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
March 16, 2015 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying New Mexico: “Stripped-Down Lobbying Disclosure Goes to Senate” by Gwyneth Doland for New Mexico In Depth Washington: “Lawmakers Kill Proposed Lobbyist ‘Cooling Off’ Period for State Officials” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times Campaign Finance Arkansas: “Campaign E-Filing Bill […]
Lobbying
New Mexico: “Stripped-Down Lobbying Disclosure Goes to Senate” by Gwyneth Doland for New Mexico In Depth
Washington: “Lawmakers Kill Proposed Lobbyist ‘Cooling Off’ Period for State Officials” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
Campaign Finance
Arkansas: “Campaign E-Filing Bill Falls Short in 1st Vote” by Lisa Hammersly and Claudia Lauer for Arkansas Online
Arkansas: “Paul Bookout, Former Arkansas State Senator from Jonesboro, Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud Charge” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) for Daily Journal
New Mexico: “Senate Panel Passes Bill to End Campaign Donation Limits” by Steve Terrell (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News
Ethics
“Drugmakers Turn Heat on Insurers by Backing Copay Limits” by Alex Wayne for Bloomberg News
“Big Costs to See Public Documents Hider Access” by Michael Felberbaum (Associated Press) for USA Today
“Lawmaker Facing Spending Probe Benefited from Donor Projects” by Jeff Horwitz and Stephen Braun (Associated Press) for Philadelphia Inquirer
“Jeb Bush’s Emails Detail Communications with Top Donors” by Ronnie Green and Steve Peoples (Associated Press) for Raleigh News & Observer
“Committee Says No to Ethics Commission” by Nick Smith for Bismarck Tribune
Elections
“Absence of 2016 Competition for Clinton Raises Stakes for Democrats” by Dan Balz for Washington Post
March 13, 2015 •
Special Election Set Following Resignation of Mississippi Lawmaker
Gov. Phil Bryant has announced a special election to fill an opening in the state House of Representatives. The election, for the House District 45 seat, will be May 5, with a runoff held on May 26 if needed. The […]
Gov. Phil Bryant has announced a special election to fill an opening in the state House of Representatives. The election, for the House District 45 seat, will be May 5, with a runoff held on May 26 if needed.
The vacancy is a result of Rep. Bennett Malone resigning earlier this month and the winner will serve the last few months of his four-year term.
With the election occurring a month after the legislature adjourns, it is unlikely the new lawmaker will vote on bills.
March 6, 2015 •
Special Election Announced in Texas
On March 4, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a special election will be held on March 31 for Texas House District 124. The winner will serve the remainder of the term for the seat left vacant by Jose Antonio Menendez. […]
On March 4, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a special election will be held on March 31 for Texas House District 124.
The winner will serve the remainder of the term for the seat left vacant by Jose Antonio Menendez. Menendez won a special election to the state senate earlier this year.
March 5, 2015 •
Los Angeles, California Voters Approve Incumbents and Amendments
City Council incumbents and Charter amendments fared well in this year’s March city elections. Five incumbent City Council members retained their seats by receiving over 50 percent of the vote, but a May runoff will be necessary in the 4th […]
City Council incumbents and Charter amendments fared well in this year’s March city elections.
Five incumbent City Council members retained their seats by receiving over 50 percent of the vote, but a May runoff will be necessary in the 4th District to replace termed-out Councilman Tom LaBonge.
Voters passed Charter amendments intended to increase voter turnout by moving city and school board elections to even-numbered years when presidential and gubernatorial races are held, beginning in 2020.
Photo of the Los Angeles skyline by Nserrano on Wikimedia Commons.
February 27, 2015 •
How Many Presidents Claim Your State as Home?
The states in which our presidents are historically attached aren’t necessarily the states where they were born. However, for this post, I wanted to review which states have produced a President of the United States by their home as an […]
The states in which our presidents are historically attached aren’t necessarily the states where they were born. However, for this post, I wanted to review which states have produced a President of the United States by their home as an adult and where they ran for office.
In researching this subject, I found that some presidents are claimed by more than one state. Total number of states that can claim an elected president? Eighteen. FYI: All U.S. Presidents were born in America.
All information was found on History.com, Whitehouse.gov, Wikipedia.org, and Answers.com.
February 25, 2015 •
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Heads to April Runoff
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel failed to garner enough votes in Tuesday’s consolidated primary to avoid heading to a runoff election. Emanuel required more than 50 percent of the vote to win the election outright. Although he finished first in the […]
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel failed to garner enough votes in Tuesday’s consolidated primary to avoid heading to a runoff election. Emanuel required more than 50 percent of the vote to win the election outright.
Although he finished first in the five candidate field with just over 45 percent of the vote, the city will now hold a runoff mayoral election for the first time in history.
The runoff is scheduled for April 7, and the mayor will face Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.
February 25, 2015 •
South Carolina Jay Jordan Wins State House District 63 Primary
Jay Jordan has won the Republican primary for the vacant seat in House District 63. Unofficial results have Jordan with 1,927 votes, Robby Hill with 1,076, and Elijah Jones with 517. No Democrats filed to run in the special election […]
Jay Jordan has won the Republican primary for the vacant seat in House District 63. Unofficial results have Jordan with 1,927 votes, Robby Hill with 1,076, and Elijah Jones with 517.
No Democrats filed to run in the special election on April 14, 2015.
The vacancy was created when Republican Kris Crawford resigned his seat a month after being elected unopposed to a fifth term.
Photo of the South Carolina Capitol Building by Nikopoley on Wikimedia Commons.
February 25, 2015 •
Michigan Passes Legislation Changing Date of Presidential Primary
Two Senate bills pertaining to Michigan election law were signed by Gov. Rick Snyder on February 19, 2015. Senate Bills 44 and 45 change the date of the presidential primary election to the second Tuesday in March. The bills will […]
Two Senate bills pertaining to Michigan election law were signed by Gov. Rick Snyder on February 19, 2015.
Senate Bills 44 and 45 change the date of the presidential primary election to the second Tuesday in March.
The bills will take effect in time for the 2016 presidential primary election.
February 20, 2015 •
NY Gov. Sets Date for Special Election: May 5, 2015
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called a special election for May 5, 2015, to fill the congressional vacancy left by former Rep. Michael Grimm. A federal judge compelled the governor to set a date for the election by February 20, 2015. […]
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called a special election for May 5, 2015, to fill the congressional vacancy left by former Rep. Michael Grimm.
A federal judge compelled the governor to set a date for the election by February 20, 2015.
Political parties now have 12 days to designate their candidates and a few short months to campaign.
Photo of Gov. Cuomo courtesy of Pat Arnow on Wikimedia Commons.
February 18, 2015 •
NY Gov. Cuomo Ordered to Call Special Election
A federal judge has ordered Gov. Andrew Cuomo to set a date by Friday, February 20, 2015, for a special election filling the congressional vacancy left by former Rep. Michael Grimm. Judge Jack Weinstein wrote in his opinion the constituents […]
A federal judge has ordered Gov. Andrew Cuomo to set a date by Friday, February 20, 2015, for a special election filling the congressional vacancy left by former Rep. Michael Grimm.
Judge Jack Weinstein wrote in his opinion the constituents of the 11th Congressional District, mostly covering Staten Island, are “bereft of an advocate to help them navigate the morass of government bureaucracy.”
Shortly after the federal court issued its opinion, the governor’s spokeswoman made a statement saying Cuomo will announce a date for the special election “shortly.” If Cuomo does not set a date by Friday, February 20, 2015, the judge will set a date “as promptly as the law will allow.”
February 9, 2015 •
Federal Lawsuit Against NY Gov. Cuomo Calling for Special Election
A federal lawsuit has been filed against Gov. Andrew Cuomo in an attempt to force the governor to call a special election for the congressional vacancy left by former Rep. Michael Grimm. Grimm resigned from Congress in early 2015 after […]
A federal lawsuit has been filed against Gov. Andrew Cuomo in an attempt to force the governor to call a special election for the congressional vacancy left by former Rep. Michael Grimm. Grimm resigned from Congress in early 2015 after pleading guilty to felony tax fraud.
By law, Cuomo must call a special election to fill the seat and such election must take place 70 to 80 days after it is announced. However, the governor has no present plans of calling a special election, angering the constituents of Grimm’s former district, which encompasses Staten Island and southern Brooklyn.
The suit alleges constitutional violations and requests the court to compel Cuomo to call a special election.
Judge Jack Weinstein of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York will hear the case on February 13, 2015.
Photo of Governor Cuomo courtesy of Pat Arnow on Wikipedia.
February 5, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Top Frankfort Lobbyists Make Big Money … VERY Big” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal Missouri: “Ethics Amendment Sponsor Sees Little Chance for Effective Action by Lawmakers” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune Campaign Finance “Capitalizing on a […]
Lobbying
“Top Frankfort Lobbyists Make Big Money … VERY Big” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal
Missouri: “Ethics Amendment Sponsor Sees Little Chance for Effective Action by Lawmakers” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune
Campaign Finance
“Capitalizing on a Political Contribution Cap Hike” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity
California: “San Diego County Supervisors Put Caps on Campaign Spending” by City News Service for KPBS
Ethics
“Obama Administration Seeks to Negotiate Medicare Drug Prices” by David Morgan for Reuters
Nevada: “When Do Lawmakers’ Day Jobs Become Conflicts of Interest?” by Kyle Roerink for Las Vegas Sun
New York: “State Ethics Panel Seeks More Clout, Leeway” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union
New York: “New York City Councilman Arrested on Corruption Charges” by Nikita Stewart for New York Times
Oregon: “Cylvia Hayes Scandal: Kitzhaber associates helped create jobs for her that had Oregon influence in mind” by Nick Budnick and Laura Gunderson for Portland Oregonian
Pennsylvania: “After Rapid Rise, Pennsylvania Attorney General Faces Sharp Fall” by Jennifer Steinhauer for New York Times
Elections
“The Surprising Power of Blue-State Republicans” by Nate Cohn for New York Times
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