Lobbying

Pennsylvania: “Convicted Ex-Lawmakers Enjoy Access as Lobbyists” by Debra Erdley and Kevin Zwick for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Campaign Finance

“Law on Foreign Campaign Money Narrow, FEC Analysis Says” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

“D.C. Business Groups Fight Proposed Pay-to-Play Regulations” by Peter Jamison for Washington Post

North Carolina: “Lobbyist Fundraiser Invite Raises Questions” by Laura Leslie for WRAL

Virginia: “How a Shadowy Nonprofit Spent $184K in Virginia’s Governor’s Race with Almost Total Anonymity” by Graham Moomaw for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Ethics

“Trump Faces Decision on New Ethics Chief” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

“The Deep Industry Ties of Trump’s Deregulation Teams” by Danielle Ivory and Robert Faturechi for New York Times

Minnesota: “Appeals Court Upholds Conviction of Ex-New York Assemblyman” by Larry Neumeister (Associated Press) for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Elections

“Trump Voting Panel Tells States to Hold Off Sending Data While Court Weighs Privacy Impact” by Spencer Hsu for Washington Post

“Donald Trump Jr. Was Told Campaign Meeting Would Be with ‘Russian Government Attorney,’ According to Emails” by Rosalind Helderman and John Wagner for Washington Post

Lobbyists have until October 1 to file their first registration and return under New Brunswick’s new lobbying law. Because of some reported difficulties in filing, Integrity Commissioner Alexandre Deschênes extended the initial July deadline for filing. “After consulting widely, it is my view that the lobby registry system needs further improvements to allow easier access for lobbyists and to be more meaningful for public inspection,” said Deschênes in a news release.

The Office of the Integrity Commissioner, an independent office of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, is responsible for administering the Lobbyists’ Registration Act.

Lobbying

California: “California Lawmakers Want Data on Lobbyists’ Race, Sexual Orientation” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee

Pennsylvania: “House Approves Bill That Strengthens Lobbying Law” by Logan Hullinger for Altoona Mirror

Campaign Finance

New Jersey: “Last Birdsall Executive Pleads Guilty in Pay-to-Play Scheme” by Andrew Goudsward for Asbury Park Press

North Carolina: “Loophole Lets Lawmakers Take Campaign Cash with Legislation Still Pending” by Laura Leslie for WRAL

Elections

“Trump Jr. Was Told in Email of Russian Effort to Aid Campaign” by Matt Apuzzo, Jo Decker, Adam Goldman, and Maggie Haberman for New York Times

Ethics

“At Private Dinners, Pence Quietly Courts Big Donors and Corporate Executives” by Kenneth Vogel for New York Times

California: “OC Supervisors Seek More Power Over Ethics Commission, By Changing What Voters Approved” by Nick Gerda for Voice of OC

Iowa: “Trial Begins in Lawsuit Alleging Toxic ‘Boys’ Club’ at Iowa Statehouse” by Grant Rodgers for Des Moines Register

Legislative Issues

“Blue Cities Want to Make Their Own Rules. Red States Won’t Let Them.” by Emily Badger for New York Times

Texas: “Dallas Wants $8,000 Back from Philip Kingston for Missing Too Many Council Meetings” by Tristan Hallman for Dallas News

In 2015, voters in Flint, Michigan selected nine members to serve on the Flint Charter Review Commission.

Commissioners spent the last two years drafting the charter to be approved in a citywide referendum election on August 8, 2017. The proposed charter includes lobbyist registration provisions and a one-year revolving door provision for public servants.

The proposed revisions may be put up to a vote up to three times. In the event voters reject the proposed charter after three referenda, the commission is dissolved.

The Oregon Legislature adjourned July 7, three days before its July 10 constitutional deadline.

In the final days of the session, lawmakers passed a $5.3 billion package of taxes and fees to fund transportation upgrades and another bill to reduce state spending by $200 million over the next two years.

However, lawmakers failed to pass lobbying reforms introduced at the request of Gov. Kate Brown. Following a flurry of last-minute activity in the House to pass Senate Bill 43, a bill to modify Oregon’s lobbyist registration and reporting requirements, the Senate opted to let the bill die.

Lobbying

“Washington Firm Discloses Lobbying Senior Trump Officials on Macedonia” by John Hudson for BuzzFeed News

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Ex-Arizona Attorney General Cleared in Campaign Finance Case” by Bob Christie (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report

Oklahoma: “Disgraced Former State Senator Paying State $112,524 for Misusing Campaign Donations for Personal Expenses” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman

Texas: “State Sues Rep. Dawnna Dukes Over Late Campaign Finance Report in 2016” by Ryan Autullo for Austin American-Statesman

Ethics

“Trump’s Son Met with Russian Lawyer After Being Promised Damaging Information on Clinton” by Jo Becker, Matt Apuzzo, and Adam Goldman for New York Times

“White House Relied Upon Dark Money Lobbyist to ‘Quarterback’ Gorsuch Confirmation” by Margaret Sassa-Hawkins and Andrew Perez for MapLight.org

“Watchdog Groups Fear for Ethics Office after Resignation” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Arizona: “Prosecutor: Gary Pierce bribery case grew from larger probe” by Jacques Billeaud (Associated Press) for Arizona Daily Star

Montana: “Legislators Face No Punishment for Ignoring Financial Disclosure Forms” by Jayme Fraser for The Missoulian

New Mexico: “Eight Judges File Recusals in Griego Case” by Andrew Oxford for Santa Fe New Mexican

National:

CNN Story About Source of Trump Wrestling Video Draws Backlash
New York Times – Daniel Victor | Published: 7/5/2017

A CNN story about an anonymous Reddit user who created a widely circulated video of President Trump wrestling the network’s logo to the ground has inspired multiple backlashes. Some criticized it as a form of blackmail. Others raised issues of journalism ethics over the network granting conditional anonymity to the user. The 28-second video and its source have been the subject of questions since Trump tweeted it as he continued his attacks on the news media. The tweet, which was retweeted by the official presidential account, has become Trump’s most-shared post on Twitter.

The New York Times Will Fly You Around the World for $135,000. Is That a Problem?
Washington Post – Paul Farhi | Published: 7/5/2017

The New York Times is organizing and promoting a 26-day tour of nine countries, which it calls “Around the World by Private Jet: Cultures in Transformation.” The price is $135,000 per person, and the traveling party will be joined by the newspaper’s Washington bureau chief Elisabeth Bumiller, columnist Nicholas Kristoff, and publisher Arthur Sulzberger, Jr. The trip and other Times-sponsored travel packages are a lucrative source of income at a time when news organizations are under increasing financial pressure. But the newspaper’s trips raise a question among journalism ethics experts about ethics and access: Is The Times effectively selling its journalists to private interests? Could, for example, corporate lobbyists or political operatives sign on and seek to influence coverage?

Federal:

Federal Ethics Chief Who Clashed with White House Announces He Will Step Down
Washington Post – Rosalind Helderman and Matea Gold | Published: 7/6/2017

Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Director Walter Shaub announced he is resigning. He will leave nearly six months before the end of his term to take a position with the Campaign Legal Center. Shaub repeatedly challenged the Trump administration on ethics issues. His outspokenness drew the ire of administration officials and earned him near-cult status among Trump’s opponents. Shaub said no one in the White House or the administration pushed him to leave, but he felt he had reached the limit of what he could achieve in this administration within the current ethics framework. The OGE’s chief of staff, Shelley Finlayson, is expected to assume the role of acting director, although Trump could appoint another senior OGE official to serve temporarily until he chooses a permanent replacement.

Florida Lobbyist Turning Trump Ties into Mega-Millions
Center for Public Integrity – Rachel Wilson | Published: 7/5/2017

Brian Ballard has long been a major lobbyist in Florida. Now, Ballard – a major Donald Trump fundraiser who also worked on the president’s transition – is out to prove he can translate his state-level lobbying success into policy victories for a slew of new clients in Washington, D.C. And he must ply his trade in the nation’s capital without looking as if he is selling access to a president who has promised to stand up to special interests. In just five months, Ballard Partners’ federal lobbying operation has generated nearly $4 million in current and contracted business from foreign and domestic lobbying clients. That is as much lobbying money as some established firms make in a year.

Justice Dept. Compliance Expert Whose Contract Ended Early Says Trump Conflicts Made Work Feel Hypocritical
Washington Post – Matt Zapotosky | Published: 7/3/2017

As a contractor for the U.S. Justice Department, Hui Chen would ask questions about companies’ inner workings to help determine whether they should be prosecuted for wrongdoing. But working in the Trump administration, Chen began to feel like a hypocrite. How could she ask companies about their conflicts-of-interest when the president was being sued over his? Though her contract was not up until September, Chen left the department in late June, then laid bare her reasons in a post on LinkedIn. The post drew attention because of Chen’s position and how blunt she was on the circumstances of her departure.

From the States and Municipalities:

Florida: Florida’s Departing Fiscal Watchdog Used Public Scrutiny as a Weapon
Bradenton Herald – Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) | Published: 7/5/2017

Jeff Atwater, who resigned recently as Florida’s chief financial officer, knows where every penny of the state’s $83 billion budget goes. He also knows where to find the waste, and he has tried to expose it. expose it. Florida will spend more than $60 billion this year hiring outside contractors to do state work. But, as Atwater found when he took the job in 2011, state agencies often do not hold vendors accountable for the services they agreed to provide. Agencies allow them to charge for things not included in the bids, fail to recover damages when the vendor will not complete a task correctly or on time, and renew contracts when a vendor fails. “You don’t have to go far to track that back to a lobbyist who had a client,” Atwater explained.

Kansas: Kobach: Kansas won’t give Social Security info to Kobach-led voter commission at this time
Kansas City Star – Bryan Lowry | Published: 7/1/2017

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach co-chairs President Trump’s voter fraud commission, which is tasked with finding evidence to support the president’s unsubstantiated claim that there was widespread voter fraud in the 2016 election. Kobach recently sent letters to all 50 states asking them to provide the commission with their entire voter files. The request specifically spelled out sensitive pieces of information the commission wants to obtain. As secretary of state, Kobach is tasked with supplying Kansas’s data to the Trump commission. There is just one problem: he will not be able to fully comply with his own request.

Massachusetts: Lawmakers Asked to Hit Up Lobbyists, Companies to Fund National Confab
Boston Globe – Jim O’Sullivan | Published: 6/29/2017

Massachusetts Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler sent an email identifying the special interests, lobbyists, and corporations that can be targeted for a solicitation appeal to help fund this summer’s National Conference of State Legislatures annual meeting in Boston. They include companies that have business before the state Legislature: retailers, banks, telecommunications firms, insurers, utilities, and a wide range of health-care providers. Organizers hope to raise roughly $2.2 million for the meeting. The document advertises special access to the week’s events for donors, and perhaps more importantly, a chance to stay on the radar of local decision-makers.

Montana: Legislature Is Rife with Conflicts of Interest – and They’re Legal
Helena Independent Record – Jayme Fraser | Published: 7/2/2017

More than a dozen state leaders said it is not unethical to bring bills that would advantage their professions or properties so long as others received the same gain and the link is openly shared. Most lauded the fact that Montana has a part-time, citizen Legislature where farmers sit on agricultural committees, lawyers craft state criminal laws, teachers tweak education policy, and business owners set industry regulations. Experience makes them experts, they say. But the Center for Public Integrity gives Montana an “F” grade for its conflict disclosure laws, which make it difficult for the public to spot self-serving votes or sanction those who enrich themselves in public office.

New Jersey: Hudson Attorney Files Ethics Complaint Against Christie Over ‘Beachgate’
Newark Star-Ledger – Michaelangelo Conte (Jersey Journal) | Published: 7/6/2017

A complaint was filed against New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, saying he used his position unethically when he and family members basked in the sun at Island Beach State Park while the public was turned away because of a state shutdown. In accordance with the Plain Language Guide to New Jersey’s Executive Branch Ethics Standards, no person of the executive branch may obtain a “special benefit” as a result of their position …,” according to the complaint filed with the State Ethics Commission by attorney Mario Blanch.

New York: A Constitutional Convention for New York? This May Be the Year
New York Times – Lisa Foderaro | Published: 7/5/2017

Every 20 years, New Yorkers have the chance to vote whether they want to hold a constitutional convention to amend, tweak, or otherwise improve the founding document of the state. For the past half-century, voters have demurred. This year, however, academics, good-government groups and others believe the outcome of the ballot question in November may be different. And it has something to do with the current occupant of the White House. “Trump’s election emphasizes how valuable it is for states to chart their own course,” said Peter Galie, a political science professor at Canisius College.

Pennsylvania: Contractor’s Criminal Record Didn’t Discourage Business with Allentown or Reading
Allentown Morning Call – Emily Opilo | Published: 6/30/2017

Mark Neisser, then president of JCA Associates, and two other employees of the engineering firm pleaded guilty in 2004 to tax offenses for failing to report about $100,000 in printing work done for New Jersey Democrats. Along with fines and probation, Neisser was barred from working at JCA. Within a year, however, he resurfaced at T&M Associates, a New Jersey engineering firm that bought out JCA. Neisser’s record apparently did not alarm Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, who accepted thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from T&M’s PAC, and raised no red flag for city officials, which awarded more than $380,000 in contracts to the firm. Neisser pleaded guilty in April to a federal corruption charge for his role in “pay-to-play” schemes in Allentown and Reading.

Texas: City OK’s Park Swings Thanks to Pint Sized Lobbyist
Fort Worth Telegram – Ann Beck | Published: 7/6/2017

When she saw that her local park did not have swings, six-year-old Maggie Fortner took matters into her own hands. She wrote a letter – in pencil and folded a half-dozen times – requesting the addition of a swing set at Donald R. Barg Park. It was mailed by Maggie’s grandmother and made its way to Matt Young, the director of parks and recreation for the city of Mansfield, who not only took notice, but action. The swings were approved and Maggie, now seven, was the guest of honor at the recent ceremony where they were opened to the public. “I’m just really excited for my swing to come, so I can swing on it every day,” Maggie said. “But I’m going to share, even with my sisters. It’s for everyone.”

Texas: Texas Supreme Court Rejects Tea Party Challenge to Campaign Finance Laws
Texas Tribune – Jim Malewitz | Published: 6/30/2017

The Texas Supreme Court upheld the state’s ban on direct corporate political donations. The Texas Democratic Party sued the King Street Patriots for violating the ban on corporate contributions by making in-kind donations to Republicans groups or causes. Democrats argued that if the group wanted to contribute to political campaigns, it should abide by disclosure rules. The justices also upheld state requirements that campaigns report contributions and expenditures, and ruled private groups can sue over alleged violations.

Vermont: Dollars Tell Only Part of Story of Pot Legalization Advocacy
VTDigger.org – Elizabeth Hewitt | Published: 7/4/2017

Despite a constant drum of advocacy on both sides of marijuana legalization in Vermont this year, lobbying reports show the sums spent were relatively modest. But the finance disclosures tell just part of the story of advocacy on the issue. The numbers on both sides added up to far less than has been spent on hot button issues in Montpelier in the past. The 2015 push to impose a sales tax on soft drinks drew more than $500,000 in spending by the American Beverage Association alone in the first quarter of the year, for instance. On the issue of marijuana, both sides claim grassroots support drives their agenda.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

Senate Bill 43, a bill to modify Oregon’s lobbyist registration and reporting requirements, is set for its third reading in the House on July 6.

The bill clarifies certain public officials and persons who provide professional services to entities meeting specified criteria are not exempt from lobbyist registration and reporting requirements. Senate Bill 43 expands current lobbyist exemptions to additionally include elected public officials, certain representatives supervising an entity’s lobbying activities, and individuals who meet with legislative members in a personal capacity.

The measure expands the information a lobbyist must include on a registration statement. The registration must name each political committee the lobbyist advises or controls, each political committee for a candidate or elected official the lobbyist-controlled political committee made political campaign contributions to, and an acknowledgement the lobbyist has read and understands laws and administrative rules governing lobbyists.

Senate Bill 43 requires lobbyist reporting statements to include identification of each topic and each measure lobbied on and will require statements to be filed monthly during the legislative session. The bill also requires the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to conduct random audits of lobbyist reporting statements. The effective date for changes to lobbyist reporting statements is April 1, 2018.

The bill declares an emergency, meaning most provisions will become effective upon passage. Senate Bill 43 was introduced at the request of Gov. Kate Brown and she is expected to sign the legislation if passed by the July 10 constitutional adjournment date.

Lobbying

“Florida Lobbyist Turning Trump Ties into Mega-Millions” by Rachel Wilson for Center for Public Integrity

Campaign Finance

Canada: “Justin Trudeau Lobbied at Recent Fundraising Event, Critics Raise Flags About New Rules” by Amy Minsky for Global News

Colorado: “Colorado Supreme Court: Douglas County School District didn’t violate campaign laws” by Brian Eason for Denver Post

Ethics

“Justice Dept. Compliance Expert Whose Contract Ended Early Says Trump Conflicts Made Work Feel Hypocritical” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

“As Mueller Builds His Russia Special-Counsel Team, Every Hire Is Under Scrutiny” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

“CNN Story About Source of Trump Wrestling Video Draws Backlash” by Daniel Victor for New York Times

Arizona: “Sue or Be Sued: Indicted developer George Johnson has long history in court” by Michael Kiefer for Arizona Republic

Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Judge’s Bribery Conviction, Prison Sentence Upheld” by Debra Hale-Shelton for Arkansas Online

California: “Appeals Court Throws Out Some Criminal Charges for Angela Spaccia, a Top Official in the Bell Corruption Scandal” by Corina Knoll for Los Angeles Times

Elections

Kansas: “Kobach: Kansas won’t give Social Security info to Kobach-led voter commission at this time” by Bryan Lowry for Kansas City Star

Procurement

Florida: “Florida’s Departing Fiscal Watchdog Used Public Scrutiny as a Weapon” by Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) for Bradenton Herald

In June, Rep. Louise McIntosh Slaughter introduced a bill to regulate political intelligence activities.

House Bill 2819, the Political Intelligence Transparency Act of 2017, defines the term ‘political intelligence activities’ to mean political intelligence contacts and efforts in support of such contacts, including preparation and planning activities, research, and other background work that is intended, at the time it is performed, for use in contacts, and coordination with such contacts and efforts of others. The bill amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require the disclosure of political intelligence activities, amends title 18, United States Code, to provide for restrictions on former officers, employees, and elected officials of the executive and legislative branches regarding political intelligence contacts, and makes other related changes.

The House Committee on the Judiciary currently has the bill under consideration.

The Baltimore County Council passed an ethics bill requiring training for certain county government officials and registered lobbyists.

The bill requires the Ethics Commission to provide a training course for registered lobbyists at least twice a year. A registered lobbyist will be required to complete the initial training course within six months of registration, and once each year thereafter. The bill allows the training to be in-person or online.

According to the County Charter, the bill must be presented to County Exec. Kevin Kamenetz within two days and he has 10 days to approve or disapprove the legislation. If approved by Kamenetz, the bill will become effective on July 17, 2017.

Read the bill here.

All the state government and ethics news you might have missed in this weeks video digest!

Federal:

Former Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort Files as Foreign Agent for Ukraine Work
Washington Post – Tom Hamburger and Rosalind Helderman | Published: 6/27/2017

Paul Manafort, who was forced out as President Trump’s campaign chairperson last summer after infighting and criticism about his business dealings with pro-Russian interests, disclosed his consulting firm had received more than $17 million over two years from a Ukrainian political party with links to the Kremlin. The filing serves as a retroactive admission that Manafort performed work in the U.S. on behalf of a foreign power, Ukraine’s Party of Regions, without disclosing it at the time, as required by law. The disclosure hints at the vast fortunes available to top American political consultants plying their trade in other countries.

Jack Abramoff Registers as a Foreign Agent
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 6/23/2017

Jack Abramoff is a registered lobbyist again. Abramoff retroactively registered after he attempted to set up a meeting between then-President-elect Donald Trump and the president of the Republic of Congo. The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires people to register with the Justice Department if they do any consulting, lobbying, or public relations work for a foreign government. They must register within 10 days of agreeing to act as a foreign agent and provide updates every six months. The scandal surrounding Abramoff led to the overhaul of federal lobbying laws in 2007 and 20 convictions or guilty pleas, including from former U.S. Rep. Bob Ney.

Lawmakers Want Trump’s Tax Returns, but Won’t Release Their Own
Roll Call – Stephanie Akin | Published: 6/26/2017

Roll Call sent a request to all U.S. senators and representatives to release their tax returns. Only 37 responded, and of those, six provided the documents. Roll Call also reviewed public documents and media reports to determine lawmakers’ positions on the release of President Trump’s tax returns. At least 237 lawmakers have called on the president to produce his returns. The reluctance among members of Congress to release their own returns prevents voters from learning more about members’ personal financial decisions that could affect how they vote.

President Trump Angrily Lashes Out at ‘Morning Joe’ Hosts on Twitter
Washington Post – Jenna Johnson | Published: 6/29/2017

President Trump faced a swift and bipartisan backlash after he assailed the television host Mika Brzezinski in unusually personal and vulgar terms, the latest of a string of escalating attacks by the president on the national news media. Trump has fumed for weeks about his coverage on “Morning Joe,” where Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough have been increasingly blistering in their commentary about the Trump administration. They have openly questioned Trump’s mental state, comments that particularly upset the president, according to a senior administration official.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arkansas – Arkansas Panel Advises Limit to Pot Lobbyists’ Pay
Arkansas Online – Brian Fanney | Published: 6/24/2017

An applicant for a license to operate a medical-marijuana facility cannot hire a lobbyist on a contingency basis, the Arkansas Ethics Commission said in an advisory opinion. Attorney Brandon Lacy represents a business that wants licenses from the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission to grow or sell medical marijuana. He asked two questions: Can a lobbyist agree to be compensated with a percentage of a medical marijuana business’s revenue if it successfully gains a license? Can a lobbyist be compensated with ownership in the business regardless of whether it is licensed?

Connecticut – Ethics Commissioner Charged in Prostitute Mixup
Connecticut Post – Daniel Tepfer | Published: 6/27/2017

An ethics commissioner in Connecticut has been charged with patronizing a prostitute after he was pepper-sprayed during what police say was a mix-up with the wrong woman. Police said Noel Kayo, an ethics commissioner in Bridgeport, had arranged to meet a woman at a hotel in Stratford. Police say another woman was waiting at the hotel at the same time for payment for photographs for which she previously posed. Police say the woman got into Kayo’s car, demanding her money while he argued for his services. The woman and her boyfriend both used pepper spray on Kayo, who denies the prostitution charge, saying he was a victim of attempted robbery. He said he will not resign.

District of Columbia – ‘It’s the End of Small Talk in Washington’
Politico Magazine – Daniel Lippman and John Harris | Published: 6/30/2017

If Donald Trump’s arrival in the White House has torn at the social fabric across the country, it has interrupted the rhythms and culture of daily life nowhere as much as the city where he now lives. Like many politicians, he ran against Washington, but far more than any president in memory, that outsider rhetoric has translated into outsider governance, a disdain for the capital that seems to translate into genuine disconnection from its existing networks. For Trump’s supporters, this amounts to a promise kept, a disruption of America’s permanent governing class. But it also risks impeding his agenda by cutting him off from some of the levers that can help a new president govern, or at least navigate the unwritten rules and networks of the capital to get things done.

Florida – Using Ethics Loophole, Sen. Lauren Book Votes to Give Her Nonprofit $1.5 Million
FloridaBulldog.org – Francisco Alvarado | Published: 6/22/2017

Florida Sen. Lauren Book voted to approve a state appropriations bill that included $1.5 million for Lauren’s Kids, the nonprofit she founded and leads as its $135,000-a-year chief executive officer. A loophole in the Florida Senate’s ethics rules allowed Book to cast her vote despite her apparent conflict-of-interest. The same loophole also meant she did not have to disclose her conflict publicly. Lauren’s Kids, whose chairperson is prominent lobbyist Ron Book, the senator’s father, has in a just few years become one of the Legislature’s most favored private charities. Since 2012, Lauren’s Kids has bagged more than $10 million in taxpayer-funded grants.

Georgia – Judge Tosses Commissioner Tommy Hunter’s Legal Challenge to Ethics Punishment
Gwinnett Daily Post – Curt Yeomans | Published: 6/28/2017

The ongoing saga involving Gwinnett County Commissioner Tommy Hunter and his comments on Facebook took a new turn when a judge threw out his legal challenge to the ethics board that recommended his reprimand. Superior Court Judge Melodie Snell Conner’s ruling was a blow to the Hunter camp’s assertion that the ethics complaint filed against him by Atlanta resident Nancie Turner and, indeed, the county’s entire ethics process was unconstitutional. Hunter’s social media comments included calling U.S. Rep. John Lewis a “racist pig” and referring to Democrats as “Demonrats” and “Libtards,” and quickly led to protests at commission meetings.

Illinois – Emanuel Hints at Ethics Law Rewrite After Lobbying Violations Found in His Emails
Chicago Tribune – Bill Ruthhart | Published: 6/28/2017

Mayor Rahm Emanuel accused the Chicago Board of Ethics of turning “average citizens” into lobbyists in its haste to bolster its image as a strong watchdog. Emanuel weighed in on the controversy after the board found that his close friend and campaign donor Jim Abrams, as well as the husband of Ald. Sophia King, were lobbying the mayor through his private emails but failed to register as lobbyists. “We cannot collapse a lobbyist and a citizen, and that’s what’s happened,” said Emanuel, who did not say whether he would seek to change the law himself. “What has happened here, in the interest of reform, we have lost our perspective.”

New Mexico – State Ethics Panel Is a Work in Progress
Albuquerque Journal – Dan Boyd | Published: 6/21/2017

New Mexico lawmakers approved the creation of an independent ethics commission during this year’s legislative session, but there is still much unsettled about how the body would function, even if it is approved by voters next year. That is because what lawmakers approved during the was essentially the framework for an ethics commission, with the assumption specific powers and procedures would be set at a later date. The approach has raised concern among some advocacy groups, who are pushing lawmakers to start talking details in interim legislative committee hearings this summer and fall.

Pennsylvania – Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams Pleads Guilty in His Federal Corruption Trial
Philadelphia Inquirer – Jeremy Roebuck | Published: 6/29/2017

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams pleaded guilty to a corruption charge, resigned from office, and was sent immediately to jail. Williams pleaded guilty to a single count of accepting a bribe from a businessperson in exchange for legal favors. The move came after weeks of damaging testimony against Williams at his federal trial. He was also charged with fraudulently using thousands of dollars from his campaign fund for personal expenses, misusing city vehicles, and misappropriating money intended to fund his mother’s nursing home care. Before he was indicted, Williams was fined $62,000 by the city ethics board, its largest fine ever, for accepting improper gifts.

Vermont – Feds Looking into Jane Sanders Over Real Estate Deal
Burlington Free Press – Wilson Ring (Associated Press) | Published: 6/26/2017

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and his wife, Jane Sanders, have hired prominent defense attorneys amid an FBI investigation into a loan she obtained to expand Burlington College while she was its president. A complaint accuses Jane Sanders of distorting donor levels in a 2010 loan application for $10 million to purchase 33 acres of land for the institution. Prosecutors might also be looking into allegations that Sen. Sanders’ office inappropriately urged the bank to approve the loan.

Washington – Lawsuit Challenges Seattle Campaign-Contribution Vouchers
Minneapolis Star Tribune – Gene Johnson (Associated Press) | Published: 6/28/2017

The Pacific Legal Foundation is suing Seattle over its new “democracy voucher” program for publicly funded political campaigns, which was passed by voters in 2015 and is being used for the first time in this year’s city council races. Under the program, Seattle’s voters decided to tax themselves $3 million a year in exchange for four $25 vouchers they can sign over to candidates. Supporters say it is a novel way to counter the effect of big money in politics and to help lesser-known candidates communicate their views. But the lawsuit says it forces people to pay taxes to support candidates they do not necessarily agree with in violation of their free-speech rights.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

On June 27, the San Jose City Council voted unanimously to reject an ordinance changing San Jose’s gift ordinance to increase the gift limit from $50 to $470.

The council approved the measure in its first vote last week, but reversed course after urging from Mayor Sam Liccardo and the public to reject the ordinance.

The $50 gift limit will remain in place; however, the council will consider raising the gift limit to $250 in August.

The council also voted to approve an ordinance to amend lobbying reporting requirements. Effective July 27, 2017, lobbyists will be required to file a report with the city clerk each week they engage in lobbying activity in the city.

Although the ordinance becomes effective 30 days after adoption, fines for failure to file weekly lobbyist reports will be suspended as a grace period until July 1, 2018.