October 23, 2014 •
Canadian Parliament Emerges from Shootings
Parliament and parts of the capital are emerging from a security lockdown following shootings at the National War Memorial and inside the Parliament building. A soldier guarding the memorial has died from his injuries, as well as a gunman. Prime […]
Parliament and parts of the capital are emerging from a security lockdown following shootings at the National War Memorial and inside the Parliament building.
A soldier guarding the memorial has died from his injuries, as well as a gunman. Prime Minister Stephen Harper was addressing his Cabinet at the time, but left Parliament Hill safely.
The House of Commons is meeting today, Thursday, October 23, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.
Photo of the Parliament Centre Block by Adrijko Z. on Wikimedia Commons.
August 1, 2014 •
Arkansas State Senator Leaves Early for Government Relations Job
State Sen. Johnny Key has vacated his seat in order to coordinate lobbying efforts for the University of Arkansas system as the associate vice president for university relations. Gov. Mike Beebe will not call a special election to fill the […]
State Sen. Johnny Key has vacated his seat in order to coordinate lobbying efforts for the University of Arkansas system as the associate vice president for university relations.
Gov. Mike Beebe will not call a special election to fill the empty seat due to the expected costs and logistical hurdles of replacing Key, whose term ends in January 2015.
Scott Flippo won the Republican nomination for the District 17 seat in June and will not have a Democrat challenger in the November election.
July 25, 2014 •
DE Governor Signs Package of Campaign Finance, Lobbying Bills
On July 22, 2014, Gov. Jack Markell signed several bills amending Delaware’s campaign finance and lobbying laws. Senate Bill 187 allows political committees to donate prohibited contributions to certain charitable organizations. House Bill 300 protects whistleblowers from employer retaliation […]
On July 22, 2014, Gov. Jack Markell signed several bills amending Delaware’s campaign finance and lobbying laws. Senate Bill 187 allows political committees to donate prohibited contributions to certain charitable organizations. House Bill 300 protects whistleblowers from employer retaliation for reporting campaign finance violations or participating in the investigation of such violations.
Both Senate Bill 187 and House Bill 300 became effective upon the governor’s signature. House Bill 301 requires contributions given from a joint account, whether by check, debit card, or credit card, to be attributed to the signator of the contribution. Senate Bill 186 requires entities making contributions of more than $100 to disclose the name and address of one responsible party. A responsible party, as defined by the bill, is an individual who exercises control over the entity.
House Bill 301 and Senate Bill 186 are effective January 1, 2015. Also effective January 1, 2015, is House Bill 306, which imposes late filing fees on lobbyists who file late reports. A fee of $25 will be assessed for the first day and $10 for each subsequent day a lobbyist report is delinquent. The maximum late fee allowable is $100. The Public Integrity Commission may waive such late filing fees if it determines circumstances make imposition of the fee inappropriate.
Of the newly minted legislation, Gov. Markell said, “We must always look to improve our laws to strengthen the public’s confidence in the political process.”
Photo of Governor Jack Markell by John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV on Wikimedia Commons.
July 2, 2014 •
J. William Roberts Named Illinois Acting Legislative Inspector General
In a statement released Tuesday, the Legislative Ethics Commission announced J. William Roberts has been named acting legislative inspector general. Roberts is a former U.S. attorney and served as legal counsel to former Gov. Jim Edgar. He will take over […]
In a statement released Tuesday, the Legislative Ethics Commission announced J. William Roberts has been named acting legislative inspector general.
Roberts is a former U.S. attorney and served as legal counsel to former Gov. Jim Edgar. He will take over for Tom Homer, who served 10 years following the creation of the position as part of the 2003 Ethics Act.
Roberts will be responsible for investigating complaints of rule violations, abuse of authority, and other forms of legislative misconduct.
June 12, 2014 •
Amendment for Part-time Michigan Legislature Fails to Make the November Ballot
Earlier this year, the Committee to Restore Michigan’s Part-time Legislature circulated a statewide petition to amend the Michigan Constitution. The proposed amendment aimed to institute a part-time state Legislature and limit legislative sessions to 60 days, lawmaker salaries to $35,000, […]
Earlier this year, the Committee to Restore Michigan’s Part-time Legislature circulated a statewide petition to amend the Michigan Constitution. The proposed amendment aimed to institute a part-time state Legislature and limit legislative sessions to 60 days, lawmaker salaries to $35,000, and total legislative staffers to 250.
The committee announced on June 12, 2014, it is suspending its campaign due to failure to collect enough signatures by the June deadline. The committee needed at least 322,609 signatures in order to get the amendment on the ballot in November.
Although the campaign is suspended for the 2014 election, the committee plans to resurrect the effort in 2016.
March 26, 2014 •
California State Senator Arrested for Public Corruption
State Senator Leland Yee has been arrested on public corruption charges as part of several arrests made by the FBI. Yee represents District 8, which includes San Francisco and San Mateo County. The former San Francisco supervisor and 2011 mayoral […]
State Senator Leland Yee has been arrested on public corruption charges as part of several arrests made by the FBI.
Yee represents District 8, which includes San Francisco and San Mateo County. The former San Francisco supervisor and 2011 mayoral candidate is currently running for secretary of state.
Yee was honored last week by the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for his efforts last year to maintain the requirements of the California Public Records Act.
Photo of State Senator Leland Yee courtesy of Tim Bartel on Wikimedia Commons.
March 26, 2014 •
RI House Elects New Speaker
The Rhode Island House of Representatives elected Rep. Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) its speaker yesterday. Mattiello replaces Gordon Fox, who resigned on Saturday, March 22, following police raids of Fox’s office and home on Friday. According to his […]
The Rhode Island House of Representatives elected Rep. Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) its speaker yesterday.
Mattiello replaces Gordon Fox, who resigned on Saturday, March 22, following police raids of Fox’s office and home on Friday. According to his press release, Mattiello, a representative for the last seven years, announced to his fellow lawmakers that “[t]here will be a much greater emphasis on collaboration in the decision-making process among everyone in this room, Democrats and Republicans alike.”
March 25, 2014 •
New Speaker Needed for Rhode Island House
Today the Rhode Island House of Representatives may seek to elect a new speaker to replace Gordon Fox, who resigned on Saturday. Fox abruptly resigned following a police raid of his home and office by state and federal officials on […]
Today the Rhode Island House of Representatives may seek to elect a new speaker to replace Gordon Fox, who resigned on Saturday. Fox abruptly resigned following a police raid of his home and office by state and federal officials on Friday. No reason for the search has yet been given by authorities or Fox.
Fox said he will remain as a representative in the House but does not intend to seek another term.
Photo of the Rhode Island State Capitol courtesy of Garrett A. Wollman on Wikimedia Commons.
March 17, 2014 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Lobbyists stick with Putin” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill. Canada: “Lobbyists looking to give back with new pro bono advocacy organization” by Mark Burgess in The Hill Times. Colorado: “Investigation: Lobbyists skipped $90K in fines to Colorado” by […]
Lobbying
“Lobbyists stick with Putin” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Canada: “Lobbyists looking to give back with new pro bono advocacy organization” by Mark Burgess in The Hill Times.
Colorado: “Investigation: Lobbyists skipped $90K in fines to Colorado” by Brandon Rittiman on KUSA 9News.
Oregon: “Longest-serving lobbyist dies” by Peter Wong in the Statesman Journal.
Campaign Finance
“In midterms, a battle of billionaires” by Laura Barron-Lopez in The Hill.
California: “San Diego’s Ethics Commission Seeks To Rein In Independent Committees” by Joe Yerardi in KPBS.
Florida: “Politicians enjoy winter in South Florida – for raising money” by Anthony Man in the Sun Sentinel.
Massachusetts: “Senate passes campaign finance reporting bill” by Sara Brown in The Eagle-Tribune.
New York: “Senate public finance provision raises questions” by Karen DeWitt on WRVO Public Media.
Pennsylvania: “Between a website and a hard place: On campaign finance rules” by Mary Wilson on WITF.
Utah: “Utah lawmakers OK campaign finance reporting bill” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Ethics
U.S. House Committee on Ethics: “Ethics Committee Gets New Staff Director” by Matt Fuller in Roll Call.
“Congress Gets Away With Free Foreign Trips” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
“Former Rep. Edolphus Towns Driven To Personal Use of Campaign Funds” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.
Mississippi: “Bills could strengthen access to Miss. public info” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.
From the State Legislatures
Idaho: “Idaho’s substitute law unique” by Betsy Z. Russell in The Spokesman-Review.
February 27, 2014 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “Tax plan sends shockwaves down K Street” by Vicki Needham in The Hill. “Movie Industry, In a Switch, Is Courting the GOP” by Brody Mullins and Ben Fritz in The Wall Street Journal. “Former software lobbyist tapped for […]
Lobbying
“Tax plan sends shockwaves down K Street” by Vicki Needham in The Hill.
“Movie Industry, In a Switch, Is Courting the GOP” by Brody Mullins and Ben Fritz in The Wall Street Journal.
“Former software lobbyist tapped for trade post” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.
“Patton Boggs begins new merger talks” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.
“‘Card check’ victors reap little reward” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Buying alpha: Here’s the easiest way to stock gains” by Jeff Cox on CNBC.
Missouri: “Who bought lawmakers’ lunch? Lobbyist splits hairs” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
New Mexico: “N.M. lobbyists spent $200K on dinners, golf, skiing” by The Associated Press on KFDA News.
New York: “Mayor Accepted Lobbyist Money, Amid Improper Payments” by Jeff Preval on WGRZ.
Campaign Finance
Connecticut: “New campaign finance law sparks debate” by Isabelle Taft in the Yale Daily News.
West Virginia: “Campaign finance bill dies in the House” in the West Virginia Metro News.
Ethics
Alabama: “‘Clean’ ethics legislation passes in Senate” by Kala Kachmar in the Montgomery Advertiser.
Virginia: “House passes ethics bill with ‘turkey dinner amendment’” by Markus Schmidt in the Times Dispatch.
Campaigns, Conventions, and Elections
“And the finalists for the GOP convention are ….” by Rebecca Shabad in The Hill.
“Practitioner’s Toolbox: One Political Startup’s Efforts To Engage Potential Supporters Online” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
Arkansas: “Ark. House committee approves lt. gov. bill” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.
From the State Legislatures
Tennessee: “Bill would give Tennessee Legislature power over attorney general” by Todd South in the Times Free Press.
West Virginia: “Lawmakers push dozens of bills before deadline” by Jonathan Mattise (Associated Press) in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
February 10, 2014 •
Proposed Amendment in Michigan Would Create a Part-time Legislature
A statewide petition to amend the Michigan Constitution was approved by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers last week. The proposed amendment would institute a part-time state Legislature and limit legislative sessions to 60 days, lawmaker salaries to $35,000, and […]
A statewide petition to amend the Michigan Constitution was approved by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers last week. The proposed amendment would institute a part-time state Legislature and limit legislative sessions to 60 days, lawmaker salaries to $35,000, and total legislative staffers to 250.
The committee seeking the amendment must collect at least 322,609 signatures in order to get the amendment on the ballot in November.
February 5, 2014 •
MA Legislature Closed Today Due to Weather
Due to severe winter weather the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate will be closed on Wednesday, February 5. Both the House and Senate will resume normal business hours on Thursday, February 6, 2014.
Due to severe winter weather the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate will be closed on Wednesday, February 5. Both the House and Senate will resume normal business hours on Thursday, February 6, 2014.
February 5, 2014 •
NH Governor Hassan’s State of the State Speech Postponed
New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan’s State of the State speech, originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 5, has been postponed until Thursday afternoon due to the area’s frigid snowstorm. The House of Representatives will also not meet today because of the […]
New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan’s State of the State speech, originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 5, has been postponed until Thursday afternoon due to the area’s frigid snowstorm. The House of Representatives will also not meet today because of the winter weather. According to NHPR, Senate committee hearings scheduled for Wednesday morning will proceed. Hassan’s speech has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 6.
February 5, 2014 •
Rhode Island Legislature Closed Today Because of Winter Weather
The Rhode Island House of Representatives and Senate have cancelled scheduled floor sessions and committee hearings for Wednesday, February 5, due to the winter snowstorm. A scheduled 3 p.m. news conference concerning legislation dealing with the Department of Health certificate […]
The Rhode Island House of Representatives and Senate have cancelled scheduled floor sessions and committee hearings for Wednesday, February 5, due to the winter snowstorm. A scheduled 3 p.m. news conference concerning legislation dealing with the Department of Health certificate of need process has been postponed to 3 p.m. Thursday, February 6.
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