January 12, 2013 •
Campaign Finance and Ethics Weekend Report
Here are a few breaking news items. Enjoy your weekend!
Ethics
“Be It Dogged or Annoying, Office of Congressional Ethics Survives” by Billy House in National Journal.
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission executive director named” by Michael McNutt in Tulsa World.
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission proposes blackout period on complaints” by Michael McNutt in The Oklahoman.
Campaign Finance
Mississippi: “Federal trial scheduled for challenge to Mississippi’s campaign finance law” by The Associated Press in the Mississippi Press.
Montana: “Bill would tighten some Montana campaign finance laws” in the Missoulian.
New York: “Cuomo pushes NY campaign finance reform _ again” by The Associated Press in the Wall Street Journal.
New York City: “Campaign Finance Board fires back at City Council” in by Beth Morrissey in The New York World.
January 11, 2013 •
Idaho Legislature Explores Creation of Independent Ethics Commission
Commission would be formal standing committee
The Idaho Legislature is exploring the idea of creating an independent ethics commission. The new speaker of the house, Representative Scott Bedke, says that house lawmakers are working on the details of what such a commission would look like.
The commission would be a formal standing ethics committee, although Rep. Bedke did not specify whether a proposed commission would be completely independent of the legislature.
Idaho is among the small minority of states that do not have an ethics commission.
Photo of the Idaho Capitol Rotunda by Kencf0618 on Wikipedia.
January 11, 2013 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 11, 2013
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Cynthia Bauerly, FEC Commissioner, to Resign on February 1
From the States and Municipalities:
Colorado – Ethics Panel OKs Continuing Gessler Probe, Mulls Legal Defense Fund
Connecticut – Ex-Convict Candidate Charged with Campaign Fraud
Florida – Orange Mayor Jacobs Proposes Major Texting, Lobbying Reforms
Georgia – Senate Ready to Cap Lobbyists’ Gifts
Illinois – New Illinois Legislature Includes 3 Members Facing Criminal Charges
Kansas – Push to Change Kansas’ Ethics Enforcement Coming
Montana – Helena Judge Rules ‘Dark Money’ Group Violated Election Laws
North Carolina – NC Court of Appeals to Rule on State’s Ability to Levy Lobbying Law Fines
Oklahoma – Former Oklahoma Senate Leader Mike Morgan Is Sentenced to Probation
South Carolina – SC Lawmakers Push More Money for Ethics Commission
Texas – Legislature’s Ethics Rules Raise Concerns
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.
January 10, 2013 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are some great articles in today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
Delaware: “Kowalko introduces ‘revolving-door’ lobbying bill” by Doug Denison in the News Journal.
Florida: “Orange Mayor Jacobs proposes major texting, lobbying reforms” in the Orlando Sentinel.
Georgia: “Ga. Senate moves toward lobbying gift cap” by Ray Henry (Associated Press) in WSAV.com.
North Dakota: “Lobbyists gear up for 2013 ND legislative session” by The Associated Press in InForum.
Oregon: “Oregon Democratic legislators receive make-up donations” by Jeff Mapes in The Oregonian.
“K Street Files: TCH Group, Polaris Add Lobbyists” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
Campaign Finance
“Campaign Finance Reform In Congress Moves Forward With Little Hope For Passage” in the Huffington Post.
“Watchdog group criticizes Rep. Tim Ryan’s ‘campaign meals’ in congressional dining room” by Sabrina Eaton in the Plain Dealer.
Ethics
Idaho: “Idaho lawmakers get ethics training, a first” by The Associated Press in the Idaho Press-Tribune.
South Carolina: “SC lawmakers push more money for Ethics Commission” by Adam Beam in The State.
Legislative Issues
Kentuckey: “Kentucky House elects first woman to leadership post” by Jack Brammer and Beth Musgrave in the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Michigan: “Governor calls May special election to fill Flint-area state Senate seat vacated by John Gleason” by Kristin Longley in MLive.
Michigan: “5 things to watch today as the Michigan Legislature starts its 2013-14 session” by Tim Martin in MLive.
Redistricting
“Alaska redistricting board wants high court to reconsider” by The Associated Press in the Daily News-Miner.
Open Government
“House Republicans Release More Data Catnip for Developers” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.
Government Tech
“Technology’s Real Value for Government” by Jerry Mechling in Public CIO.
January 9, 2013 •
Wednesday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News
Keep up with the latest articles on campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics!
Lobbying
“Matt Walker Heads to the National Restaurant Association” by Alex Roarty in National Journal.
Campaign Finance
“Coalition Presses for Rules on Corporate Political Spending” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“Campaign finance fight lands at the SEC’s door” by Anna Palmer and Zachary Warmbrodt in Politico.
District of Columbia: “Campaign finance reform bills introduced at D.C. Council” by Alan Blinder in The Examiner.
Ethics
Georgia: “Senate committee meets on ethics rules” by Melissa Roberts on CBS Atlanta.
Kansas: “GOP conservatives’ ire at ethics commission likely to result in proposals to revamp watchdog” by John Hanna in The Republic.
South Carolina: “Sanford set for political comeback trail” by Cameron Joseph in The Hill.
Legislative Issues
“The Hill’s 2012 New Members Guide” in The Hill.
“Americans prefer Nickelback, root canals to Congress” by Breanna Edwards in Politico.
“Rhode Island Likely to Lose a House Seat” by Katherine Q. Seelye in The New York Times.
Michigan: “Michigan Legislature starts new session Wednesday” by David Eggert (Associated Press) in the Lansing Journal.
Vermont: “As new legislative session starts, a look at the old Statehouse” by Terri Hallenbeck in the Burlington Free Press.
Wisconsin: “Wis. lawmakers reach no deal on changing rules” by Scott Bauer in the La Crosse Tribune.
Government Tech
“Who has the worst web presences in politics?” by Steve Friess in Politico.
January 8, 2013 •
Tuesday Government Relations News
Don’t miss the articles you need to keep up with the latest news about ethics, lobbying, campaign finance, and more:
Ethics
“Citing Flawed Process, Lawyers Call for Changes in Ethics Office Inquiries” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
“CREW Files DOJ, FEC Complaints Against Payday Lender for Illegal Conduit Contribution to Super PAC” in ENews Park Forest.
Colorado: “Ethics commission moves forward with Gessler investigation” by John Tomasic in the Colorado Independent.
Maryland: “Common Cause hires new state director” by Michael Dresser in the Baltimore Sun.
South Carolina: “Ethics commission discusses reform recommendations” by The Associated Press in GoUpstate.com.
Wisconsin: “Funding cut threatens popular Wisconsin campaign finance database” by Steven Elbow in The Capital Times.
Lobbying
Ohio: “Former Rep. Steve LaTourette and wife to start law firm’s lobbying practice” by Sabrina Eaton in the Plain Dealer.
Campaign Finance
“Outside, secret money likely to flow in 2013” by Tarini Parti in Politico.
Minnesota: “Campaign Finance Board looks to strengthen public disclosure law” by Tom Scheck in MPR News.
New York: “Campaign finance reform crusader Cuomo fund raises at Waldorf Astoria” by Carl Campanile in the New York Post.
New York: “Mayoral candidate files lawsuit challenging limits on campaign contributions” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
New York: “NY proposal: Use casino money to fund NY campaigns” by Michael Gormley in the Huffington Post.
New York: “NY campaign funding drops, but Senate GOP gets most money” by Joseph Spector in the Press & Sun-Bulletin.
Legislative Issues
“SC House minority leader steps down” by Adam Beam in The State.
Social Media and Government Tech
“The Library of Congress is Archiving 170 Billion Tweets — on Tape” by Julia Wetherell in TechPresident.
January 7, 2013 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics news articles:
Campaign Finance
“Obama Campaign Fined $375,000” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“Supreme Court won’t hear campaign finance arguments from anti-abortion group” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.
Connecticut: “Former State Sen. Ernest Newton Arrested” by Mark Pazniokas in the Hartford Guardian.
Lobbying
“2013 Lobbying Certificate Program Calendar Released” on the American League of Lobbyists website.
“K Street Files: MPAA Casts Strahan” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Confessions of a Young Lobbyist on Capitol Hill” by Mickey Leibner in Roll Call.
“K Street Files: Airline Group Lands New Staffer, Lawsuit; Former Senators Lobbying” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
Ethics
“Cynthia Bauerly, FEC Commissioner, To Resign On February 1” by Paul Blumenthal in the Huffington Post.
Idaho: “Idaho lawmakers could create ethics committee” by Justin Corr in KTVB News.
South Carolina: “S.C. lawmakers have packed 2013 agenda” by Stephen Largen in the Post and Courier.
Legislative Issues
“Utah lawmaker wants to dump must-vote rule” by Robert Gehrke in The Salt Lake Tribune.
January 4, 2013 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 4, 2013
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Ethics Restrictions for Federal Workers Apply to Inaugural Activities
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Sacramento Filmmaker Lobbies for Cash to Back ‘The Lobbyist’
Georgia
Ethics Reform: Lawmakers may have seen last free football game
Idaho
Campaign Finance Loopholes Have Some Wondering: Who’s watching the money?
Nebraska
NE: Lawmakers look to change rules for campaigns
Nevada
New Rule Requires Training Course for Lobbyists
New York
State Comptroller Sues Qualcomm for Data on Its Political Contributions
North Carolina
NC Judge Voids Teacher Paycheck Law Targeting NCAE
South Carolina
South Carolina AP Reporter Jim Davenport Dies
Tennessee
Proposed Bill Limits Make Tennessee Lobbyists Scramble
Virginia
Political Mail Exposing Voting Habits Ignites Uproar
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.
January 3, 2013 •
NCSL’s Ethics in the News
Updated December 31, 2012
Don’t miss the latest updates in the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Ethics Update. You’ll also find links to newsletters from the state ethics commissions.
January 3, 2013 •
Thursday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
“Technology and lobbying in 2012” on Federal News Radio.
“K Street Files: Clark Lytle, Thorn Run Add New Partners” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Americans Believe the System Is Rigged Against Them: An Interview with Former Lobbyist Jack Abramoff” by Elliot Resnick in The Jewish Press.
California: “Greuel faults DWP for bypassing bids on lobbying contracts” by David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times.
Campaign Finance
Arkansas: “Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson reports self to Ethics Commission giving campaign cash to girlfriend” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
New Jersey: “N.J. Democratic Party fined $42K for alleged campaign finance violations” by Matt Friedman in the Star-Ledger.
Texas: “Ethics Commission Fines Simmons’ PAC Over Donations” by Becca Aaronson in the Texas Tribune.
Ethics
“Report links McConnell campaign donations to legislative work” by Alexandra Jaffe in The Hill.
“House Ethics Reviewed 96 Cases During 112th” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
New York: “NY comptroller sues Qualcomm on political spending” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.
Pennsylvania: “Gov. Corbett’s trip paid for by a businessman is subject of a complaint filed by activist Gene Stilp” by Jan Murphy in the Patriot-News.
January 2, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Keep up with the latest articles on campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics!
Campaign Finance
“Political Spending Sets New Records During Tumultuous Year” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
California: “Lawmakers try to curb anonymous political donations in California” by Michael J. Mishak in the Los Angeles Times.
Canada: “ $100 lid on private political donations enacted” by Marian Scott in the Montreal Gazette.
Idaho: “Campaign Finance Loopholes Have Some Wondering: Who’s Watching the Money?” by Melissa Davlin in the Twin Falls Times-News.
Lobbying
“In Congress, relatives lobby on bills before family members” by Mark Zaleski (Associated Press) in The Washington Post.
Tennessee: “Proposed bill limits make Tenn. lobbyists scramble” by Erik Schelzig (Associated Press) in the San Antonio Express-News.
Ethics
District of Columbia: “Year of convictions doesn’t end D.C. corruption probes” by Alan Blinder in the Examiner.
Georgia: “Ethics likely on General Assembly agenda” by Michael Davis in the Jackson Progress-Argus.
Social Media
“Social Media 2012: A Look Back” by Pam Greenberg in NCSL’s The Thicket.
Legislative Issues
“From Congress to Halls of State, in New Hampshire, Women Rule” by Katherine Q. Seelye in The New York Times.
December 28, 2012 •
One Last News Roundup for the Week
Let’s finish out the week – and the year – with the latest articles on government ethics, campaign finance, lobbying, and more:
Ethics
“House Ethics Ends Countrywide Loan Probe” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
“House Ethics closes Countrywide probe without taking action” by Peter Schroeder in The Hill.
“House Ethics Amends Private Travel Rules” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
Louisiana: “Louisiana Board of Ethics to challenge Baton Rouge Mayor in appeals court” by Quincy Hodges in the New Orleans Times Picayune.
Campaign Finance
“Our states vouch for transparent campaign financing” opinion piece by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Lisa Murkowski in the Washington Post.
“Lisa Murkowski crosses aisle to reign in Super PACs” by Jill Burke in the Alaska Dispatch.
South Carolina: “South Carolina campaign funding will face scrutiny” by Stephen Largen in the Post and Courier.
Lobbying
“Former lobbyist, state legislator John Quimby dies at 77” by Torey Van Oot in the Sacramento Bee.
Maryland: “Gambling companies doubled down on lobbying Md. lawmakers over past year” by John Wagner in the Washington Post.
Elections
“Ed Markey to run for Kerry’s Senate seat” by Rachel Weiner in the Washington Post.
“Should Kansas switch dates for elections?” by The Associated Press in the Kansas City Star.
Legislative Issues
Michigan: “Michigan lawmakers get perks beyond salaries” by Kristen M. Daum in Lansing State Journal.
December 28, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – December 28, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
FreedomWorks Tea Party Group Nearly Falls Apart in Fight between Old and New Guard
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Troy Gives Up on AEA Challenge to Ethics Law, Launches New Fundraising Campaign for PAC
California
Citigroup among 5 Banks Fined Over Muni-Bond Lobbying Costs
California
Labor Beat Prop. 32 Via Social Media
Florida
Senate President’s Hire Seems at Odds with Ethics Reform
Georgia
Ethics Changes in Georgia Senate Could Include $100 Gift Cap
Louisiana
Maine
Outsiders Spent More than Maine Legislative Candidates
Maryland
Missouri
Missouri Ethics Chief Headed to Kander’s Office
New Jersey
Jersey City ‘Pay-to-Play’ Restrictions Made Stricter by City Council
South Carolina
Mark Sanford House Run: Former South Carolina governor seriously considering bid for Congress
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.
December 28, 2012 •
Missouri Ethics Commission Executive Director Leaving for New Job
Julie Allen will be working for Secretary of State’s office
Julie Allen, the executive director of the Missouri Ethics Commission, will be leaving to work at the Secretary of State’s office as the director of elections and information technology.
For full news coverage, be sure to read:
“Missouri ethics chief headed to Kander’s office” by The Associated Press in Connectmidmissouri.com.
“Kander hires executive director of Missouri Ethics Commission to oversee state elections” by Jo Mannies in the St. Louis Beacon.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
