July 2, 2012 •
Monday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News Roundup
Don’t miss today’s articles:
Campaign Finance
“Political Perceptions: Email Fundraising, Too Forward?” by Peter Nicholas in The Wall Street Journal.
“The 2012 Congressional race and super PAC intermingling” by Stephen Wright in the Examiner.
Maryland: Editorial “Cleaning up Maryland politics” in The Washington Post.
Michigan: “Michigan Campaign Finance Network questions fundraising by lame-duck lawmakers” by The Associated Press in Crain’s Detroit Business.
Lobbying
“Bill Miller to head lobbying for Business Roundtable” by Mike Allen in Politico.
“Mining bill drew lobbyists’ attention” by Steve Mistler in the Portland Press Herald.
“Investment in lobbying not surefire in Maine” by Steve Mistler in the Kennebec Journal.
“Who is ALEC?” on CBS News.
“Former IRS Official Demands Investigation of ALEC” by Janie Lorber in Roll Call.
“Ethics Inquiry Exonerates Governor In Lobbying” by Robbie Brown in The New York Times.
Rhode Island: “Former Lawmakers Cash in Playing Revolving Door Game” by Dan McGowan in GoLocalProv.com.
July 2, 2012 •
Delaware Legislature Passes Lobbying Bill 185
Governor Markell is expected to sign the bill.
One of Delaware Governor Jack Markell’s largest focus areas since entering office has been creating a responsible government. His state took one step closer to that goal when the legislature passed Senate Bill 185. The bill, which Governor Markell spearheaded, increases lobbyist reporting when making direct communications with state officials and employees. If a lobbyist makes a direct communication to a member of the general assembly, the lieutenant governor, or the governor on any bill or resolution pending before the general assembly, then that lobbyist is required to report the direct communication. A lobbyist will also have to report any direct communications concerning a proposed regulation with an employee or official of the state agency proposing the regulation.
The lobbyist report will be due no later than the fifth business day after the date on which the direct communication took place. If the direct communication was about a bill, resolution, or regulation that has not yet been introduced, the report is due no later than the fifth business day after that bill, resolution, or regulation is introduced.
The lobbyist is only required to disclose there was a direct communication that took place and the identity of the bill, resolution, or regulation that the communication was concerning. The bill, resolution, or regulation may be identified by name or by number. The lobbyist does not have to disclose the identity of the person with whom he or she had the direct communication. Further, the reporting requirement does not apply to a lobbyist when he or she is fulfilling duties as a member of a commission, committee, task force, or other public body.
All of the reports filed under this law must be filed electronically by the lobbyist with the Delaware State Public Integrity Commission. The commission, in turn, will post the reports in an online database for the public to access.
Governor Markell has stated he will sign the bill. If he does, the law will go into effect on January 1, 2013.
Photo of Governor Markell by John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV on Wikipedia.
June 29, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 29, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
After Winning Right to Spend, Political Groups Fight for Secrecy
Court Upholds Ban on Corporate Political Contributions
GOP Lawsuit Challenges Campaign Contribution Caps
From the States and Municipalities:
California: Cudahy Arrests Add Salt to L.A. County Area’s Civic Wounds
Connecticut: Malloy, Legislature Make Last Stab at Campaign Reform
Florida: Tom Lee Wants Back in the Senate, to the Chagrin of Some Lobbyists
Illinois: U of I Professor Relents, Will Take Ethics Training Developed by ‘Unwise Rulers to Annoy Us’
Montana: Supreme Court Reaffirms Citizens United, Tosses Montana Corporate Spending Ban
Nebraska: Special Interests Spent $14 Million to Influence State Government
New York: Supreme Court Declines to Hear NY Campaign Finance Case
South Carolina: State Ethics Law Has Disclosure Gaps
Vermont: Federal Judge Dismisses Vermont Campaign Finance Challenge
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.
June 28, 2012 •
Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission Recommends Changes in Ethics Law
Recommendations submitted to legislative research commission
The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission has submitted a recommendation to the legislative research commission for several changes to the code of legislative ethics.
The recommended changes include:
- requiring employers of lobbyists to report the cost of advertising supporting or opposing legislation that appears during a session of the general assembly, if the cost is paid by an employer of lobbyists or a person affiliated with an employer;
- prohibiting employers of lobbyists and PACs from making campaign contributions to legislative candidates or legislators during a regular session of the general assembly, and prohibiting lobbyists from directly soliciting contributions for an election campaign of a legislator or legislative candidate;
- repeal the provision allowing each lobbyist and employer to spend up to $100 annually on food and beverages for each legislator and his or her immediate family, and prohibit lobbyists and employers from paying for out-of-state travel, food, or lodging expenses for legislators or candidates; and
- limiting the interaction between lobbyists and candidates who have filed to run for election to the general assembly, who are currently not subject to the $100 limit on food and beverage or prohibition on receiving anything of value from a lobbyist or employer.
June 27, 2012 •
Wednesday Campaign Finance, Lobbying, and Ethics News Summary
Keep up with the latest articles:
Campaign Finance
“Campaign money case could propel more deregulation” by Jack Gillum on CBS News.
“Inquiry Looks Into a Shield for Donors in Elections” by Nicholas Confessore in The New York Times.
“Social Fundraising Platform Rally Grows With A New Round of $7.9 Million” by Sarah Lai Stirland in TechPresident.
“Will Ct. now see gusher of campaign bucks?” by Ken Dixon in the Connecticut Post.
Lobbying
“K Street Files: Lobbyists Prep for SCOTUS Ruling” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
“Lobbying World” in The Hill.
“The lion’s aide on K Street” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
“Hawaii professional employer organizations to form lobbying group” by Lynn Nakagawa in the Pacific Business News.
Government Ethics
“Outsider Privy to Ethics Case” by Amanda Becker in Roll Call.
Georgia: “Candidates late, confused on filing requirements” by Crystal Tatum in the Newton Citizen.
From the State Legislatures
“Cook, Rove, Zandi Address Legislators at June 2012 Leaders Meeting” by Alex Fitzsimmons on NCSL’s The Thicket.
Illinois: “Illinois lawmakers consider expulsion of Rep. Derrick Smith” by The Associated Press in the State Journal-Register.
Oklahoma: “Oklahoma elections: Most incumbent House members win contests” by Michael McNutt in The Oklahoman.
Open Government
“R.I. open-government advocates hail improvement to public-records law” by Karen Lee Ziner in the Providence Journal.
June 26, 2012 •
Tuesday News Roundup
Campaign Finance, lobbying, redistricting
“Public stations may get OK for political ads” by David Bauder (Associated Press) in The Washington Times.
“After winning right to spend, political groups fight for secrecy” by Joseph Tanfani and Melanie Mason in the Los Angeles Times.
Alaska: “Federal government role in Alaska elections questioned” by Becky Bohrer in the Anchorage Daily News.
District of Columbia: “Embattled DC Mayor Gray to propose campaign finance reforms in bid to end ‘pay to play’” by Ben Nuckols (Associated Press) in The Washington Post.
Minnesota: “Lobbying is a big business in Minnesota” by Jennifer Brooks in the Star Tribune.
Minnesota: “High court ruling throws state campaign law into doubt” by Corey Mitchell in the Star Tribune.
Texas: “Cruz-Dewhurst battle pits D.C. and Austin lobbyists” by Priya Anand in the Houston Chronicle.
Vermont: “Vermont Officials Criticize Federal Ruling On Campaign Finance” by Bob Kinzel on Vermont Public Radio.
June 25, 2012 •
Lobbying News Roundup
Don’t miss the latest stories on lobbying!
“In case you missed it: ‘Capitol Assets’ highlights” by Ed O’Keefe in the Washington Post.
“Street Talk: Lobby Shop Ogilvy Now Faces Uncertain Future” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
Indiana: “Daniels unsure of lobbying as Purdue” by The Associated Press in the Evansville Courier & Press.
Minnesota: “Local government units spent $8.3M on legislative lobbying last year” by Brian Lambert on MinnPost.com.
South Carolina: “Ethics hearing for S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley to begin Thursday” by Andrew Shain in the Kansas City Star.
June 22, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 22, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Critics: Lobbying ethics rules go too far
Nonprofits Outspent Super PACs in 2010, Trend May Continue
Supreme Court Rules against Union on Nonmember Fees for Politics
From the States and Municipalities:
Connecticut
Malloy Vetoes Campaign Finance Bill
Connecticut
Probes Cast Shadow in Congressional Race
District of Columbia
District’s Political Corruption Has Deep Roots
Illinois
Illinois House Expulsion in 1905 Laid Groundwork for 2012 Smith Case
Montana
Montana AG Asks Federal Judge to Uphold Campaign Contribution Limits
New Jersey
N.J. Governor Candidates Can Receive More Money from Donors, Public Financing under New Guidelines
Ohio
Ex-Rep. Weddington Gets Three Years for Bribery
Wyoming
Wyoming Lawsuit Challenges FEC Regulations
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.
June 20, 2012 •
Wednesday Lobbying News
Don’t miss these recent articles:
“Dems won’t release jackabramoff.com” by John Bresnahan in Politico.
“Jack Abramoff Wants His Name Back from Democrats” by Eric Randall in The Atlantic.
“Lobby shop CEO to join RNC” by Anna Palmer in Politico.
“Leadership shake-up at Ogilvy Government Relations” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Georgia: “Legislators push for lobbyist cap” by Stephen Abel in WALB News.
New York: “Groups seek probe of NY gov, business lobby link” by The Associated Press in CBS News.
Rhode Island: “Former R.I. House speaker earned at least $78,000 as a lobbyist in 2012” by Philip Marcelo in the Providence Journal.
June 18, 2012 •
Monday Campaign Finance and Lobbying News Summary
Start the week off right with these latest news items:
Campaign Finance
“‘Citizens United’ Case Gets Renewed Scrutiny” by David Welna on NPR.org.
“Post-Watergate campaign finance limits undercut by changes” by Dan Eggen in the Washington Post.
“Will Text-Message Fundraising Revolutionize the Political Cash Game?” by Alex Roarty in the Atlantic.
Connecticut: “Common Cause slams Malloy veto of campaign finance bill” by Mark Pazniokas in CTMirror.org.
Florida: “High school students create a super PAC” by Lane DeGregory in the Miami Herald.
Tennessee: “Many TN lawmakers have deeper pockets than challengers” by Elizabeth Bewly on WBIR.com.
Lobbying
“Does ALEC influence politics, laws?” by Dana Beyerle in the Tuscaloosa News.
Arkansas: “Ethics reform emerging in partisan politics” by Rob Moritz in Arkansas News.
Georgia: “Lobbyist fined for $17,000 European trip with Ralston” by Doug Richards in WXIA News.
Rhode Island: “Lawmakers Pocketed Thousands from Lobbyists in May” by Dan McGowan in GoLocalProv.
June 15, 2012 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 15, 2012
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
FEC: Campaigns can raise money via text message
Howard Marlowe, Lobbyist Defender
K Street: ‘Let’s meet’; Hill staffers: ‘text me’
From the States and Municipalities:
Alaska
APOC Weighs in on Campaign Finance Question
Connecticut
ACLU, Businesses Oppose Campaign Financing Reporting Bill
Georgia
Former Director, Assistant File Lawsuits against Ethics Commission
New York
Lobbyists Directed Contributions
New York
Unexpected Stand against Disclosure
Pennsylvania
GOP Will Discuss Skinhead Winner
South Carolina
Rep. Jim Merrill Faces Ethics Questions over Work with Realtors
Texas
Constitution’s ‘Supreme Being’ Clause Targeted Again
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.
June 13, 2012 •
Missouri Has New Online Campaign Finance Search Tool
And more campaign finance, lobbying, and government ethics news today:
“Ethics Commission offers new campaign finance search tool” by Mike Lear in MissouriNet.
“2 Campaigns Chasing Funds at Frantic Pace” by Ashley Parker and Helene Cooper.
“Entrepreneurs, small lobby shops challenging K Street’s old guard” by Kevin Bogardus in The Hill.
Arkansas: “Backers optimistic about ethics measure; GOP lawmaker questions proposal” by Jeff Arnold in the Arkansas News.
Connecticut: “Connecticut lawmakers return for special session” by Susan Haigh (Associated Press) in the Norwich Bulletin.
June 12, 2012 •
SGAC Professional Certificate Program Graduates
An exciting achievement for two from State and Federal Communications
We send our congratulations to Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, and Client Specialist Myra Cottrill, who recently completed the State Government Affairs Professional Certificate Program!
A formal graduation ceremony for those who have completed the certificate program will take place on August 8, 2012 at the SGAC luncheon in Chicago during NCSL’s Legislative Summit.
June 12, 2012 •
Today’s Lobbying News
Keep up with the latest lobbying news articles:
“Washington’s Top Lobbying Groups Hire Mostly Men: BGOV Barometer” by Jonathan D. Salant and Jennifer Prince in Bloomberg News.
“Study: Lobbying bad for business?” by Tim Mak in Politico.
Here is the original study the above article references: “Corporate political giving doesn’t pay” by Amy Hodges in Rice University News & Media.
“K Street: ‘Let’s meet’; Hill staffers: ‘Text me’” by Dave Levinthal in Politico.
“The State of K Street: Work in the Shadows – Lobbying Rules That Were Meant to Regulate the Industry Have Spawned the Emergence of the Unlobbyist” by Kate Ackley in Roll Call.
New York: “Lobbyists directed contributions” by Jimmy Vielkind in the Albany Times Union.
New York: “Lobbyists gave state pols $1.8M” by Erik Kriss in the New York Post.
“Are politicians too rich to understand us?” by Timothy Stanley on CNN.
“Hotel industry’s top lobbyist bringing it back to Main Street” by Elise Viebeck in The Hill.
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.