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.
December 6, 2012 •
Thursday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
“On the cutting edge of ‘fiscal cliff’ lobbying” by Dan Eggen & T.W. Farnam in the Washington Post.
“Lobbying Heats Up Over Online Gambling Bill” by Juliana Gruenwald in NationalJournal.
“Lobbyists Could See More Curbs Arising From Campaign Finance Movement” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
Maryland: “Top aide to Md. governor leaving for lobbying firm” by The Associated Press in WTOP.com.
Philadelphia: “District adds voice to lobby-law dispute” by Will Bunch in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Philadelphia: “City Ethics Board To Review Lobbying Complaints Against William Penn Foundation” by Mike DeNardo in CBS News Philadelphia.
Utah: “Shurtleff to take federal lobbying job” by Matt Canham in The Salt Lake Tribune.
Campaign Finance
“McConnell pushes back against campaign finance reform efforts” by Alexander Bolton in The Hill.
“Raese continues to fight campaign finance limits” by Ry Rivard in the Charleston Daily Mail.
“FEC: Angle Violated Campaign Finance Laws” by The Associated Press in CBS News Las Vegas.
“Campaign Finance — Solved!” by John Haber in The Huffington Post.
“Why lobbyists dislike Citizens United” by Timothy P. Carney in The Examiner.
Ethics
Florida: “State ethics commission: State Rep. Erik Fresen may have failed to disclose personal finances” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.
South Carolina: “State House expands ethics committee, eliminates partisan dominance” by Stephen Largen in the Post and Courier.
West Virginia: “W.Va. Ethics Commission director to step down” by The Associated Press in the State Journal.
November 30, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – November 30, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Jesse Jackson Jr. Resigns from Congress, Acknowledges Federal Probe
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Ex-Treasurer to Democrats Receives 8-Year Sentence
California
State Lawmaker Brothers Accused of Money Laundering
District of Columbia
Crafting D.C. Ethics Bill Proving Difficult
Florida
State Ethics Commission Says Jacksonville Council Member’s Poker Party is OK
Georgia
Legislators Ask Governor to Let Indicted Victor Hill Take Office of Sheriff on January 1
Indiana
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma Criticized for Hiring Lobbyist
Maine
Anti-Gay Marriage Group Fined by Maine Ethics Commission
Missouri
Freebies from Lobbyists Becoming Harder to Track in Missouri
North Carolina
Appeals Court Throws Out Suit Testing ‘Stand by Your Ad’
Pennsylvania
Former Pennsylvania Democratic Leader Mellow Would Set ‘Record’ by Going to Jail
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.
November 29, 2012 •
Thursday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News
Here are a few articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Campaign Finance
“Gessler: Campaign finance laws fail” by Joe Hanel in the Durango Herald.
Lobbying
“Ex-Rep. Davis, Bates Team Up” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Activists press SEC to expose political giving of US companies” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Ethics
“Ethics Commission to consider taking over watchdog job from Austin prosecutors” by Mike Ward in the Austin American-Statesman.
Government Tech
“Dashboard Government: The Politics of Measurement” by David Eaves in Politico.
November 28, 2012 •
San Francisco Ethics Commission Announces Recommended Reforms
Discussion topics will consider following L.A.’s example
The Ethics Commission will conduct two interested persons meetings following a report comparing the city’s campaign finance, enforcement, and lobbying laws with the laws of the city of Los Angeles.
Discussion topics include whether or not the city should increase pay-to-play restrictions, prohibit political contributions from lobbyists, and whether to adopt more stringent enforcement policies.
The meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 408 of City Hall and for Monday, December 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 416 of City Hall.
Feedback may also be sent by email to ethics.commission@sfgov.org.
November 28, 2012 •
Wednesday Government Relations News Roundup
Here are the latest articles about campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics:
Campaign Finance
“Column: Campaign-finance tweaks can fix big problems” editorial by Peter Schweizer in USA Today.
Missouri: “Missouri House Democrats propose new campaign finance restrictions, stiffer ethics rules” by Chris Blank (Associated Press) in The Republic.
Lobbying
“Lobbying group’s next president expected to fight White House rules” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Marlowe to Step Down as Head of American League of Lobbyists” by Andrew Ramonas in The Blog of Legal Times.
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“Lobbying, America’s One Truly Unstoppable Growth Industry” by Jim Geraghty in the National Review.
“When ‘Super PACs’ Become Lobbyists” editorial in The New York Times.
“VIDEO: Rep. Shuler Said He Wouldn’t Become A Lobbyist; Now He Will” by David Halperin in The Huffington Post.
Florida: “Slow revolving door to lobbying in Fla. Capitol” editorial in the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida: “Dorworth has a new career – as a lobbyist” by Jason Garcia in the Orlando Sentinel.
Ethics
New York: “Ethics panel investigating New York Republican” by The Associated Press in CBS News.
Pennsylvania: “Ethics board fines Philadelphia official for Facebook posts” by Dave Davies in Newsworks.
Redistricting
Montana: “Redistricting panel works on Montana Senate boundaries” by The Associated Press in the Billings Gazette.
Ohio: “Ohio Supreme Court upholds legislative maps” by Jim Siegel in the Columbus Dispatch.
November 26, 2012 •
Ohio Senate Bill 391 Will Overhaul State Ethics Law
Includes numerous changes to lobbying law
Outgoing senate president Tom Niehaus has introduced a bill to overhaul the state’s ethics law. Senate Bill 391, if passed, will:
- Increase the lobbyist registration fee to $35 (will take effect 12/1/14 if passed);
- Change the registration period for executive and retirement system lobbyists to two years, expiring on December 31 of even-numbered years (will take effect 12/1/14 if passed);
- Codify the percentage of time a lobbyist must spend on lobbying before being required to register;
- Increase the itemizing threshold for lobbyist expenditure reporting to $100;
- Exclude maintenance of office facilities and compensation paid to legislative agents from the definition of expenditure; and
- Increase the limit on gifts to public officials to $250, aggregated per calendar year.
The bill also provides additional requirements for financial disclosures from public officials.
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.
