July 13, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 13, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Campaign Donations by Text? Not So fast, Wireless Carriers Say
From the States and Municipalities:
Arkansas
Ethics Measure Falls Short of Signature Goal
California
Bill Would Hire Commission to Enforce County’s Campaign Finance Ordinance
California
Pass the Canapés: Now, lobbyists can serve appetizers, not report it
Colorado
Colorado Public Trustee Spending Raises Red Flags
Connecticut
Feds Indict Braddock, Claim Conspiracy Began Last Year
District of Columbia
Vast ‘Shadow Campaign’ Said to Have Aided Gray in 2010
Florida
Miramar Commissioners Approve $2,500 Stipend for Themselves
Illinois
Quinn Abolishes Legislative Scholarships
Illinois
Quinn Signs Super PAC Campaign Finance Law
New York
Cuomo Turns to Campaign Finance
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.
July 13, 2012 •
New Jersey’s ELEC Now on Facebook and Twitter
a great way to stay on top of ELEC news and updates
Following the work of New Jersey’s Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) has become easier through social media. According to a press release by Executive Director Jeff Brindle, the agency now has a presence on Facebook and Twitter. You’ll find updates about campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics news. This is probably the quickest way to keep up with meeting agendas and reporting dates.
ELEC has been maintaining a channel on YouTube since 2008 and now has 21 videos giving brief overviews of issues like lobbying, pay-to-play, and reporting.
A hat tip goes to John Schoonejongen, whose article, “You can now follow ELEC on Facebook, Twitter” in the Asbury Park Press, brought this news to our attention.
July 11, 2012 •
Ottawa to Create Lobbyist Registry
and more news in our Wednesday lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics roundup!
Lobbying
Ottawa, Ontario: “Council endorses lobby registry, integrity commissioner” by Errol McGihon in the Ottowa Sun.
The Hill’s “Lobbying World” staff report.
Campaign Finance
Alaska: “Assembly to weigh resolution on campaign finance” by The Associated Press in the Juneau Empire.
District of Columbia: “Vast ‘shadow campaign’ said to have aided Gray in 2010” by Mike DeBonis and Nikita Stewart in The Washington Post.
New York: “Cuomo turns to campaign finance” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.
Pennsylvania: “SEPTA found to violate federal lobbying rules” by Mark Fazlollah in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
West Virginia: “W.Va. group wants contribution limit blocked” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Ethics
“Panel Seated in Ethics Inquiry Into Nevada Lawmaker” by Eric Lipton in The New York Times.
July 10, 2012 •
Today’s Government Relations Recommended Reading
Don’t miss the latest campaign finance, ethics, and procurement news in our Tuesday Roundup:
Campaign Finance
“Political Spending by Unions Far Exceeds Direct Donations” by Tom McGinty AND Brody Mullins in The Wall Street Journal.
“Campaigns to Compete for Ads During Olympic Games” by Nathan L. Gonzales in Roll Call.
Alaska: “Committee weighs in on ethics of pre-election pledges” by Becky Bohrer (Associated Press) in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
District of Columbia: “Jeanne Clarke Harris is charged in ongoing investigation of Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s campaign” by Mike DeBonis and Nikita Stewart in the Washington Post
District of Columbia: “D.C. activists deliver 30,000 signatures for ballot initiative to ban corporate contributions” by Nikita Stewart and Tim Craig in the Washington Post.
Idaho: “Idaho Democrats use state seal for campaign email” by John Miller (Associated Press) in the Idaho Statesman.
Ethics
“Ethics panel clears Buchanan on charge of misleading Congress” by Jordy Yager in The Hill.
Procurement
Arkansas: “New Arkansas Site Reveals State Salaries” in Government Technology. “The contracts page offers details on contracts or individual purchase orders for more than $25,000. Construction contracts with a value of greater than $20,000 are also listed.”
July 6, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 6, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Assets Offshore Raise Romney Wealth Questions
Do Election Laws Encourage Attack Ads in Campaigns?
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
Ex-Arizona Lawmaker Files $10 Million Claim against Phoenix
Colorado
Gessler Hit with Another Campaign Finance Lawsuit – But This One He May Actually Like
Delaware
Delaware Business to Pay $500,000 in Campaign Probe
Florida
New Ethics Policy Toughens Rules for Lobbying Orange School Leaders
Illinois
Wrigley Renovation Plans Stalled by Political Flap
Maryland
Sports Tickets Banned as Gifts for Baltimore County Elected Officials
Michigan
Cap on Michigan Campaign Donations Survives Challenge
Missouri
Missouri Election Season Arrives without Ethics Law
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Ethics Commission Considers Blackout Period for Filing Complaints
South Carolina
South Carolina Governor Cleared in Ethics Inquiry
Tennessee
Tim Burchett Subpoenas News Sentinel for Visitor Records, Surveillance Videos
Utah
Ruling Blocks Utah Ethics Initiative from Ballot
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.
July 5, 2012 •
Thursday Campaign Finance and Ethics News Roundup
Take a look at these latest campaign finance and government ethics articles:
“Can the Democrats Catch Up in the Super-PAC Game?” by Robert Draper in The New York Times.
“Lawmakers scrambling to nullify Citizens United” by Chris Camire in the Sentinel & Enterprise.
“Countrywide Offered Discounted Loans to Members, Report Says” by Jonathan Strong in Roll Call.
Arizona: “Indicted lawmaker uses campaign cash for legal expenses” by Gary Grado in the Arizona Capitol Times.
California: “Cudahy mayor resigns amid corruption probe” by Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times.
Connecticut: “Twardy finds no evidence Donovan knew of illegal campaign contributions” by Keith M. Phaneuf and Jacqueline Rabe Thomas in the CT Mirror.
Colorado: “Gessler hit with another campaign finance lawsuit – but this one he may actually like” by Sarah Burnett in the Denver Post.
Delaware: “Del. business to pay $500k in campaign probe” by Randall Chase (Associated Press) in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Kansas: “FEC fines Kan. GOP for finance violation” by The Associated Press in KFDA News.
Michigan: “Michigan campaign donation limit survives challenge” by The Associated Press in the Lansing State Journal.
Missouri: “Former Governor wants probation on campaign finance violation” by Mike Lear in Missourinet.
Missouri: “Missouri election season arrives without ethics law” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
New Jersey: “Two N.J. politicians are fined for filing campaign finance reports late” by Matt Friedman in the Star-Ledger.
June 29, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 29, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
After Winning Right to Spend, Political Groups Fight for Secrecy
Court Upholds Ban on Corporate Political Contributions
GOP Lawsuit Challenges Campaign Contribution Caps
From the States and Municipalities:
California: Cudahy Arrests Add Salt to L.A. County Area’s Civic Wounds
Connecticut: Malloy, Legislature Make Last Stab at Campaign Reform
Florida: Tom Lee Wants Back in the Senate, to the Chagrin of Some Lobbyists
Illinois: U of I Professor Relents, Will Take Ethics Training Developed by ‘Unwise Rulers to Annoy Us’
Montana: Supreme Court Reaffirms Citizens United, Tosses Montana Corporate Spending Ban
Nebraska: Special Interests Spent $14 Million to Influence State Government
New York: Supreme Court Declines to Hear NY Campaign Finance Case
South Carolina: State Ethics Law Has Disclosure Gaps
Vermont: Federal Judge Dismisses Vermont Campaign Finance Challenge
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.
June 27, 2012 •
Wednesday Campaign Finance, Lobbying, and Ethics News Summary
Keep up with the latest articles:
Campaign Finance
“Campaign money case could propel more deregulation” by Jack Gillum on CBS News.
“Inquiry Looks Into a Shield for Donors in Elections” by Nicholas Confessore in The New York Times.
“Social Fundraising Platform Rally Grows With A New Round of $7.9 Million” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
“Will Ct. now see gusher of campaign bucks?” by Ken Dixon in the Connecticut Post.
Lobbying
“K Street Files: Lobbyists Prep for SCOTUS Ruling” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“The lion’s aide on K Street” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Hawaii professional employer organizations to form lobbying group” by Lynn Nakagawa in the Pacific Business News.
Government Ethics
“Outsider Privy to Ethics Case” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
Georgia: “Candidates late, confused on filing requirements” by Crystal Tatum in the Newton Citizen.
From the State Legislatures
“Cook, Rove, Zandi Address Legislators at June 2012 Leaders Meeting” by Alex Fitzsimmons on NCSL’s The Thicket.
Illinois: “Illinois lawmakers consider expulsion of Rep. Derrick Smith” by The Associated Press in the State Journal-Register.
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma elections: Most incumbent House members win contests” by Michael McNutt in The Oklahoman.
Open Government
“R.I. open-government advocates hail improvement to public-records law” by Karen Lee Ziner in the Providence Journal.
June 22, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 22, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Critics: Lobbying ethics rules go too far
Nonprofits Outspent Super PACs in 2010, Trend May Continue
Supreme Court Rules against Union on Nonmember Fees for Politics
From the States and Municipalities:
Connecticut
Malloy Vetoes Campaign Finance Bill
Connecticut
Probes Cast Shadow in Congressional Race
District of Columbia
District’s Political Corruption Has Deep Roots
Illinois
Illinois House Expulsion in 1905 Laid Groundwork for 2012 Smith Case
Montana
Montana AG Asks Federal Judge to Uphold Campaign Contribution Limits
New Jersey
N.J. Governor Candidates Can Receive More Money from Donors, Public Financing under New Guidelines
Ohio
Ex-Rep. Weddington Gets Three Years for Bribery
Wyoming
Wyoming Lawsuit Challenges FEC Regulations
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.
June 20, 2012 •
Henderson Nevada Passes Ethics Ordinance
$50 Gift Limit
The Henderson Nevada City Council has passed a new ethics ordinance. City employees will be limited to accept no more than $50 in meals or gifts per year from entities doing business with the city.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the ordinance additionally prohibits city employees from soliciting gifts and provides for penalties.
The ordinance does allow employees to accept tickets or admissions to charitable events or fundraisers if given prior approval.
June 19, 2012 •
Tuesday News Roundup
Keep up with the latest campaign finance, ethics, and legislative news with the following articles:
Campaign Finance
“Campaign donations coming soon to Twitter” by Dave Levinthal in Politico.
“No action from U.S. Supreme Court on Montana campaign spending law” by Charles S. Johnson in the Missoulian.
“Will the Supreme Court Consider a Campaign Finance Mulligan?” by Alex Altman in Time.
“Texting: The New Way for Campaigns to Draw Contributions” by Kenneth P. Doyle in Bloomberg News.
Government Ethics
Louisiana: “Ethics bills: Jindal signs two, vetoes one” in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Ohio: “Former state lawmaker sentenced to prison for bribery” by John Futty in the Columbus Dispatch.
State Legislatures
“State lawmakers short on experience” by Chuck Raasch in USA Today.
“Herbert calls special session to OK more liquor licenses, fixed funding” by Ed Gehrke in the Salt Lake Tribune.
“SC legislators return for special session” by The Associated Press in GoUpstate.com.
June 18, 2012 •
News from the Ethics Commissions
Take a look at these articles from four states:
Florida: “Ethics commission wants power to collect fines – and respect” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.
Georgia: “Former director, assistant file lawsuits against ethics commission” by Aaron Gould Sheinin and Chris Joyner in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Missouri: “Ethics Commission wants state ethics laws modernized” by Mike Lear in Missourinet.
South Carolina: “Haley ethics probe shines light on dark side of S.C. politics” by Gina Smith in The State.
June 13, 2012 •
Missouri Has New Online Campaign Finance Search Tool
And more campaign finance, lobbying, and government ethics news today:
“Ethics Commission offers new campaign finance search tool” by Mike Lear in MissouriNet.
“2 Campaigns Chasing Funds at Frantic Pace” by Ashley Parker and Helene Cooper.
“Entrepreneurs, small lobby shops challenging K Street’s old guard” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Arkansas: “Backers optimistic about ethics measure; GOP lawmaker questions proposal” by Jeff Arnold in the Arkansas News.
Connecticut: “Connecticut lawmakers return for special session” by Susan Haigh (Associated Press) in the Norwich Bulletin.
June 12, 2012 •
FEC Allows Text Message Contributions
Plus FEC sues former Sen. Craig and more campaign finance and government ethics news
Campaign Finance
“FEC: Campaigns can raise money via text message” by Dave Levinthal in Politico.
“FEC sues ex-Sen. Craig over use of campaign cash” by The Associated Press on CBSNews.com.
“NJ considers changes to election finance rules” by The Associated Press in the Bergen Record.
Government Ethics
Georgia: “Squirrely Ethics in Georgia, Former Exec Says” by Iulia Filip in the Courthouse News Service.
New Mexico: “New Mexico agency compiled email list for governor’s PAC” by Steve Terrell in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
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.
