December 20, 2011 •
NJ ELEC Enables Some Electronic Filing for Lobbyists
Annual Reports
The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) announced lobbyists and their clients can now file annual reports via the internet.
In a press release, ELEC Executive Director Jeff Brindle stated the electronic filing will not be mandatory, but hopes to begin mandatory electronic filing next year.
Additionally, Director Brindle reported, “As soon as possible, however, we do hope to allow lobbyists to electronically file their other reports.’’ ELEC eventually hopes to enable electronic filing of quarterly lobbyist activity reports, notices of representation, and notices of termination.
The annual activity reports for 2011 are due February 15, 2012.
December 19, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – December 19, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
FEC Dysfunction Not Just Politics, it’s Personal
Gingrich’s Book-Selling Efforts Test Law
From the States and Municipalities:
California
California Web Site’s Glitches Block On-line Tracking of Campaign Donations
California
Measure to Curb Union, Corporate Clout Qualifies
Georgia
Report: No evidence Deal worked to fire ethics officials
Indiana
Ex-Chief’s Indictment Is Latest Black Eye
Maryland
Bereano Settles Ethics Charges for $2,750
Maryland
Leslie Johnson Gets One-Year Sentence
Missouri
Kander Files Ethics Bill That Would Bar Lobbyist Gifts
Montana
State Wins First Round in Suit Testing Montana’s Campaign Disclosure Laws
New Mexico
New Mexico Judge’s Bribery Case Is One for the Books
New York
North Carolina
Perdue Fundraiser Gets Probation, $25,000 Fine
Wisconsin
U.S. Appeals Court Strikes down Part of State Election Law
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.
December 14, 2011 •
Missouri Ethics Bill Would Ban All Lobbyist Gifts
State Representative Jason Kander introduced a sweeping ethics bill today that would ban all lobbyist gifts.
The bill, HB1080, also includes strict limits on campaign contributions and a ban on legislators working as political consultants.
Kander believes the gifts, along with six-figure campaign donations, allow special interests to gain improper influence.
The bill would limit campaign contributions to $500 for House races, $1,000 for the Senate and $2,000 for statewide elections.
December 14, 2011 •
Maryland Lobbyist Agrees to Pay $2,750 Fine
Bereano puts ethics charges behind him.
The Baltimore Sun reported that lobbyist Bruce Bereano has settled the ethics case with the Maryland State Ethics Commission by agreeing to pay a $2,750 fine.
For the full story read “Bereano settles ethics charges for $2,750” by Michael Dresser.
December 13, 2011 •
Lobbyists and Members of Congress Ranked Low in Gallup Poll
They receive “low” and “very low” ratings alongside car salespeople.
Thanks to Eric Brown’s Political Activity Law Blog for bringing this news item to our attention.
Gallup.com just published a poll placing lobbyists and lawmakers at the bottom of their list in the areas of honesty and ethics. For the full story read “Record 64% Rate Honesty, Ethics of Members of Congress Low” by Jeffrey M. Jones.
According to the article: “Gallup has asked Americans to rate the honesty and ethics of numerous professions since 1976, including annually since 1990. Lobbyists also received a 64% low honesty and ethics rating in 2008.”
Photo of the Gallup Organization window by Kate Mereand on Wikipedia.
December 12, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – December 12, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Gingrich, Romney Campaigns Count on Lobbyists to Pay the Bills
Occupy D.C. Protesters Shut Down K Street
Stephen Colbert Gets Love at FEC
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Alabama Ethics Law Limits What Students Can Give Teachers; Homemade Cookies OK, Hams Not Allowed
California
California Ethics Agency Relaxes Rules on Gifts to Politicians
California
Watchdog Agency Fines Former Pinole Councilman $111,500 for Ethics Violations
District of Columbia
D.C. Council Tentatively Approves Ethics Reform Bill
Georgia
Fines Levied on Georgia Politicians Reported Reduced Because of Notification Costs
Illinois
Blagojevich Hit with 14-Year Prison Sentence
Maryland
Jack Johnson, Former Prince George’s Executive, Sentenced to Seven Years in Corruption
Maryland
Rule Would Allow Campaign Donations by Text Message
Minnesota
Minnesota Ads Discussing Gay Marriage Approved For Less Financing Disclosure
Missouri
Missouri Politicians Enjoyed World Series Thanks to Lobbyists
Vermont
Vermont Court Imposes $10,000 Penalty in Campaign Finance Suit
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.
December 9, 2011 •
Occupy Demonstrators Put Their Focus on K Street
Protesters, lock-downs, arrests, and the lobby shops.
On Wednesday, K Street was the center of focus for many Occupy protesters. Offices were on lock-down and dozens of arrests were made.
Be sure to read Politico’s “Occupy D.C. protesters shut down K Street” by Robin Bravender and Abby Phillip.
The action was part of a larger demonstration this week in Washington D.C. According to the article, “About 2,000 activists flooded Washington, D.C., this week to participate in the weeklong ‘Take Back the Capitol’ movement, according to a labor organizer close to the protests.”
K Street sign is a derivative of a photo by Ben Schumin on Wikipedia.
December 9, 2011 •
Highlighted Site of the Week – The Hawaii Ethical Lobbying Association
Hawaii Senator Ihara shared about an organization promoting ethical lobbying.
One of the remarkable moments I had at the 2012 COGEL Conference in Nashville was visiting with Hawaii State Senator Les Ihara, Jr. We spoke about COGEL and I had to put in a plug that the conference will be held in Columbus next year! He spoke about NCSL and other things coming in the next year.
Senator Ihara was interested in sharing about the Hawaii Ethical Lobbying Association and so that is our Highlighted Site of the Week. The website has the organization’s pledge of ethics, as well as listing news about an Ethical Lobbying and Campaign Spending Workshop.
Senator Ihara, who was named co-chair of NCSL’s Legislative Effectiveness Committee, has received the Good Government Angel Award from the Hawai‘i Pro-Democracy Initiative, Lawmaker of the Year from Small Business Hawai‘i, the Good Government Award from Common Cause Hawai‘i, and many other awards. The Hawaii State Legislature site offers an interesting list of the measures the senator has introduced.
Have a great weekend!
December 8, 2011 •
Clark County Passes Lobbying Policy
Revolving Door Addressed
CLARK COUNTY, NEVADA: The Clark County commissioners passed a new lobbying policy on December 6, 2011.
The policy permits county commissioners who are public employees to return to their public jobs immediately after serving in an elected position.
The ethics amendment also prohibits commissioners from working as paid consultants or lobbyists on any issue coming before a public body in Clark County.
December 6, 2011 •
Advocacy v. Lobbying in Ottawa
Refinements Wanted for Ottawa Lobbying Code
The Ottawa City Council Governance Renewal Sub-Committee has directed the city clerk to refine a proposed lobbyist code of conduct.
The councillors explicitly want the differences between advocacy and lobbying to be delineated in order to exempt advocacy activities from registration. The subcommittee differentiated advocacy activities, “communications that state a position for the purpose of a general community benefit, either city-wide or local,” from lobbying activities, “communications that seek to influence a decision for the direct benefit of an individual or the group they represent.”
The clerk’s office is also directed to develop options for a definition of a community association.
Also unsure of the best manner for the city to handle lobbyist activity disclosure, an additional demand was made of the clerk’s staff to “provide a high level overview of options for disclosure, including pros and cons of disclosure by Public Officials only, disclosure by lobbyists only, and dual disclosure.”
A response to the sub-committee is during sometime in the first quarter of 2012. The Governance Renew Sub-Committee is a sub-committee of the Finance and Economic Development standing committee.
Photo of Ottawa in January by SimonP on Wikipedia.
December 5, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – December 5, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
FEC Leaves Unclear Path for Super PACs
Gingrich’s Work Shows Limits of U.S. Lobbying Law
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona
Clean Elections Foes Say Public Funds Are Used to Influence Election Outcomes
Colorado
Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler Proposes Rewriting of State Campaign Finance Rules
Georgia
Ethics Commission Deals with Challenges of Change
Indiana
Marion County Judge Scolded for Fundraising Language
Kansas
Kansas Governor Says Staff Overreacted to Teen’s Tweet
Massachusetts
Columbus Center Developer Fined $1.6 Million
Nevada
Ethics Commission Party May Not Have Been So Ethical
New York
Second Bribe Case for Lawmaker Just Acquitted
North Carolina
Three Perdue Associates Indicted
South Carolina
S.C. Governor’s Chef Told to Reimburse State after Using Its Resources for Catering
Washington
Washington Rep. Hinkle Seeks Change to Fundraising Law
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.
December 1, 2011 •
Is Gingrich a Lobbyist?
The presidential candidate’s activities are under scrutiny in the news.
Newt Gingrich claims he was not lobbying after he left public office. The charge by some that he was lobbying – and Gingrich’s response – has raised issues regarding whether one can tell the difference between a lobbyist and someone engaged in non-lobbying advocacy.
Read more about it in this Reuters article, “Gingrich’s work shows limits of U.S. lobbying law” by David Ingram.
Also: “Gingrich Says He Was Acting as a Citizen, Not a Lobbyist” by Jim Rutenberg in the New York Times.
Photo of Newt Gingrich by Gage Skidmore on Wikipedia.
November 29, 2011 •
Georgia Ethics Agency Working to Catch-Up
The Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission is trying to catch-up five months after major staff changes and four months after launching an ambitious overhaul.
The overhaul split the commission staff into an administrative division, an investigative division, and a compliance-education division. In addition to these changes, a change in the reporting law has resulted in hundreds of delinquencies by local officials who are filing with the state for the first time. The agency has been required to devote time and resources to contact anyone in arrears by certified mail.
Meanwhile, larger investigations have stalled. Earlier this month the commission dismissed a case filed in 2004 because the statute of limitations had expired. A more recent complaint filed against a lobbyist who failed to timely file or register and who paid for a state official’s travel to Europe is now 10 months old and delayed.
Executive Secretary Holly LaBerge is expected to hire staff auditors and receive assistance from the attorney general’s office to aid prosecutorial efforts.
November 28, 2011 •
News You Can Use – November 28, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Democratic Groups Stalled on Launch Pad
FEC Permits Small Donor Channeling
Religious Lobbying Groups Multiply on Capitol Hill
South Jersey Congressman Spent $9,000 from Campaign Funds on Donor’s Wedding
From the States and Municipalities:
California
New Chair of Campaign Finance Watchdog Draws Strong Reactions
Connecticut
WFP Director Fined For Lobbying Without Badge
District of Columbia
D.C. Council to Consider Ethics Reform Bill
Illinois
Tony Rezko Sentenced to 10½ Years: Former Blagojevich fundraiser convicted of corruption
Massachusetts
Bump Knocked for Fundraising Letter
Mississippi
Campaigns Downplay Race, but Voters Don’t Follow Suit
Nevada
Trip to Brazil Raises Concerns about Lobbyists’ Access
Pennsylvania
City’s Lobbyist-Disclosure Program to Start in ’12
Washington
Right-Wing PAC Fights Campaign Disclosure
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.
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.
