Lobbying

“Police lobby fights to keep gear” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Businesses hire lobbyists in push for legal marijuana — and big profits” by Thomas Maier in Newsday.

Toronto, Canada: “Toronto council urged to consider tougher sanctions on lobbyists who break the rules” by Paul Moloney in the Toronto Star.

Campaign Finance

“RNC spends more on Senate field efforts” by James Hohmann in Politico.

“Nickel and dining the taxpayers? Congress has spent nearly $15M in campaign donations on food since 2011” by Leslie Larson in the New York Daily News.

“PACs Back Incumbents; Just Ask Rep. Scott Peters” by Joe Yerardi in KPBS.

California: “Ed Lee campaign faces dilemma over alleged FBI contribution” by John Coté in the San Francisco Chronicle.

District of Columbia: “D.C. Council candidate Robert White’s reform plan: Ban campaign contributions altogether” by Mike DeBonis in The Washington Post.

Maine: “Maine Ethics Commission changes donor limit rule in governor’s race” by Christopher Cousins in the Bangor Daily News.

Maryland: “Primary campaigns cost almost $25 million” by Michael Dresser in The Baltimore Sun.

New Hampshire: “Political parties file dueling finance complaints” by Rik Stevens (Associated Press) in the Nashua Telegraph.

Ethics

Alabama: “Ethics Commission to offer acting director position former Cumberland Law School Dean John Carroll” by The Associated Press in AL.com.

Iowa: “Guilty plea in Iowa caucuses bribery” by The Associated Press in Politico.

North Carolina: “Carteret man to lead ethics commission” in the Jacksonville Daily News.

South Carolina: “Benjamin did not have to disclose Florida trip, ethics commission says” by Clif Leblanc in The State.

Elections

“2014 Senate map comes into focus” on Politico’s Driving the Day.

Legislative Sessions

West Virginia: “Governor: special session to change chemical leak bill ‘an option’” by Dave Boucher in the Charleston Daily Mail.

Tech and Social Media

“Civic Ninjas Find Long-Term Solutions to Government Problems” by Jessica Hughes in Government Technology.

New York: “How New York City Is Becoming Even More Map-Centric With Its Data” by Michael Grass in Government Executive.

Lobbying

North Carolina: “Brubaker ranked leading lobbyist at NC legislature” by The Associated Press in the Washington Times.

Rhode Island: “Corso 38 Studios lobbying hearing ends, with decision to come Sept. 10” by Jennifer Bogdan in the Providence Journal.

Virginia: “A year after McDonnells’ gifts scandal was revealed, lobbyists’ assembly spending dips” by Jenna Portnoy in The Washington Post.

Campaign Finance

“People hate the state of politics today. So why is nobody talking about campaign finance reform?” by Jaime Fuller in The Washington Post.

Rhode Island: “R.I. court upholds restriction on McKee’s funds” by Jennifer Bogdan in the Providence Journal.

Ethics

New Jersey: “‘Chris Christie slept here’ is state secret in New Jersey” by Mark Lagerkvist in New Jersey Watchdog.

South Carolina: “Columbia Mayor Benjamin’s 2010 ethics situation to be heard Wednesday by State Ethics Commission” by John Monk in The State.

Texas: “Area lawmakers appointed to joint ethics panel” by Enrique Rangel in the Amarillo Globe-News.

Virginia: “Prosecutor spars with McDonnell during questioning” by Rosalind S. Helderman, Matt Zapotosky and Justin Jouvenal in The Washington Post.

Elections

“Senate Update: Republicans Cross a Threshold” by Josh Katz in The New York Times.

“The 10 things we know 10 weeks before Election Day” by Chris Cillizza in The Washington Post.

“Watch: Pols recall their best and worst election nights” by Susan Page in USA Today.

Arizona: “This year’s election will reshape Arizona politics” by Laurie Roberts in The Arizona Republic.

Arizona: “Arizona elections: Ducey wins, Huppenthal loses, Gallego beats Wilcox” by Mike Sunnucks in the Phoenix Business Journal.

Florida: “Rick Scott, Charlie Crist advance to general election showdown in Florida” by Sean Sullivan in The Washington Post.

Florida: “Central Florida 2014 primary election results” by Amanda Ober on WESH News.

Tech and Social Media

“How Social Media Silences Debate” by Clair Cain Miller in The New York Times.

At any given time, more than 1,000 legislative bills, which can affect how you do business as a government affairs professional, are being discussed in federal, state, and local jurisdictions. These bills are summarized in State and Federal Communications’ digital encyclopedias for lobbying laws, political contributions, and procurement lobbying and can be found in the client portion of our website.

Summaries of major bills are also included in monthly email updates sent to all clients. The chart below shows the number of bills we are tracking in regard to lobbying laws, political contributions, and procurement lobbying.

Lobbying

“GOP staffers seek to cash in as odds grow of Senate takeover” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“How the Lobbying Top Tier explains an influence paradox” by Lee Drutman, Matt Grossmann, and Tim LaPira in the Sunlight Foundation Blog.

Massachusetts: “Martha Coakley owns up to lobbyist-held fundraiser” by Chris Cassidy in the Boston Herald.

Campaign Finance

“Election Panel Enacts Policies by Not Acting” by Nick Confessore in The New York Times.

“Joe Biden’s secret fundraisers” by Edward-Isaac Dovere and Tarini Parti in Politico.

“The PAC to End All PACs Is a Farce” by Walter Shapiro in Politico Magazine.

“Millennial PAC tries to inject youth, diversity into graying legislatures” by Aliyah Frumin in MSNBC.

Alabama: “Did Alabama state candidates violate law by taking money from Congressman Bonner’s campaign?” by Brenda Kirby in AL.com.

Alabama: “Alabama Attorney General’s office drops criminal charges against Lowell Barron” by Paul Gattis in AL.com.

Tennessee: “State auditing Brenda Radford’s campaign finance report” by Stephanie Ingersoll in The Leaf-Chronicle.

Ethics

Florida: “Scott campaign, GOP have paid $227K for use of jet” by Steve Bousquet in the Miami Herald Blog.

Georgia: “Judge hears arguments on call for sanctions in ethics commission saga” by Aaron Gould Sheinin in The Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Elections

“Ten weeks out from Election Day, is a Republican wave coming?” by Domenico Montanaro, Terence Burlij, Rachel Wellford and Simone Pathe in PBS NewsHour.

Arizona: “Arizona primary election: 5 key races to watch” by Alia Beard Rau in The Republic.

Political Advertising

“The 2014 digital ad juggernaut” by Darren Samuelsohn in Politico.

“New regs for Wednesday: TV ads, military health plans, truck drivers’” by Tim Devaney in The Hill.

“Political TV ads will soon know who you are” by Jon Fingas in Engadget.

On August 21, the Texas Ethics Commission issued two advisory opinions and a proposed rule amendment.

Advisory Opinion 519 holds a state candidate is not prohibited from accepting an in-kind political contribution from an out-of-state political committee. The contribution to a candidate is allowed if made from a permissible source and the candidate properly complies with the applicable disclosure requirements.

In Advisory Opinion 518, the commission upheld that a group is not a political committee if not accepting or intending to accept political contributions and not using or intending to use more than 20 percent of its funds and other resources to make political expenditures.

The Ethics Commission also voted to propose a rule change by defining “principal purpose” in relation to a group making political contributions and expenditures. While a group can have more than one principal purpose, the definition would create a threshold triggering the disclosure of political contributions and expenditures. The commission also proposed other rule changes. The proposed rules are currently open for comment.

Photo of the Texas Capitol Rotunda dome interior by Ed Uthman on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

“Lobbying disclosures leave public in the dark” by Marcelo Rochabrun and Dave Levinthal in The Center for Public Integrity.

“Microsoft Leaves Lobbying Group ALEC Amid Split Over Renewables” by Ari Natter in Bloomberg.

“Wisconsin’s Walker confronted with damaging new details” by Catherine Ho in The Washington Post.

Canada: “Toronto lobbyist Jamie Besner broke the rules, registrar finds” by Paul Moloney in the Toronto Star.

Indiana: “Heuer resigns seat for lobbying post” by Vivian Sade in The Journal Gazette.

Iowa:  “Lobbying by payday lenders” by Lauren Mills in the Des Moines Register.

New York: “Online course rule for lobbyists nears” by Rick Karlin in the Times Union.

Campaign Finance

“Ethics group asks FEC for dark money disclosure” by Nat Stein in the Colorado Independent.

“Bitcoin lobby launches spending PAC” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.

Alaska: “Group wants Alaska U.S. Senate candidates to sign campaign finance pledge” by Casey Grove in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

California: “CalPERS board member likely facing stiffer fine from FPPC” by Dale Kasler in The Sacramento Bee.

Florida: “David Rivera named co-conspirator as friend pleads guilty in campaign-finance case” by Marc Caputo, Jay Weaver and Patricia Mazzei in the Miami Herald.

“U.S. House incumbents rolling in cash” by Jessica Wehrman in the Columbus Dispatch.

Texas: “Ethics Commission takes aim at Texas dark money” by David Saleh Rauf in the Houston Chronicle.

Virginia: “The Virginia bait and switch” by Brad Smith in The Hill.

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker sought help from top GOP donors for allied group” by Matea Gold in The Washington Post.

Ethics

Georgia: “Report: Costs to the state for lawsuit against Ga. ethics commission continue to grow” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Rhode Island: “Ethics Commission to probe lawmaker’s beach bid” by The Associated Press in The Washington Times.

State Legislatures

California: “California Legislature Rushes to Complete Bills Before the Session Ends” by Patrick McGreevy and Melanie Mason in Governing.

Redistricting

Florida: “Judge Lets Florida Use Unconstitutional Congressional Map Until 2016” by Mary Ellen Klas in Governing.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Lawmakers Pass Bills to Outlaw Lobbyists’ Gifts, Disclose Actors Used in Campaign Commercials

Columbus Republic; Associated Press –   | Published: 8/18/2014

The California Assembly approved a measure that would lower the gift limit to elected officials from $440 to $200 and prohibit them from accepting free entry to professional sports and entertainment events, golf tournaments, spa treatments, and amusement parks. Senate Bill 1443 would outlaw gifts from lobbyists. It now goes back to the Senate for approval of minor amendments.

California – Panel Wants L.A. to Look at Using Prizes to Boost Voter Turnout

Los Angeles Times – David Zahniser | Published: 8/16/2014

With fewer than a fourth of voters showing up for recent local elections, the Los Angeles Ethics Commission voted to recommend that the city council consider a cash-prize drawing as an incentive to vote. Federal law prohibits payment for voting, but Ethics Commission member Jessica Levinson, who is also a law school professor, says that statute would not apply to elections without federal races on the ballot. California law prohibits money or gifts for votes for a particular candidate or measure, or payment to stay away from the polls altogether.

Colorado – Citizens United Suing Colorado over ‘Rocky Mountain Heist’ Funders

Denver Post – Joey Bunch | Published: 8/14/2014

Citizens United filed a lawsuit against Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler in federal court. The Virginia-based conservative group is finishing a movie called “Rocky Mountain Heist,” about those who have influenced Colorado’s political swing to the left over the past decade, calling out advocacy groups and politicians, likely including Gov. John Hickenlooper and U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, who are in tough races this fall. In June, Deputy Secretary of State Suzanne Staiert ruled the group would need to disclose the movie’s financiers under state campaign laws. The organization contended it deserved the same free-speech protections as traditional media.

Florida – Suspended Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi Is Found Not Guilty

Miami Herald – David Ovalle and Jay Weaver | Published: 8/14/2014

Suspended Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi was acquitted in a federal corruption case in which he was accused of accepting bribes from undercover FBI agents. Pizzi was accused of accepting $6,750 in payments between 2011 and 2013 in exchange for his help in obtaining federal grant money for both Miami Lakes and the nearby town of Medley, where he was the city attorney. The agents, pretending to be businesspeople, told Pizzi they intended to keep the hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money for themselves. Pizzi’s lawyers portrayed him as honest and the victim of entrapment by overzealous FBI agents looking to make a high-profile arrest.

Indiana – Officials Defend Exceptions to Indiana Ethics Rules That Were Meant to Prevent Conflicts of Interest

Indianapolis Star – Ryan Sabalow | Published: 8/16/2014

Indiana’s ethics laws require that former state employees take at least a year off before working as a lobbyist or going to work for companies they once regulated. But an exception to the law allows public employees to circumvent the “revolving-door” rules. That exception: ask your former boss to grant you a waiver. The waiver is binding and does not require the approval of the state’s Ethics Commission. Other states such as Washington and Connecticut, which have earned top rankings by good-government groups for their “revolving-door” restrictions, do not allow waiting periods to be waived.

Massachusetts – Galvin to Launch Inquiry into Lobbyist

Boston Globe – David Scharfenberg | Published: 8/21/2014

Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin launched an inquiry into the activities of lobbyist John Brennan, who is a former state lawmaker. Attorney General Martha Coakley alleges the Brennan Group collected $370,000 in improper lobbying fees from the Franciscan Hospital for Children through a contingency fee. State law bars contingency agreements. In an agreement with Coakley’s office, the Brennan Group made no admission of guilt but agreed to repay Franciscan $100,000 of the disputed lobbying fees. “The agreement raises more questions than it answers,” said Galvin.

New Mexico – Duran, in Turnaround, OKs King’s Contested Campaign Contributions

Santa Fe New Mexican – Steve Terrell | Published: 8/14/2014

New Mexico Secretary of State Dianna Duran reversed her office’s initial finding that donations received by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gary King violated the state’s campaign contribution limits. Facing a state Supreme Court hearing on the matter, Duran wrote in a letter to King that she no longer considered the donations in question to be impermissible. She said the decision was made after she weighed the arguments of King, the state’s attorney general.

New York – Bill Seeks More Disclosure for Certain Campaign Spending

Capital New York – Sally Goldenberg | Published: 8/20/2014

A bill that would mandate more information about independent expenditures be made public is expected to pass the New York City Council and be signed into law by Mayor Bill de Blasio. The legislation requires independent expenditures to list their top three donors on campaign literature they mail to voters. The information would also have to be presented on advertisements. It would not apply to those who give less than $5,000 in independent spending because they are not required to report their donors to the Campaign Finance Board.

Oklahoma – Ethics Commission to Consider Fees for Training

KGOU; eCapitol –   | Published: 8/20/2014

Under a proposed rule, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission would be able to charge registration fees to lobbyists, principals, PACs, and candidate committees. The commission would be required to publish the fees annually on July 1 of each year beginning in 2015. The proposed amendment will be the subject of a public hearing, and a possible vote during the commission’s September meeting.

Pennsylvania – U.S. Court Lifts Ban on Campaign Donations by Phila. Police Officers

Philadelphia Inquirer – Chris Hepp | Published: 8/20/2014

The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Philadelphia police officers should be allowed to donate money to their union’s PAC. The ruling strikes down a ban enacted in 1919. The appeals court said the city had failed to show the prohibition, which applies to no other city employees, was effective in stemming political influence and corruption within the department, which was its original intent.

South Carolina – S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell Announces Grand Jury Probe Has Ended

Charleston Post & Courier – Cynthia Roldan, Jeremy Borden, and Schuler Knopf | Published: 8/16/2014

A grand jury investigation of South Carolina House Speaker Bobby Harrell has ended without charges and state Attorney General Alan Wilson has recused himself from the case, with the matter now in the hands a local prosecutor, according to Harrell’s office. A complaint alleged Harrell had improperly used campaign funds and had used his influence to obtain a state permit for his pharmaceutical business. Harrell has denied any impropriety.

Texas – Gov. Rick Perry of Texas Is Indicted on Charge of Abuse of Power

New York Times – Manny Fernandez | Published: 8/15/2014

A grand jury indicted Texas Gov. Rick Perry on two felony counts, saying he abused his office and used a veto threat to coerce Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg to resign. The grand jury considered an ethics complaint that alleged Perry abused his veto power when he cut funding for the state’s anti-corruption unit, which is part of the Travis County district attorney’s office. The indictment comes as Perry, who is stepping down at the end of his term after 14 years in office, attempts to rehabilitate his political image as he considers another presidential campaign.

Washington – Ethics Panel Takes Preliminary Vote on Limiting Free Lobbyist Meals for Lawmakers

Columbus Republic – Rachel La Corte (Associated Press) | Published: 8/19/2014

Members of the Washington Legislature could get no more than 12 free meals a year from lobbyists under a plan tentatively approved by the Legislative Ethics Board. The board voted to define, for the first time, what current law means when it prohibits public officials from accepting free meals on more than “infrequent occasions.” The rule would not take effect until a final vote later this year on the overall proposal surrounding rules concerning meals.

Wisconsin – GOP Lawmakers Recruit Lobbyists for Door-to-Door Visits

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley | Published: 8/15/2014

Wisconsin Assembly leaders are recruiting lobbyists to help with door-to-door campaigns aimed at boosting the party’s majority in the chamber. The effort is called “Leggiepalooza,” a take-off on the Lollapalooza music festivals. Some lobbyists said they were uncomfortable with being asked to help with door knocking because they feared they could have a harder time passing bills if they did not participate. Others said they saw no problem with it.

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.

Lobbying

Alabama: “Campaign booster for Alabama Gov. Bentley was lobbyist for Corizon, prison health care contractor targeted in lawsuit” by Casey Toner in The Birmingham News.

Canada: “Joe Clark’s new job: Lobbying the federal government” by Glen McGregor in the National Post.

Campaign Finance

Florida: “David Rivera named co-conspirator as friend pleads guilty in campaign-finance case” by Marc Caputo, Jay Weaver and Patricia Mazzei in the Miami Herald.

Montana: “Out-of-state donors fund Daines’ Senate campaign” by The Associated Press in the Independent Record.

Vermont: “Vermont Public Money Gives Progressive Fundraising Edge” by Dave Gram (Associated Press) in Valley News.

Ethics

New York: “N.Y. poll: Government corruption a problem” by Jonathan Topaz in Politico.

Rhode Island: “Ethics Commission to probe lawmaker’s beach bid” by The Associated Press in The Washington Times.

Elections

“Top 5 Races to Watch in the Mid-Atlantic” by Nathan L. Gonzales in Roll Call.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Los Angeles Undertakes Massive Website Relaunch with Drupal” by Jason Shueh in Government Tech.

Redistricting

Florida: “Florida’s New Redistricting Plan: Round Two” by Linda Killian in The Wall Street Journal.

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission will consider a rule amendment permitting it to collect registration fees from lobbyists, lobbyist principals, political action committees, and candidate committees. The proposed amendment would also allow the executive director to establish and collect registration fees from those participating in training events or educational classes and seminars.

If the amendment is approved, the commission would be required to publish a fee schedule on July 1 of each year beginning in 2015. There will be a public hearing and possibly a vote on the proposed amendment during the September commission meeting.

The Board of Ethics formally submitted its revised Rules & Regulations to the City Council on August 19. The rules govern board activities in conformation with the provisions of the Governmental Ethics Ordinance.

Unless the City Council, by majority vote, votes to disapprove them, the rules will become effective 45 days after submission.

On July 30, the Chicago City Council enacted amendments to the Governmental Ethics Ordinance, chapter 2-156 of the Municipal Code of Chicago.

Changes include granting the Board of Ethics authority to review campaign finance filings and to refer potential violations to the appropriate investigating authority. Pay-to-play provisions have also been amended, affecting vendors, lobbyists, and any other person seeking to do business with the city.

Penalties are currently imposed only on the candidate, official, or employee accepting a prohibited contribution. Under the revised ordinance, however, the penalty provisions will also apply to persons making such contributions.

The amendments take effect September 10.

Lobbying

Canada: “A fond farewell to former staffer and lobbyist Devon Jacobs” by Rachel Aiello in Hill Times.

Massachusetts: “AG hit on settlement with lobbyist” by Chris Cassidy in the Boston Herald.

Miami-Dade County, Florida: “Ethics Backs Lobbying Ban” on Miami Today.

Campaign Finance

“Planes, trains and campaign finance reports — the bane of every Senate candidate” by Jaime Fuller in The Washington Post.

Ethics

“I-Team: North Carolina Ethics Commission’s website problems could be a sign of a bigger issue” by Jon Camp on WTVD ABC News.

Georgia: “Ethics Commission: We’re back on track” by Aaron Gould Sheinin in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

North Carolina: “Carteret County man named chairman of State Ethics Commission” by Brad Christian on WNCT News.

Oklahoma: “Ethics Commission To Consider Fees For Training” on KGOU.

Washington: “Ethics Board Settles On 12 Lobbyist-Paid Meals Per Year” by Austin Jenkins on Northwest Public Radio.

Elections

“The 65 people who may run for president in 2016” by Bob Cusack in The Hill.

The Washington Legislative Ethics Board has come to a preliminary conclusion as to how to define “infrequent occasions” as it relates to free meals accepted by the state’s legislators. Section 42.52.420 of the Revised Code of Washington allows public officials to accept gifts in the form of food and beverage on infrequent occasions so long as attendance at such a meal is related to the performance of official duties.

When the Legislature failed to pass any pertinent legislation defining infrequent occasions before its adjournment on March 13, 2014, the Legislative Ethics Board took up the issue. During its August 19, 2014, meeting, the board decided in a 5-3 vote to define infrequent occasions as 12 free meals per year. Under the proposed rule, a qualifying meal occurs when the guest would normally be expected to sit down and eat, such as in a restaurant or a private residence, as opposed to a legislative reception.

Other provisions of the rule, including a reporting requirement for legislators accepting free meals, are still under discussion. A final vote on the rule is scheduled for October 21, 2014.

Lobbying

“Spending on lobbying is actually falling. Or is it?” by Alexander Becker in The Washington Post.

“Researchers Try To Quantify The Value Of Lobbying” by Michael Ide in Value Walk.

Campaign Finance

“DCCC outraises NRCC by $3.5M in July” by Alexandra Jaffe in The Hill.

Arizona: “Scottsdale campaign-finance violation likely, city says” by Beth Duckett in The Republic.

California: “California lawmakers pass 3 campaign reform bills” by The Associated Press in the News & Observer.

Missouri: “Missouri Democratic group to pay $10K ethics fine” by The Associated Press in the News & Observer.

Ethics

“House Ethics panel probing Rep. Petri” by Mario Trujillo in The Hill.

“The Grimes family discount” by Manu Raju in Politico.

Florida: “Update: Group blasts city for challenging ethics initiative” by Jeff Burlew in the Tallahassee Democrat.

Oklahoma: “Ethics Commission Seeks Input Regarding Financial Disclosure Availability” on KGOU.

Washington: “Washington Legislative Ethics Panel To Consider Free-Meals Rule” by Austin Jenkins on KPLU.

Elections

“Revised Election Schedule Submitted in Florida Map Case” by Bridget Bowman in Roll Call.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Local Governments Open Data with Performance Dashboard” by Colin Wood in Government Technology.

“Report Ranks Top Open Data States” by Colin Wood in Government Technology.