Lobbying

“Lyft Agrees to $6,000 FPPC Fine for Not Reporting Lobbying Costs” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Campaign Finance

Florida: “Raising Money for the Mayor, and Making Money from His Administration” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald

New Jersey: “Jersey City Mayor, Councilman at Odds Over Planned Pay-to-Play Changes” by Terrence McDonald (Jersey Journal) for NJ.com

Washington: “Public Disclosure Commission Recommends Action Against Eyman” by Chris Winters for Everett Herald

Ethics

Pennsylvania: “A.G. Office: Philly lobbyist misused welfare grants to pay for line dancing lessons, other expenses” by Claudia Vargas and Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Wisconsin: “Ex-AG Lautenschlager Named to Lead New Ethics Commission” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Elections

“Gay Political Power Reaching Record as U.S. Attitudes Shift” by Jeff Green for Bloomberg.com

“Bernie Sanders Endorses Hillary Clinton” by MJ Lee, Dan Merica, and Jeff Zeleny for CNN

“Dallas Shooting and Open-Carry Laws Loom Over Cleveland Convention Plans” by Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Louisiana: “Good Idea Gone Awry? How Term Limits Impact Sessions of Louisiana Legislature” by Mark Ballard for New Orleans Advocate

Lobbying

“In Brussels and London, Lobbyists Retool for Brexit Unknowns” by Quentin Ariès and Kalina Oroschakoff for Politico

Pennsylvania: “Consulting Business Owned by Mike Fleck Fined $11,850 by State” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call

Campaign Finance

Colorado: “Political Consultant Files Legal Challenge to Stop Denver Campaign Finance Reform Proposal” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Maine: “Top Legislators’ PACs Reap Thousands from Key Donors” by Colin Woodard for Portland Press Herald

Montana: “Review of Montana’s Political Party Committees Underway, Some Will Be Reclassified” by Troy Carter for Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Washington: “Supporters of Campaign Finance Measure Submit Signatures” by Rachel La Corte (Associated Press) for Yakima Herald

Ethics

California: “Beaumont, Stunned by Years of Alleged Corruption, Has Been ‘Turned Upside Down’” by Paloma Esquivel for Los Angeles Times

New Mexico: “Former Sen. Phil Griego to Face Trial on Nine Corruption Charges” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Virginia: “Crime Commission Attorney Named New Director of Va. Ethics Council” by Graham Moomaw for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Elections

“Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton Struggle to Be Unifying Voice for Nation” by Patrick Healy for New York Times

Lobbying

Missouri: “Andy Blunt Came to Washington – Was It Lobbying?” by Chuck Raasch for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Rhode Island: “Providence Landlords Face Pressure to Register as Lobbyists” by Dan McGowan for WPRI

Ethics

“US Rep. Corrine Brown Indicted After Fraud Investigation” by Jason Dearen and Curt Anderson (Associated Press) for ABC News

Alabama: “Mike Hubbard Sentenced to Four Years in Prison” by Kim Chandler (Associated Press) for Tuscaloosa News

Florida: “Court OKs Rivera Ethics Fine – But Will State House Speaker Impose It?” by Patricia Mazzei for Miami Herald

Hawaii: “Councilman Calls for Audit Amid Honolulu Ethics Commission Chaos” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

Kentucky: “Ethics Complaint Challenges Bevin Executive Order” by Joseph Gerth for Louisville Courier-Journal

New York: “Fight Over Emails Yields New Details on Role of Outside ‘Agents’ for de Blasio” by J. David Goodman for New York Times

Texas: “Ken Paxton’s ‘Family Friends’ Help Foot Legal Bill, Disclosure Shows” by Jim Malewitz for Texas Tribune

Utah: “Are Utah Taxpayers Footing Bill for Land-Transfer Lawyers’ Lavish Travel?” by Brian Maffly for Salt Lake Tribune

Washington: “Ethics Panel Approves $10K Fine for Seattle Transportation Chief” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times

Elections

“Would Donald Trump Quit if He Wins the Election? He Doesn’t Rule It Out” by Jason Horowitz for New York Times

This November, voters will decide whether term limits for the mayor and City Council members should be increased from two to four years.

Election cycles would remain staggered, but the proposed amendment to the city charter would eliminate elections in odd years, which have typically had low turnout.

Opponents of the amendment argue longer terms will decease officials’ accountability to voters, while those in favor hope for higher city election participation as a result of the new terms.

Photo of downtown Ann Arbor by Andrew Horne on Wikimedia Commons.

Federal:

Can Super PACs Be Put Back in the Box?
Washington Post – Matea Gold | Published: 7/6/2016

A powerhouse legal team representing a bipartisan group of members of Congress and candidates is unleashing a new effort to overturn the case that gave rise to super PACs, part of a new strategy to rein in the big money that has poured into campaigns since 2010. They are targeting a case decided by U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 2010: SpeechNow.org v. FEC. That decision permitted a conservative group to raise money beyond the contribution limits placed on traditional PACs because it planned to spend its funds independently of a candidate or party. In doing so, the appellate court paved the way for new political vehicles, later dubbed super PACs for their ability to accept unlimited amounts from individuals and corporations.

F.B.I. Director James Comey Recommends No Charges for Hillary Clinton on Email
New York Times – Mark Landler and Eric Lichtblau | Published: 7/5/2016

FBI Director James Comey said his agency is recommending that no charges be brought against Hillary Clinton in connection with her email use while secretary of State. “No reasonable prosecutor” would bring such a case, Comey said. But although the FBI is not recommending charges, Comey did strongly criticize Clinton’s handling of classified information in her email, calling is “extremely careless.” The announcement comes three days after FBI agents and Justice Department officials interviewed Clinton. The FBI has been seeking to determine whether Clinton or any of her aides had mishandled classified information in connection with her email. The inspector general of the intelligence agencies had said the emails contained information that was classified at the time they were sent but were not marked classified, and the information should never have been sent on an unclassified system.

Koch Brothers’ Plight Likened to That of Civil Rights Workers in the 1950s
Center for Public Integrity – John Dunbar | Published: 7/5/2016

Charles and David Koch and civil rights pioneers have faced threats and harassment from those who disagree with their views, and each is entitled to privacy when it comes to disclosing certain kinds of information to the government, a federal judge ruled. But the decision has been controversial; comparing the travails of billionaires to the violent threats endured by civil rights workers in the 1950s is more than a stretch, say some of those familiar with the case – it is offensive. The case represents just the latest front in an ongoing battle being waged by a range of mostly conservative groups attempting to keep donors to political nonprofits hidden from view. Many of the legal battles revolve around interpretation of a crucial civil rights case from 1958: NAACP v. Alabama.

Lockheed’s Top Government Affairs Official Not Registered as Lobbyist
Politico – Austin Wright and Jeremy Herb | Published: 7/3/2016

The top government affairs official at Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defense contractor, has not registered as a lobbyist. The company maintains that Robert Rangel, its senior vice president for government affairs since early last year, is not required to disclose his efforts to influence Congress and the executive branch. He does not meet all the legal requirements outlined in the law that governs lobbying disclosures, Lockheed says, including the percentage of his time he actually spends trying to influence government officials. His decision not to register, however, goes against both company precedent and the practices of other top defense firms.

Special Interests Look to Influence Political Conventions – Discreetly
Center for Public Integrity – Carrie Levine | Published: 7/7/2016

Corporations, unions, and other special interests will spend tens of millions of dollars to bankroll festivities at the Democratic and Republican national conventions. Some high-profile companies and individual donors are scaling back on giving to the host committees as they want to distance themselves from controversies surrounding Donald Trump. Meanwhile, many special interests will participate in convention-related activities, but they have become more creative in how they influence conventioneers, or are refusing to discuss their convention plans. “They want to show up, they want to rub elbows with everyone at the conventions, they just don’t want the corporate name out there,” said Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen who has tracked influence efforts at the conventions.

The Lobbying Reform That Enriched Congress
Politico – Isaac Arnsdorf | Published: 7/3/2016

In the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal, Democrats seized on the chaos to retake both chambers of Congress, promising voters they would change what they called a “culture of corruption.” Their attempt to make good on that promise, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007, was embraced by both parties as a historic breakthrough. But critics say the result of the law is very nearly the opposite of what the American public was told it was getting at the time. Not only did the lobbying reform bill fail to slow the “revolving door,” it created an entire class of professional influencers who operate in the shadows.

From the States and Municipalities:

Connecticut – Anthem-Cigna Controversy Exposes Gaps in Ethics Rules
Connecticut Mirror – Mark Pazniokas | Published: 7/5/2016

Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Katharine Wade’s refusal to recuse herself from ruling on the Anthem-Cigna merger has provoked a reappraisal of state ethics regulators, who heavily rely on the self-reporting of public officials, and an ethics code that may be clearer to lawyers than lovers of English. Wade, a former Cigna vice president of government affairs, in February did not try to hide the fact that her staff was reviewing Anthem’s application to acquire Cigna for $54 billion. “On behalf of the Department, I signed a contract with an independent economist to assist Department staff in their review of the Anthem Form A application. Presently, there are no Cigna matters before me,” Wade wrote to the Office of State Ethics. Wade declined recently to say what basis she concluded there were no Cigna matters before her under the meaning the state ethics code, given that she already has asserted her intention to rule on the merger.

Massachusetts – Senate Slow to Embrace DeLeo Ethics Panel
Lowell Sun – Matt Murphy (State House News Service) | Published: 7/7/2016

Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo’s efforts to jumpstart a review of the state’s ethics, campaign finance, and lobbying laws has hit a roadblock in the Senate, where leaders so far have refused to go along out of concern the broad scope of the speaker’s proposed review would lead to a dead end. DeLeo had offered a resolve that would have created a joint task force of the House, Senate, and Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration to review the state’s complex ethics laws. The House referred the speaker’s proposal to a joint committee, but so far the Senate has refused to admit the bill, leaving open the possibility that the House could choose to work with the governor alone on the review.

Michigan – Unions Win Injunction Blocking Michigan Fundraising Law
Detroit News – Jonathan Oosting | Published: 7/1/2016

A U.S. District Court Judge granted a preliminary injunction against a law passed by the Michigan Legislature last year that would make it easier for corporations to deduct money from employees’ paychecks for their own PACs while forbidding them from making similar deductions on behalf of labor unions. It is the second preliminary injunction from a federal judge against a provision of the law, which also prohibited local government officials from distributing information about ballot proposals, a restriction dubbed a “gag order” by critics.

Minnesota – Lobbying in Minnesota: Spending has nearly doubled since 2002
St. Paul Pioneer Press – Rachel Stassen-Berger | Published: 7/4/2016

Special interest groups have spent $800 million lobbying government officials in Minnesota over the last 13 years. The St. Paul Pioneer Press review also found the amount of annual spending has doubled and the number of lobbying clients has tripled. Business interests have dominated the spending annually, making up about half of the lobbying expenditures every year since 2002. Utilities have spent the most, followed by the health industry. Spending or the lack thereof does not always translate to influence, however. Good lobbyists, say lobbyists and lawmakers alike, know that. “Lobbyists don’t write laws … lobbyists write ideas. Lobbyists write suggestions,” said Tom Lehman, who has been a lobbyist for 26 years.

New York – Agency Clears Mayor de Blasio and Nonprofit of Campaign Finance Violations
New York Times – Vivian Yee | Published: 7/6/2016

The New York City Campaign Finance Board determined a nonprofit closely linked to Mayor Bill de Blasio did not spend money to bolster the mayor’s re-election bid, but the board said the group’s spending raised serious policy issues. The board said Campaign for One New York’s 2014 spending was not campaign-related, primarily because it occurred so far from the mayor’s re-election race in 2017. Yet the board appeared to find much that was troublesome, if not illegal, in the behavior of the nonprofit, which has amassed millions of dollars in donations to push for City Hall initiatives. The board also clarified rules governing nonprofit advocacy groups that are affiliated with politicians.

New York – In Inquiry into Ex-Cuomo Aide, Disclosure Form Only Adds Mystery
New York Times – Vivian Yee | Published: 7/5/2016

Two companies listed in a financial disclosure form from 2014 belonging to Joseph Percoco, who for many years was New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s closest aide, seem to be at the heart of a sprawling federal investigation encircling Cuomo’s administration. One firm, Chris Pitts LLC, is named for a minor Democratic activist in rural Connecticut who, until recently, lived with his sister and got around town in an aging Chevrolet. The other, COR Development Company, is one of the most prominent real estate developers in central New York. In an investigation with few signposts for those outside the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan, Percoco’s disclosure is the nearest thing to a map key. Yet the connection between the Percoco and COR and Chris Pitts LLC. is not as straightforward as the black and white of an official form might imply.

New York – JCOPE Shut Down in Lobbying Reform
Queens Chronicle – Michelle Kraidman | Published: 6/30/2016

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) in February approved an advisory opinion that required paid consultants, who “controlled the delivery” of a message to editorial boards encouraging them to support positions that were favorable to a client, to register as lobbyists. They also would have had to report their contacts with media outlets’ opinion writers. That led to great opposition as accredited media sources, and several public relations and consulting firms sued JCOPE, arguing the new regulations were unconstitutional. Now, a statement released by the governor’s office announced that the agreed-upon legislation for an ethics reform plan does not include what JCOPE had originally recommended. “[The agreement] explicitly excludes communications with journalists, including editorial boards, from the definition of lobbying and exclude these communications from lobbying regulation,” the statement said.

Rhode Island – Raimondo: Lobbying law makes rules ‘clear, simple, consistent and transparent’
Providence Journal – Jennifer Bogdan | Published: 7/6/2016

In a ceremonial signing of lobbying legislation, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo described the changes as making the rules “clear, simple, consistent, and transparent.” The legislation, which goes into effect on January 1, clarifies who is a lobbyist and what constitutes lobbying. The penalty for failure to register is a fine of up to $50,000 and revocation of lobbyist registration for up to three years. Lobbyists will also be required to file monthly public reports of their activities from January to June and quarterly reports from July to December. The reports must include all compensation received, all expenditures made, and “all money and anything of value provided or promised to any legislative or executive branch official” in excess of $250.

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.

Ohio Sen. Kris Jordan recently introduced a bill to eliminate special elections in February and August.

His proposal is the result of historically low voter turnout in Ohio special elections. Fewer than 10 percent of residents usually participate in any special election, and an election can cost the state $4 to $6 million.

Lobbying

“Gov2Gov: The lobbying that falls under the radar” by Mike Maciag for Governing

Rhode Island: “Raimondo: Lobbying law makes rules ‘clear, simple, consistent and transparent’” by Jennifer Bogdan for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

Alabama: “Koch Brothers’ Plight Likened to That of Civil Rights Workers in the 1950s” by John Dunbar for Center for Public Integrity

Arizona: “Possible Hack Shuts Down Online Portal to Public Campaign Financing” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for East Valley Tribune

Minnesota: “Minnesota Campaign Watchdog Agency Director to Retire” by Rachel Stassen-Berger for St. Paul Pioneer Press

Ethics

“Is the Supreme Court Clueless About Corruption? Ask Jack Abramoff” by Carl Hulse for New York Times

Kentucky: “Lexington’s Ethics Act to Add Domestic Partners to Nepotism Ban” by Beth Musgrave for Lexington Herald-Leader

New York: “In Inquiry into Ex-Cuomo Aide, Disclosure Form Only Adds Mystery” by Vivian Yee for New York Times

South Carolina: “S.C. Ethics Commission Chief to Retire” by Avery Wilks for The State

Elections

“Nate Silver Is Happy to Be Wrong” by Glenn Thrush for Politico

National:

Report: It’s harder to know who’s paying for political ads
Star Tribune – Geoff Mulvilhill (Associated Press) | Published: 6/27/2016

A report by New York University’s Brennan Center finds the use of so-called dark money in several states has increased faster than in national elections. Across six states – Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, and Massachusetts – dark money expenditures rose by 38 percent between 2006 and 2014, outstripping the 34 percent rate of increase found in federal elections. And that does not include other categories of nontransparent outside money. The report defines “gray money” as expenditures by entities that do disclose their contributors, but who also list dark money organizations as donors, making it difficult or impossible to locate the original source of the money.

Two Transgender Candidates – Both Named Misty – Just Made History by Winning Primaries
Washington Post – Amber Phillips | Published: 6/29/2016

Primary voters in Utah and Colorado selected transgender women to run for spots in Congress next fall, a first in major-party American political history. Misty Snow will run against U.S. Sen. Mike Lee in Utah this November, while Misty Plowright will challenge U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn in Colorado. Neither Snow nor Plowright sought to make their gender identities a campaign issue, instead focusing on progressive issues like getting money out of politics. Their wins come as transgender rights have been thrust into the national spotlight after contentious debates in states like North Carolina. “This is even more breathtaking considering the political climate today, the uphill curve to educate people about who transgender people are,” said Bob Witeck, a Washington, D.C.-based LGBT advocate.

Federal:

Bernie Sanders Campaign Showed How to Turn Viral Moments into Money
New York Times – Nick Corasaniti | Published: 6/24/2016

Like most modern campaigns, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and his team relied on widely used digital fundraising tactics, like sending email solicitations and advertising online. They raised more than $61 million and acquired more than three million email addresses directly from digital ads. But the campaign was also able to harness social media networks – which, until recently, most candidates had used primarily for messaging purposes – and turn them into fundraising engines, allowing Sanders’ team to raise money almost exclusively online. The campaign raised roughly $216 million of its nearly $230 million total online.

Donald Trump and R.N.C. Crack Down on Rebelling Delegates
New York Times – Jeremy Peters | Published: 6/26/2016

Donald Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC) are moving quickly and aggressively to head off the fledgling effort to stage a revolt at their July convention in Cleveland, hoping to spare the party an embarrassing spectacle that could deeply wound the presumptive nominee. They are employing hard-nosed tactics, warning delegates that attempting to undermine Trump’s claim to the nomination violates party rules, and threatening to deny speaking slots to Republicans they deem disloyal for not backing him. The RNC and the campaign are also installing loyal party stalwarts in key party positions to help ensure they maintain control of the convention if rogue delegates attempt a disruption. And they are trying to discredit Republicans who are advocating an interpretation of party rules that would allow delegates to vote for anyone they want on the first ballot.

Trump Fundraising Emails Overseas Prompt Complaints Here and Abroad
Washington Post – Sean Sullivan and Max Bearak | Published: 6/29/2016

Donald Trump’s campaign sent a wave of fundraising emails in recent days to lawmakers in the United Kingdom, Iceland, Australia, and elsewhere. The solicitations prompted watchdog groups to file two separate complaints with the FEC alleging the campaign was violating federal law by soliciting funds from foreign nationals. The episode is only the latest fundraising stumble by Trump’s presidential campaign, which has been scrambling to put together a financial operation to take on the well-funded campaign of likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Whether the snags prove to be growing pains for a campaign that until recently eschewed traditional fundraising or a sign of more serious stumbles to come is a key question facing Trump and the Republican Party as the general election comes into focus.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – At the Corner of Power and Poverty
CALmatters – Laurel Rosenhall | Published: 6/28/2016

The Capitol in Sacramento serves as a magnet for money and power. Nearby shops sell fine cigars and custom suits. A bar serves $16 martinis. But the streets that surround the building also are home to some of the city’s most destitute residents, many suffering from mental illness or drug addiction in addition to extreme poverty. It is not uncommon to see them rifling through trash cans, shouting incoherently, or sleeping barefoot in the shade on the Capitol’s manicured grounds. Bridging these two worlds is Debbie Bartley, who stands across the street selling Homeward, a newspaper produced by homeless people. She chats with the political staffers and lobbyists who give her a few dollars as they pass by. Then she buys food for people who sleep on these streets.

California – Sweeping Public Utilities Commission Changes Announced
Sacramento Bee – Jeremy White | Published: 6/27/2016

A deal between Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers will bring major changes to the California Public Utilities Commission. When commissioners engage in ex-parte conversations around rate-setting rules, they would need to disclose them online under the agreement. The state attorney general could bring enforcement actions against people who violate the rules. The deal also clarifies that people who lobby the PUC would need to register as lobbyists. Through March of this year, more than 50 utilities and other lobbyist employers reported more than $6.3 million in PUC-connected lobbying activities.

Connecticut – Cigna-Anthem Merger: Gov. Malloy’s Insurance Regulator Told Ethics Officials She Was Not Involved in Cigna Issues, even as Her Agency Was
International Business Times – David Sirota | Published: 6/27/2016

Connecticut ethics officials are now investigating whether it is legally permissible for the state’s insurance commissioner to oversee the government’s review of her former company’s proposed merger. In regulators’ probe of conflict-of-interest issues in the Cigna-Anthem transaction, one question they may ask is whether the commissioner in question, former Cigna lobbyist Katharine Wade, deliberately misled them. Emails show that in February, Wade told ethics officials she had no Cigna business before her, even though her agency was then leading the national multistate review of the company’s merger plan, and even though Wade had repeatedly met with the company’s representatives. Wade’s letter to ethics officials did tell them that her staff was reviewing the merger, but did not disclose any information about her own contacts with the companies and their lobbyists.

Delaware – Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Delaware Election Law
Wilmington News Journal – Jessica Masulli Reyes | Published: 6/28/2016

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a conservative group’s challenge to Delaware’s campaign finance law. The justices left in place a lower court ruling allowing the 2012 law to be enforced. It requires third-party groups and individuals to disclose their donors to the state elections commissioner if they publish advertisements or other communications, including Internet postings, that refer to a candidate in the 60 days before an election. Previously, only groups that directly advocated for or against a candidate were required to disclose their donors.

Kentucky – Bevin Asserts Control of All Ethics Board Appointments
Lexington Herald-Leader – Jack Brammer | Published: 6/28/2016

Kentucky’s attorney general and state auditor will no longer be able to nominate members of the Executive Branch Ethics Commission under a new executive order from Gov. Matt Bevin. The governor appoints the members of the commission, which investigates allegations of state ethics code violations in the state’s executive branch. But in 2008, then-Gov. Steve Beshear issued an executive order requiring the governor to appoint two members of the commission that had been recommended by the attorney general and the state auditor. Bevin repealed that order, effectively allowing him to control all of the appointments to the board assigned to hold his administration accountable. Bevin spokesperson Jessica Ditto said the order simply returns the appointment process to the system state lawmakers intended.

New York – Bill Would Expand Disclosure for Donors to Lobbying Groups
Albany Times Union – Chris Bragg | Published: 6/29/2016

Under a 2011 law, charitable tax-exempt nonprofits in New York are not required to report their donors, even if the organizations have financially supported lobbying efforts meant to influence state government. Based on comments from state lobbying officials, a bill that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign appears to require any charitable organization making a contribution over $2,500 to a substantial New York lobbying campaign to publicly disclose every one of its donors, even those unrelated to the lobbying effort. That would include both donations of staff and other resources for a charity to a lobbying nonprofit, or a monetary contribution.

Ohio – As Activists Prepare to Protest the RNC, the FBI Comes Knocking
Los Angeles Times – Matt Pearce | Published: 6/27/2016

In July, Donald Trump will come to Cleveland to claim the Republican presidential nomination. Given how turbulent some protests outside Trump rallies have been, and that the convention comes just weeks after the worst mass shooting in recent U.S. history, finding the right balance between security and First Amendment rights will be a challenge. Shivers have gone through the Cleveland activist community since law enforcement officials began knocking on their doors as tens of thousands of visitors prepare to come to town. The FBI office in Cleveland said the visits were part of their plans with state and local law enforcement to prepare for the convention by “working collaboratively with members of the community.”

Virginia – Supreme Court Vacates Ex-Virginia Governor’s Graft Conviction
New York Times – Adam Liptak | Published: 6/27/2016

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously vacated the conviction of former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell. He was charged with using his office to help Jonnie Williams Sr., who had provided McDonnell and his wife with gifts worth more than $175,000 when McDonnell was governor. The gifts themselves were legal; the question was whether they were part of a corrupt bargain in which McDonnell reciprocated by using the power of his office to help Williams. The Supreme Court ruled prosecutors defined too broadly the kind of conduct that qualifies as an “official act.” Chief Justice John Roberts said the law cannot punish politicians for giving their constituents access to public officials who are willing to listen, but do not actually exercise government power.

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.

During their first fully-staffed meeting in nearly five years, the county Ethics Commission named Shari Calnero as chair.

Moving forward, the commission will offer guidance on potential conflicts of interest, financial disclosure requirements, and whether public officials will be required to recuse themselves from certain votes. The commission will meet at least once annually, and whenever called upon.

Lobbying

Massachusetts: “Uber Proves Profitable for at Least One Group – Lobbyists” by Jim O’Sullivan for Boston Globe

Campaign Finance

“Pro-Hillary Group Takes $200K in Banned Donations” by Harper Neidig and Jonathan Swan for The Hill

Maine: “Maine Ethics Panel Aims to Close Loophole ‘You Could Drive a Truck Through’” by Darren Fishell for Bangor Daily News

New Jersey: “Proposed Pay-to-Play Reforms Pit Fulop Against Longtime Foes” by Terrence McDonald (Jersey Journal) for Newark Star-Ledger

Ethics

California: “Supervisors Approve Budget and Staffing Plan for Ethics Commission” by Nick Gerda for Voice of OC

California: “At the Corner of Power and Poverty” by Laurel Rosenhall for CALmatters

Massachusetts: “Grand Jury Indicts Second Official in Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s Administration” by Gintautas Dumcius for MassLive.com

New York: “Ethics Reform Brings Less Information About JCOPE Probes” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Oregon: “Lawmaker’s Actions Questioned by Portland Police Officer” by Gordon Friedman for Salem Statesman-Journal

Elections

Utah: “Two Transgender Candidates – Both Named Misty – Just Made History by Winning Primaries” by Amber Phillips for Washington Post

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the Elections Disclosure Act. The lower court ruled requiring third-party groups and individuals to disclose their donors if they publish advertisements or other communications referring to a candidate in an upcoming election is constitutional. The law furthers the purpose of the 2012 ethics overhaul by closing loopholes allowing anonymous campaign-related advertising.

Photo of the U.S. Supreme Court building by UpstateNYer on Wikimedia Commons.

Campaign Finance

“House Democrats Face Ethics Complaints for Fundraising Off Sit-In” by Paul Singer for USA Today

“Soft Money Ban Should Be Scrapped, Skeptical Judges Urged” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

“Bernie Sanders Campaign Showed How to Turn Viral Moments into Money” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times

Delaware: “Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Delaware Election Law” by Jessica Masulli Reyes for Wilmington News Journal

Mississippi: “Hosemann to Start Searchable Campaign Finance System” by Geoff Pender for Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Ethics

Kentucky: “Bevin Asserts Control of All Ethics Board Appointments” by Jack Brammer for Lexington Herald-Leader

New Mexico: “Judge: Legislators must testify in Griego case” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

North Carolina: “Sen. Fletcher Hartsell Indicted by a Wake County Grand Jury” by Anne Blythe and Lynn Bonner for Raleigh News & Observer

Wisconsin: “New Ethics Commission Names 3 Finalists for Administrator Position” by Matthew DeFour for Wisconsin State Journal

Elections

“As Activists Prepare to Protest the RNC, the FBI Comes Knocking” by Matt Pearce for Los Angeles Times

Lobbying

California: “Sweeping Public Utilities Commission Changes Announced” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee

Campaign Finance

“Report: It’s harder to know who’s paying for political ads” by Geoff Mulvihill (Associated Press) for Las Vegas Sun

Kentucky: “Ethics Commission OKs Crowdfunding for Legislative Campaigns” by Ryland Barton for WFPL

Massachusetts: “State’s Chief Campaign Official Seeks Heftier Fines for PACs” by Matt Stout for Boston Herald

Ethics

Connecticut: “Cigna-Anthem Merger: Gov. Malloy’s Insurance Regulator Told Ethics Officials She Was Not Involved in Cigna Issues, even as Her Agency Was” by David Sirota for International Business Times

Florida: “Opa-locka’s Ethics Switcheroo Draws Laughs amid FBI Corruption Probe” by Jay Weaver for Miami Herald

South Carolina: “Gov. Nikki Haley Signs Ethics Reform into Law, Endorses Sen. Larry Martin” by Maya Prabhu for Charleston Post & Courier

Virginia: “Supreme Court Vacates Ex-Virginia Governor’s Graft Conviction” by Adam Liptak for New York Times

Elections

“Donald Trump and R.N.C. Crack Down on Rebelling Delegates” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times

Redistricting

North Carolina: “Supreme Court to Review NC’s Use of Race in Redistricting” by Jonathan Drew (Associated Press) for ABC News

Lobbying

Rhode Island: “Raimondo Signs Bills on Lobbying, Insurance for Off-Label Drug Use, Teaching of Holocaust” by Jennifer Bogdan for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“RNC Fundraisers Hedge on Trump” by Kenneth Vogel and Alex Isenstadt for Politico

Massachusetts: “House Passes Campaign Finance Changes Aimed at Transparency, Special Elections” by Shira Schoenberg for MassLive.com

Ethics

“Justices Disclose Privately Paid Trips and Gifts” by Adam Liptak for New York Times

Arizona: “How Nearly $1 Million Disappeared from Surprise Coffers” by Jessica Boehm for Arizona Republic

California: “Orange County Finally Has an Ethics Commission – Now What?” by Jordan Graham for Orange County Register

Florida: “Audit Finds City Improperly Paid Lobbying Firm More Than $317,000” by Christopher Hong for Florida Times Union

Elections

“Who Does Donald Trump Listen to? Other Trumps.” by Mary Jordan and Jose DelReal for Washington Post

“Will Trump Swallow the GOP Whole?” by Mark Leibovich for New York Times