January 21, 2013 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
Lobbying
“Obama Expected to Ease Lobby Posture” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“K Street Files: Lieberman Aide to Artemis Strategies” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
Canada: “Canada finance minister apologizes after reprimand for lobbying” by David Ljunggren in Reuters.
Texas: “Lobbying groups maintain presence in state capitol during legislative session” by Enrique Rangel in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
Campaign Finance
“10 biggest beneficiaries of Citizens United” by Laura Gottesdiener in Salon.
Colorado: “Denver rally calls for campaign finance changes” on ABC 7 News.
Colorado: “Who is and isn’t obeying Colo. voters on campaign finance?” by Brandon Rittiman in NBC 9 News.
Indiana: “Hoosiers Protest Citizens United In Indianapolis” by Brandon Smith in Indiana Public Media.
Ethics
“Obama’s Ethics Agenda Backfires” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
Florida: “Major ethics bill unveiled in Tallahassee” in the St. Augustine Record.
Idaho: “House takes up push to revamp ethics commission” by The Associated Press in the Idaho Statesman.
Kentucky: “Metro Council to ask legislature to approve subpoena power for Ethics Commission” by Sheldon S. Shafer in the Courier-Journal.
Texas: “The Texas Tribune launches interactive Lawmaker Explorer tool” by Ryan Lakich in CultureMap Austin.
January 19, 2013 •
Ethics and Campaign Finance Weekend Report
Here are a few breaking news items. Enjoy your weekend!
Ethics
“Lawmakers in Southeast call for ethics reform” by Nicholas Kusnetz in The Center for Public Integrity.
Louisiana: “Former New Orleans mayor indicted on federal corruption charges” by Michael Martinez in CNN News.
Oregon: “Oregon ethics board: Gov. John Kitzhaber can be paid speaker fees” by Christian Gaston in the Oregonian.
Citizens United
“Overturning Citizens United” by Tim Redmond in the San Francisco Bay Guardian.
Maryland: “Rally in Annapolis protests Citizens United decision” by Hannah Anderson in the Daily Record.
New Jersey: “N.J. coalition calls for overturn of ‘Citizens United’ campaign contribution decision” by Phil Gregory in Newsworks New Jersey.
Washington: “Sen. Kline wants a state response to Citizens United” by Brad Shannon in The Olympian.
Legislative Issues
“Poll: 75 percent want Hill term limits” by Katie Glueck in Politico.
Arkansas: “Lawmakers complete first week of session” by Rob Moritz in Arkansas News
Government Social Media
“CIO Council to agency IT shops: Get smart on social media and open government” in NextGov.
Open Government
Florida: “Senate starts over in quest to build a transparency website” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.
January 18, 2013 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 18, 2013
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Revolving Door Swings Freely in America’s Statehouses
Federal:
Sandy Lobbying Hinged on Governors
From the States and Municipalities:
California – California’s Lobby Laws Keep Many Influence-Peddling Details Secret
Florida – Sweeping Ethics Bill Would Curtail Lobbying by Lawmakers
Georgia – Senate Passes Ethics Rule, Maintains Restriction on Public Complaints
Kansas – Ethics Commission Recommends Fee Increase
Missouri – Kander Puts an End to Accepting Gifts from Lobbyists
Nevada – Lobbyists Ready Themselves for Legislative Session
Ohio – Cuyahoga County Corruption Investigation Winds Down to the Finish as Bulk of Case Completed
Oklahoma – Oklahoma Ethics Commission Hires New Director
Oregon – Commission Says Kitzhaber Can Accept Payment for Health-Policy Speeches
South Carolina – Sanford Checked with Ex-Wife before Entering Race for SC House Seat
Texas – For Ethics Commission, Big Hurdles to Reform
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.
January 18, 2013 •
Changes May Be Coming to Kansas Lobbyist and PAC Fees
Ethics commission will likely propose modest increase
The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission is seeking changes to the fees it charges for lobbyist and political action committee registrations. The commission’s executive director Carol Williams said the commission has not determined the amount of the increase it plans to propose, but that it will likely be a modest amount.
The fees for lobbyists and PACs have not increased in 12 years and the commission receives about a third of its funding through fees. The commission is also recommending an increase in the threshold amount at which a person must register as a lobbyist, from the current $100 in expenditures for lobbying to $500. The current threshold has not increased in 25 years, and the commission believes the proposed amount is a reasonable inflation factor.
January 17, 2013 •
Florida Senate Committee Drafting Proposed Ethics Bill Language
Possible changes to gift law and revolving door provisions
The Florida Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections is working on a proposed bill to revise the state’s ethics law.
The draft language relating to lobbying and gift law in the bill establishes a fine for executive branch lobbyists for failure to provide required information or knowingly providing false information in a report, and prohibits vendors from providing gifts to reporting individuals or procurement employees. Other changes the committee is considering include:
- Restrictions on former legislators’ employment as a lobbyist, such as ban on executive branch lobbying and a prohibition on becoming a partner, principal, or employee of a firm whose primary business is lobbying the state legislature within the two years after a legislator leaves office; and
- A prohibition on or reduced gift limit for gifts to covered individuals from committees of continuous existence, or CCEs. House Speaker Will Weatherford has called for elimination of CCEs, which are often used by legislators to pay for meals, travel, and gifts.
The committee plans to have final draft language available on January 18, and plans to consider the proposed bill at its January 22 meeting.
January 17, 2013 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are some great articles for today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
“Actor John Corbett gives lobbying new tune” by Patrick Gavin in Politico.
“K Street Files: Business Roundtable Weighs In on Entitlements” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
“NRA’s lobbying bags big legislative wins in states over the past two decades” by Peter Wallsten and Tom Hamburger in The Washington Post.
Campaign Finance
Iowa: “Senators target campaign spending reform in Iowa” by Jason Noble in Des Moines Register.
Maryland: “Groups to rally in Maryland to urge for campaign finance reforms” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.
Ethics
“Former FEMA exec pleads guilty to conflict of interest charges” by Kegar Pavgi in Government Executive.
“Under Contract” in The Hill.
“California ethics commission is at a crossroads” by Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times.
Oregon: “Oregon ethics board will consider Kitzhaber speaking fees” by Christian Gaston in The Oregonian.
Texas: “For Ethics Commission, Big Hurdles to Reform” by Morgan Smith in the Texas Tribune.
Texas: “Ethics bill would require disclosure of lawmakers’ contracts with state of Texas” by Mark Lisheron in Texas Watchdog.
January 16, 2013 •
Missouri Secretary of State Curbs Lobbyist Gifts to Staff
Office now has more limited policy than state law requires
Secretary of State Jason Kander, sworn in on January 14, 2013, has adopted a new ethics policy barring the staff in his office from accepting gifts from lobbyists.
Kander’s stated purpose was to give the public confidence that the office is being run in a nonpartisan and fair way.
State administrative policy already curtails what state employees may accept from lobbyists, but agencies are free to adopt stricter guidelines.
January 16, 2013 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Keep up with the latest articles on campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics!
Campaign Finance
“Ex-Bachmann aide alleges campaign finance violations” by Kevin Diaz in the Star Tribune.
Florida: “Support mounts to allow unlimited political contributions in Florida” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Miami Herald.
Florida: “Florida ethics rules come under Senate committee spotlight” by Matt Dixon in the Florida Times-Union.
Utah: “John Swallow accusations prompt call for ethics, campaign finance reform” by Dennis Romboy in the Deseret News.
Virginia: “Va. AG Cuccinelli will defy tradition, stay on job while campaigning” by David Hill in the Washington Times.
Lobbying
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“Chamber, union leaders mull alliance to press for immigration reform” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Florida: “Sweeping ethics bill would curtail lobbying by lawmakers” by Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.
Georgia: “Lieutenant governor will abide by Senate’s $100 gift cap” by Kristina Torres in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Legislative Issues
Montana: “New lawmaker launches video about 1st days in state Legislature” by John Grant Emeigh in the Billings Gazette.
New Mexico “Mary Kay Papen elected Senate leader” by Steve Terrell in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
January 15, 2013 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Keep up with the latest government relations news with these articles:
Lobbying
“Fiscal Battles Portend Good Year Ahead for K Street” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“K Street Files: Media Matters, MoveOn Adviser Takes Reins at NARAL” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
“Roundtable’s chief lobbyist Bill Miller: Taking care of business” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Tech lobbyists: Immigration reform needed ‘desperately’” by Steve Friess in Politico.
“Outside Groups Spent Big on Congressional Travel” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
California: “Former state legislator, wine lobbyist Paul Lunardi dies at 91” by Torey Van Oot in the Sacramento Bee.
Europe: “Political groups move closer to creating special committee on lobbying” by Cillan Donnelly in NewEurope.
Missouri: “Ex-state representative relates keys of lobbying” by James R. Campbell in the Daily Mail & Herald Tribune.
New Mexico: “Rotunda buzzes with activity ahead of legislative session” by Stacey Matlock in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Campaign Finance
North Carolina: “Morning Memo: McCrory gets campaign cash from indicted donor, Hudson on the rise” in the News & Observer.
Legislative Issues
South Carolina: “No Sanford vs. Sanford in South Carolina” by Mike Zapler in Politico.
January 14, 2013 •
Georgia Senate Caps Lobbyist Gifts at $100
Rule allows for some exceptions
The Senate has imposed a $100 limit on gifts from lobbyists. Senators approved the gift cap 42-12 on the opening day of the 2013 General Assembly session as part of new rules governing the chamber’s operations for the current two-year term.
The new rule does not apply to travel costs or to gifts provided to groups of senators, including members of committees. The rule also allows lobbyists to give $100 gifts on multiple occasions.
Although not bound by senate rules, house leaders plan to introduce legislation later this week calling for a complete ban on lobbyist gifts.
Photo of the Georgia State Capitol courtesy of connor.carey on Wikipedia.
January 14, 2013 •
Monday News Roundup
Let’s start off the week with these lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics news articles:
Lobbying
“Newly unemployed lawmakers buzzing about million-dollar lobbying jobs” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
California: “Interactive graphic: Hidden lobbying expenses” by Sharon Okada in the Sacramento Bee.
California: “California’s lobby laws keep many influence-peddling details secret” by Laurel Rosenhall in the Sacramento Bee.
Nevada: “Lobbyists sit through ethics training in Carson City” by David McGrath in the Las Vegas Sun.
“Two Buerkle staffers land jobs with Washington, D.C., lobbying firms” by Mark Weiner in the Post-Standard.
Campaign Finance
“Money in Politics This Week” by Syed Zaidi in the Brennan Center for Justice Blog.
“FEC Appointments Are Deciding the Future of Campaign Finance” by Alex Gauthier in the Independent Voter Network.
Mississippi: “Judge sets trial date for campaign finance case” by The Associated Press in the Mississippi Business Journal.
Wisconsin: “Mike McCabe featured speaker, topic is Campaign Finance Jan. 26 public meeting” in the Bay View Compass.
Ethics
“Harry Reid Disavows Report Linking Him to Bribery Case” by Neils Lesniewski in Roll Call.
Texas: “Some State Legislators Blur Line Between Public and Private Interests” by Emily Ramshaw in The New York Times.
State Legislatures
“More than Half of State Legislatures Convened this Week” by Angela Andrews in NCSL’s The Thicket blog.
Washington: “Key players to watch in the Washington Legislature, which convenes Monday” in the Seattle Times.
The Presidential Inauguration
“Critics Decry Looser Rules For Inauguration Fundraising” by NPR in Oregon Public Broadcasting.
“Fund-Raising Is Lagging, So Far, for Inaugural Plans” by Nicholas Confessore in The New York Times.
“An inauguration first: Apps” by Steve Freiss in Politico.
January 11, 2013 •
News You Can Use Digest – January 11, 2013
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Cynthia Bauerly, FEC Commissioner, to Resign on February 1
From the States and Municipalities:
Colorado – Ethics Panel OKs Continuing Gessler Probe, Mulls Legal Defense Fund
Connecticut – Ex-Convict Candidate Charged with Campaign Fraud
Florida – Orange Mayor Jacobs Proposes Major Texting, Lobbying Reforms
Georgia – Senate Ready to Cap Lobbyists’ Gifts
Illinois – New Illinois Legislature Includes 3 Members Facing Criminal Charges
Kansas – Push to Change Kansas’ Ethics Enforcement Coming
Montana – Helena Judge Rules ‘Dark Money’ Group Violated Election Laws
North Carolina – NC Court of Appeals to Rule on State’s Ability to Levy Lobbying Law Fines
Oklahoma – Former Oklahoma Senate Leader Mike Morgan Is Sentenced to Probation
South Carolina – SC Lawmakers Push More Money for Ethics Commission
Texas – Legislature’s Ethics Rules Raise Concerns
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.
January 10, 2013 •
Thursday News Roundup
Here are some great articles in today’s government relations news summary:
Lobbying
Delaware: “Kowalko introduces ‘revolving-door’ lobbying bill” by Doug Denison in the News Journal.
Florida: “Orange Mayor Jacobs proposes major texting, lobbying reforms” in the Orlando Sentinel.
Georgia: “Ga. Senate moves toward lobbying gift cap” by Ray Henry (Associated Press) in WSAV.com.
North Dakota: “Lobbyists gear up for 2013 ND legislative session” by The Associated Press in InForum.
Oregon: “Oregon Democratic legislators receive make-up donations” by Jeff Mapes in The Oregonian.
“K Street Files: TCH Group, Polaris Add Lobbyists” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
Campaign Finance
“Campaign Finance Reform In Congress Moves Forward With Little Hope For Passage” in the Huffington Post.
“Watchdog group criticizes Rep. Tim Ryan’s ‘campaign meals’ in congressional dining room” by Sabrina Eaton in the Plain Dealer.
Ethics
Idaho: “Idaho lawmakers get ethics training, a first” by The Associated Press in the Idaho Press-Tribune.
South Carolina: “SC lawmakers push more money for Ethics Commission” by Adam Beam in The State.
Legislative Issues
Kentuckey: “Kentucky House elects first woman to leadership post” by Jack Brammer and Beth Musgrave in the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Michigan: “Governor calls May special election to fill Flint-area state Senate seat vacated by John Gleason” by Kristin Longley in MLive.
Michigan: “5 things to watch today as the Michigan Legislature starts its 2013-14 session” by Tim Martin in MLive.
Redistricting
“Alaska redistricting board wants high court to reconsider” by The Associated Press in the Daily News-Miner.
Open Government
“House Republicans Release More Data Catnip for Developers” by Nick Judd in TechPresident.
Government Tech
“Technology’s Real Value for Government” by Jerry Mechling in Public CIO.
January 9, 2013 •
Wednesday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News
Keep up with the latest articles on campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics!
Lobbying
“Matt Walker Heads to the National Restaurant Association” by Alex Roarty in National Journal.
Campaign Finance
“Coalition Presses for Rules on Corporate Political Spending” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
“Campaign finance fight lands at the SEC’s door” by Anna Palmer and Zachary Warmbrodt in Politico.
District of Columbia: “Campaign finance reform bills introduced at D.C. Council” by Alan Blinder in The Examiner.
Ethics
Georgia: “Senate committee meets on ethics rules” by Melissa Roberts on CBS Atlanta.
Kansas: “GOP conservatives’ ire at ethics commission likely to result in proposals to revamp watchdog” by John Hanna in The Republic.
South Carolina: “Sanford set for political comeback trail” by Cameron Joseph in The Hill.
Legislative Issues
“The Hill’s 2012 New Members Guide” in The Hill.
“Americans prefer Nickelback, root canals to Congress” by Breanna Edwards in Politico.
“Rhode Island Likely to Lose a House Seat” by Katherine Q. Seelye in The New York Times.
Michigan: “Michigan Legislature starts new session Wednesday” by David Eggert (Associated Press) in the Lansing Journal.
Vermont: “As new legislative session starts, a look at the old Statehouse” by Terri Hallenbeck in the Burlington Free Press.
Wisconsin: “Wis. lawmakers reach no deal on changing rules” by Scott Bauer in the La Crosse Tribune.
Government Tech
“Who has the worst web presences in politics?” by Steve Friess in Politico.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
