October 4, 2012 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are a few articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Campaign Finance
“Campaign Fundraisers in D.C. Continue Despite Recess” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
New York: “Campaign finance reform uncertain” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.
Lobbying
“US Rep. Frank: No paid lobbying after Congress” by The Associated Press in the Boston Globe.
Ethics
“SC lawmakers vow ethics reform” by Andrew Shain in The State.
Campaigns and Elections
“5 takeaways from the Denver debate” by Maggie Haberman in Politico.
October 3, 2012 •
Our Wednesday Government Relations News Roundup
Don’t miss the articles you need to keep up with the latest news about lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics:
Campaign Finance
“Freshmen rake in cash through PACs” by Kevin Bogardus and Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
Connecticut: “When a candidate’s spouse is powerful, the goal of a campaign donation can be … complicated” by Ana Radelot in the CT Mirror.
Minnesota: “Campaign finance board rules Minnesota Majority’s Dan McGrath did not break lobbying rules” by Paul Demko in Politics in Minnesota.
New York: “NY progressives push for public campaign finances” by Michael Gormley in Bloomberg News.
New York: “Campaign finance firepower gathers” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Capitol Confidential.
Lobbying
“Activists Press Corporations to Cut Ties With Presidential Debate Commission” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
“Wis. lawmakers sued over emails with conservative group” by The Associated Press in the Chicago Tribune.
Ethics
California: “L.A. Councilman Richard Alarcon and wife ordered to stand trial” by Catherine Saillant in the Los Angeles Times.
Illinois: “Emanuel Revamps City Hall Ethics Board” by Hal Dardick in the Chicago Tribune.
Campaigns and elections
“Obama, on track to raise $1 billion, came close to that in 2008” by Matea Gold in the Los Angeles Times.
“Jim Lehrer on criticism of his recurring debate-moderator role: ‘It’s a rough, rough world’” by Andrew Beaujon in Poynter.org.
“Daily Ad Track” by Abby Livingston in Roll Call.
“Zac Efron, Leonardo DiCaprio and Selena Gomez all want you to vote for stuff” by Jen Chaney in the Washington Post.
Government Tech and Social Media
“For the Campaigns, Online Debate Response is All About Mobile” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.
“Social media: On the outside looking in at presidential debates” in Politics in Minnesota.
“Code for America Reveals 2013 Partner Cities and Counties” by Sarah Rich in Government Technology.
October 1, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Start the week off right with these government relations news articles:
Campaign Finance
“‘Dark money’ flowing back to issue ads” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Arizona: “Ex-aide charged with stealing Ariz. campaign cash” by The Associated Press in Tucson News Now.
California: “California voters rejecting change to campaign financing” by The Associated Press in the Mercury News.
Iowa: “Charges dropped in Iowa campaign contribution case” in the Muscatine Journal.
Texas: “PAC wants state approval for text donations” by Dave Nyczepir in Campaigns & Elections.
Lobbying
“New report outlines N.J. lawmakers’ use of controversial ALEC group” by Salvador Rizzo in the Star-Ledger.
Ethics
Pennsylvania: “In Pa., Where’s the Payback?” by Craig R. McCoy in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Rhode Island: “Ethics commission sets hearing on disclosure of paid trips for officials” by Philip Marcelo in the Providence Journal.
Technology and Social Media
“What Facebook’s Planning for the First Romney-Obama Debate” by Michael Catalini in the National Journal.
New Jersey: “New Jersey Mulls Ad-Powered Websites” in Government Technology.
Kentucky: “Ky. house candidate admits error in email” by The Associated Press in the Bangor Daily News.
Elections
“State probe looms for firm registering GOP voters” by Elisabeth Arriero in the Charlotte Observer.
September 28, 2012 •
One Last News Roundup for the Week
Have a terrific weekend everyone!
Lobbying
“K Street Files: Ogilvy Government Relations Nabs Two GOPers” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Does corporate lobbying benefit society?” by Moshe Silver in Fortune.
Kentucky: “New spending record could be set for lobbying” by The Associated Press in the Bowling Green Daily News.
Campaign Finance
“Super PAC Assails Super PACs, Big Money” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“Friend of U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan pleads guilty to campaign violations” by Susan Taylor Martin in the Tampa Bay Times.
Washington: “Owen is fined over his tardy campaign finance reports” by Mike Baker in the Seattle Times.
Elections
“8-time felon running for seat in Michigan House” by John Wisely in the Detroit Free Press.
Social Media
“Social media have big debate plans” by Steve Friess in Politico.
September 28, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 28, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Aflac and Chubb Join Ranks of Companies Expanding Disclosure
Federal:
Judge Backs Obama Ban on Lobbyists Serving on Federal Advisory Panels
Super PACs Get New Use – As Lobbying Arms on Hill
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Judge Sentences Gambling Lobbyist Pouncy to 3 Years Probation
California
Gov. Jerry Brown Signs Bill to Modernize Campaign Disclosure Web Site
Georgia
Deal Lawyer Goes After Accuser for Legal Fees
Maryland
Bill Before City Council Aims to Close ‘Gaps’ in Ethics Code
Massachusetts
Goldman Sachs Will Pay $12 Million in SEC ‘Pay-to-Play’ Case
Minnesota
Catholics Asked to Pay for Marriage Vote Ads
North Carolina
Ethics Guidance on Legislative Staffers and Lobbyists
South Carolina
Harrell Offers No Details on Self-Reimbursement of $325,000 from Campaign Funds
Washington
Lobbyists, Staff Aided Lt. Gov. Owen’s Nonprofit
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.
September 27, 2012 •
Here is Our Thursday News Roundup
Campaign Finance, Lobbying, Pay-toPlay, Ethics and more
Lobbying
“Trade groups fear gift ban after the election” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Florida: “Senate president scolds lobbyists who opposed his candidates” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Tampa Bay Times.
Campaign Finance, Campaigns and Elections
“How the presidential campaigns are spending money, in one chart” by Sean Sullivan in the Washington Post.
“‘Super PACs’ Finally a Draw for Democrats” by Nicholas Confessore in the New York Times.
“Money trouble: Barack Obama faces a cash gap in the final weeks of the campaign” in The Economist.
“Attentive.ly, a Tool to Mine Your Supporters’ Minds, Just Launched” by Miranda Neubauer in TechPresident.
Pay-toPlay
“Goldman Sachs Will Pay $14.4 Million to Settle Pay-to-Play Cases” by Joshua Gallu, Michael McDonald, and Christine Harper in Bloomberg’s Businessweek.
Ethics
“Watchdog Groups Urge House Leaders to Fill Vacancies on Ethics Board” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
California: “After shoplifting plea, lawmaker seeks another office” by Michael J. Mishak in the Los Angeles Times.
Maryland: “Alston’s Maryland law license lifted for ethical violations” by David Hill in the Washington Times.
Procurement
“New federal contracting jobs site launches” by Kedar Pavgi in Government Executive.
September 25, 2012 •
Tuesday News Snapshot
Keep up with the latest articles on lobbying, campaign finance, government ethics, and more:
Lobbying
“D.C.’s Riches: More Lobbying Over Less” by Matthew Yglesias in Slate.
Alabama: “Alabama gambling lobbyist seeks probation” by Phillip Rawls (Associated Press) in GoErie.com.
California: “California taps the lobbying crowd” in the Central Valley Business Times.
New York: “Court papers: Convicted NYC lobbyist cooperating with prosecutors in inquiry” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Washington: “Lobbyists, state staff helped Washington lawmaker’s charity, records show” by The Associated Press in The Oregonian.
Campaign Finance
“Trevor Potter Talks Campaign Finance, Super PACs With Bill Moyers” by Tracy Bloom in Truthdig.
“Ben & Jerry’s co-founder talks campaign finance reform” by Tarini Parti in Politico.
New Mexico: “Albuquerque lawmaker spends campaign money on massages” by The Associated Press in KOB News.
Vermont: “Vt. GOP: Sorrell ad may violate campaign finance law” by WCAX News.
Ethics
“Rep. Waters formally cleared by Ethics panel” by Jordy Jager in The Hill.
“Ethics Committee Details ‘Lessons Learned’ From Maxine Waters Case” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
Florida: “State Rep. Mike Horner resigns after being linked to brothel in Orange County” by Toluse Olorunnipa, Steve Bousquet and Marc Caputo in the Miami Herald.
Social Media and Government Tech
“Report: States Should Switch to Digital Resources Within 5 Years” in Government Technology.
“Social Media Now A Must Have In The Political Campaign Toolbox” by Amanda Falcone in the Hartford Courant.
“More than 50 members of Congress just say no to Twitter’s 140 characters” by Alicia M. Cohn in The Hill.
“Facebook lets users announce voter registration” by Jennifer Martinez in The Hill.
Political Campaigns
“‘Trackers’ now a weapon in the modern campaign arsenal” by Ry Rivard in the Charleston Daily Mail.
September 24, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Start the week off right with these government relations news articles:
Campaign Finance
“Phone Company PAC Funds Campaigns Against Republicans With Customer Overpayments” by Janie Lorber in The Hill.
“Super PAC Influence Falls Short Of Aims” by Neil King, Jr. in The Wall Street Journal.
California: “Measure attacks corporate campaign funds” by Heather Knight in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Iowa: “Iowa sees $29.6 million TV ad inundation” by Jennifer Jacobs in the Austin Post-Bulletin.
Washington: “State watchdog says Owen violated campaign laws” by The Associated Press in The Seattle Times.
Lobbying
Alabama: “Probation sought for ex-lobbyist Jennifer Pouncy in bingo bribery trial” by Kim Chandler in the Birmingham News.
Canada: “Feds respond to Lobbying Act review, but don’t scrap controversial 20 per cent rule” by Bea Vongdouangchanh in The Hill Times.
North Carolina: “Ethics guidance on legislative staffers and lobbyists” by Mark Binker in WRAL.com.
North Carolina: “Tillis: Second staffer had relationship with lobbyist” by Mark Binker and Laura Leslie in WRAL.com.
Pennsylvania: “Lobbying.ph updated: which tech orgs spent the most lobbying in Philly so far this year?” by Juliana Reyes in Technically Philly.
Ethics
Michigan: “Kwame Kilpatrick prosecutor: Bernard Kilpatrick acted to ‘cash in’ on son’s mayoral power” by Gus Burns in the Detroit News.
Political Campaigns
“Obama Campaign Adopts ‘Wet Signature’ to Entice New Voters” in Government Technology.
“Campaign expense list: Beer, limos, Chick-fil-A” by Tarini Parti in Politico.
Open Government and Gov 2.0
“One year later We the People petitioners have mixed reviews” by Joseph Marks in Nextgov.
“Open government partnership marks first anniversary” by Kedar Pavgi in Nextgov.
Canada: “Alberta gets a ‘D’ in freedom of information audit” by Darcy Henton in the Edmonton Journal.
September 21, 2012 •
One Last News Roundup for the Week
Have a wonderful weekend!
Campaign Finance
Federal: “FEC launches two new campaign finance disclosure tracking tools” by David Phillips in the Examiner.
“Political Fundraising Post-Citizens United” on PBS Newshour.
District of Columbia: “Wells joins call for D.C. campaign reforms” by Tom Howell, Jr. in the Washington Times.
Florida: “N Miami Bch ex-mayor charged in campaign case” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Maryland: “Franchot calls for real-time campaign finance reporting” by Holly Nunn in the Gaithersburg Gazette.
Ethics
“Maxine Waters Expected to Be Cleared of Conflict of Interest Charges” by Emma Dumain and Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
“Venue change nixed; Kilpatrick corruption trial gets under way” by Tresa Baldas and Jim Schaefer in the Detroit Free Press.
September 21, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 21, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Bain Capital Gives Millions to Democrats
Federal:
Appeals Court Overturns Political Donor Disclosure Ruling
Behind The Big-Ticket Political Fundraisers
From the States and Municipalities:
California
State Ethics Czar to Scale Back Proposed Disclosure Rules on Blogs
Connecticut
Ethics Agency Destroys Public Records of State Officials’ Financial Interests
Georgia
Ethics Commission: State has defanged its watchdog
Kansas
Kansas Ethics Panel Fines Candidates for Posts about Fundraisers on Facebook during Session
Maryland
More Than Half of City Officials, Employees Fill out Ethics Forms Wrong
Michigan
Detroit’s Former Mayor Faces Corruption Trial
Minnesota
Lobbyist Fined Who Donated to Davids’ Campaign
Montana
Federal Appeals Strikes Ban on Partisan Endorsements in Montana Judicial Elections
Oklahoma
Executive Director of Oklahoma State Ethics Commission Retires after 25 Years on Job
Pennsylvania
Pa. High Court Wants Review of Voter ID Access
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.
September 20, 2012 •
A Surfeit of Government Relations News!
Here are today’s articles on Lobbying, Campaign Finance, Elections, Ethics, and more:
Lobbying
“Tim Pawlenty to head bank lobbying organization” by Dave Clarke and MJ Lee in Politco.
Florida: “A First For Fla. Lobbyist Conference: A Governor’s Top Aide Gives Input” by Sascha Cordner in WFSU.org.
Kansas: “Lobbyist spending up nearly 9 percent” by The Associated Press in the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Ethics
Kansas: “Kansas ethics panel fines candidates for posts about fundraisers on Facebook during session” by John Hanna (Associated Press) in The Republic.
Maine: “LePage and House Democratic leader Emily Cain announce plans to improve state ethics” by Naomi Schalit and John Christie in the Bangor Daily News.
Massachusetts: “Ethics board to inform agencies of nepotism law” by Erin Smith in the Boston Herald.
Oklahoma:“Executive director of Oklahoma state Ethics Commission retires after 25 years on job” by Megan Rolland in The Oklahoman.
Utah: “Legislature hires ethics commission director” by Lee Davidson in the Salt Lake Tribune.
West Virginia: “W.Va. court candidate advocates email disclosures” by Lawrence Messina in the Charleston Gazette.
Campaign Finance
“Money in Politics Never Looked So Pretty” by Miranda Neubauer in TechPresident.
“Campaign finance report cards due” by Dave Levinthal in Politico.
California: “New poll: Hope fades for measure barring political contributions; tax measures are touch-and-go” by Josh Richman in the Contra Costa Times.
Oregon: “Oregon Secretary of State candidates trade tough words over campaign spending limits” by Michelle Cole in The Oregonian.
Vermont: “Dems criticize GOP PAC official for denying, then acknowledging dinner meeting with Brock” by Sam Hemingway in the Burlington Free Press.
Government and Technology
“GovGirl Covers Best of the Web Awards” by Jessica Mulholland in Government Technology.
“Congress launches Congress.gov in beta, doesn’t open the data” by Alex Howard in O’Reilly Radar.
“New search engine offers better access to Congress” by Brett Zongker in The Associated Press.
Elections
“Online Voter Registration Launches in California” by McClatchy Newspapers in Governing.
“Supreme Court rejects LULAC suit seeking to postpone Texas elections” by Greg Stohr in the Star-Telegram.
September 17, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Start the week off right with these government relations news articles:
Lobbying
“At Holland & Knight, lobbyists no longer have corner offices” by Catherine Ho in the Washington Post.
Florida: “Lobbyist’s lobbying group coming to Jacksonville for annual conference” by Matt Dixon in the Florida Times-Union.
Campaign Finance
“Poll: Americans largely in favor of campaign spending limitations” by Morgan Little in the Los Angeles Times.
“Republican super PACs ramp up spending in House races” by Jake Sherman in Politico.
District of Columbia: “Michael A. Brown’s missing campaign funds” in the Washington Post.
Washington: “Parties pouring cash into race for governor” by Andrew Garber and Justin Mayo in the Seattle Times.
Elections
“Voter Information Guides Go Social With TheBallot.org” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
Ethics
Georgia: “Ethics commission: State has defanged its watchdog” by Chris Joyner in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
New Hampshire: Opinion piece by Grant Bosse,“Election laws grow more confusing” in the New Hampshire Watchdog.
Social Media
“Could a workplace social network replace email and phone? One agency thinks so.” by Joseph Marks in NextGov.
“Facebook knows how to trick you into voting” by Kevin Charles Redmon in Nextgov.
September 14, 2012 •
Friday News Roundup
Let’s close out the week with these government relations articles:
Campaign Finance
“House Dems push new campaign finance reform” by T.W. Farnam in the Washington Post.
“FEC move on wireless campaign contributions could aid Democrats” by Adam Mazmanian in Nextgov.
“Groups Ask Appeals Court to Keep Issue-Ad Donors Secret” by Tom Schoenberg in Bloomberg News.
“US election system criticised over finance rules and voting restrictions” by Karen McVeigh in The Guardian.
Minnesota: “Campaign Finance Board stands by ‘John Doe decision’” by Tom Scheck in MPR News.
“’Citizens United’ on the Corporate Court” by Jamie Raskin in The Nation.
Lobbying
“Lansing lobbyists’ spending on record pace” by Rich Robinson in the Michigan Campaign Finance Network.
Ethics
“Gov. Christie to stop showing GOP-produced video before town hall meetings” by Jenna Portnoy in the Star-Ledger.
Social Media
“New Tool Verifies Authenticity of Gov’t Social Media Sites” by John K. Higgins in E-Commerce Times.
Redistricting
“Serious problems still exist’ with redistricting maps, attorney tells Pennsylvania Supreme Court” by Nick Malawskey in the Patriot-News.
September 14, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 14, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Democrats Risk No Female Governor, First Time in 17 Years
U.S. Election System Criticized Over Finance Rules and Voting Restrictions
Federal:
Andrews Used wife to Vet Use of Campaign Funds on Trip
Look-Alike Sites Funnel Big Money to Mystery PAC
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
Ex-Fiesta Bowl Lobbyist Takes Plea Deal in Probe
Illinois
Appeals Court Upholds Illinois Campaign Disclosure Law
Minnesota
Despite Campaign Finance Ruling, Regulators to Continue Requiring Disclosures
Montana
Republicans Ask Court to Axe Montana’s Campaign Contribution Laws
Nebraska
AG: Sen. Council withdrew campaign funds at casinos
New Jersey
Mayor of NJ’s Capital Arrested in Corruption Probe
New York
West Virginia
West Virginia Court Candidate Denied ‘Rescue Funds’
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.
