June 8, 2017 •
Federal Judge Strikes Down Kentucky Ethics Laws
In a 35-page order, a federal judge dismantled some of the toughest ethics laws in the country. U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman struck down Kentucky’s prohibitions on lawmakers accepting gifts from lobbyists and lobbyists making contributions to candidates for the […]
In a 35-page order, a federal judge dismantled some of the toughest ethics laws in the country. U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman struck down Kentucky’s prohibitions on lawmakers accepting gifts from lobbyists and lobbyists making contributions to candidates for the state legislature.
Judge Bertelsman ruled the gift prohibition’s “anything of value” standard is too vague for an ordinary person to know what conduct is prohibited. Furthermore, the judge stated lobbying is a vital part of the political process and restricting what lobbyists can do in their interactions with a legislator is a violation of their freedom of association.
Republican state Sen. John Schickel, who filed the lawsuit, called the ruling a victory for freedom of speech.
The judge also took aim at caucus campaign committees, ruling the statutory definition restricting the committees to Republican or Democratic is unconstitutional. Former Libertarian House candidate David Watson challenged the law, saying third party candidates cannot compete with the amount of money generated by caucus campaign committees.
The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission and the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance are still reviewing the order and are considering an appeal.
June 8, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying Kentucky: “Judge Tosses Ethics Rules for Kentucky Lobbyists, Lawmakers” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report Campaign Finance Maryland: “Montgomery County Candidates Line Up for Taxpayer-Funded Contributions” by Bill Turque for Washington Post Missouri: “What […]
Lobbying
Kentucky: “Judge Tosses Ethics Rules for Kentucky Lobbyists, Lawmakers” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report
Campaign Finance
Maryland: “Montgomery County Candidates Line Up for Taxpayer-Funded Contributions” by Bill Turque for Washington Post
Missouri: “What You Need to Know about Missouri’s Evolving Campaign Finance Laws” by Travis Zimpfer for Missouri Times
Tennessee: “Record $465,000 Fine Issued Against Jeremy Durham for ‘Egregious’ Campaign Finance Violations” by Dave Boucher and Joel Ebert for The Tennessean
Ethics
“How Donald Trump Shifted Kids-Cancer Charity Money into His Business” by Dan Alexander for Forbes
“Lobbyists, Industry Lawyers Were Granted Ethics Waivers to Work in Trump Administration” by Eric Lipton and Danielle Ivory for New York Times
“Top Intelligence Official Told Associates Trump Asked Him If He Could Intervene with Comey on FBI Russia Probe” by Adam Entous for Washington Post
“Inside the Heaving, Jostling Capitol Media Mob: ‘We are one tripped senator away’ from disaster.” by Elise Viebeck and Ben Terris for Washington Post
Kentucky: “In Appeal, Gov. Matt Bevin Argues He Paid Fair Price for Anchorage Mansion” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal
New Mexico: “‘Enforcement Gap’ Persists in NM Ethics Laws” by Laura Paskus for NM Political Report
South Carolina: “Senate Approves New South Carolina Ethics Commission Members” by Maya Prabhu for Charleston Post and Courier
June 7, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying Texas: “City Officials Question Oversight of Visit Austin” by Shonda Novak for Austin American-Statesman Utah: “Utah Bars Fighting the State’s Strict New DUI Law with Fundraising and Petition Drive” by Kathy Stephenson for Salt Lake Tribune Campaign Finance “Amid […]
Lobbying
Texas: “City Officials Question Oversight of Visit Austin” by Shonda Novak for Austin American-Statesman
Utah: “Utah Bars Fighting the State’s Strict New DUI Law with Fundraising and Petition Drive” by Kathy Stephenson for Salt Lake Tribune
Campaign Finance
“Amid Trump’s Unpopularity, Democrats Face Criticism for Not Investing More in Special Elections” by Mike DeBonis and David Weigel for Washington Post
Florida: “Someone Raised $200K from Miami Beach Bigwigs, But No One Will Say Why” by Nicholas Nehamas and Joey Flechas for Miami Herald
South Carolina: “South Carolina Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant’s New Campaign Account Under State Ethics Review” by Andy Shain for The State
Ethics
“Top Intelligence Official Told Associates Trump Asked Him If He Could Intervene with Comey on FBI Russia Probe” by Adam Entous for Washington Post
“Comey Told Sessions: Don’t leave me alone with Trump” by Michael Schmidt and Matt Apuzzo for New York Times
“Trump Organization to Go Budget Friendly With ‘American Idea’ Hotel Chain” by Steve Eder and Ben Protess for New York Times
“Intelligence Contractor Is Charged in First Leak Case Under Trump” by Charlie Savage for New York Times
Florida: “City Councilman Tried to Sell His Vote to Fill Council Seat for $15,000, Witnesses Testify” by Brett Kelman, Jesse Marx, ands Rosalie Murphy (Palm Beach Desert Sun) for USA Today
Redistricting
“US Supreme Court Affirms NC Legislative Districts as Racial Gerrymanders” by Anne Blythe for Raleigh News and Observer
June 6, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Campaign Finance District of Columbia: “Council Member Todd Gets Minor Fine for Many Campaign Finance Infractions” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post Maine: “Ethics Commission Staff Calls for Probe of Casino Referendum Campaign” by Kevin Miller for Portland Press Herald […]
Campaign Finance
District of Columbia: “Council Member Todd Gets Minor Fine for Many Campaign Finance Infractions” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post
Maine: “Ethics Commission Staff Calls for Probe of Casino Referendum Campaign” by Kevin Miller for Portland Press Herald
New Jersey: “2 Birdsall Execs Get Jail Time in $1M Pay-to-Play Scheme” by S.P. Sullivan (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger
Ethics
“How G.O.P. Leaders Came to View Climate Change as Fake Science” by Coral Davenport and Eric Lipton for New York Times
Michigan: “Ex-Detroit Principal Uses Robin Hood Defense at Corruption Sentencing” by Gus Burns for MLive.com
Tennessee: “Tennessee Watchdogs Owed More Than $1 Million in Unpaid Fines” by Joel Ebert and Dave Boucher for The Tennessean
Wisconsin: “Critics Deride Secrecy, Limits on Investigations by State Ethics Commission as It Nears 1-Year Mark” by Mark Sommerhauser for Wisconsin State Journal
Lobbying
Pennsylvania: “A Philly Teacher’s Stunts Draw Interest from The Board of Ethics” by Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Inquirer
South Carolina: “Firms Named in SC Corruption Probe Have Hundreds of Millions at Stake” by Jamie Self and Avery Wilks for The State
West Virginia: “DHHR Head Owns Part of Health Care Lobbying Firm, Documents Show” by Jake Zucherman for Charleston Gazette
June 5, 2017 •
Monday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying “Lobbyists Don’t Get Business Boom with Trump” by Sean McMinn and Kate Ackley for Roll Call “Special Counsel Mueller to Probe Ex-Trump Aide Flynn’s Turkey Ties” by Nathan Layne, Mark Hosenball, and Julia Edwards Ainsley for Reuters Arizona: “Corruption […]
Lobbying
“Lobbyists Don’t Get Business Boom with Trump” by Sean McMinn and Kate Ackley for Roll Call
“Special Counsel Mueller to Probe Ex-Trump Aide Flynn’s Turkey Ties” by Nathan Layne, Mark Hosenball, and Julia Edwards Ainsley for Reuters
Arizona: “Corruption Case Snares Lobbyist at the Center of Arizona Power Politics” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez for Arizona Republic
Campaign Finance
Canada: “Feds Introduce Legislation to Shine Light on Cash-for-Access Fundraisers” by Joan Bryden (Canadian Press) for Winnipeg Free Press
New Mexico: “Secretary of State’s Office Lacks Funds to Fix Campaign Finance Website” by Andrew Oxford for Santa Fe New Mexican
Tennessee: “Expert: Money trail shows possible misconduct by state Sen. Brian Kelsey” by Dave Boucher and Joel Ebert for The Tennessean
Ethics
“Less Tweeting, Lawyers Beg. ‘Covfefe,’ the President Says.” By Peter Baker and Glenn Thrush for New York Times
“Explanations for Kushner’s Meeting with Head of Kremlin-Linked Bank Don’t Match Up” by David Filipov, Amy Brittain, Rosalind Helderman, and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post
“White House Waivers May Have Violated Ethics Rules” by Steve Eder and Eric Lipton for New York Times
Michigan: “Rizzo Star Witness Sours on Feds, Gets Indicted” by Robert Snell for Detroit News
North Carolina: “Legislative Leaders Win This Round in Court in Power Struggle with Governor” by Anne Blythe for Raleigh News & Observer
June 2, 2017 •
North Carolina Judges Dismiss Legal Challenge Against Elections and Ethics Boards Merger
On June 1, a three-judge panel unanimously dismissed Gov. Roy Cooper’s legal challenge against Senate Bill 68. Senate Bill 68 combines state elections and ethics boards, and became law when the House and Senate voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s […]
On June 1, a three-judge panel unanimously dismissed Gov. Roy Cooper’s legal challenge against Senate Bill 68.
Senate Bill 68 combines state elections and ethics boards, and became law when the House and Senate voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the bill.
A spokesman for the Democratic governor said shortly after the ruling that Cooper plans to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.
June 2, 2017 •
NYCU Video Digest – June 2, 2017
Becky Campbell is back to deliver any government relations and ethics news you might have missed in this weeks News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!
Becky Campbell is back to deliver any government relations and ethics news you might have missed in this weeks News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!
June 2, 2017 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 2, 2017
National: The GOP Inherits What Trump Has Wrought Washington Post – Karen Tumulty and Robert Costa | Published: 5/26/2017 President Trump – and specifically, his character and conduct – now dominate the national political conversation. The dynamic is shaping the contours […]
National:
The GOP Inherits What Trump Has Wrought
Washington Post – Karen Tumulty and Robert Costa | Published: 5/26/2017
President Trump – and specifically, his character and conduct – now dominate the national political conversation. The dynamic is shaping the contours of this year’s special congressional elections and contests for governor, as well as the jockeying ahead the 2018 midterm elections. When U.S. House candidate Greg Gianforte assaulted a reporter who had attempted to ask him a question, many saw not an isolated outburst by an individual, but the obvious, violent result of Trump’s charge that journalists are “the enemy of the people.” Nonetheless, Gianforte won Montana’s special election to fill a safe Republican seat.
Federal:
A Vocal Defender of Ethics Has Fans – and Foes
New York Times – Nicholas Fandos | Published: 5/30/2017
Ethics have been thrust to the forefront in President Trump’s Washington, where his own vast holdings and those of his asset-rich cabinet and advisers from businesses and lobbying firms have raised accusations of conflicts-of-interest. Office of Government Ethics Director Walter Shaub has emerged as one of the few voices from within the government willing to second-guess the president and his advisers. The confrontations have given Shaub, a self-effacing career bureaucrat, the reputation of a fighter. Admiring fans have put his face on T-shirts. He even has a Facebook fan group, with more than 1,000 likes.
Jared Kushner Now a Focus in Russia Investigation
New York Times – Matthew Rosenberg, Mark Mazzetti, and Maggie Haberman | Published: 5/29/2017
Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, was looking for a direct line to Vladimir Putin, a search that in mid-December found him in a room with a Russian banker whose financial institution was deeply intertwined with Russian intelligence, and remains under sanction by the U.S. Federal and congressional investigators are now examining what exactly Kushner and the Russian banker, Sergey Gorkov, wanted from each other. The banker is a close associate of Putin, but he has not been known to play a diplomatic role for the Russian leader. That has raised questions about why he was meeting with Kushner at a crucial moment in the presidential transition.
White House Details Ethics Waivers for Ex-Lobbyists and Corporate Lawyers
New York Times – Eric Lipton and Steve Eder | Published: 5/31/2017
The White House disclosed the ethics waivers given to appointees who work for President Trump and Vice President Pence, including four former lobbyists. The waivers exempt the appointees from certain portions of ethics rules aimed at barring potential conflicts-of-interest. Among the high-profile figures who received waivers: White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway, who were both permitted to engage with their former employers or clients. The details were made public after a dispute between the White House and the Office of Government Ethics, which had been pushing the Trump administration to stop granting such waivers in secret.
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona – Arizona Attorney General Investigating Phoenix Law Firm’s Falsified Lobbying Documents
Arizona Republic – Dustin Gardiner and Rob O’Dell | Published: 5/31/2017
The Arizona attorney general’s office is conducting a criminal investigation into a law firm that filed falsified documents with the city of Phoenix. Burch & Cracchiolo violated the city’s lobbying ordinance and filed falsified documents to make it appear it had complied, The Arizona Republic reported in January. The firm later withdrew those documents and said they were prepared by a non-attorney staffer. Although Phoenix did not prosecute anyone at Burch & Cracchiolo for not complying with lobbyist regulations, the issue of falsified documents is a separate legal matter. Filing false documents with a government agency can be a felony offense.
Arizona – Ex-Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce, Lobbyist Jim Norton Indicted
Arizona Republic – Ryan Randazzo | Published: 5/25/2017
Former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce and Johnson Utilities owner George Johnson were indicted in federal court on bribery, conspiracy, and other charges. The indictment alleges Johnson and Pierce developed an elaborate scheme that paid Pierce over $30,000 and provided employment for his wife, who was also charged. In return, Pierce pushed through a rate increase for Johnson Utilities to pay for a personal tax debt that Johnson owed. Johnson allegedly used a lobbying firm to funnel money to Pierce. He also reportedly offered Pierce and the lobbyist, Jim Norton, “the opportunity to purchase land valued at approximately $350,000.”
Arizona – Phoenix: Tougher rules for paid lobbyists to take effect July 1
Arizona Republic – Dustin Gardiner | Published: 5/31/2017
The Phoenix City Council gave approval to an overhaul of the lobbying ordinance so it can prosecute paid lobbyists who flout rules requiring them to register, list their clients, and disclose gifts to officials. The existing law was adopted more than two decades ago but lacked language that explicitly said the city could prosecute those who do not comply. Under the new rules, which take effect July 1, lobbyists who do not file the required registration or expense-disclosure forms can face sanctions, including fines of up to $2,500, suspension from lobbying, and possible jail time for repeated offenses.
Kentucky – Bevin, Facing Ethics Complaint, Blasts Journalist Over Reporting About His Mansion
Lexington Herald-Leader – Allison Ross (Louisville Courier-Journal) | Published: 5/28/2017
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, facing an ethics complaint about the unusually low purchase price of the mansion he Is living in, took to Twitter to personally attack a journalist who has been reporting about the controversy. Bevin called Louisville Courier-Journal reporter Tom Loftus a “sick man” for allegedly being “caught sneaking” around Bevin’s home and property. The Courier-Journal rejected the claim that Loftus was “caught sneaking” around or that he was removed from the property. At the time Loftus visited the home, Bevin would not say whether he and his family lived there, nor had he responded to requests for details about the $1.6 million sale of the home to Anchorage Place, a limited-liability corporation whose ownership is unknown.
Massachusetts – Former Top Mass. Lawmaker Often Helped His Business, Family
Boston Globe – Andrea Estes | Published: 5/30/2017
Massachusetts Rep. Garrett Bradley has shown a pattern in his 16-year legislative career of taking actions in his official capacity that advanced his business interests, state records and interviews with other officials show. E-mails to and from Bradley show he helped his law firm get millions of dollars in legal work from the state retirement system in 2004, something Bradley’s own legal advisers later warned him against. Bradley also tapped his connections to help his sister and father-in-law get jobs, and two members of the Governor’s Council accused him of using political donations to help his wife get a judgeship. Ethics experts said Bradley’s conduct, at a minimum, looks bad, and some of it raises thorny legal questions.
Missouri – Missouri Pay-to-Play Allegations Heat Up Over New Links Between Lawmaker, Megadonor
Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock | Published: 5/25/2017
The relationship between the Missouri Senate President Ron Richard and an emissary for one of the state’s most prolific political donors is raising eyebrows in the statehouse. Richard has been dogged by “pay-to-play” allegations over a bill he sponsored that would benefit a company owned by Republican donor David Humphreys. Now, new details about Richard’s association with Paul Mouton, widely considered to be Humphreys’ eyes and ears in the Capitol, are rekindling the long-simmering accusations.
New York – Ex-Sterne Agee Executive Admits to N.Y. Pension Fund Bribes
Bloomberg.com – Christian Berthelson | Published: 5/30/2017
A former managing director at broker-dealer Sterne Agee & Leach pleaded guilty to bribing a former portfolio manager at New York state’s retirement fund in exchange for tens of millions of dollars’ worth of business. Deborah Kelley admitted that between 2014 and 2016, she paid bribes including entertainment, travel, and lavish meals to Navnoor Kang, former director of fixed income and head of portfolio strategy at the New York State Common Retirement Fund. She expensed the costs to Sterne Agee, while omitting that the money was spent entertaining Kang.
Pennsylvania – Lack of Gift Ban for Pa.’s Legislators Continues to Miff Critics
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Angela Couloumbis (Philadelphia Inquirer) and Karen Langley | Published: 5/28/2017
Critics often cite Pennsylvania as having the weakest gift regulations in the nation. Former legislators say lawmakers resist changes because they enjoy the perks of the job, including being entertained by lobbyists and others with an interest in state government. The gift-ban issue gained traction and urgency after a 2014 scandal that revealed some House members had accepted envelopes stuffed with cash from an undercover informant posing as a lobbyist for law enforcement. Both chambers clamored to change their rules to prohibit cash gifts, but the fervor to pass stronger bans dulled, and the issue got pushed to the legislative back-burner.
Texas – Ethics Reform Not Swept Under Rug, But Not Sweeping Either
Texas Tribune – Jay Root | Published: 6/1/2017
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott praised lawmakers for enacting a “very meaningful” ethics package that broadens transparency on public officials’ outside business dealings, and strips convicted legislators of their offices and retirement benefits. A compromise bill passed by the House and Senate gave Abbott legislative approval on three of the six major ethics bills he championed at the outset of the session. Three other Abbott-backed bills, as well as other ethics measures outside the governor’s reform agenda, died as the Legislature ended its regular session.
Texas – Texas Lawmaker Threatens to Shoot Colleague After Reporting Protesters to ICE
New York Times – Matthew Haag | Published: 5/29/2017
A chaotic scene erupted. on the last day of the legislative session in Texas when demonstrators in the House gallery began chanting in opposition to a new law that bans sanctuary cities. On the floor, Rep. Matt Rinaldi turned to several Democratic lawmakers and told them he had reported the protesters to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Rep. César Blanco said Rinaldi told him and others, “We are going to have them deported,” and then used an obscenity. The exchange led to a confrontation among lawmakers, with some pushing and pointing at one another. Rinaldi got into a face-to-face argument with Rep. Poncho Nevárez and threatened to shoot him. Legislators with licenses may carry concealed firearms in the Capitol, but it was not clear if Rinaldi was armed.
Washington – Citizen Watchdog Peppers Washington State with Campaign-Finance Complaints Against Dems
Seattle Times – Joseph O’Sullivan | Published: 5/30/2017
From his home office in Tenino, a small town about 15 miles south of Olympia – and the occasional coffee shop – Glen Morgan has launched a volley of campaign finance complaints against Democratic candidates and groups. As of May 23, the attorney general’s office has recorded 79 complaints for this year; Morgan filed 75 of those. Morgan argues his efforts keep government honest and highlight quirks in Washington’s disclosure laws he believes need changing.
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.
June 1, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying Arizona: “Arizona Attorney General Investigating Phoenix Law Firm’s Falsified Lobbying Documents” by Dustin Gardiner and Rob O’Dell for Arizona Republic Campaign Finance “Why the High Court Sidestepped a Soft Money Case” by Joseph Williams for U.S. News & World […]
Lobbying
Arizona: “Arizona Attorney General Investigating Phoenix Law Firm’s Falsified Lobbying Documents” by Dustin Gardiner and Rob O’Dell for Arizona Republic
Campaign Finance
“Why the High Court Sidestepped a Soft Money Case” by Joseph Williams for U.S. News & World Report
Maryland: “Mayor Pugh Calls Gary Brown ‘a Good Employee,’ Stands by Him Following Guilty Finding” by Yvonne Wagner for Baltimore Sun
Missouri: “Campaign Finance Decision Being Appealed” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Pennsylvania: “Claiming ‘Taco Bell’ Tastes, Philly DA Williams Drew Questions Early on with Elaborate Campaign Spending” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer
Ethics
“A Vocal Defender of Ethics Has Fans – and Foes” by Nicholas Fandos for New York Times
Massachusetts: “Former Top Mass. Lawmaker Often Helped His Business, Family” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe
New York: “Ex-Sterne Agee Executive Admits to N.Y. Pension Fund Bribes” by Christian Berthelson for Bloomberg.com
New York: “Appeals Court Vacates Former State Senator’s Conviction and Fine” by Benjamin Weiser for New York Times
Oregon: “Republican Confirmed to State Ethics Panel Despite Democrats’ Outcry” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian
Elections
Ohio: “High Court to Review Ohio’s Method for Removing Voters from Registration Rolls” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post
May 31, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying “White House Backs Down on Keeping Ethics Waivers Secret” by Eric Lipton for New York Times Pennsylvania: “Lack of Gift Ban for Pa.’s Legislators Continues to Miff Critics” by Angela Couloumbis (Philadelphia Inquirer) and Karen Langley for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette […]
Lobbying
“White House Backs Down on Keeping Ethics Waivers Secret” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
Pennsylvania: “Lack of Gift Ban for Pa.’s Legislators Continues to Miff Critics” by Angela Couloumbis (Philadelphia Inquirer) and Karen Langley for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “Court: Former Attorney General Tom Horne’s rights violated in campaign case” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez for Arizona Republic
Missouri: “Candidate Spending Gets Little Scrutiny under Missouri Ethics Laws” by Ellen Cagle for Southeast Missourian
Washington: “Citizen Watchdog Peppers Washington State with Campaign-Finance Complaints Against Dems” by Joseph O’Sullivan for Seattle Times
Ethics
“A Constitutional Puzzle: Can the president be indicted?” by Adam Liptak for New York Times
“Congress Expands Russia Investigation to Include Trump’s Personal Attorney” by Brian Ross and Matthew Mosk for ABC News
“How Michael Flynn May Have Run Afoul of the Law” by Charlie Savage for New York Times
Kentucky: “Bevin, Facing Ethics Complaint, Blasts Journalist Over Reporting About His Mansion” by Allison Ross (Louisville Courier-Journal) for Lexington Herald-Leader
Michigan: “Lawyer Is 7th Person Charged in Macomb County Corruption Probe” by Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press
Legislative Issues
Texas: “Texas Lawmaker Threatens to Shoot Colleague After Reporting Protesters to ICE” by Matthew Haag for New York Times
May 30, 2017 •
“Close the Revolving Door Act of 2017” Would Enact Lifetime Lobbyist Ban on Members of Congress
Members of Congress could be banned from being lobbyists for life if legislation introduced this month becomes law. Senate Bill 1189, Close the Revolving Door Act of 2017, places a lifetime ban on current members of Congress from becoming lobbyists. […]
Members of Congress could be banned from being lobbyists for life if legislation introduced this month becomes law.
Senate Bill 1189, Close the Revolving Door Act of 2017, places a lifetime ban on current members of Congress from becoming lobbyists. Senators Michael Bennet, Cory Gardner, and Al Franken introduced the legislation, which also increases the statutory staff restrictions on lobbying from one year to six years.
Additionally, the bill bans lobbyists from joining Congressional staffs or committee staffs they lobbied for six years and increases the maximum penalty for violating the Lobbying Disclosure Act.
“Our legislation would put in place much-needed reforms-by not only banning members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, but also by making the industry become more accountable and transparent,” Franken said in a press release.
May 30, 2017 •
Oklahoma Ethics Rules Effective Upon Legislature’s Adjournment
The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, May 26. As a result, all rule amendments proposed and approved by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission became law. Effective immediately the lobbyist registration renewal deadline has been extended from December 31 to […]
The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, May 26. As a result, all rule amendments proposed and approved by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission became law.
Effective immediately the lobbyist registration renewal deadline has been extended from December 31 to January 15. Changes to lobbyist reporting include moving all executive lobbyist report due dates as well as the January and July legislative lobbyist reports due dates to the 15th of the month. All other legislative reports remain due on the 5th of the month. Campaign finance rule amendments include new requirements for committees formed for the purpose of influencing a state question. Such committees must include the number of the state question as part of the name of the committee. They must also file reports any time an expenditure of $5,000 or more is made to advocate the passage or defeat of a state question. The reports are due at the same time as those for independent expenditures and electioneering communications.
Effective January 1, 2018, the limit for lobbyist or lobbyist principal gifts given in recognition of infrequently occurring occasions of personal significance will drop from $200 to $100 in any calendar year. Such gifts will be required to be given and received contemporaneously with the occasion or at times when such gifts are traditionally given. Infrequently occurring occasions of personal significance will not include annual events such as birthdays or anniversaries; rather, they will refer only to major life events. Lastly, a lobbyist providing a meal to a state officer or employee will be required to be present for the meal. Similarly, a lobbyist providing a gift including attendance at an event will be required to attend the event with the recipient of the gift.
May 30, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Campaign Finance Connecticut: “Divided House Forwards Campaign Bill to Senate” by Christine Stuart for CTNewsJunkie.com Missouri: “Missouri Pay-to-Play Allegations Heat Up Over New Links Between Lawmaker, Megadonor” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star Ohio: “Dayton Mayor Using Uncapped Mayoral […]
Campaign Finance
Connecticut: “Divided House Forwards Campaign Bill to Senate” by Christine Stuart for CTNewsJunkie.com
Missouri: “Missouri Pay-to-Play Allegations Heat Up Over New Links Between Lawmaker, Megadonor” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star
Ohio: “Dayton Mayor Using Uncapped Mayoral Campaign Fund for Gubernatorial Bid, AP Reports” by Associated Press for Cleveland Plain Dealer
Ethics
“Jared Kushner Now a Focus in Russia Investigation” by Matt Zapotosky, Sari Horwitz, Devlin Barrett, and Adam Entous for Washington Post
Alabama: “Mike Hubbard Appeals Ethics Convictions; Says Prosecutors Misinterpreted Law” by Brian Lyman for Montgomery Advertiser
Arizona: “Ex-Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce, Lobbyist Jim Norton Indicted” by Rachel Leingang and Hank Stephenson for Arizona Capitol Times
California: “Taxpayer Money Wasted on Bar Tabs, Trips to Las Vegas and Expensive Electronics in South El Monte, Audit Shows” by Adam Elmahrek for Los Angeles Times
South Carolina: “More Than 50 Accusations Against Public Officials Await Stalled South Carolina Ethics Commission” by Maya Prabhu for Charleston Post and Courier
Texas: “Bills Aimed at Restricting Lobbyists Die in Texas House” by Sean Collins Walsh for Austin American-Statesman
Elections
“The GOP Inherits What Trump Has Wrought” by Karen Tumulty and Robert Costa for Washington Post
“‘Anyone … with a Pulse’: How a Russia-friendly adviser found his way into the Trump campaign” by Tom Hamburger and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post
Lobbying
Missouri: “Greitens Nonprofit Lobbies for Legislation, But Isn’t Registered to Lobby” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post Dispatch
May 26, 2017 •
NYCU Video Digest – May 26, 2017
See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!
See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.