April 14, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Suddenly, ‘Schumerland’ Is the Place to Be” by Megan Wilson for The Hill Hawaii: “Tobacco-Free Coalition Cleared on Lobbying Charges” by Nancy Cook Lauer for West Hawaii Today Texas: “Local Government, School Lobbying in Ethics Crosshairs” by Jay Root […]
Lobbying
“Suddenly, ‘Schumerland’ Is the Place to Be” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
Hawaii: “Tobacco-Free Coalition Cleared on Lobbying Charges” by Nancy Cook Lauer for West Hawaii Today
Texas: “Local Government, School Lobbying in Ethics Crosshairs” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune
Campaign Finance
“Wealthy Donors on Left Launch New Plan to Wrest Back Control in the States” by Matea Gold for Washington Post
Kentucky: “Former Kentucky Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to Campaign Finance Violations” by John Cheves for Lexington Herald-Leader
Ethics
Georgia: “Common Cause Takes Advocacy Efforts to Georgia Voters” by Carlton Fletcher for Albany Herald
Missouri: “Though Petition Seeks His Ouster, Ferguson Mayor Says He Is Best Leader for City” by John Eligon for New York Times
Washington: “Residents Fight to Save Bothell Golf Course from Developers, Mayor” by Lynn Thompson for Seattle Times
Elections
“Marco Rubio Announces 2016 Presidential Bid” by Ashley Parker and Alan Rappeport for New York Times
“Hillary Clinton Starts to Detail Rationale for Run as Campaign Begins” by Amy Chozick for New York Times
April 13, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying Nevada: “Bill to Toughen Nevada Campaign Finance Rules Clears Senate” by Sandra Chereb for Las Vegas Review-Journal New York: “Avella Proposes Lobbying Ban for Political Consultants” by Josefa Velasquez for Capital New York Campaign Finance “In Accepting Bitcoin, Rand […]
Lobbying
Nevada: “Bill to Toughen Nevada Campaign Finance Rules Clears Senate” by Sandra Chereb for Las Vegas Review-Journal
New York: “Avella Proposes Lobbying Ban for Political Consultants” by Josefa Velasquez for Capital New York
Campaign Finance
“In Accepting Bitcoin, Rand Paul Raises Money and Questions” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times
Ethics
New Mexico: “Equity Firm to Pay $3 Million to SIC to Avert Legal Fight” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
Texas: “Senate Votes to Let Home-County Prosecutors, Not Austin, Handle Elected-Official Ethics Cases” by Will Weissert (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter
Washington: “State Public Disclosure Commission Director Resigns” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
West Virginia: “Ethics Commission Grapples with Trinkets Ban” by Eric Eyre for Charleston Gazette
Elections
“The G.O.P. Presidential Field Looks Chaotic. It’s Not.” by Nate Cohn for New York Times
April 9, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “K St. Firms on Edge about Hacking Threat” by Elise Viebeck for The Hill “Lobbyist Spending Is Concentrated at the Top” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat “CSKT Accused of Unethical Lobbying” by Tristan Scott for Flathead Beacon […]
Lobbying
“K St. Firms on Edge about Hacking Threat” by Elise Viebeck for The Hill
“Lobbyist Spending Is Concentrated at the Top” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat
“CSKT Accused of Unethical Lobbying” by Tristan Scott for Flathead Beacon
“Governor Signs Measure on Lobbyist Records” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
Campaign Finance
“California Teachers Unions Face New Legal Challenge over Dues” by Emma Brown for Washington Post
“Legislative Committees Approve Bills to Close Campaign Finance Loopholes” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal
Ethics
“Raucous Akron City Council Meeting Rallies behind Councilman Bob Hoch” by John Harper (Northeast Ohio Media Group) for Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Kate Brown’s Ethics Reforms Begin March through Oregon Legislature” by Dennis Theriault for Portland Oregonian
“Activists Push to Restore Oversight of Legislators” by Jennifer Bogdon for Providence Journal
Elections
“Chicago Waiting to See if Runoff Truly Has Humbled Rahm Emanuel” by Monica Davey for New York Times
April 8, 2015 •
Writ Issued for Provincial General Election in Alberta
Chief Electoral Officer Glen Resler confirms writs were delivered today to administer elections across Alberta. Although Alberta has a fixed election set for spring 2016, Lt. Gov. Donald Ethell agreed to dissolve the Legislative Assembly at the premier’s request. Candidate […]
Chief Electoral Officer Glen Resler confirms writs were delivered today to administer elections across Alberta. Although Alberta has a fixed election set for spring 2016, Lt. Gov. Donald Ethell agreed to dissolve the Legislative Assembly at the premier’s request.
Candidate nominations for the 29th provincial general election begin today and end at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17. Polling day is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2015.
The 2011 Election Amendment Act requires elections to be held in the fourth calendar year after the preceding election. However, this law does not affect the powers of the lieutenant governor to dissolve the Legislature before the four years has expired.
April 8, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Comcast Recruits Its Beneficiaries to Lobby for Time Warner Deal” by Eric Lipton for New York Times Florida: “Senate Push to Expand Lobbyist Registration to Special Districts like Broward Health” by Dan Christensen for FloridaBulldog.org Florida: “Citizen Lobbyists Endure […]
Lobbying
“Comcast Recruits Its Beneficiaries to Lobby for Time Warner Deal” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
Florida: “Senate Push to Expand Lobbyist Registration to Special Districts like Broward Health” by Dan Christensen for FloridaBulldog.org
Florida: “Citizen Lobbyists Endure Bureaucracy at Florida’s Capitol as They Promote Their Causes” by Steve Bousquet (Tampa Bay Times) for Miami Herald
Oklahoma: “Stillwater Councilors Say Energy Lobbyists Gave Ultimatum on Drilling-Ordinance Vote” by Ziva Branstetter for Tulsa World
Virginia: “Norment Won’t Discuss Lobbyist Relationship” by Travis Fain for The Daily Press
Campaign Finance
“The Secret Lives of Hillary and Bill in the White House” by Kate Anderson-Brower for Politico
“This Conservative Group is Tired of Being Accused of Climate Denial – and Is Fighting Back” by Tom Hamburger, Joby Warrick, and Chris Mooney for Washington Post
Arizona: “Arizona Clean Elections Law Lives On” by The Associated Press for Arizona Republic
California: “California Lawmakers’ Campaign Debt Piled High in 2014” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee
California: “Former South Bay Supervisor George Shirakawa Avoids Jail Time” by Henry Lee for San Francisco Chronicle
New York: “Ethics Laws Take Aim at Club Dues” by Matthew Hamilton for Albany Times Union
Elections
“Rand Paul Says ‘I Am Running for President’” by Jeremy Peters and Alan Rappeport for New York Times
April 7, 2015 •
North Dakota Passes U.S. Senate Special Election Bill
Lawmakers have passed a bill requiring a special election to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy. House Bill 1181 requires the governor to call a special election within 95 days of a Senate seat vacancy, unless the vacancy occurs within 95 […]
Lawmakers have passed a bill requiring a special election to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy. House Bill 1181 requires the governor to call a special election within 95 days of a Senate seat vacancy, unless the vacancy occurs within 95 days of the end of the Senate term, in which case the seat will be filled at the next regular election.
Democrats believe the bill is an attempt to discourage U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp from running for governor in 2016 since she would not be able to appoint her replacement.
The bill now goes to Gov. Jack Dalrymple for his signature.
April 7, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Last-minute lobbying threatens $200B Medicare package” by Sarah Ferris in The Hill. Illinois: “Chicago Elections Chief Got Lobbying Contracts from Rahm Emanuel’s Administration” by Matthew Cunningham-Cook and David Sirota in International Business Times. Campaign Finance “Gary Hart: Billion-dollar Clinton […]
Lobbying
“Last-minute lobbying threatens $200B Medicare package” by Sarah Ferris in The Hill.
Illinois: “Chicago Elections Chief Got Lobbying Contracts from Rahm Emanuel’s Administration” by Matthew Cunningham-Cook and David Sirota in International Business Times.
Campaign Finance
“Gary Hart: Billion-dollar Clinton campaign should ‘frighten’ Americans” by Johnathan Topaz in Politico.
“Rand Paul accepting bitcoins for 2016 bid” by Mario Trujillo in The Hill.
“To Get Ahead in Congress: Skip Governing, Raise Money” by Trevor Potter and Meredith McGehee in Politico.
Florida: “Florida’s fundraising explosion” by Anna Palmer and Marc Caputo in Politico.
Michigan: “Between PACs and standard contributions, state politicians reap loads of cash” by Brian Paynter in The Daily Telegram.
Ohio: “Some Cuyahoga County mayors accept campaign contributions from employees” by Bob Sandrick in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Rhode Island: “R.I. owed $2.2 million in fines for unfiled campaign finance reports” by Jennifer McDermott in the Providence Journal.
Ethics
Nevada: “Bill banning gifts from lobbyists moves forward” by Sandra Chereb in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Elections
Illinois: “Dates proposed for special elections to replace Aaron Schock” by The Associated Press in the Chicago Sun Times.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Booker, McCaskill Beg Higher-Ups for Updated Senate Tech” by Jack Moore in Nextgov.
April 6, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Trucking and Rail Industries Turn State Troopers into Unwitting Lobbyists” by Eric Lipton for New York Times Florida: “In Sunshine State, Big Energy Blocks Solar Power” by Eric Barton for Florida Center for Investigative Reporting Missouri: “Missouri House Passes […]
Lobbying
“Trucking and Rail Industries Turn State Troopers into Unwitting Lobbyists” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
Florida: “In Sunshine State, Big Energy Blocks Solar Power” by Eric Barton for Florida Center for Investigative Reporting
Missouri: “Missouri House Passes Lobbyist Gift Cap, Cooling Off Period” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star
New York “Cuomo Expands Lobbying Oversight to Localities” by Jimmy Vielkind for Capital New York
Tennessee: “Ethics Body Undecided on NRA Giving Lawmakers Free Tickets” by Dave Boucher for The Tennessean
Texas: “Questions about Aide to Texas Ag Commissioner Miller” by Eric Dexheimer (Austin American-Statesman) for Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
Campaign Finance
“Campaign Finance Complaints Filed Against 4 Presidential Hopefuls” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times
“Menendez Indictment Marks First Big Corruption Case Involving a Super PAC” by Matea Gold for Washington Post
Maine: “Lawmakers Consider Clean Election Changes after PAC Drama” by Scott Thistle (The Sun Journal) for Bangor Daily News
Vermont: “Court Hands RGA $40,000 in Fines for 2010 Campaign Finance Violations” by Morgan True for VTDigger.org
Ethics
“Tribe’s Infighting Offers Glimpse into Redskins Foundation’s Tactics” by John Woodrow Cox for Washington Post
“Watchdog for Federal Secrecy Has Yet to Bite” by Julian Hattem and Megan Wilson for The Hill
Arkansas: “Panel Backs Window for Gift Return” by Michael Wickline for Arkansas Online
Elections
“The Mobile Election: How smartphones will change the 2016 presidential race” by Dylan Byers for Politico
March 30, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Buying Government with Lobbying Money” by Mike Collins in Forbes “Ed Whitfield’s Ties to Lobbyist Wife Subject of House Ethics Probe” by Hannah Hess in Roll Call “Reid leaving network of lobbyists behind” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill […]
Lobbying
“Buying Government with Lobbying Money” by Mike Collins in Forbes
“Ed Whitfield’s Ties to Lobbyist Wife Subject of House Ethics Probe” by Hannah Hess in Roll Call
“Reid leaving network of lobbyists behind” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill
Minnesota: “Leap from legislator to lobbyist a short one in Minnesota” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger and Dan Bauman in the Pioneer Press
Minnesota: “Legislators to lobbyists: A database of their clients and cash” by Dan Bauman in the Pioneer Press
Campaign Finance
“How potential presidential candidates are raising campaign cash” by Reena Flores on CBS News
“Are women giving enough money to political campaigns?” by Stefanie Murray in The Tennessean
Colorado: “Campaign finance rules get overhaul” by Anthony A. Mestas in The Pueblo Chieftain
Montana: “House passes bill to toughen campaign finance laws” in The Montana Standard
Ohio: “Campaign finance fines rarely collected, often reduced” by Amanda Seitz in the Dayton Daily News
Utah: “Utah cities can adopt stricter campaign finance rules” by The Associated Press in KSL.com
Ethics
New York: “Deal Is Reached on New York State Budget; Ethics Measures Are Included” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times
Texas: “Analysis: Trying to Spark Ethics Reform, Without a Scandal” by Ross Ramsey in The Texas Tribune
Elections
“Why Some Lawmakers Want to Abolish the 17th Amendment” by Alan Greenblatt in Governing
Government Tech and Social Media
Utah: “In Utah, Participatory Democracy Powered by Loomio and NationBuilder” by Jessica McKenzie in TechPresident
March 25, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Campaign Finance “How to Decide When to Announce You’re Running for President” by Rebecca Kaplan and Jake Miller for CBS News “Hillary Turns Down Invite to Secretive Donor Meeting” by Kenneth Vogel and Tarini Parti for Politico “‘Dark Money’ Bill […]
Campaign Finance
“How to Decide When to Announce You’re Running for President” by Rebecca Kaplan and Jake Miller for CBS News
“Hillary Turns Down Invite to Secretive Donor Meeting” by Kenneth Vogel and Tarini Parti for Politico
“‘Dark Money’ Bill Fails in Voice Vote” by Lisa Hammersly and Claudia Lauer for Arkansas Online
Connecticut: “Five-Month Prison Sentence for Lisa Wilson-Foley” by Dave Collins (Associated Press) for CBS Connecticut
Virginia: “Deep Feud Splitting Virginia’s GOP Evident in Party’s Fundraising Woes” by Jenna Portnoy and Paul Schwartzman for Washington Post
Wisconsin”Wisconsin Lawmakers Hear Advice for Changing Complex Campaign Spending, Fundraising Law” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter
Wisconsin: “Secret $1.5 Million Donation from Wisconsin Billionaire Uncovered in Scott Walker Dark-Money Probe” by Michael Isikoff for Yahoo! Politics
Ethics
Indiana: “Another Loophole for Ex-INDOT Official?” by Ryan Sabalow and Tony Cook for Indianapolis Star
New Jersey: “Chris Christie Gets Corvette for NJ Radio News Director Who Interviews Him” by Christopher Zara and David Sirota for International Business Times
New York: “Cuomo Focuses on Ethics Reform, Not on Funding” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times
Washington: “Washington Auditor Says He’s Cooperating with Investigation” by Rachel La Corte (Associated Press) for Raleigh News & Observer
Elections
Wisconsin: “U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Take Up Challenge to Wisconsin Voter ID Law” by Jason Stein and Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
March 24, 2015 •
Wisconsin Voter ID Law Remains, But Not for Spring Election
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear a case alleging the state’s 2011 voter ID law is unconstitutional. Following the decision, the Government Accountability Board consulted with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and determined photo ID will not […]
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear a case alleging the state’s 2011 voter ID law is unconstitutional.
Following the decision, the Government Accountability Board consulted with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and determined photo ID will not be required for the April 7 Spring Election.
Photo ID will be required for subsequent elections, including any special elections in 2015.
March 23, 2015 •
Congressman Aaron Schock to Resign Amid Ethics Investigations
Rep. Aaron Schock is resigning his seat at the end of the month in the wake of a congressional ethics investigation and looming federal investigation. The ethics investigation will focus on his use of taxpayer money, including mileage reimbursements from […]
Rep. Aaron Schock is resigning his seat at the end of the month in the wake of a congressional ethics investigation and looming federal investigation. The ethics investigation will focus on his use of taxpayer money, including mileage reimbursements from a car paid for by his campaign account.
Federal prosecutors in Illinois will focus on the mileage reimbursements as well as travel paid for by donors and in-kind contributions never reported.
Gov. Bruce Rauner must set a special election date within five days of Schock’s resignation at the end of the month; the congressional seat must be filled within 120 days.
March 19, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying New Mexico: “Freshman Lawmaker Determined to ‘Pay My Own Way’ at the Roundhouse” by Matt Grubs for KRQE Vermont: “Senate Grumbles about Lobbyist Disclosure Bill” by Terri Hallenbeck for Seven Days Washington: “Zombie Lobby Descends on Capitol to Rally […]
Lobbying
New Mexico: “Freshman Lawmaker Determined to ‘Pay My Own Way’ at the Roundhouse” by Matt Grubs for KRQE
Vermont: “Senate Grumbles about Lobbyist Disclosure Bill” by Terri Hallenbeck for Seven Days
Washington: “Zombie Lobby Descends on Capitol to Rally for Expanding Film and TV Tax Incentive Program” by Rachel LaCorte (Associated Press) for The Daily Journal
Campaign Finance
“State Legislatures Taking Aim at Dark Money, Disclosure” by Peter Olsen-Phillips for Sunlight Foundation
“Meet the Man Taking Aim at Campaign Finance Regulations” by Cameron Joseph for The Hill
Montana: “‘Dark Money’ Bill Heard by House Panel” by Charles Johnson for Montana Standard
Ethics
Connecticut: “Rowland Sentenced to 30 Months, a Decade after Last Imprisonment” by Kristin Hussey and Marc Santora for New York Times
New York: “Income Disclosure, Pension Forfeiture and Attendance Verification All Part of 2-Way Ethics Deal” in Legislative Gazette
Elections
Ohio: “Federal Judge: Ohio’s new ballot access limits for 3rd parties are constitutional” by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) for Greenfield Daily Reporter
March 17, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “The ‘Moneyball’ Effect on K Street: The influence game gets scientific” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post Campaign Finance California: “Big Money Arrived Too Late for L.A. Election Debate” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times Connecticut: “Former Connecticut […]
Lobbying
“The ‘Moneyball’ Effect on K Street: The influence game gets scientific” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post
Campaign Finance
California: “Big Money Arrived Too Late for L.A. Election Debate” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times
Connecticut: “Former Connecticut State Sen. Newton Gets 6 Months in Prison on 2nd Criminal Conviction” by The Associated Press for Greenfield Daily Reporter
Ethics
“Ex-Energy Official’s $1.7 Million Gig Draws Fire” by Darius Dixon for Politico
“U.S. Attorney Leading Inquiry of Ex-D.C. Mayor Gray to Step Down” by Spencer Hsu, Keith Alexander, and Mike DeBonis for Washington Post
“Marco Rubio’s House of Horrors” by Marc Caputo for Politico
New Mexico: “Longtime New Mexico Sen. Phil Griego Resigns Amid Questions Surrounding Santa Fe Property Deal” by The Associated Press for Greenfield Daily Reporter
Pennsylvania: “Wolf Proposes Slight Funding Increase for Pennsylvania Ethics Commission” by Andrew Staub (PA Independent) for Watchdog.org
Texas: “In Dallas, Most Ethics Complaints Go Nowhere” by Elizabeth Findell for Dallas Morning News
Elections
“Evangelicals Aim to Mobilize an Army for Republicans in 2016” by Jason Horowitz for New York Times
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