October 12, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 12, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Are Voter ID Opponents Winning the Battle but Losing the War?
Federal:
House, Senate Campaigns Welcome Lobbyists Shunned by Team Obama
Obama, Romney Face Most Narrow Electoral Map in Recent History
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
State Lawmaker Ben Arredondo Pleads Guilty to Two Felonies
Florida
Butterworth Skirts State Lobbying Laws to Land $44 Million-a-Year Contract in Broward
Illinois
Federal Judge Upholds Limits on Contributions to State Candidates
Maryland
Del. Tiffany Alston Suspended from Office, General Assembly Lawyer Says
Montana
Appeals Court Reinstates Campaign Finance Limits
Nevada
Ross Miller Pursues Campaign Finance Law Violations against AFP
Ohio
Texas
DeLay Attorneys: Ex-GOP Star Didn’t Launder Money
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.
October 10, 2012 •
Today’s Government Relations News
Take a look at the latest articles in campaign finance, ethics, and the political campaigns:
Campaign Finance
California: “Prop 32: Union and Corporate Campaign Contributions” by Ben Adler in Capital Public Radio.
New Mexico: “Non-N.M. Groups Give Thousands” by Dan Boyd in the Albuquerque Journal.
Texas: “Court hears DeLay appeal in campaign finance case” by Peggy Fikac in the Houston Chronicle.
Ethics
“Hawaii Ethics Commission Still Missing a Member” by Anita Hofschneider in the Honolulu Civil Beat.
“W.Va. Ethics Commission sets Jan. 28 hearing on allegations against Beckley mayor” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Social Media and Government Tech
“Hardly Anyone Using Campaign Apps, Survey Says” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.
“Where is E-Government Communication Headed?” by Matt Williams in Government Technology.
October 9, 2012 •
Tuesday Campaign Finance and Ethics News
Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:
Campaign Finance
“Members’ PACs Test Unregulated Spending” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“Harvard Law professor talks campaign finance corruption” by Ben Atlas in the Michigan Daily.
South Carolina: “Groups calling for probe into Harrell spending” by Meg Kinnard (Associated Press) in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal.
Ethics
“Texas Ethics Commission fines Texas Rep. Allen Fletcher” by Caleb Harris in the Tomball Magnolia Tribune.
“Edward Wasserman: TV ‘watchdogs’ quiet as political ad cash rolls in” by Edward Wasserman in the Bellingham Herald.
South Carolina: “This year’s ‘hot’ SC campaign issue? Ethics” by Adam Beam in The State.
Elections
“Across the electoral map, a mixed picture for candidates down the ballot” by Karen Tumulty in the Washington Post.
October 8, 2012 •
California FPPC Delays Review of Campaign and Gift Regulations
Staff will obtain additional public input
The Fair Political Practices Commission has announced cancellation of the October 18, 2012 meeting. Regulations previously scheduled for review included a requirement for political committees to report expenses associated with online communications such as blogs, Facebook, and Twitter. Biennial adjustment reviews of campaign contribution limits, voluntary expenditure ceilings, and gift limits have also been postponed.
These and other potential regulation changes are tentatively scheduled to be considered during the December 13, 2012 commission meeting at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held in Board Chambers Room 310, County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, California 92101.
October 8, 2012 •
Monday News Roundup
Start the week off right with these government relations news articles:
Campaign Finance
“Big donors give far and wide, influencing out-of-state races and issues” in NBC News.
“Prosecutors face off over suspect campaign activity” by Jeremy Duda in the Arizona Capitol Times.
“Connecticut firm at center of new ‘Citizens United’ controversy” by Michael Beckel in the CTMirror.org.
“Boutique PACs making big splash in surprise races” by Susan Davis in the Indianapolis Star.
Ethics
“Congressional ethics committees protect legislators, critics say” by Scott Higham in the Washington Post.
“Congress members back legislation that could benefit themselves, relatives” by Kimberly Kindy, David S. Fallis and Scott Higham in the Washington Post.
Florida: “Ethics commission ‘wish list’ waiting for Legislature” by Matt Dixon in the St. Augustine Record.
Campaigns and Elections
“Voter Data: What the Candidates Know About You” by Elana Varon in Mashable.
“Campaigns Use Social Media to Lure Younger Voters” by Jenna Wortham in The New York Times.
October 5, 2012 •
Our Friday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News
Enjoy your weekend!
Campaign Finance
California: “Crosby, Stills, Nash and Morello rage against Prop. 32” by Michael J. Mishak in the Los Angeles Times.
Montana: “Montana appeals ruling as campaigns eye unlimited donations” by Mike Dennison in the Billings Gazette.
“James Bopp Jr. Gets Creative” by Jon Campbell in Slate.
Lobbying
Florida: “Butterworth skirts state lobbying laws with Broward contract” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.
Ethics
“Todd Akin Flubs Another Financial Disclosure, Amends 10 Years of Forms” by Neils Lesniewski in Roll Call.
Illinois: “Illinois powerbroker Cellini is sentenced to a year in prison” by Annie Sweeney in the Morris Daily Herald.
Pennsylvania: “Ex-LCB chairman Stapleton resigns amid ethics probe” by Angela Couloumbis in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
South Carolina: “Ethics Commission Owed $2 Million Plus in Fines” by Shawn Drury in the St. Andrews Patch.
Government Tech and Social Media
“Digital Campaigning: Meet the Marketing Wizards of D.C.” by Matt Petronzio in Mashable.
“Are Digital States Graduating with Honors, or in Detention?” by Kristy Fifelski in GovTech.
Photo of the U.S. Capitol by UpstateNYer on Wikipedia.
October 5, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 5, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Selling Votes is Common Type of Election Fraud
Federal:
For Election Losers, Many Paths through the Political Wilderness
Medical Research Funding Tied to Advocacy, Study Finds
From the States and Municipalities:
Arkansas
Americans for Prosperity Puts Big Money on Legislative Races in Arkansas
Illinois
Maine
Supreme Court Won’t Hear Appeal by Anti-Gay Marriage in Maine Case
Massachusetts
Native Americans Chafe at Brown-Warren Race
Minnesota
Campaign Finance Board Rules Minnesota Majority’s Dan McGrath Did Not Break Lobbying Rules
Montana
Judge Tosses Montana Campaign Finance Limits
Nevada
Nevada Secretary of State Seeks More Campaign Disclosure, Restrictions in Aurora Act
Oregon
Oregon Supreme Court Refuses to Limit Campaign Spending
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Voter ID Law Shouldn’t Be Enforced This Time, Judge Rules
Rhode Island
Ethics Commission Sets Hearing on Disclosure of Paid Trips for Officials
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.
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.
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.
