November 21, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Trump’s New Lobbying Rules Could ‘Drain the Swamp.’ But They May Be Illegal and Are Porous.” by Catherine Ho for The Washington Post Missouri: “Missouri Senate Moves to End Pizza-for-Play Bank Account” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch […]
Lobbying
“Trump’s New Lobbying Rules Could ‘Drain the Swamp.’ But They May Be Illegal and Are Porous.” by Catherine Ho for The Washington Post
Missouri: “Missouri Senate Moves to End Pizza-for-Play Bank Account” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Campaign Finance
Texas: “Zimmerman Appeals Campaign Contribution Limits” by Jo Clifton for Austin Monitor
Ethics
“Ethics Rules Bar Bannon from Helping Breitbart” by Isaac Arnsdorf and Taylor Gee for Politico
Michigan: “Text Messages Help FBI Nab 3rd Macomb County Politician in Rizzo Probe” by Tresa Baldas and Christina Hall for Detroit Free Press
New Jersey: “Passaic Mayor Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes” by Richard Cowen and Todd South for Bergen Record
Legislative Issues
“Rep. Tim Ryan Launches Long-Shot Challenge to Pelosi as Democrats Struggle with Postelection Strategy” by Paul Kane for The Washington Post
November 16, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying Florida: “Toll Board Lobbyist Accused of Foiling County’s Push for Transit Funds” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald Florida: “Ballot Questions Fail in Miami Beach” by Joey Flechas for Miami Herald New Jersey: “GWB Scandal Puts a Light on […]
Lobbying
Florida: “Toll Board Lobbyist Accused of Foiling County’s Push for Transit Funds” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald
Florida: “Ballot Questions Fail in Miami Beach” by Joey Flechas for Miami Herald
New Jersey: “GWB Scandal Puts a Light on the Benefits of Lobbying” by John Reitmeyer for The Bergen Record
Campaign Finance
Missouri: “Missouri Donors Say Effort to Limit Money in Politics Failed” by Summer Ballentine and David A. Lieb (Associated Press) for Southeast Missourian
Tennessee: “Legal Loophole Allows Donors to Obscure State Campaign Contributions” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean
Ethics
Illinois: “Google and Facebook Take Aim at Fake News Sites” by Nick Wingfield, Mike Isaac, and Katie Benner for The New York Times
“Red Light Cameras Figure Given 2 1/2 Years in Prison for Massive Bribe Scheme” by David Kidwell for Chicago Tribune
Elections
“Bernie’s Empire Strikes Back” by Daniel Strauss for Politico
“Trump Draws Sharp Rebuke, Concerns Over Newly Appointed Chief White House Strategist Stephen Bannon” by Jose A. DelReal for The Washington Post
Legislative Issues
“Republicans Unanimously Pick Ryan to Continue as Speaker, but Differences Remain” by Mike DeBonis for The Washington Post
New York: “No Pay Raises for State Legislators, Commission Says” by Rick Karlin for Albany Times Union
November 2, 2016 •
Texas Representative Announces 2017 Resignation if Elected on Nov. 8
Texas State House District 118 Rep. Dawnna Dukes announced she will resign January 10, 2017, citing health issues stemming from a 2013 car accident. Dukes is running for a 12th term and will remain on the November ballot. If she […]
Texas State House District 118 Rep. Dawnna Dukes announced she will resign January 10, 2017, citing health issues stemming from a 2013 car accident.
Dukes is running for a 12th term and will remain on the November ballot. If she is successful in the general election, the seat will remain vacant until a special election is called next year. Her Republican opponent is calling for an immediate resignation to eliminate the possibility of the district’s residents remaining unrepresented for months.
The resignation comes amidst allegations and an investigation regarding her alleged use of state resources for non-governmental purposes. The current allegations are the most recent in a string of ethics and campaign finance controversies throughout her 22-year career.
Photo of Rep. Dawnna Dukes courtesy of the Texas House of Representatives website.
October 24, 2016 •
Special Election to Fill Connecticut House Seat Set for Same Day as General
A special election will be held on November 8, 2016, to fill the state’s 90th House District seat. Rep. Mary Fritz, who held the seat for three decades, died in July. The winner of the special election will finish Fritz’s […]
A special election will be held on November 8, 2016, to fill the state’s 90th House District seat. Rep. Mary Fritz, who held the seat for three decades, died in July.
The winner of the special election will finish Fritz’s term, and the winner of the general election, held the same day, will serve the next term beginning in January.
Photo of Rep. Mary Fritz courtesy of the Connecticut House Democrats website.
October 12, 2016 •
No Special Election Following Death of Wisconsin Senator
State Sen. Rick Gudex took his own life on October 12, 2016. Gudex was elected to represent District 18 in 2012 and served in 2015 as the president pro tempore before announcing he would not run for re-election in 2016. […]
State Sen. Rick Gudex took his own life on October 12, 2016. Gudex was elected to represent District 18 in 2012 and served in 2015 as the president pro tempore before announcing he would not run for re-election in 2016. Gudex was a former mayor of Mayville and also a member of the Fond du Lac Common Council.
Gov. Scott Walker does not plan to call a special election to fill Gudex’s seat as the Nov. 8 election is less than a month away, leaving the seat vacant until January when the new term begins.
October 7, 2016 •
New Mexico Special Session Adjourns
The special session adjourned sine die on October 6, 2016. Lawmakers approved a budget fix, and the controversial death penalty bill failed to pass the Senate. Per New Mexico law, the fundraising ban concludes at the time of adjournment.
The special session adjourned sine die on October 6, 2016.
Lawmakers approved a budget fix, and the controversial death penalty bill failed to pass the Senate.
Per New Mexico law, the fundraising ban concludes at the time of adjournment.
September 28, 2016 •
Nassau County, NY Special Election to Fill County Legislator Seat
Nassau County Legislator Judith Jacobs passed away on September 13, 2016. Jacobs, the presiding officer of the county Legislature, was serving her 11th term as the District 16 representative. With more than one year left in her term, Nassau County […]
Nassau County Legislator Judith Jacobs passed away on September 13, 2016.
Jacobs, the presiding officer of the county Legislature, was serving her 11th term as the District 16 representative.
With more than one year left in her term, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano has set a special election to fill the Jacob’s seat on November 8, 2016.
September 19, 2016 •
Iowa State Sen. Seng Loses Battle with Cancer
State Sen. Joe Seng lost his battle with brain cancer on September 16, 2016. Seng was elected to represent District 45 for the fourth time in 2014. As Seng’s seat was not up for election this year, a special election […]
State Sen. Joe Seng lost his battle with brain cancer on September 16, 2016.
Seng was elected to represent District 45 for the fourth time in 2014.
As Seng’s seat was not up for election this year, a special election will need to be called to fill his remaining term.
September 19, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Chaka Fattah’s K Street Friends Stand by Him” by Sean McMinn for Roll Call “Nonprofit Seeks to Crowdfund Lobbying” by Megan Wilson for The Hill Campaign Finance “Whom to Vote for? Employees Tend to Follow Their Leader” by Andrew […]
Lobbying
“Chaka Fattah’s K Street Friends Stand by Him” by Sean McMinn for Roll Call
“Nonprofit Seeks to Crowdfund Lobbying” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
Campaign Finance
“Whom to Vote for? Employees Tend to Follow Their Leader” by Andrew Ross Sorkin for New York Times
“New Records Shed Light on Donald Trump’s $25,000 Gift to Florida Official” by Kevin Sack and Steve Eder for New York Times
Florida: “Appeals Court Declines to Put Campaign-Finance Rules on Ballot” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald
Ethics
“White House Women Want to Be in The Room Where It Happens” by Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post
Connecticut: “Wade to Recuse Herself from Anthem-Cigna Review” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror
Elections
“Sowing Doubt Is Seen as Prime Danger in Hacking Voting System” by David Sanger and Charlie Savage for New York Times
“Clinton Campaign Releases Doctor’s Letter Describing ‘Mild’ Pneumonia” by Abby Phillip and Anne Gearan for Washington Post
Virginia: “Va. Supreme Court Finds McAuliffe Not in Contempt on Felon Voting Actions” by Laura Vozzella for Washington Post
Legislative Issues
“Why the U.S. Economy Lags: It’s the politics, stupid” by Paul Davidson for USA Today
September 16, 2016 •
NYCU Video Digest – September 16, 2016
See what’s happening in government relations this week with our Video Digest. Enjoy!
See what’s happening in government relations this week with our Video Digest. Enjoy!
September 15, 2016 •
Michigan State Rep. Pettalia Passes Away
The state representative for the 106th District, Peter Pettalia, tragically passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on September 12, 2016. Pettalia was elected to the Michigan House in 2010 and previously served as Presque Isle Township supervisor […]
The state representative for the 106th District, Peter Pettalia, tragically passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on September 12, 2016.
Pettalia was elected to the Michigan House in 2010 and previously served as Presque Isle Township supervisor for 16 years.
Pettalia was term-limited. The state GOP will decide who finishes Pettalia’s remaining term, and his seat will be filled at the general election on November 8, 2016.
Photo of Rep. Peter Pettalia courtesy of the Michigan House Republicans website.
September 13, 2016 •
New York Assembly Candidate’s Death May Create Vacancy
On September 9, 2016, New York Assemblyman Bill Nojay took his own life. Nojay was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court on fraud charges related to mishandling of a trust fund on the day he passed. Nojay was already […]
On September 9, 2016, New York Assemblyman Bill Nojay took his own life. Nojay was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court on fraud charges related to mishandling of a trust fund on the day he passed.
Nojay was already listed on the primary ballot for September 13, 2016. If Nojay wins the primary, the seat will default to a vacancy and the GOP will select a replacement.
Nojay’s opponent, Richard B. Milne, has offered his sincerest condolences and has suspended all political activity until further notice.
Photo of Rep. Bill Nojay courtesy of the New York State Assembly website.
September 12, 2016 •
One Tennessee Legislator Faces Expulsion and Another Resigns
The Tennessee General Assembly convened a special session this morning to fix the state’s drunken driving laws, but lawmakers may also use the opportunity to expel Rep. Jeremy Durham. Durham is being investigated by multiple state agencies after nearly two […]
The Tennessee General Assembly convened a special session this morning to fix the state’s drunken driving laws, but lawmakers may also use the opportunity to expel Rep. Jeremy Durham. Durham is being investigated by multiple state agencies after nearly two dozen women accused him of inappropriate sexual conduct.
Rep. Joe Armstrong was also expected to be expelled, but Armstrong resigned his seat last Friday after being convicted of filing a false income tax return. His resignation is effective today. If legislators’ efforts are successful, Durham will be only the second Tennessee lawmaker to be ousted since the Civil War.
Photo of Rep. Jeremy Durham courtesy of the Tennessee General Assembly website.
September 1, 2016 •
Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson Selects Rep. Gossage as Deputy Chief of Staff for External Operations
On August 30, 2016, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced state Rep. Bill Gossage as his deputy chief of staff for external operations. As a result, Gossage is resigning as the House District 82 representative. Hutchinson will not call a special election […]
On August 30, 2016, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced state Rep. Bill Gossage as his deputy chief of staff for external operations. As a result, Gossage is resigning as the House District 82 representative.
Hutchinson will not call a special election to fill the remainder of Gossage’s term because the vacancy will be filled within 150 days, as required by law. The state Republican party will be responsible for selecting a nominee to run in Gossage’s place.
Gossage was running unopposed in the November 8 general election, and other political parties will be unable to run a candidate in this race as the filing deadline has already passed.
Photo of Bill Gossage courtesy of the Arkansas House of Representatives website.
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