The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust closed its inquiry into the lobbying activities of soccer star David Beckham, concluding he did not violate county lobbying law by failing to register as a lobbyist. In the summer of 2013, Beckham toured sites for a potential Major League Soccer stadium with Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and other county officials. Beckham and Mayor Gimenez also had dinner with the financier of Beckham’s proposed soccer venture.

The Commission cleared the site visits as a “meet and greet” function exempt from lobbyist registration rules, and other meetings with the mayor were characterized as the county lobbying Beckham to bring a soccer franchise to Miami. The Commission noted meetings with public officials do not necessarily constitute lobbying and determined Beckham was not lobbying Mayor Gimenez at their dinner meeting.

With the Major League Soccer plan gaining momentum, only individuals who are properly registered as lobbyists should be meeting with county officials to influence decisions in the matter going forward, according to the Commission’s report.

Photo of David Beckham courtesy of The Democratic Alliance on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

“Lobbying World” in The Hill.

“David Beckham bends ears of lawmakers in Tallahassee” by Kathleen McGrory in the Miami Herald.

“Journal Highlights Issues of Lobbying and Campaign Finance” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Arizona: “Hidden cameras catch lobbyists and lawmakers wining and dining” by Morgan Loew in KPHO CBS 5 News.

Campaign Finance

Massachusetts:  “Ironworkers PAC Pays $20,000 for Campaign Finance Violations” by Tom Duggan in The Valley Patriot.

New York: “New York lawmakers say budget talks progressing” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.

New York: “Skelos doesn’t rule out campaign finance in budget” by Jimmy Vielkind in Capital New York.

Ethics

“Harry Reid will refund campaign for gifts” by Byron Tau in Politico.

Pennsylvania: “With lawmakers caught on tape accepting cash, fresh calls for reform” by Craig R. McCoy and Angela Couloumbis in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Open Government

New Mexico: “Governor curbs legislative panels’ access to information” by Barry Massey in the Albuquerque Journal.

Lobbying

“Bottom Line” in The Hill.

“Dodd-Frank army skips to K Street” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Partisan thrives on K Street” by Bernie Becker in The Hill.

“Job market heats up for Senate GOP aides” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Campaign Finance

“Dark Money Group’s #McConnelling Violates Campaign Laws: Watchdogs” by Paul Blumenthal in The Huffington Post.

Kentucky: “House approves campaign finance reform bill” by The Associated Press in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Tennessee: “Panel: Keep money out of judicial elections” by Michael Cass in The Tennessean.

Wisconsin: “Bitcoin campaign donations? State elections board gives it a look” by Alison Bauter in the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Ethics

“Mullin Facing Ethics Inquiry for Plumbing Business Ties” by Emma Dumain in Roll Call.

“No special Ethics panel for Cathy McMorris Rodgers” by John Bresnahan in Politico.

Iowa: “Branstad discloses more secret settlements” by Jason Clayworth in the Des Moines Register.

Pennsylvania: “Kane, sting unlikely to be investigated by independent counsel” by Eric Boehm in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Rhode Island: “Vying to be RI’s next speaker, Marcello promises votes in 30 days on payday loans, master lever and Ethics Commission jurisdiction” by Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.

From the State Legislatures

Utah: “Gender gap likely to grow on Utah’s Capitol Hill” by Amy Mcdonald in The Salt Lake Tribune.

Lobbying

“Former White House lawyer defends Obama limits on lobbying, hints at possible changes” by Holly Yeager in The Washington Post.

“Obama alumni join ranks of ‘unlobbyists’” by Mike Dorning in the Concord Monitor.

“Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Hires Blanche Lincoln” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“House Ethics Reviewing Gutierrez Contract With Illinois Lobbyist” by Emma Dumain in Roll Call.

“Putin’s lobbyists escape sanctions” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Connecticut: “Lobbyists command millions from Conn. Industries” by Neil Vigdor in the Stamford Advocate.

Missouri: “Our million-dollar Legislature” opinion piece by State Rep. John Wright in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Campaign Finance

“Forget the Dictionary, Super PACs Aren’t New” by Francis Barry in Bloomberg View.

Louisiana: “Feds asked to look into super PAC backing Vitter” in The Advocate.

New York: “Campaign finance reform benefits women” opinion piece by Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Letitia James in The Journal News.

New York: “Business interests against NY public campaign financing want to preserve their influence (Commentary)” by Lawrence Norden in The Post-Standard.

Ethics

Kentucky: “Former state official assessed ethics fine” by The Associated Press in the Bangor Daily News.

New Jersey: “Christie’s campaign treasurer goes to bat for underfunded agency: The Auditor” in The Star Ledger.

Pennsylvania: “Gift ban urged after report of Pa. lawmakers getting cash” by Mark Scolforo (Associated Press) in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

State Legislative Sessions

Idaho: “Idaho Legislature wraps up with pay raises at the top” by Betsy Z. Russell in The Spokesman-Review.

Virginia: “McAuliffe proposes expanding Medicaid in two-year pilot” by Olympia Meola and Jim Nolan in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Elections

Rhode Island: “House speaker candidates courting votes” by Randal Edgar in the Providence Journal.

Redistricting

Pennsylvania: “Legislators clash over district boundary changes” by Robert Swift in The Times-Tribune.

The Assembly has passed a bill to widen the ability of lobbyists to provide campaign contributions.

Senate Bill 655 allows a lobbyist to deliver or personally make political contributions as early as April 15 of a general election year, the same day candidates can circulate petitions for office.

Currently, lobbyists must wait until June 1 to make contributions. The bill now goes to Gov. Scott Walker.

Federal:

Lobbyist Faces $5 Million Fine for Allegedly Failing to File Disclosure Reports

Washington Post – Holly Yeager | Published: 3/18/2014

Federal prosecutors said Alan Mauk and his firm, Alan Mauk Associates, did not file required quarterly lobbying reports at least 13 times between 2009 and 2013. In addition, they are charged with failing to file semi-annual reports on political contributions on at least 13 occasions, also in violation of the Lobbying Disclosure Act. The law carries a fine of up to $200,000 for each violation. House and Senate officials notified Mauk at least 22 times about the missing reports, according to the civil complaint.

RNC Chair Calls for Reversal of ‘Soft Money’ Ban to Finance Conventions

Washington Post – Matea Gold and Philip Rucker | Published: 3/18/2014

The U.S. Senate approved a House bill that takes $126 million over 10 years out of the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and authorizes it for use in pediatric medical research. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said President Barack Obama would sign the legislation. Republican National Committee Chairperson Reince Priebus said political parties should be able to raise “soft money” to pay for their presidential nominating conventions now that federal funding for the quadrennial events will be cut off.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona – Former Fiesta Bowl Chief Sentenced to 8 Months in Prison

Arizona Daily Star – Jacques Billeaud (Associated Press) | Published: 3/13/2014

John Junker, the former chief executive officer of the Fiesta Bowl, was sentenced to eight months in federal prison for violating campaign finance laws. He became the sixth person to be sentenced in a scheme in which bowl employees were reimbursed for donating federal, state, and local candidates. The scandal also exposed the lavish spending and perks the Fiesta Bowl heaped on lawmakers and employees, though no charges were filed involving those perks.

California – Highlighting Democratic Losses, Republicans Block California Campaign Finance Bill

Sacramento Bee – Jeremy White | Published: 3/17/2014

California Democrats’ loss of a legislative supermajority stifled their push to change the state’s campaign finance law. Senate Bill 27, which fell one vote short of passage, sought to lift the veil on outside campaign spending by compelling nonprofits to identify their donors if contributions hit certain thresholds in a given election cycle.

California – San Diego’s Ethics Commission Seeks to Rein in Independent Committees

inewsource.org – Joe Yerardi | Published: 3/14/2014

The San Diego Ethics Commission proposed reforms that would restrict the activities of independent political committees in the city. They are permitted to raise unlimited funds from nearly any source but are prohibited from coordinating strategy with candidates’ campaigns. At a recent meeting, the first in a months-long process, the commissioners debated the suggested changes.

Colorado – Investigation: Lobbyists skipped $90K in fines to Colorado

KUSA – Brandon Rittiman | Published: 3/15/2014

Lobbyists in Colorado are required to register and file disclosures stating who is paying them and how much. State law says the fines are charged to the person who registers as a lobbyist, not the organization they work for. This means groups can keep on influencing public officials even if some of the lobbyists who worked for them owe thousands of dollars to the state.

Georgia – Ordinary Citizens Find They Can Have an Impact at the Capitol

Augusta Chronicle – Walter Jones (Morris News Service) | Published: 3/19/2014

Many regular citizens show up at the Capitol and attempt to influence Georgia lawmakers. Angela Bean and Jan Horne, for example, spent a lot of time at the statehouse this year for various causes. “We know our being here is important; if people are going to come down here, the legislators know we’re representing [others] who aren’t here that feel the same way,” said Bean.

Indiana – Lawmaker with Industry Ties Worked to Nix Nursing Home Ban

The Post Tribune – Tom LoBianco (Associated Press) | Published: 3/17/2014

On the surface, Indiana Rep. Eric Turner had nothing to do with a last-minute decision to defeat a proposed nursing home moratorium that would have harmed his son’s business. But behind the scenes, Turner played a much different role, urging fellow Republicans during a private caucus meeting to defeat the moratorium. Last year, The Associated Press reported Turner had pushed a measure to benefit a client of his daughter, who is a lobbyist.

Maryland – Actor Kevin Spacey to Promote ‘House of Cards’ Tax Credit at Annapolis Reception

Washington Post – John Wagner | Published: 3/20/2014

Gerard Evans, an Annapolis-based lobbyist for “House of Cards,” has invited the entire Maryland General Assembly to a local wine bar on March 21 to meet the show’s star, Kevin Spacey. The event is scheduled just a few days after the Senate voted to increase a tax credit that rewards production companies that choose to film in the state. The House has yet to act on the bill. “House of Cards” has been the biggest beneficiary of the credit in recent years.

New Jersey – Attorney General to State Police: Stop photographing protesters at Chris Christie town halls

Newark Star Ledger – Jenna Portnoy | Published: 3/19/2014

After criticism that the action violated civil liberties, New Jersey Attorney General John Hoffman banned state police from taking photographs of hecklers and protesters at Gov. Chris Christie’s now-weekly town hall meetings. At least a dozen people were thrown out of a recent town hall after shouting criticisms at Christie. They complained about how his administration is distributing federal recovery money and questioned the governor’s role in a political payback scandal orchestrated by his aides.

North Carolina – Tweak to N.C Law Protected Duke Energy’s Coal Ash Pits

Greensboro News and Record; Associated Press –   | Published: 3/17/2014

In 2013, a coalition of environmental groups sued to force Duke Energy to clean up nearly three dozen leaky coal ash dumps spread across North Carolina. The company turned to the state Legislature for help. Documents and interviews show how Duke’s lobbyists prodded Republican lawmakers to tuck provision in a regulatory reform bill that allowed Duke to avoid any costly cleanup of contaminated groundwater leaching from its unlined dumps toward rivers, lakes, and the drinking wells of nearby homeowners.

Ohio – Cincinnati Lobbyist Pleads Guilty Over Unreported Gifts

Cincinnati Enquirer – Chrissie Thompson | Published: 3/19/2014

John Rabenold, vice president of governmental affairs for Axcess Financial, which runs Check ‘n Go, will be sentenced on May 1 for a pair of misdemeanor counts of filing false lobbying disclosure forms. Authorities said Rabenold failed to disclose meals and gifts he provided to Ohio lawmakers on his filings in 2010, as the payday lenders tried to hold back efforts to pass tighter regulations on the industry.

Ohio – Ohio Case Gets Serious and Satirical Attention before Supreme Court Hearing

Coshocton Tribune – Deirdre Shesgreen (Gannett Newspapers) | Published: 3/17/2014

Weighing in against an Ohio statute that makes it a crime to lie about a candidate, the Cato Institute filed a brief co-written by humorist P.J. O’Rourke with the U.S. Supreme Court using satire to poke fun at what it calls an “Orwellian” law that violates the First Amendment. The justices will not decide whether the law is constitutional but instead examine whether the plaintiffs have standing. Experts say that question, while seemingly technical, is important. And the underlying issues, touching on politics and free speech, are even more vital.

Pennsylvania – City Council Approves Ban on Cash Gifts to Phila Officials

Philadelphia Inquirer – Claudia Vargas and Tony Graham | Published: 3/20/2014

The Philadelphia City Council passed an ordinance that bans the city’s officers and employees from receiving any cash from a person seeking business or official action, while allowing non-monetary gifts up to $99 in value annually per donor. Mayor Michael Nutter is expected to sign the bill into law. City Board of Ethics Executive Director Shane Creamer said his agency would start working on new regulations once Nutter signs the measure.

Pennsylvania – Kane Shut Down Sting That Snared Phila. Officials

Philadelphia Inquirer – Angela Couloumbis and Craig McCoy | Published: 3/16/2014

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane shut down an operation that allegedly showed a handfull of Philadelphia politicians, including four members of the city’s state House delegation, accepting bribes and unreported gifts. The sting has not led to charges against the accused, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. The report shows the probe seems marred with political head-butting between Kane and state prosecutor Frank Fina, who led the investigation. Kane called the investigation poorly conceived, badly managed, and tainted by racism, saying it had targeted African Americans.

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.

The Board of Supervisors resumed a series of discussions on ethics legislation introduced last year by City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Board of Supervisors President David Chiu. Ordinance 130374 would amend the Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code to expand the definition of lobbyist and require lobbyists to complete training online.

The lobbying exemption for contractors and their attorneys would be limited to in-house officers and employees.

Nonprofit staff would be required to register if they make five or more contacts with covered officers in a single month. Outside consultants communicating with public officials regarding contract bidding and negotiating would be subject to the registration and reporting requirements of lobbying.

The ordinance has been substituted and assigned to the Government Audit and Oversight Committee.

A federal lobbyist who allegedly failed to file numerous disclosure reports could face up to $5.2 million in fines. According to the Washington Post, Alan Mauk and his lobbying firm did not file 26 or more quarterly and semi-annual lobbyist reports due between 2009 and 2013. Failing to comply with reporting requirements of the Lobbying Disclosure Act can subject an individual to a civil fine in an amount up to $200,000 for each violation. The civil complaint against Mauk was filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia last week, according to The Hill.

Lobbying

“Wide-Ranging Bill Seeks to Shine More Light on Lobbying and Regulatory Process” by Charles S. Clark in Government Executive.

Kansas:  “Legislator proposes to ban judicial lobbyists” by Andy Marso in The Topeka Capital-Journal.

Ohio: “Lobbyists spent $609K on state officials last year” by Jim Siegel in The Columbus Dispatch.

Tennessee: “Brew Battle: Tennessee Whiskey Makers Employ DC Lobbyists to Fight Over Product Definition” by Tess VandenDolder in InTheCapital.

Campaign Finance

“Watchdogs: Wordless political ads may break federal rules” by Fredreka Schouten in USA Today.

“Merriam-Webster Makes ‘Super PAC’ Official” by Dave Levinthal in The Huffington Post.

California: “Highlighting Democratic losses, Republicans block California campaign finance bill” by Jeremy B. White in The Sacramento Bee.

California: “Report: Rebooting Campaign Finance Disclosure in California” by Ed Coghlan in Public CEO.

District of Columbia: “D.C.’s Office of Campaign Finance is failing its mission” editorial piece in The Washington Post.

Michigan: “Electronic Campaign Finance Reporting Expanding in Some Michigan Counties” by the Michigan Radio Network on News Radio Wood.

New Hampshire: “N.H. voters embrace campaign finance reform” by John Toole in the Eagle-Tribune.

Virginia: “Former Edwards financial backer ‘Bunny’ Mellon dies at 103” on CNN Politics.

Ethics

Louisiana: “It’s official: Edwin Edwards is running for Congress” by Lauren McGaughy in The Times-Picayune.

Pennsylvania: “State Ethics Commission: ʹCulture of excessʹ led to gifts” by Dave Marcheskie on WHTM ABC 27 News.

The State Ethics Commission has called a public hearing to introduce new rules regarding lobbying complaints. The hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on May 9, 2014, at the Capehart Crocker House, Commission Meeting Room, 424 North Blount Street, Raleigh, North Carolina. Oral comments about the new rules will be accepted at this meeting.

Written comments should be directed to Pam Cashwell via U.S. mail at 1324 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699; via fax at (919) 716-1644; or via email at pam.cashwell@doa.nc.gov. The written comment period began March 17, 2014, and will end May 5, 2014.

On March 13, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives requiring increased disclosure from lobbyists and public officials. U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley introduced the Transparency in Government Act.

The act, House Resolution 4245, makes several changes to the current Lobbyist Disclosure Act (LDA), including:

• Establishing the Lobbyist Disclosure Enhancement Act;
• Removing references to the IRS definition of lobbying, leaving only the LDA definition of lobbying;
• Changing the requirement for lobbyist registration by removing the current 20 percent work time threshold; and
• Requiring:
  • Lobbyists to report political contributions quarterly rather than semiannually;
  • Lobbyists to complete ethics training within six months of being hired and once every five years thereafter;
  • Lobbyists to register within 10 days, rather than 45 days, of making a lobbying contact;
  • Organizations that hire a lobbyist intending to make more than one lobbying contact to register; and
  • The clerk of the House and the secretary of the Senate to develop a system that assigns an identification number to each lobbyist.

The bill also amends the Freedom of Information Act and makes other changes regarding disclosure and transparency in federal contracting and the three branches of federal government.

In his press release, Quigley states, “The Transparency in Government Act shines a light on every branch of the federal government, strengthening our democracy and promoting an efficient, effective and open government.”

Photo of U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley courtesy of the U.S. House of Representatives website on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

“Lobbyists stick with Putin” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

Canada: “Lobbyists looking to give back with new pro bono advocacy organization” by Mark Burgess in The Hill Times.

Colorado: “Investigation: Lobbyists skipped $90K in fines to Colorado” by Brandon Rittiman on KUSA 9News.

Oregon: “Longest-serving lobbyist dies” by Peter Wong in the Statesman Journal.

Campaign Finance

“In midterms, a battle of billionaires” by Laura Barron-Lopez in The Hill.

California: “San Diego’s Ethics Commission Seeks To Rein In Independent Committees” by Joe Yerardi in KPBS.

Florida: “Politicians enjoy winter in South Florida – for raising money” by Anthony Man in the Sun Sentinel.

Massachusetts: “Senate passes campaign finance reporting bill” by Sara Brown in The Eagle-Tribune.

New York: “Senate public finance provision raises questions” by Karen DeWitt on WRVO Public Media.

Pennsylvania: “Between a website and a hard place: On campaign finance rules” by Mary Wilson on WITF.

Utah: “Utah lawmakers OK campaign finance reporting bill” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Ethics

U.S. House Committee on Ethics: “Ethics Committee Gets New Staff Director” by Matt Fuller in Roll Call.

“Congress Gets Away With Free Foreign Trips” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“Former Rep. Edolphus Towns Driven To Personal Use of Campaign Funds” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Mississippi: “Bills could strengthen access to Miss. public info” by The Associated Press in the San Francisco Chronicle.

From the State Legislatures

Idaho: “Idaho’s substitute law unique” by Betsy Z. Russell in The Spokesman-Review.

Federal:

Activist Lawyer Aims to Drop Campaign Restrictions

USA Today – Fredreka Schouten | Published: 3/10/2014

Dan Backer is on a campaign finance crusade. Many of the lawyer’s far-fetched proposals have been rejected by federal regulators. But the conservative Republican could be on the brink of making election history – and his reputation – with a case the U.S. Supreme Court is deliberating. McCutcheon v. the Federal Election Commission seeks to eliminate the ceiling on what wealthy individuals can donate to federal candidates, parties, and PACs in a two-year election cycle.

Wanted by Ecuador, 2 Brothers Make Mark in U.S. Campaigns

New York Times – Frances Robles | Published: 3/11/2014

Roberto and William Isaias, who are fugitives from Ecuador now living in the U.S., have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from relatives for President Barack Obama and more than a dozen members of Congress. While the contributions were not illegal, campaign finance experts say they have opened the already politicized nature of extradition requests to greater scrutiny and raised questions about the access to power the donations provide.

From the States and Municipalities:

Arkansas – Federal Jury Convicts Former Arkansas Treasurer

ABC News – Chuck Bartels (Associated Press) | Published: 3/11/2014

A jury found former Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner guilty on 14 counts of bribery and extortion. Prosecutors said during the federal trial that Shoffner received money from broker Steele Stephens and in exchange, she steered a disproportionate amount of the state’s investment business to Stephens. Shoffner was arrested in May when FBI agents raided her home and found $6,000 that was delivered in a pie box.

California – Sky’s the New Spending Limit in LA’s Westside Supervisor’s Race

KPCC – Sharon McNary | Published: 3/12/2014

Bobby Shriver, who is running for a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in the June 3 primary, has rejected voluntary campaign spending limits and said he will at least partially self-fund his race. The action removes expenditure caps for all the candidates, and imposes a $300 limit on donations to Shriver.

District of Columbia – Prosecutors Say DC Mayor Knew of Illegal ‘Shadow Campaign,’ Personally Requested Funds

Star Tribune – Ben Nuckols (Associated Press) | Published: 3/10/2014

Prosecutors said District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray knew about an illegal fundraising operation that helped him capture the 2010 election and personally asked a prominent business executive to finance the scheme. The allegations were revealed in court documents detailing the activities of Jeffrey Thompson, the multimillionaire former owner of a well-connected accounting firm who pleaded guilty to two conspiracy charges.

Florida – Who Says Lobbyists Can’t Win Elections?

Politico – Byron Tau | Published: 3/12/2014

Despite his profession’s low approval ratings, lobbyist David Jolly edged out Alex Sink in Florida’s special election for the 13th Congressional District seat. It is the latest sign a Washington, D.C. lobbying or consultant background is not a deal-breaker at the ballot box. Jolly is the second prominent K Street denizen to get a nod from voters in recent months and two other candidates with ties to lobbying firms or trade associations will face voters this year: Ed Gillespie in Virginia and Debbie Dingell in Michigan.

Illinois – Campaign Finance Case Won’t Be Resolved This Election Cycle

Quad City Times – Kurt Erickson | Published: 3/6/2014

A lawsuit challenging Illinois’ caps on political donations is unlikely to be resolved before the 2014 elections, so limits put in place in 2009 will probably remain in place for the rest of this election season. U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feinerman dismissed most of a challenge to the landmark changes filed by the Liberty Justice Center, but kept one piece of the case alive for further debate, potentially extending arguments for several more months.

Kansas – Ex-Rep. Trent LeDoux Accused of Bank Fraud, Money Laundering

Topeka Capital Journal – Timothy Carpenter | Published: 3/12/2014

A federal grand jury indicted former Kansas Rep. Trent LeDoux, charging he used bank loans obtained to purchase cattle to finance his political activities. LeDoux faces three counts of bank fraud and two counts of money laundering for allegedly depositing funds from the cattle loans into his campaign account in 2011 and 2012.

Michigan – Mich. Slaps Health Care Union with 2nd Largest Elections Fine Ever

Detroit News – Chad Livengood | Published: 3/10/2014

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) will pay almost $200,000 to settle alleged campaign finance violations from a failed 2012 ballot proposal seeking collective bargaining rights for home health workers in Michigan. The complaint accused the principals behind Home Care First and Citizens for Affordable Quality Home Care of intentionally delaying required filings with the secretary of state’s office to conceal that SEIU had made substantial contributions to support the proposal.

Minnesota – Minnesota House Votes to Reverse ‘Free Lunch’ Provision for Legislators

Minneapolis Star Tribune – Abby Simons | Published: 3/10/2014

The Minnesota House voted to reverse course on a recent change to the law that made it easier for lobbyists to buy meals for legislators. The bill would do away with an exception that allows lawmakers to get lobbyist-purchased meals at receptions as long as all legislators are invited. Under the state’s prior gift ban, lawmakers had to reimburse sponsoring group or lobbyists for the cost of those meals.

South Carolina – Ethics Regulators Question Lobbyist’s Campaign Contribution to S.C. Attorney General

Charleston City Paper – Corey Hutchins | Published: 3/7/2014

Onetime lobbyist Joyce Hearn gave a total of $200 to South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson’s campaign in 2009 and 2010. Hearn de-registered as a lobbyist on May 30, 2010, but that does not matter, said State Ethics Commission Deputy Director Cathy Hazelwood. Even if a lobbyist de-registers in South Carolina, he or she cannot give direct campaign contributions to a lawmaker or statewide candidate during the year they lobbied.

Utah  Report: Swallow put a ‘For Sale’ sign on the Utah AG’s office

Salt Lake Tribune – Robert Gehrke | Published: 3/12/2014

A House panel closed its investigation of former Utah Attorney General John Swallow by releasing a report that says he traded favors with businesspeople, obscured campaign donations, and destroyed records, among other allegations. “[Swallow] hung a veritable ‘for sale’ sign on the office door that invited moneyed interests to seek special treatment and favors,” alleges the report. Two county attorneys in Utah, with the assistance of the FBI, are in the middle of a criminal investigation of Swallow and others.

Virginia – Va. General Assembly Adjourns without Budget or Medicaid Expansion

Washington Post – Laura Vozella, Michael Laris, and Rachel Weiner | Published: 3/8/2014

Virginia lawmakers passed an omnibus ethics reform bill that sets a $250 annual limit on the amount of certain gifts elected officials can accept from lobbyists, principals, and anyone who has or is seeking business with the state. It requires disclosure of gifts given to spouses and immediate family members, establishes an ethics advisory council, and increases the transparency of financial disclosure forms by putting them online.

Washington – PDC Disclosure Bill for Lobbyists’ Freebies Gets ‘Lost in the Shuffle’

The Olympian – Brad Shannon | Published: 3/11/2014

Washington lawmakers most likely will adjourn their legislative session without addressing the issue of lobbyist-paid entertainment. A bill that would have required lobbyists to file spending reports electronically at the state Public Disclosure Commission failed to move out of Senate Ways and Means Committee at the deadline for policy bills.

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

“Who says lobbyists can’t win elections?” by Byron Tau in Politico.

“Business groups: Don’t go overboard on Russia sanctions” by Doug Palmer, Adam Behsudi, Matthew Korade and Andrew Restuccia in Politico.

Kansas: “House panel studies bill adjusting definition of lobbyist” by Ryan McCarthy in the Topkea Capital-Journal.

Campaign Finance

“FEC Offers Seminar for Corporations and their PACs” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

“Corporations Can Expect To Pay More For Conventions” by Kent Cooper in Roll Call.

Michigan: “State fines labor union for campaign finance violations” on WBUP NBC 10.

Ethics

Colorado: “Scott Gessler loses appeal over ethics ruling” by Lynn Bartels in The Denver Post.

Elections

Arizona: “Brewer announces political retirement, won’t seek 3rd term” by Howard Fischer in the Arizona Capitol Times.

Texas: “The Big Change in Texas Elections? More Time.” by Jim Malewitz and Shelby Cole in Governing.