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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ethics

“Citing Flawed Process, Lawyers Call for Changes in Ethics Office Inquiries” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.

“CREW Files DOJ, FEC Complaints Against Payday Lender for Illegal Conduit Contribution to Super PAC” in ENews Park Forest.

Colorado: “Ethics commission moves forward with Gessler investigation” by John Tomasic in the Colorado Independent.

Maryland: “Common Cause hires new state director” by Michael Dresser in the Baltimore Sun.

South Carolina:  “Ethics commission discusses reform recommendations” by The Associated Press in GoUpstate.com.

Wisconsin: “Funding cut threatens popular Wisconsin campaign finance database” by Steven Elbow in The Capital Times.

Lobbying

Ohio: “Former Rep. Steve LaTourette and wife to start law firm’s lobbying practice” by Sabrina Eaton in the Plain Dealer.

Campaign Finance

“Outside, secret money likely to flow in 2013” by Tarini Parti in Politico.

Minnesota:  “Campaign Finance Board looks to strengthen public disclosure law” by Tom Scheck in MPR News.

New York:  “Campaign finance reform crusader Cuomo fund raises at Waldorf Astoria” by Carl Campanile in the New York Post.

New York:  “Mayoral candidate files lawsuit challenging limits on campaign contributions” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

New York:  “NY proposal: Use casino money to fund NY campaigns” by Michael Gormley in the Huffington Post.

New York: “NY campaign funding drops, but Senate GOP gets most money” by Joseph Spector in the Press & Sun-Bulletin.

Legislative Issues

“SC House minority leader steps down” by Adam Beam in The State.

Social Media and Government Tech

“The Library of Congress is Archiving 170 Billion Tweets — on Tape” by Julia Wetherell in TechPresident.

Campaign Finance

“Obama Campaign Fined $375,000” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

“Supreme Court won’t hear campaign finance arguments from anti-abortion group” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.

Connecticut: “Former State Sen. Ernest Newton Arrested” by Mark Pazniokas in the Hartford Guardian.

Lobbying

“2013 Lobbying Certificate Program Calendar Released” on the American League of Lobbyists website.

“K Street Files: MPAA Casts Strahan” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Confessions of a Young Lobbyist on Capitol Hill” by Mickey Leibner in Roll Call.

“K Street Files: Airline Group Lands New Staffer, Lawsuit; Former Senators Lobbying” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

Ethics

“Cynthia Bauerly, FEC Commissioner, To Resign On February 1” by Paul Blumenthal in the Huffington Post.

Idaho: “Idaho lawmakers could create ethics committee” by Justin Corr in KTVB News.

South Carolina: “S.C. lawmakers have packed 2013 agenda” by Stephen Largen in the Post and Courier.

Legislative Issues

“Utah lawmaker wants to dump must-vote rule” by Robert Gehrke in The Salt Lake Tribune.

Federal:

Ethics Restrictions for Federal Workers Apply to Inaugural Activities

From the States and Municipalities:

California

Sacramento Filmmaker Lobbies for Cash to Back ‘The Lobbyist’

Georgia

Ethics Reform: Lawmakers may have seen last free football game

Idaho

Campaign Finance Loopholes Have Some Wondering: Who’s watching the money?

Nebraska

NE: Lawmakers look to change rules for campaigns

Nevada

New Rule Requires Training Course for Lobbyists

New York

State Comptroller Sues Qualcomm for Data on Its Political Contributions

North Carolina

NC Judge Voids Teacher Paycheck Law Targeting NCAE

South Carolina

South Carolina AP Reporter Jim Davenport Dies

Tennessee

Proposed Bill Limits Make Tennessee Lobbyists Scramble

Virginia

Political Mail Exposing Voting Habits Ignites Uproar

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

“Technology and lobbying in 2012” on Federal News Radio.

“K Street Files: Clark Lytle, Thorn Run Add New Partners” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Americans Believe the System Is Rigged Against Them: An Interview with Former Lobbyist Jack Abramoff”  by Elliot Resnick in The Jewish Press.

California: “Greuel faults DWP for bypassing bids on lobbying contracts” by David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times.

Campaign Finance

Arkansas: “Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson reports self to Ethics Commission giving campaign cash to girlfriend” by The Associated Press in The Republic.

New Jersey: “N.J. Democratic Party fined $42K for alleged campaign finance violations” by Matt Friedman in the Star-Ledger.

Texas: “Ethics Commission Fines Simmons’ PAC Over Donations” by Becca Aaronson in the Texas Tribune.

Ethics

“Report links McConnell campaign donations to legislative work” by Alexandra Jaffe in The Hill.

“House Ethics Reviewed 96 Cases During 112th” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.

New York: “NY comptroller sues Qualcomm on political spending” by The Associated Press in The Wall Street Journal.

Pennsylvania:  “Gov. Corbett’s trip paid for by a businessman is subject of a complaint filed by activist Gene Stilp” by Jan Murphy in the Patriot-News.

Nevada lobbyists must now complete training before they can lobby the Legislature.

The Legislative Commission issued amended regulations on lobbying on December 20, 2012. The training will be provided by the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

Lobbyists can either attend a training session in person or arrange to obtain a video of the training and then certify having watched the video.

Additionally, the photo identification badges for lobbyists have been assigned different colors based on a category, such as whether a lobbyist is paid or not paid.