Lobbying

Delaware: “Kowalko introduces ‘revolving-door’ lobbying bill” by Doug Denison in the News Journal.

Florida: “Orange Mayor Jacobs proposes major texting, lobbying reforms” in the Orlando Sentinel.

Georgia: “Ga. Senate moves toward lobbying gift cap” by Ray Henry (Associated Press) in WSAV.com.

North Dakota:  “Lobbyists gear up for 2013 ND legislative session” by The Associated Press in InForum.

Oregon:  “Oregon Democratic legislators receive make-up donations” by Jeff Mapes in The Oregonian.

“K Street Files: TCH Group, Polaris Add Lobbyists” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

Campaign Finance

“Campaign Finance Reform In Congress Moves Forward With Little Hope For Passage” in the Huffington Post.

“Watchdog group criticizes Rep. Tim Ryan’s ‘campaign meals’ in congressional dining room” by Sabrina Eaton in the Plain Dealer.

Ethics

Idaho: “Idaho lawmakers get ethics training, a first” by The Associated Press in the Idaho Press-Tribune.

South Carolina: “SC lawmakers push more money for Ethics Commission” by Adam Beam in The State.

Legislative Issues

Kentuckey: “Kentucky House elects first woman to leadership post” by Jack Brammer and Beth Musgrave in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Michigan: “Governor calls May special election to fill Flint-area state Senate seat vacated by John Gleason” by Kristin Longley in MLive.

Michigan:  “5 things to watch today as the Michigan Legislature starts its 2013-14 session” by Tim Martin in MLive.

Redistricting

“Alaska redistricting board wants high court to reconsider” by The Associated Press in the Daily News-Miner.

Open Government

“House Republicans Release More Data Catnip for Developers” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.

Government Tech

“Technology’s Real Value for Government” by Jerry Mechling in Public CIO.

Lobbying

“Matt Walker Heads to the National Restaurant Association” by Alex Roarty in National Journal.

Campaign Finance

“Coalition Presses for Rules on Corporate Political Spending” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

“Campaign finance fight lands at the SEC’s door” by Anna Palmer and Zachary Warmbrodt in Politico.

District of Columbia: “Campaign finance reform bills introduced at D.C. Council” by Alan Blinder in The Examiner.

Ethics

Georgia: “Senate committee meets on ethics rules” by Melissa Roberts on CBS Atlanta.

Kansas: “GOP conservatives’ ire at ethics commission likely to result in proposals to revamp watchdog” by John Hanna in The Republic.

South Carolina: “Sanford set for political comeback trail” by Cameron Joseph in The Hill.

Legislative Issues

“The Hill’s 2012 New Members Guide” in The Hill.

“Americans prefer Nickelback, root canals to Congress” by Breanna Edwards in Politico.

“Rhode Island Likely to Lose a House Seat” by Katherine Q. Seelye in The New York Times.

Michigan: “Michigan Legislature starts new session Wednesday” by David Eggert (Associated Press) in the Lansing Journal.

Vermont:  “As new legislative session starts, a look at the old Statehouse” by Terri Hallenbeck in the Burlington Free Press.

Wisconsin: “Wis. lawmakers reach no deal on changing rules” by Scott Bauer in the La Crosse Tribune.

Government Tech

“Who has the worst web presences in politics?” by Steve Friess in Politico.

The North Carolina General Assembly will have a one-day special session January 9, 2013, before convening the regular session on January 30, 2013. This one-day special session is for both houses to elect officers, adopt rules and organize the upcoming session.

This is the first time the general assembly has decided to hold this one-day special organization session, but both parties have expressed interest in continuing the idea in the future.

Photo of the North Carolina State Legislative Building by Jayron32 on Wikipedia.

Campaign Finance

“Political Spending Sets New Records During Tumultuous Year” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

California:  “Lawmakers try to curb anonymous political donations in California” by Michael J. Mishak in the Los Angeles Times.

Canada: “ $100 lid on private political donations enacted” by Marian Scott in the Montreal Gazette.

Idaho: “Campaign Finance Loopholes Have Some Wondering: Who’s Watching the Money?” by Melissa Davlin in the Twin Falls Times-News.

Lobbying

“In Congress, relatives lobby on bills before family members” by Mark Zaleski (Associated Press) in The Washington Post.

Tennessee: “Proposed bill limits make Tenn. lobbyists scramble” by Erik Schelzig (Associated Press) in the San Antonio Express-News.

Ethics

District of Columbia: “Year of convictions doesn’t end D.C. corruption probes” by Alan Blinder in the Examiner.

Georgia:  “Ethics likely on General Assembly agenda” by Michael Davis in the Jackson Progress-Argus.

Social Media

“Social Media 2012: A Look Back” by Pam Greenberg in NCSL’s The Thicket.

Legislative Issues

“From Congress to Halls of State, in New Hampshire, Women Rule” by Katherine Q. Seelye in The New York Times.

Ethics

“House Ethics Ends Countrywide Loan Probe” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.

“House Ethics closes Countrywide probe without taking action” by Peter Schroeder in The Hill.

“House Ethics Amends Private Travel Rules” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.

Louisiana: “Louisiana Board of Ethics to challenge Baton Rouge Mayor in appeals court” by Quincy Hodges in the New Orleans Times Picayune.

Campaign Finance

“Our states vouch for transparent campaign financing” opinion piece by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Lisa Murkowski in the Washington Post.

“Lisa Murkowski crosses aisle to reign in Super PACs” by Jill Burke in the Alaska Dispatch.

South Carolina: “South Carolina campaign funding will face scrutiny” by Stephen Largen in the Post and Courier.

Lobbying

“Former lobbyist, state legislator John Quimby dies at 77” by Torey Van Oot in the Sacramento Bee.

Maryland:  “Gambling companies doubled down on lobbying Md. lawmakers over past year” by John Wagner in the Washington Post.

Elections

“Ed Markey to run for Kerry’s Senate seat” by Rachel Weiner in the Washington Post.

“Should Kansas switch dates for elections?” by The Associated Press in the Kansas City Star.

Legislative Issues

Michigan: “Michigan lawmakers get perks beyond salaries” by Kristen M. Daum in Lansing State Journal.

The General Assembly held a one-day special session December 19, 2012, to approve budget cuts to close the state’s budget deficit.

The session also included a one-hour memorial for the Newtown shooting victims.

Photo of the Connecticut State Capitol courtesy of Ragesoss on Wikipedia.

The Michigan legislature has adjourned for the year after a busy lame duck session.

Bills passed, and sent to Governor Rick Snyder’s desk for approval, included legislation on right-to-work, abortion, and gun control.

The GOP will still control the legislature in the new session, scheduled to begin on January 9, but it will be a smaller majority after Democrats took back five seats in the November elections.

Photo of the interior dome in the Michigan State Capitol by Dave Parker in Wikipedia.

Campaign Finance

“The Question at the Heart of Citizens United” by Paul Sherman in Jurist.

“D.C. campaign finance misdeeds call for further inquiry” opinion piece by Colbert I. King in the Washington Post.

Lobbying

“New lobbying firm spans both sides of the aisle” by AnnMarie Timmins in the Concord Monitor.

Ethics

“House Ethics Confirms Cases of Owens, Schock” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.

Oklahoma:  “Ethics Commission top post to be offered to 1 of 4 finalists” by Michael McNutt in Tulsa World.

South Carolina:  “Haley tells ethics panel their work will produce results” by Tim Smith in the Greenville News.

Legislative Issues

Maine: “Campaign tracking becoming year-round practice in Maine” by Glenn Adams (Associated Press) in the Bangor Daily News.

North Dakota:  “Finding room at the inn isn’t always easy for legislators” by Nick Smith in the Bismarck Tribune.

Texas:  “Seeking Fresh Policies and Faces, Lawmakers Push for Term Limits” by Ross Ramsey in the New York Times.

Open Government

South Dakota:  “Open government receives boost” by David Montgomery in the Argus Leader.

A special session of the legislature is set to convene today, December 14, 2012. Governor John Kitzhaber called the legislature into session to approve a tax incentive program for Nike.

The governor believes the potential economic development benefits are worth the costs associated with a special session.

Nike says it will expand in Oregon and hire at least 500 people if the state will immediately promise not to change the method of calculating its state income taxes.

State lawmakers convened the 2013-2014 legislative session on Monday, December 3, 2012.

Democrats hold a two-thirds supermajority in both houses, allowing passage of bills without Republican votes.

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

Federal:

Jesse Jackson Jr. Resigns from Congress, Acknowledges Federal Probe

The Un-Super PACs

From the States and Municipalities:

California

Ex-Treasurer to Democrats Receives 8-Year Sentence

California

State Lawmaker Brothers Accused of Money Laundering

District of Columbia

Crafting D.C. Ethics Bill Proving Difficult

Florida

State Ethics Commission Says Jacksonville Council Member’s Poker Party is OK

Georgia

Legislators Ask Governor to Let Indicted Victor Hill Take Office of Sheriff on January 1

Indiana

Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma Criticized for Hiring Lobbyist

Maine

Anti-Gay Marriage Group Fined by Maine Ethics Commission

Missouri

Freebies from Lobbyists Becoming Harder to Track in Missouri

North Carolina

Appeals Court Throws Out Suit Testing ‘Stand by Your Ad’

Pennsylvania

Former Pennsylvania Democratic Leader Mellow Would Set ‘Record’ by Going to Jail

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Governor Jack Markell has announced that he plans to call a special session of the state senate on December 5 to consider various judicial nominations.

The senate will be considering and voting on seven judicial appointees nominated by the governor.

On November 20, 2012, lawmakers met for Organization Day, the first official day of the 118th General Assembly.

Lawmakers will reconvene on January 7 for the start of the legislative session, which must be adjourned by April 29, 2013.

Organization Day is largely procedural, including the ceremonial swearing in of new and reelected members.

Photo of the Indiana State House by Jasont82 in Wikipedia Creative Commons.

The state legislature will convene a special session Friday afternoon to approve a flood relief package for parts of the state which were devastated by summer flooding. The session will convene at 2:00 p.m. and must end by 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning.

The legislature will vote on a $167.5 million relief package, but it is expected to pass without issue. Governor Mark Dayton and the legislative leaders have already agreed on the package and the deal restricts any other legislators from making changes to the bill.