The Board of Commissioners of the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission has issued an order for lobbyists with unpaid fines, fees, and unfiled reports.

The commission will deny lobbyist renewal for 2013 to individuals registered with outstanding fees for previous registrations, supplemental registrations, or identification cards.

The commission will also deny lobbyist renewal to individuals with unpaid fines or unfiled reports previously due.

The order goes into effect on December 16, 2012.

Lobbying

“Targeting the ‘Lobbyist’ Next Door” by Jeanette M. Petersen in The Wall Street Journal.

“K Street Files: The British Are Coming to Venn” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

Campaign Finance

“Watchdog group files FEC complaint against Crossroads GPS” by T.W. Farnam in The Washington Post.

“Technology Leaders Endorse Effort to Overhaul Campaign Finance” by Thomas Kaplan in The New York Times.

“California’s political watchdog agency will probe $11 million political donation” by Steven Harmon in the Mercury News.

Michigan: “Campaign finance software updates designed to make filing easier; Candidate committees to experience simpler data entry” in Equities.com.

New York: “NYC Campaign Finance Board Throws The Book At Ex-Brooklyn Councilman Kendall Stewart” by Celeste Katz in New York Daily News.

Ethics

New York: “Annapolis to rewrite ethics rules for elected officials” by Erin Cox in the Baltimore Sun.

“Longtime Oklahoma Ethics Commission workers are honored” by Michael McNutt in the Oklahoman.

National:

If Your Side Lost The Election, Time to Secede from The Union?

Super-Sized Majorities Shift Legislative Power

Federal:

Campaign Finance Reformers Get Back to Work after Record Election Spending

Is Part of Voting Rights Act Outdated, Unfair? High Court to Decide

From the States and Municipalities:

Arizona

Tougher Campaign Finance Disclosure Laws Sought

California

After Election, State Lawmakers and Interest Groups Travel in Tandem

Georgia

Georgia Lawmakers Get Luxury-Box Tickets to Dome

Maryland

Ethics Oversight Board Hasn’t Met in Years

Ohio

Ohio Elections Panel Again Clears Gerald McFaul in Controversial Campaign Finance Case

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Ethics Commission Narrows Field of Applicants

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.

An old lawsuit has been resurrected that could leave Washington’s public disclosure law involving grassroots lobbying in jeopardy. Two groups, Conservative Enthusiasts and Many Cultures, One Message, sued the Washington Public Disclosure Commission in 2010 claiming their free speech rights were violated by the law requiring grassroots campaigns to register and report with the state.

The case was dismissed by a magistrate for lack of standing. However, last week, a three judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court heard the appeal on the dismissal and will soon be making a decision on the law in question.

At issue in the case will be whether the law is unconstitutionally vague. The law defines lobbying, among other things, as attempting to influence the passage of legislation. Included in the definition of legislation is “any other matter that may be the subject of action” by the legislature. It is this language that is the nature of the lawsuit. The two groups claim that the language is overly vague and includes “an endless possibility of matters.”

Now, it is up to the appellate court to decide whether the case will go back to the trial court for a hearing on the merits and whether the dismissal will be upheld.

Campaign Finance

“Campaign Finance Reformers Get Back To Work After Record Election Spending” by Paul Blumenthal in the Huffington Post.

“Abramoff, Occupy Wall Street join forces on campaign finance reform” by Megan M. Wilson in The Hill.

“U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown calls for campaign finance reform” by Stephanie Warsmith in the Akron Beacon Journal.

Lobbying

“Lobbyists Woo New Lawmakers in D.C. Mating Dance” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Incoming freshman lawmakers already have bundlers on K St.” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.

“Tax fight sneaks up on K Street” by Bernie Becker and Peter Schroeder in The Hill.

“Rove Super PAC will try lobbying” by Rachel Weiner in The Washington Post.

Florida:  “Cretul, Cannon are lobbyists; former speakers start new firm” by Bill Thompson in the Gainesville Sun.

Ethics

“Secretary of state accused of moving too slow on PAC ethics complaint” by Steve Terrell in the Santa Fe New Mexican.

“Montreal Hackathon Aims to Combat Government Corruption” by Elisabeth Fraser in TechPresident.

Redistricting

“Ohio State Bar Association urges commission to take up redistricting reform” by Kate Irby in the Plain Dealer.

The clerk of the legislature’s office is implementing voluntary electronic filing for lobbyist registration and reporting for the 2013 legislative session.

Paper filings will be accepted through 2014, and mandatory electronic filing will be implemented January 1, 2015.

Campaign Finance

“Result Won’t Limit Campaign Money Any More Than Ruling Did” by Nicholas Confessore in The New York Times.

“It’s hard to follow the money” by Ruth Marcus in the Columbia Daily Tribune.

“Campaign finance reform on Klobuchar’s to-do list” by John Croman in KARE11 News.

“Super-PACs already planning for 2014” by Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

“Colbert shuts down super PAC” by Kevin Robillard in Politico.

California: “Secret donation hindered campaigns, GOP advisors say” by Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times.

Illinois:  “Illinois congressional races belie fears that outside, anonymous money can buy elections” by John O’Connor in The Republic.

Kentucky:  “Three Kentucky Agencies Probe Requests for Political Contributions” by The Associated Press in WKU Public Radio.

Montana: “Montana Voters Overwhelmingly Said That Corporations Aren’t People” by Erin Fuchs in Business Insider.

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma political action committee fails to file campaign financial reports” by Michael McNutt in the Oklahoman.

Texas: “County moving toward digitizing campaign finance reports” by Nolan Hicks in the San Antonio Express-News.

Lobbying

“Super PACs Make Move to Lobbying” by Elizan Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

“Street Talk: Plum K St. Jobs Scarce in Post-Election Market” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.

“Good news for lobbyists: Cyber dollars” by James Ball in The Washington Post.

“Majority of K Street Lobbyists’ Former Capitol Hill Staff” by David K. Rehr in the Huffington Post.

California: “Tim Howe, longtime political consultant and lobbyist, dies” by Robert D. Davila in the Sacramento Bee.

Ethics

District of Columbia: “Former DC Council chairman to be sentenced for bank fraud, campaign finance violation” by The Associated Press in The Washington Post.

Illinois: “Blago gets ‘booked’” by Mackenzie Weinger in Politico.

Maryland:  “Annapolis To Revise City Ethics Code” by Anna Staver in the Annapolis Patch.

Campaigns and Elections

“Obama’s Victory Is a Win for Big Data” by Steve Towns in Government Technology.

Federal:

Spending by Independent Groups Had Little Election Impact, Analysis Finds

From the States and Municipalities:

Arkansas

State Senator’s Campaign Money Went to Girlfriend, Records Show

California

California’s $11 Million Campaign Donation Source Tied to Koch Brothers, Research Reveals

California

Labor Defeats Anti-Union Initiative in California

Colorado

Denver DA Launches Criminal Probe of Secretary of State Scott Gessler

Georgia

50 State Lawmakers Back Ethics Pledge

Illinois

Indicted Former Lawmaker [Wins] State House race

Massachusetts

Trial Starts; Jury to Decide if Cahill Broke Ethics Law during Campaign

Montana

Secretive Conservative Group’s Records Released

Ohio

Issues 1, 2 Overwhelmingly Defeated

Texas

HISD Trustee Got Cut of Contracts Awarded to Associate, Records Show

Washington

Ethics Fines May Follow Gifts of Liquor to City Light Trainer

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.

Campaign Finance

“Outside Spending Defines Elections” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.

California: “California’s 11th-hour, $11 million campaign finance uproar” by Alexander Burns in Politico.

California: “California watchdog only half-way to bottom of Arizona donation” by Peter Henderson (Reuters) in the Chicago Tribune.

Maine:  “Ethics Commission Rules a Republican Candidate Violated State Election Law” by The Associated Press in WABI News.

Lobbying

“2 firms unite in Capitol lobbying” by Mary Jo Pitzl in the Arizona Republic.

Ethics

“Campaigns use secretive ethics process as weapon against opponents” by Jordy Yager in The Hill.

Campaigns and Elections

“One Final Preview of the Election” by Meagan Dorsch in NCSL’s The Thicket.

“5 Unforgettable Social Media Election Moments” by Juliet Barbara in Forbes.

“How to cut through social media noise on Election Night” by Jenna Sakwa on CBS News.

Lobbying

“Start-ups aim for a more democratic lobbying system” by Jeffrey MacMillan in the Washington Post.

“More banks raise efforts on lobbying” by Carter Dougherty (Bloomberg) in NorthJersey.com.

Campaign Finance

“Former lawmakers sit on piles of cash” by Molly K. Hooper in The Hill.

Arizona: “Updated: Arizona group ordered to turn over campaign donation records” by The Associated Press in the East Valley Tribune.

Arkansas: “State senator’s campaign money went to girlfriend, records show” by John Lyon in the Arkansas News.

California: “Fight over campaign donation audit goes to California top court” by Tim Gaynor in Reuters.

Michigan: “Campaign spending in Michigan hits $175M” by Chad Livengood in the Detroit News.

Nevada: “Dollars in the Desert: Nevada State Senate Contest Rakes in Big Money” by Ben Wieder in Stateline.

Oklahoma:  “Super PACs altering Oklahoma’s political landscape” by Randy Krehbiel and Curtis Killman in the Tulsa World.

Washington: “Big names and big money define Washington state election” by The Associated Press in The Oregonian.

Ethics

“2 top Texas judges on ballot fighting ethics fines” by Jim Vertuno in the Austin American-Statesman.

Campaigns and Elections

“New Jersey to allow voting by e-mail and fax” by Ginger Gibson in Politico.

“In Legislative Elections, Majorities and Supermajorities at Stake” by Josh Goodman in Stateline.

Federal:

Little Girl Cries over ‘Bronco Bamma’

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama

AEA Plays Bigger Role in Politics than Teachers Unions in Most Other States, Study Finds

California

Anti-Tax Group’s Support Can Come with a Price

California

Arizona Nonprofit Must Reveal $11 Million Donor Details

District of Columbia

Inspector General Audit Details Hiring, Ethics Abuses at MWAA

Florida

Justin Lamar Sternad Invokes Fifth Amendment Right in FEC

Idaho

Idaho Nonprofit Reveals Donors after Losing Lawsuit; Bloomberg Gave $200K, Scott $250K

Maine

Senate District 25 Candidate Lachowicz Cleared by Ethics Panel

Michigan

Term Limits Launching Political Careers, Free Press Analysis Shows

Mississippi

Officials to Call for New Anti-Corruption Laws

Montana

Political Practices Reports Apparent Break-in

North Dakota

Judge Blocks ND Election Day Campaign Ban

West Virginia

WV House of Delegates Candidate Killed Because of Storm, Still on Ballot

Wisconsin

Five Wisconsin Lawmakers Settle Suit with Groups Seeking ALEC E-mails

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.

From the States

“Capitols After Dark: A Haunting Prospect” by Mark Wolf in NCSL’s The Thicket.

Lobbying

“Romney Would Limit Lobbyist Roles” by Damian Paletta and Brody Mullins in The Wall Street Journal.

Campaign Finance

“Billionaires, outside groups fueled pricey campaigns” by The Associated Press in the Dallas Morning News.

“30 Issues: Why You Should Care About … Campaign Finance” by Ibby Caputo on WGBH.

California: “Limit on campaign contributions may be increasing the spending of outside groups” by Stephen Hobbs in the Richmond Confidential.

Ethics

“City Council OKs overhaul of ethics board” by Fran Speilman in the Chicago Sun Times.

Campaigns and Elections

“Romney Campaign Will Use Smartphones To Track Voter Turnout” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.

“Why there won’t likely be an electoral vote/popular vote split — in one map” by Chris Cillizza in The Washington Posts’ The Fix.

Q. I am a registered lobbyist who was asked to make an in-kind contribution on behalf of my company for an event to be held by a state political party. Is this permissible?

A. As a registered lobbyist, your contributions may be governed by two sets of laws: campaign finance and lobbying.

First, you must determine whether the state would consider the in-kind payment to be a contribution or a lobbying expenditure.

If the in-kind payment is determined by the state’s governing body to be a contribution, then this contribution must be compliant with the campaign finance laws. You must first determine if the amount and source of funding are permissible. Assuming permissibility of the contribution, potential restrictions on contributions facilitated by lobbyists and the reportability of contributions facilitated by lobbyists will need to be reviewed. In some states, once the in-kind contribution is made, the lobbyist and the lobbyist’s principal may not have additional involvement with the planning of the event, but will be permitted to attend.

Where the state considers the in-kind payment to be a lobbying expenditure and not a political contribution, you must ensure that the expenditure will not exceed the state’s gift limit. The pro-rata share of the expenditure attributable to all public officials who attend the event may be reportable on a disclosure report.

While this analysis will vary from state to state, it is important to be cautious when making in-kind payments.

You can directly submit questions for this feature, and we will select those most appropriate and answer them here. Send your questions to: marketing@stateandfed.com.

(We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or e-mail us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies to your questions are not legal advice. Instead, these replies represent our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.

Lobbying

“K Street Lobbyists Ready for Post-Sandy Disaster Aid Requests” by Kate Ackley and Janie Lorber in Roll Call.

“The Hill’s 2012 Top Lobbyists” in The Hill.

“5 Wisconsin lawmakers settle suit with groups seeking ALEC emails” by Jason Stein in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Campaign Finance

“Outside cash trumps candidates’ in half a dozen tight races” by Kevin Bogardus and Megan R. Wilson in The Hill.

California: “Judge backs Jerry Brown, FPPC on Arizona campaign donations” by Kevin Yamamura in the Sacramento Bee.

Oklahoma: “Oklahoma candidates accept corporate contributions, afoul of state law” by Megan Rolland in The Oklahoman.

Oklahoma: “Chickasaw Nation leads state superPAC donors” by Randy Kehbiel in the Tulsa World.

Campaigns and Elections

“Where’s Your Polling Location? On IOS 6, There’s Now An App To Help You Find Out” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.