February 23, 2012 •
Maryland’s State Ethics Commission Issues Memorandum
Addresses lobbying and campaign finance
The State Ethics Commission has issued a memorandum concerning provisions of the ethics law relating to regulated lobbyists and campaign finance activities.
State law prohibits a lobbyist or a person acting on behalf of a lobbyist to engage in certain campaign activities including soliciting contributions or forwarding tickets to fundraising events.
The memorandum does not constitute an advisory opinion but addresses common issues and provides approaches for compliance with the technical provisions of the law.
The memorandum is available online here.
February 22, 2012 •
Missouri Ethics Reform, Blagojevich, and More Ethics News
Former Illinois Governor Rod Bagojevich will serve out his sentence in a prison near Denver, Colorado. Ethics reform in Missouri is up in the air, and New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez signed legislation that “could require public officials convicted of corruption-related crimes to give back to the state their salaries and forfeit their accrued state pension benefits.”
Ethics
“Blagojevich to serve sentence at Denver-area prison” by Natasha Korecki in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Missouri: “Mo. lawmaker says waiting for elections could mean better ethics bill” by The Associated Press in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Missouri: “Ethics reform in Missouri appears to be a nonstarter in election year” by Jason Hancock in the Kansas City Star.
New Mexico: “Governor signs bill intended to crack down on corruption within government” by The Associated Press in The Republic.
Government Transparency
South Carolina: “House panel OKs bill setting cost limits on FOIAs” by The Associated Press in the Greenville News.
February 20, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – February 20, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Edwards Treasurer Never Saw 2011 Campaign Reports
Lobbyists Sue Obama Administration after Being Booted from Boards
Most of Romney’s Top Fundraisers Remain Anonymous
From the States and Municipalities:
California
California’s Political Watchdog Panel Eases its Approach to Ethics Issues
District of Columbia
D.C. Official Says Proposed Ballot Initiative Banning Corporate Donations Advances
Florida
Deerfield Beach ‘PAC Man’ Faces 2,052 Counts of Breaking Election Laws
Georgia
Lobbyist Handouts Not Fully Disclosed
Illinois
PAC Sues Over State’s Campaign Finance Law
Illinois
Report: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York most corrupt cities; Louisiana most corrupt per capita
Minnesota
Lobbying Violations Vex Understaffed Minnesota Regulator
Missouri
Missouri Supreme Court Strikes Down Most of Ethics Law
Montana
U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Undo Montana Campaign Money Ban
Vermont
State Sues Dubie and RGA, Alleging 2010 Campaign Collusion
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.
February 16, 2012 •
Campaign Finance and Ethics in Thursday’s News!
Super PACs, a new charge against former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Chicago takes first prize in corruption, and a group in Montana takes on that state’s political contribution restrictions:
“Super-PAC craze sweeps the nation” by Rachel Leven in The Hill.
“Feds Add Charge to Former Detroit Mayor Corruption Case” by The Associated Press on Governing.
“Chicago most corrupt city, report shows” by MJ Lee on Politico.
“Group fighting campaign finance laws in 3 courts ask federal judge to undo contribution limits” by Matt Gouras (Associated Press) in The Republic.
February 15, 2012 •
Ethics Rules Enhancements for Louisiana
Governor’s Proposals
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has made legislative proposals to enhance the state’s ethic rules.
In advance of the start of the legislative session next month, the Governor has staked out the areas of Louisiana’s ethic system he believes need the most attention, including making the process of appealing late filing fees unambiguous.
Among his other proposals are making a clearer distinction between the duties and jurisdictions of the Ethics Adjudicatory Board and the Board of Ethics, granting the Board of Ethics some ability to appeal Ethics Adjudicatory Board decisions, and clearly articulating which board is being referenced when a statute merely refers to a ‘board’.
The proposals, included in a press release from the Governor, also include a call for the Ethics Board to suspend the one year dismissal rule in certain circumstances during an investigation of a possible ethics violation.
Photo of the Louisiana State Capitol by Bluepoint951 on Wikipedia.
February 15, 2012 •
Latest News in Ethics Oversight
Here is a look at what has appeared in the last few days from the state ethics commissions:
Arizona: “Ariz. lawmakers want elected officials to disclose use of public funds” by Howard Fischer in the East Valley Tribune.
Georgia: “Advocates push for ethics funding” by Charles Edwards on WABE News.
“Watchdog groups demand more money for ethics board” by in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Maryland: “Maryland Ethics Panel Suggests Reducing Local Disclosure” by Brian Witte (Associated Press) on NBC Washington.
“Bill would require online disclosure” by Michael Dresser in the Baltimore Sun.
Minnesota: “Lobbying violations vex understaffed Minnesota regulator” by Brad Schrade in the Star Tribune.
North Carolina: “Dome: Few ethics complaints probed, report shows” by John Frank in The News & Observer.
February 15, 2012 •
Wisconsin Bill Targets Special Interest Organizations that Craft Bills for Legislators
Bill Requires Increased Disclosure for American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Activities
Democratic legislators have submitted a bill for introduction that restricts the activity of special interest organizations that write bills for legislators.
The bill titled the ALEC Accountability Act applies existing lobbying laws to any organization or person who advocates for the introduction of model legislation. The bill also requires the reporting of any “scholarships” organizations pay to legislators and prohibits state taxpayer funds from being used to pay for attendance at the organization’s conventions.
The bill is currently awaiting a bill number and committee referral.
Photo of the Wisconsin State Capitol building by Darin ten Bruggencate onWikipedia.
February 14, 2012 •
Missouri Supreme Court Strikes Ethics Legislation
Only procurement provisions to remain
The state Supreme Court has struck down much of the 2010 ethics law passed by state lawmakers. Senate Bill 844 changed campaign finance laws, gave greater authority to the Missouri Ethics Commission, created new crimes for ethics violations, and required Capitol dome keys be given to all lawmakers.
The court said Tuesday the bill violated a requirement of the state Constitution that legislation not be amended to change its original purpose. The procurement portion will remain in effect because the Supreme Court concluded that was the original purpose of the legislation.
The decision upholds Circuit Judge Daniel Green’s ruling last spring.
February 14, 2012 •
Lobbying, Campaign Finance, and Ethics News
Here is today’s news roundup:
Lobbying
“Lobbyists sue Obama administration after being booted from boards” by Rachel Leven and Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Campaign Finance
Alaska: “House rejects last-minute Senate exemption of current politicians from campaign finance law” by Austin Baird (Associated Press) in The Republic.
“Super PACs echo parodies” by Kenneth Vogel in Politico.
“Bragging about bundling days over” by Anna Palmer in Politico.
Ethics
California: “California’s political watchdog panel eases its approach to ethics issues” by Patrick McGreevy in The Los Angeles Times.
Louisiana: “Gov. Bobby Jindal seeks adjustments in ethics rules” in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Government Transparency
“Iowa’s government websites score poorly, transparency group says” by Jason Clayworth in the Des Moines Register.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 13, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – February 13, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Ethics Reform Bill to Ban Insider Trading by Congress Members, Executive Branch by House
Obama Yields in Marshaling of Super PAC
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
Arizona Supreme Court Bars Candidate with Limited English
California
High-Speed Rail Tapped State Fund for Unusual Lobbying Contract
Connecticut
For Donovan, Lobbyist Bucks Seep Through Loophole
Georgia
With House Bill Stalled, Senator Targets Lobbyist Gifts
Michigan
Critics Worry Senate Ad Will Revive Asian-Bashing
Montana
Schweitzer Appoints Former Labor Leader to Head Political Ethics Office
Oklahoma
FBI Created Fake Company during Investigation of Oklahoma Legislature
Texas
New Rules Would Target ‘Bundlers’ Who Raise Big Sums for Austin Races
West Virginia
W.Va. Lawmakers Navigate Lobby Ban, Social Media
Wisconsin
Wisconsin GOP Leader Admits He’s Packing Heat in State Assembly
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.
February 10, 2012 •
Two Great Resources from NCSL
Don’t miss these opportunities from the National Conference of State Legislatures!
Find out which state ethics commissions offer ethics training and what they are like in Natalie O’Donnell Wood’s brief, “Making the Most of Your Ethical Training” in the latest edition of LEGISBRIEF.
- NCSL is hosting this webinar: Putting Election Laws to the Test on Monday, February 13 at 2:00 PM ET.
Their site describes the session in this way: “This webinar will discuss the various election reforms being debated in legislatures, including whether to require citizens to show ID to register or to vote, whether to allow online and Election Day registrations, and how best to modernize aging voting machines.”
February 10, 2012 •
Wayne County Executive Releases New Executive Ethics Policy
Policy Addresses Lobbying, Gifts, and Conflicts of Interest
WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN: County Executive Robert Ficano has issued a new executive ethics policy that contains lobbyist registration provisions, gift restrictions, and conflict of interest disclosure requirements for executive appointees.
The policy requires a lobbyist who lobbies any executive appointee to register with the State of Michigan and bars lobbyists not verified as registered from meeting with executive appointees.
Additionally, the policy prohibits lobbyists from providing executive appointees with food or beverage valued at more than $100 annually and prohibits all other monetary or non-monetary gifts or gratuities.
February 9, 2012 •
Illinois State Board of Elections Moves Springfield Office
Effective February 10, 2012
The Illinois State Board of Elections will be relocating its Springfield office beginning Friday, February 10, 2012.
The new address is 2329 S MacArthur Boulevard, Springfield, Illinois, 62704-4503.
All other contact information remains the same.
February 7, 2012 •
Indiana’s Former Secretary of State Is Crying Foul
Charlie White’s criminal sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 23
Indiana’s former Secretary of State Charlie White, who was convicted of six felonies and consequently lost his job, is pointing the finger at others. White is now saying Gov. Mitch Daniels and U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) are also guilty of voter fraud because they voted from Indiana addresses while residing elsewhere.
For the full story read “White isn’t going quietly” by Dan Carden in the Times of Northwest Indiana.
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.
