Lobbying

California: “Ex-lobbyist joins councilman’s staff and questions follow” by David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times.

Kentucky: “Chandler moves into role as lobbyist in Ky.” by The Associated Press in WTVQ ABC News.

West Virginia: “Lobbyists spend $39k wining, dining WV officials” by The Associated Press in the Herald-Dispatch.

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “GOP: More campaign contributions should be allowed” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Daily Sun.

New Hampshire: “How one state representative raised $1,600 for his campaign — in bitcoins” by Brian Fung in The Washington Post.

Ohio: “Common Cause Ohio questions state’s lobbying disclosures” by Marc Kovac in the Daily Jeffersonian.

Vermont: “Vt. Supreme Court says Democratic-leaning organization didn’t register as political group” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Ethics

“Harvey Whittemore to be sentenced Monday for campaign finance scheme” by Jeff German in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Arkansas: “Some lawmakers suggest including ethics reform in special session” by Rob Moritz in Arkansas News.

Florida: “Inspector General: West Palm Beach should not have repaid Mitchell in ethics probe” by Eliot Kleinberg in the Palm Beach Post.

North Carolina: “Former NC auditor says he will leave State Ethics Commission after questions over DHHS role” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

State Legislatures

Illinois: “In blow to Gov. Quinn, judge rules state lawmakers must be paid” by Dave McKinney, Jon Seidel And Mitch Dudek in the Chicago Sun Times.

Oregon: “Oregon legislators return for special session” by Reid Wilson in The Washington Post.

Oregon: “Anxiety high as special session looms” by Hannah Hoffman in the Statesman Journal.

Pennsylvania: “Legislators taking leave and missing the vote” by Angela Couloumbis in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Social Media

New York: “NYC Mayoral Race Shows ‘Shareable Graphics Are…The New Black’ in Digital Campaigning” by Miranda Neubauer in TechPresident.

Lobbying

Kentucky: “Ben Chandler moves into role as lobbyist in Ky.” by The Associated Press in WYMT TV News.

New Mexico: “Ex-New Mexico official takes job despite ban on lobbying” by The Associated Press in the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Campaign Finance

“If You Thought Citizens United Was Bad, Wait for This Supreme Court Case” by Norm Ornstein in The Atlantic.

“GOP lawyer launches political donation refund group” by Michael Beckel in The Center for Public Integrity.

Arizona: “Donor fatigue: Higher contribution limits don’t translate into avalanche of cash” by Jeremy Duda and Luige del Puerto in Arizona Capitol Times.

Missouri: “Missouri campaign contributions have topped $6.7M this quarter” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Ohio: “Federal grand jury indictment charges North Canton businessman with funneling illegal campaign cash to candidates” by James F. McCarty in the Plain Dealer.

Ethics

Florida: “Florida Ethics Commission Asks For Power To Place Liens On Violators’ Property” by Jessica Palombo in WFSU News.

Ohio: “Ethics Commission finds possible conflicts of interest with JobsOhio employees” by Darrel Rowland in the Columbus Dispatch.

State Legislatures

South Dakota: “Legislature research leader resigns” by David Montgomery in the Argus Leader.

Social Media

“Twitter increases political contributions, but not from constituents, says paper” by Molly Bernhart Walker in FierceGovernmentIT.

Gov. John Kitzhaber has announced he will call a one-day special legislative session on September 30, 2013. The special session bill package would raise tax revenues to provide $100 million for K-12 education and $40 million for higher education to prevent tuition increases in the 2013-15 biennium.

It is not yet clear whether the legislative caucuses have the votes to pass all the bills in the package.

Kitzhaber has indicated he will sign none of the bills unless all bills pass.

Lobbying

Maryland: “Fresh out of Md. Senate, Garagiola joins law firm with major Annapolis lobbying presence” by John Wagner in The Washington Post.

Wisconsin: “Spending on lobbying down in Wisconsin as unions continue to reel from Act 10” by Jack Craver in The Capital Times.

Campaign Finance

“$1 million campaign donations: Coming soon?” by Byron Tau in Politico.

“It’s Time To End Our Failed Affair With Campaign Finance Laws” op/ed by Paul Sherman in Forbes.

“PACs spent more at state level than on federal campaigns” by Reid Wilson in The Washington Post.

“FEC Disclosure Takes a Hit in Nonelection Years” by Tony Raymond in Politico’s Moneyline.

California: “Campaign finance bills fare poorly in California Legislature” by Chris Megerian and Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times.

North Carolina: “Dome: GOP candidates received most PAC money in 2011-12” by Lynn Bonner and Rob Christensen in the News & Observer.

Ethics

Louisiana: “Ex-La. lawmaker asks to remain free on bond” by The Associated Press in the Baton Rouge Advocate.

New York: “Oops. Ethics board leader forgot to renew his law license” by Martha Neil in the ABA Journal.

Washington: “Spokane mayor proposes city ethics ‘upgrade’” by Nicholas Deshais in The Spokesman-Review.

State Legislatures

Oregon: “Governor pushing special session” by Hannah Hoffman in the Statesman Journal.

Elections

Florida: “Fla. Elections Commission Wants Garnishment Power” by Ryan Benk on WFSU News.

New Jersey: “N.J. can continue to use electronic voting machines, court rules” by The Associated Press in the Star-Ledger.

Pennsylvania: “Special election date set for the 78th state House district seat” by Jan Murphy in the Patriot-News.

Lawmakers adjourned for the year just after midnight on Friday, September 13, 2013.

Hundreds of bills were passed in the last week of the session including a minimum wage increase, changes to the California Environmental Quality Act, and a bill permitting undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses.

Photo of the California State Capitol Building by Sascha Brück on Wikipedia.

The Legislature convenes its annual veto session on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. Among the vetoed bills eligible for an override vote are House Bill 110 and Senate Bill 29.

House Bill 110 requires a special election to fill the lieutenant governor’s office if there is an early vacancy due to resignation, death, or impeachment. Senate Bill 29 requires certain public labor unions to obtain annual consent from members before withholding dues and fees from their paychecks for political contributions or expenditures.

Gov. Jay Nixon has declined to call a special session to allow lawmakers to craft a new version of a vetoed income-tax bill. Override votes require a two-thirds vote in each chamber.

Photo of the Missouri State Capitol by RebelAt on Wikipedia.

Lobbying

“Lawmakers allege lobbyist intervention during hearing” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.

Tennessee: “Ethics Commission stalemates on whether to penalize Tom Ingram” by Tom Humphrey in the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Campaign Finance

A press release from the National Press Club: “Campaign Finance Experts Potter and Wertheimer to Discuss New Supreme Court Case Focusing on Donation Limits to Candidates” in the Rock Hill Herald.

Ethics

Delaware: “Developer pleads guilty to illegal contributions” by Randall Chase (Associated Press) in the Connecticut Post.

Virginia: “Cuccinelli donates $18,000 value of Star chief’s gifts” by Laura Vozzella in The Washington Post.

Wisconsin: “Lawmakers approve first audit of Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board”  by The Associated Press in the Star Tribune.

State Legislatures

Minnesota: “Special sessions: How often and how long?” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Star Tribune.

Redistricting

“Time to tackle 2020” by Markos Moulitsas in The Hill.

Texas: “Court: Texas can use exiting election maps in 2014” by The Associated Press in the Las Vegas Sun.

Wisconsin: “Bipartisan group pushing for redistricting reform” by The Associated Press in WAOW News.

Lobbying

“Lobbyist league says mission will remain the same” by Byron Tau in Politico.

California: “FPPC fines Kinney, Areias and Hickox for covert lobbying” by Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee.

Massachusetts: “Top ten lobby shops each netted more than $600K in first half of 2013” by Andy Metzger in the Patriot Ledger.

Campaign Finance

West Virginia: “State: Mingo County PAC didn’t violate law” by The Associated Press in the Charleston Gazette.

Ethics

Arkansas: “Arkansas Ethics Commission says in letter it’s investigating lt. gov. over campaign reports” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Minnesota: “Minn. campaign regulators elect new chairwoman” by The Associated Press in WQOW News.

New York: “NY effort to reveal pols’ law clients has backing” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.

Pennslvania: “State House panel considers strengthening the state ethics law” by Jan Murphy in the Patriot-News.

Pennsylvania: “State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe calls for investigation into whether Attorney General Kathleen Kane violated the state ethics law” by Jan Murphy in the Patriot-News.

State Legislatures

Hawaii: “Hawaiian governor calls for special session to legalize gay marriage” by Tim Gaynor in Reuters.

Minnesota: “Minnesota legislators OK disaster relief; tax talks delayed” by Jim Ragsdale and Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Star Tribune.

Oregon: “Education groups to Kitzhaber: Special session would help stabilize Oregon school funding” by Hannah Hoffman in the Statesman Journal.

On September 9, 2013, the Oklahoma Legislature adjourned its special session sine die.

Gov. Mary Fallin had called the special session to address the issue of how lawsuits are filed, which became a problem after the Oklahoma Supreme Court invalidated a law on that topic. The special session, which began on September 3, produced 23 bills related to lawsuit reform.

In her press release, Fallin stated, “These measures will help to keep jobs in Oklahoma and further our reputation as a business friendly state.”

Lobbying

“‘Big bucks’ lobbying hurts American political system” by Jim Nowlan in the News-Gazette.

“Lobbying the Media Pivotal to Legislative Issues” by Dara Kam in Sunshine State News.

“The State of Lobbying in a Gridlocked Congress” on Bloomberg TV.

New York: “Bill de Blasio fails to go public about all meetings with lobbyists” by Mara Gay in the New York Daily News.

Campaign Finance

“Legislators in at least 23 states are trying to do something about dark money” by Niraj Chokshi in the Washington Post.

“Unions dramatically increase super PAC donations” by Michael Beckel on NBC News.

“Many overhyped super PACs are super in name only” by Tarini Parti in Politico.

“In Senate bid, Markey benefited by contributions and spending by PACs, outside interest groups” by Steve LeBlanc (Associated Press) in The Republic.

Arkansas: “Arkansas Is Next Battleground For Citizens United Constitutional Amendment” by Paul Blumenthal in the Huffington Post.

Colorado: “Colorado Recall Drives Reveal Influence Of ‘Dark Money’ On Local Politics” by Frederick Reese in Mint Press News.

Ethics

Arkansas: “Lt. Governor Mark Darr could face state ethics violations” by Elicia Dover in KATV News.

Massachusetts: “Former ethics officials seeking change that would assist Wolf” by Matt Murphy in the Hanover Mariner.

Missouri: “Missouri House speaker’s side business raises ethical issues” by Jason Hancock in The Kansas City Star.

Washington: “Ethics refs say free college football for lawmakers is legal” by Jordan Schrader in The Olympian.

Legislative News

“What (Not) to Expect from Congress This Session” by Peter Harkness in Governing.

“From Barbeques to Pink Running Shoes: States’ Special Sessions” by Pamela M. Prah in Stateline.

California: “Lawmakers to weigh about 400 bills in session’s last week” by Patrick McGreevy and Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times.

Minnesota: “Minnesota lawmakers return to St. Paul today” by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger in the Star Tribune.

Missouri: “Guns, taxes on the agenda as Missouri lawmakers return to Capitol” by Elizabeth Crisp in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Common Cause teams with techies to help voters” by The Associated Press in the Albany Times Union.

The Kentucky Legislature adjourned its special session on Friday, August 23, 2013, after passing a new redistricting plan.

Governor Beshear quickly signed the bill after its passage.

Governor Pat McCrory has issued a proclamation calling for a special session to convene at noon on September 3, 2013.

However, if a majority of legislators write declaring they do not want to meet, no session will occur.

The purpose of the session is to consider overriding the governor’s vetoes.

Federal:

Campaign Finance Advocates Sue IRS

The Hill – Bernie Becker | Published: 8/21/2013

U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and watchdog groups filed a lawsuit challenging the IRS’ interpretation of a law that governs whether groups qualify for tax-exempt status as so-called social welfare organizations. The suit addresses one of the main concerns that surfaced with the recent IRS targeting controversy: differences between federal law and IRS rules on eligibility for 501(c)(4) candidates.

U.S. Lawmakers Travel the World on Lobbyists’ Tab

Reuters – Richard Cowen | Published: 8/19/2013

Lately, the number of privately financed trips for federal lawmakers offered by corporate interests, lobbyists, universities, and foreign governments have been rising. Trips this year total 1,363, at a cost to the hosts of $3.2 million. Congress clamped down on such travel in 2007 after disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s influence-peddling scandal.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arkansas – After Ethics Fine, Paul Bookout Resigns from Legislature

Arkansas Business Journal; Associated Press –   | Published: 8/21/2013

Sen. Paul Bookout resigned his seat in the Arkansas Legislature on the same day a special prosecutor was assigned to investigate his campaign finances. His resignation came days after the state Ethics Commission fined and reprimanded the veteran lawmaker for converting thousands of dollars in political contributions to his personal use.

California – Filner Could Be Out by Friday

San Diego Union Tribune – Craig Gustafson and Mark Walker | Published: 8/21/2013

A tentative deal has been reached in the sexual harassment lawsuit against San Diego Mayor Bob Filner that is likely to oust him from office. City Attorney Jan Goldsmith announced the plan after three days of settlement talks, but said he could not divulge any details until the proposed resolution is approved by the city council, which could happen on August 23. Filner has been under siege for weeks amid allegations he repeatedly sexually harassed women.

California – Hansen Revealed as Arena Petition Backer

Sacramento Bee – Dale Kasler and Tony Bizjak | Published: 8/17/2013

Weeks after billionaire Chris Hansen lost a bid to move the Sacramento Kings to Seattle, he made an undisclosed donation to a group trying to defeat plans to build a new facility for the National Basketball Association team in California. The Fair Political Practices Commission said the money was used to gather signatures for a ballot initiative designed to put to a citywide vote the council’s planned $258 million subsidy for a downtown arena.

Maine – For Maine Governor, Issue Is What They Said He Said

New York Times – Katharine Seelye and Jess Bidgood | Published: 8/20/2013

Maine Gov. Paul LePage denied he said President Barak Obama “hates white people.” Two Republican lawmakers said they heard the governor make the comment during a state Republican Party fundraiser. The problem for LePage, as even some of his allies acknowledge, is whether or not he made this particular comment, he has made so many other blunt assertions that while one more may not matter, the accumulation of such comments could.

Massachusetts – In Mass., Political Lobbying a $100M-a-Year Industry

Lowell Sun – Steve LeBlanc (Associated Press) | Published: 8/19/2013

In 2005, there were just over 800 lobbyists registered in Massachusetts. By 2012, that number had soared to more than 1,600. In part, the increase is due to a change in the definition of a lobbyist. The broadened definition, prompted by a 2009 ethics law, forced many individuals who had avoided the label to officially register.

New York – Nonprofits Are Balking at Law on Disclosing Political Donors

New York Times – Thomas Kaplan | Published: 8/20/2013

New York has emerged as a central battleground for efforts to mandate greater disclosure. Two years after a law was enacted that required tax-exempt groups lobbying state government to reveal where they got their money, a growing number of nonprofit organizations are seeking exemptions, arguing their donors could be endangered if their names were released to the public.

New York – Utility Officials Fined on Freebies

Albany Times Union – James Odato | Published: 8/15/2013

A year after national grid paid the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) $1.67 million to settle charges of providing illegal gifts to state regulators, the utility has agreed to pay $25,000 to settle the same charges with the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE). The PSC fined National Grid for violating the public service law; JCOPE penalized the utility for violating state lobbying law.

Ohio – Ohio Ethics Chief: Kasich made clean company break

Miami Herald – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 8/15/2013

Ohio Ethics Commission Chairperson Merom Brachman said there is no need for an ethics probe of Gov. John Kasich’s relationship to a company that received hundreds of thousands of dollars in state development tax credits. Brachman, noting the commission is “anxious to not become a political theater,” said data provided by the governor shows conclusively there is no conflict-of-interest to investigate.

Pennsylvania – State Officials’ Free Gala Tickets Lead To Discrepancies in Ethics Reports

WITF – Mary Wilson | Published: 8/19/2013

The way Gov. Tom Corbett and a few state lawmakers treated free tickets to a Philadelphia soiree shows a wide variety of interpretations of Pennsylvania’s ethics law. Last year, the Barnes Foundation threw a gala celebrating its new museum and gave some legislators and members of the administration free entry. For other patrons, tickets were $5,000 each. State law requires gifts of such a value to be publicly disclosed.

South Carolina – Haley’s Attorneys Tried to Get Ethics Charges Dropped

The State – Adam Beam | Published: 8/15/2013

Emails between the South Carolina Ethics Commission and Gov. Nikki Haley’s attorney show she agreed to pay a fine and end allegations over campaign donors’ missing addresses only after irritated commissioners nearly took an agreement off the table and called a public hearing. Haley agreed to pay $3,500, reimburse the ethics agency $2,000, and forward money from eight donors, totaling nearly $4,200, to the Children’s Trust Fund.

Tennessee – Democrats Missing from Panels to Rule on Ethics Complaints against Haslam

Knoxville News Sentinel – Tom Humphrey | Published: 8/17/2013

A former state Democratic Party chairperson filed complaints with the Tennessee Ethics Commission and the Registry of Election Finance, contending Gov. Bill Haslam violated the law by not disclosing his personal payments to lobbyist and political operative Tom Ingram. The commission and registry currently have Republican majority membership because of unfilled vacancies in one case, because Haslam has left a seat designated for a Democrat empty since March.

Virginia – Attorneys for McDonnells to Meet with Prosecutors as Key Phase Opens in Gifts Probe

Washington Post – Rosalind Helderman and Carol Leonnig | Published: 8/19/2013

Attorneys for Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell and his wife met with federal prosecutors over the gifts scandal that has dominated state politics. The meetings open a critical phase of the investigation, timed to help prosecutors decide over the next few weeks whether to file charges, according to two people with knowledge of the investigation.

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Governor Mark Dayton and legislative leaders have agreed to a special session in September.

The one-day session, scheduled for September 9, 2013, will address financial relief for damages caused by June storms.