Campaign Finance

Colorado: “Backers of Denver Campaign Finance Ballot Measure Agree to Deal That Would Delay Public Financing, Lower Limits” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

New Mexico: “Cannabis Industry Grows as Source of Campaign Funds” by Steve Terrell (Santa Fe new Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News

South Dakota: “With Sutton Amendment, South Dakota Committees Now Face Some Restrictions on Campaign Spending” by Bob Mercer for Capital Journal

Ethics

National: “‘Everyone Signed One’: Trump is aggressive in his use of nondisclosure agreements, even in government” by Josh Dawsey and Ashley Parker (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump Offers White House Staffers a Special Perk at His Golf Club” by Annie Karni and Eliana Johnson for Politico

New Jersey: “Tougher Ethics Rules for Council that Guides Public Pension Investments” by John Reitmeyer for NJ Spotlight

Pennsylvania: “Ex-Reading Official Pleads Guilty to Taking Bribe from Former Mayor” by Peter Hall for Allentown Morning Call

West Virginia: “Lawmakers Impeach All 4 W.Va. Court Justices Over Spending” by the Associated Press for MSN

Lobbying

Georgia: “Atlanta City Council Seeks to Require Lobbyists to Register with the City” by the Staff for Atlanta Daily World

The House of Delegates voted to impeach all remaining four justices on the state Supreme Court of Appeals. Chief Justice Margaret Workman and Justices Allen Loughry, Robin Davis, and Elizabeth Walker will face an impeachment trial in the Senate.

The justices face articles of impeachment for corruption, maladministration, incompetency, neglect of duty, and other high offenses. The fifth justice, Menis Ketchum, resigned in July and avoided becoming a subject of the articles of impeachment.

If the remaining justices are found to have committed the impeachable offenses and removed from office, Gov. Justice will appoint interim justices and call for a special election in May 2020.

Campaign Finance

National: “Independents Uneasy About Taking Cash, Even from Indie Group” by Marina Villeneuve (Associated Press) for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

California: “It’s an Election Year, and California’s Campaign Watchdogs Are Busy Fighting Among Themselves” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Elections

National: “Voting Rights Advocates Used to Have an Ally in the Government. That’s Changing.” by Michael Wines (New York Times) for MSN

Michigan: “Michigan Senate Winner Still Shrouded in Mystery Following Primary Shocker” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Ethics

National: “Representative Chris Collins Suspends Bid for Re-election After Insider Trading Charges” by Shane Goldmacher (New York Times) for WRAL

California: “Ethics Commission Levies Hefty Fine for ‘Egregious’ Conflict-of-Interest Violations” by David Garrick for San Diego Union Tribune

Hawaii: “Maui Ethics Board Warns Against Accepting Tournament Gifts” by Associated Press for Sacramento Bee

Lobbying

National: “Lax State Ethics Rules Leave Health Agencies Vulnerable to Conflicts” by Brianna Ehley, Sarah Karlin-Smith, Rachana Pradhan, and Jennifer Haberkorn for Politico

Atlanta City Council members introduced legislation requiring individuals and principals seeking to influence legislative or administrative actions of the city to register as a lobbyist.

The ordinance would require registration for any effort to influence an approval or veto of legislation; an agency’s proposal, consideration, or promulgation of a regulation; or the solicitation, award, or administration of a contract.

If approved, the effective date is January, 1, 2019.

Dallas City Councilman Dwaine Caraway pled guilty to federal corruption charges last Thursday and has resigned from City Council.

Caraway admitted to accepting $450,000 in bribes and kickbacks from two figures in a scandal last year that brought down a school bus agency named Dallas County Schools.

City Attorney Larry Casto told City Council a special election must be added to the November 6 election to fill the vacancy.

Elections

Kansas: “Kobach Plans to Recuse Self from Vote after Colyer Campaign Raises Concern” by Bryan Lowry, Hunter Woodall, Lindsay Wise, Steve Vockrodt, and Allison Kite (Kansas City Star) for Wichita Eagle

Wyoming: “Ban on Political ‘Robocalls’ Unconstitutional, Judge Rules in Wyoming” by Elaine Povich (Stateline) for Governing

Ethics

National: “Charges Against Rep. Chris Collins Highlight Lack of Trading Limits for Congress” by Bill Allison and Erik Wasson (Bloomberg) for Chicago Tribune

Florida: “FDLE Closed Jack Latvala Case without Gathering New Info” by Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) for Tampa Bay Times

Illinois: “Mayoral Hopeful Who Gave Thousands in Cash, Checks: ‘I’m just tired of white people telling me what to do.’” by Gregory Pratt for Chicago Tribune

New Mexico: “Ex-Legislator Takes Plea Deal on New Charges” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Texas: “Report: Mayor’s aide received cut of nonprofit’s contracts with city” by Elizabeth Findell for Austin American Statesman

West Virginia: “The Entire W.Va. Supreme Court Faces Impeachment for Alleged Corruption: Gas money, restaurant lunches, an antique desk” by Isaac Stanley-Becker for Washington Post

The Government of Yukon is seeking public input for development of a mandatory lobbyist registry.

On August 6, the government issued a news release stating proposed legislation would cover both consultant and in-house lobbyists. The voluntary public survey is hosted by the Yukon Bureau of Statistics and is available until September 4. The survey is available online or on paper, by request. All public input remains confidential in accordance with the Statistics Act (Yukon).

If legislation concerning lobbying passes, Yukon would become the first Canadian territory with a lobbyist registry. Currently, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut also do not have lobbying laws. The federal government and all provinces in Canada have lobbyist registries.

You don’t want to miss this weeks News You Can Use Video Digest from State and Federal Communications intern Abigail Siegfried!

National:

Accused of Harassment, and Seeking Redemption at the Ballot Box
MSN – Julie Turkewitz and Alan Blinder (New York Times) | Published: 8/5/2018

Almost a year into an anti-harassment movement that has prompted a coast-to-coast cultural reckoning, more than a dozen politicians who have been accused of misconduct and are running for state legislative seats again anyway. Some candidates hope voters will accept their apologies. Others believe constituents will dismiss the allegations as untrue or deem them unimportant at a time when state Legislatures could play crucial roles either in advancing the Trump administration’s agenda or forming bulwarks against it. Apologies alone do not satisfy some of those who are working to ensure candidates accused of harassment do not retain political power.

Federal:

GOP Rep. Chris Collins Charged with Securities Fraud
Politico – Kyle Cheney, Jimmy Vielkind, and Laura Nahmias | Published: 8/8/2018

U.S. Rep. Christopher Collins was indicted on charges he used inside information about a biotechnology company to make illicit stock trades. The indictment charges Collins and his son, Cameron, and Stephen Zarsky, who is the father of Cameron Collins’ fiancée, with conspiracy, wire fraud, and other counts. Rep. Collins was Innate Immunotherapeutics’ largest shareholder and served on its board. He received an email from Innate’s chief executive alerting him the company’s highly touted drug had failed in clinical trials. Rep. Collins is alleged to have passed that information to his son, who notified Zarsky. Prosecutors say the three avoided about $768,000 in losses because of the information.

Judge’s Ruling Invalidates FEC Regulation Allowing Anonymous Donations to ‘Dark Money’ Groups
Politico – Brent Griffiths | Published: 8/4/2018

U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell struck down an FEC rule that allowed for anonymous donations to “dark money” groups. Howell ruled the FEC regulation allowing for those donors to remain anonymous fell below the standard that Congress meant to set when it passed laws on disclosing the sources of political donations. The ruling, which is likely to be appealed, means nonprofits could be required to reveal the identities of donors who give $200 or more toward affecting federal elections. The FEC has 45 days to issue temporary regulations that would require the so-called dark money groups to reveal more about their donors.

On Appeals Court, Kavanaugh Helped to Loosen Political Money Laws
National Public Radio – Peter Overby | Published: 8/8/2018

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has been on the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Columbia, a frequent destination for cases involving the FEC. His decisions have effectively pulled the campaign finance system rightward, letting in more money with less regulation. He is been roughly in sync with Anthony Kennedy, the justice he once clerked for and now might succeed. “I think his record on money and politics should be right up there alongside the likelihood that he’ll overturn Roe or strike down the [Affordable Care Act],” said Chiraag Bains, director of legal strategies for the progressive advocacy group Demos.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona: Prosecutors Drop Bribery, Fraud Charges Against Former Utility Regulator, Others
Arizona Daily Star – Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 8/7/2018

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Arizona filed a motion to dismiss the indictment of a former utility regulator and others who were charged in a bribery case that ended in a mistrial. Jurors could not agree whether former utility regulator Gary Pierce, his wife, Sherry, lobbyist Jim Norton, and water company owner George Johnson had participated in a bribery scheme, as prosecutors alleged. Taryn Jeffries served as the jury foreperson. She said she was not surprised the government decided not to retry the case, which she considered “weak.” Jeffries said the jurors deadlocked at seven-to-five with those believing the defendants were guilty in the minority.

Florida: Panel Finds ‘Probable Cause’ That Five Municipal Officials, Five Lobbyists Violated State Ethics Laws
Florida Watchdog – John Haughey | Published: 8/3/2018

The Florida Commission on Ethics found probable cause that five lobbying firms filed inaccurate financial disclosure reports for 2016. The evidence turned up in random audits of executive branch lobbying firms. Among the commission’s notable actions was finding probable cause that former Madeira Beach City Manager Shane Crawford “accepted prohibited gifts from lobbyists, or alternatively, failed to report discounts valued at more than $100 as gifts.”

Kansas: ‘That Is a Conflict’: Kobach should recuse himself from a recount, experts say
Kansas City Star – Bryan Lowry, Steve Vockrodt, Jonathan Shorman, and Hunter Woodall | Published: 8/8/2018

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach said he does not plan to recuse himself from a potential recount effort in the state’s Republican gubernatorial primary, despite being a candidate in the race. He said while his office oversees recounts, it does not directly participate in vote-counting, which is done at the county level. Kobach is leading Gov. Jeff Colyer by fewer than 200 votes in the closely watched race. If Colyer requests a hand recount after all provisional and mail-in ballots are counted, the secretary of state’s office will decide how much the governor’s campaign would have to pay for a recount. Kobach is not required by law to recuse himself, but legal and political experts said it would be in his best interest to do so.

Maine: After Court Battle, Maine’s Clean Elections Candidates to Get $1 Million In Campaign Funds
New England Public Radio – Steve Mistler | Published: 8/8/2018

Maine Gov. Paul LePage has complied with a court order that he release about $1.4 million in public campaign funding he had held up by refusing to sign routine financial orders. The move means about 120 candidates for the Legislature and one for governor will be getting money soon to help run their campaigns under the Maine Clean Election Act. Seven candidates and the Maine Citizens for Clean Elections sued LePage because he refused to release the funds, which would come from unspent money from the 2016 election cycle.

Missouri: Lawsuit Seeks to Knock Gerrymandering Issue Off Missouri’s November Ballot
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kurt Erickson | Published: 8/6/2018

An attorney who helped draw the boundaries of Missouri’s current legislative districts is trying to knock a question off the November ballot designed to end partisan gerrymandering. Eddie Greim said the proposed referendum violates a provision in the Missouri Constitution that prevents multiple subjects from being combined into one ballot proposal. The referendum asks whether voters want to tighten campaign contribution limits, ban lobbyist gifts, institute a two-year waiting period for lawmakers-turned-lobbyists, start a new redistricting system in 2020, and require lawmakers to adhere to the Sunshine Law.

Missouri: Slay’s Role as Lobbyist Raises Questions Over Conflict of Interest in Quest to Privatize Airport
St. Louis Public Radio – Melody Walker | Published: 8/6/2018

Francis Slay, just weeks before leaving office as mayor in April of last year, initiated the process that could lead to the privatization of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. In June of this year, Slay was hired by Ferrovial Airports, a company with experience in managing airports in Europe, and considered one of three top contenders in the bidding process for Lambert. Slay registered as a lobbyist in June “to lobby local elected officials.” His role as a lobbyist for a company seeking to lease the city’s largest asset through a process he initiated while mayor has raised some eyebrows, and some serious questions about a conflict-of-interest.

New York: BOE Approves Regulations That Could Hinder Independent Investigations
Albany Times Union – David Lombardo | Published: 8/8/2018

The New York State Board of Elections is moving to weaken the powers of an independent watchdog. The board voted to require the state’s independent enforcement counsel to justify in writing each subpoena they want to issue when investigating alleged campaign finance and election law cases. The board already had control over whether subpoenas could be issued in specific cases, but the new rule means the counsel must get approval on a subpoena-by-subpoena basis. Good-government groups criticized the move, which state Attorney General Barbara Underwood said will “gut” the counsel’s independence and lead to more corruption.

Texas: Dwaine Caraway Resigns from Dallas City Council, Pleads Guilty to Federal Corruption Charges
Dallas News – Robert Wilonsky, Holly Hacker, and Miles Moffeit | Published: 8/9/2018

Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway pleaded guilty to federal charges of receiving $450,000 in bribes and kickbacks and resigned from the city council. Caraway admitted taking the payments exchange for votes in favor of a camera company, Force Multiplier Solutions (FXS), which sought contract work with Dallas County Schools. At times, Robert Leonard, the owner of FXS, would pay Caraway in checks that he would cash at liquor stores and pawn shops. Leonard also admitted to paying Rick Sorrells, a former Dallas County school superintendent, more than $3 million in bribes and kickbacks. Their actions, prosecutors said, helped FXS secure more than $70 million in contracts and agreements with Dallas County Schools.

Texas: Texas Court Revives Lawsuit to Strip Ethics Regulators of Campaign, Elections Oversight
Dallas News – Lauren McGaughey | Published: 8/3/2018

A conservative advocacy group’s legal challenge to the Texas Ethics Commission took a leap forward after the lawsuit, dismissed in 2016 by a District Court judge, was revived by an appeals court. The decision by the Third Court of Appeals is the latest in an ongoing series of blows between Empower Texans, an influential group led by Michael Quinn Sullivan, and the commission, which years ago investigated the organization for alleged campaign law violations. The lawsuit asks whether the ethics panel has the legal authority to carry out many of its core functions, including enforcement and oversight of campaign finance rules.

Vermont: This 14-Year-Old Is Running for Governor Before He Can Even Vote
Washington Post – Kayla Epstein | Published: 8/8/2018

Unlike most states, Vermont has no age requirement for gubernatorial candidates, only a residency requirement. So, Ethan Sonneborn, who has lived in Bristol for 14 years – his entire life – makes the cut. Sonneborn declared his candidacy for governor back in August 2017, and then told his parents about it. After the secretary of state consulted with the attorney general, it was decided he would be allowed to run, but his parents would have to sign a form acknowledging they knew he was running and did not oppose him doing so.

Campaign Finance

National: “On Appeals Court, Kavanaugh Helped to Loosen Political Money Laws” by Peter Overby for National Public Radio

Oregon: “Campaign Spending Limits to Appear on Portland Ballots” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian

Elections

National: “Democratic Party’s Liberal Insurgency Hits a Wall in Midwest Primaries” by David Weigel for Washington Post

Ohio: “Republican Holds Slim Lead in Ohio Special Election for House Seat” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns for MSN

Ethics

National: “GOP Rep. Collins Indicted, Charged with Securities Fraud” by Kyle Cheney for Politico

National: “Trump’s D.C. Hotel, a Clubhouse for His Fans, May Also Be a 5-Star Conflict of Interest” by Ana Schecter, Rich Gardella, and Cynthia McFadden for NBC News

Florida: “The Messy Political Drama Behind a Miami-Dade Street That Could Be Cleaner” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald

New Mexico: “State Audit Hits LANL Coalition and Candidate Romero Over Reimbursements” by Associated Press for Albuquerque Journal

North Carolina: “Lawyers Spar Over Whether Proposed Amendments Are Misleading” by Matthew Burns and Laura Leslie for WRAL

Lobbying

Arizona: “Prosecutors Drop Bribery, Fraud Charges Against Former Utility Regulator, Others” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Campaign Finance

National: “LePage Will Release Over $1 Million in Campaign Funds” by Marina Villeneuve (Associated Press) for Raleigh News and Observer

Montana: “Billings House Candidate Insists Loan from Public Service Commissioner Wasn’t Campaign Contribution” by Matt Hudson (Billings Gazette) for Montana Standard

Elections

National: “A ‘Rainbow Wave’? 2018 Has More L.G.B.T. Candidates Than Ever” by Liam Stack and Catie Edmonson (New York Times) for MSN

National: “Kris Kobach Used Flawed Research to Defend Trump’s Voter Fraud Panel, Experts Say” by Eli Rosenberg (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune

Ethics

National: “Where Are Retiring Congress Members Going to Work? Loopholes Let Them Job Hunt in Secret” by Bill Theobald for USA Today

Michigan: “Thanedar Discloses Ties to Radio Hosts Who Promoted Him” by Jonathan Oosting for Detroit News

Missouri: “Lawsuit Seeks to Knock Gerrymandering Issue Off Missouri’s November Ballot” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Tennessee: “Ousted Tennessee Lawmaker Fights for Retirement Benefits” by Daniel Jackson for Courthouse News Service

Lobbying

National: “Former Trump Campaign Aides Set Up Foreign Lobbying Shop in Corey Lewandowski’s Townhouse” by Soo Rin Kim for ABC News

Missouri: “Slay’s Role as Lobbyist Raises Questions Over Conflict of Interest in Quest to Privatize Airport” by Melody Walker for St. Louis Public Radio

Campaign Finance

National: “Judge’s Ruling Invalidates FEC Regulation Allowing Anonymous Donations to ‘Dark Money’ Groups” by Brent Griffiths for Politico

Elections

National: “Accused of Harassment, and Seeking Redemption at the Ballot Box” by Julie Turkewitz and Alan Blinder (New York Times) for MSN

National: “Beyond the N.R.A.: Maria Butina’s peculiar bid for Russian influence” by Matthew Rosenberg, Mike McIntire, Michael LaForgia, Andrew Kramer, and Elizabeth Dias (New York Times) for MSN

National: “President Admits Trump Tower Meeting Was Meant to Get Dirt on Clinton” by Michael Shear and Michael Schmidt (New York Times) for MSN

Ethics

Missouri: “Missouri Voters Get to Decide Medical Marijuana, Minimum Wage, Ethics Reform in Fall” by Alison Kite for Kansas City Star

New York: “What Has JCOPE Actually Done?” by Kay Dervishi for City and State

Texas: “Texas Court Revives Lawsuit to Strip Ethics Regulators of Campaign, Elections Oversight” by Lauren McGaughey for Dallas News

Lobbying

Florida: “Panel Finds ‘Probable Cause’ That Five Municipal Officials, Five Lobbyists Violated State Ethics Laws” by John Haughey for Florida Watchdog

Due to the passage of Legislative Document 1842, lobbyists will be required to complete an in-person harassment training.

The training must be taken at the beginning of every regular session.

Additionally, lobbyists must include the date the training was completed on their lobbyist registration form.

The bill will become effective at the adjournment of the special session.

Campaign Finance

National: Corporate Donations Are New Test for Democratic Candidates by Lisa Lerer (Associated Press) for Lowell Sun

National: Trump Legal Fund Remains Mum on Donors, Payments by Ken Doyle for Bloomberg Government

Elections

North Carolina: Arrested, Jailed and Charged with a Felony. For Voting. by Jack Healy (New York Times) for WRAL

Ethics

National: These Lame Ducks Still Fly – On the Taxpayer’s Dime – Often to Faraway Countries by Bill Theobald for USA Today

Michigan: ‘I’m Ready’: Towing titan Fiore hauled off to prison for 21 months by Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press

Oregon: Oregon House Speaker, Senate President Accused of Sexual Harassment Cover-up by Fellow Democrat by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian

Wisconsin: Ethics Commission Picks New Administrator by The Associated Press for Wisconsin Law Journal

Lobbying

Canada: B.C. Watchdog Warns of Legal Loophole Letting Ex-Staffers Lobby Leaders by David Ball for Toronto Star