The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) has formally accused former Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak of using his government office to aid his reelection campaign, as well as sexually harassing several female staff members.

JCOPE’s investigators found Gabryszak used his office resources, including phones, computers, and printers to aid his political campaigns. The commission also determined Gabryszak used his position to “create and perpetuate an environment in which he could engage in sexually inappropriate behavior.”

The commission accused Gabryszak of at least five violations of New York’s Public Officers Law in what a commission spokesman called “a deplorable exhibition of how not to act in public service.”

The case will now move to the Legislative Ethics Commission, which will decide whether and how much to fine Gabryszak. Each violation of the Public Officers Law carries a penalty of up to $10,000.

Campaign Finance

“Now it’s Even Easier for Candidates and Their Aides to Help Super PACs” by Matea Gold for Washington Post

“The 10 Best 2015 Investigative Reports on Political Money” by Robert Faturechi for ProPublica

“Campaign Cash in State Judicial Elections Grows” by Christina Cassidy (Associated Press) for Philadelphia Inquirer

New Mexico: “Campaign Finance Scandal Leads to Calls for Closing Loopholes in New Mexico’s System” by Susan Montoya Bryan (Associated Press) for Minneapolis Star Tribune

New York: “Legislature Passes Law Requiring Donation Disclosures from Contractors” by Joe Nikic for The Island Now

Wisconsin: “DAs Tap In for Wisconsin Campaign-Finance Probe” by Molly Willms for Courthouse News Service

Ethics

Alabama: “Ethics Commission Vice Chair Resigns after Late Filing of Disclosure Statement” by Mike Cason for AL.com

Arizona: “Regulators Hire Lawyer to Serve as ‘Ethics Officer’” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

Colorado: “CU Nutrition Expert Accepts $550,000 from Coca-Cola for Obesity Campaign” by David Olinger for Denver Post

Missouri: “Missouri State Lawmakers to Take another Swing at Ethics Reform” by Alex Stuckey for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

New Mexico: “Police Sgt. Says Governor Was ‘Inebriated’” by Edmundo Carrillo for Albuquerque Journal

New York: “Preet Bharara: The man behind NY corruption busting” by Joseph Spector for Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

New York: “Dean Skelos Files Pension Papers” by Jimmy Vielkind for Capital New York

Pennsylvania: “Colwyn, Pennsylvania: The town that can’t seem to govern itself” by Daniel Vock for Governing

South Carolina: “Clock Ticking for Ethics Reform in South Carolina” by Maya Prabhu for Charleston Post and Courier

Tennessee: “TN House Ethics Committee Hasn’t Met in at Least 5 Years” by Dave Boucher for The Tennessean

Elections

“An Effort to Give Women a Voice in the Republican Party” by Carl Hulse for New York Times

“Kids and Candidates a Potent Combination” by Ben Schreckinger for Politico

“Carson’s Many Faces: Doctor, author, speaker – and candidate” by Eileen Sullivan (Associated Press) for Philadelphia Inquirer

Legislative Issues

North Carolina: “Questions Raised about Rules Chairman David Lewis’ Actions Related to Printing Contract” by Patrick Gannon for Charlotte Observer

National:

‘Dark Money’ Biggest Campaign Finance Challenge Facing States
Denver Post – Geoff Mullvihill (Associated Press) | Published: 12/21/2015

With the presidency at stake in 2016 – as well as a dozen gubernatorial races, 34 U.S. Senate contests, all seats in the U.S. House, and scores of mayoral races, state legislative seats, and ballot initiatives – dark-money spending is expected to grow, and handling it has become the biggest campaign finance challenge for states nationwide. Some Legislatures are trying to collect and publish the sources of these donations, but most states allow independent groups to spend unlimited cash on political ads with little transparency. At least one state, Wisconsin, is moving away from disclosure: Gov. Scott Walker signed laws that blur the lines between the activity of candidate campaigns and groups that in almost all other states are supposed to act independently.

Sanders Data Controversy Spotlights Powerful Gatekeeper
Politico – Nancy Scola | Published: 12/20/2015

While Bernie Sanders may have calmed a controversy by apologizing to Hillary Clinton for his campaign’s viewing and downloading of her voter data information, the extent of the damage done to both campaigns is not yet clear. If nothing else, it has reminded Democrats of the risks of leaning so heavily on one private company to provide its technology infrastructure. At the heart of the matter is a firm that functions as the digital plumbing of the Democratic Party: NGP VAN. Democrats are nearly wholly dependent on it, which is why the breach and the Sanders campaign’s subsequent cutoff from the system is so rattling the party.

Trump Played a Clever Trick When He Called Clinton’s Bathroom Visit ‘Disgusting’
Washington Post – Zachary Goldfarb | Published: 12/22/2015

Donald Trump made another polarizing comment when he said it was “too disgusting” to talk about Hillary Clinton’s use of the bathroom during the last Democratic debate and she had got “schlonged” by Barack Obama when she lost to him in the 2008 Democratic primary. Trump was surely talking off-the-cuff in his usual style, and the comments were criticized as offensive and sexist, but it was another example of his mastery in exploiting the psychological biases of conservatives who see much to dislike in today’s society and express support for Trump in the polls. In fact, academic research has shown conservatives have a particular revulsion to “disgusting” images. The research – still debated – suggests psychological and even biological traits divide people politically. These are attributes that may help explain why Trump has been so popular among a segment of the electorate, confounding political and media elites.

Federal:

As TV Ad Rates Soar, ‘Super PACs’ Pivot to Core Campaign Work
New York Times – Nick Corasaniti and Matt Flegenheimer | Published: 12/22/2015

Soaring advertising costs in early primary states are compelling major super PACs to realign their tactics, de-emphasizing the costly broadcast television buys that had been their main role in past presidential campaigns in favor of the kind of nuts-and-bolts work that candidates used to handle themselves. They are overseeing extensive field operations, data-collection programs, digital advertising, email lists, opposition research, and voter registration efforts. No one yet knows whether field and data efforts spearheaded by outside groups will be as effective as they are in the hands of a candidate.

Hospitality and Gambling Interests Delay Closing of Billion-Dollar Tax Loophole
New York Times – Eric Lipton and Liz Moyer | Published: 12/20/2015

As congressional leaders were hastily braiding together a tax and spending bill of more than 2,000 pages, lobbyists swooped in to add 54 words that temporarily preserved a loophole sought by the hotel, restaurant, and gambling industries, along with billionaire Wall Street investors, that allowed them to put real estate in trusts and avoid taxes. They won support from Senate Minority leader Harry Reid, who responded to appeals from executives of casino companies, politically powerful players and huge employers in his home state. And the lobbyists even helped draft the crucial language. The small changes, and the enormous windfall they generated, show the power of connected corporate lobbyists to alter a huge bill that is being put together with little time for lawmakers to consider. Throughout the legislation, there were thousands of other add-ons.

How America’s Dying White Supremacist Movement Is Seizing on Donald Trump’s Appeal
Washington Post – Peter Holley and Sarah Larimer | Published: 12/21/2015

For large numbers of Americans, Donald Trump’s blunt rhetoric surrounding immigration, minority groups, and crime may sound like finely tuned retrograde vitriol. But for a growing number of white nationalists flocking to the campaign’s circus-like tent, the billionaire sounds familiar, like a man fluent in the native tongue of disaffected whites. It is a language they never thought they would hear a mainstream politician in either party use in public. And they are desperately hoping Trump’s rise from reality-show figure to Republican front-runner may be the beginning of something that transcends the campaign trail.

New FEC Chairman Aims to Calm Agency at War with Itself
Center for Public Integrity – Dave Levinthal | Published: 12/21/2015

Matthew Petersen was appointed FEC chairperson for 2016. The Republican Petersen says his tenure at the agency’s helm will prove decidedly different than that of Democrat Ann Ravel, the current chair who has used her office’s meager power – a bully pulpit, mainly – to its maximum. Personal and ideological rifts have meant commissioners have largely been unwilling to tackle the nation’s thorniest election law issues this year, such as the degree to which super PACs may work with the political candidates they support. Even if the FEC in 2016 is kinder and gentler, reform activists worry it will be no more functional, and possibly less.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Critics Decry Contributions to Councilman Englander from Taser Execs Seeking LAPD Camera Contract
Los Angeles Times – David Zahniser | Published: 12/21/2015

As voters went to the polls in 2011 to crack down on what some referred to as “pay-to-play” practices at Los Angeles City Hall, passing a measure to limit the political influence of companies that seek government business. Measure H prohibits firms seeking lucrative city contracts from making campaign contributions to the politicians who have final say over those agreements. But that law may prove to be toothless in the case of Taser International, the company currently up for a $31.2-million contract to provide thousands of body cameras to the Los Angeles Police Department. Last year, a dozen donors affiliated with Taser, half of them company executives, put $8,400 into the re-election bid of Councilperson Mitch Englander, who heads the council’s Public Safety Committee, which recently reviewed the effort to buy 6,140 cameras and 4,400 Tasers. Englander says the campaign money is not covered by the ballot measure’s restrictions.

Missouri – Andrew Blunt’s Lobbying Work Faces Scrutiny as He Manages Father’s Re-Election Bid
Springfield News-Leader – Deirdre Shesgreen (USA Today) | Published: 12/18/2015

In the past nine months, lobbyist Andy Blunt has added seven new clients to his already packed roster, including the University of Missouri, which is paying him $10,000 a month, and the Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association, which hired him to serve as its executive director. In all, Blunt now has 36 clients, according to a review of Missouri Ethics Commission filings. Blunt’s allies say his long client list is a product of his hard work and political savvy. The 39-year-old Springfield native says he never lobbies his father, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, or any other federal official – establishing a “bright line” between his clients’ priorities in Jefferson City and his father’s political pull in Washington. But critics say Andy Blunt has used his last name and family connections to build a lobbying empire. And they argue his dual roles as a Missouri lobbyist and the senator’s campaign manager are rife with possible conflicts-of-interest.

Missouri – Missouri Legislative Staffers Earn Big Money as Political Consultants
Kansas City Star – Jason Hancock | Published: 12/20/2015

Statehouse staff members doing campaign work has long been a way of life at the Missouri Capitol. It is legal, as long as political work is not done on taxpayer time. Many see no harm in the practice, since it typically involves low-level legislative aides. Senior staff, who earn much bigger checks from campaigns, say they go to great strides to keep the two worlds separate. To critics, the scenario represents a potential conflict-of-interest, with the integrity of the legislative process compromised when staff members who earn taxpayer-funded salaries are also getting paid by outside interests with a stake in policy outcomes. Since most staff are not mandated to file the same sort of financial disclosures required of lawmakers, the flow of money can be difficult to track.

New Mexico – Can New Mexico Break Its Cycle of Corruption?
Governing – Alan Greenblatt | Published: 12/21/2015

The recent resignation, conviction, and incarceration of former Secretary of State Dianna Duran for embezzlement and money laundering has already prompted calls for major changes to New Mexico’s ethics and campaign finance laws. But watchdogs are skeptical that change will come. That is because for one, the Legislature is scheduled to meet for only 30 days in 2016. And although House Democrats introduced an ethics package, it is not certain how much momentum it will get, partially because many advocates worry the public has already grown too skeptical to think it is worthwhile to demand systemic change.

New Mexico – SOS Updates Guidelines for New Mexico Lobbyists
New Mexico In Depth – Sandra Fish | Published: 12/22/2015

The New Mexico secretary of state’s office published an updated set of guidelines for lobbyists. New Mexico in Depth reviewed lobbyists’ campaign contributions between 2013 and 2015. It noted it often was unclear if the lobbyist or an employer made donations reported by lobbyists. KOB-TV ran a series of stories about inconsistencies in campaign accounts, most of which occurred because of lax lobbyist reporting. The online reporting system is being updated to allow lobbyists to include the employer who makes a contribution. Lobbyists are asked to avoid reporting campaign donations cumulatively, instead listing individual contributions so they can be more easily compared to candidate reports. The rules also clarify that cumulative reporting of spending on lawmakers for meals and drinks of less than $75 per person should be more detailed than a single entry of all expenses for “various legislators.”

New York – Albany Trials Exposed the Power of a Real Estate Firm
New York Times – William Rashbaum | Published: 12/18/2015

One man who was a key player in the corruption cases against former New York lawmakers Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver never appeared in the courtroom: Leonard Litwin, the 101-year-old owner of Glenwood Management, an influential developer that is among the state’s most prodigious political donors. The two trials revealed how entwined the interests of Glenwood and other developers are with the business of the state. Testimony, documents, emails, and other evidence provided the most detailed look to date at the ways in which Glenwood and others worked the levers of power to marshal tens of millions of dollars in campaign contributions through a maze of limited liability companies, trade associations, and political groups.

Pennsylvania – Scandal’s Web Trips Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane
New York Times – Michael Wines | Published: 12/18/2015

By themselves, the emails were arresting enough: videos, photographs, cartoons, and jokes, some depicting sex acts; others mocking or demeaning blacks, gays, Muslims, and even the poor and uneducated. But just as disturbing is where they were found: on Pennsylvania government computers, in email accounts whose owners included some of the state’s most powerful figures. Since Kathleen Kane, Pennsylvania’s attorney general, released the first of the messages last year, a cabinet officer and a state Supreme Court justice have resigned, another justice is clinging to his job, and scores more have been censured or fired. It is the sort of scandal that an ambitious politician could easily ride to public acclaim and higher office. But for Kane, the email scandal has become a last-ditch weapon in a struggle to keep her job, and perhaps her freedom.

Texas – Austin Officials to Create New Lobbying Registration, Reporting Rules
Austin American-Statesman – Lilly Rockwell | Published: 12/17/2015

After easing concerns from the city’s development-oriented industries, the Austin City Council approved a proposal to strengthen lobbying registration requirements. The proposal would require more people engaged in advocacy at City Hall to register, and it bolsters the city’s ability to enforce its lobbying laws. The council’s vote directed the city manager to craft this ordinance, which will return to the council for final approval next year.

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.

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Lobbying

Arizona: “Embattled Arizona Utility Regulator Decides to Quit” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Missouri: “Andrew Blunt’s Lobbying Work Faces Scrutiny as He Manages Father’s Re-Election Bid” by Deirdre Shesgreen (USA Today) for Springfield News-Leader

Pennsylvania: “Lobbyist Reform Bills in Pa. Senate” by Greg Gross for York Dispatch

Texas: “Austin Officials to Create New Lobbying Registration, Reporting Rules” by Lilly Rockwell for Austin American-Statesman

Campaign Finance

“‘Dark Money’ Biggest Campaign Finance Challenge Facing States” by Geoff Mullvihill (Associated Press) for Denver Post

“New FEC Chairman Aims to Calm Agency at War with Itself” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

California: “Critics Decry Contributions to Councilman Englander from Taser Execs Seeking LAPD Camera Contract” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

New York: “Albany Trials Exposed the Power of a Real Estate Firm” by William Rashbaum for New York Times

Ethics

Missouri: “Missouri Legislative Staffers Earn Big Money as Political Consultants” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

New Mexico: “Can New Mexico Break Its Cycle of Corruption?” by Alan Greenblatt for Governing

Pennsylvania: “Scandal’s Web Trips Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane” by Michael Wines for New York Times

Elections

“Sanders Data Controversy Spotlights Powerful Gatekeeper” by Nancy Scola for Politico

“Lindsey Graham Suspends His Presidential Campaign” by David Weigel and Robert Costa for Washington Post

California: “When Legislator Resigns, Costs Can Be High to Voters, Party” by Laurel Rosenhall (CALmatters) for San Francisco Chronicle

As more lobbyists turn to the internet and social media, the New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics has begun soliciting informal comments on the applicability of New York’s Lobbying Act to social media activities.

The Commission seeks guidance on when social media activity constitutes reportable lobbying activity in terms of direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying, and linking to a lobbying website.

The Committee is also seeking input on whether expenditures made in connection with social media activity could be considered “expenses” under the Lobbying Act.

Comments will be taken by the Committee until January 11, 2016.

Lobbying

“Ethics Commission Supports New, Stricter Policy for Officials Receiving Jaguars Tickets” by Sebastian Kitchen for Florida Times-Union

Campaign Finance

“Political Groups Spend a Lot, See Scant Results in U.S. Race” by Grant Smith and Emily Flitter for Reuters

New York: “Court Hears Arguments in High-Stakes ‘LLC Loophole’ Case” by Bill Mahoney for Capital New York

New York: “Reforms to City Campaign Finance System Advance Ahead of 2017 Election Cycle” by Samar Khurshid for Gotham Gazette

Ethics

“Defense Secretary Conducted Some Official Business on a Personal Email Account” by Michael Schmidt for New York Times

Alabama: “Alabama Mayor, Councilman Fight at City Hall” by Phillip Lucas (Associated Press) for ABC News

Legislative Issues

Vermont: “Senate Panel Votes to Seek Suspension of McAllister” by Neal Goswami for Rutland Herald

After questions arose regarding certain contributions, state Senator David Sanders admitted to a mistake of contributing $5,000 of his 2014 campaign’s surplus funds to his political action committee.  After admitting the mistake and consulting with the Arkansas Ethics Commission, Sanders returned the contributions to 12 campaign contributors.

Sanders also admitted to failing to file required reports for his political action committee, which have since been filed to remedy the problem. Sanders chalked up his mistakes as “simply an oversight,” and there are no penalties expected to be handed down by the Arkansas Ethics Commission.

National:

State Integrity Investigation Brings Calls for Reform as Legislative Sessions Approach
Center for Public Integrity – Nicholas Kusnetz | Published: 12/16/2015

The State Integrity Investigation is yielding calls for change from lawmakers, good-government advocates, and editorial boards across the country. The investigation, published in November, is a data-driven ranking and assessment of each state’s transparency and anti-corruption measures conducted by the Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity. No state earned better than a “C” grade. In several states, publication of poor grades coincided with ethics scandals that have prompted a growing number of political leaders to call for a transformation in how business is done in state capitals.

Why State Legislatures Are Still Pretty White
Governing – Teresa Wiltz | Published: 12/9/2015

The nation’s growing diversity is not reflected in state Legislatures. Nationwide, African-Americans, who make up 13 percent of the U.S. population, account for nine percent of state lawmakers. Latinos, who are 17 percent of the population, only account for five percent of legislators. Asian-Americans account for five percent of the population but only one percent of lawmakers. Research shows in local elections, voters tend to vote for candidates who look like them. That is a problem when a large proportion of minority voters are lumped together in a handful of districts. Such clustering increases the chances of there being at least a few minority lawmakers, but makes it less likely there will be very many of them. Another factor is few first- and second-generation immigrants can afford to get by on a part-time legislator’s salary, or have the kind of careers that will afford them the flexibility to serve in office.

Federal:

E.P.A. Broke Law with Social Media Push for Water Rule, Auditor Finds
New York Times – Eric Lipton and Michael Shea | Published: 12/14/2015

Congressional auditors say the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) broke the law on multiple occasions with “covert propaganda” in support of a controversial regulation that gives the agency power over smaller streams of water. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said a pair of social media campaigns by the EPA in support of its “waters of the United States” rule broke laws that prohibit federal agencies from promoting or lobbying for their own actions. GAO faulted the EPA for using Thunderclap, a social media amplification tool, to recruit hundreds of Twitter users to tweet in support of the rule. It also said the EPA broke the law with a blog post that linked to two environmental groups’ pages urging readers to contact members of Congress to oppose legislation.

Spending Bill Bars IRS and Others from Forcing Political Disclosure
USA Today – Fredreka Schouten | Published: 12/16/2015

The omnibus spending bill passed by Congress would bar the IRS from completing regulations to define and potentially crack down on the political activities of nonprofit groups. The bill also would prohibit the Securities and Exchange Commission from trying to force public companies to disclose their political activities to shareholders and the public. If the spending measure becomes law, any new disclosure rules from either the IRS or federal securities regulators probably could not be completed before the end of President Obama’s term in office. As a practical matter, that appears to bar any new agency rules from taking effect before either the 2016 presidential election or the 2018 midterm elections.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – San Jose Council Votes to Tighten Lobbying Rules
San Jose Mercury News – Ramona Giwargis | Published: 12/15/2015

The San Jose City Council voted to approve a host of changes to strengthen the lobbying ordinance. San Jose nearly a decade ago adopted transparency laws amid public scrutiny over costly backroom deals at City Hall. The rules required lobbyists to register with the city, pay fees, and file quarterly reports showing who they are meeting with and why. Another policy required elected officials to publish their calendars online to show how they spend their time. But a review found hundreds of contacts reported by lobbyists did not show up on the politicians’ calendars. Mayor Sam Liccardo recommended that lobbyists file online weekly reports and specify whether an interaction with an elected official is in-person, by phone, or email.

Florida – Broward Commission Rewrites its Ethics Code, Allows $5 Gifts
South Florida Sun Sentinel – Brittany Wallman | Published: 12/9/2015

Broward County commissioners loosening a zero-tolerance gift ban to allow a five-dollar limit. The no gift rule had been criticized by city and county officials as too strict, a rule that kept them from accepting a free bottle of water at an event. Under the changes, gifts from lobbyists or vendors of non-alcoholic beverages are allowed. And gifts of any type from those sources are legal, if they are not worth more than five dollars. In addition, loopholes were added to allow elected officials to accept gifts given to express sympathy, offers of free training, and tickets to charitable events, if the official pays for any meal served there.

Missouri – How This Missouri Mega-Donor Is Making His Pet Projects Part of the 2016 Elections
Huffington Post – Paul Blumenthal | Published: 12/16/2015

Taking advantage of a campaign finance system that greatly empowers wealth, Rex Sinquefield has been able to become the most dominant single political force in the state. Since 2008, he has contributed at least $35 million to candidates, political parties, PACs, and ballot initiative campaigns. The contributions have helped to create an unprecedented Republican Party supermajority in the Legislature. Sinquefield’s donations to ballot initiative campaigns have succeeded in putting significant restrictions on taxes at the local level. But with Democrat Jay Nixon in control of the governor’s mansion, Sinquefield’s main agenda items of eliminating the state’s income tax, expanding charter schools and private school vouchers, and crushing labor union power by passing so-called right-to-work legislation have remained just out of reach.

Nevada – Sheldon Adelson Said to Be Buyer of Las Vegas Review-Journal
New York Times – Ravi Somaiya and Sydney Ember | Published: 12/16/2015

Sheldon Adelson, a billionaire casino magnate and Republican power broker, is behind the secret purchase of The Las Vegas Review-Journal, according to the newspaper.  Speculation has mounted for days that Adelson was the primary backer of News + Media Capital Group, a secret group that acquired The Review-Journal and several local papers for $140 million. In the last presidential campaign, Adelson and his wife spent about $100 million, and the couple are expected to generously help whomever they endorse for president in 2016. Speculation turned to the political influence that Adelson could exert in his home state, a major presidential battleground in November 2016, and host to early Democratic and Republican nominating contests as well as a highly competitive U.S. Senate race.

New Mexico – Former New Mexico Secretary of State Prepares for Jail
Minneapolis Star Tribune – Morgan Lee (Associated Press) | Published: 12/16/2015

Former New Mexico Secretary of State Dianna Duran greed to a 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to charges involving the siphoning of money from her election account to fuel a gambling addiction. Under a plea agreement, Duran had the choice to withdraw her pleas but did not. She must pay a $14,000 fine, make restitution of nearly $14,000 to campaign donors, serve five years of probation, and perform 2,000 hours of community service. The sentence also involves in-person apologies to campaign donors and appearances before school children across the state.

New York – Cash Flows Freely in Albany: Laws lax on political fundraising
Poughkeepsie Journal – Jon Campbell | Published: 12/15/2015

Critics contend New York’s wealthy political donors pour money into the campaign accounts of high-powered government officials and are rewarded with access and influence in Albany. As part of a yearlong series, Gannett’s Albany Bureau has explored the intersection of politics and money in New York, examining its impact on public policy, from the $285.5 million spent on education lobbying since 2006 to the rise of public-relations firms working on elections and advocacy campaigns. But it is the state’s laws and limits on political fundraising that critics have long characterized as lax and insufficient. And reformers are hoping the back-to-back convictions of former Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver may finally force Albany to act.

New York – Dean Skelos, Ex-New York Senate Leader, and His Son Are Convicted of Corruption
New York Times – William Rashbaum and Susanne Craig | Published: 12/11/2015

Former New York Sen. Dean Skelos and his son were convicted of charges they used the father’s position as majority leader to pressure companies to provide Adam Skelos with roughly $300,000 via consulting work, a no-show job, and a direct payment of $20,000. Dean Skelos had been one of the most powerful men in state government until his arrest this year, and his conviction – along with that of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver – will have repercussions beyond the courtroom. As in Silver’s case, the verdict resulted in Dean Skelos’s expulsion from the Legislature, where both men had served for more than three decades.

South Carolina – S.C. Attorney General’s Office Weighs in on Ethics Law, Possible Window into Prosecutors’ Public Corruption Probe
Charleston Post & Courier – David Slade, Doug Pardue, and Tony Bartelme | Published: 12/16/2015

Amid an ongoing public corruption probe, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office issued an opinion that may hinder prosecutors’ efforts to crack down on ethics violators. The document argued courts would likely rule it is legal under the state’s ethics laws for lawmakers to steer lucrative campaign work to their own companies or those run by family members. The nonbinding opinion delves into the often ethical gray areas of how lawmakers spend campaign money and wield influence, a system that dispensed nearly $100 million since 2009, according to a recent investigation.

Utah – SLC Council Slashes Campaign Contribution Limits
Salt Lake Tribune – Christopher Smart | Published: 12/9/2015

The Salt Lake City Council cut the maximum contribution to a mayoral candidate from $7,500 to $3,500. It also reduced maximum donations to council candidates from $1,500 to $750. Those limits apply to individuals, corporations, nonprofits, and unions. The caps apply only to Salt Lake City. Utah state law contains no limits on campaign contributions.

Washington – Ethics Board Looks at Lawmakers’ Meal Limit
Seattle Times – Joseph O’Sullivan | Published: 12/3/2015

The Legislative Ethics Board (LEB) discussed how to proceed on the trickier elements of a rule that imposed a hard limit on how many free meals that state lawmakers may take from lobbyists. LEB members approved a motion stating there is no special exemption for industry groups such as the Washington Bankers Association, which may feed lawmakers attending functions such as a luncheon or forum. But that motion also stressed such forums likely fall within an existing exemption for lawmakers, and so probably would not count as one of the 12 meals. The rules and discussion follow a review by The Associated Press that found the state’s most active lobbyists had lavished hundreds of meals upon lawmakers, estimated at more than $65,000 in value, in the first four months of 2013.

Wisconsin – Scott Walker Signs Bills on Splitting GAB, Campaign Finance
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley and Jason Stein | Published: 12/16/2015

Gov. Scott Walker signed into law a bill that rewrites Wisconsin’s campaign finance statutes. He also approved legislation that eliminates the state Government Accountability Board and hands its duties over to two new agencies, the Elections Commission and the Ethics Commission. Those new bodies will take over July 1. The campaign finance changes include doubling the limit for individual contributions and eliminating a requirement that donors giving more than $100 identify their employer. It also allows, for the first time, corporate donations to political parties and legislative campaign committees.

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.

On December 17, 2015, the Fair Political Practices Commission amended its regulations related to agency provided tickets or passes. Currently, tickets and passes an agency provides to agency officials for entertainment, amusement, or recreational events are treated as gifts.

Regulation 18944.1 creates an exception from the statutory definition of “gift” for tickets or passes provided by an agency to certain agency officials under specified circumstances, allowing agency officials to use tickets and passes without violating the state’s gift law.

The proposed regulation was adopted with a vote of 5-0. It will go into effect 30 days after filing with the Secretary of State.

Lobbying

California: “San Jose Council Votes to Tighten Lobbying Rules” by Ramona Giwargis for San Jose Mercury News

Maine: “Maine Ethics Commission Fines Lobbyist Joel Allumbaugh” by Michael Shepherd (Bangor Daily News) for Maine Sun Journal

Campaign Finance

“Inside the 2016 Black Market for Donor Emails” by Shane Goldmacher for Politico

“Spending Bill Bars IRS and Others from Forcing Political Disclosure” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

“How This Missouri Mega-Donor Is Making His Pet Projects Part of the 2016 Elections” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post

New York: “Cash Flows Freely in Albany: Laws lax on political fundraising” by Jon Campbell for Poughkeepsie Journal

Ethics

“State Integrity Investigation Brings Calls for Reform as Legislative Sessions Approach” by Nicholas Kusnetz for Center for Public Integrity

Florida: “Broward’s First Corruption Watchdog Helps Keep Elected Officials Honest, Onlookers Say” by Brittany Wallman for South Florida Sun Sentinel

Pennsylvania: “State Rep. Louise Bishop Resigns, Pleads No Contest in Sting Case” by Angela Couloumbis and Craig McCoy for Philadelphia Inquirer

Washington: “Following the Money: Ethics concerns muddy state’s clean-energy grant program” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Wisconsin: “Scott Walker Signs Bills on Splitting GAB, Campaign Finance” by Patrick Marley and Jason Stein for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On December 16, Gov. Scott Walker signed two bills amending campaign finance rules, increasing political contribution limits, and replacing the state’s Government Accountability Board (GAB) with two new agencies, one overseeing elections and the other overseeing ethics.

Other changes include resuming the practice of allowing lawmakers to determine funding for investigations of public officials, which had been halted when GAB was formed, and in changing the commission members from nonpartisan judges to appointees chosen by the governor and legislative leaders.

Kevin Kennedy, chief administrator of GAB, said there are still many questions to be answered regarding the transition. He said his agency would work with the governor’s administration to ensure a smooth transition.

The campaign finance bill is effective January 1, 2016. The new commissions replace GAB on July 1, 2016.

The Maine Ethics Commission handed down two penalties today for lobbying and campaign finance law violations.  Joel Allumbaugh, a lobbyist for a Florida-based think tank, was fined $50 for failing to disclose his status as a paid lobbyist to a legislative committee.  Allumbaugh faced up to a $5,000 fine, and is the first lobbyist to be punished under a 2006 state lobbying disclosure law.

State Representative Diane Russell was also fined by the Maine Ethics Commission after she omitted over $1,200 in expenditures from her political action committee.  Russell faced a potential $10,000 fine, but members of the Commission decided on a reduction to $2,000.

Lobbying

“E.P.A. Broke Law with Social Media Push for Water Rule, Auditor Finds” by Eric Lipton and Michael Shear for New York Times

“A Revolving Door Helps Big Banks’ Quiet Campaign to Muscle out Fannie and Freddie” by Gretchen Morgenson for New York Times

California: “As Hospital Lobbyist, Ex-County Employee Pushes Limits of Ethics Policy” by Tracy Wood for Voice of OC

Florida: “Broward Commission Rewrites its Ethics Code, Allows $5 Gifts” by Brittany Wallman for South Florida Sun Sentinel

Washington: “Ethics Board Looks at Lawmakers’ Meal Limit” by Joseph O’Sullivan for Seattle Times

Campaign Finance

“Stumbo Proposes Doubling Campaign Contribution Limit” by Ryland Barton for WFPL

Ethics

EU: “Commission Agrees to Boost Revolving-Door” by James Panichi for Politico

“Sen. Bob Corker Earned Millions More Than First Reported” by Mary Troyan for USA Today

New York: “Dean Skelos, Ex-New York Senate Leader, and His Son Are Convicted of Corruption” by William Rashbaum and Susanne Craig for New York Times

New York: “To Judge, Lawyer’s Cooperation Doesn’t Offset Corruption” by Benjamin Weiser for New York Times

Elections

“Cruz Campaign Credits Psychological Data and Analytics for Its Rising Success” by Tom Hamburger for Washington Post