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.
December 28, 2012 •
Executive Director Theresa Kirk Leaving West Virginia Ethics Commission
Will remain in position until new executive director selected
Ethics Commission executive director Theresa Kirk is planning to leave the agency to work in the private sector. She expects to stay on for 60 to 90 days to assist in preparing the commission’s 2013 legislative agenda and the transition to a new executive director.
Ms. Kirk has been the commission’s executive director since February 2009, and prior to that served as the commission’s legal counsel. The commission approved an employment exemption allowing her to seek work in the private sector.
December 27, 2012 •
Thursday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
Maryland: “2012 lobbyist rankings” by Erin Cox in the Baltimore Sun.
Campaign Finance
Maryland: “Maryland panel recommends campaign finance reform” in the Capital Gazette.
Wisconsin: “Gov. Scott Walker voices support for limits on political fundraising” by Bill Lueders in the Daily Page.
Ethics
“Philadelphia Ethics Board plans crackdown on independent expenditures” by Dave Davies in Newsworks.org.
“D.C. Ethics Board Names New General Counsel” by Sam Skolnik in The Blog of Legal Times.
New York: “Updated indictment filed against ex-NC lawmaker” by The Associated Press in the Winston-Salem Journal.
Social Media
“Answering government officials’ hesitation toward social media use” by Aimee Ingalls in the Washington Times.
Maryland: “Ethics Commission: No new ethics law eyed for social media” by Sherry Greenfield in the Southern Maryland News.
December 26, 2012 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Keep up with the latest articles on campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics!
Campaign Finance
“2012: Reviewing the year of the super PAC” by Nancy Marshall-Genzer on American Public Media’s Marketplace.
California: “FPPC to enforce county’s campaign finance reform law” in the Victorville Daily Press.
Lobbying
Alaska: “Alaska lawmakers will likely see more bills inspired by outside groups” by Richard Mauer in The Sacramento Bee.
Utah: “Former Utah senator Bob Bennett will return to Capitol as lobbyist” by Matt Canham in The Salt Lake Tribune.
Ethics
Kentucky: “Kentucky Ethics Commission Judge Awarded Internationally” by Paul McRee in SurfKY News.
Missouri: “Secretary of State Scott Gessler rebuts ethics complaint” by Tim Hoover in the Denver Post.
December 21, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – December 21, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
NRA Power and Money Goes a Long Way in States
The GOP’s Electoral College Scheme
Federal:
Colbert Super PAC to Give to Charities
Crossroads GPS Claim: What Karl Rove’s dark money nonprofit told the IRS
From the States and Municipalities:
Alaska
Legislative Aide Resigns after Anti-Islamic Agenda Crosses into Public Role
Arkansas
Admitted Inappropriate Relationship Threatens McDaniel’s 2014 Bid to Become Arkansas’ Governor
California
More Valuable Gifts, Contributions Allowed to Politicians in 2013
California
State Political Watchdog to Enforce San Bernardino County’s Campaign Finance Ordinance
Louisiana
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu to End Contracts with Firm Tied to Ray Nagin Bribery Probe
New York
Cup of Coffee Limit Perks Up Again
New York
NY State Urges Aetna to Reveal Political Spending
Washington
House Bill Would Impose Fees on Lobbyists, Others
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 19, 2012 •
Thank You, COGEL!
See you next year in Quebec City!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Council on Government Ethics Laws (COGEL) for a great conference in Columbus. Eleven of our staff from State and Federal Communications attended, and we had a terrific experience. There were so many information-packed sessions and it was nice to see old friends and make some new ones.
Here is a little video montage we made about our COGEL 2012 experience. Enjoy!
December 18, 2012 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Don’t miss the articles you need to keep up with the latest news about lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics:
Lobbying
“The top 10 lobbying victories of this year” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“K Street gathers strength behind Hurricane Sandy relief bill” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Former Texas Congressman Joins King & Spalding Lobbying Team” by Matthew Huisman in The Blog of Legal Times.
Wisconsin: “Milwaukee County’s lobbying list is somewhat vague” by Steve Schultze in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Campaign Finance
“Analysis: Campaign Finance Reform Takes a Step Forward in Albany” by Gabe Pressman on NBC New York.
Ethics
“House Names Conaway as Ethics Chairman” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
December 17, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics news articles:
Campaign Finance
“The Question at the Heart of Citizens United” by Paul Sherman in Jurist.
“D.C. campaign finance misdeeds call for further inquiry” opinion piece by Colbert I. King in the Washington Post.
Lobbying
“New lobbying firm spans both sides of the aisle” by AnnMarie Timmins in the Concord Monitor.
Ethics
“House Ethics Confirms Cases of Owens, Schock” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
Oklahoma: “Ethics Commission top post to be offered to 1 of 4 finalists” by Michael McNutt in Tulsa World.
South Carolina: “Haley tells ethics panel their work will produce results” by Tim Smith in the Greenville News.
Legislative Issues
Maine: “Campaign tracking becoming year-round practice in Maine” by Glenn Adams (Associated Press) in the Bangor Daily News.
North Dakota: “Finding room at the inn isn’t always easy for legislators” by Nick Smith in the Bismarck Tribune.
Texas: “Seeking Fresh Policies and Faces, Lawmakers Push for Term Limits” by Ross Ramsey in the New York Times.
Open Government
South Dakota: “Open government receives boost” by David Montgomery in the Argus Leader.
December 14, 2012 •
One Last News Roundup for the Week
Keep up with the latest articles on campaign finance and government ethics:
Campaign Finance
“What’s Left for Campaign Finance Reform?” by Steven D. Schwinn in Jurist.
“Colbert donates super PAC funds to charity” by Dave Levinthal in Politico.
New York: “Campaign finance reform on 2013 Albany agenda” by Karen DeWitt on North County Public Radio.
District of Columbia: “DC Council to consider emergency ban on large money-order campaign contributions” by The Associated Press in the Washington Post.
Ethics
California: “Political ethics panel accuses brothers of money laundering” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.
Florida: “Palm Beach County ethics commission to decide whether national search needed for director’s post” by Jennifer Sorentrue in the Palm Beach Post.
December 14, 2012 •
News You Can Use – December 14, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Corporate Money Allowed for Inaugural Donations
Federal Court Hears Arguments on Senate Filibuster Challenge
From the States and Municipalities:
California
San Jose to Keep Strict Rules on Disclosing Lobbyists’ Texts, E-mails
Louisiana
Guilty Plea Seems to Set Stage for Charges against Former Mayor Ray Nagin
Maryland
Revolving Door for Government Staffers Questioned
Massachusetts
Jurors Deadlock on Corruption Charges against Cahill
Minnesota
Minnesota Watchdog Panel Wants to See Campaign Financing Overhaul
Missouri
Great Power Equals Greater Funding? Ethics Commission Hopes So
Montana
Judge: ATP engaged in ‘long-standing and pervasive’ abuse of discovery process
New Jersey
Bergen Insurance Broker Sentenced to Five Years for Illegal Contributions to Menendez Campaign
New York
Attorney General Seeks to Force Disclosure of More Political Donors
Ohio
Cuyahoga County Council Bans Corrupt Contractors
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 12, 2012 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Keep up with the latest articles on lobbying, campaign finance, ethics, redistricting and more!
Lobbying
“Forbes-Tate Lures Boehner Aide to K Street” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Businesses Bet K Street Can Sway Debate” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Businesses Are Spending on Lobbying Instead of Jobs” by Jacob Feldman in U.S. News & World Report.
Campaign Finance
Minnesota: “Campaign finance board seeks new income to fund its work” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Star-Tribune.
Minnesota: “Minnesota’s Campaign Finance Board looks at expanding authority” by Cyndy Brucato in MinnPost.com.
Montana: “Judge tosses Montana campaign finance case” by Marnee Banks in KAJ18 News.
New York: “Local leaders push campaign finance reform bill” by Anthony Borelli in the Press & Sun-Bulletin.
New York: “Attorney General Seeks to Force Disclosure of More Political Donors” by Nicholas Confessore in The New York Times.
Ethics
“Empty Ethics Posts Draw Critics’ Ire” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
New York: “Deposed State Sen. Monserrate Gets 2 Years for Campaign Finance Scheme” on CBS News.
Redistricting
Arizona: “Court rules Arizona redistricting commission must follow open meeting laws” by Paul Davenport (Associated Press) in the Arizona Capitol Times.
Ohio: “New plan surfaces to redraw districts” by Jim Siegel in the Columbus Dispatch.
Government Tech and Social Media
“2012 Year in Review: Social Media” by Elaine Pittman in Government Technology.
“Feds with Klout” by Joseph Marks in Nextgov.
December 10, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
Campaign Finance
“2012 presidential election nearing all-time record, final campaign finance reports show” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.
Arkansas: “3 GOP lawmakers fined by Ark. ethics commission” in the San Francisco Chronicle.
District of Columbia: “Reneging on campaign finance reform” column by Jonetta Rose Barras in the Examiner.
Texas: “Contributions Blackout Serves Many Functions” by Ross Ramsey in The New York Times.
“Bad News for Campaign Finance” editorial by David Firestone in The New York Times.
Lobbying
“Think Tanks or Partisan Advocates? Distinction Is Getting Harder to See” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
Florida: “Former lobbyist Allison Tant joins race to lead Florida Democratic Party” by Adam C. Smith in the Tampa Bay Times.
Texas: “Ex-Arlington lawmaker forms lobbying firm” by Maria Recio, Anna M. Tinsley and Scott Nishimura in the Star-Telegram.
Wyoming: “Groups challenge Wyoming lawmakers’ lack of transparency with ALEC” by Joan Barron in the Star-Tribune.
Ethics
District of Columbia: “DC lottery contract is subject of federal probe” by Ben Nuckols in Bloomberg BusinessWeek.
West Virginia: “W.Va. Ethics Commission director gets exemption” by The Associated Press in the Herald-Dispatch.
Redistricting
“Redrawn districts complicate inquiries to incoming representatives” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.
“Redistricting fight puts Doggett in awkward situation” by Tim Eaton in the Austin American-Statesman.
Government Social Media
“North Carolina Archives Social Media” by Colin Wood in Government Technology.
December 7, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – December 7, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
2012 Presidential Election Nearing All-Time Record, Final Campaign Finance Reports Show
McConnell Pushes Back against Campaign Finance Reform Efforts
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Sacramento Lobbyist Dinged for Coalition Letter
District of Columbia
Mendelson: No time left for campaign finance reform this session
Illinois
Mel Reynolds Announces Congressional Run, Admits ‘Mistakes’
Maryland
Judge Says Ex-Delegate Tiffany Alston Is out; Committee Can Withdraw Hall’s Nomination to Seat
Michigan
Michigan State Representative Cleared by SOS in Election-Rigging Plan
Missouri
Missouri House GOP Plans Campaign Finance, Ethics Bill
Nevada
Secretary of State Goes to Court to Force AFP to Reveal Donors
New Jersey
Trenton Mayor Tony Mack Is Indicted on Federal Corruption Charges
North Carolina
Gov.-elect Pat McCrory Still Employed by Law Firm That Lobbies the State
Wisconsin
Incoming Senate Leader Favors Political Appointees over Judges on GAB
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.
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.
