lobbying Archives - Page 11 of 18 - State and Federal Communications

August 20, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Arizona: “State Refers GOP AG Hopeful Rodney Glassman for Prosecution Over Illegal Donations” by Caitlin Sievers (Arizona Mirror) for Yahoo News California: “Public Funding for Elections? The Idea Is Back in California” by Frank Stoltze (LAist) for MSN […]

August 19, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance National: “Inside the DNC’s Money Problems” by Jessica Piper (Politico) for MSN New York: “Homeless People Said They Were Paid to Be Listed as Donors for a Senate Candidate” by Emilie Munson for Albany Times Union Ethics National: […]

August 18, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance California: “An Instagram with 60,000 Followers Linked to a Nonprofit Quietly Changed to a CA-40 Candidate’s Campaign Page. Now, a Rival Is Asking the FEC to Investigate” by Kaitlyn Schallhorn for Orange County Register New York: “Turkish Businessman […]

August 14, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance New York: “Ex-Eric Adams Aide Pleads Guilty to Federal Straw Donor Conspiracy Charge” by Josh Russell for Courthouse News Service Elections Ohio: “Sherrod Brown Plans to Run for Senate in Ohio Again” by Hannah Knowles and Liz Goodwin […]

August 13, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Wednesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance New York: “A $9,200 Portrait, $20K for Decorations: Questions raised about Frank Seddio campaign spending” by Graham Rayman (New York Daily News) for Yahoo News Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Ethics Commission Opinion Says Officeholders Can Use Campaign Funds for Some […]

August 12, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Minnesota: “Minnesota Republican PAC Violated Campaign Finance Laws, Investigation Finds” by Ryan Faircloth (Minneapolis Star Tribune) for MSN Ethics California: “This Candidate for California Governor Has a Potential Conflict of Interest in Her Own Home” by Alexei Koseff […]

August 8, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – August 8, 2025

National/Federal Push to Ban Lawmaker Stock Trading Finds New Life MSN – Mychael Schnell (The Hill) | Published: 8/3/2025 The long effort to ban members of Congress from trading stocks is back in the spotlight following a House ethics committee […]

National/Federal

Push to Ban Lawmaker Stock Trading Finds New Life

MSN – Mychael Schnell (The Hill) | Published: 8/3/2025

The long effort to ban members of Congress from trading stocks is back in the spotlight following a House ethics committee report that took issue with transactions made by a member’s spouse, and after a Senate panel advanced legislation to prohibit lawmakers from making transactions. Some lawmakers are vowing to keep the topic front and center into the fall as they look to make headway on a matter that has mystified Congress.

Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith Faces Investigation by Office of Special Counsel

MSN – Maegan Vazquez and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 8/2/2025

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) said it is taking the unusual step of investigating Jack Smith, the former Justice Department official who oversaw two federal prosecutions of Donald Trump, for potentially violating the law barring federal officials from political activity. If the office concludes a federal employee has violated the law, it refers the case to the president. The investigation is out of the norm for the OSC, an office responsible for looking into federal employees’ potential violations of prohibited personnel practices.

CPB Says It Is Shutting Down After Being Defunded by Congress, Targeted by Trump

MSN – Ted Anthony and Kevin Freking (Associated Press) | Published: 8/1/2025

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a cornerstone of American culture for three generations, announced it would take steps toward its own closure after being defunded by Congress. The demise of the corporation is a direct result of President Trump’s targeting of public media. The closure is expected to have a profound impact on the journalistic and cultural landscape – in particular, public radio and television stations in small communities across the United States. CPB helps fund both PBS and NPR.

Revealed: Threat of political violence is keeping parents of young children out of politics

MSN – Barbara Rodriguez (The 19th) | Published: 8/4/2025

When Liuba Grechen Shirley ran for Congress in 2018, she began a journey that helped change federal policy to ensure parents like herself could use campaign funds to pay for childcare. Less known was the harassment and threats of violence that she says she experienced at the time. Now Vote Mama, the umbrella organization Grechen Shirley founded that supports parents who run for office, is elevating the use of campaign funds for security measures.

Smithsonian to Restore Trump to Impeachment Exhibit ‘in the Coming Weeks’

MSN – Jonathan Fischer and Samantha Chery (Washington Post) | Published: 8/20/2025

The Smithsonian said it would restore information about President Trump’s two impeachments to an exhibit in the National Museum of American History within weeks. In July, the museum removed a placard describing Trump’s impeachments and reverted the exhibit to how it looked in 2008. That display – a glass case dominated by a file cabinet damaged in the Watergate break-in – says that “only three presidents have seriously faced removal”: Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton.

Trump’s Tactics Are Bending the Criminal Justice System to His Personal Preferences

MSN – Naftali Bendavid (Washington Post) | Published: 8/6/2025

President Trump’s team has mounted a direct assault on all three pillars of the justice system, attacking judges whose rulings he dislikes, firing prosecutors for doing their jobs, and taking revenge on law firms for having clients or partners he considers hostile. The president has also broken one of the chief taboos of an independent justice system by using it to attack his political enemies. He is not the first president to be accused of trying to inappropriately sway, but Trump’s actions have been more far-reaching.

Ghislaine Maxwell’s Move to ‘Country Club’ Prison Smacks of Special Treatment, Experts Say

MSN – Derek Hawkins (Washington Post) | Published: 8/5/2025

The Bryan Federal Prison Camp in Texas looks almost like a college campus, befitting its reputation as one of the nation’s most lenient lockups for nonviolent women offenders. That it is now Ghislaine Maxwell’s new home for serving her 20-year sentence for sex trafficking flouts federal guidelines on who should be held in such minimum-security facilities, according to corrections experts, who said Maxwell appeared to have received preferential treatment for answering the Justice Department’s questions about her deceased partner in crime, Jeffrey Epstein.

MAGA Antitrust Agenda Under Siege by Lobbyists Close to Trump

MSN – Dave Michaels and Annie Linskey (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 8/6/2025

The second Trump administration seemed poised to deliver on MAGA’s embrace of aggressive antitrust enforcement. Instead, those efforts have run headlong into power brokers with close ties to President Trump who have snatched up lucrative assignments helping companies facing antitrust threats. The injection of politically connected lobbyists and lawyers into antitrust investigations is a shift in an arena that for decades was a niche area dominated by specialized lawyers and economists.

Republicans Quietly Fret About ‘Disturbing’ Cory Mills Allegations

MSN – Hailey Fuchs, Gary Fineout, and Meredith Lee Hill (Politico) | Published: 8/6/2025

Rep. Cory Mills has faced accusations that he benefited from federal contracts while in office, assaulted a onetime girlfriend in his Washington apartment, and threatened another ex-girlfriend with the release of nude videos. So far, the drumbeat of tawdry allegations has raised eyebrows in Washington, but it has not translated into any overt effort to sideline Mills. GOP leaders in the House appear to be betting Mills’ various messes will sort themselves out without blowing back on the party more broadly and potentially threaten its hold on power.

House Republicans Issue Subpoena for Jeffrey Epstein Files

MSN – Kadia Goba and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 8/5/2025

The House subpoenaed the Justice Department for its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, potentially setting up a contentious standoff between Congress and the administration over an issue that has sparked major headaches for President Trump. Oversight Committee Chairperson James Comer also subpoenaed documents or testimony from several high-profile figures, who had either investigated or associated with Epstein in the past. That list included Bill and Hillary Clinton as well as a slew of former attorneys general under Democratic and Republican administrations.

Trump Fires Labor Statistics Chief After Large Revision to Jobs Report

MSN – Andrew Ackerman and Jacob Bogage (Washington Post) | Published: 8/1/2025

President Trump said he ordered the dismissal of the official in charge of compiling basic statistics about the U.S. economy after the release of a soft jobs report that showed lackluster July employment growth and revealed large downward revisions for hiring in May and June. Trump, who announced Erika McEntarfer ouster on social media, criticized her as a Biden appointee. Without evidence, he alleged the jobs numbers had been manipulated for political purposes.

Donor List Suggests Scale of Trump’s Pay-for-Access Operation

Seattle Times – Kenneth Vogel and David Yaffe-Bellany (New York Times) | Published: 8/2/2025

Lobbyists, political consultants, and others in the influence industry have capitalized on President Trump’s aggressive fundraising while in office to deliver for clients and earn points with a president who keeps close tabs on who is delivering cash and listens to their appeals. It is a cycle that has helped Trump fill the coffers of his political groups, defying the gravity that sometimes drags down the fundraising of term-limited presidents.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Turning Point USA Political Arms Accused of Violating Arizona Dark Money Disclosure Law

Yahoo News – Jerod MacDonald-Evoy (Arizona Mirror) | Published: 7/31/2025

A student-led Democratic PAC has filed a complaint against Turning Point USA’s political arms accusing it of violating Arizona’s dark money disclosure law by not revealing its funders who are providing money to run a campaign backing U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs’ bid for governor. The complaint alleges the two political advocacy arms of Turning Point USA have not filed the needed financial disclosures that are required under the Voters’ Right to Know Act which requires that the identities of each donor who contributes “directly or indirectly” more than $5,000 for campaign media spending to be revealed in a report that is available to the public.

California – Federal Judge Rebukes California Laws Targeting Misinformation

Courthouse News Service – Alan Riquelmy | Published: 8/5/2025

A federal judge knocked down a California law requiring large social media companies to remove deceptive content from their platforms, saying federal law preempts the state. Social media giants challenged Assembly Bill 2655, which requires certain platforms to remove “materially deceptive content” about candidates, elections officials, and elected officers. They argued the federal Communications Decency Act gives service providers like social media platforms immunity from content posted by a third party.

California – Sacramento County Administrator Overseeing COVID Food Program Profited from It

MSN – Joe Rubin (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 8/4/2025

The Sacramento County official who oversaw the troubled COVID-19 food aid program not only profited from it through public money distributed to her private business but also participated in the audit that concluded the initiative improperly allocated federal funds the county should demand be returned. A review of the audit and records of the Dine-In 2 program shows Stephanie Hopkins, a program planner with the county’s Department of Human Assistance, was paid by one of the leaders of the project accused of wrongdoing while approving the very dispersal and the invoices for it.

Connecticut – Former CT Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo Fined in Ethics Case

MSN – Andrew Brown (Connecticut Mirror) | Published: 8/4/2025

State ethics officials fined Richard Colangelo Jr., Connecticut’s former chief state’s attorney, $7,000 for allegedly hiring the daughter of former state deputy budget director Konstantinos Diamantis to secure raises for himself and other state prosecutors. The job that Diamantis’ daughter was selected for paid $99,000 per year. Diamantis, who worked as a deputy in the Office of Policy and Management at the time, had influence over the state’s budget and state employee pay.

District of Columbia – Senate Confirms Jeanine Pirro as Top Federal Prosecutor for D.C.

MSN – Grace Moon, Theodoric Meyer, and Afia Barrie (Washington Post) | Published: 8/3/2025

The Senate confirmed former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. She is one of a number of Fox hosts whom Trump has recruited for the administration. In a written response to senators’ questions ahead of her confirmation, Pirro declined to say whether those convicted in the Capitol riot cases should have been pardoned, and sidestepped several other questions, including whether there would ever be a legal basis for someone from the executive branch of government to defy a federal court order.

District of Columbia – Trump Regulatory Czar Jeffrey Clark Should Be Disbarred for Role in 2020 Election Plot, Disciplinary Board Rules

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 7/31/2025

The District of Columbia Bar’s disciplinary arm has recommended that longtime Donald Trump ally Jeffrey Clark lose his law license for assisting Trump’s failed bid to overturn the 2020 election. The recommendation now moves to the Court of Appeals for a final determination. It also triggers an automatic suspension for Clark from practicing law, unless he convinces the court within 30 days to intervene and block that immediate punishment.

Florida – Newly Released Records Linked to Hope Florida Reignite Intra-GOP Political Battle

MSN – Arek Sarkissian (Politico) | Published: 8/6/2025

Records released by the Florida attorney general revealed new details about community-based welfare program Hope Florida and its financial and legal dealings, reviving one of the state’s largest political battles this year. The documents reveal details of a $67 million settlement between Florida and the state’s largest Medicaid provider, meant to settle overbilling claims. The final drafts of the settlement included a $10 million donation to the nonprofit arm of Hope Florida, an effort spearheaded by first lady Casey DeSantis. The donation was later used to fund the campaign to defeat a marijuana initiative last year.

Illinois – Longtime ComEd Lobbyist Gets 1 Year in Prison for Role in Madigan Bribery Scheme

Capitol News Illinois – Hannah Meisel | Published: 8/5/2025

Longtime Chicago lobbyist Jay Doherty was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for his role in a yearslong bribery scheme between his biggest client, electric utility Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), and former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Doherty agreed to use his consulting company as a pass-through in order to pay several political allies of Madigan’s, who did nothing for ComEd but received monthly checks. Two separate juries found the payments were the cornerstone of a larger bribery scheme aimed at influencing Madigan while the utility pushed for major legislation in Springfield.

Kentucky – An Inside Look into Frankfort Lobbying Events: Bourbon, breakfast & Jimmy John’s

MSN – Austin Horn (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 8/7/2025

In 2024, the total reported amount that lobbying groups spent on events to influence Kentucky lawmakers was $484,000, a 160 percent increase from the pre-pandemic average. The rise has raised some eyebrows among Democrats and observers. Others argue the events, whether an elaborate reception or a quick breakfast, do little to sway policy or are merely a reflection of the increasingly active way the GOP-led Legislature is shaping the state. But what actually happens at a legislative reception?

Louisiana – The Supreme Court Just Dropped a Hint About Its Next Big Voting Rights Act Case

MSN – Zach Montellaro and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 8/1/2025

The Supreme Court said it will weigh the constitutionality of a common form of redistricting used to protect the voting power of Black and Hispanic voters: the drawing of congressional districts where racial minorities make up at least half the population. Experts in election law said the move signals that the court may be poised to further narrow the Voting Rights Act. The order came in a case challenging Louisiana’s congressional map, which contains two majority-Black districts out of the state’s six House seats.

Michigan – MAGA Michigan Sheriff Faces New Criticism for Politicking with Official Resources

Yahoo News – Ben Solis (Michigan Advance) | Published: 8/6/2025

Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy, who is also running for the Michigan Senate, held a political fundraiser for U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers and coordinated the event using taxpayer-funded resources to do it, according to emails. Michigan law prohibits public officials from using their offices and public resources for outside political purposes. The records show he helped coordinate aspects of the event using his government work email.

Montana – Group Releases Text of Proposed Montana Constitutional Amendment to Curb Dark Money

Yahoo News – Darrell Ehrlick (Daily Montanan) | Published: 8/1/2025

Montana began the constitutional initiative process aimed at challenging dark money, corporate campaign spending, and the Citizens United ruling. The U.S. Supreme Court has said the power to spend money in elections is tantamount to free speech and so most attempts to thwart or limit it have run afoul of the Constitution and the nation’s highest courts. But the wording of the new initiative seeks to limit the amount of money corporations can spend, not through traditional campaign laws or limitations, but rather by limiting corporate charters.

Nebraska – Rep. Mike Flood Met with Anger at Nebraska Town Hall

MSN – Kadia Goba (Washington Post) | Published: 8/5/2025

U.S. Rep. Mike Flood faced about 750 voters during a contentious town hall in Lincoln, Nebraska recently. The two-term Republican lawmaker was there to explain his vote for President Trump’s signature achievement: the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that extended the 2017 tax cuts and plowed billions into immigration enforcement while slashing health care and food programs for the poor. But from the start of the 90-minute session, Flood was met with an angry crowd that asked substantive questions but rarely seemed satisfied with his answers.

Nevada – Clark County Commissioners to Face Ethics Board Over Accepting Pricey F1 Tickets

MSN – Mary Hynes (Las Vegas Review-Journal) | Published: 7/31/2025

Five current and former Clark County commissioners will face the Nevada Commission on Ethics in connection with accepting free Formula One racing tickets. Each accepted a four-day ticket worth $10,900 to the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in November 2023. Leading up to the event, commissioners approved the use of public roads for the race and streamlined the permitting process. In January 2024, the five commissioners reported accepting the tickets in an annual disclosure form, though in some instances incorrectly or belatedly.

New Jersey – Federal Judge Will Decide Whether Trump Ally Alina Habba Can Lead Prosecutions in New Jersey

Yahoo News – Ry Rivard, Kyle Cheney, Josh Gerstein and Matt Friedman (Politico) | Published: 8/1/2025

A federal judge will decide whether President Trump’s pick to lead federal prosecutors in New Jersey, Alina Habba, has the legal authority to continue operating as the state’s acting U.S. attorney. U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Brann indicated Friday that he would delve into the thorny question following a series of unusual maneuvers by Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to keep Habba in the role on a temporary basis. That prompted some criminal defendants to raise questions about Habba’s legitimacy.

New Mexico – Most Ethics Complaints Filed Against NM Lawmakers Resolved Quietly

Yahoo News – Dan Boyd (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 8/4/2025

The recent internal ethics investigation into Sen. Mimi Stewart marked the first time in years that a complaint against a New Mexico lawmaker led to a public hearing. But there has been no shortage of filed complaints. With the exception of the complaint against Stewart, all other allegations of misconduct filed against lawmakers in the last five years – there have been a total of 17 – were quietly resolved without any details being publicly released.

New York – NYC Campaign Finance Board Denies Mayor Eric Adams Millions in Matching Funds

MSN – Joe Anuta (Politico) | Published: 8/6/2025

The New York City Campaign Finance Board denied Mayor Eric Adams millions of dollars in matching funds for the tenth time and suggested in a strongly worded statement that Adams will not be getting a penny anytime soon. The board denied Adams the public funding for his general election bid on two grounds: his campaign has not submitted required paperwork, and the board has reason to believe the campaign violated the law.

New York – GOP Mayoral Hopeful Curtis Sliwa’s Group Bills Itself a Charity Despite Losing Tax-Exempt Status

Yahoo News – Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) | Published: 8/6/2025

New York City mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa’s crime prevention group, the Guardian Angels, is soliciting donations while portraying itself as a tax-exempt charity even though it was stripped of that status years ago amid tax issues and legal troubles involving the organization’s longtime treasurer. The Guardian Angels, which Sliwa founded in 1979 and still controls, has not filed a 990 Form with the IRS since 2019.

North Carolina – Lobbyist’s $6,800 Donation to Rep. Sarah Stevens’ Supreme Court Campaign Likely Violates State Law

Yahoo News – Ahmed Jallow (NC Newsline) | Published: 8/7/2025

A donation from registered lobbyist Harold Brubaker to Rep. Sarah Stevens’ campaign for North Carolina Supreme Court appears to violate a law that bars lobbyists from contributing to sitting legislators regardless of the office they are seeking. The $6,800 contribution matches the maximum allowed from an individual donor under current state limits.

Ohio – ‘He Was Not Supposed To’: Cleveland Councilman’s role in gift card giveaway draws attention from state auditors

MSN – Sean McDonnell (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 8/4/2025

State auditors are reviewing whether Cleveland City Councilperson Joe Jones breached a city contract when his office helped hand out $50,000 in taxpayer-funded gift cards, a role that was supposed to fall entirely to a nonprofit. Records suggest Jones was cautioned against participating in the giveaway. Jones denies ever receiving such a warning, and said only his staff handed out the cards, not him personally.

Ohio – Ohio Elections Commission Getting Affairs in Order Ahead of Jan. 1 Handoff

Yahoo News – Nick Evans (Ohio Capital Journal) | Published: 8/4/2025

The Ohio General Assembly tacked an expiration date on the state’s independent campaign finance watchdog as part of the latest state budget. On January 1, the Ohio Elections Commission’s responsibilities shift to a new office under the secretary of state’s umbrella. Beyond that date-certain transfer, much of what happens next is still up in the air. In the meantime, their work continues.

Oregon – Judge Overturns Campaign Finance Violations from Rene Gonzalez’s 2024 Run for Portland Mayor

MSN – Jamie Parfitt (KGW) | Published: 7/31/2025

A pair of penalties against Rene Gonzalez for campaign finance violations during his 2024 run for Portland mayor were overturned by a Circuit Court judge. While the judge’s determination does not concern the merits of the campaign violations, Gonzalez successfully argued the process under which he was penalized, which is written into the city charter’s section on campaign finance, did not afford him due process rights under the U.S. Constitution because he was not afforded a hearing.

Pennsylvania – We Finally Know Who Paid for Josh Shapiro’s Inauguration Celebrations (Kinda)

MSN – Stephen Caruso (Spotlight PA) | Published: 8/4/2025

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2023 inauguration and the ball that followed it cost more than $4 million, but the identity of the benefactors who paid the bill remained a secret. Now, through a first-of-its-kind analysis, Spotlight PA identified a portion of those donors, which include influential lobbying firms, unions, and corporations with interests before the commonwealth’s government.

Texas – The IRS Says Churches Can Now Endorse Candidates. That Could Give Texas Pastors More Power Than Ever.

MSN – Marissa Greene (Fort Worth Report) | Published: 8/4/2025

The IRS recently decided to allow religious leaders to endorse candidates from the pulpit. For decades, pastors have fought for the right to speak on political issues and actively endorse candidates in their capacity as religious leaders. Now, before a judge has weighed in on whether to allow the IRS policy change, some religious leaders are already calling on congregations to demand greater political involvement from their churches.

Texas – Texas Democrats Flee State in Effort to Block GOP’s House Map Overhaul

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 8/3/2025

With control of the U.S. House hanging in the balance in the midterm elections, Democratic lawmakers in Texas fled the state to prevent a Republican effort to redraw district boundaries. Democrats plan to stay away for two weeks to run out the clock on a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott to draw a map that would give the GOP five more seats. While some states have adopted nonpartisan systems for drawing maps, Texas and many others have not, and partisans there have free rein to give themselves as much power as possible.

Utah – A Utah Progressive Group Mentioned a GOP Lawmaker in Its Fundraising. He Sent a Legal Threat.

MSN – Emily Anderson Stern (Salt Lake Tribune) | Published: 7/31/2025

On the homepage of its website, Alliance for a Better Utah lays out a one-sentence description of its purpose: “a nonprofit that holds politicians accountable and advocates for progressive policies.” But after a Republican lawmaker saw his name in the organization’s recent fundraising messages, he sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding Better Utah remove his “name, photograph, and likeness” from its content and issue a public retraction.

Washington – Seattle Prop 1 to Fund ‘Democracy Voucher’ Program Passing

Seattle Times – Daniel Beekman | Published: 8/5/2025

Seattle voters appear to have approved a 10-year, $45 million renewal of the city’s taxpayer-funded democracy vouchers. Proposition 1 would set the city on a course to continue an unusual campaign finance program that began with fanfare in 2017. The program mails four $25 vouchers to each voter, each city election cycle. Voters can sign the vouchers over to candidates, who convert them into cash to pay for things like yard signs and consultants.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Is Getting a New Electronic Campaign Finance System. Here’s What to Know About the New Website.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Anna Kleiber | Published: 8/6/2025

After 16 years, the Wisconsin Ethics Commission will be upgrading to a new website for its electronic Campaign Finance Information System. Candidates and other users will have about five months to learn how to use the new system before a report is due. The Ethics Commission will also do an online training seminar, which will be recorded and posted on its website.

August 6, 2025 • Written by David Garnier

Colorado Governor Calls Special Session

Gov. Jared Polis called for a special session beginning August 21. Legislators are being asked to address a budget shortfall for 2025-26; Medicaid funding; changes to the school meal program; and concerns about Senate Bill 24-205, an AI regulation effective […]

August 1, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – August 1, 2025

National/Federal AOC’s Met Gala Appearance Violated House Gift Rules, Ethics Panel Says MSN – Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/25/2025 The House Committee on Ethics determined U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez failed to comply with the chamber’s gift rule as […]

National/Federal

AOC’s Met Gala Appearance Violated House Gift Rules, Ethics Panel Says

MSN – Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/25/2025

The House Committee on Ethics determined U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez failed to comply with the chamber’s gift rule as part of her appearance at the 2021 Met Gala, determining she improperly accepted free admission to the gala for her partner and failed to pay full fair market value for some of the items she wore at the event. Ocasio-Cortez and her counsel, the report states, sought to comply with ethics requirements, but found she accepted more than $3,700 in rented apparel but paid less than $1,000.

Ethics Panel: Pennsylvania Republican violated code of conduct with spouse’s stock trades

MSN – Mychael Schnell (The Hill) | Published: 7/25/2025

The House ethics committee “found substantial evidence” that U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly violated the chamber’s code of conduct when his wife profited off stock trades for a company he was focusing on in Washington. The panel found Kelly breached the code of conduct “by failing to meet his duty of candor.” The committee ordered he and his wife to divest their investments in Cleveland-Cliffs, the steel manufacturer at the center of the report.

Democrats Desperately Look for a Redistricting Edge in California, New York and Maryland

MSN – Liz Crampton, Jeremy White, and Nick Reisman (Politico) | Published: 7/26/2025

Democratic leaders are feeling pressure to join a brewing redistricting battle that is threatening to upend the midterms landscape, an effort that is likely to slam into legal and political reality. As Texas Republicans pressed forward with redistricting designed to increase the number of red seats in the state, officials in the biggest Democratic states scrambled for a response.

Justice Dept. Escalates Attacks on U.S. Judge Handling Deportation Cases

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 7/29/2025

The Justice Department is escalating its attacks on the federal judge whom it has repeatedly clashed with during the Trump administration’s efforts to deport accused Venezuelan gang members under a rarely invoked wartime law. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced her office filed a misconduct complaint against James Boasberg, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

Senate Confirms Controversial Trump Nominee Emil Bove as Federal Judge

MSN – Perry Stein and Theodoric Meyer (Washington Post) | Published: 7/29/2025

The Senate approved the nomination of Emil Bove, President Trump’s former defense lawyer, to serve on a U.S. appeals court, confirming the controversial nominee to a lifetime appointment on the federal bench. Bove has been the most controversial of the 15 judges whom Trump has nominated to date in his second term, with Senate Democrats and three whistleblowers saying he is unfit for a job in which he would be expected to make judicial rulings without consideration of politics.

Senate Democrats Try to Force Release of Epstein Files Using Arcane Law

MSN – Lauren Fox and Katelyn Polantz (CNN) | Published: 7/30/2025

Senate Democrats are using an arcane procedural tool to try to force the Department of Justice to release additional files from the Jeffrey Epstein case, the latest gambit to keep the issue front-and-center as lawmakers prepare for their August recess. Democrats are basing their request on a nearly 100-year-old law that allows five or more members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee to request information from the administration even when they are in the minority and lack subpoena power. The law has not been regularly used, nor is it clear whether it would yield the documents Democrats are seeking.

How Trump’s Personal Attorney Wound Up Investigating the Epstein Case at DOJ

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Michael Kranish (Washington Post) | Published: 7/31/2025

Todd Blanche was asked at his Senate confirmation hearing whether being President Trump’s lawyer in his hush money trial and other cases meant he would have a “continuing duty of loyalty and confidentiality” to his former client even after becoming deputy attorney general. Now that loyalty, and the question of a potential conflict-of-interest, has become a key component of the questions swirling about Trump’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, who was charged with sex trafficking and died in prison in 2019.

Gluesenkamp Perez Wants Cognitive Standards in Congress; Colleagues Disagree

Seattle Times – Annie Karni (New York Times) | Published: 7/26/2025

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez offered an amendment to the federal spending bill that aimed to create basic guidelines in Congress to ensure that members were able to do their jobs “unimpeded by significant irreversible cognitive impairment.” Her amendment was rejected in a committee. But Perez does not plan to drop the issue, which she said is a major concern for voters. Democrats have been grappling with generational tensions since Joe Biden’s forced exit from the presidential race last year.

Donor Who Fooled Investors She Had Access to Trump Pleads Guilty in $31.5M Scam

Yahoo News – John Annese (New York Daily News) | Published: 7/30/2025

Sherry Xue Li, a Donald Trump donor who once rubbed elbows with the president at a 2017 fundraiser, admitted to running a $31.5 million scam, falsely promising foreigners they would get green cards and a back channel to Trump for investing in an upstate New York real estate project. Li and an accomplice donated $600,000 to the Trump Victory Fund to get a dozen people from China and Singapore into a fundraiser at Trump’s Washington hotel. The money came from the foreign nationals’ wallets, and they served as straw donors.

From the States and Municipalities

Arkansas – Court Restricts Who Can Bring Voting Rights Challenges in a Case Involving Voters with Disabilities

MSN – Gary Fields (Associated Press) | Published: 7/28/2025

A federal appeals court panel ruled private individuals and organizations cannot bring voting rights cases under a section of the law that allows others to assist voters who are blind, have disabilities, or are unable to read. It is the latest ruling from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, saying only the government can bring lawsuits alleging violations of the Voting Rights Act. The findings upend decades of precedent and will likely be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

California – Disneyland Resort Interests Face Off in Lawsuit After Corruption Scandal

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 7/30/2025

The Anaheim Chamber of Commerce is suing the controversial tourism bureau, Visit Anaheim, for ending a contract state auditors concluded was entered into improperly. The chamber, which almost shuttered its doors earlier this year, demanded over $7 million dollars from Visit Anaheim, alleging they wrongfully ended their contract because of political pressure amid fallout in a corruption scandal.

Connecticut – Ex-Bridgeport Official Gets Time Served for Lying Under Oath About Political Fundraiser

MSN – Alex Wood (Journal Inquirer) | Published: 7/29/2025

Former Bridgeport Board of Education Chair Jessica Martinez was sentenced to time already spent in federal custody for lying to a federal grand jury about her knowledge of a campaign fundraiser for former state Sen. Dennis Bradley. The false testimony occurred in 2020 when a grand jury was investigating the possibility that Bradley’s campaign defrauded Connecticut’s system for public funding of campaigns by providing false information about fundraising.

Florida – Hope Florida Charity Says DeSantis Officials Didn’t Need to Report Gifts

Yahoo News – Lawrence Mower (Tampa Bay Times) | Published: 7/29/2025

Gifts over $100 from state-created charities, such as the Hope Florida Foundation that sponsored a fundraiser attended by lawmakers and executive branch officials, must be reported to the state ethics commission. But after the media wrote about the vent and the free hotel rooms and other swag that attendees received, the president of the Hope Florida Foundation instructed attendees not to report anything to the commission because these were not gifts. The attendees’ “assistance” at the event was worth more than any gifts they received, Foundation President Joshua Hay wrote.

Georgia – First Liberty-Connected PAC Is Accused of Illegally Influencing Elections in Ethics Complaint

Yahoo News – Ross Williams (Georgia Recorder) | Published: 7/30/2025

A conservative political action committee associated with the family at the heart of the ongoing First Liberty Building & Loan scandal illegally influenced elections in Georgia to the tune of more than $220,000, according to a complaint filed by the State Ethics Commission. The complaint alleges the Georgia Republican Assembly PAC failed to register as an independent committee before making expenditures to affect the outcome of recent elections. The complaint also alleges the PAC failed to file 24 required disclosure reports.

Georgia – State Election Board Accuses Lyft of Violating the Law by Offering Discounted Rides to the Polls

Yahoo News – Maya Homan | Published: 7/30/2025

The State Election Board accused Lyft of violating Georgia’s election law by offering discounted rides to users who were heading to the polls. The board alleges the rideshare company violated a provision of the election code that prohibits “giving or receiving, offering to give or receive, or participating in the giving or receiving of money or gifts for registering as a voter, voting, or voting for a particular candidate.”

Idaho – Witnesses Describe ‘Enraged’ Mayor Allegedly Pulling a Gun on City Council Due to ‘Conflict of Interest’

MSN – Kaitlyn Hart (East Idaho News) | Published: 7/30/2025

Multiple people say Butte City Mayor Kevin Turner pointed a gun at them during a city council meeting after they brought up issues about cyberbullying from a public official. Turner was arrested and charged with misdemeanor exhibition or use of a deadly weapon. Police reports state that during a council meeting, Turner slammed his holstered gun on the table “like a gavel” while attempting to fire Councilperson Steven Avery. As Avery is an elected official, he cannot be fired; he would have to be recalled by voters in an election.

Illinois – Ex-Worth Township Supervisor Gets Probation in Oak Lawn Red-Light Camera Bribery Case

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/30/2025

John O’Sullivan, a onetime Worth Township supervisor and Illinois lawmaker, was sentenced to 18 months of probation for his role in a scheme to pay bribes to get lucrative red-light cameras installed in a Chicago suburb. O’Sullivan pleaded guilty more than four years ago to conspiring with longtime political operative Patrick Doherty and an executive representing red-light camera company SafeSpeed to pay bribes in exchange for the official support of an Oak Lawn trustee to put the ticketing cameras at additional intersections.

Illinois – 2 Years Probation for Former Assessor’s Employee Who Pleaded Guilty to Bribery

Yahoo News – Sam Charles (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/29/2025

A former employee in the Cook County assessor’s office was sentenced to two years of probation after a federal judge credited his extensive cooperation with investigators. Francisco Perez pleaded guilty to one count of bribery conspiracy after federal authorities accused him of accepting low-level bribes from employees of three local law firms in return for lowering property value assessments.

Indiana – Five-Star Stays and Michelin-Starred Meals: Interest groups foot the bill for congressional travel

Yahoo News – Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism staff | Published: 7/29/2025

Members of Indiana’s U.S. House delegation and their staffers accepted roughly $640,000 in privately sponsored international travel since 2020. House rules prohibit representatives from knowingly accepting privately funded travel or gifts from registered lobbyists or foreign agents, but interest groups commonly create charitable nonprofit arms to continue sponsoring congressional travel.

Kentucky – Grossberg Drops Lawsuit vs. KY Ethics Commission – but Plans to Take Case to Federal Court

MSN – Lucas Aulbach (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 7/30/2025

Embattled state Rep. Daniel Grossberg is dropping the lawsuit he filed against the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. But the case is not over. Grossberg, who sought to stop the commission from continuing its misconduct investigation into complaints made against him, plans to file a separate lawsuit in federal court instead.

Maine – Maine’s Democracy Is Strong Despite Socioeconomic Barriers to Access, Report Finds

Yahoo News – Eesha Pendharkar (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 7/25/2025

Maine’s democracy remains among the most accessible and resilient in the nation, with strong voter turnout, a largely representative state Legislature, and an increased shift toward clean elections, despite some socioeconomic inequities in voting. That is according to the 2025 State of Democracy in Maine report, which offers an assessment of several areas of the state’s democratic health – voter turnout, clean elections, campaign finance, government transparency, and accountability.

Maryland – Out of Jail, Ex-Pr. George’s Council Member Becomes Another’s Chief of Staff

MSN – Lateshia Beachum (Washington Post) | Published: 7/30/2025

Former Prince George’s County council member Mel Franklin landed a county job just weeks after his release from incarceration for stealing more than $100,000 from his campaign fund and then lying about it. Franklin will be chief of staff for at-large Councilperson Calvin Hawkins II, who served nearly six years in prison after being convicted of armed robbery at 21.

Maryland – McKay Session-in-Review Books Face Critical Ethics, Campaign Finance Reviews

Yahoo News – Bryan Sears (Maryland Matters) | Published: 7/25/2025

“The 90 Day Report,” a paperback by Maryland Sen. Mike McKay and available on Amazon, provides a detailed look at every bill the veteran lawmaker sponsored or cast a final vote on during the 2024 and 2025 legislative sessions. McKay sees the print-on-demand books as a cost-efficient modernization of the traditional lawmaker practice of informing constituents of their doings during the 90-day legislative session. But ethics and campaign officials are looking at it against a tangle of ethics rules. Even if strictly legal, it could run afoul of ethics laws warning of the “appearance” of an ethics issue.

Massachusetts – Amid Criticism, Healey Names Hospitals’ Top Lobbyist to State Health Policy Board

WBUR – Chris Lisinski (State House News Service) | Published: 7/25/2025

After several days of fielding criticism about the move behind the scenes, Gov. Maura Healey named the state’s top hospital lobbyist to a position at the regulatory agency that oversees virtually all major health care decisions, including those directly affecting his clients, in Massachusetts. The Healey administration defended the selection of Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association President Steve Walsh, saying he fulfills a statutory requirement for a member of the Health Policy Commission’s board to come from a hospital background.

Michigan – Subpoena Targets Michigan AG Dana Nessel Over Stalled ‘Dark Money’ Probe

Bridge Michigan – Simon Schuster | Published: 7/24/2025

More than two years after state campaign finance officials said a dark money group likely violated Michigan law by raising money for a ballot committee without disclosing donors, Republicans are questioning why the criminal referral went nowhere under Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel. The House Oversight Committee authorized a subpoena for related communications within Nessel’s office, citing her wife’s role as co-chair for the ballot committee to which the funding ultimately flowed.

Michigan – Michigan Ballot Initiative Aims to Reveal ‘Dark Money’ Donors Behind Political Ads

Bridge Michigan – Simon Schuster | Published: 7/30/2025

A potential ballot proposal to change Michigan’s campaign finance law could upend political giving and advertising in the state, hamstringing prolific political donors and revealing major sources of dark money spending. Michiganders for Money Out of Politics is seeking to put a proposal on the 2026 ballot that would ban regulated utilities and state government contractors from making contributions to state candidates and a broad array of other political spending. It would also require any outside spending group making even tangential reference to a candidate or ballot issue to report their spending totals and donors to the state.

Missouri – Grand Jury Indicts Top Democrat in St. Louis County Government on Felony Charges

Yahoo News – Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) | Published: 7/30/2025

The top elected official in Missouri’s largest county was indicted on four criminal charges for allegedly misusing public money to oppose passage of an April ballot measure. The indictment accuses St. Louis County Executive Sam Page of spending public funds on a flyer and direct mail postcard for the vote on a proposal that would have curbed his power.

Missouri – Missouri Ethics Panel Dismisses Complaint Involving Republican State Senator

Yahoo News – Jason Hancock (Missouri Independent) | Published: 7/29/2025

A complaint alleging state Sen. Joe Nicola was using his church as a PAC was formally dismissed by the Missouri Ethics Commission. The complaint alleged New Covenant Ministries, where Nicola serves as president and pastor, should have registered as a PAC because it raised money to boost Nicola’s campaign for state Senate last year.

New Jersey – Alina Habba’s Future as New Jersey’s Top Federal Prosecutor Faces Legal Test

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 7/29/2025

President Trump’s effort to keep Alina Habba in charge of the U.S. attorney’s office in New Jersey is facing a legal challenge that could influence his ability to extend terms for some of his other controversial picks to lead prosecutor’s offices across the country. Defendants in a drug and gun case set to go to trial in New Jersey are urging a federal court to toss the charges, arguing that Habba, a former Trump defense lawyer, has no legal standing to exercise prosecutorial powers.

New York – All in the Family: Relatives helped NY candidates garner public funds

Albany Times Union – Emilie Munson | Published: 7/27/2025

Fifty-eight candidates for the Senate and Assembly in New York donated to their own campaigns and then filed claims for matching state funds to amplify their platforms in 2024. At least 113 candidates claimed matching funds for contributions they, their spouses, or their family members made. The practice is allowed by state Election Law. Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay said rules like matching funds for candidates’ own contributions are exactly why many Republicans, like him, opposed implementation of the program.

North Dakota – Supreme Court Pauses Ruling That Weakens Voting Rights Act in Some States

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 7/24/2025

The Supreme Court paused a lower court ruling that bars individuals in seven Midwestern states from bringing racial discrimination lawsuits under the Voting Rights Act. The justices sided with Native American tribes that sought the emergency stay, arguing the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit gutted a powerful tool that helps ensure voting maps are drawn equitably.

North Dakota – ND Ethics Commission OKs Lawmakers’ Expenses-Paid Trip to Israel as ‘Educational’

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 7/30/2025

At least one North Dakota lawmaker has been invited to an all-expenses-paid trip to meet with Israel leaders in September, and the state Ethics Commission says he can accept. The five-day trip would be paid for by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which pitches the tour as an opportunity for U.S. lawmakers to learn about the nation’s culture, heritage, and government. The Ethics Commission determined the trip is fair game because the organizers say it is purely educational and no lobbying will take place.

Ohio – Despite Trump Pardon, Cincinnati Dem Pushes Appeal That Could Have Major Ramifications

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 7/25/2025

Despite a pardon form President Trump, Former Cincinnati City Council member PG Sittenfeld is trying to get his corruption conviction overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. His appeal, which legal experts say might be the first of its kind, could have ramifications far beyond his case. Sittenfeld was convicted of bribery after accepting $20,000 from undercover FBI agents in exchange for lining up votes for a development project. The appeal asks the Supreme Court to more clearly draw a line between a legal campaign contribution and a bribe.

Oklahoma – Board Members Say Naked Women on TV in Ryan Walters’ Office During Closed Session

Yahoo News – Murray Evans (Oklahoman) | Published: 7/25/2025

An executive session of the Oklahoma State Board of Education was interrupted when images of naked women were seen on a television screen in the office of state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, where the session was held, two board members said. Board members had been meeting behind closed doors to discuss teacher licensing, student attendance appeals, and other sensitive issues. Walters chairs the board. It is unclear who was responsible for the images or why they were broadcast. Walters was seated with his back to the television screen, which would not have been in Walters’ direct view.

Texas – Texas House Democrats Are Fundraising to Potentially Leave the State to Block GOP-Backed Redistricting

MSN – Owen Dahlkamp (Texas Tribune) | Published: 7/29/2025

As Republicans in Texas move ahead with a plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts, Democrats are privately mulling their options, including an expensive and legally dicey quorum break. If they go that route, it appears they will have the backing of wealthy donors. By fleeing the state to deprive the Legislature of enough members to function, Democrats would each incur a fine of $500 per day and face the threat of arrest. Donors within the party appear ready to cover these expenses.

Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Senate Hopeful, Claimed 3 Homes as His Primary Residence

MSN – Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) | Published: 7/24/2025

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his wife are longtime owners of a $1.5 million house in a gated community outside Dallas. In 2015, they snapped up a second home in Austin, then another. But mortgages signed by the Paxtons contained inaccurate statements declaring that each of those three houses was their primary residence, enabling the now-estranged couple to improperly lock in low interest rates. The mortgage revelations are likely to become fodder in the Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat. The situation is further complicated by the Trump administration’s criminal pursuit of Democrats over similar issues.

Texas – Texas Senate Passes Bill to Bar Local Government like Dallas from Hiring Outside Lobbyists

MSN – Karen Brooks Harper and Devyani Chhetri (Dallas News) | Published: 7/30/2025

Texas lawmakers moved a notch closer in their quest to bar local governments from using public dollars on outside lobbyists. The GOP-dominated Texas Senate approved the bill amid a debate that has largely focused on whether the state was reforming where taxpayer dollars are spent or whether it was eroding local influence.

Utah – Utah Nonprofit Spent Millions of Taxpayer Funds on Private Company, Vacations, State Auditor Finds

MSN – Brigham Tomco (Deseret News) | Published: 7/29/2025

The president of a Utah nonprofit manufacturing consultant misused millions of dollars of public funds meant for a federal and state manufacturing program, according to a state audit. The review revealed iMpact Utah spent between $1.8 and $2.8 million in transfers to a for-profit company where the president is a majority shareholder, as well as political donations, personal trips, and “excessive” executive compensation in a three-year span.

Virginia – The Largest Donor to Rouse’s Lieutenant Governor Campaign Won’t Be Known Until Months After the Primary

Cardinal News – Elizabeth Beyer | Published: 7/28/2025

A federal PAC was one of the largest donors to Virginia Sen. Aaron Rouse’s campaign for lieutenant governor. Where that money came from will not be known until months after the primary election. A difference in reporting requirements between the FEC and the State Board of Elections has created a loophole that allows federal PACs to temporarily shield the source of their money, even as they contribute to state candidates in Virginia’s off-year elections.

Virginia – Is It Time for Virginia to Stop Holding Elections Every Year? Lawmakers Are Taking a Serious Look

Virginia Mercury – Markus Schmidt | Published: 7/31/2025

The Joint Subcommittee to Study the Consolidation and Scheduling of General Elections met for the first time to begin exploring whether Virginia, one of just a handful of states with statewide elections in odd-numbered years, should sync up with the federal calendar and move all general elections to even-numbered years. The idea may seem like a bureaucratic scheduling tweak. But in practice, it would touch nearly every aspect of Virginia politics, from voter turnout and local governance to campaign finance and the nationalization of state issues.

July 28, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Michigan: “Subpoena Targets Michigan AG Dana Nessel Over Stalled ‘Dark Money’ Probe” by Simon Schuster for Bridge Michigan New York: “All in the Family: Relatives helped NY candidates garner public funds” by Emilie Munson for Albany Times Union […]

July 25, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – July 25, 2025

National/Federal Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ Is Canceled by CBS and Will End in May 2026 MSN – Alicia Rancilio and Andrew Dalton (Associated Press) | Published: 7/18/2025 CBS is canceling “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” next May, shuttering a […]

National/Federal

Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ Is Canceled by CBS and Will End in May 2026

MSN – Alicia Rancilio and Andrew Dalton (Associated Press) | Published: 7/18/2025

CBS is canceling “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” next May, shuttering a decades-old television institution in a changing media landscape and removing from air one of President Trump’s most prominent and persistent late-night critics. CBS said “Late Show” was canceled for financial reasons, not for content. But the timing – three days after Colbert criticized the settlement between Trump and Paramount Global, parent company of CBS, over a “60 Minutes” story – led two U.S. senators to publicly question the motives.

Trump Reshaped the Supreme Court. Now Emergency Appeals Are Helping Him Reshape the Government

MSN – Mark Sherman and Chris Megerian (Associated Press) | Published: 7/15/2025

Six months into his second term, President Trump has gotten almost everything he has wanted from the Supreme Court that he reshaped during his first. The legal victories are noteworthy on their own, but how the president is achieving them is remarkable. Administration lawyers are harnessing emergency appeals, which were used sparingly under previous presidencies, to fast-track cases to the Supreme Court, where decisions are often handed down with no explanation. The result is a series of green lights from the nation’s highest court without any clarity on how the law should be interpreted in the future.

For Sale: Trump is leveraging power of his office to reap profits for family businesses

MSN – Brian Slodysko and Will Weissert (Associated Press) | Published: 7/18/2025

From crypto coins to bibles, overseas development deals to an upcoming line of cellphones, Donald Trump’s family business has raked in hundreds of millions of dollars since the 2024 election, an unprecedented flood of often shadowy money from billionaires, foreign governments, and cryptocurrency tycoons with interests before the federal government. The sums amassed by the Trump Organization are far greater than those collected by the family during the president’s first term, when patronage of his hotels, resorts, and golf courses was de rigueur to curry favor.

Trump’s DOJ Has Fired Dozens of Prosecutors, Upending Decades-Old Norm

MSN – Patrick Marley, Jeremy Roebuck, and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/19/2025

The Justice Department under the Trump administration has fired dozens of career prosecutors during the past six months, making the dismissal of federal attorneys. The terminations have alarmed staff members and observers who worry agency officials are engaged in a broad campaign to erode civil service protections, bolster the political interests of the president, and weaken the rule of law. Prosecutors are typically fired only when they do something improper or fail to perform their duties.

Trump Officials Accused of Defying 1 in 3 Judges Who Ruled Against Him

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 7/21/2025

President Trump and his appointees have been accused of flouting courts in a third of the more than 160 lawsuits against the administration in which a judge has issued a substantive ruling, a Washington Post analysis found, suggesting widespread noncompliance with America’s legal system. Plaintiffs say Justice Department lawyers and the agencies they represent are snubbing rulings, providing false information, failing to turn over evidence, quietly working around court orders, and inventing pretexts to carry out actions that have been blocked.

Well-Timed or Just Lucky? Top Trump Officials’ Stock Sales Clustered Before Tariff News

MSN – Suhail Bhat and Ramon Padilla (USA Today) | Published: 7/22/2025

Several top Trump administration officials sold off stock market holdings in the days leading up to the president’s announcements of sweeping tariffs that sparked fears of a global trade war and rattled financial markets. Sales by top officials, including Cabinet members, their deputies, and senior White House officials were clustered in two 10-day periods leading up to President Trump’s major tariff announcements on February 13 and April 2. Of the stock and stock fund sales administration officials reported between January 20 and April 30, 90 percent fell within 10 days of the tariff announcements.

The Government Was Once a Steady Partner for Nonprofits. That’s Changing

MSN – Thalia Beatty (Associated Press) | Published: 7/22/2025

In his second term, President Trump froze, cut, or threatened to cut a huge range of social services programs from public safety to early childhood education to food assistance and services for refugee resettlement. Staffing cuts to federal agencies have also contributed to delays and uncertainty around future grant funds. Altogether, his policies are poised to upend decades of partnerships the federal government has built with nonprofits to help people in their communities. This vast and interconnected set of programs funded by taxpayers has been significantly dismantled in just months, nonprofit leaders, researchers, and funders say.

Supreme Court Allows Trump to Remove Consumer Product Safety Regulators

MSN – Ann Marimow and Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 7/23/2025

A divided Supreme Court cleared the way for President Trump to remove the Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, allowing the administration to continue to seize control of the federal bureaucracy while litigation continues in the lower courts. As is common in rulings rendered on the emergency docket, the majority did not offer a rationale for its decision. The move received sharp objections from the court’s three liberal justices.

Federal Appeals Court Rules Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Unconstitutional

MSN – David Nakamura (Washington Post) | Published: 7/23/2025

A federal appeals court ruled President Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional and upheld a nationwide ban on his administration from implementing the measure. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said Trump’s directive violates the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment. The president is seeking to deny automatic citizenship to the U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants and temporary foreign visitors.

Justice Department Told Trump in May That His Name Is Among Many in the Epstein Files

MSN – Sadie Gurman, Annie Linskey, Josh Dawsey, and Alex Lear (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 7/23/2025

When Justice Department officials reviewed what Attorney General Pam Bondi called a “truckload” of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein earlier this year, they discovered Donald Trump’s name appeared multiple times, according to senior administration officials. In May, Bondi and her deputy informed the president that his name was in the Epstein files, the officials said. Many other high-profile figures were also named, Trump was told. Being mentioned in the records is not a sign of wrongdoing.

Columbia to Pay More Than $200 Million in Deal with Trump Administration

MSN – Susan Svrluga and Emily Davies (Washington Post) | Published: 7/23/2025

Columbia University and the Trump administration have reached an agreement to resolve a months-long dispute over federal research funding that made the university a symbol of White House efforts to force cultural changes in higher education nationally. The deal requires Columbia to pay the federal government $200 million to settle claims related to discriminatory practices. It reinstates most of the $400 million in research grants that were frozen by the government.

K Street Rakes in Record Cash Thanks to Trump

MSN – Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) | Published: 7/23/2025

Top lobbying firms in Washington reported large increases in second quarter revenues, with record-breaking demand for help navigating the Trump administration’s stream of policy pronouncements and shaping the president’s “big, beautiful” tax-and-spending bill. Firms with strong ties to the White House have skyrocketed to the top of the pecking order of lobbying outfits on K Street, according to an analysis of the latest quarterly lobbying disclosures.

Trump Document Dumps Raise Questions of Distraction

MSN – Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) | Published: 7/24/2025

The Trump administration has moved to release tranches of documents from controversial past investigations amid increasing scrutiny into its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, prompting criticism that the White House is seeking a distraction. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released documents related to the investigation into Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 election, something President Trump raised again when he said former President Obama was guilty of treason in connection with the matter.

With His Suit Against Murdoch, Trump Signals: No one is safe

MSN – Sarah Ellison and Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 7/24/2025

One day after the Wall Street Journal published a story alleging Donald Trump wrote a “bawdy” birthday letter to deceased sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, Trump sued the newspaper, the two authors of the story, and a raft of corporate overseers including Rupert Murdoch, whose family trust controls the Journal’s parent company and that of Fox News. By suing the Wall Street Journal and Murdoch, Trump is lashing out at one of his most powerful media allies, a fellow billionaire who has been one of his most influential advisers outside the White House.

Trump’s Pick to Protect Federal Workers Shares a Disdain for Them

MSN – Meryl Kornfield and Cleve Wootson Jr. (Washington Post) | Published: 7/24/2025

Paul Ingrassia is unlike any nominee ever put forward to lead the Office of Special Counsel and his confirmation prospects are increasingly uncertain. A 2021 law school graduate with no senior government experience, Ingrassia has mostly made himself known as a loyalist to President Trump who repeats scorched-earth rhetoric, expresses admiration for controversial figures, and shares disdain for the federal workforce he would be tasked with protecting.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – New Guidelines Will Require More In-House Lobbyists to Register with Commissioner’s Office: Bélanger

iPolitics – Marco Vigliotti | Published: 7/22/2025

Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger released new guidelines for the profession lowering the threshold to trigger reporting requirements for people lobbying directly on behalf of their employer. These in-house lobbyists will now have to register if that work takes up at least eight hours of their time over a four-week period, a four-fold decrease from the current rules. Bélanger said the change would “enhance transparency” by requiring more people lobbying the federal government to publicly disclose their work.

California – Is OC’s District Attorney Leaning on His Campaign Donors to Pay a Court Fine?

Voice of OC – Noah Biesiada | Published: 7/21/2025

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer is personally responsible for $25,000 after a judge ordered him to pay restitution to a whistleblower he retaliated against. But Spitzer might have set up a new way to get the money – his campaign donors. The opening of the legal defense fund raised concerns across Orange County. “Opening it now seems to imply that he wants to raise money from donors to pay his court ordered fine,” said Jon Fleischman, former director of the California Republican Party.

Colorado – Democratic State Senator Who Resigned Amid Ethics Investigation Now Faces Felony Criminal Charge in Denver

KUNC – Jesse Paul (Colorado Capital News Alliance) | Published: 7/22/2025

Former Colorado Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, who resigned this year amid an ethics investigation into her treatment of legislative aides, was charged with attempting to influence a public servant, a felony offense. Court records show Jaquez Lewis’ alleged offense occurred before she resigned from the Legislature on February 18. She stepped down when the Senate Ethics Committee, which was investigating a complaint against her, announced Jaquez Lewis submitted at least one fabricated letter of support sent to the panel that purported to be from a former aide.

Connecticut – Audit: Elections watchdog more than a year late with some campaign reports

CT News Junkie – Viktoria Sundqvist | Published: 7/23/2025

An audit of the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) says the watchdog failed to complete several post-election campaign finance audits in a timely manner. The audit, which covers the fiscal years ending June 2022 and 2023, reviewed seven and eight candidate committee commission audits, respectively, and found the commission issued four of its final summary reports between 132 and 454 days late from the 2020 election cycle. The SEEC said it has limited resources to process the statutorily required audits without delay.

Florida – In Boon for House GOP, Florida Supreme Court Sides with DeSantis, Upholds Congressional Map

MSN – Gary Fineout (Politico) | Published: 7/17/2025

The state Supreme Court upheld Florida’s congressional map, delivering a win to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who pushed through the changes that helped Republicans flip and maintain the House majority. The ruling could be far-reaching; it suggests legislators can sidestep protections for minority voters adopted in 2010. But the legal battle may not end, as one of the groups involved in the litigation said the battle over the district is “far from over.”

Florida – With Charity Cuts Looming, Miami-Dade Steers $250,000 a Year to This New Foundation

MSN – Douglas Hanks (Miami Herald) | Published: 7/19/2025

In a year where Miami-Dade may slash tens of millions of dollars in nonprofit funding, one new charity with a sparse track record recently secured a $250,000 yearly revenue stream mandated by a county contract. The president of the charity receiving the payments is a top official in the city of Miami’s government.

Florida – Miami Can’t Delay Its Election by a Year, Judge Rules

WLRN – Patricia Mazzei (New York Times) | Published: 7/22/2025

Miami city commissioners violated the Florida Constitution when they voted to postpone this fall’s election to November 2026, a state judge ruled, saying that such a change required voter approval. The judge ruled in favor of Emilio González, a candidate for mayor. The city commission said the delay was meant to save money and improve turnout. Critics noted it would give elected city officials an extra year in office.

Illinois – ‘You Had the Power to Stop This:’ Ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore sentenced to 2 years in prison in scheme to bribe Speaker Madigan

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/21/2025

Once a rising corporate star, former Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) Chief Executive Officer Anne Pramaggiore was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $750,000 for her role in an scheme to funnel more than $1.3 million and other perks to associates of then-House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for help with the utility’s legislative agenda. U.S. District Court Judge Manish Shah acknowledged Pramaggiore’s transformative leadership at ComEd and her history of charitable works but said the evidence at trial showed she participated in a nearly decade-long scheme that undermined the public’s trust in government.

Illinois – Judge Hands 2 Years in Prison to Michael McClain, Lobbyist and Madigan Confidant at Center of ComEd Bribery Scandal

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/24/2025

Michael McClain, who long served as the right-hand man and confidant of ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, was sentenced to two years in prison following his conviction in a conspiracy to bribe Madigan in exchange for passing Commonwealth Edison’s (ComEd) legislative agenda. It was through his close relationship with Illinois’ most powerful politician, prosecutors say, that McClain was able to leverage knowledge of Madigan’s thinking to induce ComEd executives to lavish money on Madigan’s cronies and meet his myriad other demands.

Iowa – Curious Iowa: What restrictions are there for ‘wining and dining’ Iowa state officials?

Cedar Rapids Gazette – Tom Barton | Published: 7/21/2025

Trade associations, companies, chambers of commerce, and other groups spent roughly $450,500 combined this year on food, drinks, entertainment, and other expenses hosting public receptions attended by Iowa lawmakers and other state officials. Lawmakers attended approximately 100 receptions during the 2025 legislative session, according to lobbyist reports. Iowa law imposes stringent restrictions on the acceptance of gifts by public officials, employees, and candidates.

Kentucky – KY Ethics Commission Lawyers Ask Judge to Dismiss Rep. Grossberg’s Lawsuit

MSN – Alex Acquisto (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 7/23/2025

The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit against it that was filed by state Rep. Daniel Grossberg, who is being investigated by the commission for alleged misconduct. The commission is following its statutory obligation to investigate the complaints filed last year against Grossberg, and as an elected representative, he does not have immunity from the outcome of that investigation, lawyers for the commission argued in their request for dismissal.

Kentucky – Public Will Be on the Outside as Kentucky Legislature Convenes in Temporary Quarters

Yahoo News – McKenna Horsley (Kentucky Lantern) | Published: 7/21/2025

The Kentucky General Assembly plans to convene in temporary chambers for at least the next three years while the Capitol undergoes renovations. During those years, there will be no public galleries where citizens can watch as the House and Senate debate and vote on bills. No rotunda where advocates and protesters can gather for rallies, and less opportunity for citizens and lobbyists to personally interact with lawmakers in the halls. People will be able to watch the Legislature in session in real time from next door in the Capitol Annex via live streams of the proceedings.

Louisiana – When the Ethics Board Pushed Back Against Gov. Jeff Landry, He Changed the Law

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 7/21/2025

Earlier this year, the Louisiana Board of Ethics told Gov. Jeff Landry’s PAC to stop paying for the governor’s membership at the U.S. House of Representatives fitness center. But two months after receiving the letter, the PAC paid for the gym dues again. State lawmakers then approved legislation that allowed his PAC to cover the governor’s gym membership. It was one of five recent changes to anti-corruption laws that undo ethics board decisions which may have blocked Landry from getting what he wanted.

Minnesota – Sen. Nicole Mitchell to Resign by Aug. 4, Attorney Says

Yahoo News – Michelle Griffith (Minnesota Reformer) | Published: 7/21/2025

Sen. Nicole Mitchell, who was found guilty of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools, will resign from the Minnesota Senate by August 4. The unusual resignation announcement means Mitchell will continue to represent her constituents for up to two weeks as a convicted felon. It also means Democrats will lose their one-seat majority in the Senate until Gov. Tim Walz calls a special election to replace her.

Mississippi – Indicted Jackson Prosecutor’s Latest Campaign Finance Report Rife with Errors

Mississippi Today – Caleb Bedillion (The Marshall Project) and Anna Wolfe | Published: 7/18/2025

Tangled finances, thousands of dollars in personal loans, and a campaign contribution from a supposed investor group made up of undercover FBI informants were all contained in a long overdue campaign finance report from Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, who is fighting federal bribery charges. His recent campaign finance disclosure reflects a pair of transactions that correspond with key details in the government’s allegation that Owens took money from undercover informants to pay off a local official’s debt.

New Jersey – Judges’ Move to Oust Trump U.S. Attorney Pick Habba Triggers a Showdown

MSN – Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 7/22/2025

A panel of New Jersey’s U.S. District Court judges opted not to appoint Alina Habba, President Trump’s former personal attorney, as the state’s top federal prosecutor on a permanent basis. The judges chose Desiree Leigh Grace, a career prosecutor, as her replacement. But within hours, Justice Department officials announced they fired Grace and reinstated Habba. The developments threw the leadership of the law enforcement agency into chaos and raised the prospect of another showdown between the administration and the federal judiciary.

New York – What Happened to the Federal Investigations into Mayor Adams’ Inner Circle?

Gothamist – Elizabeth Kim | Published: 7/23/2025

The criminal investigations of former senior members of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration appear to be on hold as the fallout from the dismissal of the mayor’s corruption charges continues. At least eight top Adams officials resigned after federal agents seized their phones. A judge tossed bribery and campaign finance charges against Adams at the request of the Department of Justice. Now, legal experts and attorneys are concerned those officials could also get a pass. Their growing alarm comes as the once-vaunted Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office is mired in dysfunction amid resignations and firings.

New York – New Eric Adams ‘Donors’ Say They Never Gave to His Reelection Campaign

MSN – Greg Smith and Haidee Chu (The City) | Published: 7/23/2025

New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign in May once more accepted funds from individuals who appear to be straw donors and submitted them to the city’s public matching dollars program. The indictment filed against Adams last fall that was recently dismissed charged him with soliciting and accepting thousands of dollars of such contributions. To date, an Adams associate and a local businessperson have pleaded guilty to orchestrating straw donor schemes.

New York – Former Cuomo Aide Brittany Commisso Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit for $450,000

Yahoo News – Molly Crane-Newman (New York Daily News) | Published: 7/18/2025

New York state agreed to pay $450,000 to Brittany Commisso, a former aide to Andrew Cuomo who accused him of groping and subjecting her to persistent sexual harassment on the job at the governor’s office. The state settled a suit brought by former Cuomo aide Charlotte Bennett for the same amount in April in a case alleging similar claims. The agreement does not require Cuomo to admit to any wrongdoing, and Cuomo has repeatedly denied the accusations against him.

North Dakota – North Dakota Ethics Commissioners to Evaluate ‘Strained’ Relationship with Attorney General’s Office

North Dakota Monitor – Mary Steuer | Published: 7/16/2025

The North Dakota Ethics Commission is looking into whether strongly worded communications from the state Attorney General’s Office have negatively impacted commission staff. The decision follows a July 3 letter addressed to the commission from Attorney General Drew Wrigley that harshly criticized the commission’s recent investigation report on ethics violations by Rep. Jason Dockter.

Ohio – Ohio Aims to Reinstate Ban on Political Donations from Foreign Nationals

Courthouse News Service – Kevin Koeninger | Published: 7/23/2025

The threat of foreign influence in American elections is grave enough to allow states to ban political contributions from noncitizens, the state of Ohio argued an appeals court. Citing concerns about the “corrosive effects” of foreign money “pouring into campaign issues,” the state passed a law in 2024 that prohibited foreign nationals and those with green cards from making campaign contributions in any election. U.S. District Court Judge Michael Watson granted an injunction to prevent enforcement of the law against legal permanent residents.

Ohio – 5 Years After Ohio’s $60M Bribery Scandal, Critics Say More Could Be Done to Prevent a Repeat

MSN – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 7/21/2025

Five years after a $60 million bribery scheme funded by FirstEnergy came to light in Ohio, expert observers say the resulting prosecutions, lawsuits, penalties, and legislation have not led to enough change and accountability to prevent politicians and corporate executives from cutting similar deals in the future. The scheme’s prospective $2 billion-plus price tag to consumers makes it the largest infrastructure scandal in U.S. history.

Pennsylvania – Big-Dollar Donors Are Helping Fund Fixes at the Governor’s Mansion. For Now, We Don’t Know Who They Are.

Spotlight PA – Angela Couloumbis | Published: 7/17/2025

In May, Pennsylvania’s five living former governors united to hold a fundraiser at the official residence just a few miles from the Capitol. The fundraiser, an invitation-only event, was for a cause few would quibble with – restoring or replacing items damaged in the attack just weeks earlier. The fire was set as Gov. Josh Shapiro, his family, and his friends were asleep inside, but all escaped unharmed. Yet the Shapiro administration, as well as officials with a nonprofit organization that is collecting the money, have not disclosed who attended the event or how much was raised.

Texas – Divorce, Adultery Allegations Against Paxton Jolt Senate Race in Texas

MSN – Patrick Svitek and Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 7/21/2025

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s long record of political resilience in the face of scandal faces a new test after his wife filed for divorce and accused him of adultery, jolting a contentious primary for U.S. Senate. The race, seen as one of the biggest GOP primaries of the midterms, was already dramatic, with a longtime incumbent, John Cornyn, fighting for his political life. Now, Cornyn and his allies are bringing up the filing as they run against Paxton, and some Paxton backers are rethinking their support.

Texas – Texas Lawmakers Take Up Renewed Push to Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

The Texan – Holly Hanson | Published: 7/23/2025

In response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s special legislative session call, Texas lawmakers will once again attempt to tackle the thorny issue of taxpayer-funded lobbying in hopes of curtailing the practice. Senate Bill 12 prohibits political subdivisions such as cities, counties, or traditional public school districts from hiring or contracting with registered lobbyists for the purpose of lobbying the state government.

July 24, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Campaign Finance Connecticut: “Audit: Elections watchdog more than a year late with some campaign reports” by Viktoria Sundqvist for CT News Junkie Ohio: “Ohio Aims to Reinstate Ban on Political Donations from Foreign Nationals” by Kevin Koeninger for Courthouse News […]

July 22, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Elections Texas: “Divorce, Adultery Allegations Against Paxton Jolt Senate Race in Texas” by Patrick Svitek and Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) for MSN Ethics National: “Trump’s DOJ Has Fired Dozens of Prosecutors, Upending Decades-Old Norm” by Patrick Marley, Jeremy Roebuck, and […]

July 18, 2025 • Written by Jim Sedor

News You Can Use Digest – July 18, 2025

National/Federal Texts, Emails Bolster Whistleblower Account of DOJ Defying Court Order MSN – Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 7/10/2025 A fired Justice Department employee has given Congress a cache of internal communications supporting his claim that […]

National/Federal

Texts, Emails Bolster Whistleblower Account of DOJ Defying Court Order

MSN – Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 7/10/2025

A fired Justice Department employee has given Congress a cache of internal communications supporting his claim that a top Trump appointee suggested prosecutors defy a judge’s order and that other officials directed attorneys to not be forthcoming in court. The messages provided by attorney Erez Reuveni show him seeking assurances from Justice Department and Homeland Security officials that they would abide by a judge’s order to halt the in-progress deportation of roughly 130 Venezuelans to El Salvador under an obscure wartime law.

Bondi Fires 20 Justice Dept. Employees Involved in Trump Prosecutions

MSN – Perry Stein and Amy Wang (Washington Post) | Published: 7/12/2025

Attorney General Pam Bondi fired multiple Justice Department employees who were involved in two federal prosecutions of President Trump during the Biden administration. In total, 20 people were fired from the department, including two prosecutors who worked under former special counsel Jack Smith. The rest of the dismissed employees were support staff and U.S. marshals who assisted those prosecutors.

Epstein Outcry Prompts Warning to Trump from MAGA Leaders: ‘A huge risk’

MSN – Natalie Allison (Washington Post) | Published: 7/13/2025

At a gathering of some of President Trump’s most devout supporters – young conservatives spending a weekend strategizing on how to further the MAGA movement – a cloud hung over the convention center. Attendees of Turning Point USA’s Student Action Summit erupted in boos over the administration’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased child predator. The concerns raised at the conference followed days of conservative foment, fueling anxiety among Trump allies that conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein, promoted by Trump and administration officials before they took office, will continue to haunt them.

Vested Interests. Influence Muscle. At RFK Jr.’s HHS, It’s Not Pharma. It’s Wellness.

MSN – Stephanie Armour (KFF Health News) | Published: 7/15/2025

While Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lambastes federal agencies he says are overly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, he and some other figures of the Make America Healthy Again movement have their own financial ties to a vast and largely unregulated $6.3 trillion global wellness industry they also support and promote. Kennedy and four advisers, three of whom have been tapped for official government roles, earned at least $3.2 million in fees and salaries from their work opposing the drug industry and promoting wellness in 2022 and 2023, according to a KFF Health News review.

DOJ Hits States with Broad Requests for Voter Rolls, Election Data

MSN – Patrick Marley and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 7/16/2025

The Trump administration’s recent efforts to gather data on voters and inspect voting equipment have rattled state and local election officials from both parties who have spent years contending with threats, harassment, and litigation. Under the Constitution, states are responsible for running elections, and the federal government plays a limited role that must be spelled out by Congress. Election officials fear the administration could try to build a national file that includes personal information about voters or impose rules that would boot eligible voters from the rolls and make it harder to cast ballots.

NIH Official Fired Amid Probe of Contract Used to Potentially Hire Spouse, Officials Say

MSN – Carolyn Johnson, Hannah Natanson, and Dan Diamond (Washington Post) | Published: 7/15/2025

A senior National Institutes of Health (NIH) leader was fired amid an investigation into a contract on autism and other topics that could have benefited his spouse. A $3.3 million NIH contract to Argo Chasing named Trish Duffy Schnabel, the wife of NIH’s chief operating officer, on its list of staff. The award supports work on several matters including autism, a topic that is a priority of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. NIH’s chief operating officer, Eric Schnabel, was escorted out of the building just three months into his new job.

Critics of Trump’s Presidential Library Fundraising Say ‘There Are No Rules’

MSN – Madeleine May (CBS News) | Published: 7/16/2025

President Trump’s efforts to direct millions of dollars to his future presidential library has drawn fresh attention to a lack of visibility into the identities or potential interests of the donors who are funding it, a longstanding concern facing past presidents from both parties. Two Senate Democrats introduced a bill that would regulate fundraising for presidential libraries.

Supreme Court Justice Pauses Ruling Weakening Voting Rights Act

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 7/16/2025

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh paused a federal appeals court ruling that bars individuals in some states from filing lawsuits claiming discrimination based on the landmark Voting Rights Act. The administrative stay will allow the Supreme Court more time to consider whether to take up an appeal by Native American tribes in North Dakota who claim the ruling endangers a powerful tool to ensure equitable voting laws.

DOJ Fires Maurene Comey, Prosecutor Involved in Epstein, Diddy Cases

MSN – Perry Stein, Shayna Jacobs, and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 7/16/2025

Federal prosecutor Maurene Comey, who worked on the criminal cases of Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, was fired. Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey, was also a prosecutor in the recent trial of Sean Combs, the entertainer known as Diddy. The notice informing the younger Comey of her termination did not provide a reason, citing the broad powers afforded to the president in the Constitution.

Trump Accuses Sen. Adam Schiff of Mortgage Fraud in New Attack on Critic

MSN – Rachel Siegel (Washington Post) | Published: 7/16/2025

President Trump accused U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff of mortgage fraud, and a senior administration official said a criminal case had been referred to the Justice Department, in a sharp escalation of the White House’s attacks on vocal Trump critics. Trump said Fannie Mae’s financial crimes division found Schiff had a “sustained pattern of possible Mortgage Fraud,” which the president claimed, without providing specifics, had involved misstating which home Schiff used as a primary residence, helping him secure a cheaper mortgage.

Over 1 in 5 High-Level Trump Picks Held Crypto, Post Analysis Finds

MSN – Arfa Momin, Clara Ence Morse, and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 7/17/2025

The Washington Post identified nearly 70 nominees and officials of the Trump administration who held cryptocurrency or have invested in crypto or blockchain companies. The appointment of multiple officials with crypto holdings comes at a time when the administration has taken a hands-off approach to regulation of digital currencies. The administration has also backed policies supported by the crypto industry, including legislation in Congress.

IRS Weakens Johnson Amendment – Nonprofits Push Back

Nonprofit Quarterly – Isaiah Thompson | Published: 7/15/2025

The IRS stated in a court document recently that churches and other houses of worship can endorse political candidates without losing their tax-exempt status, an announcement that would seem to overturn decades of established law firmly prohibiting all nonprofit organizations, including churches, from directly engaging in partisan politics. Nonprofit sector leaders warn that the blurring of the longstanding line separating nonprofits from politics could erode decades of public trust in charitable organizations, allow even more “dark money” to flow into politics via nonprofits, and potentially reshape American politics.

Bondi Ousts Justice Department’s Top Ethics Official

Yahoo News – Scott MacFarlane (CBS News) | Published: 7/15/2025

Attorney General Pam Bondi ousted the senior ethics attorney at the Justice Department who advised her and other senior officials on employee ethics, the latest firing that has come amid an ongoing purge of department employees. Joseph Tirrell wrote on LinkedIn that in his role as the director of the Departmental Ethics Office, he was responsible for advising Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on employee ethics and oversaw the day-to-day operations of the department’s ethics program.

From the States and Municipalities

California – OpenAI Accuses Nonprofit of Musk Ties, Lobbying Violations, in California Complaint

MSN – Chase DiFeliciantonio and Christine Mui (Politico) | Published: 7/10/2025

OpenAI is asking the California Fair Political Practices Commission to investigate a nonprofit that challenged its multi-billion-dollar business plans, alleging violations of state lobbying laws and again raising questions about the group’s connections to its rival, Elon Musk. The complaint accuses the Coalition for AI Nonprofit Integrity of likely fronting a fake leader and failing to report lobbying payments related to a state bill that would have potentially prevented the ChatGPT maker from converting to a for-profit entity.

California – Federal Judge Orders LAPD to Stop Shooting Journalists with Rubber Bullets at Protests

MSN – Richard Winton (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 7/11/2025

A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order that blocks Los Angeles police officers from using rubber projectiles and other so-called less-lethal munitions against reporters covering protests against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. U.S. District Court Judge Hernán Vera said a coalition of press rights organizations successfully argued that a court injunction was necessary to protect journalists and others exercising their 1st Amendment rights.

California – Federal Judge Halts Indiscriminate Immigration Stops in Los Angeles and Beyond

MSN – Brittny Mejia and Rachel Uranga (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 7/11/2025

A federal judge found the Department of Homeland Security has been making stops and arrests in Los Angeles immigration raids without probable cause and ordered the department to stop detaining individuals based solely on race, spoken language, or occupation. Once someone was in custody, the complaint argues, their constitutional rights were further violated by being held in “deplorable” conditions without access to a lawyer, or regular food and water.

California – S.F. Planning Commissioner Who Voted on Former Employer’s Projects Vows to Recuse Herself

MSN – Tom Li (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 7/15/2025

The vice president of the San Francisco Planning Commission said she will recuse herself from future discussions of projects involving her former employer, an architecture firm that paid her at least $10,000 a year since 2012. Planning Commissioner Kathrin Moore said the time she cast votes on projects in which Skidmore, Owings & Merrill played a role, she believed she was allowed by city rules to do so.

Connecticut – Elections Commission Closes 21 ‘Campaign-in-a-Box’ Investigations

Connecticut Inside Investigator – Marc Fitch | Published: 7/15/2025

The State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) voted to dismiss complaints against twenty-one campaigns for state House and Senate candidates over “campaign-in-a-box” concerns raised by auditors, but SEEC officials indicate they will be updating regulations to address the issue in future elections. “Campaign-in-a-box” is a term used to describe when a campaign committee will turn over most or all their taxpayer-funded citizen election program grant money to a consultant who then takes care of most campaign spending.

District of Columbia – D.C. Ward 8 Voters Return Indicted Trayon White to Office After Expulsion

MSN – Meagan Flynn, Jenny Gathright, and Michael Brice-Saddler (Washington Post) | Published: 7/15/2025

Trayon White reclaimed his seat on the District of Columbia Council in a special election, five months after he was expelled over his pending federal bribery case. White stands accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for using his influence to steer contracts. He retained a decade’s worth of name recognition and close relationships with many in his ward, who have long been distrustful of police and government, believing White was unfairly arrested or deserved another chance. His trial is scheduled for January and could result in his removal from office if convicted.

Florida – Ron Book Victorious in Ethics Dispute Over Alleged Gift Violation

Florida Today – Peter Schorsch | Published: 7/16/2025

Ron Book, one of the most influential lobbyists in Florida, won a lawsuit filed against Palm Beach County’s Ethics Commission after it claimed he violated a local gift ban. A panel of judges found the Ethics Commission acted without legal authority in citing Book for providing a gift in excess of the allowable limit of $100 to Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter.

Florida – Leon Commission Forgoes Bid Process, Breaks Up with Longtime Lobbyists for Southern Group

Yahoo News – Arianna Otero (Tallahassee Democrat) | Published: 7/11/2025

Leon County commissioners voted to abruptly break up with their longtime state and federal lobbying partners, Squire Patton Boggs and Capitol Alliance Group, in exchange for one of Florida’s top lobbying firms, The Southern Group. At their 2025 State and Federal Legislative Priorities Workshop, county staff provided commissioners with options for additional lobbying services focusing primarily on appropriations, working to secure money for county projects and initiatives. In January, the county entered into a contract with the Southern Group for $40,000.

Illinois – Former ComEd Lobbyist John Hooker Gets 18 Months in Prison for Role in Madigan Bribery Scheme

WTTW – Matt Masterson | Published: 7/14/2025

John Hooker, one of the four former Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) officials convicted of conspiring to bribe ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $500,000. Hooker spent decades at ComEd, including serving as the company’s executive vice president of legislative and external affairs. He then worked as an external lobbyist for the utility, a role through which prosecutors said he remained “directly involved in ComEd’s efforts to advance its legislative agenda in Springfield.”

Illinois – Mayor Brandon Johnson, Inspector General Reach Compromise on Ethics Reform

Yahoo News – Jake Sheridan (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/14/2025

A long fight by ethics advocates to restrict the powers of City Hall’s mayor-controlled top attorney has ended with a compromise both sides said they support. The city council’s Ethics Committee advanced an ordinance that restricts when Chicago’s Law Department can attend investigative interviews and lays out when city attorneys can claim attorney-client privilege to avoid sharing records sought by the inspector general.

Illinois – Ex-Speaker Michael Madigan Asks to Remain Free on Bond Pending Appeal

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/15/2025

Attorneys for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan formally asked that he remain free on bond pending appeal of his conviction on corruption charges, arguing he is not a flight risk and there are complex legal issues which, if resolved in his favor, will require a new trial. Much of the uncertainty stems from a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that substantially reined in prosecutions under a federal bribery law known as 666, its number in the federal code.

Maine – Another Voter-Backed Maine Law Regulating Campaign Finance Halted, but the Case Is Far from Over

Yahoo News – Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 7/16/2025

A federal judge blocked the implementation of a law Maine voters approved in 2024 limiting the amount of money that can be donated to super PACs. The law set a $5,000 limit on contributions to PACs that independently spend money to try to support or defeat candidates. It also requires the disclosure of all donors who contribute toward independent expenditures, regardless of amount. Plaintiffs in the case placed the issue on the ballot with the goal of eventually bringing the question of the legality of such limits to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Maine – Maine Legislature Opts for Status Quo on Campaign Finance Regulations

Yahoo News – Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 7/14/2025

The Maine Legislature largely opted to maintain the status quo regarding campaign finance regulations this year, rejecting attempts to expand clean elections, require more transparency into who is spending in elections, and ban direct corporate contributions to candidates. The most common reasons cited by lawmakers, who voted down many of these bills in committee before the proposals even reached the chambers, were the tight budget year, and the plans did not get to the root causes of money in politics.

Maine – First Circuit Rules Maine Ban on Foreign Government Election Spending Likely Unconstitutional

Yahoo News – Emma Davis (Maine Morning Star) | Published: 7/14/2025

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled a law passed by Maine voters in 2023 prohibiting foreign government spending in elections is likely unconstitutional. The decision, which affirmed a District Court’s temporary stay on the state from enforcing the law, is not the final word, as it will next return to the lower court. The law prevents foreign government-influenced entities, defined as companies with five percent or more foreign government ownership, from donating to state and local ballot measures.

Michigan – After Benson Violation, GOP Eyes Change to Michigan Campaign Finance Law

Bridge Michigan – Jordyn Hermani | Published: 7/15/2025

Months after an investigation found Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson accidentally violated a state campaign finance law but could not be punished for it, Michigan Republicans are pushing to expand the attorney general’s powers of prosecution. Benson, who is running as a 2026 Democratic gubernatorial candidate, unknowingly violated state law when she held a campaign press conference in a state building. Attorney General Dana Nessel issued Benson a warning but said because of “legislative oversight,” state law would not have allowed the attorney general to enforce additional penalties against the secretary of state.

Missouri – After Scathing Report, Missouri Governor Fills Vacancies on Ethics Watchdog

MSN – Kacen Bayless (Kansas City Star) | Published: 7/11/2025

The Missouri Ethics Commission will now have enough members to investigate complaints of ethical misconduct after Gov. Mike Kehoe filled two vacancies. The appointments from Kehoe came just days after a scathing report became public criticizing the fact that the commission did not have enough members to conduct investigations, issue fines, or hold meetings.

New York – Leader of Pro-Eric Adams Super PAC Banking on Crypto Cash

MSN – Joe Anuta (Politico) | Published: 7/14/2025

A leader of the super PAC supporting New York City Mayor Eric Adams hopes to raise upwards of $10 million from the cryptocurrency community and alarmed government ethics groups in the process. In May, Eric Lerner, president of the Empower NYC super PAC, attended the same Bitcoin conference in Las Vegas where Adams spoke. The decision by Lerner to speak about the PAC’s work at the same conference that the mayor, in his official capacity, delivered a crypto-focused address on city policy has stoked discomfort inside ethics organizations.

New York – Cuomo Digs in to Take on Mamdani Again in NYC Mayoral Race

MSN – Laura Nahmias (Bloomberg) | Published: 7/14/2025

Andrew Cuomo said he plans to remain in the race for New York City mayor, brushing off calls to step aside after his shocking loss to Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary. In the immediate aftermath of the June primary, in which Cuomo lost to the 33-year-old democratic socialist by 12 points, speculation swirled that Cuomo would ultimately stop campaigning for the general election. But people familiar with Cuomo’s thinking said he believes he is a more viable candidate to challenge Mamdani in November than incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.

New York – Mayor Adams Again Denied Matching Funds as Campaign Finance Board Shifts Tactics

Yahoo News – Chris Sommerfeldt and Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) | Published: 7/15/2025

New York City’s Campaign Finance Board again denied Mayor Eric Adams public matching funds for his reelection effort, but the panel switched up the reason for depriving him of the cash after a key judicial ruling. Since December 2024, the board has withheld more than $3 million in matching funds for Adams’ campaign, in large part due to his federal indictment, which accused him of taking bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish government operatives in exchange for political favors.

North Dakota – Governor Questions Scope of Ethics Commission Authority

Yahoo News – Mary Steuer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 7/14/2025

Gov. Kelly Armstrong expressed concerns that a recent North Dakota Ethics Commission advisory opinion effectively created a new law without input from the Legislature. The opinion addressed whether it is unethical for a public official or someone running for office to use campaign money to pay for childcare or security services. Armstrong’s remarks came after his public testimony on the Ethics Commission’s proposed travel disclosure rules.

Oklahoma – Ethics Commission Votes on Cases Involving Gamefowl Commission, Rep. Ajay Pittman, Shelley Zumwalt

NonDoc – Bennett Brinkman | Published: 7/10/2025

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted to open another formal investigation into state Rep. Ajay Pittman. The commission also voted to make more information public on the first case against her, which was approved for litigation in Oklahoma County District Court. In addition, commissioners revealed the agency is investigating the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission, a nonprofit organization that advocates for easing laws related to cockfighting. They also voted to execute a settlement agreement with former Employment Security Commission Chief Executive Officer Shelley Zumwalt.

Oregon – An Oregon Lawmaker Pushed to Fix His Road with Wildfire Recovery Money. He Says It’s His Job

MSN – Hillary Borrud (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 7/13/2025

A powerful Oregon lawmaker will see the roads in his subdivision resurfaced using federal wildfire recovery money after he wielded his position and access as a legislator to press state housing leaders to clear hurdles raised by lower-level employees who repeatedly questioned whether the project qualified for funding. Rep. David Gomberg regularly contacted state housing leaders from his legislative email account about a $760,000 grant application and spoke directly with them in his capacity as a lawmaker about that project and others, records show.

Oregon – Oregon DOJ Says Public Officials Exploited Nonprofit to Cash in on Amazon Data Centers, Reap Millions for Themselves

MSN – Mike Rogoway (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 7/15/2025

The Oregon Department of Justice says officials in Morrow County bought a fiber-optic business from a local nonprofit at a lowball price, improperly capitalizing on Amazon’s booming data center business in the small community and generating a windfall for themselves. A civil complaint accuses eight people, including four former officials in Morrow County and state Rep. Greg Smith, of exploiting a nonprofit called Inland Development Corp., which was founded at the beginning of the century to provide internet access to rural schools, hospitals, and government offices.

Oregon – Former Information Officer Implicated in Latest Ethics Ruling for Oregon Bourbon Scandal

Oregon Capital Chronicle – Shaanth Nanguneri | Published: 7/16/2025

A former high-ranking official in the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission used his status and inside knowledge to improperly acquire bottles of highly sought-after liquor, the Government Ethics Commission concluded. In recent weeks, the commission has been finalizing investigations into six former top officials for using their positions to obtain rare, expensive bottles of liquor that normal Oregonians can usually only access through a lottery. The latest case involves Boba Subasic, the commission’s former chief information officer.

Tennessee – Tennessee Campaign Finance Watchdog Rejects Settlement Offer on Lawmaker Complaint

Yahoo News – Sam Stockard (Tennessee Lookout) | Published: 7/16/2025

Tennessee’s campaign finance watchdog is balking at a PAC’s offer to pay a $2,500 settlement in connection with illicit attack ads against a 2024 Republican House candidate. Tom Lawless, chairperson of the Registry of Election Finance, questioned the proposal at a recent board meeting and said the offer is not high enough. He added that political professionals know the state’s rules for running campaigns yet try to skirt them and then get away with paying a small penalty.

Texas – How Republicans’ Texas Gerrymandering Plan Could Backfire and Help Dems

MSN – Nicholas Wu, Andrew Howard, and Jessica Piper (Politico) | Published: 7/10/2025

Gov. Greg Abbott instructed the Texas Legislature to consider congressional redistricting during a special session set to begin July 21, citing the Trump administration’s concerns. If the Legislature, where Republicans hold majorities in both chambers, redraws map lines ahead of next year’s midterm elections, it could bolster the narrow GOP majority in the U.S. House. But some Texas Republicans have voiced concerns that the plan could backfire and endanger incumbent conservatives.

Texas – Here’s the Donor Behind the Mysterious Trust That Gave Greg Abbott $1M

MSN – Benjamin Wermund (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 7/16/2025

Joe Gebbia, an Austin billionaire, Airbnb co-founder, and close friend of Elon Musk, is behind a mysterious $1 million donation to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The governor’s campaign reported the gift from Peachtree Trust, one of four million-dollar donations Abbott received in June, in a new filing. But the campaign did not include any information on who is involved in the trust, which experts said could be a violation of campaign finance rules.

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News You Can Use Digest – August 8, 2025

Colorado Governor Calls Special Session

News You Can Use Digest – August 1, 2025

Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

News You Can Use Digest – July 25, 2025

Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

Tuesday’s LobbyComply News Roundup

News You Can Use Digest – July 18, 2025

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