June 1, 2012 •
Illinois Legislature Adjourns
Campaign Finance Bill Passes
The Illinois General Assembly adjourned its legislative session early Friday morning, but not before both houses approved a bill aimed at curtailing super PAC influence in state elections.
Senate Bill 3722 would eliminate the campaign contribution limits in any races in which a natural person or independent expenditure committee makes independent expenditures for the benefit of the campaign of a particular public official or candidate in an aggregate amount, during an election cycle, of more than $250,000 for statewide office or $100,000 for all other elective offices.
Therefore, if a PAC spends more than $250,000 in independent expenditures during an election cycle for a candidate for governor, then there will be no contribution limits for any of the gubernatorial candidates. The bill will now go to Governor Pat Quinn’s desk to await his signature or veto.
Even though the Legislature has adjourned, Governor Quinn announced that he will continue to work on an overhaul of the state’s pension system with leaders from both sides of the aisle. Once they come to an agreement on a bipartisan bill, Governor Quinn said he would call both houses back for a special session during the summer.
Also, the typical legislative schedule will have the legislators reporting back to Springfield in November for a session to deal with any bills that Governor Quinn decides to veto.
Photo of the Illinois Capitol Building courtesy of Martin Davis on Wikipedia.
May 22, 2012 •
Georgia House Seat Vacated
Filling District 28 will not require a special election
House District 28 is vacant following the resignation of Michael Harden.
The Secretary of State’s office has notified local officials to inform them there will not be a special election because the House is not in session.
The seat will be an open one on the ballot for the July 31st primary and for the November 6th general election.
May 17, 2012 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are today’s campaign finance, lobbying, government ethics, and legislative news articles:
Campaign Finance
New Mexico: “King Appeals Ruling on PAC Donations” by James Monteleone in the Albuquerque Journal.
Lobbying
“Ex-lawmakers on K Street avoid ‘Scarlet L,’ shy away from registering as lobbyists” by Kevin Bogardus and Rachel Leven in The Hill.
“Common Cause complaint: ALEC skirting lobbying laws” by Beth Hawkins in MinnPost.com.
“Sports Lobby Is a Multi-Million-Dollar Enterprise” by Laurie Bennett in First Street.
Phildaelphia, PA: “Blackwell, others fined for campaign violations” by Catherine Lucey in the Philadelphia Daily News.
Washington: “Washington State Public Disclosure Commission adds lobbying data to online database” in the Maple Valley Reporter.
Ethics
Arizona: “State legislator Arredondo indicted in FBI sting” by JJ Hensley, Mary Jo Pitzl, and Craig Harris in The Arizona Republic.
Missouri: “Spence criticized for handing out sports tickets to lawmakers” by Jake Wagman in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania governor, lawmakers report gifts, travel” by John L. Micek in The Morning Call.
From the State Legislatures
Alabama: “Bentley calls special session to address redistricting” by Sebastian Kitchen in the Montgomery Advertiser.
California: “California’s Prop. 28 would let legislative leaders serve longer stints” by Jim Sanders in the Sacramento Bee.
May 15, 2012 •
Maine Lawmakers Return to Augusta
Debate to include budget issues
State lawmakers have reported back to Augusta to finish the work they started on the budget earlier this year.
In this short budget session, the Legislature will discuss Governor Paul LePage’s line item vetoes of the state budget, the budget of Health and Human Services, a takings bill, and a few borrowing packages.
May 14, 2012 •
Kansas Legislative Session Continues
Legislators return today
The regular legislative session in Kansas continues this week despite a scheduled end date of May 11, 2012.
Legislators must return Monday, May 14, 2012, to address major legislation such as the state budget and reforms to the public employees retirement system.
Photo of the Kansas State Capitol Building by Aviper2k7 on Wikipedia.
May 10, 2012 •
Iowa Legislature Adjourns
Marathon session ends 22 days late
Iowa legislators have finally decided to call it quits for 2012. More than 22 days after the schedule adjournment date, the Iowa Legislature adjourned sine die on Wednesday night.
Since the Legislature stayed in session beyond the adjournment date, they have not received any stipends for the past three weeks.
On the session’s final day, the Senate and House finalized the state budget and a major mental health system reform, but failed to come to an agreement on property tax relief. Since the property tax relief package was not agreed upon, both sides conceded there could be a special session called, but only if they can get closer to an agreement.
Photo of the Iowa State Capitol building by Ashton B. Crew on Wikipedia.
May 10, 2012 •
Two State Legislatures Adjourn
Colorado and Connecticut
Colorado: The General Assembly adjourned May 9, 2012. Governor John Hickenlooper announced his intention to call a special session, primarily to address a civil unions bill. The special session could begin as early as Friday.
Connecticut: The General Assembly adjourned May 9, 2012.
May 7, 2012 •
Maryland Governor Orders Special Session
Lawmakers to convene May 14th
Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the General Assembly to convene a special session on May 14th.
Lawmakers are expected to pass legislation regarding state revenues and income-tax increases.
The special session became necessary after a stalemate during the regular session between the House and Senate.
The photo of the Chamber of the Maryland House of Delegates courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
May 4, 2012 •
Legislative Sessions Adjourn in Three States
Arizona, Hawaii, and Mississippi
Arizona: The Arizona Legislature adjourned its session sine die on May 3. Governor Jan Brewer has 10 days to sign or veto legislation transmitted to her, or the legislation becomes law automatically.
Hawaii: The Hawaii Legislature adjourned sine die yesterday, May 3, 2012.
Mississippi: The Mississippi Legislature adjourned ahead of schedule on May 3, 2012.
Thank you to Research Associates George Ticoras, Shamus Williams, and Jen Zona for providing us with this legislative session information.
May 1, 2012 •
Alaska House Adjourns
Special session officially over
The Alaska House of Representatives adjourned the special session on Monday following the Senate’s adjournment last week.
While lawmakers passed a bill pertaining to human trafficking, the governor pulled his oil tax measure after the bill appeared to be going nowhere.
The Senate adjourned claiming that the governor’s removal of a bill on a special session call, while the session was under way, ended the session.
April 30, 2012 •
Alaska Senate Adjourns Special Session
House weighs options
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives are considering their next step after the Senate abruptly adjourned from the special session on Friday.
The Senate adjourned following the Governor’s decision to pull an oil tax bill, which was one of two measures on the special session agenda.Under the state Constitution, the House could remain in session, forcing the Senate to return every three days.
It is not clear how soon a decision will be reached or announced.
Photo of the Alaska State Capitol by Kevin Lam on Wikipedia.
April 24, 2012 •
North Carolina Legislature Convenes Special Session
Regular session begins in May
The North Carolina General Assembly convened as scheduled for a special session on April 23, 2012.
Both the Senate and the House will meet again on April 25, at which time they are expected to adjourn until the scheduled regular legislative session begins on May 16, 2012.
Photo of North Carolina State Legislative Building by Jayron32 on Wikipedia.
April 10, 2012 •
Maryland Legislature Adjourns
Special session may be called
The General Assembly adjourned Monday at midnight following a tense debate that failed to pass a revenue plan needed to avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts.
Democratic legislators say they will ask Governor Martin O’Malley to call a special session for more time to work on the revenue package and other measures.
The governor would not say whether he planned to call for a special session.
Photo of the Maryland State House by Thisisbossi on Wikipedia.
March 30, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – March 30, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush Escorted from House Floor for Wearing Hoodie in Honor of Trayvon Martin
Payday Lender Political Donors Hidden in Corporate Names
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
After Bowl Scandal, Many Arizona Legislators Still Want Tickets to Baseball Opener
California
Medco Settles California Pension Fund Kickback Case
Delaware
Lobbying Disclosure Bill Shines Critical Sunlight on Lawmaking Process
District of Columbia
D.C. Ethics Law Overhaul Hampered by Hiring Difficulties, Enforcement Duties
Georgia
‘Revolving-Door’ Powers Politics
Hawaii
Judge Confirms Hawaii Can’t Limit Independent Expenditures
Illinois
Employee Gift Ban Recommendation Still Has Few Takers
Iowa
New Mexico
New York
Lobbyists Reaping $220 Million Bonanza
Utah
How Utah’s Capitol Marches to a Mormon Beat
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
