July 15, 2014 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Accepting Resumes! AGRP Executive Director Position” from the Association of Government Relations Professionals Blog. “Bottom Line” in The Hill. Rhode Island: “GOP Candidates Wants Tougher Lobbying and Ethics Law in RI” by Mark Curtis on WLNE TV News. Virginia: […]
Lobbying
“Accepting Resumes! AGRP Executive Director Position” from the Association of Government Relations Professionals Blog.
“Bottom Line” in The Hill.
Rhode Island: “GOP Candidates Wants Tougher Lobbying and Ethics Law in RI” by Mark Curtis on WLNE TV News.
Virginia: “Va. hospital group spends $400,000 on lobbying” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) on WTOP.
Campaign Finance
“House Democrats to unveil campaign finance amendment” by Lauren French in Politico.
“How to Raise $5 Million Online For Campaign Finance Reform: Why MayDay PAC Succeeded” by Ben Winkler in TechPresident.
“DeMint rakes in Heritage cash” by Alexander Bolton in The Hill.
New York: “Rolling updates: NYC Campaign Finance Board filings” by Celeste Katz on NY Daily News.
Ohio: “Ben Suarez asks federal judge to throw out obstruction of justice conviction or grant new trial” by James F. McCarty in The Plain Dealer.
South Carolina: “House Speaker Harrell uses campaign funds to pay Charleston attorneys” by Jeremy Borden in The Post and Courier.
Ethics
“Partisan Activities of Lerner Co-Worker at FEC” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
Elections
North Carolina: “NC voters see runoff primaries in 37 counties” by The Associated Press on WSOC TV.
Redistricting
“Interactive: Understanding congressional redistricting” by The Associated Press in the Wisconsin State Journal.
New Jersey: “Top Assembly Republican wants redistricting do-over” by Matt Friedman in The Star Ledger.
Texas: “Texas accused of purposely excluding minorities in redistricting” by Will Weissert (Associated Press) in The Dallas Morning News.
Texas: “The Source: Texas Redistricting Back In San Antonio Federal Court” by Paul Flahive on Texas Public Radio.
July 14, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying Canada: “Foreign lobbying transparency bill another attack on environmental groups: critics” by Mark Burgess in The Hill Times. Iowa: “Lobbyists of All Kinds Flock to Farm Bill” by Peggy Lowe on Iowa Public Radio. Kansas: “Hearing held on 38 […]
Lobbying
Canada: “Foreign lobbying transparency bill another attack on environmental groups: critics” by Mark Burgess in The Hill Times.
Iowa: “Lobbyists of All Kinds Flock to Farm Bill” by Peggy Lowe on Iowa Public Radio.
Kansas: “Hearing held on 38 Studios lobbying questions” by The Associated Press in The Wichita Eagle.
Campaign Finance
“Lawrence Lessig’s Public Q&A on How His $12 million Super PAC Will Fix Campaign Finance” by Rebecca Chao in TechPresident.
California: “San Diego Ethics Commission Votes To Rein In Independent Committees” by Joe Yerardi in KPBS.
Connecticut: “Banned Donors Skirt Law Designed To Prevent Pay-To-Play” by Dave Altimari and Matthew Kauffman in the Hartford Courant.
Maine: “Analysis: One candidate’s unfair campaign finance law is another’s protection” by Mario Moretto in the Maine Daily Journal.
Maryland: “Excuses abound for Md. campaign report failings” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.
Massachusetts: “Union fights to strip reporting provision from campaign finance reform bill” by Frank Phillips in The Boston Globe.
Missouri: “Money, Money, Money: Five Things To Look For In Tuesday’s Campaign Finance Reports” by Jason Rosenbaum on KBIA.
Ethics
Indiana: “Bennett accepts $5,000 fine in ethics settlement” by Tom LoBianco (Associated Press) in the Naples Daily News.
Nevada: “What a difference a word could make” by Steve Sebelius in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Pennsylvania: “Pa. lawmakers left town with plenty of unfinished business” by Andrew Staub in the Daily Local News.
Redistricting
Florida: “House Democrats Have Mixed Reaction to Florida Redistricting Ruling” by Abby Livingston in Roll Call.
July 11, 2014 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 11, 2014
National: Eschewing Lobbyists, States Advocate for Themselves USA Today – Elaine Povich (Pew Center on the States) | Published: 7/10/2014 The 2011 ban on earmarks – the inclusion of money for specific local projects in broader bills – has prompted […]
National:
Eschewing Lobbyists, States Advocate for Themselves
USA Today – Elaine Povich (Pew Center on the States) | Published: 7/10/2014
The 2011 ban on earmarks – the inclusion of money for specific local projects in broader bills – has prompted a shift away from states paying Washington, D.C.-based lobbyists to advocate for them. Now, more state lawmakers and other officials are combining forces to advocate for themselves. K Street lobbyists were specialists in getting earmarks because of their personal connections to federal lawmakers. The state coalitions are making broader arguments for funds that benefit more than one individual project.
Federal:
Sen. Robert Menendez Seeks Probe of Alleged Cuban Plot to Smear Him
Washington Post – Carol Leonnig and Manuel Roig-Franzia | Published: 7/7/2014
With a public corruption investigation hanging over him, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez suggested Cuban spies had planted the seeds of that inquiry as a way to discredit him and mute his strident opposition to the government in Havana. His comments followed media stories that said a 2013 CIA report had cited credible evidence linking Cuban agents to a campaign to smear Menendez. The FBI is investigating whether Menendez received free airplane rides and other perks from a wealthy donor and repaid him with political favors. Even if Menendez’s Cuba theory is correct, it is unlikely to derail the probe.
From the States and Municipalities:
California – Support Wanes in Sacramento for Tough Ethics Reform following Scandal
San Jose Mercury News – Jessica Califati | Published: 7/5/2014
Since voting to suspend Leland Yee and two other state senators indicted in recent months, California lawmakers have held a “day of reflection” and considered more than a dozen new pieces of ethics reform legislation. But while support for bills requiring more disclosure of gifts and contributions remains strong, interest in tougher proposals that would restrict politicians’ fundraising and access to free trips has waned significantly in the last few months. “You can’t be against an ethics bill the day after the scandal, but it’s no longer the day after the scandal,” said Jessica Levinson, a professor who specializes in campaign finance law.
Florida – Miami Lakes’ Muzzled Mayor Misses ‘My People’ as Trial Is Set to Begin
Miami Herald – Jay Weaver | Published: 7/7/2014
Michael Pizzi, the suspended mayor of Miami Lakes, is facing a trial in federal court on corruption charges. He is charged with conspiracy and extortion offenses for allegedly accepting $6,750 in mostly cash bribes during an FBI sting operation. Pizzi, a Brooklyn native, sees himself as the character Carmine Polito in the Oscar-nominated movie American Hustle – an over-the-top tale of the FBI’s undercover takedown of a fictional blue-collar New Jersey mayor who lived for his constituents.
Florida – Sternad, Saying He Was Duped, Gets 7 Months
Miami Herald – Jay Weaver | Published: 7/10/2014
A judge sentenced a failed South Florida congressional candidate to seven months in prison for campaign finance violations in a case linked to former U.S. Rep. David Rivera. Justin Sternad pleaded guilty last year to campaign finance violations, including accepting illegal contributions and filing false reports. The case involves allegations that Rivera, a Republican, secretly financed Sternad’s campaign to weaken Democratic rival Joe Garcia. Rivera has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, although close Rivera associate Ana Alliegro is also charged in the case. Rivera is again running for the House seat against Garcia after losing to him in 2012.
Hawaii – Ethics Commission Investigates Golf Perks
Hawaii News Now – Rick Daysog | Published: 7/9/2014
The Hawaii Ethics Commission is winding down its year-old investigation targeting number of employees at the University of Hawaii (UH) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) for receiving thousands of dollars in free golf outings provided by government contractors. Recent filings with the commission by DOT and UH employees indicates just how widespread the practice is. “For a lot of these firms, it’s simply the cost of doing business and this has got to stop because it makes people trust their government less,” said UH political science professor Colin Moore.
Iowa – Koch Brothers Group Targets Iowa Politics
USA Today – Jennifer Jacobs (Des Moines Register) | Published: 7/6/2014
Americans for Prosperity, the conservative political advocacy organization backed by Charles and David Koch, is building an operation in Iowa –– the site of the first presidential primary – that is intended to sway voting in the state for years to come. Using methodical canvassing, Americans for Prosperity-Iowa seeks to identify voters who are sympathetic to its message. Its database is to include an individual’s political orientation, likelihood to vote, and serve as a roster of probable swing voters.
Louisiana – C. Ray Nagin, Former New Orleans Mayor, Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
Los Angeles Times – David Zucchino | Published: 7/9/2014
Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his participation in a $500,000 bribery scheme that operated during most of his time in office. Many of the kickbacks took place after Hurricane Katrina, when contractors crowded into the city for rebuilding work. The sentence was less than the recommended 15 years, but U.S. District Court Judge Ginger Berrigan said the evidence failed to show Nagin had organized or had been a leader of a conspiracy. Prosecutors objected to the sentence, a move that could set up an appeal.
Maine – Cutler Supporters’ Lawsuit Challenges Constitutionality of Maine Donation Limits
The Sun Journal – Christopher Cousins (Bangor Daily News) | Published: 7/8/2014
Four supporters of independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler filed a lawsuit against Maine’s ethics commission for not being allowed to contribute as much to Cutler as they could to a party candidate. State law allows party candidates to accept $1,500 donations from individuals for both the June primary and the general election, even if those candidates do not face primary challengers. As an independent, Cutler can collect no more than $1,500 per donor. The lawsuit says that law should be struck down as unconstitutional.
Massachusetts – Robert DeLeo in Glare at Probation Hiring Trial
Boston Globe – Milton Valencia and Michael Levenson | Published: 7/10/2014
Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo strongly denied assertions by prosecutors at the federal trial of the state’s former probation department commissioner that DeLeo traded jobs for votes or deliberately spared the agency from budget cuts. Prosecutors said in a court filing that such an arrangement had existed between DeLeo and former probation commissioner John O’Brien, who is being tried along with two deputies for allegedly rigging the agency’s hiring process to favor applicants referred by powerful lawmakers, in exchange for favorable legislative action on the budget or other matters.
Missouri – Ex-Missouri House Speaker’s Campaign Fund Still Yielding Benefits Two Years Later
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kevin McDermott | Published: 7/6/2014
It is not unusual for former Missouri lawmakers to jump immediately into lobbying their former colleagues with no waiting period. What is unusual is for ex-legislators to keep their campaign funds open and use it in ways that appear to promote their lobbying activities, such as with former House Speaker Steve Tilley. A St. Louis Post-Dispatch review found no other current lawmaker-turned-lobbyist operating under circumstances like the ones surrounding Tilley. That makes some reformers wonder if he is setting a dangerous new precedent that others might follow.
Ohio – Cleveland to Host 2016 GOP Convention
Politico – Katie Glueck and Maggie Haberman | Published: 7/8/2014
In choosing Cleveland as the site of the 2016 Republican National Convention, party organizers opted for a Democratic enclave in the pivotal battleground state of Ohio over the wealthier and more conservative Dallas area. The announcement is a coup for Cleveland as it seeks to update its image from an economically struggling Rust Belt city to a thriving metropolis with a revitalized downtown. The decision to go with Ohio was anticipated by many Republican operatives and donors. “We’re going where the swing voters are,” said GOP strategist Mike Murphy.
Pennsylvania – Interest Groups’ Lobbying Tally Tops $500M in Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review – Melissa Daniels | Published: 7/4/2014
In 2013, lobbyists spent $518 million on costs related to influencing Pennsylvania lawmakers. It is the first time the spending exceeded the $500 million mark. Gabrielle Sedor, president of the Pennsylvania Association for Government Relations, said the increase in spending is likely is because of rising costs overall, such as salaries and travel costs. She said lobbyists try to provide expertise and research about industry trends, and to keep tabs on statehouse activity. “To be a lobbyist and have a good relationship, you have to be honest and ethical and be a source of information, a reliable resource above anything else,” said Sedor.
Rhode Island – R.I. Lobbyist Rickman Discloses He Loaned $10,000 in 2009 to Ex-House Leader Fox
Providence Journal – Katherine Gregg | Published: 7/8/2014
A lobbyist who failed to disclose he loaned money to former Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox has now said the loan was for $10,000. Ray Rickman and Fox had both neglected to report the loan from August 2009 in required filings. State Ethics Commission attorney Jason Gramitt said nothing in the law bans a lobbyist from giving a public official a loan, but the loan would create a ‘business relationship” which in all cases, except those involving legislators, would create a clear conflict-of-interest if that official took any action that financially benefited that business associate.
South Carolina – SC Supreme Court: Harrell probe can continue
The State – Jamie Self | Published: 7/9/2014
The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled the state’s top prosecutor has the authority to investigate House Speaker Bobby Harrell over allegations the lawmaker abused his power for personal benefit. The justices said Attorney General Alan Wilson is fully empowered to probe wrongdoing wherever it may occur, and his powers are not blunted because the investigation involves a lawmaker’s ethical conduct. The ruling overturned a lower court’s decision to halt Wilson’s investigation.
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
July 10, 2014 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Under Contract” in The Hill. “13 K Streeters cross the street” by Byron Tau in Politico. “Bitcoin gaining currency on K Street” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. Louisiana: “Louisiana business association reviews legislative session: Four things you […]
Lobbying
“Under Contract” in The Hill.
“13 K Streeters cross the street” by Byron Tau in Politico.
“Bitcoin gaining currency on K Street” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
Louisiana: “Louisiana business association reviews legislative session: Four things you need to know” by Julia O’Donoghue in The Times-Picayune.
Campaign Finance
“Lawrence Lessig on His Super PAC to End Super PACs” by Denver Nicks in TIME.
“Chamber of Commerce Spends $780K for Kingston” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
North Carolina: “Political action committees have big impact on campaigns” by Susan Ladd in the News & Record.
Ethics
Hawaii: “New Chair Will Steer Hawaii Ethics Commission Through Disclosure Law” by Nathan Eagle in the Honolulu Civil Beat.
Louisiana: “New Orleans Ex-Mayor Ray Nagin Sentenced to 10 Years” by Cameron McWhirter in The Wall Street Journal.
Congress
“Capitol partially closed due to spill” by Mario Trujillo in The Hill.
Government Tech and Social Media
West Virginia: “W. Va. Proceeds With Massive Computer Overhaul, Employees Struggle With the Switchover” in Government Technology.
July 9, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Lobbying World” in The Hill. “Bono’s One Action Ramps Up Lobbying” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call. Rhode Island: “R.I. lobbyist Rickman discloses he loaned $10,000 in 2009 to ex-House leader Fox” by Katherine Gregg in the Providence Journal. […]
Lobbying
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“Bono’s One Action Ramps Up Lobbying” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
Rhode Island: “R.I. lobbyist Rickman discloses he loaned $10,000 in 2009 to ex-House leader Fox” by Katherine Gregg in the Providence Journal.
“Bitcoin Foundation Hires Lobbying Firm” by Ryan Tracy in The Wall Street Journal.
Campaign Finance
Maryland: “Republican Larry Hogan to use public funds in fall campaign for governor of Maryland” by John Wagner in The Washington Post.
Ethics
“Did House Travel Disclosure Rules Change? | A Question of Ethics” by C. Simon Davidson in Politico.
Indiana: “Amid ethics probe, top INDOT official seeks job with firm whose contracts he OK’d” by Tony Cook and Ryan Sabalow in The Indianapolis Star.
Missouri: “It’s back: Streetcar ethics complaint refiled” by Austin Alonzo in the Kansas City Business Journal.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Riverside, Calif., Launches Transparency and Engagement Portal, Rethinks Procurement” by Colin Wood in Government Technology.
July 8, 2014 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “Bottom Line” in The Hill. “A driving force for truckers” by Keith Laing in The Hill. “Squire Patton Boggs bolsters presence in Japan” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. “Politico Influence: Squire Patton Boggs announces leadership structure” by […]
Lobbying
“Bottom Line” in The Hill.
“A driving force for truckers” by Keith Laing in The Hill.
“Squire Patton Boggs bolsters presence in Japan” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“Politico Influence: Squire Patton Boggs announces leadership structure” by Byron Tau in Politico.
“Export-Import Bank supporters aim for show of strength in Senate” by Kevin Cirilli and Vicki Needham in The Hill.
Florida: “Tallahassee’s next lobbying gold rush: cannabis” in The Miami Herald.
New York: “NYPIRG: Casino lobbying, spending hits $11 million” by James M. Odato in the Times Union.
Pennsylvania: “Ethics Commission fines lobbyists for failure to file expense reports” by Megan Henney in the Tribune-Review.
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “AG Horne sues to block Clean Elections investigation” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez in The Republic.
Vermont: “Court backs Vt. campaign finance rules” by Terri Hallenbeck in the Burlington Free Press.
Ethics
“Without ethics enforcement, it’s open season in Washington” by Melanie Sloan in The Hill.
Colorado: “Colorado ethics panel signals support for Gessler GOP seminar trip” by Joey Bunch in The Denver Post.
Indiana: “State ethics watchdog plans to leave office” by Tony Cook in The Indianapolis Star.
Missouri: “Can a candidate raffle off a hot tub? Run bingo?” by Jonathan Shorman in the Springfield News-Leader.
Congress
“The Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game in 3 Minutes (Video)” by JM Rieger in Roll Call.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Why Facebook’s ‘Voter Megaphone’ Is the Real Manipulation to Worry About” by Micah L. Sifry in TechPresident.
July 7, 2014 •
In Reversal of Prior Decision, House Ethics Committee Will Continue Requiring Reporting of Privately Sponsored Travel
On July 3, the House Ethics Committee announced it would return to calling for House members to report privately sponsored travel in their annual financial disclosure forms – a requirement it had quietly removed earlier this year. However, when the […]
On July 3, the House Ethics Committee announced it would return to calling for House members to report privately sponsored travel in their annual financial disclosure forms – a requirement it had quietly removed earlier this year. However, when the removal of this requirement was revealed, it caught national attention and generated strong responses. Supporters of the change argued the reporting is merely duplicative because the travel must still be reported by members to the House Office of the Clerk.
July 7, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “New Bill Relative To Lobbyists and Candidates” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call. “Wall Street braces for gavel hand-off” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill. “Silicon Valley pins hopes on Obama for immigration win” by Julian Hattem in […]
Lobbying
“New Bill Relative To Lobbyists and Candidates” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
“Wall Street braces for gavel hand-off” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“Silicon Valley pins hopes on Obama for immigration win” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.
“Former Lobbyist Jack Abramoff On Congressional Travel Disclosure” in the Daily Beast.
California: “Who pays the most for California government lobbying in Sacramento? Government” by Ben Baeder in the Los Angeles Daily News.
New York: “Binghamton University ranks second among SUNY schools in spending on lobbying” by Steve Reilly in the Press & Sun-Bulletin.
Pennsylvania: “Interest groups’ lobbying tally tops $500M in Pennsylvania” by Melissa Daniels in the Tribune-Review.
Rhode Island: “Schilling summoned to testify on his alleged lobbying for 38 Studios” by Katherine Gregg in the Providence Journal.
Vermont: “Revolving door: Ramos shifts from senate to lobbying job” by Anne Galloway in VTDigger.
Campaign Finance
“FEC Provides Reminder and Resources for Upcoming Deadline” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
“Hobby Lobby Ruling Fuels Amendment Push” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“Law prof’s super PAC reaches fundraising goal; aim is new campaign-finance system” by Debra Cassens Weiss in ABA Journal.
Arizona: “Most AZ legislative candidates decline public funds” by Becky Pallack in the Arizona Daily Star.
California: “Activists for tougher campaign finance laws arrested at Capitol” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.
Connecticut: “Despite limits, money finds its way to campaigns” by Ken Dixon in Greenwich Time.
Massachusetts: “House quietly approved amendment to help state GOP” by Frank Phillips in The Boston Globe.
New Hampshire: “‘NH Rebellion’ walks for campaign finance overhaul” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Ethics
“Ethics Chairman Says Panel Will Reverse Decision on Travel Disclosures” by Matt Fuller in Roll Call.
California: “Support wanes in Sacramento for tough ethics reform following scandal” by Jessica Calefati in the San Jose Mercury News.
Elections
“2014 Senate rankings: Map favors GOP” by James Hohmann in Politico.
State Legislatures
“Where are women winning? In state legislatures.” by Aaron Blake in The Washington Post.
Government Tech and Social Media
Pennsylvania: “Philadelphia Hires New Chief Data Officer” in Government Technology.
July 3, 2014 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 3, 2014
National: As Numbers Grow, Single Women Emerge as Political Powerhouse New York Times – Jackie Calms | Published: 7/2/2014 Recent elections suggest unmarried women have emerges as a voting bloc that is reshaping the electorate to the Democratic Party’s advantage. […]
National:
As Numbers Grow, Single Women Emerge as Political Powerhouse
New York Times – Jackie Calms | Published: 7/2/2014
Recent elections suggest unmarried women have emerges as a voting bloc that is reshaping the electorate to the Democratic Party’s advantage. In order to prevent Republicans from capturing a U.S. Senate majority in November, Democrats and allied groups are making an aggressive push to woo single women. They seized on the ruling by the Supreme Court’s conservative majority – five men – that family-owned corporations do not have to provide birth control in their insurance coverage, to buttress their arguments that Democrats better represent women’s interests.
How Cozy Can Candidates Be With Political Groups?
The Center for Public Integrity – Rachel Baye | Published: 7/1/2014
Laws vary widely when it comes to how close candidates can be with political backers – what is allowed in one state may be illegal in another. In Florida and Michigan, for example, candidates and supposedly independent groups seemingly work hand in hand, while Connecticut and Minnesota recently affirmed such groups must keep their distance. Meanwhile, federal office seekers operate under an entirely different set of rules on coordination that even regulators cannot agree on.
Terre Haute’s Jim Bopp Jr. a Conservative Titan
Raleigh News & Observer – Mark Bennett (Terre Haute Tribune Star) | Published: 6/29/2014
Attorney Jim Bopp has won nine of 13 cases at the U.S. Supreme Court. He initiated the Citizens United case, which overturned restrictions on spending by corporations and labor unions to support or defeat candidates. Bopp has crisscrossed the nation for more than 30 years, working on more than 150 cases in state and federal courts, knocking down laws he believes inhibit the expression of free speech in campaigns. “In the often arcane world of campaign finance law, he’s a veritable rock star,” said Dave Levinthal, who investigates the influence of money in politics for the Center for Public Integrity.
Federal:
Congress Quietly Deletes a Key Disclosure of Free Trips Lawmakers Take
National Journal – Shane Goldmacher | Published: 6/30/2014
U.S. House members are longer required to list on their annual financial disclosure reports some privately sponsored trips they take. The change was not publicly announced but was described in an instruction book available to members of Congress on how to fill out the forms. Legislators will still have to provide details about their travel on the House clerk’s website, which is less commonly monitored by reporters, watchdog groups, and others than the financial disclosure reports.
LobbyIt: Aiming to be everyman’s lobbyist
Washingtoon Post – Catherine Ho | Published: 6/30/2014
Four years ago, Paul Kanitra opened LobbyIt, a firm in Washington whose business model was nicknamed by some as “McLobbying.” The firm represents mostly small businesses and little-know associations. LobbyIt does not use retainers – which on K Street is typically $15,000 per month. Instead, it uses set pricing levels of $995, $1,995, $2,995, or $4,999 a month. Kanitra describes the firm’s target audience not as the in-house government affairs manager at a Fortune 500 company, but as “the executive director of a small association in Idaho who hasn’t been in D.C. since their eighth-grade class trip.”
From the States and Municipalities:
California – Complaints of Nepotism Dog California Senate
Sacramento Bee – Laurel Rosenhall | Published: 6/29/2014
Concerns about personnel practices and allegations of nepotism are swirling in Sacramento as an investigation proceeds into claims that friends and family of key administrators get special access to taxpayer-funded jobs. Hiring family members is not forbidden in the California General Assembly, and the Legislature is not subject to the same rules that govern hiring in other parts of state government.
Connecticut – Diageo, Pfizer Pay to Settle 2012 DNC Ethics Violation
Connecticut Mirror – Mark Pazniokas | Published: 6/30/2014
Diageo North America and Pfizer agreed to each pay a $5,000 penalty to the Connecticut Office of State Ethics for failing to report spending on receptions each company held during the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Multiple Connecticut state employees, public officials, and/or members of a public official’s family or staff attended each event. Neither Diageo nor Pfizer, both registered as principals in Connecticut, reported the expenses on their lobbyist financial reports.
Kentucky – Legislative Caucuses Rely on PACs, Reports Show
Louisville Courier-Journal – Tom Loftus | Published: 6/30/2014
Each of the General Assembly’s four political caucuses reported their contributions and expenses over the past 18 months to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance recently. A review of those reports show how heavily dependent the caucuses are on the special interests that lobby lawmakers. Of the nearly $1,036,000 raised by the caucuses over the period, about $394,000 – roughly 38 percent – was contributed by PACs affiliated with corporations and trade associations.
Missouri – Freebies Flow at Missouri Capitol; Pols Accept More than $600K from Lobbyists
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Walter Moskop | Published: 7/2/2014
Lobbyists in Missouri spent $680,000 on gifts for public officials during the 2014 legislative session, with nearly all of it going to state lawmakers. It is not clear which lawmakers were the recipients of the vast majority of lobbyist spending. More than $500,000 in gifts went to legislative committees or the entire General Assembly, mostly in the form of receptions and meals. By listing a committee or legislative body as the recipient of the gift, lobbyists do not have to provide names of specific lawmakers.
New York – G.O.P. Power Broker in Albany Is Charged With Lying to F.B.I.
New York Times – Thomas Kaplan and William Rashbaum | Published: 7/1/2014
New York Sen. Thomas Libous is facing charges he lied to the FBI about using his elected position to arrange a law firm job and an inflated salary for his son. An indictment alleges Libous claimed he did not know how his son, Matthew, got the job. It also says Sen. Libous told the FBI he was unaware a lobbying firm was paying part of his son’s salary. It has been previously alleged that Thomas Libous arranged his son’s job and salary in exchange for steering business to the law firm.
Cleveland Plain Dealer – James McCarty | Published: 6/30/2014
Businessperson Benjamin Suarez was found not guilty of illegally funneling $200,000 to the campaigns of U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci and Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel. The jury found him guilty of one felony count for tampering with a witness. Prosecutors said Suarez’s family members, employees, and their spouses contributed money to the re-election campaign of Renacci and Mandel’s failed U.S. Senate bid. The donors were then reimbursed with company money. The contributions coincided with acts Mandel and Renacci took on behalf of Suarez’s company, which was facing a lawsuit in California. Defense lawyers maintained Suarez did not willfully break the law.
Rhode Island – Fox Had Loan from Registered Lobbyist for Years
WPRI – Michelle Smith (Associated Press) | Published: 6/27/2014
Documents show former Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox had a personal loan from a registered lobbyist for several years. State Ethics Commission filings show the loan of an undisclosed amount over $1,000 was from lobbyist Ray Rickman. Jason Gramitt, an attorney for the Ethics Commission, said state law does not prohibit a lawmaker from taking a loan from a lobbyist, but it does create a business association. Fox’s activities have been under scrutiny since March, when the FBI, IRS, and other authorities raided his statehouse office and home. He resigned his leadership position the next day.
Vermont – Court: Super PAC not independent enough
Politico – Byron Tau | Published: 7/2/2014
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled a state-level super PAC in Vermont was not “functionally distinct” enough from a sister committee that gives money to candidates and political parties. As a result, the judges found the supposedly separate group might not have been acting independently and can be subject to Vermont’s contribution limits. Campaign finance reformers say the court has taken an important step in actually examining claims about whether an organization is independent, rather than accepting the group’s word on the matter.
Wisconsin – No Conclusion in Inquiry into Scott Walker’s Campaign Fundraising
New York Times – Monica Davey | Published: 6/26/2014
A prosecutor cautioned he has not made a final determination about whether Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and his campaign illegally coordinated fundraising among conservative groups during recall elections in 2011 and 2012. An attorney representing special prosecutor Francis Schmitz warned the media and public against jumping to conclusions of guilt based on documents within a once-secret John Doe probe that emerged in a federal lawsuit.
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
July 2, 2014 •
J. William Roberts Named Illinois Acting Legislative Inspector General
In a statement released Tuesday, the Legislative Ethics Commission announced J. William Roberts has been named acting legislative inspector general. Roberts is a former U.S. attorney and served as legal counsel to former Gov. Jim Edgar. He will take over […]
In a statement released Tuesday, the Legislative Ethics Commission announced J. William Roberts has been named acting legislative inspector general.
Roberts is a former U.S. attorney and served as legal counsel to former Gov. Jim Edgar. He will take over for Tom Homer, who served 10 years following the creation of the position as part of the 2003 Ethics Act.
Roberts will be responsible for investigating complaints of rule violations, abuse of authority, and other forms of legislative misconduct.
July 2, 2014 •
House Members Do Not Have to Report Privately Sponsored Travel to Ethics Committee
Without any official announcement, the U.S. House Ethics Committee quietly removed the requirement that privately sponsored travel be revealed in House Members’ annual financial disclosure forms. However, when the removal of this requirement was revealed by the National Journal on […]
Without any official announcement, the U.S. House Ethics Committee quietly removed the requirement that privately sponsored travel be revealed in House Members’ annual financial disclosure forms.
However, when the removal of this requirement was revealed by the National Journal on June 30, it caught national attention and generated strong responses. In a press release from the Campaign Legal Center, Policy Director Meredith McGehee said, “With public confidence in the U.S. Congress reaching a record low of 7%, according to yesterday’s Gallup poll, you would think the House Ethics Committee would focus on building public confidence in the institution, rather than looking for ways to make their dirty laundry harder to find.”
According to the National Journal, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said the change “must be reversed.”
Supporters of the change argue the reporting is merely duplicative because the travel must still be reported by members to the House Office of the Clerk.
July 2, 2014 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying “Lobbying World” in The Hill. “Clark Hill adds two in public affairs” by Byron Tau in Politico. “#Modernlobbying: Why bankers are tweeting for regulatory relief” by Mark Holan in Washington Business Journals. Virginia: “Taxicab industry has history of lobbying, […]
Lobbying
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“Clark Hill adds two in public affairs” by Byron Tau in Politico.
“#Modernlobbying: Why bankers are tweeting for regulatory relief” by Mark Holan in Washington Business Journals.
Virginia: “Taxicab industry has history of lobbying, donations” by Kathryn Watson on Watchdog.org.
Campaign Finance
“Shedding New Light on Dark Money” by Timothy Karr on The Huffington Post.
“Campaign finance laws vary widely from state to state, report says” by Patrick Marley in the Journal Sentinel.
“How Cozy Can Candidates Be With Political Groups? It All Depends” by Rachel Baye (Center for Public Integrity) on NBC News.
Massachusetts: “Gubernatorial candidates back campaign disclosure bill” by Jim O’Sullivan in The Boston Globe.
Montana: “Super PAC spending $1.7M in Montana Senate race” by The Associated Press in the Billings Gazette.
Wisconsin: “Wisconsin among several states with dust-ups over campaign coordination with outside groups” by Bill Leuders in WisconsinWatch.org.
Ethics
“Congress Quietly Deletes a Key Disclosure of Free Trips Lawmakers Take” by Shane Goldmacher in National Journal.
“Pelosi to Ethics panel: Require lawmakers to report free trips” by Mike Lillis in The Hill.
Missouri: “Streetcar ethics complaint goes away — for now” by Austin Alonzo in the Kansas City Business Journal.
New York: “New York State Senator Indicted” by Erica Orden and Sean Gardner in The Wall Street Journal.
West Virginia: “Tomblin names members of new Ethics Commission” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Governments Struggling to Get Social Media Right” by Jonathan Walters in Governing.
“DigitalGov rolls out 3 new social media toolkits in quest for ‘social government’” by Greg Otto in FedScoop.
“The Looming Crisis in Voting Technology” by J.B. Wogan in Governing.
July 1, 2014 •
Illinois Legislative Inspector General Steps Down
Tom Homer stepped down from his post as legislative inspector general at the end of June. Homer, an advocate for modern ethics reform, took the job in 2004 and served as the state’s first and only legislative watchdog. It is […]
Tom Homer stepped down from his post as legislative inspector general at the end of June. Homer, an advocate for modern ethics reform, took the job in 2004 and served as the state’s first and only legislative watchdog.
It is unclear who will replace him; the inspector general is appointed by a resolution approved by three-fifths majorities in both houses of the General Assembly.
Photo of Illinois State Capitol by Martin Haase on Wikimedia Commons.
July 1, 2014 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “LobbyIt: Aiming to be everyman’s lobbyist” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post. “The Influence Industry: Ex-Im Bank renewal, a familiar issue on K Street, divides GOP” by Holly Yeager in The Washington Post. Rhode Island: “Ex-RI House speaker […]
Lobbying
“LobbyIt: Aiming to be everyman’s lobbyist” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.
“The Influence Industry: Ex-Im Bank renewal, a familiar issue on K Street, divides GOP” by Holly Yeager in The Washington Post.
Rhode Island: “Ex-RI House speaker Fox’s personal loan from registered lobbyist still unpaid” by W. Ray Malinowski in the Providence Journal.
Campaign Finance
Indiana: “Terre Haute’s Jim Bopp Jr. a conservative titan” by Mark Bennett in the Sacramento Bee.
Ohio: “GOP donor found not guilty on campaign finance charges, guilty of obstruction” by Joe Vardon in the Columbus Dispatch.
Ethics
California: “SF open government and ethics oversight broken, report says” by Jonah Owen Lamb in The Examiner.
Illinois: “Closer Look: Ill. legislative watchdog steps down” by The Associated Press in The Washington Examiner.
Kentucky: “Legislative caucuses rely on PACs, reports show” by Tom Loftus in The Courier Journal.
New York: “Three months after Gov. Cuomo pulled plug on Moreland Commission, executive director still being paid” by Ken Lovett in the NY Daily News.
North Carolina: “Former FBI agent Chuck Stuber opens up about corruption cases against NC politicians” by J. Andrew Curliss in the News & Observer.
Wisconsin: “No Conclusion in Inquiry Into Scott Walker’s Campaign Fund-Raising” by Monica Davey in The New York Times.
National Conventions
Ohio: “Cleveland should learn fate of Republican National Convention bid no later than early August” by Henry J. Gomez in the Plain Dealer.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Mistaken Identity: People Angry at Supreme Court Decision Vent at Blog” by Chris Taylor on Mashable.
California: “California governor signs bill to bring bitcoin and other currency into fold” in Reuters.
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