National:

General Dynamics to No Longer Contribute to Political Organizations

Washington Business Journal – Jill Aitoro | Published: 4/22/2014

General Dynamics announced it will no longer make contributions to political organizations or nonprofit groups that in turn give to campaigns. The decision comes in response to a shareholder proposal that requests that the company’s board of directors authorize an annual report disclosing lobbying policy and procedures, and membership in and payments to tax-exempt organizations that write and endorse model legislation.

Political Attack Ads, Often Negative, Try Instead to Accentuate the Positive

New York Times – Ashley Parker | Published: 4/17/2014

Some of the best-known super PACs and outside political groups are making an effort to cast the candidates they support in an appealing way instead of solely attacking opponents. Already this year, 16 percent of Americans for Prosperity’s spots have been positive; in 2012, the group did not run a single one. The shift is the product of several factors, such as the renewed hope that positive commercials can break through the advertising clutter and the increasing prevalence of stock footage made public by campaigns that makes producing positive ads easier.

Federal:

Following Sebelius Phone Call, Foundation Donated $13M to Obamacare Outreach Group, Report Says

Washington Post – Jason Millman | Published: 4/21/2014

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius last year approached five organizations seeking money or technical help for Enroll America, a nonprofit working to increase participation in the federal health law, according to a review by the Government Accountability Office. Republicans had criticized Sebelius for making a funding request to outside groups, while the Obama administration defended the action, contending Congress refused to provide enough funding for Affordable Care Act outreach.

Justice Stevens Suggests Solution for ‘Giant Step in the Wrong Direction’

New York Times – Adam Liptak | Published: 4/21/2014

Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens said the court had made a disastrous wrong turn in its recent string of campaign finance rulings. In an interview with The New York Times, Stevens talked about what he called a telling flaw in the opening sentence of the ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, and filled in some new details about the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that led to the Citizens United decision.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – Ethics Panel Wants More Public Funding Available to Candidates

Los Angeles Times – Soumya Karlamangla | Published: 4/17/2014

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission recommended the city’s public campaign finance program increase the matching funds available to candidates. The commission also announced it would no longer enforce aggregate contribution limits on individuals giving to city and school board candidates as a result of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. City caps on what donors can give to individual candidates will remain in effect. Those range from $700 to $1,300 per election, depending on the office.

Connecticut – DGA Challenges Connecticut’s Campaign Finance Restrictions

Connecticut Mirror – Mark Pazniokas | Published: 4/23/2014

The Democratic Governors’ Association sued the state of Connecticut, saying its laws on political spending are unconstitutionally broad and limit the ability of political groups to buy independent ads backing candidates. The lawsuit said the state unfairly treats independent money spent on ads and other political messages by the national group as contributions to particular candidates, and thus subject to campaign finance limits.

Missouri – Missouri Lawmakers Take Trips to Israel, California, New Orleans – On the Lobbyists’ Dime

St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kevin McDermott | Published: 4/21/2014

Industry and special interest groups spent more than $200,000 in the last three years on trips for Missouri lawmakers, according to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Records show the travel-related spending in many cases included airline tickets, hotel rooms, meals, and convention fees. While lobbyist spending is legal in Missouri, critics say the practice can create conflicts-of-interest when legislators vote on important issues. Defenders of lobbyist spending say paying for trips that provide lawmakers with valuable information is not the same as plying legislators with perks.

New York – Judge Strikes Down NY Limits on Donations to ‘Super PACs’

Reuters – Joseph Ax | Published: 4/24/2014

U.S. District Court Judge Paul Crotty struck down New York’s limits on donations to independent PACs as unconstitutional. The judge said the statutes could not survive First Amendment scrutiny in light of recent landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have lessened restrictions on political donors. Under Crotty’s ruling, super PACs can now raise unlimited funds, though committees that coordinate with parties or candidates are still subject to limits.

North Carolina – Feds Eye Ex-Mayor Cannon’s Campaign in Charlotte Corruption Probe

Charlotte Observer – Fred Clasen-Kelly and Ames Alexander | Published: 4/12/2014

As the FBI builds its public corruption case against former Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon, investigators are taking a close look at campaign finance records he filed with the Mecklenburg County elections board. But a Charlotte Observer review of Cannon’s campaign records since 1999 found reports with misleading, inaccurate, and missing information that makes it difficult to tell where he got much of his money.

Ohio – Lobbyists Could Spend More on Ohio Lawmakers under Proposed Legislation Billed as Ethics Reform

Cleveland Plain Dealer – Jeremy Pelzer (Northeast Ohio Media Group) | Published: 4/23/2014

New legislation, if enacted, would make the most significant changes to Ohio’s ethics rules in two decades. Lobbyists would get to spend twice as much on lawmakers and disclose fewer expenses under the proposed bill. The measure, which Republican sponsors say they intend to introduce in May, also includes increased transparency and accountability measures, such as requiring random audits of public officials’ financial disclosure forms and posting all such forms online.

Pennsylvania – Pa. Legislative Sting’s First Suspects Were Caught, Not Targeted, Supporters of the Aborted Probe Say

Harrisburg Patriot-News – Charles Thomspon | Published: 4/16/2014

A legislative sting operation quashed by Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was much broader than originally described, and the undercover informant who recorded many conversations reached out to a racially diverse group of Democratic and Republican state lawmakers, lobbyists, and city officials, according to sources. Kane has argued that one reason she decided not to pursue the investigation was that there was an appearance of racially-based targeting of potential suspects.

Tennessee – Candidate is Treasurer of PAC Raising Money for Him

The Tennessean – Michael Cass | Published: 4/20/2014

Donors invited to a recent fundraiser for state House candidate Troy Brewer were told they could avoid disclosure on campaign finance reports by writing their checks to Leaders of Tennessee, a PAC Brewer serves as treasurer. Giving to a specific candidate through a PAC to mask the source of the funds is illegal, subject to a fine of up to $10,000. “You can’t use an intermediary to get around disclosure,” said Drew Rawlins, executive director of the state Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.

Lobbying

“Lobbing World” in The Hill.

“Cellphone industry picks new lobby chief” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Ronald Reagan ‘First Flack’ lobbyist Bob Gray dies” in the Washington Business Journal.

Campaign Finance

“FEC Considers Allowing Bitcoin Donations to Political Campaigns” by Dustin Volz and Alex Brown in National Journal.

“George Will: Colbert ‘Incorrigibly Wrong’ on Campaign Finance, But ‘Very Bright’” by Josh Feldman on Mediaite.

California: “Senate committee approves bills to clean up political fundraising” by Laurel Rosenhall in The Sacramento Bee.

Virginia: “Elections board moves campaign finance deadline from 5 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.” by Markus Schmidt in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Ethics

“Ethics Office: Unnamed House Member Under Investigation” by Matt Fuller in Roll Call.

New Jersey: “N.J. ethics panel to investigate top Christie appointee to Port Authority” by Pil Gregory in Newsworks.

New Jersey: “Legal fees surpass Christie’s available campaign cash” by Maddie Hanna in The Inquirer.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Buying Facebook Ads Could be a Bad Call for Agencies” by Joseph Marks in NextGov.

Oregon: “State ethics panel wants to redefine who’s a journalist in Oregon” by Harry Esteve in The Oregonian.

Ohio lawmakers plan to introduce legislation next month making significant changes to state ethics rules for the first time in decades. The bill would double the amount lobbyists can spend on gifts to lawmakers but require lobbyists and public officials to report when a lobbyist spends more than $100 per year on an official for meals, entertainment, transportation, or other gifts.

State Sen. Larry Obhof, a Republican co-sponsor of the bill, maintains a higher reporting threshold is necessary to keep lobbyists honest, as many lobbyists seek to find ways to avoid the lower threshold.

Other notable legislative provisions raise the lobbyist registration fee from $25 to $35, strengthen whistle-blower protection guidelines, allow lawmakers to remedy reporting errors, require random audits of financial disclosure statements, and make changes to procedures for ethics investigations. Bill sponsors argue the bill is intended to increase transparency and accountability.

Photo of the Ohio State Capitol courtesy of Alexander Smith on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

“K Street bounces back” by Megan R. Wilson and Peter Schroeder in The Hill.

Campaign Finance

“Justice Stevens Suggests Solution for ‘Giant Step in the Wrong Direction’” by Adam Liptak in The New York Times.

“The Bullet Democracy Dodged” by Ciara Torres-Spelliscy in the Brennan Center for Justice blog.

“Candidate-specific PACs emerge as a way to propel friends to office” by Julie Bykowicz (Bloomberg News) in the Chicago Tribune.

Alaska: “Local firms threatened with big fines for failing to report campaign contributions” by Nathaniel Herz in the Anchorage Daily News.

Michigan: “Who’s paying for all those political ads? Outside groups outspending top Michigan candidates” by Jonathan Oosting in Michigan Live.

North Carolina: “Mecklenburg County to tighten campaign finance audits” by Ames Alexander in The Charlotte Observer.

Ethics

New Jersey: “Christie campaign has spent more than $300K on bridge scandal legal fees” by Matt Friedman in The Star-Ledger.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Social Advocacy & Politics: Riding the Wave, or Social Media Transforms the Newsroom” by Alan Rosenblatt in Social Media Today.

Lobbying

“Chamber of Commerce Spends $19 Million on Lobbying in Q1” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Arizona: “The Top 5 Phoenix-area lobbying firms for 2014” by Dale Brown in the Phoenix Business Journal.

Missouri: “Missouri lawmakers take trips to Israel, California, New Orleans — on the lobbyists’ dime” by Kevin McDermott in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Missouri: “Lobbyists spent $200,000 on trips for Missouri lawmakers” by The Associated Press in The Kansas City Star.

Campaign Finance

“Krauthammer: Campaign finance conundrum is unsolvable” opinion piece by Charles Krauthammer in Newsday.

California: “California lawmakers face divisive bills, special session” by Fenit Nirappil (Associated Press) in The Sun.

California: “Ethics panel wants more public funding available to candidates” by Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times.

California: “Donnelly faces state campaign-finance investigation” by Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times.

Michigan: “Big dollar Michigan congressional races” by Charles Crumm in the Daily Tribune.

Minnesota: “Campaign finance lawsuits in Minnesota and other states take aim at contribution limits” by David Henry in MinnPost.

New Mexico: “Campaign finance reports misplaced in state database” by Sterling Fluharty in the Albuquerque Journal.

New York: “Legislators to tackle host of issues after spring break” by Joseph Spector in The Journal News.

West Virginia: “Statehouse Beat: Online campaign finance reporting system still facing problems” by Phil Kabler in Charleston Gazette.

Ethics

California: “In political scandal, good government advocates see opening for ethics, campaign finance changes” by David Siders in The Fresno Bee.

California: “Leland Yee case: Disgraced California state senator’s legislative efforts fueled cash for campaigns” by Aaron Kinney and Jessica Calefati in the San Jose Mercury News.

Indiana: “Indiana Lawmaker’s Ethics Hearing Scheduled for This Week” by The Associated Press and Rick Howlett in WFPL News.

Kansas: “Investigator wants tougher legislative ethics laws” by John O’Connor in The Wichita Eagle.

Kentucky: “Lawmaker Calls For Ethics Committee Reform If Special Session is Called” by Jonathan Meador in WKU News.

Pennsylvania: “Ethical questions in trips revealed in corruption sting” by Mark Fazlollah in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

National:

G.O.P. Campaign Outreach Tool: Gun sweepstakes

New York Times – Jeremy Peters | Published: 4/17/2014

Online gun sweepstakes are one of the fastest growing and most useful tools for campaign outreach in the 2014 Republican primaries. Across the country, from a race for sheriff in California to the U.S. Senate primary in South Carolina, candidates are using high-powered pistols and rifles as a lure to build up their donor lists and expand their base of support. But as a lot of candidates have learned, giving a gun away is not easy.

Federal:

For Hillary Clinton and Boeing, a Beneficial Relationship

Washington Post – Rosalind Helderman | Published: 4/13/2014

The State Department under former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton bypassed ethics guidelines to take a $2 million donation from Boeing, just a month after Clinton helped the company secure a multi-billion dollar contract with Russia. Clinton was attempting to resuscitate the dismal fundraising for the privately-sponsored U.S. pavilion planned for the 2010 World’s Fair in Shanghai. State Department officials had told planners to skip soliciting some firms with major business ties to the government, including Boeing, to avoid the appearance of a conflict-of-interest.

McCutcheon Lawyer Brings New Campaign Finance Case

Politico – Byron Tau | Published: 4/16/2014

Dan Backer, the attorney who won a landmark ruling when the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the overall limit on how much any donor can give to federal campaigns each election cycle, has filed a lawsuit looking to strike some of the restrictions still on the books. The latest lawsuit seeks to open the door for more money to flow from a PAC to a candidate or party committee. The suit objects to federal restrictions on transfers out of PACs based on the amount of time they have been registered.

From the States and Municipalities:

Connecticut – Rowland Indicted In Two Alleged Campaign Finance Schemes

Hartford Courant – Edmund Mahoney and Jon Lender | Published: 4/10/2014

Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who resigned 10 years ago in a corruption scandal that sent him to prison, was indicted recently on charges he tried to hide his role in two congressional campaigns, one of them involving a sham contract written to conceal $35,000 he was paid for political advice to candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley. Rowland is also accused of pitching a similar phony consulting deal to Mark Greenberg during his unsuccessful 2010 race for Congress.

Florida – Builders, Lobbyists among Big Donors to Mayor’s Ball

South Florida Sun Sentinel – Andy Reid | Published: 4/12/2014

Donation records show lobbyists, developers, and others potentially vying to do business with local government were some of the biggest donors at the Palm Beach County Mayor’s Ball fundraiser. Many local elected officials, led by Palm Beach County Mayor Priscilla Taylor, were the main attraction at the fundraiser to help the homeless. It also tested new ethics rules which seek to limit opportunities for attendees at such events to curry favor with elected officials by contributing to a cause they support.

Kansas – Brownback Vetoes Bill Raising Spending Threshold for Lobbyist Registry

Topeka Capital-Journal; Staff –   | Published: 4/11/2014

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback vetoed Senate Bill 99, which would have raised the expenditure threshold triggering the requirement to register as a lobbyist from $100 to $500. A news release from the governor’s office said the bill was vetoed in the interest of promoting continued transparency in government.

Kentucky – Kentucky Rep. Jim Gooch Threw Women’s Underwear on a Dinner Table, Statehouse Staffers Allege

WFPL – Jonathan Meador | Published: 4/14/2014

Two legislative staff members who filed sexual harassment charges against former Kentucky Rep. John Arnold said they were also subjected to crude behavior by state Rep. Jim Gooch at the Southern Legislative Conference. Cassaundra Cooper and Yolanda Costner said Gooch approached a group they were sitting with, pulled a pair of panties out of his pocket, and tossed them on the table. Gooch said his actions were harmless and the two women are retaliating against him.

Maryland – State Won’t Enforce $10,000 Limit on Campaign Contributions

Baltimore Sun – Luke Broadwater | Published: 4/10/2014

Maryland election officials said they would not enforce the state’s $10,000 limit on aggregate campaign contributions during a four-year election cycle in the wake of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The State Board of Elections announced that no person may donate more than $4,000 to any individual campaign, but may give that amount to an unlimited number of candidates.

New Jersey – Former Watchdogs Accuse Christie of Interfering with State Ethics Agency

Newark Star Ledger – Salvador Rizzo | Published: 4/13/2014

Three former New Jersey Ethics Commission officials are accusing Gov. Chris Christie’s office of unprecedented interference with an agency set up to be free of political influence. They say Christie pushed the commissioners to replace the executive director at a time when she was investigating a member of his own staff, thus crossing a line no other governor had before. The Christie administration called the charges without merit and denied any interference with the commission.

New Mexico – Controversial Audio Leaked of Governor and Her Staff

KRQE – Gabrielle Burkhart | Published: 4/16/2014

Leaked audio recordings reveal New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez used profanity and offensive names to describe political opponents during her 2010 campaign. The tapes were part of an unflattering profile of Martinez by Mother Jones magazine. Martinez’s re-election campaign sent an email supporters noting she had referred to her general election opponent, then-Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, “using the B-word four years ago in a private conversation with close advisers.”

New York – U.S. Attorney Criticizes Cuomo’s Closing of Panel

New York Times – William Rashbaum and Susanne Craig | Published: 4/9/2014

Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, took control of confidential records of the commission probing public corruption that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo shut down following a budget deal with the Legislature. Bharara’s move on the Moreland Commission files was motivated by his interest in the unfinished probes, unexplored leads, and abrupt close to business of the panel that Cuomo or his aides reportedly interfered with through back channels.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association is Focus of Ethics Query

The Oklahoman – Nolan Clay | Published: 4/13/2014

The state Ethics Commission voted to investigate the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) for alleged violations of lobbying disclosure rules. Commissioners acted after The Oklahoman reported the association has provided free football and basketball playoff tickets to legislators for years. Records show the OSSAA has not reported those gifts to the Ethics Commission as required by law.

Texas – With Eyes on 2016, Perry Is Mired in the Past

New York Times – Manny Fernandez | Published: 4/16/2014

A judge seated a grand jury to look into the threat that Texas Gov. Rick Perry carried out to veto funding for the Public Integrity Unit under Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg. Perry last year said he would veto money for the unit, which prosecutes wrongdoing by public officials, unless Lehmberg resigned in the wake of a drunken-driving arrest. Texans for Public Justice filed a complaint with prosecutors over the threat, contending Perry abused his power.

Washington – Ethics Board Hears Call to End Free Meals for Lawmakers

The Olympian – Brad Shannon | Published: 4/15/2014

Washington lawmakers can accept free meals on an “infrequent’ basis during the course of doing their jobs. But the law it does not say what is infrequent. The Legislative Ethics Board held a public hearing to get comments on a proposal to clarify the statue. In addition, a staff proposal going before the Public Disclosure Commission would raise the threshold for itemizing spending on lawmakers from $25 for an event to $50.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.

Lobbying

“One Democratic congressman escalates the fight over ALEC” by Niraj Chokshi in The Washington Post.

Campaign Finance

“After a Supreme Court Victory, a New Challenge to Campaign-Finance Limits” by Karen Weise in Bloomberg Businessweek.

“A Decade of McCain-Feingold” by Neil Reiff & Don McGahn in Campaigns & Elections Magazine.

“Radel returns donations after resignation” by Mario Trujillo in The Hill.

Alabama: “Campaign finance reporting stays same” by Mary Sell in the Times Daily.

Georgia: “Unlimited cash for campaigns? GOP Senate candidates are split” by Daniel Malloy, Jim Galloway and Greg Bluestein in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Rhode Island: “Rhode Island board seeks repeal of campaign finance limits following US Supreme Court ruling” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

Ethics

Florida: “Ethics bills languishing in Florida Legislature” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.

State Legislatures

Arizona: “Lawmakers hard at it on last days of session” by Howard Fischer in The Sierra Vista Herald.

California: “Jerry Brown calls legislative special session to debate reserve plan” by Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times.

Missouri: “Missouri legislature passes $620 million tax cut, Nixon signals possible veto” by JasonHancock in The Kansas City Star.

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Senate break rankles House members” by Randy Ellis in The Oklahoman.

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“Lobbyists break away to start new firm” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Camp could punch ‘golden ticket’ to K St.” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

European Union: “Politics for People: Demanding Transparent and Ethical Lobbying in the EU” by Jessica McKenzie in TechPresident.

Campaign Finance

“McCutcheon v. FEC Decision” with Lee Goodman speaking on C-SPAN.

“Outside spending on record-breaking pace” by Domenico Montanaro, Rachel Wellford, and Simone Pathe on PBS NewsHour.

“Study Finds Voluntary Corporate Political Spending Disclosure Lacking” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“McConnell, Priebus differ on cash limits” by Alexander Bolton in The Hill.

“Christie advocates end to limits on campaign donations” by Maddie Hanna in The Inquirer.

“5 first-quarter fundraising takeaways” by Byron Tau and Tarini Parti in Politico.

“Potter to speak on campaign-finance law” in News at Princeton.

Ethics

Washington: “Ethics board hears call to end free meals for lawmakers” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.

Elections

“2014 midterms: What’s at stake” by Leigh Ann Caldwell on CNN News.

State Legislatures

“Spring Is Convening While Most Legislatures Are Adjourning” by Angela Andrews in The NCSL Blog.

Lobbying

Missouri: “Proposed ban on lobbyist gifts dropped after debate” by Jonathan Shorman in the Springfield News-Leader.

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Bill could reduce campaign oversight” by Mary Jo Pitzl in The Republic.

Georgia: “Federal finance ruling may filter to Georgia” by Jim Gaines in The Telegraph.

Ethics

Colorado: “Ethics commission dismissed complaint filed against Gov. Hickenlooper” by Lynn Bartels in The Denver Post.

Washington: “How many free meals are enough for legislators?” by Brad Shannon in The News Tribune.

Open Government

Mississippi: “Ethics Commission Says Text Messages are Public Records” by The Associated Press on WTOK TV News.

From the State Legislatures

Utah: “Legislators won’t try overriding governor” by Robert Gehrke in The Salt Lake Tribune.

Lobbying

“Comcast turns to K. St” by Julian Hattem in The Hill.

Florida: “Lawmakers move to tighten lobbying rules, but exempt themselves” by Anthony Man in the Sun Sentinel.

Campaign Finance

“FEC Seminar for Trade Assns., Membership, and Labor Organizations” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“Gillibrand’s Campaign and Others Pay Civil Penalties to FEC” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

West Virginia: “Statehouse Beat: New website for campaign finance reports proving problematic” by Phil Kabler in the Charleston Gazette.

Ethics

“Office of Congressional Ethics Looking at Rep. Bobby Rush” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

California: “Ex-city official gets nearly 12 years in scandal” by John Rogers (Associated Press) in The Sacramento Bee.

Colorado: “Twist in ethics complaint against Hickenlooper to be heard Monday” by Lynn Bartels in The Denver Post.

Georgia: “Ethics panel ʹbrokenʹ” by Chris Joyner in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Kentucky: “Lawmakers want to amend ethics this week” by Tom Loftus in The Courier-Journal.

Missouri: “Mo. Senate could consider ethics legislation” by The Associated Press in KOAM News.

New Jersey: “Former watchdogs accuse Christie of interfering with state ethics agency” by Salvador Rizzo in The Star-Ledger.

South Carolina: “South Carolina graded ʹFʹ for ethics laws as debate rages on” by Cuthbert Langley in WCBD TV News.

Washington: “Ethics Board: How much free food to allow?” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.

Elections

“10 questions that could decide Election 2014” by James Hohmann and Alexander Burns in Politico.

Government Tech and Social Media

“Heartbleed Forces Emergency Maintenance of House, Senate Sites” by Hannah Hess in Roll Call.

“Federal Websites Avoid Heartbleed Risks, DHS Says” by Aliya Sternstein in NextGov.

Despite highly publicized criticism of a Washington law allowing legislators to accept meals from lobbyists on “infrequent occasions”, the Washington State Legislature failed to pass any bills addressing the ambiguity before its adjournment in March. Senate Bill 6414 contained a provision requiring the Legislative Ethics Board to define “infrequent occasions” and further required the development of an electronic reporting system enabling lobbyist reports to be searched electronically by the public.

This bill and others did not make it out of committee before the legislature adjourned and will not carryover to the next session. As a result of the legislature’s failure to pass any pertinent legislation, the Legislative Ethics Board has independently taken on the task of defining “infrequent occasions”.

The Board will hold a public meeting Tuesday, April 15 at 12 p.m. in Hearing Room 3 of the John A. Cherberg Building, 298 15th Avenue SW, Olympia, Washington. Board Chair Kristine Hoover set the meeting to listen and gather information from the public and to get public feedback on what the word “infrequent” should mean.

Gov. Sam Brownback has vetoed a bill increasing the spending threshold for lobbyist registration. Senate Bill 99 would have raised the expenditure threshold triggering lobbyist registration from $100 per calendar year to $500 per calendar year.

The increased threshold was recommended by the state ethics commission because the current threshold had not been increased in 25 years.

In vetoing the bill, Gov. Brownback stated he understood the bill’s purpose and intent but believed the current threshold better served the interest of government transparency.

National:

States Look Harder at Rules on Gifts to Lawmakers

Philadelphia Inquirer – Amy Worden | Published: 4/6/2014

News that four state lawmakers from Philadelphia were caught on tape allegedly taking cash or gifts from a lobbyist has stoked new calls for reform. Pennsylvania is not alone. Organizations that monitor ethics laws nationwide say the last decade has brought tighter state laws involving gift-giving, lobbying, and conflict-of-interest, some driven by similar scandals.

Federal:

Big Donors Fear Shakedown after Decision

Politico – Anna Palmer and Tarini Parti | Published: 4/2/2014

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the limit on an individual’s overall campaign contributions infringed on First Amendment rights cleared the way for donors to give the maximum amount to as many candidates and political parties as they wish during a two-year election cycle. The decision means a common excuse for brushing off fundraising requests – that potential donors, many of them lobbyists,  have already “maxed out” their contributions under the cap – is now moot.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Ariz. Legislators Don’t Disclose Gifts, Resist Change

Arizona Republic – Mary Jo Pitzl | Published: 4/8/2014

Disclosure is not a comfortable topic at the Arizona Capitol, where four years ago the Fiesta Bowl scandal erupted over 28 current and former lawmakers accepting lavish trips and college-football game tickets. Since then, despite proposals to clarify disclosure rules, nothing has changed. State law requires elected officials to disclose gifts they received that were worth $500 or more. But that is not strictly followed, according to an Arizona Republic review of the annual reports. At least nine lawmakers did not initially report trips they took in 2013.

California – Suspended Senators Leave Millions of Constituents Short on Representation

Sacramento Bee – Jeremy White | Published: 4/6/2014

The legal troubles roiling Sacramento have left millions of constituents without the elected representatives they sent to the Capitol to advocate and vote for their interests. Three senators fighting criminal cases were suspended from office. When lawmakers are stripped of their most basic and potent tool for shaping policy – a vote on legislation – the constituents are also, in a sense, disenfranchised.

Delaware – Lobbying Fee Proposed to Pay for Oversight

Wilmington News Journal – Jonathan Starkey | Published: 4/9/2014

Legislation will be introduced in Delaware that would require lobbyists to pay an annual registration fee to help fund the state Public Integrity Commission. The bill would require lobbyists to pay the fee for each client they represent. Another measure filed recently would impose a fee for lobbyists who file disclosure reports late.

Georgia – Ethics Chief in Georgia Wins Suit over Ouster

Athens Banner Herald – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 4/5/2014

A jury ruled former state ethics commission Executive Secretary Stacey Kalberman was unfairly forced from that job as retribution for investigating Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal’s 2010 campaign, and ordered the state to pay her $700,000. Kalberman’s lawyers tried to show the decision to cut her salary by $35,000 and to eliminate an aide’s job were a response to the pair’s desire to issue subpoenas for records in the investigation. Attorneys for the commission tried to establish the agency’s budget was in crisis and that was what motivated the cuts.

Indiana – Rep. Eric Turner, Facing Ethics Probe, Has Long and Deep Ties to Nursing Home Companies

Indianapolis Star – Tony Cook | Published: 4/4/2014

An Indiana House ethics committee is set to probe Rep. Eric Turner’s role in quashing legislation that would have halted new nursing home development and helped his son’s company. An Indianapolis Star review of Turner’s personal business interests found he has a stake in at least a half dozen companies that have been engaged in building, leasing, or investing in nursing home properties. The Star also found Turner did not list some of the companies on financial disclosure statements.

Iowa – Supreme Court Declines to Hear Iowa Campaign Finance Challenge

Reuters – Lawrence Hurley | Published: 4/7/2014

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to an Iowa law that prohibits campaign donations from corporations but allows them from unions. By opting not to hear the case, the justices left intact an Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling from June 2013 that upheld the ban.

Minnesota – Minnesota’s Limits on Campaign Donations to Be Challenged

Minneapolis Star Tribune – Rachel Stassen-Berger | Published: 4/8/2014

For decades, Minnesota law has said campaigns can raise 20 percent of their cash from lobbyists, PACs, and donors who give large amounts. After candidates hit that limit, they only can accept lesser amounts from subsequent contributors. Opponents say the “first come, first served” law is an unconstitutional limit of free speech, and the libertarian Institute for Justice will file a lawsuit challenging the statute.

Ohio – Ohio House Approves Eliminating Rule on Corporate Political Spending after Lengthy Debate

Cleveland Plain Dealer – Jeremy Pelzer (Northeat Ohio Media Group) | Published: 4/9/2014

The Ohio House passed legislation that would abolish a state rule restricting corporate political spending. Under the rule, corporations have to identify themselves in political ads and disclose money they spend in support of candidates. It also bars political spending made independently of campaigns by foreign-owned corporations and companies that recently received government contracts. House bill 483 now goes to the Senate.

Pennsylvania – Pa. Senate Passes Bill to Ban Cash Gifts to Legislators

Philadelphia Inquirer – Amy Worden | Published: 4/9/2014

The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously approved a bill that bans cash gifts to lawmakers and other elected and appointed officials in state and local government. The Senate also approved unanimously passed an ethics rule change for the chamber that carries the same provisions on cash and cash-like gifts. The only difference between the two is the bill caries the weight of the law so violators could be prosecuted. The ethics rule does not; it calls for a civil penalty.

Pennsylvania – Sources: U.S. prosecutors made no judgment on sting case

Philadelphia Inquirer – Craig McCoy and Angela Couloumbis | Published: 4/8/2014

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported federal officials never came to a final conclusion about the merits of a suspended legislative sting operation before Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane asked them to halt that review. Kane, after revelations she decided to abandon the case in which several officials were caught on tape accepting cash and other gifts from an informant posing as a lobbyist, had said her decision had been endorsed by federal law enforcement officials who she has not identified by name.

South Carolina – SC Governor, AG Candidates Collected Excess Campaign Cash

The State – Andrew Shain | Published: 4/5/2014

An analysis by The State showed candidates for governor and attorney general in 2010 received $336,345 in campaign contributions above South Carolina’s legal limits. While the excessive donations represent a fraction of the amounts raised by these candidates, the newspaper said its analysis of state Ethics Commission data points to how campaigns can fail to follow campaign finance rules without getting caught by regulators.

Virginia – Va. Gov. Terry McAuliffe Wants Lobbyists to Report Gifts to Lawmakers’ Families

Columbus Republic – Alan Suderman (Associated Press) | Published: 4/8/2014

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe amended an ethics bill that passed the General Assembly in the wake of a gifts scandal that led to corruption charges against former Gov. Bob McDonnell. McAuliffe’s proposed changes would require lobbyists to report what they spend on gifts and entertainment for both lawmakers and their families. Lawmakers will have to approve the governor’s changes.

Wisconsin – GOP’s Mike Ellis Caught on Recording Talking of Illegal Fundraising

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Patrick Marley and Daniel Bice | Published: 4/10/2014

A secretly recorded video produced by a conservative activist shows state Senate President Mike Ellis talking about creating and raising money for a committee to run negative ads against his Democratic opponent, which would be illegal for a candidate to do in Wisconsin. Ellis issued a statement acknowledging the conversation but said he learned the next day the proposal was illegal and did not pursue it.

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On April 9, the Ontario, Canada Legislative Assembly held a second reading of Bill 179, which would amend the province’s Lobbyists Registration Act.

The bill, introduced on March 24, redefines “in-house lobbyist” to include paid directors as well as employees and paid directors whose lobbying duties, when combined with those of the employer’s other employees and paid directors, would constitute a significant part of the duties of one employee or director.

The bill requires a single filing of returns by the senior officer of the employer instead of requiring in-house lobbyists themselves to file returns.

Additional amendments to the filing procedures include requiring returns to indicate whether the lobbyist was previously in public office, what the goal of the reported lobbying was, and to provide the name of any minister, member, or member of the minister’s or member’s staff who was lobbied.

The bill also increases penalties for convictions of any offense from a maximum fine of $25,000 to a maximum fine of $25,000 for a first offense and a maximum fine of $100,000 for subsequent offenses.