Campaign Finance

“Roots, Bark and a Burger: Tennessee Sen. Bill Ketron goes to China” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean

California: Watchdog Panel’s Support for Lifting Some Donation Limits Is Likely Boost to State Senator Facing Recall by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

New Mexico: Rio Grande Foundation Sues Over Santa Fe Campaign Disclosure Rule by T.S. Last for Albuquerque Journal

Pennsylvania: Lawyers for Brady, Rival Rebut Claims of Illegal Campaign Payoff by Jeremy Roebuck, Chris Brennan, and Tricia Nadolny for Philadelphia Inquirer

Elections

“Voter by Voter, GOP Super PAC Tries to Separate the Party from Trump” by David Weigel for Washington Post

Ethics

Steve Bannon Has a Shadow Press Office. It May Violate Federal Law. By Christina Wilkie for Center for Public Integrity

Florida: “New Opa-locka Boss Says He Wasn’t a Witness in Kickback Case. Records Say Otherwise.” by Jay Weaver for Miami Herald

Florida: City Officials Could Be Reimbursed for Legal Fees in FBI Probe by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Illinois: Judge Denies Windfall to Teachers Union Lobbyist Who Was Substitute for a Day by Ray Long for Chicago Tribune

New York: Firing of Official Who Says He Resisted de Blasio Is Under Review by William Neuman and William Rashbaum for New York Times

Pennsylvania: Firms to Pay $9M to Feds to Resolve LCB Payola Case by Matt Miller for PennLive.com

Legislative Issues

Republicans Worry That White House Disarray Is Undermining Trump by Alexander Burns and Michael Shear for New York Times

Lobbying

“Lawmakers Push to Toughen Foreign Lobbying Rules” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

“Anaheim Considers ‘Sunshine Ordinance’ and Restrictions on Lobbyists” by Thy Vo for Voice of OC

Keeping you informed on all the government and ethics news you can use in this weeks video digest!

National:

Lobbyist Gift-Giving at Issue in More States
Governing – Scott Rodd (Stateline) | Published: 7/21/2017

The laws that govern gift-giving from lobbyists to public officials vary widely from state to state. In states with relatively lenient laws, watchdogs and some elected officials have been working to impose tougher restrictions. They argue gifts from lobbyists may corrupt elected officials’ decision-making and cause them to stray from the best interests of their constituents. But critics have met resistance from lawmakers who say lobbyists offer informed perspectives on key issues, and these exchanges often happen over meals or sporting events that lobbyists pay for. A federal judge recently ruled a Kentucky law banning gifts from lobbyists to legislators violates lobbyists’ First Amendment rights.

Local Governments Keep Using This Software – But It Might Be a Back Door for Russia
Washington Post – Jack Gillum and Aaron Davis | Published: 7/23/2017

Many local and state government agencies say they are using a Russian brand of security software despite the federal government’s instructions to its own agencies not to buy the software over concerns about cyberespionage. The General Services Administration recently removed Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab from its list of approved vendors. In doing so, the agency’s statement suggested a vulnerability exists in Kaspersky that could give the Russian government backdoor access to the systems it protects, though they offered no explanation or evidence of it. Kaspersky has strongly denied coordinating with the Russian government and has offered to cooperate with federal investigators.

Federal:

New Ethics Chief Has Fought to Roll Back Restrictions
New York Times – Eric Lipton | Published: 7/26/2017

Former colleagues of David Apol, who was named the new director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), praised his intelligence and his experience as a government ethics lawyer at a half-dozen different federal agencies over three decades. But tension has been building during two stints that Apol served at the OGE, his former colleagues said. Former OGE employees said they wondered if at times Apol had gone too far in questioning agency standards. Apol acknowledged he had frequently raised questions about how the OGE interprets ethics laws that govern the activity of 2.7 million federal employees in more than 130 executive agencies, including the White House.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona: Arizona Legislators Attend Conference with Help from Corporations That Lobby Them at Home
Arizona Republic – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez | Published: 7/23/2017

More than a third of the Republicans in the Arizona Legislature gathered in Denver to absorb conservative ideas and mingle with lobbyists at a conference where corporate donors picked up much of the tab. Arizona is always well-represented at the annual gathering of the American Legislative Exchange Council, an organization best-known for producing ready-to-introduce legislation crafted with input from corporate America. Helping to foot the bill were some of the very companies and lobbyists who work the halls of the Legislature to advance their own agendas.

Illinois: Ex-Ald. Singer Among 6 Fined for Illegally Lobbying Emanuel Via Email
Chicago Tribune – Hal Dardick | Published: 7/21/2017

A former city council member and an Internet pioneer turned venture capitalist were penalized for illegally lobbying Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel through his personal email account. The Board of Ethics levied a fine of $25,000 on former Ald. William Singer. The panel imposed a $2,000 fine on Marc Andreesen, the inventor of the Netscape Internet browser. Those were among the latest group of individuals the ethics panel said had violated city law and been fined for attempting to influence Emanuel or other officials through emailed contacts. The new sanctions raise the total to eight of those fined for improper lobbying in connection with the emails.

Kentucky: Complaints Over Gov. Matt Bevin’s Anchorage Mansion Unanimously Dismissed by Ethics Panel
Louisville Courier-Journal – Tom Loftus | Published: 7/21/2017

A state ethics panel said even if Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin got a $1 million discount on a mansion bought from a political donor and appointee, he did not violate the law. The ruling comes after two complaints were filed against Bevin over his purchase of a house and 10 acres of land from Neil Ramsey, who Bevin appointed to the Kentucky Retirement Systems board of trustees. The complaints alleged Bevin accepted what amounted to an improper gift in buying the mansion in March.

Nevada: 20 Years of Term Limits: How the faces of Nevada’s Legislature have changed
Las Vegas Sun – Yvonne Gonzalez | Published: 7/20/2017

Term limits have helped make the Nevada Legislature more diverse in the almost 20 years since they were implemented, though the higher turnover has come with some costs. Experts say term limits have brought in new faces but reduced institutional knowledge as veteran lawmakers are pushed out. They say lobbyists have more power and the Legislative Counsel Bureau is even more vital both in educating new lawmakers and keeping the legislative process moving.

New Mexico: Secretary of State Unveils Changes to Proposed Disclosure Rules
Albuquerque Journal – Dan Boyd | Published: 7/25/2017

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver released revisions to proposed rules aimed at so-called dark money groups that can spend unlimited amounts to influence elections and ballot measures when acting independently. Several conservative groups with a statewide and national presence say Toulouse Oliver is overstepping her authority by requiring that independent expenditure groups disclose their contributors. Toulouse Oliver says New Mexicans have a right to know who is paying for ads that attempt to influence their vote. The revisions would raise the spending threshold to $2,500 before independent expenditure groups must reveal their donors.

New York: De Blasio Ally Didn’t Register as Lobbyist Despite Big Push for a Donor
New York Times – William Neuman | Published: 7/24/2017

Neal Kwatra, a political consultant and lobbyist with ties to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, ended up working so closely with top City Hall officials on behalf of a restaurant owner, Harendra Singh, that a city commissioner complained officials were giving Kwatra confidential information during delicate negotiations to settle a lawsuit with Singh. Yet none of Kwatra’s efforts on behalf of Singh in 2015 were registered as lobbying work, even though Kwatra and his company, Metropolitan Public Strategies, have registered as lobbyists for other clients, including United for Affordable NYC, a short-lived nonprofit group created by de Blasio to support his housing policies.

New York: Watchdogs Say Cuomo Is Skirting Campaign Finance Rules
New York Times – Brian Rosenthal | Published: 7/26/2017

Watchdogs say New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is again skirting campaign finance rules by using a secretive nonprofit to advance his agenda. The rules limit donations to political campaigns and require disclosure, and politicians are not supposed to get around them by using organizations that can accept unlimited secret contributions. But New Yorkers United Together is the third nonprofit formed by allies of Cuomo’s to emerge and support his policies.

North Carolina: NC Elections and Ethics Oversight Is Frozen Between Old and New, with Local Votes Approaching
Raleigh News and Observer – Anne Blythe | Published: 7/21/2017

The North Carolina Supreme Court said a revamped state elections board that also oversees ethics and lobbying controversies can stay in limbo for now, a holding pattern that could last months. The justices said Gov. Roy Cooper is not required to appoint members of the new state elections and ethics enforcement board created by Republican legislators. That means the board would be unable to make decisions or settle disputes until after the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the case on August 28.

Pennsylvania: Aide Pleads Guilty, Says Brady Campaign Paid Primary Challenger to Quit
Philadelphia Inquirer – Jeremy Roebuck and Chris Brennan | Published: 7/25/2017

A former aide to a political challenger of U.S. Rep. Robert Brady admitted she helped funnel the Brady’s cash to her former boss in exchange for his withdrawal from an election. Carolyn Cavaness, a pastor who was an aide to Philadelphia Judge Jimmie Moore during his 2012 candidacy in the Democratic primary, told officials she set up at Moore’s direction a shell company that would be used to accept $90,000 from Brady. In turn, she said, Moore would drop out of the race and use the cash to pay off his campaign debt. The money was routed through two political consultants who falsified invoices intended to justify the payments, officials said. Cavaness pleaded guilty to filing false statements to hide the transactions.

Pennsylvania: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski Put City Hall Up for Sale to Highest Bidders, Prosecutor Says
Allentown Morning Call – Emily Opilo, Peter Hall, and Matt Assad | Published: 7/27/2017

The mayor of Allentown and the former mayor of Reading were indicted on federal corruption charges for engaging in an alleged series of “pay-to-play” schemes in which the politicians shook down businesses and individuals for campaign contributions in exchange for political favors. Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski and former Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer have been charged with multiple counts of bribery and fraud. In two indictments, federal prosecutors spelled out charges against five people in the parallel corruption cases in Allentown and Reading.

South Carolina: FBI Investigating South Carolina Statehouse Corruption, Could Expand Scope of State Probe
Charleston Post and Courier – Andy Shain, Glenn Smith, and Schuyler Kropf | Published: 7/22/2017

Two former South Carolina Ports Authority officials say they have talked with FBI agents about an ongoing political corruption investigation. Former authority Chairperson Pat McKinney said the agents focused on the work the consulting firm run by Richard Quinn Sr. did for the agency. His son, state Rep. Rick Quinn Jr., was suspended from his seat after being charged with misconduct in office. The probe already has rattled the capital, where the Quinn family has been a force for decades. The addition of the FBI to the case only ratchets up the stakes, putting the federal government’s resources at the disposal of investigators and potentially allowing them to expand the scope of the inquiry to other targets.

Virginia: Transgender Woman Challenges Virginia Bathroom Bill Sponsor
Roanoke Times – 2017 Sarah Rankin (Associated Press) | Published: 7/25/2017

Democrat Danica Roem is challenging Republican Bob Marshall for his seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. With such stark differences between the candidates, the race is expected to draw in big money and is seen by some as a referendum on rights for gay and transgender people. Roem would be the first openly transgender candidate to win and serve in a state Legislature, according to the Victory Fund, a PAC that supports her and calls Marshall “the most anti-LGBTQ member of the Virginia state legislature.” Marshall has sponsored some of the most socially conservative legislation in the past 25 years, including a measure this year that would have restricted the bathrooms that transgender people can use.

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.

Gov. Jerry Brown announced special election dates for California’s Assembly District 51.

A primary election will be held on October 3, 2017, and the general election is set for December 5, 2017.

The seat became vacant when Democrat Jimmy Gomez resigned upon his election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Lobbying

New York: “De Blasio Ally Didn’t Register as Lobbyist Despite Big Push for a Donor” by William Neuman for New York Times

Ethics

“Manafort Agrees to Turn Over Notes That Could Provide New Details on Trump Tower Meeting with Russian Lawyer” by Rosalind Helderman and Karoun Demirjian for Washington Post

“Five Sentenced to Days in Jail for Supreme Court Disruption Over Campaign Finance” by Spencer Hsu for Washington Post

Elections

“Federal Judge Allows Trump Commission’s Nationwide Voter Data Request to Go Forward” by Spencer Hsu for Washington Post

California: “A New Suit Says Lawmakers Broke the Law When They Changed California’s Recall Election Rules” by John Myers for Los Angeles Times

Virginia: “Transgender Woman Challenges Virginia Bathroom Bill Sponsor” by 2017 Sarah Rankin (Associated Press) for Roanoke Times

Legislative Issues

“In Congress, New Fears and New Protections in Wake of Baseball Team Shooting” by Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post

Procurement

Illinois: “New Details Emerge of Former DCFS Head’s Controversial Contracts, Hires” by David Jackson and Gary Marx for Chicago Tribune

The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that pending Gov. Roy Cooper’s legal challenge of Senate Bill 68, which combines state elections and ethics boards, the new merged board can remain vacant.

The boards merged in June into the state Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement after a three-judge panel ruled against the governor, but Cooper has yet to appoint any board members.

With local elections coming up in the fall, some county elections boards are finding themselves in tough positions awaiting appointments to fill seats left open due to resignations because the state board appoints county board members.

The case is scheduled for arguments at the Supreme Court on August 28.

Lobbying

“Cash Surges to Lobby Firms in Trump Era” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Arizona: “Arizona Legislators Attend Conference with Help from Corporations That Lobby Them at Home” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez for Arizona Republic

Campaign Finance

Michigan: “GOP Consultant’s Purchase of Michigan Talk Radio Stations Sparks Concerns” by Paul Egan for Detroit Free Press

Ethics

California: “Is Riverside’s Ethics Code Broken? Seven Hearings, $57,000 Later, Some Say Yes” by Alicia Robinson for Press-Enterprise

Florida: “Miami Lobbyist’s Business Made $1 Million Profit on State Anti-Hazing Contract” by Arek Sarkissian for Naples News

South Carolina: “FBI Investigating South Carolina Statehouse Corruption, Could Expand Scope of State Probe” by Andy Shain, Glenn Smith, and Schuyler Kropf for Charleston Post and Courier

Elections

“Local Governments Keep Using This Software – But It Might Be a Back Door for Russia” by Jack Gillum and Aaron Davis for Washington Post

“Ivanka Trump Received at Least $12.6 Million Since 2016, Disclosure Shows” by Rachel Abrams and Jesse Drucker for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Nevada: “20 Years of Term Limits: How the faces of Nevada’s Legislature have changed” by Yvonne Gonzalez for Las Vegas Sun

Ethics

“Trump Fills Top Job at Government Ethics Office with a Temporary Appointment” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

“‘I Did Not Collude,’ Kushner Says in Prepared Remarks to Senators” by Matt Apuzzo and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

“Trump Team Seeks to Control, Block Mueller’s Russia Investigation” by Carol Leonnig, Ashley parker, Rosalind Helderman, and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

“Mueller Expands Probe to Trump Business Transactions” by Greg Farrell and Christian Berthelsen for Bloomberg.com

Kentucky: “Complaints Over Gov. Matt Bevin’s Anchorage Mansion Unanimously Dismissed by Ethics Panel” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

Lobbying

“Lobbyist Gift-Giving at Issue in More States” by Scott Rodd for Governing

Illinois: “Ex-Ald. Singer Among 6 Fined for Illegally Lobbying Emanuel Via Email” by Hal Dardick for Chicago Tribune

Campaign Finance

New Mexico: “Pearce Wants to Tap Funds for Gov. Race” by Dan McKay for Albuquerque Journal

Elections

North Carolina: “NC Elections and Ethics Oversight Is Frozen Between Old and New, with Local Votes Approaching” by Anne Blythe for Raleigh News and Observer

Becky Campbell is back to deliver this week’s state government and ethics news you can use!

Lobbying

“Couple Wants to Make Lobbying Accessible and ‘Good’” by Alex Gangitano for Roll Call

Florida: “Lobbyist Give $2,000 to Miami Politician After He Appointed Him to Powerful Board” by Jerry Iannelli for Miami New Times

Illinois: “Emanuel Email Case Nets Five More Lobbying Violations” by Jared Rutecki for Better Government Association

Campaign Finance

“FEC Contacts with IRS Broke No Rules, Report Says” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

Maine: “Three of Four Casino Campaign PACs Fail to Meet Finance Reports Deadline” by Steve Mistler for Maine Public Radio

Missouri: “Gov. Greitens’ Nonprofit Gives $250,000 in Dark Money to Right-to-Work PAC” by Jason Hancock and Neil Nakahodo for Kansas City Star

Missouri: “Lawmaker from Berkeley Fined $114,000 for Campaign Finance Violations” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Tennessee: “Nashville Sen. Thelma Harper’s Campaign Report Showed More Money Spent Than in Account” by Dave Boucher for The Tennessean

Elections

“Trump Election Commission, Already Under Fire, Holds First Meeting” by Michael Wines for New York Times

Legislative Issues

“For Republican Party, Governing Is a Long-Term Problem” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times

Lobbying

South Dakota: “Revolving Door Rarely Swings for Lawmakers Returning as Lobbyists” by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Campaign Finance

Florida: “Federal Election Commission Sues David Rivera Over Secret 2012 Campaign Cash” by Patricia Mazzei and David Smiley for Miami Herald

Washington: “Liberal Think Tank in Seattle Ordered to Pay $30,000-Plus in Campaign-Disclosure Fines” by Joseph O’Sullivan for Seattle Times

Ethics

“Eighth Person in Trump Tower Meeting Is Identified” by Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

“What Happens to Local News When There Is No Local Media to Cover It?” by Paul Farhi for Washington Post

Delaware: “City Removes Newly Appointed Ethics Commissioner” by Christina Jedra for Wilmington News Journal

Illinois: “IG Alleges Preferential Parking Scheme on Streets Near United Center” by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times

Kentucky: “Ethics Panel: Beshear shouldn’t investigate Bevin if he might run for governor” by Daniel Desrochers for Lexington Herald-Leader

North Carolina: “Former Rockingham County DA Pleads Guilty to Role in Wife-Swap Hiring Scheme” by Anne Blythe for Raleigh News and Observer

Elections

“As Party Drifts Left, Pragmatic Democratic Governors Have Eye on White House” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times

A special election for the Louisiana State Treasurer is set for October 14, 2017. Former treasurer John Kennedy vacated the position when he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016.

The race to fill the seat marks the first time the treasurer’s office has not had an incumbent running since Kennedy was elected 17 years ago.

Five contenders filed this week when the candidate registration period opened. The special election is creating an unforeseen expense for the state, costing taxpayers nearly $5 million, as Louisiana had no other statewide races scheduled this year.

The office is being run by Kennedy’s top assistant until the fall election.

National:

Blue Cities Want to Make Their Own Rules. Red States Won’t Let Them.
New York Times – Emily Badger | Published: 7/6/2017

In the last few years, Republican-controlled state Legislatures have intensified the use of what are known as pre-emption laws, to block towns and cities from adopting measures favored by the left. The states are not merely overruling local laws; they have walled off whole new realms where local governments are not allowed to govern at all. Several states are now threatening to withhold resources from communities that defy them and to hold their elected officials legally and financially liable. There is disagreement on who started the fight: states in stripping municipal power, or cities in seizing new roles that were not theirs to begin with.

Federal:

Is Donald Trump Jr.’s ‘I Love It’ Email a Smoking Gun or a Distraction?
Washington Post – Marc Fisher and David Nakamura | Published: 7/12/2017

When Donald Trump Jr. said “I love it” to the prospect of obtaining damaging information from friendly Russians about Hillary Clinton in June of last year, did that constitute a smoking gun? In one America, the answer was a pretty solid yes. Many media outlets and some Democrats straight-out declared the email the “smoking gun” in the investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to take down the Clinton candidacy. Many other news organizations hedged a bit, attaching a question mark to the term. But to supporters of President Trump, the gun was not smoking, it was just more of the same noise that has been cluttering up this presidency since its inception.

The Deep Industry Ties of Trump’s Deregulation Teams
New York Times – Danielle Ivory and Robert Faturechi | Published: 7/11/2017

President Trump entered office pledging to cut red tape, and within weeks he ordered his administration to assemble teams to aggressively scale back government regulations. But the effort is being conducted in large part out of public view and often by political appointees with deep industry ties and potential conflicts-of-interest. Most government agencies have declined to disclose information about their deregulation teams. But The New York Times and ProPublica identified 71 appointees, including 28 with potential conflicts. Some appointees are reviewing rules their previous employers sought to weaken or end, and at least two may be positioned to profit if certain regulations are undone.

Washington Firm Discloses Lobbying Senior Trump Officials on Macedonia
BuzzFeed News – John Hudson | Published: 7/6/2017

Mercury Public Affairs is providing new details about a mysterious U.S. Justice Department filing it made in February for lobbying work related to Macedonia. The firm says it contacted aides to senior Trump administration officials on issues related to Macedonia during a 12-day period in February. Mercury never received payment for the work, according to the document. The Foreign Agents Registration Act form is a retroactive update to a February filing that gained attention after two reports pointed out Mercury did not disclose a foreign agent in the filing. The new form still does not list a foreign agent – it simply lists the Libertas Foundation of which little is known, as the entity the firm is working on behalf of.

From the States and Municipalities:

California: California Lawmakers Want Data on Lobbyists’ Race, Sexual Orientation
Sacramento Bee – Taryn Luna | Published: 7/10/2017

Leaders of the Legislative Asian Pacific Islander, Black, Jewish, Latino, LGBT, and Women’s caucuses in the California Legislature asked 400 lobbying firms, associations, and principals to provide them with the race, ethnicity, gender, and openly gay or lesbian orientation of their employees. Lawmakers said the request is intended to expand the conversation about cultural diversity in the Capitol workforce. Some lobbyists applauded the move for forcing a male-dominated industry to think about its hiring practices. Others expressed concern about how the data could be used against them if their employees are not diverse enough for the lawmakers.

Delaware: Wilmington Ethics Commission Quietly Disbanded under Mayor Williams
Wilmington News Journal – Christina Jedra | Published: 7/12/2017

The Wilmington Ethics Commission quietly dissolved after former Mayor Dennis Williams’ administration allowed members’ terms to expire. City officials have “no idea” how this happened, said Gary Fullman, who was Williams’ chief of staff. It appears sometime after Mayor Mike Purzycki took office in January, his administration became aware of the situation. After being told a story would be published by The Wilmington News Journal on the matter, the city issued a press release saying the board had reformed, announcing five new members and two returning. The members will need to be confirmed by the city council.

District of Columbia: D.C. Business Groups Fight Proposed Pay-to-Play Regulations
Washington Post – Peter Jamison | Published: 7/10/2017

Representatives of District of Columbia business organizations argued against proposed limits on political donations by companies that do business with the city, saying widespread suspicions that contractors have undue influence are unwarranted. Opponents of the “pay-to-play” regulations being mulled by council members relied on an argument long favored by critics of campaign finance laws: that proven instances of elected officials making decisions based on campaign donations are rare, if not nonexistent.

Hawaii: Can Revamped Honolulu Ethics Commission Rebuild Its Credibility?
Honolulu Civil Beat – Anita Hofschneider | Published: 7/13/2017

Honolulu Ethics Commission Executive Director Jan Yamane must work to rebuild an agency that lost its bite in recent years due to internal strife and outside interference from Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration. The commission has been relatively quiet since Yamane was hired in August to replace Chuck Totto, who had been the agency’s executive director for nearly 16 years. Yamane said the commission now has a backlog of 40 to 50 complaints, on top of about 60 pending investigations. Yamane has been busy trying to get a handle on the hefty workload and figure out how the commission can be more efficient and effective. There are about 10,000 city employees and only five ethics commission staffers, only three of which can perform investigations.

Iowa: Trial Begins in Lawsuit Alleging Toxic ‘Boys’ Club’ at Iowa Statehouse
Des Moines Register – Grant Rodgers | Published: 7/9/2017

A jury will hear testimony in a lawsuit that claims the Iowa Capitol sheltered a toxic “boys’ club” where some male senators and their staffers spoke freely about sex and women’s bodies with few or no consequences. Kirsten Anderson, a former communications director for the Senate Republican caucus, brought the lawsuit after being fired in May 2013, just seven hours after giving her boss a memorandum asking for an investigation into workplace culture at the Capitol and for stronger policies against harassment. Republican leaders have said Anderson was fired because the quality of her work was deteriorating. But court documents filed by Anderson portray scenes where she and other female staffers were forced to listen to comments about the size of women’s breasts and gossip about colleagues’ sex lives.

Montana: Legislators Face No Punishment for Ignoring Financial Disclosure Forms
The Missoulian – Jayme Fraser | Published: 7/3/2017

Montana’s system to monitor conflicts-of-interest among legislators received a failing grade in an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity. Some lawmakers ignore or flout the rules that do exist and no one has been sanctioned for breaking them in decades. Although legislators cannot take their seat without filing a financial disclosure form, no one ensures state officials fill them out completely. The two-page document was intended to be the baseline by which the public can gauge if elected officials and state employees misuse public posts. It is a key component of the law designed to fulfill a requirement in the Montana Constitution that they must work for the public and not themselves.

New York: Appeals Court Overturns Conviction of Sheldon Silver
Albany Times Union – Matthew Hamilton | Published: 7/13/2017

An appeals court overturned the conviction of former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of accepting nearly $4 million in bribes and kickbacks disguised as legal payments from a pair of law firms that had business before the state. The appeals court cited a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, made after Silver’s conviction, which narrowed the definition of the kind of official conduct that can serve as the basis of a corruption prosecution. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit agreed with Silver’s contention that jury instructions in his trial were erroneous in light of the decision handed down in McDonnell v. United States.

North Carolina: Lobbyist Fundraiser Invite Raises Questions
WRAL – Laura Leslie | Published: 7/10/2017

Current lobbyist and former state Rep. Mike Hager is co-hosting a fundraiser for North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, but says he has not broken the state law against political contributions by lobbyists. Watchdogs say it is confusing and gives the appearance of impropriety. “I’ve never worried a whole lot about what people think,” Hager said. “It’s the actuality of the law that we’re complying with. That’s the only issue I have.”

Pennsylvania: Convicted Ex-Lawmakers Enjoy Access as Lobbyists
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review – Debra Erdley and Kevin Zwick | Published: 7/9/2017

Numerous former lawmakers, legislative staff, and cabinet officials in Washington, D.C., as well as state capitals across the country, have turned to lobbying. Pennsylvania requires a one-year waiting period before lawmakers and agency officials can begin lobbying former colleagues. A group of Pennsylvania lawmakers-turned-lobbyists spent the waiting period behind bars. They include former House Speakers John Perzel and Bill DeWeese, and Senate Majority Leader Joe Loeper – all of whom left office for prison after being convicted of abuses of power.

Texas: Dallas Wants $8,000 Back from Philip Kingston for Missing Too Many Council Meetings
Dallas News – Tristan Hallman | Published: 7/8/2017

Officials say city council member Philip Kingston owes Dallas taxpayers thousands of dollars. Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Reich told Kingston in a memorandum that he missed too many meetings in the past 12 months and needs to pay the city back $8,160 of his $60,000 salary. But Kingston said he is disputing the city’s calculations and does not plan to return any money. The unusual quarrel and financial penalty stem from a city charter provision. If council members miss more than 10 percent of the total “regular meetings” in a compensation year, their pay is to be docked by the same percentage of meetings they missed.

Virginia: How a Shadowy Nonprofit Spent $184K in Virginia’s Governor’s Race with Almost Total Anonymity
Richmond Times-Dispatch – Graham Moomaw | Published: 7/7/2017

Virginians for a Better Future incorporated in Delaware as a social welfare organization two weeks before Virginia’s gubernatorial primaries, and then spent $184,000 on an advertising campaign to support Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam’s bid for the Democratic nomination and attack his opponent, Tom Perriello. The identity of the donor or donors behind the ad campaign might never be disclosed. Other states have taken steps to close reporting loopholes for 501(c)(4)s, but a bill to force social welfare groups to disclose their donors failed this year in the Virginia General Assembly.

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.

Gov. Phil Bryant announced a special election will take place on September 12, 2017, to fill a vacancy in the House District 102 seat. Republican Tony Barker left the seat to become mayor of Hattiesburg.

A runoff, if necessary, will be held on October 3.

Two more special elections are expected, but are not yet scheduled, for House Districts 38 and 54.