National:

How Donald Trump Shifted Kids-Cancer Charity Money into His Business
Forbes – Dan Alexander | Published: 6/6/2017

The Eric Trump Foundation apparently paid President Donald Trump’s businesses $1.2 million between 2007 and 2015 for expenses related to the foundation’s annual charity event at the Trump National Golf Club in Westchester County, New York, according to a report in Forbes. Eric Trump said the Trump Organization allowed his nonprofit foundation to use the golf course for free and covered most expenses for the golf tournament. But Forbes found IRS filings indicate otherwise. Forbes reported the Trump National Golf Club charged the Eric Trump Foundation tens, and later hundreds, of thousands of dollars each year for the one-day event, while donors were led to believe a much bigger portion of their money would go directly to the fundraiser’s chosen cause, children’s cancer research.

Federal:

James Comey Testifies: Former FBI director says he helped reveal details of conversations with Trump
Washington Post – Devlin Barrett and Ellen Nakashima | Published: 6/8/2017

Former FBI Director James Comey asserted that President Donald Trump fired him to interfere with his investigation of Russia’s role in the 2016 election and its ties to the Trump campaign. Comey accused the administration of spreading “lies, plain and simple” about him and the FBI in the aftermath of his abrupt firing. Comey also described intense discomfort about one-on-one conversations between him and the president, saying he decided he immediately needed to document the discussions in memos. Comey said he helped reveal details of his private conversations with Trump because he thought doing so would spur the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the administration.

Lobbyists, Industry Lawyers Were Granted Ethics Waivers to Work in Trump Administration
New York Times – Eric Lipton and Danielle Ivory | Published: 6/7/2017

New disclosures offer additional evidence that lobbyists and industry executives who can now shape policies benefitting their former clients and companies have been allowed to work in the Trump administration. The documents were released in response to a demand by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) for details on how the Trump administration is enforcing the ethics policies. One unexpected outcome was proof the Obama administration, despite a much touted promise to make all of its ethics waivers public, stopped providing them to the OGE. The “revolving door” cases in the Trump administration generally involve individuals who had been retained by for-profit clients, and then took up matters that could benefit these former clients.

Top Intelligence Official Told Associates Trump Asked Him If He Could Intervene with Comey on FBI Russia Probe
Washington Post – Adam Entous | Published: 6/6/2017

The nation’s top intelligence official told associates in March that President Trump asked him if he could intervene with then-FBI Director James Comey to get the bureau to back off its focus on former national security adviser Michael Flynn in its Russia probe. The events involving Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats show the president went further than just asking intelligence officials to deny publicly the existence of any evidence showing collusion during the 2016 election, as The Washington Post reported in May. The interaction with Coats indicates Trump aimed to enlist top officials to have Comey curtail the FBI’s probe.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Ethics Commission Declines to Make Site Consultants Register as Lobbyists
AL.com – Mike Cason | Published: 6/7/2017

The Alabama Ethics Commission rejected its staff’s opinion that site consultants for companies considering moving to the state are required under certain circumstances to register as lobbyists under the ethics law. Staff members said the companies who hire the consultants to scout locations and incentive opportunities from local governments would have to register as principals. The commission declined to vote on the recommendation after economic development officials said would hurt their recruiting efforts because companies place a high value on confidentiality when they are considering a new location.

Arizona – Corruption Case Snares Lobbyist at the Center of Arizona Power Politics
Arizona Republic – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Dan Nowicki | Published: 5/26/2017

Among the individuals named in a federal indictment was one who has touched almost every corner of Arizona power politics: lobbyist Jim Norton. A familiar figure for years at the Capitol, Norton was among Gov. Doug Ducey’s earliest political backers and a friend since college. His firm helped guide U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs to victory last November. He is also the business community’s leading voice at the statehouse. Prosecutors say Norton was “a conduit” for bribes that water-company owner George Johnson is accused of paying to former Arizona Corporation Commission Chairperson Gary Pierce. Authorities allege the money helped secure commission approval of higher rates for Johnson Utilities.

District of Columbia – D.C. Mayor Bowser Fined $13,000 for Illegal Campaign Contributions
Washington Post – Aaron Davis | Published: 6/7/2017

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser’s campaign committee was fined $13,000 for taking campaign donations over legal limits during her successful run for office three years ago. Bowser’s campaign kept over $11,000 in illegal contributions from 13 developers, contractors, and Sanford Capital, a landlord her administration has since been slow to fine for more than 1,000 housing-code violations. Some of the developers who contributed more than the legal limit to Bowser in 2014 were the same ones who went on to donate to a PAC that Bowser’s allies set up but later abandoned during her first year in office amid criticism from city council members that it was creating a perception of “pay-to-play” politics.

Florida – Someone Raised $200K from Miami Beach Bigwigs, But No One Will Say Why
Miami Herald – Nicholas Nehamas and Joey Flechas | Published: 6/5/2017

Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Grieco says he does not know a thing about a mysterious South Florida group that raised $200,000 from city bigwigs last year. But interviews with two of those donors suggest the PAC is raising money in his name, and that Grieco, who is running for mayor, solicited at least one contribution. Miami Beach lobbyists, vendors, and real-estate developers all appear on the list of donors to People for Better Leaders, exactly the type of power players whose contributions led to a public outcry during the last election cycle and, ultimately, to stricter campaign finance laws.

Kentucky – Judge Tosses Ethics Rules for Kentucky Lobbyists, Lawmakers
U.S. News & World Report – Adam Beam (Associated Press) | Published: 6/7/2017

A federal judge ruled Kentucky lawmakers can accept gifts from lobbyists and that lobbyists can make campaign contributions to candidates for the Legislature. The state law banning lobbyists giving gifts to lawmakers includes “anything of value,” which U.S. District Court Judge William Bertelsman said was too vague. State regulators said the laws were meant to prevent bribery at the Capitol. Most of the rules were enacted after “Operation BOPTROT,” a 1992 FBI probe that exposed 15 current or former legislators who sold their votes. Officials with the Legislative Ethics Commission and the Registry of Election Finance said they were reviewing the order and were considering an appeal.

Missouri – What You Need to Know about Missouri’s Evolving Campaign Finance Laws
Missouri Times – Travis Zimpfer | Published: 6/6/2017

On June 20, Missouri’s campaign finance laws will once again experience changes for the second time in roughly six months. The Missouri Ethics Commission updated their own primer on the constitutional amendment and how a recent decision by a federal judge that found many provisions of the law unconstitutional affected it. Commission Director James Klahr issued an advisory opinion that political party committees in the House and Senate are not bound to the $25,000 aggregate limit in accordance with the ruling.

North Carolina – US Supreme Court Affirms NC Legislative Districts as Racial Gerrymanders
Raleigh News and Observer – Anne Blythe | Published: 6/5/2017

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that struck down 28 state House and Senate districts in North Carolina because they violated the rights of black voters. But the justices rejected the court’s order to redraw the districts and hold a special election. The action by the justices sends the matter back to the lower court, which could order new districts in time for the regular cycle of elections in 2018.

Pennsylvania – A Philly Teacher’s Stunts Draw Interest from The Board of Ethics
Philadelphia Inquirer – Chris Brennan | Published: 6/5/2017

It looks as if George Bezanis, a Central High School social studies teacher who has used a billboard and a banner plane to protest the lack of a new union contract for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, will be butting heads with the city Board of Ethics. An attorney for the ethics board told Beznis the billboard and banner plane were “reportable lobbying under the city’s lobbying law.” Bezanis needed to register as a lobbyist, the attorney said in the message, or face a financial penalty.

South Carolina – Firms Named in SC Corruption Probe Have Hundreds of Millions at Stake
The State – Jamie Self and Avery Wilks | Published: 6/4/2017

South Carolina’s largest special interests know the time they spend working the state’s lawmakers at the Capitol is well spent. But was the help they got from one of the state’s most influential political families legal? Indicted Rep. Rick Quinn, whose father operates a political consulting empire, stands accused of voting and lobbying in the Legislature on behalf of special interests that, prosecutors allege, paid him through his direct-mail business and his father’s firm. He also is charged with failing to disclose accepting nearly $4.6 million he received from special interests that lobby the Legislature.  The companies that Quinn is charged with illegally helping are big fish in the pool of special interests vying for influence in Columbia.

Tennessee – Record $465,000 Fine Issued Against Jeremy Durham for ‘Egregious’ Campaign Finance Violations
The Tennessean – Dave Boucher and Joel Ebert | Published: 6/7/2017

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance levied the largest fine it has ever imposed against former state Rep. Jeremy Durham for hundreds of campaign finance law violations. Among the findings in an audit were allegations Durham used campaign funds to improperly buy sunglasses, suits, and spa products, and inappropriately loaned thousands of dollars to his wife, a prominent Republican fundraiser and professional gambler. Registry members occasionally haggled over the individual amounts for each violation, trying to determine how egregious Durham’s actions were while also expressing a desire to use the penalties to prevent future wrongdoing. In total, the registry fined Durham $465,500 for more than 300 violations.

Wisconsin – Critics Deride Secrecy, Limits on Investigations by State Ethics Commission as It Nears 1-Year Mark
Wisconsin State Journal – Mark Sommerhauser | Published: 6/4/2017

Critics say it is difficult to assess the work of Wisconsin’s new ethics commission because much of what it does is kept secret. Current and former commissioners and other observers say they have seen some heartening signs from the six-member panel, which acts as the state’s watchdog of political campaigns and candidates, public officials, and those who seek to influence them. But critics say the commission is handcuffed by legal limits on what it can disclose about its efforts to enforce campaign finance, ethics, and lobbying laws. It also is much more limited than its predecessor, the Government Accountability Board, in its ability to investigate alleged violations of those laws.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

Becky Campbell is back to deliver any government relations and ethics news you might have missed in this weeks News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!

Lobbying

Arizona: “Arizona Attorney General Investigating Phoenix Law Firm’s Falsified Lobbying Documents” by Dustin Gardiner and Rob O’Dell for Arizona Republic

Campaign Finance

“Why the High Court Sidestepped a Soft Money Case” by Joseph Williams for U.S. News & World Report

Maryland: “Mayor Pugh Calls Gary Brown ‘a Good Employee,’ Stands by Him Following Guilty Finding” by Yvonne Wagner for Baltimore Sun

Missouri: “Campaign Finance Decision Being Appealed” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Claiming ‘Taco Bell’ Tastes, Philly DA Williams Drew Questions Early on with Elaborate Campaign Spending” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

“A Vocal Defender of Ethics Has Fans – and Foes” by Nicholas Fandos for New York Times

Massachusetts: “Former Top Mass. Lawmaker Often Helped His Business, Family” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

New York: “Ex-Sterne Agee Executive Admits to N.Y. Pension Fund Bribes” by Christian Berthelson for Bloomberg.com

New York: “Appeals Court Vacates Former State Senator’s Conviction and Fine” by Benjamin Weiser for New York Times

Oregon: “Republican Confirmed to State Ethics Panel Despite Democrats’ Outcry” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian

Elections

Ohio: “High Court to Review Ohio’s Method for Removing Voters from Registration Rolls” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “Divided House Forwards Campaign Bill to Senate” by Christine Stuart for CTNewsJunkie.com

Missouri: “Missouri Pay-to-Play Allegations Heat Up Over New Links Between Lawmaker, Megadonor” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Ohio: “Dayton Mayor Using Uncapped Mayoral Campaign Fund for Gubernatorial Bid, AP Reports” by Associated Press for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Ethics

“Jared Kushner Now a Focus in Russia Investigation” by Matt Zapotosky, Sari Horwitz, Devlin Barrett, and Adam Entous for Washington Post

Alabama: “Mike Hubbard Appeals Ethics Convictions; Says Prosecutors Misinterpreted Law” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

Arizona: “Ex-Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce, Lobbyist Jim Norton Indicted” by Rachel Leingang and Hank Stephenson for Arizona Capitol Times

California: “Taxpayer Money Wasted on Bar Tabs, Trips to Las Vegas and Expensive Electronics in South El Monte, Audit Shows” by Adam Elmahrek for Los Angeles Times

South Carolina: “More Than 50 Accusations Against Public Officials Await Stalled South Carolina Ethics Commission” by Maya Prabhu for Charleston Post and Courier

Texas: “Bills Aimed at Restricting Lobbyists Die in Texas House” by Sean Collins Walsh for Austin American-Statesman

Elections

“The GOP Inherits What Trump Has Wrought” by Karen Tumulty and Robert Costa for Washington Post

“‘Anyone … with a Pulse’: How a Russia-friendly adviser found his way into the Trump campaign” by Tom Hamburger and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post

Lobbying

Missouri: “Greitens Nonprofit Lobbies for Legislation, But Isn’t Registered to Lobby” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post Dispatch

See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!

Lobbying

Iowa: “Ethics Complaint Against Iowa Gun Owners Leader Dismissed” by Brianne Pfannenstiel for Des Moines Register

Rhode Island: “Ethics Board: Former Senate President Paiva Weed must wait to lobby General Assembly” by Christine Dunn for Providence Journal

Virginia: “A ‘Personal Friend’ Exemption on Gifts to Virginia’s Elected Officials Leaves Open an Unlimited Loophole” by Bill Bartel for The Virginian-Pilot

Campaign Finance

Maine: “Maine Developer Will Face Jail Time, Fines for Illegal Political Donations” by Edward Murphy for Portland Press Herald

North Carolina: “Former NC Legislator, Fletcher Hartsell, Gets Probation in State’s Campaign Finance Case” by Anne Blythe for Raleigh News & Observer

Ethics

“Kushner Keeps Most of His Real Estate but Offers Few Clues About Potential White House Conflicts” by Amy Brittain and Jonathan O’Connell for Washington Post

Michigan: “Feds: Bag man delivered bribes to Macomb officials” by Robert Snell for Detroit News

New York: “Whose Job Is It to Investigate Legislature’s ‘Lulu’ System?” by Rachel Silberstein for Gotham Gazette

Elections

“Former C.I.A. Chief Reveals Mounting Concern Over Trump Campaign and Russia” by Matt Apuzzo for New York Times

“Trump Asked Intelligence Chiefs to Push Back against FBI Collusion Probe after Comey Revealed Its Existence” by Adam Entous and Ellen Nakashima for Washington Post

Lobbying

Maine: “Democrats Block Bill to Punish Lying at Maine State House” by Christopher Cousins for Bangor Daily News

New Mexico: “Loophole and Vague Laws Create Ambiguity in Lobbyist Reporting” by Sandra Fish for New Mexico In Depth

Ethics

“Work and Politics: What Rights Do Employees Have?” by Charisse Jones and Michael Izzo for USA Today

“F.B.I. Once Warned G.O.P. Congressman That Russian Spies Were Recruiting Him” by Matt Apuzzo, Adam Goldman, and Mark Mazzetti for New York Times

“Russia Probe Reaches Current White House Official, People Familiar with the Case Say” by Devlin Barrett and Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

“Trump Told Russians That Firing ‘Nut Job’ Comey Eased Pressure from Investigation” by Matt Apuzzo, Maggie Haberman, and Matthew Rosenberg for New York Times

California: “Former Admiral Sentenced to 18 Months in ‘Fat Leonard’ Case” by Craig Whitlock for Washington Post

Pennsylvania: “Township Supervisor Ordered to Pay $107,120 for Illegally Purchasing Surplus Items” by John Beauge for PennLive.com

Nevada: “Laxalt Defends Actions in Taped Conversation; Dems Not Convinced” by Seth Richardson for Reno Gazette-Journal

Elections

“For Voting Rights Advocates, Court Decision Is ‘Temporary Victory’” by Michael Wines for New York Times

Campaign Finance

Connecticut: “Preliminary Ruling: Ganim Ineligible for Public Financing” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror

Illinois: “Ken Griffin Gives Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Campaign Record $20 Million” by Rick Pearson for Chicago Tribune

See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!

Lobbying

“Trump’s Pick for a Top Interior Post Has Sued the Agency on Behalf of Powerful California Water Interests” by Bettina Boxall for Los Angeles Times

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “Another Colorado ‘Social Welfare’ Nonprofit Just Got Fined for Improperly Playing in Elections” by Corey Hutchins for Colorado Independent

North Carolina: “Former Lawmaker Who Misspent Campaign Funds Gets 8 Months in Prison” by Anne Blythe for Raleigh News & Observer

Texas: “Pool Proposes Campaign Finance Rule Changes” by Jo Clifton for Austin Monitor

Ethics

“Deputy Attorney General Appoints Special Counsel to Oversee Probe of Russian Interference in Election” by Devlin Barrett, Sari Horwitz, and Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

“The Right Builds an Alternative Narrative About the Crises Around Trump” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times

“What Is Obstruction of Justice? An Often-Murky Crime, Explained” by Charlie Savage for New York Times

Canada: “Trudeau Recuses Himself from Appointing New Federal Ethics Watchdog” by The Canadian Press for Toronto Star

Washington: “Seattle Ethics Panel Says No to Legal Fund for Ed Murray” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times

Elections

New York: “Winner of Vote for ‘I Voted’ Stickers Is Underground Art” by Andy Newman for New York Times

Lobbying

Massachusetts: “City Council Debates Level of Transparency in Lobbying Act” by Beth Treffeisen for Spare Change News

Campaign Finance

California: “California Ethics Watchdog Nabs Its Former Leader” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Ethics

“Comey Memo Says Trump Asked Him to End Flynn Investigation” by Michael Schmidt for New York Times

“At Mar-a-Lago, the Star Power of the Presidency Helps Charities – and Trump – Make More Money” by Drew Harwell and David Fahrenthold for Washington Post

Montana: “New Commissioner Takes Over at Political Practices Office” by Matt Volz (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report

New Hampshire: “N.H. Ethics Committee Has Fielded Dozens of Complaints, But Issued No Violations” by Casey McDermott for New Hampshire Public Radio

New Jersey: “‘P.S.: One of the ring leaders works in your bank!’: Is this congressman’s fundraising letter a threat?” by Amber Phillips for Washington Post

West Virginia: “State Rep. Rick Quinn Indicted by State Grand Jury” by Glenn Smith for Charleston Post & Courier

Vermont: “Vt. Political Ethics Bill Moves to Governor’s Desk” by April McCullum for Burlington Free Press

Elections

North Carolina: “Strict North Carolina Voter ID Law Thwarted After Supreme Court Rejects Case” by Adam Liptak and Michael Wines for New York Times

Elections

“Young Black Democrats, Eager to Lead from the Left, Eye Runs in 2018” by Alexander Burns for New York Times

Ethics

“Trump Revealed Highly Classified Information to Russian Foreign Minister and Ambassador” by Greg Miller and Greg Jaffe for Washington Post

“How Trump Gets His Fake News” by Shane Goldmacher for Politico

“Under Trump, Inconvenient Data Is Being Sidelined” by Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post

“Reckless Stock Trading Leaves Congress Rife with Conflicts” by Maggie Severns for Politico

Missouri: “Greitens Fails to Meet Promises on Ethics Laws” by Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for Southeast Missourian

New York: “Joseph Ponte to Resign as New York City Jails Chief” by Michael Schwirtz and William Rashbaum for New York Times

South Carolina: “South Carolina Consulting Firm’s ‘Tentacles’ Have Created an ‘Unprecedented’ Political Power Structure” by Andy Shain, Glenn Smith, and Andrew Brown for Charleston Post and Courier

Lobbying

California: “Mayor’s Top Aide Got Married at Bayfront Estate of Developer and SoccerCity Supporter” by Kevin McDonald for San Diego Union-Tribune

Texas: “State Fraud Investigator Forced to Resign Over Ties to Iraqi Government Lobbying” by Edgar Walters for Texas Tribune

Lobbying

“DOJ Deflects Calls for More Foreign Agents Act Transparency” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

Kansas: “Who Are Kansas Lobbyists Taking to Dinner?” by Bryan Lowry and Kelsey Ryan for Kansas City Star

Texas: “Powerful Abbott Appointee’s Lobbying Sparks Blowback in Legislature” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune

Campaign Finance

Maryland: “FBI Searches Republican Political Consulting Firm in Annapolis” by Fenit Nirappil, Josh Hicks, and Matea Gold for Washington Post

Ethics

“Trump Warning to Comey Prompts Questions on ‘Tapes’” by Peter Baker and Michael Shear for New York Times

District of Columbia: “Bowser Cabinet Official Probed Over Child’s School Placement” by Peter Jamison for Washington Post

Florida: “Ex-Florida Congresswoman Convicted of Taking Money Meant for Charity” by Matt Stevens for New York Times

Rhode Island: “Providence Council President Charged with Embezzlement” by Jennifer Bogdan for Providence Journal

Elections

“Trump Picks Voter ID Advocate for Election Fraud Panel” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis for New York Times

Procurement

New York: “Government Watchdogs Push ‘Clean Contracting’ Reform in Albany” by Rachel Silberstein for Gotham Gazzette

See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!

National:

Silicon Valley Tech Lobbyists Swarm Brussels
Politico.eu – Harry Cooper and Nicholas Hirst | Published: 5/4/2017

A new report shows spending on European Union lobbying by Google, Facebook, Apple, and other technology companies has increased by up to 278 percent between 2014 and 2017, and four out of seven lobbyists currently accredited with the European Parliament have been hired directly from the Parliament to lobby their former colleagues. Transparency International says that major Silicon Valley companies have been lobbying in Brussels for years, but the budget for lobbying has increased in recent years, as Brussels tries to tackle tax avoidance schemes, data protection, and privacy issues.

Federal:

Inside Trump’s Anger and Impatience – and His Sudden Decision to Fire Comey
Washington Post – Philip Rucker, Ashley Parker, Sari Horwitz, and Robert Costa | Published: 5/10/2017

The stated rationale for President Trump’s firing FBI Director James Comey’s delivered by White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders was that Comey had committed “atrocities” in overseeing the agency’s probe into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server as secretary of state, hurting morale in the bureau and compromising public trust. But the private accounts of more than 30 officials at the White House, the Justice Department, the FBI, and on Capitol Hill, as well as Trump confidants and other senior Republicans, paint a conflicting narrative centered on the president’s brewing personal animus toward Comey.

Kushner Family Stands to Gain from Visa Rules in Trump’s First Major Law
New York Times – Eric Lipton and Jesse Drucker | Published: 5/8/2017

A bill President Trump signed into law renews a program offering permanent residence in the U.S. to affluent foreigners investing money in real estate projects in the country. Just hours after the measure was signed, the company run until January by Trump’s son-in-law and top adviser, Jared Kushner, was urging wealthy Chinese in Beijing to consider investing $500,000 each in a pair of Jersey City luxury apartment towers the family-owned Kushner Companies plans to build. Kushner was even cited at a marketing presentation by his sister Nicole Meyer. The sequence of events offers one of the most explicit examples of the peril of the Trump and Kushner families maintaining close ties to their business interests and creates an impression they stand to profit off Trump’s presence in the White House.

Why the IRS Puts White-Nationalist Groups in the Same Category as Orchestras, Planetariums and Zoos
Washington Post – Max Ehrenfreund | Published: 5/10/2017

Four organizations associated with white nationalism – the National Policy Institute, the New Century Foundation, the Charles Martel Society and VDare Foundation – have raised $7.8 million in tax-free donations over the last decade. White nationalist groups qualify for tax-exempt status because they have successfully argued they have an “educational” mission. A proposal would force them to start paying taxes by removing the provision they rely on for their tax exemption, a broad rule that benefits organizations that sponsor lectures, conferences, and public discussions. But even groups that condemn white nationalists’ messages are hesitant about plans to take away their tax-exempt status.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Months After It Was Exposed, Phoenix Hasn’t Fixed Toothless Lobbying Law
Arizona Republic – Dustin Gardiner and Rob O’Dell | Published: 5/8/2017

More than three months after Phoenix realized it could not enforce its regulations for lobbyists seeking to influence decisions at City Hall, the problem has yet to be fixed. The rules could get some bite under a set of proposals the city council will debate, but one option under consideration would weaken them even further. Lobbyists who do not register or report meals, gifts, or other expenses made on behalf of elected officials currently face no penalties for breaking the lobbying law by not disclosing their activity. Some city leaders and a watchdog say the delay in making the rules enforceable erodes public confidence.

California – California Politicians Stole Their Money. Will That Make Them Care About Democracy?
Sacramento Bee – Alex Koseff | Published: 5/7/2017

Political scandals are almost dishearteningly pervasive in southeast Los Angeles County. Too many officials have violated the public trust in the area’s small- and medium-sized cities, which are working class and heavily immigrant. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, whose district is at the heart of the most recent troubles, dubs it the “corridor of corruption,” as five cities have sent more than a dozen city officials to jail or prison in the last 11 years. Tired of a reputation shaped by shortcomings, Rendon is one of a new group of representatives forged by the scandals who hope to shed the negative image that has plagued the area.

California – Foes into Friends: Lobbyists make amends to lawmakers with ‘make-up money’
CALmatters.org – Laurel Rosenhall | Published: 5/10/2017

In California, “make-up money” refers to the contributions that flow to newly-elected officials from interest groups that backed a losing candidate during the campaign. There is nothing illegal about giving these donations to a politician, said Jessica Levinson, president of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission. Political contributions break the law only when they involve a direct exchange of money for governmental action. But giving money to the winner of an election after backing an opponent shows that donors are looking to curry favor with whomever has the power to make decisions, Levinson said.

Florida – When That Feisty Neighbor Becomes the President
New York Times – Michael LaForgia and Steve Eder | Published: 5/6/2017

For local officials in Palm Beach County, it was one thing to spar with Donald Trump, the developer, over issues with his private club, Mar-a-Lago. But dealing with President Trump is another matter entirely. Since he was elected, local officials have quickly granted Trump’s club permission to build a concrete helipad, allowed it to host a charity event for the Navy SEAL Foundation featuring a staged shootout between some commandos and pretend terrorists, and agreed to assume the costs, for now at least, of closing roads and providing additional security. Behind every decision was a balancing act between a desire to best serve constituents and a political instinct not to anger the nation’s chief executive.

Illinois – Ethics Board Rejects Watchdog Recommendation That City Officials Report Lobbying
Chicago Tribune – Hal Dardick | Published: 5/9/2017

Chicago’s reinvigorated Board of Ethics has been flexing its muscle against lobbyists who emailed Mayor Rahm Emanuel on the mayor’s private accounts and failed either to register or report their lobbying activities. But the hefty fines are apparently not enough to satisfy city Inspector General Joe Ferguson. The law puts the onus on lobbyists, not city officials, to report contact. Last year, the inspector general’s office recommended making changes to improve compliance with the law, including the possibility of having city officials report lobbying interactions. The inspector general’s office released a follow-up report recently in which it said the ethics board rejected that recommendation.

Missouri – Judge Strikes Parts of Missouri Campaign Finance Law
Courthouse News Service – Dionne Cordell-Whitney | Published: 5/10/2017

Parts of Missouri’s new campaign finance law are unconstitutional, but the $2,600 individual donor limit will stay, U.S. District Court Judge Ortrie Smith ruled. But in striking down a provision in the law that banned committee-to-committee transfers, it has opened up the ability to raise an unlimited amount of money through a local PAC and transfer that cash to a different PAC. Critics say that will make campaign money harder to track and makes it easier for candidates to get around the individual donor limit.

New Hampshire – Lawmaker Behind Misogynistic Forum: ‘I’ve never hated women’
U.S. News & World Report – Kathleen Ronayne (Associated Press) | Published: 5/9/2017

About a dozen state representatives and voters urged lawmakers to take action against New Hampshire Rep. Robert Fisher, warning that his involvement in a misogynistic online forum feeds into a derogatory culture toward women and may promote abuse. Fisher has been under fire since it was reported he was behind a men’s rights forum known for its comments degrading women, questioning female intelligence, and denying rape. Fisher said he does not “hate women” and denied a new report that he still oversees the Reddit forum, known as “The Red Pill.”

New York – Murky Definitions for Government Entities Undermines Transparency
Gotham Gazette – Rachel Silberstein | Published: 5/3/2017

There is a multitude of quasi-governmental entities that exist in grey area of New York law, and how to classify these entities has been the subject of some debate. A rudimentary search pulled up at least a dozen different definitions for “state agency” and “local agency” in state law. While some rely to some degree on government funding, have board members appointed by city or state officials, and may serve a public function, as independent 501(c)(3) nonprofits, one could argue these entities do not qualify as a public authority or public benefit corporation. But like more typical government agencies, they are subject to Freedom of Information Laws. Government reformers say this ever-morphing patchwork of definitions only serves to confuse the public and obscure conflicts of interests, rather than increase transparency.

Ohio – Nelson Mullins Partner Settles with SEC in Pay-to-Play Suit
American Lawyer – Scott Flaherty | Published: 5/3/2017

Robert Crowe agreed to settle civil allegations brought by federal regulators in a “pay-to-play” scheme involving State Street Bank. Crowe was a lobbyist for Boston-based State Street when he became embroiled in the scheme of a former State Street employee to raise campaign contributions for a deputy treasurer in Ohio. The former employee had made a deal to provide campaign funding in exchange for business contracts for State Street, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleged. Crowe allegedly filtered $16,000 through his personal bank account to reimburse others for making contributions to the deputy treasurer. Without admitting or denying the allegations, Crowe agreed to a federal judge’s order to pay nearly $95,000 in penalties.

Washington – Seattle Mayor Ed Murray Won’t Seek Second Term: ‘It tears me to pieces to step away’
Seattle Times – Daniel Beekman | Published: 5/9/2017

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said he will not run for re-election, as he fights claims he sexually abused teenage boys in the 1980s. Murray, who was expected to win the upcoming mayoral race, dropped out days before the official filing deadline. In April, a man filed a lawsuit accusing Murray of sexually abusing him in 1986, when he was a homeless 15-year-old boy. Three other men have since come forward to accuse Murray of abuse, including paying for sex with them while they were minors. Murray said the allegations against him “are not true. The scandal surrounding them hurts me and this city.”

West Virginia – W. Va. Reporter Arrested for ‘Yelling Questions’ at HHS Secretary
USA Today – Doug Stanglin | Published: 5/9/2017

Tom Price during his visit to West Virginia. The exchange came as Price and senior white House aide KellyAnne Conway visited the Capitol to learn about efforts to fight opioid addiction in a state that has the nation’s highest overdose death rate. A criminal complaint says Daniel Heyman was yelling questions at the two. It says he tried to breach Secret Service security and had to be removed from a hallway at the Capitol. He was charged with willful disruption of governmental processes. Heyman, who works for Public News Service, said he was arrested after asking repeatedly whether domestic violence would be considered a pre-existing condition under the proposed health care overhaul. He said he believed he was doing nothing wrong.

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