May 1, 2012 •
Ask the Experts – How to Report Travel Expenses
Here is your chance to “Ask the Experts” at State and Federal Communications, Inc.
Q. Some of the state lobbying reports ask about my travel expenses. What does this include?
A. “Travel expenses” is a phrase used by several states. It can refer to two different types of expenditures.
Some states require the disclosure of personal, reimbursed expenses incurred while lobbying. This would include food and beverage, hotels, cab fare, and travel expenses for a lobbying trip. Iowa, for instance, requires lobbyist employers to disclose all reimbursements made to their lobbyists. So, if a lobbyist lives in Topeka and flies to Des Moines to communicate with a legislator, the airfare is a reportable expense. Note, however, this generally only applies if the primary purpose of the trip is lobbying as defined by the state. A trip during which the lobbying contacts made were incidental to the main purpose of the travel would usually not need reported.
Other states, however, require the reporting of airfare or other travel costs paid by a lobbyist on behalf of a legislator or other public official. In Idaho and Mississippi, for example, a lobbyist or lobbyist employer may pay for a public official to travel to an event or to the company’s facilities, and the cost of the travel must be reported.
In all of these cases, the state reports request “travel expenses.” As you can see, it is very possible for the same words to have different meanings in the eyes of different states. When in doubt, lobbyists and employers can always contact us for guidance.
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.
April 27, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – April 27, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Conservative Nonprofit Acts as a Stealth Business Lobbyist
Social Media Directors Increasing in Government
Federal:
‘We the People’ Petition Site the Newest Tool in K Street Lobbying Repertoire
Who Pays When The President Travels for The Campaign?
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
California
AT&T Wields Enormous Power in Sacramento
California
California Ethics Czar Urges Disclosure of Payments to Web Pundits
Louisiana
Cap on Legislative Wining and Dining Moves to $56
Minnesota
Debt-Laden Minnesota GOP Notified of Eviction
New York
Lobby Formed for Cuomo Blew Deadline
North Carolina
Charles Thomas, N.C. Speaker’s Top Aide, Linked to Lobbyist
North Dakota
North Dakota Bridles at Neighbor’s Capitol Insult
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Lawmaker Wins and Loses on the Same Day
South Carolina
ALEC Has Special Exemption in South Carolina’s Lobbying Law
West Virginia
Ethics Ruling Regarding House Speaker Raises 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.
April 26, 2012 •
Lobbying in the News
Here is today’s lobbying news:
“1,000 Independent Agents Lobbying Lawmakers in Washington” by Young Ha in Insurance Journal.
Alabama: “Lawmakers recommend reprimand for lobbyist” by Sebastian Kitchen in the Montgomery Advertiser.
California: The San Francisco Ethics Commission announced that their Lobbyist Electronic Filing System will experience down time for maintenance. For the schedule, see the Ethics Commission news update.
Delaware: “Bill would expand lobbyist disclosures” by Randall Chase (Associated Press) on WDEL.com.
April 23, 2012 •
Today’s Lobbying News Roundup
Keep up with the latest lobbying news with these articles:
“Big lobbying spending dips” by Dave Levinthal in Politico.
“U.S. Chamber of Commerce Continues to Spend Heavily on Lobbying, Filings Show” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“K Streeters Adjusting to Loss of Earmarks” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Fears of lame-duck session in Congress could boost K Street’s bottom line” by Kevin Bogardus and Rachel Leven in The Hill.
California: “How to wire a state capital” by Charles Mahtesian in Politico.
California: “AT&T wields enormous power in Sacramento” by Shane Goldmacher and Anthony York in The Los Angeles Times.
Minnesota: “Not all laws come from high-powered lobbying campaigns” by John Reinan in the MinnPost.
April 20, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – April 20, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
WellPoint Is Focus of Aggressive Effort to Force Political Spending Disclosures
Federal:
Federal Judge Rules for FEC in Contractor Donation Dispute
Mystery Donor Gives $10 Million to Crossroads GPS Group to Run Anti-Obama Ads
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Arizona
Arizona Senate Rejects New Bans on Meals, Donations
California
Corruption Can Leave Cities with Enormous Legal Bills
California
S.B. County Seeks to Bring in Political Watchdogs
Florida
Authorities Call for Tougher Campaign Finance Laws Following Rivera Probe
Illinois
Small Town Rocked by $30 Million Theft Case
New Jersey
How N.J. PACs Are Skirting the Law on ‘Pay-to-Play’
South Carolina
State Ethics Agency Pinched by Staff Shortage
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.
April 17, 2012 •
Today’s News Roundup
Keep up with the latest campaign finance, ethics, and lobbying news:
Campaign Finance
“Rep. Ted Deutch Holds Summit on Overturning Citizens United” via a press release on Rep. Ted Deutsch’s website. The meeting is set for tomorrow.
Alabama: “Campaign finance, PAC-to-PAC transfer law needs teeth, grand jury says” by Brian Lyman in the Montgomery Advertiser.
“Fundraising Numbers Tip Scales of Power” by Joshua Miller in Roll Call.
ALEC
“Midwest Democracy | Study accuses ALEC of ‘secretive influence’ in Missouri Capitol” by Jason Hancock in The Kansas City Star.
Government Ethics
“Figure at center of D.C. campaign finance probe resigns from health-care company” by Mike DeBonis in The Washington Post.
“U.S. congressman under fire for campaign expenses turns to high-powered law firm” by Matt Friedman in the Star-Ledger.
April 17, 2012 •
Elizabeth Bartz at the National Summit on Strategic Communications
Speaking on advocacy and outreach
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, was a presenter at the National Summit on Strategic Communications in Washington, D.C. yesterday.
The session was “Lobbying and Advocacy: Winning Strategies for Changing Times.” According to the conference agenda, the discussion consisted of the following:
“Thousands of political players, representing various causes, lobby on issues through diverse and fluid factions. Some research suggests that these factions often cancel each other out and prevent disruptive swings in public policy. Yet, this is no reason for organizations to step away from political involvement. As agencies and governments struggle with growing needs for services and large budget cuts, companies will be expected to play an even greater role in addressing society’s problems and advocating for solutions.”
The panel featured Elizabeth Bartz and Story Partners Chairperson Gloria Story Dittus, and was moderated by Tim Flaherty, Principal at Booz Allen Hamilton.
April 16, 2012 •
Lobbying and Campaign Finance in the News
Super PACs, Citizens United, lobbying the White House, and more in today’s news:
Campaign Finance
Federal: “Md. lawmakers take on political spending spree” by John Fritze in the Baltimore Sun.
Vermont: “Vermont lawmakers work to unravel Citizens United ruling” by Nicole Gaudiano in the Burlington Free Press.
Missouri: “St. Louis attorney pleads guilty in campaign donation scheme” by Virginia Young in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Lobbying
“Courting the White House: Don’t call it lobbying” by Anna Palmer and Abby Phillip in Politico.
“White House Opens Door to Big Donors, and Lobbyists Slip In” by Mike Mcintire and Michael Luo in The New York Times.
“Is dialoguing lobbying?” by Donovan Slack in Politico.
California: “The lobbyists’ bumbles and foibles” by Ray LeBov in Capitol Weekly.
April 13, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – April 13, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Democrats Give Special Interests a Role at Convention
Lobbyists Push Congress to Toughen Rules for Their Industry
White House Abandons Push for Federal Contractors to Disclose Political Giving
From the States and Municipalities:
Alaska
Commission Nominee Withdraws after Racism Accusation Revived
Arkansas
Ethics, Campaign Finance Reform Measure Inspired by Occupy Movement
California
L.A. County Supervisors Campaign for Funds in Lightly Contested Races
Georgia
Gifts Continue to Rain on Lawmakers
Indiana
Union Says Right-to-Work Law Violates Free Speech
Massachusetts
House May Pull PR, CEOs, Communications Specialists into Lobbying Definition
Michigan
Wayne Co. Ethics Rules Get Mixed Welcome
Missouri
Former Missouri Governor Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering
New Mexico
New Charges Filed against NM Town’s Mayor-Elect
Ohio
Josh Mandel, Ohio Treasurer, Sent Top Aide to Beginner’s Course
South Carolina
Ethics Commission Probes Haley’s Campaign Finances
Washington
Ex-Evergreen Instructor Who Owes $119,000 for Ethics Violations Has Disappeared
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.
April 12, 2012 •
Today’s Campaign Finance and Lobbying News Summary
Here are the latest articles:
Florida: “In wake of ‘Taj Mahal’ scandal, Florida Supreme Court approves new lobbying rules for judges” by Lucy Morgan in the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida: “Florida Supreme Court to judges: No lobbying” by Lucy Morgan in The Miami Herald.
Georgia: “Georgia ethics commission goes easy on late campaign reports after change in process” by Walter C. Jones in The Florida Times-Union.
Idaho: “Retiring ID Rep. lands at lobbying, marketing firm” by The Associated Press in the Idaho Statesman.
Kansas: “Corporations drop memberships in ALEC, which has strong ties to Kansas Legislature” by Scott Rohtschild in the Lawrence Journal-World.
Maryland: “Campaign Finance Transparency Measures Pass General Assembly” by Megan Poinski in Southern Maryland Online.
Massachusetts: “House may pull PR, CEOs, communications specialists into lobbying definition” by Colleen Quinn in the Boston Herald.
April 9, 2012 •
Breaking News: American League of Lobbyists Approves Stricter Rules
Recommendations to Congress promote more transparency and accountability from lobbyists.
Following a board meeting, American League of Lobbyists President Howard Marlowe announced the group has approved rules that would require more people to register as lobbyists, as well as other transparency measures.
For full news coverage, be sure to read: “Lobbyists OK Lobbying Reform Proposals”by Andrew Joseph in the National Journal.
According to the National Journal: “The reforms, more than a year in the making, include lowering the registration thresholds, mandating that lobbyists who work for state and local governments or religious organizations register, and shifting enforcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office to the Justice Department.
The plan would require a person who spends 10 percent of their time lobbying to register as a lobbyist, down from the current 20 percent threshold. And it lowers the number of paid lobbying contacts a lobbyist can have per quarter before registering from two to one. The proposal also shortens the registration window from 45 days to 20 days and would require all lobbyists to undergo ethics training and attend a refresher course every five years. The proposal preserves exemptions for citizen lobbyists.”
Here is the American League of Lobbyists press release.
Also read: “American League of Lobbyists suggests new rules” by Abby Phillip in Politico.
“American League of Lobbyists Announces Tougher Lobbying Rules” by Andrew Ramonas in The Blog of Legal Times.
April 9, 2012 •
Lobbying and Campaign Finance News
Keep up with the latest lobbying and campaign finance news:
“White House abandons push for federal contractors to disclose political giving” by Mike Lillis in The Hill.
“F.C.C. Pushes for Web Site on TV Political Ad Spending” by Brian Stelter in The New York Times.
“Limits on Lobbyists as Hosts? Simply Unworkable, They Say” by Robert Pear in The New York Times.
“FEC Ruling Leaves Ad Uncertainty” by Eliza Newlin Carney in Roll Call.
Arkansas: “Campaign Finance Reform in Arkansas Enters a New Phase” by KARK 4 News.
Maryland: “Lobbyist scores a ‘scoop’ of sorts” by Michael Dresser in The Baltimore Sun.
April 6, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – April 6, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Boycotts Hitting Group behind ‘Stand Your Ground’
GE, J&J among Firms to Give More Lobbying Detail
Federal:
As Women’s Issues Become More Prominent, Men Dominate Super PAC Funders
Campaign Donor Advertising Rule Invalidated by U.S. Judge
GAO: Lobbyist disclosure compliance ‘similar’ compared to prior years
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
Rep. Patterson to Keep Seat amid Ethics Inquiry
California
Campaign Treasurer Kinde Durkee Admits $7-Million Theft
California
Figure in Coliseum Corruption Case Is in ‘Jungles of Brazil’
Georgia
Lawmaker Returns $800 after Expenses Questioned
Illinois
Blagojevich’s Chief of Staff Gets 10 Days in Prison
Massachusetts
Timothy Cahill Indicted in Corruption Case
Mississippi
Political Stress Erupts at Capitol
New Jersey
Some of Christie’s Biggest Bills Match Model Legislation from D.C. Group Called ALEC
New York
State Ethics Board Won’t Disclose Record of Hiring Cuomo Aide
Wisconsin
Recall Elections Ordered for Walker, Kleefisch, 4 GOP Senators
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.
April 5, 2012 •
Your Lobbyist Compliance Experts
The mission of State and Federal Communications is to make sure that your organization can say, “I Comply.”
We are the leading authority and exclusive information source on legislation and regulations surrounding campaign finance and political contributions; state, federal, and municipal lobbying; and procurement lobbying.
Contact us to learn how conveniently our services will allow you to say “I Comply” for your compliance activities.
Be sure to visit stateandfed.com and if you have any questions, you can contact us at 330-761-9960, or info@stateandfed.com.
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.