Sen. Phil Griego (D) resigned his seat with only a week remaining in the current legislative session. Griego is the subject of an ethics investigation arising from his role as a broker for the Inn of the Five Graces after helping pass legislation to sell the state-owned building.

Griego has acknowledged violating a state constitutional provision prohibiting lawmakers from having any interest in a contract authorized by the Legislature.

Gov. Susana Martinez has requested a nominee to be named by Sunday, March 23, 2015, to fill the Senate District 39 seat.

The Senate has voted down a bill to overhaul ethics laws. Senate Bill 1 failed by a 19 to 24 vote on Wednesday, February 11.

The main issue Senators could not agree on was whether lawmakers should be involved in the process of investigating themselves. The majority of senators believed an independent panel to investigate senators’ conduct solves a problem that does not exist.

The Senate still has a chance to consider a similar version of the bill passed unanimously by the House.

Assemblyman Carl Heastie has been elected speaker of the New York State Assembly. The election was held due to outgoing speaker Sheldon Silver being arrested on federal corruption charges.

Heastie, a Democrat from the Bronx, has served in the Assembly since 2000. He is the first speaker from the Bronx, and also the first African-American to be speaker.

Photo of Assemblyman Carl Heastie courtesy of the New York State Assembly website.

State Rep. Sheldon Silver will no longer be speaker of the New York State Assembly beginning Monday, February 2, 2015. Silver was arrested on federal corruption and bribery charges earlier this month. It is not clear whether Silver is resigning voluntarily or being forced out by a vote.

Silver said, “I won’t hinder any succession process . . . [but] I will be a member of this house. I was elected by my constituents and I do not intend to resign my seat in this house.”

Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle will serve as the acting speaker until an election for a new speaker is held on February 10, 2015.

Lobbying

“All Cooled Off: As Congress convenes, former colleagues will soon be calling from K Street” in the Center for Responsive Politics

Vermont: “Lobbyists Can Now Register Online in Vermont, Condos Says System Gives Public Immediate Access” by The Associated Press for Greenfield Daily Reporter

Campaign Finance

“For the Wealthiest Political Donors, It Was a Very Good Year” by Annie Linskey and Julie Bykowitz for Bloomberg News

Pennsylvania: “City Council Candidate’s Use of Personal Funds Triggers Key Ruling from Philadelphia Ethics Board” by Mike Dunn for KYW

South Carolina: “McMaster Facing State Ethics Charges” by Andrew Shain for The State

Ethics

California: “State Ethics Agency Has Record Number of Enforcement Actions in 2014” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

California: “Ex-Water District Manager Agrees to Pay Fine over Accepting Gifts” by Ruben Vives for Los Angeles Times

Missouri: “Ethics Bills Proposed for 2015 Session” by Rudi Keller for Columbia Daily Tribune

Virginia: “Bob McDonnell, Ex-Governor of Virginia, Sentenced to 2 Years for Corruption” by Jennifer Steinhauer for New York Times

Legislative Issues

“Boehner Reelected as Speaker, but Control over GOP Majority Precarious” by Lisa Mascaro and Michael Memoli for Los Angeles Times

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission’s newly promulgated Revised Constitutional Ethics Rules, effective at staggered intervals, significantly amend lobbying and campaign finance laws. Lobbyist registration provisions were effective December 1. Rules outlining lobbyist reporting due dates are effective February 1, 2015. All other revised rules were effective January 1, 2015. Except as may otherwise be provided, all current rules under Title 74, Chapter 62-Appendix, of the Oklahoma Statutes were repealed on January 1, 2015. O.S. §257:23-1-2, as it pertains to lobbyist reporting requirements, will remain effective until January 31, 2015.

Lobbyists were required to register online in December for calendar year 2015. There are now separate registration requirements dependent upon whether a lobbyist is a legislative lobbyist, executive lobbyist, or legislative liaison. Legislative lobbyists and legislative liaisons will be required to file monthly reports from February to July; executive lobbyists will file quarterly reports.

The revised rules also place new limits on lobbyist expenditures. Each lobbyist will be permitted to spend up to $500 per calendar year for meals for the governor, a legislator, or their staff. Moreover, lobbyists may spend up to $200 per year on certain gifts other than meals, provided the total for all meals and gifts does not exceed $500. New provisions also allow lobbyist principals to provide food and beverage for professional conferences, seminars, and similar events held outside the geographical boundaries of the state, subject to certain restrictions.

Changes to campaign finance laws include a new registration threshold for political action committees (PACs), new campaign contribution limits, specific reporting for out-of-state and federal PACs, and amendments to some reporting requirements. A PAC will be required to register within 10 days of receiving contributions or making expenditures in excess of $1,000. Certain contribution limits will increase and family contribution limits will no longer exist. Limited PACs registered for less than a year or that have fewer than 25 contributors will be permitted to contribute only half the amount of other limited PACs.

This article provides a summary of the major changes to the Revised Constitutional Ethics Rules. It is not exhaustive and additional changes have been made. A final annotated version of the rules is accessible on the new Ethics Commission website at http://www.ok.gov/ethics/.

Campaign Finance

“Firms skirting ‘pay-to-play’ prohibitions, advocates say” by Lydia Wheeler in The Hill.

“Governors’ inaugurals funded by political donors” by Paul J. Webber (Associated Press) in The Denver Post.

Delaware: “Delaware’s new laws for 2015” by Jonathan Starkey in The News Journal.

Massachusetts: “State task force calls for new campaign finance disclosures” by Christian M. Wade in the Gloucester Times.

Wisconsin: “GOP set for sweeping campaign finance changes” by Matthew DeFour (Wisconsin State Journal) in the LaCrosse Tribune.

Wisconsin: “Mayor’s campaign shows $10K in illegal contributions” by Paul Srubas in the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Ethics

“Confusion Surrounds Conflict of Interest Cases in Congress” by Hanna Hess in Roll Call.

Missouri: “Mo. Lawmakers Seek Ethics Reform in 2015” by The Associated Press on CBS St. Louis.

Texas: “Political donations preceded $90M no-bid contract” by The Associated Press in the Salina Journal.

In the States

“2015’s Top 10 Legislative Issues to Watch” in Governing.

“Republicans in state governments plan juggernaut of conservative legislation” by Reid Wilson in The Washington Post.

“New year brings hundreds of new laws” by Greg Toppo in USA Today.

Lobbying

“Republican Congress Lures Lobbyists Back to Capitol Hill” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

“Mollis Adopts Hearing Officer’s Decision that Corso Engaged in Unregistered Lobbying Related to 38 Studios” by Jennifer Bogdon for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“Secretive Nonprofits Flourished – and Succeeded – in 2014 State Elections” by Reity O’Brien for The Center for Public Integrity

“Who Wants to Buy a Politician?” by Binyamin Appelbaum for New York Times

“New FEC Chief on ‘Dark Money’ Mission” by Dave Levinthal for The Center for Public Integrity

“Ethics Commission Hits Former Candidate, Treasurer with $43,000 Fine” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times

“PA Supreme Court: Law firm can forgive U.S. Rep. Bob Brady’s 2007 debt” by Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Daily News

“State High Court to Take up Doe Cases Centered on Walker’s Campaign” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Ethics

“Payouts to McCrory, Sanford from Mortgage Broker Raise Ethical Questions” by Michael Biesecker and Mitch Weiss (Associated Press) for Charlotte Observer

Elections

“Jeb Bush’s Decision to Explore Presidential Bid Scrambles the 2016 GOP Field” by Matea Gold and Philip Rucker for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

“Message to Lawmakers: Say what you really think” by Alan Greenblatt for Governing

Republican Rep. Kris Crawford has vacated his seat in House District 63, a month after being elected unopposed to a fifth term.

Crawford said the commute to the state capital and his professional duties as a physician were wearing him out.

The primary will be February 24, 2015, followed by a special election on April 14.

Rep. Mickey Channell has announced his intention to resign soon after the new session starts on January 12, 2015.

Channell is stepping down after 22 years in the Legislature because of health reasons.

The Green County Republican represents House District 120, which includes the counties of Greene, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Taliaferro, and part of Putnam.

Lobbying

“Governors and Oil Industry Work Hand in Hand in Offshore Drilling Group” by Nicholas Kusnitz for Center for Public Integrity

“Lobbyists Fund Hill Portraits as Lawmakers Target Paintings of Cabinet Members” by Robin Bravender for Environment & Energy Publishing

“Lobby and Consulting Shop McBee Strategic To Be Acquired by Law Firm Wiley Rein” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post

“Lobbyist Fined but Sen. Lara Denies He Was Influenced by Debt” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

“Rhode Island Investigating Former State Attorney General” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

Campaign Finance

“Meet the New Super Donors” by Kevin Bogardus for Campaigns & Elections

“Gov. Brown’s Unnecessary Fundraising Is Certainly Legal – but a Turnoff” by George Skelton for Los Angeles Times

“Lawmakers Look to Close ‘Kennedy Loophole’” by Neil Vigdor for Danbury News-Times

“Donors Build for Future” by Matthew Hamilton for Albany Times Union

“John Doe Froze Conservative Speech, Targets Say” by M.D. Kittle for Wisconsin Reporter

Ethics

“Marion Barry, Washington’s ‘Mayor for Life,’ Even After Prison, Dies at 78” by David Stout for New York Times

Elections

“Some in G.O.P. Fear That Their Hard-Liners Will Alienate Latino Voters” by Jackie Calmes for New York Times

Legislative Issues

“Debbie Dingell Ready for Spotlight as Her Husband, the ‘Dean’ of Congress, Steps Aside” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg for New York Times

Lobbying

“Top Spenders on Capitol Hill Pay Billions, Receive Trillions” by Bill Allison and Sarah Harkins for Sunlight Foundation

“Gift Ban Legislation to Get Second Chance as Wolf Pushes Own Ethics Reform” by Andrew Staub for Pennsylvania Independent

Campaign Finance

“Pay-to-Play Restrictions on Government Contracting Under Assault” by Craig Holman for Huffington Post

“FINRA Proposes Pay-to-Play Rules” in ThinkAdvisor

“APOC, Marijuana Activist Charlo Greene Clash over Campaign Disclosure Questions” by Suzanna Caldwell for Anchorage Daily News

“Vincent Gray Rejects Plea Offer; Federal Prosecutors Moving Closer to Indictment” by Mike DeBonis for Washington Post

“Colleagues Defend Councilwoman Debi Rose against ‘Witch Hunt’” by Anna Sanders for Staten Island Advocate

Ethics

“Ethics Changes, Court Rules among First Bills Arkansas Lawmakers File for 2015 Session” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) for The Daily Journal

“Florida Attorney General to Head Group That Financed Her Campaign” by Bill Cotterell for Reuters

“SC House Panel OKs ‘Sunshine’ Proposals” by Jamie Self for The State

Legislative Issues

“Senate Officials Ponder Definition of Journalist for Pressroom Access” by Tim Lockette for Anniston Star

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.

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.