid for Research That Led to Russia Dossier” by Adam Entous, Devlin Barrett, and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post
October 25, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying Washington: “Seattle Mayoral Aide Sees Conflict of Interest in Lobbying by Political Consultants” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times Campaign Finance “Black Executives Join Forces, Forming a PAC to Back Them Up” by Kate Kelly for New York Times […]
Lobbying
Washington: “Seattle Mayoral Aide Sees Conflict of Interest in Lobbying by Political Consultants” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
Campaign Finance
“Black Executives Join Forces, Forming a PAC to Back Them Up” by Kate Kelly for New York Times
Florida: “Beach Commissioner Resigns, Cuts Deal Barring Him from Public Office for One Year” by Joey Flechas and Nicholas Nehamas for Miami Herald
Idaho: “City Attorney Investigates Helicopter Promotion” by Bruyan Clark for Post-Register
Missouri: “Greitens’ Office Coordinated with Campaign Fund Over Top Missouri Schools Job, Report Shows” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Ethics
California: “California Senate Hires Two Firms to Investigate Sexual Harassment Complaints” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee
Oregon: “State Senator: Fellow senator groped me in Oregon Capitol” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian
Texas: “Prosecutors Drop All Remaining Charges Against Rep. Dawnna Dukes” by Nolan Hicks, Mark Wilson, and Ryan Autullo for Austin American-Statesman
Elections
“Russia’s Favored Outlet Is an Online News Giant. YouTube Helped.” by Daisuke Wakabayashi and Nicholas Confessore for New York Times
Legislative Issues
“Sen. Jeff Flake Will Retire, Citing Direction of GOP Under Trump” by David Weigel and Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post
Procurement
Montana: “Small Montana Firm Lands Puerto Rico’s Biggest Contract to Get the Power Back On” by Steven Mufson, Jack Gillum, Aaron Davis, and Arelis Hernandez for Washington Post
October 24, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying “Mueller Now Investigating Democratic Lobbyist Tony Podesta” by Tom Winter and Julia Ainsley for NBC News Campaign Finance “Democrats Ban Some Corporate Donations While Approving Controversial New Member List” by David Weigel for Washington Post California: “Feds Toss Jury […]
Lobbying
“Mueller Now Investigating Democratic Lobbyist Tony Podesta” by Tom Winter and Julia Ainsley for NBC News
Campaign Finance
“Democrats Ban Some Corporate Donations While Approving Controversial New Member List” by David Weigel for Washington Post
California: “Feds Toss Jury Convictions Against Azano’s Son, Agree to Misdemeanor” by Kristina Davis and Greg Moran for San Diego Union Tribune
Montana: “Donors Once Again Much More Limited in Contributions to Montana Candidates” by Amy Beth Hanson for Helena Independent Record
Ethics
“Cub Scout Is Exiled After Pressing Legislator on Guns and Race” by Christine Hauser for New York Times
Florida: “He Paid His Ethics Fine in Pennies. Now Hialeah’s Mayor Investigates the Ethics Board.” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald
New York: “Former Top Assembly Ethics Official: Position a ‘waste of money’” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Pennsylvania: “Sexual Harassment Inside the Pa. Capitol? It Exists and ‘Needs to Stop,’ Lobbyist Says” by Jan Murphy for PennLive.com
Elections
“Hopes Dim for Congressional Russia Inquiries as Parties Clash” by Nicholas Fandos for New York Times
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.
