Texas ethics overhaul, Senate Bill 14, passed unanimously in the Senate this week and is headed to the House.

Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement praising the Senate’s swift movement, stating his confidence the comprehensive reforms will be passed.

An identical bill, House bill 1238, as well as six separate back-up bills duplicating each of the six articles in the reform package, were filed to avoid replicating the failure of a large ethics reform package during the 2015 legislative session.

National:

Scores of State Lawmakers Took Trips Subsidized by Controversial Turkish Opposition Movement
Center for Public Integrity – Liz Essley Whyte | Published: 2/9/2017

Scores of state lawmakers from around the country have accepted trips subsidized by affiliates of a Turkish opposition group, which is blamed by that country’s government for a failed coup attempt. The Center for Public Integrity found some state lawmakers who went on the trips later introduced resolutions supporting Turkish opposition leader Fethullah Gulen’s controversial Hizmet movement. And some have supported charter schools that are part of a network of roughly 160 taxpayer-funded schools run by friends of the movement. Among those who went on the trips were legislators who had rarely traveled overseas. Many had little knowledge of Gulen or Turkish politics, and few of their states have trade connections to Turkey.

Federal:

Kellyanne Conway Promotes Ivanka Trump Brand, Raising Ethics Concerns
New York Times – Richard Pérez-Peña and Rachel Abrams | Published: 2/9/2017

President Trump’s official counselor, Kellyanne Conway, may have broken an ethics rule when she told television audiences to “go buy Ivanka’s stuff.”  Federal employees are banned from using their public office to endorse products. Conway, appearing on “Fox & Friends” from the White House briefing room, was responding to boycotts of Ivanka Trump merchandise and Nordstrom’s discontinuation of stocking her clothing and shoe lines, which the retailer said was in response to low sales and which the president assailed as unfair. Don Fox, former general counsel and acting director of the Office of Government Ethics, said: “Conway’s encouragement to buy Ivanka’s stuff would seem to be a clear violation of rules prohibiting misuse of public office for anyone’s private gain.”

The Silencing of Elizabeth Warren and an Old Senate Rule Prompted by a Fistfight
Washington Post – Derek Hawkins | Published: 2/8/2017

Republican senators voted to formally silence a Democratic colleague for impugning a peer, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, by condemning his nomination for attorney general while reading a letter from Coretta Scott King. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren had been holding forth on the chamber floor on the eve of Sessions’ expected confirmation vote, reciting a 1986 letter from King that criticized Sessions’ record on civil rights. Majority leader Mitch McConnell stepped forward with an objection, setting off an extraordinary confrontation in the Capitol and silencing a colleague, procedurally, in the throes of a contentious debate over President Trump’s cabinet nominee.

Under-the-Radar Change to Congressional Ethics Watchdog May Weaken It
Washington Post – Elise Viebeck | Published: 2/8/2017

While initial Republican efforts to weaken the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) were thought to have been rebuffed, one little-noticed change that slipped through afterward is prompting fears among watchdogs that it could undermine the OGE’s work. The change relates to how new members are chosen for the OCE’s board, which authorizes its investigations. Under the final House rules package, the speaker and minority leader no longer must agree on their respective appointments to the board – they merely have to notify each other before proceeding with their own selections. That is raising concerns it could make the OCE more vulnerable to partisanship and, in the process, weaken its investigations of misconduct by lawmakers.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Luther Strange Senate Appointment Dismays Some Alabama Republicans
U.S. News & World Report – Steven Nelson | Published: 2/9/2017

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley appointed state Attorney General Luther Strange to fill the Senate seat left vacant by Jeff Sessions, who was just confirmed as U.S. attorney general. The appointment follows questions about what role, if any, the Alabama attorney general’s office had in probing controversies swirling around the governor. The state attorney general’s office is conducting an investigation related to Bentley, against whom Strange requested impeachment efforts be stalled in November, citing “related work” by his office. Bentley is caught in a complex web of scandals involving an alleged affair with a now-former senior aide, and the alleged retaliatory firing of a state official who cooperated in the corruption prosecution of a legislative leader later sentenced to prison.

California – California’s Top Court to Decide Whether Emails and Texts Sent on Personal Devices Are Public Record
Los Angeles Times – Maura Dolan | Published: 2/2/2017

During a December hearing, the California Supreme Court appeared ready to rule that government business conducted on private telephones and computers must be made public. The quandary expressed by justices was how to fashion a rule to protect the privacy of government employees and still ensure that public business was open to inspection. Karl Olson, representing the news media, argued many public officials are deliberately using personal computers and telephones to conceal their communications Associations of cities, counties, and school boards throughout the state say any rule that requires them to turn over communications on private devices would be a huge and costly burden.

Connecticut – State Democrats Say Federal Campaign Finance Probe Has Ended
Washington Times – Susan Haigh (Associated Press) | Published: 2/2/2017

A federal investigation into whether Connecticut Democrats illegally raised money in support of the re-election of Gov. Dannel Malloy in 2014 has ended without criminal charges. Federal investigators looked into whether the Democratic Party illegally spent $278,000 in political contributions to pay for a mailing benefiting Malloy’s campaign. The money came from state contractors and was earmarked for federal candidates. But the state party argued the mailers touting Malloy’s record were part of an overall “get-out-the-vote” effort that also helped federal candidates.

Illinois – Redflex to Pay $20 Million to Chicago to Settle Lawsuit over Bribery Scheme
Chicago Tribune – David Kidwell | Published: 2/6/2017

A red-light camera company whose former chief executive pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge will pay $20 million to settle a lawsuit with the city of Chicago. The deal ends a lawsuit the city filed against Redflex Traffic Systems, accusing Redflex of fraud and making false statements when it contracted in 2003 to run Chicago’s red-light camera enforcement program. Former Redflex Chief Executive Officer Karen Finley and former Chicago transportation official John Bills were convicted in a $100 million kickback scheme. Finley was given a two-year prison term and Bills received a 10-year sentence. Bills was accused of accepting envelopes stuffed with cash, along with gifts to help Redflex obtain contracts in a decade-long scheme.

New Mexico – Lobbyist Loophole Fix Stalls in Senate Committee
New Mexico In Depth – Sandra Fish and Trip Jennings | Published: 2/8/2017

A New Mexico Senate committee failed to approve a bill that would close a loophole a new law that allows lobbyists to disclose much less about how they spend money on public officials than they used to. The law passed last year removed a requirement for lobbyists to report expenses spent on individual lawmakers below $100. Previously, lobbyists had to report all spending, itemizing expenses spent above $75 per lawmaker and reporting the cumulative amount of expenses below $75 per lawmaker. As of July 1, 2016, lobbyists did not have to report any spending below $100 per lawmaker. The legislation’s sponsor said he will try again to get Senate Bill 168 passed by the Rules Committee.

New Mexico – Strange Bedfellows: How four Capitol couples negotiate love, lobbying, and legislating
Santa Fe Reporter – Matt Grubbs | Published: 2/8/2017

Four couples roaming the halls of the New Mexico Capitol have a unique relationship – one is legislator and the other is a lobbyist. The relationships bring with it both a comfortable familiarity and a set of unique pitfalls. State law does not speak specifically on the issue of a lobbyist-lawmaker relationship. The Governmental Conduct Act does say disclosure of potential conflicts “shall be a guiding principle for determining appropriate conduct. At all times, reasonable efforts shall be made to avoid undue influence and abuse of office in public service.”

Oklahoma – Capitol Influence: Lobbyists need more than money to succeed at state Capitol
Tulsa World – Barbara Hoberock and Randy Krehbiel | Published: 2/5/2017

To the public, influence at the state Capitol may seem to come down to who hands out the most campaign cash and hires the most lobbyists. Former legislative leaders acknowledged the roles of money and lobbyists in Oklahoma, but they also cited individual constituents, public opinion, unexpected events, lawmakers’ own experiences, and subtle and not-so-subtle attempts to shape perceptions of government.

Tennessee – Analysis: The power of Tennessee lobbyists
The Tennessean – Dave Boucher | Published: 1/28/2017

An analysis of lobbyist compensation, expenses, campaign expenditures, and legislative registration in recent years shows millions of dollars spent by hundreds of organizations every year to become power players at the statehouse. Lobbyists routinely meet with legislators, create client strategies, and often write the actual language in a bill. A winning strategy does not always mean passing a new law. Many times a win means defeating legislation or orchestrating a public campaign to educate key lawmakers. Some say this gives a handful of people too much influence. Lobbyists, however, say they merely represent the interests of a broad swath of constituents and do much more than try to win for their client.

Texas – Citizens United Lawyer Targets Texas Campaign Finance Laws
Arizona Daily Star – David Saleh Rauf (Associated Press) | Published: 2/7/2017

A case before the Texas Supreme Court could overturn longtime state laws that require certain political committees to disclose donors and ban direct political contributions from corporations. The conservative group King Street Patriots has been the focus of a longstanding lawsuit by the state Democratic Party accusing the organization of violating campaign finance laws by engaging in political behavior when it dispatched poll watchers on behalf of the Texas Republican Party during the 2010 election. But the nonprofit, represented by James Bopp, architect of the landmark Citizens United case, has fired back with a counterclaim challenging numerous provisions of the state’s campaign finance law.

Utah – Gold Coins, Posh Trips Form Backdrop in Utah Bribery Trial
Fresno Bee – Lindsay Whitehurst (Associated Press) | Published: 2/7/2017

A corruption scandal that prosecutors say connected wealthy businesspeople and powerful politicians against a backdrop of luxury vacations, gold coins, and a surreptitiously recorded meeting at a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop is set to come to a Utah courtroom. Former Utah Attorney General John Swallow is charged with 13 counts of bribery, evidence tampering, and other crimes. He was arrested in 2014, along with his predecessor and onetime boss, Mark Shurtleff, who had been attorney general for more than a dozen years. Authorities said the two hung a virtual “for sale” sign on the door to the state’s top law enforcement office, taking campaign donations and gifts like beach vacations in exchange for favorable treatment in investigations.

Washington – Trump EPA Official Juggles Two Jobs in Two Washingtons, and It Hasn’t Gone Well.
Washington Post – Lisa Rain and Bradley Dennis | Published: 2/7/2017

Washington Sen. Doug Ericksen defended his role at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), saying he could handle his Senate responsibilities while also helping the Trump administration. Ericksen stressed that his federal government job was only temporary, and has not hindered the Senate or an environmental committee he chairs. Ericksen is one of 10 people on the EPA transition team and is serving as communications director in Washington, D.C. for up to 120 days. Because of the job, he has missed significant time in Olympia during the first few weeks of the legislative session. Ericksen’s absence is the linchpin to party control of the state Senate, since Republicans control the chamber by just one vote. Without him, party-line votes are tied, with the lieutenant governor in a position to break the tie in Democrats’ favor.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

The Senate unanimously passed a campaign finance bill prohibiting the personal use of campaign funds. Senate Bill 2689, passed with little debate, is nearly identical to a House-Senate conference measure from last year.

The House, earlier in this legislative session, passed a similar bill; however, the Senate version leaves oversight of campaign finance with the Secretary of State, whereas the House version gives enforcement powers to the state ethics commission.

Additionally, the Senate version does not require itemization of credit card payments. Currently, lawmakers must itemize any expenditure over $200, but are able to bypass this by only listing payments to the credit card company.

Each house can pass the other’s version and send it to the governor, or meet in a conference committee to work out the differences.

Lobbying

“Records Show How Air Force Nominee Skirted Lobbying Restrictions” by Patrick Malone (Center for Public Integrity) for Politico

“Nations Turn to Lobbyists Amid Trump Upheaval” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

New Mexico: “Strange Bedfellows: How four Capitol couples negotiate love, lobbying, and legislating” by Matt Grubbs for Santa Fe Reporter

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “After Alaska Lawmaker’s Fundraising Controversy, Senate Considers Tighter Rules” by Caroline Halter for Alaska Public Radio

Arizona: “Citizens United Lawyer Targets Texas Campaign Finance Laws” by David Saleh Rauf (Associated Press) for Arizona Daily Star

Ethics

“Department of Defense Looks to Rent Space in Trump Tower” by Drew Harwell for Washington Post

Arizona: “On Third Try, Will Phoenix Create Commission to Enforce Ethics Rules?” by Dustin Gardner for Arizona Republic

South Dakota: “Regulations on Lobbyists, Officials Advance at State Capitol” by James Nord (Associated Press) for McClatchyDC.com

Legislative Issues

“The Silencing of Elizabeth Warren and an Old Senate Rule Prompted by a Fistfight” by Derek Hawkins for Washington Post

North Carolina: “North Carolina Judges Suspend Limit on Governor’s Powers” by Mitch Smith for New York Times

Tuesday was the last day for bills in the 2017 session of the Wyoming Legislature to be approved in the house of origin.

All bills, with the exception of the budget bill, that have not passed a third reading in the house of introduction are dead.

The legislative session is expected to adjourn on March 3, 2017.

Lawmakers are currently considering a bill to strengthen the state’s ethics laws.

Senate Bill 8 would, among other things, prohibit legislators and executive officers from becoming a lobbyist for one year after leaving office; create an ethics commission to, in turn, create a state code of ethics; prohibit campaign donors from entering into no-bid contracts worth more than $50,000; and require municipalities to create conflict of interest policies.

The bill is expected to reach the full Senate this week.

Campaign Finance

“Trump Vows to ‘Totally Destroy’ Restrictions on Churches’ Support of Candidates” by John Wagner and Julie Zauzmer for The Washington Post

“State Democrats Say Federal Campaign Finance Probe Has Ended” by Susan Haigh (Associated Press) for The Washington Times

Ethics

New York: “JCOPE Staff Lays Out Legislative Wish List” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Pennsylvania: “Council Members Regularly Missing Mandated Ethics Training” by Tricia Nadolny for Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania: “Farnese Acquitted in Federal Fraud Trial” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

South Dakota: “Daugaard Signs Ethics Repeal Bill” by John Axtell (Associated Press) for KCSR

Legislative Issues

Washington: “State Lawmaker Defends Dual Jobs in Senate, Trump Administration” by Walker Orenstein for Tacoma News Tribune

Lobbying

“Marijuana Lobby Goes Mainstream” by Reid Wilson for The Hill

Nebraska: “Ernie Chambers Continues Effort to Stop Lobbyist Meals for Senators” by Zach Pluhacek for Lincoln Journal Star

Tennessee: “Analysis: The power of Tennessee lobbyists” by Dave Boucher for The Tennessean

The South Dakota Senate voted 27-8 to approve House Bill 1069, advancing the bill to repeal Initiated Measure 22 to Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s desk.

Initiated Measure 22 is the voter approved ethics and campaign finance overhaul that established various lobbying and campaign finance restrictions.

Gov. Daugaard has previously stated his support for the repeal bill and is expected to sign the bill into law.

House Bill 91 was introduced yesterday to require Alaska’s legislative lobbyists to pay a 2.5 percent tax on income earned from lobbying activities.

As introduced, the proceeds from the tax would be appropriated to the Alaska Public Offices Commission, which is the state agency tasked with regulating lobbyists. If passed, House Bill 91 would take effect January 1, 2018.

Lobbying

“Is It Time for a Lobbyist Union? Juneau Representative Proposes 2.5 Percent Industry Tax” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dispatch News

“Richard Corcoran: Rick Scott’s ethics proposals not personal” by Jim Rusica for Florida Politics

“Senate Committee Compares House and Senate Bills on Lobbyist Gift Restrictions” by Benjamin Peters for Missouri Times

Ethics

“Trump Fires Acting Attorney General Who Defied Him” by Michael Shear, Mark Landler, Matt Apuzzo, and Eric Lichtblau for New York Times

“Two Applicants Seek to Replace Jon Motl as Commissioner of Political Practices” by Troy Carter for Bozeman Daily Chronicle

“Voters to Decide If Crooked State Pols Lose Pensions” by Matthew Hamilton for Albany Times Union

“In Letter, Justice Again Tries to Address Conflicts of Interest” by Andrew Brown for Charleston Gazette

Legislative Issues

“Don’t Like the Ballot Measure Voters Approved? Just Ignore It, Some Lawmakers Say.” by Alan Greenblatt for Governing

Redistricting

“Court to Wisconsin Republicans: Redraw election maps” by Jason Stein for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Gov. John Bel Edwards plans to issue a call this week to bring the Louisiana Legislature into a special session to try and close the state’s $304 million deficit.

The special legislative session will run from February 13 to February 23, 2017, but could wrap up earlier if a solution is reached. Edwards met with the joint House and Senate budget committees last Friday and faces no direct challenges to his plan.

He is in favor of using the state’s rainy day fund to bridge the budget gap and has stated there will be no proposals to do so by raising fees and taxes. However, no specifics on where cuts are intended have been announced.

An official list of proposed cuts is to be announced February 6, 2017.

Campaign Finance

Texas: “Under New Reality, Austin Council Members Can Raise Funds Year-Round” by Nolan Hicks for Austin American-Statesman

Ethics

“Report Cites Growing Corruption, Sees Link with Rising Populism” by Andrea Shalal for Reuters

“Felony Charges for Journalists Arrested at Inauguration Protests Raise Fears for Press Freedom” by Jonah Engel Bromwich for New York Times

“At Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, the Price for Joining the ‘Winter White House’ Has Doubled” by Drew Harwell for Washington Post

Kentucky: “Consultant Admits to Longmeyer Bribery Scheme” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal

West Virginia: “Armstead to Address Ethics Request After Session” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette

Legislative Issues

“Trump’s Flashy Executive Actions Could Run Aground” by Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, and Seung Min Kim for Politico

National:

Angry Democrats Study the Tea Party’s Playbook
New York Times – Jonathan Martin | Published: 1/23/2017

Eight years after Republicans united after a stinging electoral defeat to oppose President Barack Obama, Democrats are channeling an even deeper anxiety over President Trump into a newfound burst of organizing. Party leaders, eyeing the recent huge protests and growing worries over the promised repeal of the Affordable Care Act, are hoping to recreate the mass movement that sprang up in 2009 and swept Republicans to power in the House and in governor’s races across the country – a tea party equivalent from the left.

Report Cites Growing Corruption, Sees Link with Rising Populism
Reuters – Andrea Shalal | Published: 1/25/2017

Those who turn to populist politicians that promise to upset the status quo and end corruption may only be feeding the problem, a watchdog group warned. Transparency International said in its annual Corruption Perceptions Index for 2016 that in countries with populist or autocratic leaders, “instead of tackling crony capitalism, those leaders usually install even worse forms of corrupt systems.”

Federal:

At Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, the Price for Joining the ‘Winter White House’ Has Doubled
Washington Post – Drew Harwell | Published: 1/25/2017

Mar-a-Lago, the Palm Beach resort owned by the Trump Organization, doubled its new-member fee to $200,000 following the election of Donald Trump as president. Mar-a-Lago has assumed a prized role in Trump’spresidency, rivaling Trump Tower as a focal point of his lifestyle and ambitions. The price jump was slammed by watchdogs, who have criticized Trump’ lack of separation between his private finances and public power. Asked if having Trump in the White House has meant greater interest in outsiders joining the club –  including people who might want access to the president – Bernd Lembcke, the managing director of the club, said, “t enhances it.”

Companies Drafting Emergency Plans for Trump Tweets
The Hill – Megan Wilson and Melanie Zanona | Published: 1/19/2017

President Donald Trump has used social media to criticize American businesses, often for off-shoring jobs or manufacturing facilities, and many expect him to keep up the broadsides in the Oval Office. Being attacked by Trump is not only bad publicity but also it can also cause a sudden drop in a company’s stock price. Businesses that have yet to tangle with Trump are fearful they might be next, and have turned to consultants and lobbyists in Washington, D.C. to prepare for the possibility.

Lawmakers Admonish Ethics Official Over Tweets About Trump
Business Insider – Matthew Daley (Associated Press) | Published: 1/23/2017

Lawmakers from both parties admonished a federal ethics official who sent a series of tweets commenting on President Donald Trump’s potential conflicts-of-interest. Members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said the tweets by Walter Shaub Jr., director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), were inappropriate and could compromise the agency’s objectivity. Committee Chairperson Jason Chaffetz called Shaub’s comments “highly unethical” and summoned him to a closed-door meeting. Chaffetz and committee Democrats also met with Shaub for more than an hour, an unusual meeting prompted by Republicans’ frustration with the ethics office and its operations, rather than Trump.

Liberal Watchdog Group Sues Trump, Alleging He Violated Constitutional Ban
Washington Post – David Fahrenthold and Jonathan O’Connell | Published: 1/23/2017

To fight what it called a “grave threat” to the country, a watchdog group filed a lawsuit alleging President Donald Trump is violating the Constitution by allowing his business to accept payments from foreign governments. The lawsuit claims Trump is violating a clause in the Constitution that prohibits him from receiving money from diplomats for stays at his hotels or foreign governments for leases of office space in his buildings. The language in the clause is disputed by legal experts, and some think the suit will fail, but it signaled the start of a legal assault by Trump critics on what they see as unprecedented conflicts between his business and the presidency.

Trump’s Flashy Executive Actions Could Run Aground
Politico – Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, and Seung Min Kim | Published: 1/25/2017

The breakneck pace of President Donald Trump’s executive orders might please his supporters, but critics are questioning whether the documents are being rushed through without the necessary review from agency experts and lawmakers who will bear the burden of actually carrying them out. People familiar with Trump’s planning say he wanted daily events to show supporters he would follow through on his campaign agenda, but the process is playing out chaotically. Inside the West Wing, it is almost impossible for some aides to know what is in the executive orders, staffers say. They have been written by Stephen Miller, the senior adviser for policy, and Steve Bannon, Trump’s chief strategist, according to people familiar with the matter. By contrast, the Obama White House ran executive orders through a painstaking process of soliciting feedback from agencies and briefing lawmakers.

We Rely on the Government for Lots of Data. What Happens to That in the Era of ‘Alternative Facts’?
Washington Post – Mark Berman | Published: 1/23/2017

For wary journalists, it seemed only a matter of time before Donald Trump’s presidency would lead to a standoff between his administration and the news media. On the first weekend of the administration, Trump declared himself in “a running war with the media” and the president’s press secretary, Sean Spicer, used his first appearance on the White House podium to deliver a fiery jeremiad against the press. Worse, many journalists said, were the falsehoods that sprang from the lips of both Trump and Spicer. False statements, lies, and evasions are not unique to any one politician or political operative, nor are they the province solely of those who work in politics. But they take on an unmistakably different tenor when delivered with the imprimatur of the federal government, something that remains true even given the times government agencies and officials have been dishonest with the American people.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alaska – As Clock Ticked Toward Session, Alaska Lawmakers Turned to Lobbyists for Cash
Alaska Dispatch News – Nathaniel Herz | Published: 1/22/2017

While state law prohibits Alaska lawmakers from collecting campaign money during the legislative session, fundraisers held on the eve of the session have long been a tradition in Juneau. Lobbyists are banned from donating directly to legislative candidates, except those seeking to represent the lobbyist’s own House or Senate district. But they can give thousands of dollars at the pre-session events, which technically raise money for party committees, not lawmakers’ campaigns, though the parties often distribute cash to the campaigns of individual legislators.

Colorado – Colorado Ethics Commission Tells Aurora Councilwoman to Follow State Ethics Rules Because of Job
Denver Post – Jon Murray | Published: 1/23/2017

The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission said a state employee who also serves as an Aurora City Council member should follow Amendment 41 rather than her city’s less-stringent gift rules. Councilperson Angela Lawson works by day as the lobbyist program manager in the secretary of state’s office. She has been waiting more than a year for an advisory opinion following her election in November 2015. The request was delayed after the commission decided first to sort out how to approach home-rule cities that have their own ethics codes and do not follow the state’s Amendment 41, passed by voters in 2006. The ethics panel issued a recent position statement on the issue sparking outcry from the Colorado Municipal League and local government attorneys.

Florida – Lee Clerk Wants Audit of County Lobby Logs
The News-Press – Patricia Borns | Published: 1/24/2017

Clerk of Court Linda Doggett plans to audit Lee County commissioners’ logs to find out if they and their staff are being transparent about their conversations with lobbyists. A media investigation of Commissioner Larry Kiker’s lobby logs found discrepancies between his calendars, emails, and text messages showing meetings and phone calls with paid and unpaid lobbyists were not always noted. A second investigation, after Kiker cleaned up the lobby log, showed the problem persisted.

New Mexico – Loophole Cuts Lobbyist Spending Reporting
New Mexico In Depth – Sandra Fish | Published: 1/19/2017

New Mexico Lobbyists and their employers spent more than $595,000 on gifts, meals, and more for lawmakers and other public officials in 2016. But that number is likely tens of thousands of dollars too low because of a loophole created during the last legislative session. That loophole removed a requirement for lobbyists to report any expenses spent on individual lawmakers below a certain threshold. Previously, lobbyists had to report all spending, itemizing expenses spent above $75 per lawmaker and aggregating expenses below $75 per lawmaker. Now lobbyists do not have to report any spending below $100 per lawmaker. That took effect July 1, 2016.

South Dakota – South Dakota Legislators Seek Hasty Repeal of Ethics Law Voters Passed
New York Times – Monica Davey and Nicholas Confessore | Published: 1/25/2017

South Dakota voters approved a ballot measure last November that would create an independent state ethics commission, impose tougher limits on campaign contributions and lobbyists’ gifts to lawmakers, increase disclosure by independent political groups, and set up a system to publicly finance elections. But the state’s Republican Legislature is racing to set aside that new law by using its emergency powers, prompting cries of protest from voters and critics, who are calling the hasty efforts an antidemocratic power grab. In effect, they say, the state’s residents are being told their votes do not matter. Lawmakers demanding repeal say the ethics regulations are irretrievably flawed and include provisions that may be unconstitutional.

Texas – Once-Dead Ethics Reforms Could Curb Lobbying Tricks, Increase Disclosures and Punish Criminal Lawmakers
Dallas News – J. David McSwane | Published: 1/25/2017

Ethics reform bills have been introduced in the Texas Legislature. Sen. Van Taylor and Rep. Charlie Geren are each filing substantial bills in their chambers, along with smaller measures dedicated to specific ethics reforms outlined in the larger bills. That scattershot approach increases the likelihood that at least some of the new regulations will reach the governor’s desk. The reforms include lowering the dollar threshold for when lobbyists must report paying for meals or transportation for officials. Lobbyists would also be required to itemize the total bill paid on behalf of elected officials or their families. This closes a loophole that allows lobbyists to split large bar and restaurant tabs, among several lobbyists to avoid reporting thresholds.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

Lobbying

Florida: “Lee Clerk Wants Audit of County Lobby Logs” by Patricia Borns for The News-Press

Pennsylvania: “Governor Fires Head of State Drug and Alcohol Office” by Angela Couloumbis and Karen Langley for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Texas: “Once-Dead Ethics Reforms Could Curb Lobbying Tricks, Increase Disclosures and Punish Criminal Lawmakers” by J. David McSwane for Dallas News

Campaign Finance

California: “Contra Costa DA Slapped with $45,000 Fine as Criticism Builds” by Nate Gartrell for East Bay Times

Ethics

“An Early Test of Trump’s Ethics Pledge Is a Glittering New Foreign Tower” by Drew Harwell, Alan Freeman, and Jenny Peng for Washington Post

“White House, Trump Organization Name Ethics Advisers” by Bernard Condon and Chad Day (Associated Press) for WRAL

Utah: “Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes’ Name Dragged into the Criminal Case of Former A.G. John Swallow” by Jennifer Dobner and Tom Harvey for Salt Lake Tribune

Elections

“Trump Seeks ‘Major Investigation’ into Unsupported Claims of Voter Fraud” by Jenna Johnson and Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

Nebraska: “Nebraska Lawmaker Quits After Unsavory Women’s March Tweet” by Grant Schulte (Associated Press) for ABC News

South Carolina: “South Carolina Lawmaker Accused of Beating His Wife Resigns” by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for ABC News