National:

How Bob McDonnell’s Case Might Help Others Accused of Public Corruption
Washington Post – Matt Zapotosky | Published: 1/29/2016

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell was rightly convicted of corruption for his efforts on behalf of a businessperson who bestowed money and gifts on the governor and his family. Experts said if the court overturns the conviction, it could narrow what is considered criminal public corruption and halt investigations of politicians across the country. The McDonnell case strikes at the core issue of when, and to what extent, money should be allowed to influence politics. The justices are essentially being asked to clarify the line between a public official legally performing a routine courtesy for a benefactor, and a politician corruptly using government power in exchange for a bribe.

State Integrity Investigation Spurs Proposals for Reform
Center for Public Integrity – Nicholas Kusnetz | Published: 1/29/2016

Many states are proposing ethics reform this year, in part because of the State Integrity Investigation, an evaluation of state government accountability and transparency, published by the Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity. The best score, a grade of “C,” went to Alaska, while 11 states received failing grades. The project found that in most states, ethics and open records laws are riddled with loopholes while the government agencies meant to enforce them are often toothless and underfunded. Many states that earned poor grades could see improvement if the new proposals are enacted.

Will Online Polls Revolutionize Elections?
Governing – Louis Jacobson | Published: 2/1/2016

Most public-opinion surveys are conducted by phone, with pollsters calling a large enough sample of the population to ensure a statistically valid survey. To do this, pollsters have had to expand their reach to cellphone users, which adds to the already considerable operational costs of survey work. Pollsters have also had to grapple with the reality that many Americans no longer want to pick up calls from an unfamiliar phone number, much less spend 20 minutes sharing their personal opinions with a stranger (or a computer) on the other end of the line. Because of these trends, some polling has moved online. Still, this shift brings with it a series of other challenges, notably the fact that a fraction of Americans remain offline. That is where The American Panel Survey comes in.

Federal:

Kool & the Gang Won’t Celebrate Republican National Convention
Center for Public Integrity – Carrie Levine | Published: 1/28/2016

Regardless of which presidential candidates win their parties’ nominations, partisan operatives view national conventions as prime networking opportunities. Corporate-and-lobbyist-sponsored events that happen alongside the conventions are classic venues for politicians and influencers to connect. Congress passed reform legislation that in part attempted to curb the convention-related mingling between lawmakers and the corporations and lobbyists that advocate before them. Still, there are loopholes that have allowed the parties to continue. Because of them, convention attendees, especially members of Congress, continue to have their pick of functions tailored to comply with the law.

Lobbying’s Top 50: Boeing, Amazon on the rise
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 2/3/2016

An elite group of 50 companies and trade associations spent a combined $714 million to lobby Washington in 2015. The total represents a quarter of all the money spent on federal advocacy, and it includes some of the biggest names in corporate America, including Boeing, Exxon Mobil, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. The total does not purely encompass lobbying. Several groups, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Realtors, notably, included campaign and political spending in their totals. Still, a look at the top 50 provides a snapshot of where lobbying dollars went in 2015, with many corporate interests significantly boosting their spending in response to legislative and regulatory battles.

N.R.A. Victories in Congress Grow with Chief Lobbyist’s Role
New York Times – Eric Lichtblau | Published: 1/28/2016

Chris Cox, the National Rifle Association’s chief lobbyist, has emerged as the group’s point man in pushing to defeat new gun control laws, expand existing gun rights measures, and gain even more lobbying clout for an organization he calls “the greatest political force in America.” He has also been instrumental in working on one of the association’s biggest political priorities this year: defeating Hillary Clinton in her bid for the White House. Cox leads the NRA’s PAC, which took in $31.3 million in the last three years to dole out on gun rights candidates and causes, and he is the ultimate arbiter of the coveted “grades” the group gives political candidates, which can make or break a campaign.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – San Jose Mayor Cancels Calls with His ‘Kitchen Cabinet’
San Jose Mercury News – Ramona Girwagis | Published: 2/3/2016

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo will no longer hold weekend calls with his “kitchen cabinet” after the hidden Saturday conversations with advisers and lobbyists were reported in the media. While it is not unusual for mayors to chat with a cabinet of close advisers, Liccardo’s group drew some criticism for being mostly white, male, and business-oriented and including two registered lobbyists who have lucrative projects before the city council.

Iowa – Cruz Edges Trump in Iowa Caucuses; Rubio Finishes Strong Third
Washington Post – Philip Rucker and Jenna Johnson | Published: 2/1/2016

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, powered by a surge of support from evangelical Christians, dealt a humbling loss to Donald Trump in the Iowa caucuses, throwing into question the depth of support for Trump’s unconventional candidacy.  In the first contest of what so far has been more a populist revolt against the political order than a traditional Republican primary, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio finished a strong third, bolstering his case to consolidate the support of Republicans uneasy about the two top finishers.

Iowa – Iowa Count: Clinton nudges past Sanders in photo-finish race
Washington Post – Anne Gearan and John Wagner | Published: 2/2/2016

Hillary Clinton eked out a win over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Iowa caucuses, but the razor-thin margin suggested the Democratic contest is headed toward a protracted wrestling match between its progressive and pragmatic wings. The virtual tie between the two candidates instantly raised the stakes for their next face-off, in the New Hampshire primary. Sanders holds a solid lead in polls there and has the advantage of being from Vermont; candidates from neighboring states have won the state’s primary in recent decades. Nevada holds its Democratic caucuses on February 20 and the South Carolina Democratic primary is a week later and Clinton could fare better in those more diverse electorates.

Michigan – Amid the Flint Water Crisis, Journalists Are Calling for Changes to Michigan’s FOIA Law
Poynter.org – Annie Byrnes | Published: 2/2/2016

Under fire for his administration’s role in Flint’s lead-tainted water emergency, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder released his government emails related to the crisis. But Snyder withheld the emails of everyone else in the 70-person executive office along with his own emails from his first three years in office. Also left out were an unknown number of messages the public sent to the governor’s office about Flint through the state website and his staff’s responses. Michigan is one of only two states that exclude the governor’s office from public records searches. In the absence of those emails, it is still unclear when and to what extent the Snyder administration was involved in and aware of the decision to switch water sources and the resulting public health emergency.

New Mexico – Report: Perceptions of cronyism hurt state’s bottom line
NMPolitics.net – Bruce Krasnow (Santa Fe New Mexico) | Published: 1/28/2016

A new report says the perception in New Mexico that moneyed interests gain more advantage through lobbying and tax subsidies is a subtle but negative factor as businesses decide where to expand or relocate. “No question that education and infrastructure and things like broadband matter, but corruption and cronyism matter as well,” said Michael Rocca, a political scientist at the University of New Mexico. To curb cronyism in the state, the report suggests three changes that are already under consideration: a statewide ethics commission, greater transparency in campaign financing and lobbying, and a more detailed review of tax breaks given to businesses.

New York – Does Lobbying Involve Social Media Activity? New York Regulators Are Looking Into It
PRWeek – Dipka Bhambhani | Published: 2/4/2016

The New York Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) posted a solicitation for comments from the public on the extent to which social media activity could be considered lobbying. JCOPE is planning to accept feedback until February 19 when it will draft a proposal that could establish guidelines on the issue. Among the questions, JCOPE asked if communications must be made directly to a public official, such as via his or her social media pages, to be considered lobbying. JCOPE is also considering whether posts or tweets with hyperlinks to lobbying websites are reportable activity, and whether social media expenditures can be considered expenses under the lobbying law.

Tennessee – Tennessean Investigation Finds Inappropriate Text Messages
The Tennessean – Dave Boucher and Jill Cowan | Published: 1/24/2016

The Tennessean has been investigating inappropriate text messages from Tennessee House Majority Whip Jeremy Durham to three women who worked at the statehouse. Republican leaders were told of a potential sexual harassment complaint about Durham’s behavior about a week before an unprecedented GOP caucus meeting to decide the fate of his leadership role, but the specific concerns were never disclosed to his fellow legislators. The incidents point to a legislative sexual harassment policy experts have said is mired in secrecy and contributes to an environment where sexual harassment by the state’s elected leaders can go essentially unchecked.

Texas – As Ethics Panel Bars Guns in Meetings, Others Not So Lucky
Houston Chronicle – Lauren McGaughy | Published: 2/1/2016

The Texas Ethics Commission will ban guns from their meetings. State law allows those with a license to carry holstered handguns into the Capitol in Austin. The guns can be carried openly or concealed. But another state law allows governmental entities that hold certain public meetings to ban guns from their gatherings by posting signs to that effect. Texas Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw said the state House and Senate are also subject to these same open meetings laws, and therefore have the power to ban open and concealed carry in the gallery that overlooks the chambers and at legislative hearings. Before the open carry law went into effect on January 1, the Senate allowed concealed carry in its gallery and hearings.

Utah – Registered Lobbyists Outnumber Utah Lawmakers by More than 4 to 1
Salt Lake Tribune – Mariah Noble | Published: 2/1/2016

There are 441 lobbyist registered in Utah, more than four for every one of the 104 state legislators. While a number of the registered lobbyists never make an appearance on Capitol Hill, some represent as many as 50 client organizations. “We’re an integral part of democracy,” said lobbyist Frank Pignanelli. “Elections are obviously the first and foremost key element, but for individuals and companies and organizations to have their interests represented in the law and policy-making process is absolutely imperative.”

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.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics will be hosting a roundtable discussion on February 12^th on proposed guidance on the topic of social media activities and whether certain activities are considered lobbying under the New York Lobbying Act. JCOPE has extended the comment period through February 19^th.

The original comment period ran through January 11^th, and involved input regarding when social media activity constitutes reportable lobbying activity in terms of direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying, and linking to a lobbying website.

The commission is also seeking input on whether expenditures made in connection with social media activity could be considered “expenses” under the Lobbying Act.

Lobbying

“Lobbying’s Top 50: Boeing, Amazon on the rise” by Megan Wilson for The Hill

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “Political Groups That Supported Walker Violated Law, Settlement Says” by Alex DeMarban for Alaska Dispatch

Arizona: “Court Ruling Intensifies Ariz. ‘Dark Money’ Battle” by Mary Jo Pitzl for Arizona Republic

Florida: “Miami-Dade Commissioners Resist Greater PAC Disclosures” by Michael Vasquez for Miami Herald

Ethics

New Mexico: “Despite Concerns, Ethics Commission Heads to House Floor” by Joey Peters for New Mexico Political Report

Pennsylvania: “FBI Probe Expands to Lehigh County” by Emily Opilo and Tom Shortell for Allentown Morning Call

Texas: “As Ethics Panel Bars Guns in Meetings, Others Not So Lucky” by Lauren McGaughy for Houston Chronicle

Elections

“Will Online Polls Revolutionize Elections?” by Louis Jacobson for Governing

“Rand Paul Drops Out of Presidential Race” by Ashley Parker for New York Times

Procurement

“Businesses Owned by Women Less Likely to Win U.S. Contracts, Study Shows” by Jackie Calmes for New York Times

The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has proposed an amendment to lobbying regulations with the goal of clarifying the “ride along” exception to the definition of direct communication for registration.

The proposed amendment limits the ride along exception to employees of the lobbyist employer who participate in the meeting or communication only as a subject matter expert.

The proposed amendment will be considered at a public hearing on March 17, 2016.

On January 28, legislation was introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly to repeal the state’s current lobbying law and replace it with a new system of lobbyist regulation. The Rhode Island Lobbying Reform Act, H7388, creates one set of rules for lobbying both the executive and legislative branches of state government. Additional changes include increases in fines, redefinitions of lobbying, lobbyists, and compensation, and allowing the Secretary of State to have subpoena power to investigate violations.

If passed, the law would take effect on January 1, 2017.

Lobbying

New York: “JCOPE’s Overreaching Rule Violates First Amendment” by Tom Shanahan for Albany Times Union

Utah: “Registered Lobbyists Outnumber Utah Lawmakers by More than 4 to 1” by Mariah Noble for Salt Lake Tribune

Campaign Finance

“Hillary Clinton’s Women Donors Could Change Politics Forever” by Li Zhou for The Atlantic

Arizona: “Arizona Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Kill Clean Elections” by Ryan Van Velzer (Associated Press) for Washington Times

District of Columbia: “D.C. Audit Reopens Questions about Vincent Gray’s 2010 Election Campaign” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post

Ethics

Pennsylvania: “Former Reading Official Gets 2 Years in Bribery Case” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer

Elections

“Martin O’Malley to Drop Out After Finish in Iowa Vote” by Ashley Parker for New York Times

“Cruz Edges Trump in Iowa Caucuses; Rubio Finishes Strong Third” by Philip Rucker and Jenna Johnson for Washington Post

“Iowa Count: Clinton nudges past Sanders in photo-finish race” by Anne Gearan and John Wagner for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

Kansas: “Kansas Sen. Mitch Holmes Apologizes for Women’s Dress Code” by Dani Stewart for CNN

North Carolina: “NC Lawmakers’ Government Staffers Double as Campaign Workers” by Colin Campbell for Raleigh News & Observer

Lobbying

“Kool & the Gang Won’t Celebrate Republican National Convention” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity

Pennsylvania: “Lehigh Valley Zoological Society Faces $3,400 Fine over Late Lobbying Report” by Tom Shortell for Allentown Morning Call

Campaign Finance

“Bernie Sanders Tops His Rivals in Use of Outside Money” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times

Arizona: “Utility Regulator Robert Burns Launches Investigation of APS Political Spending” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic

Texas: “Ethics Commission Fails to Approve Out-of-State Donations to Help Ken Paxton Pay His Legal Costs” by Bobby Blanchard for Dallas Morning News

Washington: “Union Settles Over Campaign Finance Omissions” by Jordan Schrader (Tacoma News Tribune) for The Olympian

Ethics

“How Bob McDonnell’s Case Might Help Others Accused of Public Corruption” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post

“U.S. Navy Commander Pleads Guilty in Corruption Scandal” by Marty Graham for Reuters

Tennessee: “Tennessean Investigation Finds Inappropriate Text Messages” by Dave Boucher and Jill Cowan for The Tennessean

Virginia: “Alexandria Council Agrees to Study Ethics Its Own Way” by Patricia Sullivan for Washington Post

Elections

“Cruz Edges Trump in Iowa Caucuses; Rubio Finishes Strong Third” by Philip Rucker and Jenna Johnson for Washington Post

“Little Separates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton in Tight Race in Iowa” by Patrick Healy for New York Times

Lobbying

“N.R.A. Victories in Congress Grow with Chief Lobbyist’s Role” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times

Campaign Finance

“Dark Money Dominates Political Ad Spending” by William Allison for Bloomberg Politics

Pennsylvania: “Allentown Parking Authority Subpoenaed in FBI Probe” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call

Ethics

“State Integrity Investigation Spurs Proposals for Reform” by Nicholas Kusnetz for Center for Public Integrity

New Mexico: “Report: Perceptions of cronyism hurt state’s bottom line” by Bruce Krasnow (Santa Fe New Mexico) for New Mexico In Depth

Rhode Island: “Vincent ‘Buddy’ Cianci, 1941-2016” by Tom Mooney for Providence Journal

Vermont: “Sorrell Sees Issues with Scope, Details of State Ethics Board” by Mark Johnson for VTDigger.org

Virginia: “Alexandria Mayor Pushes for Expanded Ethics Rules for Officials” by Patricia Sullivan for Washington Post

Elections

“Clinton Foundation on Collision Course with Campaign” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico

“Ben Carson’s Campaign Beset with Frustration, Disappointment and Grief” by Alan Rappeport for New York Times

National:

Report Links Violence, Tyranny and Corruption
USA Today – Oren Dorell | Published: 1/26/2016

Transparency International published its annual survey measuring how much corruption is perceived to exist in the public sector. The 2015 results are in many ways predictable. Denmark came out on top for the second year running, and the other Nordic countries also did well. Somalia and North Korea were tied for last place, and war-torn states, such as Afghanistan and Sudan fared dismally. The best performing countries share a wide array of characteristics. They are open, liberal democracies with a free press. They embrace the notion of transparency, have independent judiciaries, and all support long-held assumptions about increased accountability leading to lower levels of corruption.

Trade Groups to Top Corporations: Resist political disclosure
Center for Public Integrity – Dave Levinthal | Published: 1/27/2016

The leaders of three of the nation’s leading trade associations sent a letter to their members urging them to resist demands to disclose more details about their political spending. The leaders reserved particular criticism for the Center for Political Accountability and the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics, which published an index ranking large companies on their political disclosure practices and policies. Such politically active nonprofit groups sometimes directly advocate for and against political candidates and may spend into the millions of dollars to do so.

Wounded Warrior Project Spends Lavishly on Itself, Insiders Say
New York Times – Dave Philipps | Published: 1/27/2016

The Wounded Warriors Project, the country’s largest and fastest-growing veterans charity, offers programs to help veterans readjust to society, attend school, find work, and participate in athletics. But in its swift rise, it has also embraced aggressive styles of fundraising, marketing, and personnel management that have many current and former employees questioning whether it has drifted from its mission. It has spent millions of dollars a year on travel, dinners, hotels, and conferences that often seemed more lavish than appropriate, more than four dozen current and former employees said in interviews. The organization has also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent years on public relations and lobbying campaigns to deflect criticism of its spending and to fight legislative efforts to restrict how much nonprofits spend on overhead.

Federal:

Companies Worry Trump-Led Convention Could Hurt Brands
Politico – Anna Palmer | Published: 1/28/2016

Companies are starting to question whether associating with a Donald Trump-led Republican National Convention in Cleveland this summer could hurt their reputations. Company representatives and association heads have already begun meeting with their consultants about whether they should rethink their convention plans if Trump wins the GOP nomination. Several Republican lobbyists and consultants said there is concern that associating with Trump, given some of his inflammatory comments about women and minorities, could turn off customers and damage corporate brands.

Court Rejects Push for Stricter Disclosure on Super PAC Ads
Politico – Josh Gerstein | Published: 1/21/2016

A federal appeals court dealt a setback to campaign finance reform advocates in a ruling about who pays for political ads. The ruling upheld an FEC regulation that narrows disclosure requirements for corporations and labor groups paying for ads that run close to Election Day. The regulation says groups running the ads only have to reveal donors who contribute for the express purpose of paying for the ads. That means donors who choose not to say how they want their money used can remain anonymous. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reversed a lower court decision that threw out the regulation last year. Judge Janice Rogers Brown said just because one of the purposes of campaign reform laws was broader disclosure “doesn’t mean that anything less than maximal disclosure is subversive,” the judge said.

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders Battle for Party’s Future
New York Times – Patrick Healy | Published: 1/24/2016

The race between Hillary Clinton and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders for the Democratic presidential nomination has intensified into a battle over their vastly different visions for the party. Sanders, a New Deal-style liberal, argues that only muscular government action – Wall Street regulations, public works jobs, Medicare for all – will topple America’s “rigged” economy. Clinton, a mainstream Democrat, has started contrasting herself with Sanders by championing a “sensible, achievable agenda” and promising to build on President Obama’s legacy in health care, the economy, and national security. Many Democrats are torn about whether Sanders’ liberalism, or Clinton’s pragmatism, will be enough to win a general election.

From the States and Municipalities:

Colorado – Critics: Colorado ‘outsourced’ campaign finance enforcement
ABC News – Dan Elliot (Associated Press) | Published: 1/26/2016

Colorado’s system of enforcing campaign finance rules is under fire from all sides. In many states, a campaign practices panel decides whether to prosecute spending violations. But Colorado’s constitution requires every complaint to be referred to an administrative law judge who can convene a trial-like process. Some critics say it allows anybody with a grudge to drag someone else into a costly legal battle. Others say the state is neglecting its duty to enforce the laws and instead leaving it up to members of the public. A lawsuit was filed in federal court challenging the system as unconstitutional. The lawsuit says the system suppresses free speech by discouraging people from speaking out.

Florida – Ethics Commission Opines on Romance
Tallahassee Democrat – Jeff Burlew | Published: 1/22/2016

Leon County School Board member Alva Striplin asked the Florida Commission on Ethics for an advisory opinion involving her relationship with George Smith, whose firm, Bryant Miller Olive, has provided bond counsel to the district for many years. Specifically, Striplin asked whether she would run afoul of the gift law if she and Smith traveled together and split expenses or exchanged Christmas and birthday gifts. Florida’s gift law bars public officials from soliciting any gift from a vendor or lobbyist doing business with the official’s agency. Commission staff said Striplin may not solicit any gift from Smith or his firm and cannot accept any gift from him or his firm over $100. The couple can, however, equally split the cost of travel, meals, lodging, or entertainment. Commissioners voted unanimously to affirm the staff opinion.

Florida – Florida Legislators’ Visit to Alabama Casino Is Legal, but Perception Problem Persists
Florida Times Union – Tia Mitchell | Published: 1/23/2016

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians paid for a trip to the Wind Creek Casino & Hotel in Atmore, Alabama for five Florida lawmakers. They met with tribal leaders to discuss the tribe’s vision for a casino in rural North Florida. Beyond the debate over gambling, the trip to Alabama is an example of the legal but criticized practice of lawmakers classifying as campaign-related expenses things of value they receive from special-interest groups. They are prohibited by the state gift ban from accepting trips and gifts from lobbyists. The ability to classify trips and meals as in-kind campaign expenses is largely considered a work-around to the 2006 ethics law.

Illinois – Jury Convicts Ex-Chicago Official in Red-Light Camera Case
ABC News; Associated Press –   | Published: 1/26/2016

John Bills, the former second-in-command at Chicago’s Department of Transportation, was convicted on 20 counts of corruption for taking up to $2 million in bribes to steer $100 million in red-light camera contracts to Redflex Traffic Systems. Prosecutors detailed cash, hotels stays, golf trips, an Arizona condominium, and a Mercedes given to Bills for his efforts. Mayor Rahm Emanuel canceled Redflex’s contract in 2013 following reports of the alleged bribery scheme. Bills retired from his job as the city’s managing deputy commissioner of transportation in 2011, and he was charged in 2014.

Kansas – Senate Chairman’s Rules Block Female Witnesses in Revealing Attire
Topeka Capital-Journal – Tim Carpenter | Published: 1/21/2016

Kansas Sen. Mitch Holmes imposed a dress code for those testifying before his committee that prohibits women from wearing certain clothing while establishing no wardrobe restrictions exclusively for men. A rule of Holmes’ 11-point code of conduct says “low-cut necklines and miniskirts” are inappropriate for women. Holmes said he offered detailed guidance to women because he had observed provocatively clad women at the Capitol. He says it is a distraction to the panel during testimony. Holmes is and chairperson of the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee.

Maryland – In Md., Officials Are Notified When Someone Checks Their Financial Filings
Washington Post – Fenit Nirappil | Published: 1/23/2016

Public officials in Maryland must file reports spelling out their sources­ of income, property holdings, and business relationships. State law makes these reports available to the public as a safeguard against government officials abusing their power in an effort to enrich themselves. But unlike dozens of other states, Maryland agencies email officials every time a person looks at their disclosure forms. The notifications include the name and home address of the person conducting the search. Senate Minority Leader J.B. Jennings conceded that people may be nervous to look at ethics filings because their names will be reported to public officials. But he defended the system. “It’s a courtesy,” Jennings said. “Everyone wants to know every time someone is doing an investigation into them.”

New York – Albany Ethics Commission Adopts New Fund-Raising and Disclosure Rules
New York Times – Jesse McKinley | Published: 1/26/2016

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) approved an advisory opinion that expands the definition of lobbying to include public relations consultants. At issue is the rise in public relations campaigns, often called grassroots lobbying, which seek to influence policymaking. These activities are not regulated by traditional lobbying laws because they do not include the direct interaction of a lobbyist with a government official. A consultant setting up or attending a lobbying meeting with a public official, even if they do not directly lobby themselves, is lobbying under the opinion, for example. JCOPE also approved an opinion that says no statewide elected official, including the comptroller or the attorney general, would be allowed to accept or solicit campaign contributions from any person or group that is under investigation or embroiled in a legal battle with its offices.

North Carolina – Trial to Start in Lawsuit over North Carolina’s Voter-ID Law
Washington Post – Sari Horwitz | Published: 1/24/2016

North Carolina’s photo-ID rules, part of one of the strictest voting laws in the country, will go on trial in the first battle over the ballot this presidential year. The ID requirements, set to be used in the March presidential primary, were included in a bill passed by North Carolina’s Legislature that also reduced the number of days of early voting, prohibited people from registering and voting on the same day, stopped ballots cast in the wrong precinct from being counted, and ended the practice of preregistering teenagers before they turned 18. Republican lawmakers say they imposed the new restrictions to combat voter fraud and to preserve the integrity of the voting system. The Rev. William J. Barber II, president of the North Carolina NAACP, which sued the state, called the law an “immoral and unconstitutional burden on voters.”

Virginia – Luxury Box Gifts Still Kosher for Virginia Public Officials
Connecticut Post – Alan Suderman (Associated Press) | Published: 1/21/2016

A top official of Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s administration accepted an invitation from the Washington Redskins to watch a playoff game from one of the team’s luxury boxes, the kind of gift that lawmakers said should not be allowed under a new ethics law the General Assembly passed last year. Staff from a newly empowered ethics council gave approval for members of McAuliffe’s administration to accept an invitation from the team to watch the game. The team has been in active negotiations with state officials over possibly moving out of its current stadium in Maryland and building a new one in Virginia.

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.

Lobbying

Missouri: “Lobbying Gift Ban Approved in House” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Campaign Finance

“Trade Groups to Top Corporations: Resist political disclosure” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

Colorado: “Critics: Colorado ‘outsourced’ campaign finance enforcement” by Dan Elliot (Associated Press) for ABC News

Michigan: “Group Sues over New Limits on Promoting Ballot Issues” by Lori Higgins for Detroit Free Press

Ethics

“Report Links Violence, Tyranny and Corruption” by Oren Dorell for USA Today

Ohio: “Convention Center Manager Fired After Ties to Vendor Are Discovered” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Oregon: “Legislature to Adopt Transparency Rules” by Gordon Friedman for Salem Statesman-Journal

Elections

“What Voters Want” by Emma Roller for New York Times

Legislative Issues

Missouri: “Missouri Lawmaker Accuses Colleague of Starting Fight Outside Bar” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics has released an Advisory Opinion regarding what constitutes lobbying activity when it comes to political consultants and grassroots communications. Advisory Opinion 16-01 requires public relations consultants to register their efforts to influence government through public campaigns, which includes any contact with editorial boards aimed at publishing communications involving a political issue.

The Advisory Opinion is meant to encompass grassroots communications, an action the public relations community is calling an unconstitutional restraint on free speech. With the Opinion taking effect, grassroots communication is considered lobbying if it references, suggests, or otherwise implicates activity covered by the Lobbying act; takes a clear position on the issue in question; or is an attempt to influence a public official through a call to action. If a consultant had control over the delivery of the message and had input into its content, registration and reporting will now be required.

Lobbying

Alaska: “Panel Says Lunch and Learn Events Could Raise Ethical” by Rashah McChesney (Associated Press) for Connecticut Post

Florida: “Florida Legislators’ Visit to Alabama Casino Is Legal, but Perception Problem Persists” by Tia Mitchell for Florida Times Union

New York: “NY Attorney General Links Lobbying Data on Public Website” by The Associated Press for Albany Times Union

New York: “JCOPE: Consultant contact with editorial boards must be disclosed” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance

Ohio: “Cleveland City Council President Proposes Increased Caps for Campaign Contributions” by Leila Atassi for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Ethics

Illinois: “Jury Convicts Ex-Chicago Official in Red-Light Camera Case” by The Associated Press for ABC News

Missouri: “Lobbyist Gift Ban Advances in Capitol” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

New York: “2 Offices Won’t Investigate New York Constitutional Amendment on Adirondack Mining” by Susanne Craig for New York Times

Elections

“Ben & Jerry’s Founder Unveils New ‘Bernie’s Yearning’ Ice Cream Flavor” by Nick Gass and Kenneth Vogel for Politico

Legislative Issues

Washington: “Sen. Pam Roach Booted Off Sex-Trafficking Panel for ‘Victim-Blaming,’ Other Insults” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Lobbying

Florida: “Ethics Commission Opines on Romance” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat

Campaign Finance

California: “3 Former Fundraisers for Mayor Ed Lee Charged With Bribery, Money Laundering” by John Shutt and Rebecca Bowe for KQED

California: “Federal Investigators Focus on Small Campaign Donations to L.A. Councilwoman Nury Martinez” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

New Jersey: “Firm Withdraws Contract with Jersey City amid Pay-to-Play Allegations” by Terence McDonald (Jersey Journal) for Newark Star-Ledger

New York: “Schneiderman: JCOPE rule would unfairly target AG, comptroller” by Colby Hamilton for Capital New York

Vermont: “Investigator Clears Sorrell of Campaign Finance Allegations” by Mark Johnson for VTDigger.org

Ethics

Maryland: “In Md., Officials Are Notified When Someone Checks Their Financial Filings” by Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post

Virginia: “Luxury Box Gifts Still Kosher for Virginia Public Officials” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) for Connecticut Post

Elections

“Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders Battle for Party’s Future” by Patrick Healy for New York Times

North Carolina: “Trial to Start in Lawsuit over North Carolina’s Voter-ID Law” by Sari Horwitz for Washington Post

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has announced the release of a new website which will contain information regarding lobbyist disclosures, and will match them up with specific pieces of proposed and passed legislation. The website, designed to promote the public’s right to know about decision making within the state government, will also link with the Joint Commission on Public Ethics lobbyist filings.

Data included on the website will relate to campaign financing, lobbying, charities, state contracts, legislator grants, corporate registrations, and elected officials. The website is available at http://www.NYOpenGovernment.com.