Lobbying

Florida: “Bryant Miller Olive Appeals $50 Fine – and Loses” by Jim Rosica for Florida Politics

Campaign Finance

“Study: Ordinary people struggle to use many state campaign finance websites” by Alex Koma for StateScoop

Missouri: “Four Years Later, an Ex-Politician Is Still Benefiting from His Campaign Fund” by Kevin McDermott for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

North Dakota: “Feds Dismiss Foreign Campaign Contribution Allegations against ND Politicians” by John Hageman for Grand Forks Herald

Ethics

California: “Former CalPERS Chief Sentenced to Prison in Bribery Scandal” by Dale Kasler for Sacramento Bee

Florida: “Hialeah Restaurant Owner Tried to Bribe Commissioner, State Says” by David Ovalle for Miami Herald

South Carolina: “SC Ethics Reforms Stalled after 4 Years of Debate” by Jamie Self for The State

Elections

“The Seven Broken Guardrails of Democracy” by David Frum for The Atlantic

Virginia: “Virginia at Center of Racially Charged Fight Over the Right of Felons to Vote” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg for New York Times

Ethics

Maryland: “Mosby’s Newfound Popularity Made Her a Sought-After National Speaker in 2015” by Justin Fenton for Baltimore Sun

Michigan: “Ex-Detroit Principal Gets Year in Prison for Kickbacks” by Jennifer Chambers for Detroit News

New York: “Independent Budgeting a Little-Used Practice for City Watchdog Agencies” by Aaron Holmes for Gotham Gazette

Ohio: “Fired Convention Center Caterer Sues Managers” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Oklahoma: “Ex-Oklahoma Reserve Deputy Sentenced to 4 Years in Killing” by Justin Juozapavicius (Associated Press) for Miami Herald

Pennsylvania: “Wolf Wants Lobbyist Legislation Tied to Campaign Finance Reform” by Brad Bumsted and Mike Wereschagin for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Texas: “Greg Abbott, Glenn Hegar Tell State Agencies to Stop Using Leave as Severance” by Lauren McGaughy and J. David McSwane for Dallas Morning News

Elections

“Inside Democrats’ Trump-Fueled Scramble to Take Back the House” by Ed O’Keefe and Mike DeBonis for Washington Post

“Doubts Creep into Trump-Clinton Polls” by Niall Stanage for The Hill

Colorado: “Raise the Bar Wants to Make It Harder to Change Colorado’s Constitution” by Marianne Goodland for Colorado Independent

Federal:

Are Members of Congress Overpaid?
The Atlantic – Nora Kelly | Published: 6/2/2016

Seventy-eight percent of the American public disapproves of lawmakers’ job performances. Thus, like any other group of poorly performing American workers, Congress probably will not get a raise next year. Lawmakers already make a hefty six figures and more than three times the U.S. median household income. But although their pay might look rich at first glance, deciding what salary the members of Congress merit is complicated by the political climate, and the potential for legislators to make a whole lot more if they were to work almost anywhere else.

Can Donald Trump Win? These Battleground Regions Will Decide
New York Times – Jonathan Martin, Alexander Burns, Trip Gabriel, and Fernanda Santos | Published: 5/29/2016

In the Republican primaries, Donald Trump proved a master of nationalizing the political debate, appealing to voters across regional lines with harangues about immigration and crime that captivated an almost uniformly white primary electorate. At the outset of the general election, Trump has dominated the day-to-day news on national television and social media. In the general election, however, his fate will be determined not by his Twitter followers or a relatively homogeneous GOP electorate, but by a set of interlocking and increasingly diverse regions that hold many of the 270 electoral votes he needs to win. And in the four regions likely to decide the presidency – Florida, the upper Southeast, the Rust Belt, and the interior West – Trump faces daunting obstacles.

Clinton’s Challenge: Become a change agent in a year shaped by voter fury
Washington Post – Philip Rucker | Published: 5/31/2016

Hillary Clinton has promised that if elected, her presidency would bring better-paying jobs, renovated schools, and repaired bridges and highways. Labor laws would toughen, student debt would decline, and health care would be more accessible. But many people do not see Clinton in that light. Her advisers are grappling with how to convince swing voters that a former secretary of state, U.S. senator, and first lady who owns a home in Washington, has cultivated deep ties to Wall Street, and has played a starring role in the political scene for a quarter-century will usher in change.

‘I Can Watch It on TV’: Excuses for Republicans skipping a Donald Trump
New York Times – Jeremy Peters | Published: 6/1/2016

Prominent Republicans have announced their intention to skip the party’s national convention in Cleveland this summer, the latest sign that Donald Trump continues to struggle in his effort to unite the party behind his candidacy. The list of those who have sent regrets includes governors and U.S. senators, almost all facing tough re-election fights this year, and lifelong party devotees who have attended every convention for decades. The coolness toward Trump amounts to a remarkable rebuke. A broad range of party leaders are openly rejecting the man who will be their nominee. And the July convention, usually a moment of public catharsis for political parties after contentious primaries, is shaping up to be another reminder of the disarray and disunity that is still rocking the GOP after a bitter fight for the nomination.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Former Ethics Director Says He Advised Hubbard of Law
Montgomery Advertiser – Brian Lyman | Published: 5/31/2016

During testimony at Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s trial on corruption charges, the retired director of the state Ethics Commission said he often cautioned Hubbard about actions that would violate state law. Prosecutors called Jim Sumner to give jurors a tutorial on the law and to try to show Hubbard willfully ignored his advice. Hubbard faces 23 felony ethics charges accusing him of using his political positions to make money and solicit work, investments, and clients from people with business before the Legislature. Prosecutors say Hubbard improperly used the “mantle of his office” to benefit his businesses and clients. Hubbard has maintained the transactions were legal and permitted under the exceptions the state ethics law provides for normal business dealings and longstanding friendships.

California – In California, Varied Election Filing Practices Reveal a System Struggling to Catch Up
Los Angeles Times – Kaitlyn Landgraf and Ana Santos | Published: 5/31/2016

California accepted the first electronic filing of a campaign statement in U.S. history in 1998. Little has changed since then. More than half of the state’s counties, most of them small and rural, do not provide online access to campaign finance records, and they say they are not likely to change any time soon. Some counties say shifting online would be too expensive given tight budgets. Others have implemented electronic filing systems, but have not made them mandatory for candidates and committees. That means it is more difficult to determine whom local donors are, how much money they raised, and for which campaigns. Counties operate independently because there is no state law requiring online filing.

California – Quizzing the Candidates Leaves a Secret Paper Trail
CALmatters – Laurel Rosenhall | Published: 5/25/2016

The document from the Service Employees International Union reads like a contract, asking candidates seeking a seat in the California Legislature to pledge support for workers organizing unions. It lists priority issues and asks if the candidate will be a “supporter,” “champion,” or “partner” as the union pursues its agenda in Sacramento. Such questionnaires are a staple of electoral politics. The surveys can help sift a field of contestants as decisions are made about how to spend campaign money. By locking potential legislators into a position before they are even elected, questionnaires may also influence policy-making in a way that excludes the public and raises ethical questions. Out of view from voters, they can create private covenants between soon-to-be public officials and the groups that will lobby them. “It’s the smoke-filled backroom of politics,” said Sen. Steve Glazer.

Colorado – Councilman Says He Will Start Drafting Changes to Denver Code of Ethics
Denver Post – Jon Murray | Published: 5/29/2016

City Councilperson Kevin Flynn said he will draft a bill to reform Denver’s ethics law. Flynn said he likely would include a proposed gift limit. It would set a maximum annual value of $250 per donor or business on gifts of meals and event tickets to officials or employees who are in a position to take action that benefits the donor. It is still unclear how strong the council’s appetite for stronger ethics rules will be. Previous councils have been resistant, but Flynn says his sense is the current council is more likely to support most of the changes under discussion.

Florida – Prison Inspectors Detail Alleged Interference in Their Investigations
Miami Herald – Mary Ellen Klas | Published: 6/1/2016

Two investigators filed a lawsuit accusing the Florida Department of Corrections of retaliating against them for alleging cover-ups, inmate abuse, and political interference on behalf of a company whose lead lobbyist became Gov. Rick Scott’s general counsel. Doug Glisson and John Ulm allege their bosses systematically tried to discredit them and set them up for demotions by concocting charges, violating agency procedures, and even forging signatures. They claim the governor’s office has wielded influence over agency investigations and point to both the governor’s former top lawyer, Pete Antonacci, and his chief inspector general, Melinda Miguel, as being involved.

Kentucky – Governor Gets 237 Derby tickets. Who Uses Them?
Louisville Courier-Journal – Tom Loftus | Published: 5/27/2016

Lobbyists, campaign donors, and state officials continued to buy prime tickets to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks this year from the batch that Churchill Downs sets aside for sale to the governor’s group. For years, governors and Churchill Downs say the sale of so many tickets to the governor’s group is intended as an economic development tool for the state. And the list of those who got the tickets this year from the governor’s allocation shows 62 of the Millionaires’ Row seats went to guests of the state Economic Development and Tourism cabinets. But lobbying firms McCarthy Strategic Solutions and McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie, and Kirkland each bought batches of tickets through the governor’s allotment.

Montana – Group of Republicans Call for Special Session on Campaign Finance
Helena Independent Record – Holly Michels | Published: 5/31/2016

Ten Montana lawmakers filed paperwork to ask for a special session of the Legislature to fix what the group calls “defects” in state law governing campaign contributions and close a loophole that allows for cash from PACs to flow to candidates without limit. Contribution limits put in place by Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathan Motl recently are disproportionately low to that of surrounding states, the Republican lawmakers argue in the filing. The secretary of state will send legislators a ballot to vote on if they favor a special session. If a majority of the reply affirmatively to the poll, the secretary of state will let each lawmaker know the time and day the special session will convene.

New York – De Blasio Doled Out City Appointments from Shady Spreadsheet of Big Campaign Donors
New York Daily News – Jennifer Fermino and Greg Smith | Published: 5/31/2016

Campaign donors, lobbyists doubling as bundlers, lawyers, and real estate developers were listed on a spreadsheet of 97 names from which top officials in the administration of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio were said to have selected key appointments during his first months in office. Ultimately, at least 43 of the 97 individuals appearing on the spreadsheet accepted at least one appointment. “Confidential notes” on the list reveal the prospective candidate’s business ties, but do not highlight actual qualifications for specific appointments. They do, however, reference support for the mayor, sometimes in financial terms.

Oregon – Lobbying, Campaign Contributions Give Special Interests Clout
Hillsboro Tribune – Hillary Borrud | Published: 5/30/2016

The combination of spending on lobbying and campaign contributions is common practice for many companies and interest groups in Oregon, which has no limits on the size of political donations and expenditures. But it is difficult for the public to track the connection because the state uses separate systems to record campaign and lobbying spending. The state also does not require lobbyists to disclose if they play a role in raising campaign money. Dan Meek, co-chairperson of the Independent Party of Oregon, said he is more concerned about the lack of campaign contribution limits than lobbyist spending. “Lobbying expenses and reporting is overshadowed by campaign contributions,” Meek said. “I also think lobbyists are only as effective as the campaign contributions they can deliver.”

Pennsylvania – Investigation Puts Scrutiny on Lobbyists, Political Ties
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review – Brad Bumsted and Mike Wereschagin | Published: 5/28/2016

Approximately 900 lobbyists spent more than $500 million last year to influence lawmakers in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Those same lawmakers pay some lobbyists, many of them their former aides, to run their election campaigns, meaning each relies on the other for millions of dollars every election cycle. Pennsylvania’s lobbying industry is under increased scrutiny as a result of a federal investigation; the probe resulted in the guilty plea of lobbyist John Estey to wire fraud. It occurs as those seeking to reform the industry push for full spending disclosure, a gift ban, and an end to lobbyists running legislative campaigns.

Texas – Texas Ethics Commission Tightens Rules on Trips Paid by Lobbyists
Austin American-Statesman – Sean Collins Walsh | Published: 6/1/2016

The Texas Ethics Commission voted to make it more difficult for lobbyists and lawmakers to take advantage of an exemption in state law that allows special interests to fund educational trips. Under the new rule, lobbyists can only pay for trips that are necessary for the official to obtain information relevant to state business; a trip must be the only way the official can obtain the information; and the outing must not be for a “merely ceremonial event or pleasure trip.” Commissioner Paul Hobby had said lobbyists asked for the increased regulation because they were being asked to pay for so many trips.

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.

Lobbying

Nebraska: “Money Spent on Lobbying Nebraska Legislature Hit Record $15.6 Million in 2015” by Joe Duggan (Omaha World-Herald) for Kearney Hub

Texas: “Texas Ethics Commission Tightens Rules on Trips Paid by Lobbyists” by Sean Collins Walsh for Austin American-Statesman

Campaign Finance

“The Price of Public Money” by Marilyn Thompson for The Atlantic

California: “In California, Varied Election Filing Practices Reveal a System Struggling to Catch Up” by Kaitlyn Landgraf and Ana Santos for Los Angeles Times

Minnesota: “DFL Rep. Joe Atkins, GOP Rep. Joe Hoppe Hit for Campaign Violations” by Rachel Stassen-Berger and David Montgomery for St. Paul Pioneer Press

Oregon: “Another Strikeout for Limiting Big Money in Oregon Politics” by Taylor Anderson for Bend Bulletin

Ethics

Alabama: “Former Ethics Director Says He Advised Hubbard of Law” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser

Arizona: “Judge Tosses Last Bid to Get Arizona Regulator Stump’s Texts” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Florida: “Prison Inspectors Detail Alleged Interference in Their Investigations” by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald

New York: “De Blasio Doled Out City Appointments from Shady Spreadsheet of Big Campaign Donors” by Jennifer Fermino and Greg Smith for New York Daily News

Elections

“I Can Watch It on TV’: Excuses for Republicans skipping a Donald Trump” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times

“Can Donald Trump Win? These Battleground Regions Will Decide” by Jonathan Martin, Alexander Burns, Trip Gabriel, and Fernanda Santos for New York Times

Lobbying

Florida: “Broward Health Will Start Lobbyist Registration in June” by Dan Christensen and Karla Bowsher for FloridaBulldog.org

Illinois: “Daily Fantasy Sports Betting Bill Shelved amid Lobbying Accusation” by Ivan Moreno (Associated Press) for State Journal-Register

Oregon: “Lobbying, Campaign Contributions Give Special Interests Clout” by Hillary Borrud for Hillsboro Tribune

Pennsylvania: “Investigation Puts Scrutiny on Lobbyists, Political Ties” by Brad Bumsted and Mike Wereschagin for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Rhode Island: “Rhode Island Senate Passes Lobby Reform” by Matt O’Brien (Associated Press) for WJAR

Campaign Finance

Minnesota: “Campaign Regulatory Board Stymied by Legislature” by Brian Bakst for Minnesota Public Radio

Montana: “Group of Republicans Calls for Special Session on Campaign Finance” by Holly Michels for Helena Independent Record

Ethics

Colorado: “Councilman Says He Will Start Drafting Changes to Denver Code of Ethics” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Kentucky: “Governor Gets 237 Derby Tickets. Who Uses Them?” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

New York: “SUNY Polytechnic Office Scoured for Evidence of Bid Rigging” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Elections

“Clinton’s Challenge: Become a change agent in a year shaped by voter” by Philip Rucker for Washington Post

As the primaries come to an end, more and more is being heard about the superdelegates’ role in choosing the Democratic nominee. But what exactly are superdelegates? How did they become part of the nominating process? And what do they mean in this year’s nominating process?

Simply put, superdelegates are unpledged delegates. They can be party leaders and elected officials or individuals who are selected by the party to attend the convention. These delegates, because they are unpledged, can give their votes to any candidate they choose, regardless of how their state voted.

Superdelegates became a part of the Democratic nominating process following the 1980 convention. At that convention Sen. Ted Kennedy had fought to win the nomination from President Jimmy Carter through rule changes. It was a contentious convention, with the fight focusing on Rule 11(H), which required delegates to support the candidate to which they were bound by the primary process. In order to avoid another convention fight, the rule was rewritten for the 1984 convention (and is still in effect today). Delegates pledged to a specific candidate are no longer be required to support the candidate; instead, they are strongly urged to support the candidate “in all good conscience.”

However, some party members were still worried about a convention fight even with the new rule. A plan was proposed to have a percentage of convention delegates be unpledged voting delegates. It was hoped such change would allow the party to respond to changing circumstances, to better address situations where the electorate hasn’t clearly chosen a candidate, and to include more elected officials in the convention voting without requiring them to declare for one candidate or another.

It was during this process when the term “superdelegate” was coined.

The final agreement allowed for 14 percent of convention delegates to be unpledged delegates and congressional delegates were to be chosen by the congressional caucuses in the House and Senate.

Today, superdelegates are no longer chosen by the caucuses, and the ratio of unpledged delegates to pledged delegates has changed with the addition of more unpledged delegates over the years.

In this year’s Democratic primary campaigns, superdelegates have been come an issue on the campaign trail. Because so many superdelegates have pledged early to support Hillary Clinton, her delegate numbers give her a huge lead over Bernie Sanders.

As of May 27, Clinton has 2,309 delegates to Sander’s 1,539. But when the superdelegates are removed from the count, Clinton has 1,769 pledged delegates to Sander’s 1,497. To win the nomination, the Democratic candidate needs a total of 2,383 delegate votes.

This year it appears the superdelegates will decide who the nominee will be. Because of the early and overwhelming majority of superdelegates pledging to Clinton, the delegate count has been showing Clinton with a huge lead over Sanders, when in fact the primary outcomes indicate a much closer race.

Many of Sanders’ supporters tried to convince superdelegates to refrain from pledging to a candidate too early. They felt that by pledging early, superdelegates were skewing the media coverage and perception of success in favor of one candidate over another. The media was treating Clinton as the presumptive candidate and providing more coverage of her campaign than of Sander’s campaign.

With this year’s Democratic primaries, superdelegates are going to be the deciding force. While some might say superdelegates are imposing the party’s candidate on the people, others will say superdelegates are fulfilling their intended role: to avoid a contested convention and ensure the nominee is able to enter the general election with a clear mandate and the firm support of the party.

Sources:

Andrews, Wilson; Bennett, Kitty; and Parlapiano, Alicia. 2016 Delegate County and Primary Results. The New York Times. May 27, 2016.

Kamarck, Elaine. A History of ‘Super-Delegates’ in the Democratic Party. February 14, 2008.

Strauss, Daniel. Sanders Supporters Revolt Against Superdelegates. Politico. Febraury 14, 2016.

Lobbying

Illinois: “Rauner Board Asked Builders to Lobby Lawmakers” by The Associated Press for Crain’s Chicago Business

Nevada: “Council Votes to Delay Passing Lobbyist Registration Ordinance” by Anjeanette Damon for Reno Gazette-Journal

Oregon: “As Spending on Lobbying Increases, Transparency Remains Murky” by Hillary Borrud for East Oregonian

Campaign Finance

Kansas: “Amid Criticism, Kansas Launches New Campaign Finance Website” by Peter Hancock for Lawrence Journal World

Montana: “Judge Issues Stay Reinstating Campaign Contribution Limits from Political Parties” by Holly Michels for Helena Independent Record

Ethics

Rhode Island: “Ethics Commission Considers Election-Season Blackout” by Matt O’Brien (Associated Press) for WJAR

Elections

“Do Sanders Supporters Favor His Policies?” by Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels for New York Times

“Obama Can’t Endorse During the Democratic Primary, So He’s Just Pointing Out How Hard the Job Is Instead” by Christi Parsons and Michael Memoli for Los Angeles Times

“Trump Reaches the Magic Number to Clinch Nomination” by The Associated Press for Yahoo!News

Lobbying

California: “California Senate Votes to Ban Private Talks at Coastal Board” by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee

Rhode Island: “R.I. House Unanimously Approves Lobbying Bill with Stricter Penalties” by Jennifer Bogdan for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

New York: “Gov. Andrew Cuomo Offers Eight Options to End LLC Campaign Cash” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times-Union

Ethics

“These States Are Stepping Up to Reform Money in Politics in 2016” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post

“State Dept. Inspector General Report Sharply Criticizes Clinton’s Email Practices” by Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post

Florida: “Facing Bribery Charges, Opa-locka Commissioner Rams SUV into Tree, Killing Himself” by Charles Rabin, Jay Weaver, David Ovalle, and Michael Sallah for Miami Herald

Elections

“This Is What the Future of American Politics Looks Like” by Michael Lind for Politico

“As Donald Trump Pushes Conspiracy Theories, Right-Wing Media Gets Its Wish” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times

Ohio: “Ohio’s Limits on Early Voting Are Discriminatory, Judge Says” by Richard Pérez-Peña for New York Times

Lobbying

Missouri: “Impact of Missouri’s ‘Revolving Door’ Lobbyist Law Questioned” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Campaign Finance

“Despite Recommendations, FEC Won’t Pursue Charges that Murray Energy Coerced Campaign Donations from Employees” by Sabrina Eaton for Cleveland Plain Dealer

“NRA to Pay $15,000 for Breaking State Campaign-Finance Rules” by Joseph O’Sullivan for Seattle Times

Virginia: “Officials: Federal prosecutors investigating Virginia Gov. McAuliffe” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Ethics

“Facebook Says an Investigation Found No Evidence of Bias in a News App” by Mike Isaac for New York Times

“NFL Tried to Influence ‘Unrestricted’ Research Gift, Congressional Report Says” by Rick Maese for Washington Post

Massachusetts: “Legislature Poised to Pass Public Records Measure” by Joshua Miller for Boston Globe

Elections

“Getting a Photo ID So You Can Vote Is Easy. Unless You’re Poor, Black, Latino or Elderly.” by Sari Horwitz for Washington Post

“Democrats Are Gay, Republicans Are Rich: Our stereotypes of political parties are amazingly wrong” by John Sides for Washington Post

“Reeling from 2016 Chaos, G.O.P. Mulls Overhaul of Primaries” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times

Lobbying

Pennsylvania: “Pa. Officials, Lobbyists Split on How to Vet Business Propositions” by Brad Bumsted for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Campaign Finance

“Key G.O.P. Donors Still Deeply Resist Donald Trump’s Candidacy” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns for New York Times

Massachusetts: “New Bill Would Rein in State GOP’s Fund-Raising” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe

Ethics

Alabama: “One-Time Rising Star Hubbard to Stand Trial on Ethics Charges” by Mike Cason for AL.com

Colorado: “Audit: Colorado ethics commission rarely helps those filing complaints” by Joey Bunch for Denver Post

Hawaii: “Hawaii Lawmakers Again Balk at Ethics, Lobbying Reform” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Elections

“Why Democrats Are Set to Retake State Legislatures in 2016 (and It’s Not Just Trump)” by Amber Phillips for Washington Post

“Bernie Sanders Makes a Campaign Mark. Now, Can He Make a Legacy?” by Jonathan Mahler and Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Montana: “Term Limits Have Weakened Legislature, Some Observers Say” by Jayme Fraser for Helena Independent Record

Redistricting

Virginia: “Supreme Court Upholds Virginia Redistricting” by Richard Wolf for USA Today

Lobbying

Rhode Island: “Do R.I. General Assembly Grants Funnel Back into Lobbying?” by Patrick Anderson for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“G.O.P. Donors Shift Focus from Top of Ticket to Senate Races” by Nick Corasaniti and Ashley Parker for New York Times

California: “Tony Strickland Agrees to $40,000 Ethics Fine” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

New York: “De Blasio’s Elections Strategy, Under Scrutiny, Recalls Predecessor’s” by William Neuman for New York Times

Ethics

Arkansas: “Ark. High Court Rejects Lawsuit over Campaign Finance Ballot Measure” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) for Baxter Bulletin

Hawaii: “Hawaii Ethics Commission Picks Interim Director” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

Hawaii: “Totto Tells Ethics Commission to Scrap ‘Silly’ Time Sheet Rules” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

Michigan: “Panel OKs Added Transparency for Governor, Legislators” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Elections

“A History of Insurgent Candidates’ Impact On Down-Ballot Races” by Louis Jacobson for Governing

Legislative Issues

“Chaos in House after GOP Votes Down LGBT Measure” by Cristina Marcos and Mike Lillis for The Hill

Baltimore City’s primary election results have been ordered to be decertified by state election officials, and a precinct-level review of irregularities is being conducted.

The decision comes in response to a discrepancy between the number of voters who checked in at polling locations and the number of ballots cast, which were higher than the number of check-ins. State elections officials became concerned when they learned Baltimore city officials certified their primary election results and later located 80 provisional ballots which were never analyzed.

The investigation into these discrepancies is expected to continue throughout next week.

Campaign Finance

“Trump, RNC Announce Joint Fundraising Deal” by Eric Bradner and Sara Murray for CNN

Florida: “County Commissioners Endorse Campaign Reform. After Grumbling.” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald

Montana: “US Judge Strikes Down Montana Campaign Contribution Limits” by Holly Michels for Helena Independent Record

Ethics

California: “7 Former Top Officials of Beaumont Charged with Corruption” by Veronica Rocha and Joseph Serna for Los Angeles Times

Delaware: “Del. Bill Tightens Disclosure Requirements for Paid Lobbyists, Political Donors” by Mark Fowser for WXDE

Missouri: “For Some, Missouri Lawmakers’ Ethics Push Still Has a Long Way to Go” by Jason Rosenbaum for St. Louis Public Radio

Elections

“Bernie Sanders Facing Pressure Over Supporters’ Actions in Nevada” by Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times

“The Mind of Donald Trump” by Dan McAdams for The Atlantic

“Third-Party Candidates Face Uphill Climb to Get Place on Presidential Debate Stage” by Jonathan Easley and Ben Kamisar for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“Death Threats Directed at Elections Regulator” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

Arizona: “Effort Launches to Block Laws Loosening Rules for ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Capitol Times

Ethics

Arizona: “Judge Sentences Former Phoenix VA Director Sharon Helman to Probation” by Dennis Wagner for Arizona Republic

Arizona: “Inspired by Trump, New Arizona Law Redefines Free Speech” by Ben Rosen for U.S. News & World Report

Pennsylvania: “The Ones That Got Away: How 305 criminal charges against Steve Reed were dismissed” by Wallace McKelvey for Harrisburg Patriot-News

South Carolina: “Common Cause Leader John Crangle Retiring as His Book on Operation Lost Trust Is Published” by Andrew Shain for Charleston Post & Courier

Elections

“‘Who Is This Guy?’ In Connected Political World, Few Know Donald Trump” by Carl Hulse for New York Times

“Little Is Off Limits as Donald Trump Plans Attacks on Hillary Clinton’s Character” by Patrick Healy for New York Times

“Bernie Sanders Wins Oregon; Hillary Clinton Declares Victory in Kentucky” by Thomas Kaplan for New York Times