National/Federal

Kevin McCarthy Uses PAC to Lavish Cash on High-End Resorts, Private Jets and Fine Dining

MSN – Paul Pringle and Adam Elmahrek (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 12/7/2023

As her exits Congress two months after his historic ouster as House speaker, political obituaries tout Kevin McCarthy’s skills as a prolific fundraiser on behalf of Republican candidates. Also setting him apart from other congressional leaders was his roughly decade-long pattern of using his Majority Committee PAC to spend lavishly on hotels, private jets, and fine dining establishments, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis. From 2012 through last June, McCarthy’s PAC shelled out more than $1 million on hotels, private air travel, and eateries.

Trump Gag Order Reinstated but Narrowed in Jan. 6 Case

MSN – Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 12/8/2023

A federal appeals court narrowed an order limiting what Donald Trump can say about people involved in the criminal case alleging he tried to subvert the 2020 election results, saying he cannot talk about witnesses’ involvement or single out other individuals in ways likely to interfere with the case. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan had prohibited him from “targeting” any individuals involved in the case involved in the case. The judges said “targeting” was too broad a prohibition on Trump and could be “chilling speech” unlikely to have any impact on the case.

House Ethics Committee Requests Interview with Witness in Gaetz Probe

MSN – Paula Reid and Annie Grayer (CNN) | Published: 12/7/2023

The House ethics committee reached out to at least one witness as part of its investigation into U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz to schedule an interview in the coming weeks, the latest sign the once dormant probe remains open. The Justice Department in February informed Gaetz’s lawyers it would not bring criminal charges against the Florida Republican after a yearslong sex-trafficking investigation. Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Dictator-for-a-Day? Scholars Say Trump Can Do Damage Without Being One.

MSN – Sarah Ellison (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2023

For autocracy scholars and constitutional law experts, Donald Trump’s statements about being a dictator for a day if he is elected again raised alarms that he had thought carefully about how to consolidate the levers of power should he return to office in ways that eluded him in his first four years in the White House. Scholars say even without violating the letter of the law, Trump would have access to broad powers granted to him as chief of the executive branch. He does not need to become a dictator to subvert democracy, they say: he can simply use the tools of democracy to do so.

As Advertisers Flee Musk’s X, Democrats Splurge on Political Ads

MSN – Cristiano Lima and Aaron Schaffer (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2023

Advertisers are fleeing Elon Musk’s X amid rising concerns the social media site and its owner are amplifying antisemitic and hateful material. But an unlikely group of holdouts has continued to pump ad dollars into the embattled platform: Democrats running for office. Democrats have spent over a million dollars to run thousands of political ads on X since the platform lifted its ban on such messages earlier this year.

Supreme Court Will Consider Fast-Tracking Trump Appeal in D.C. Trial

MSN – Devlin Barrett, Perry Stein, Robert Barnes, and Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 12/11/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court will consider special counsel Jack Smith’s request to fast-track consideration of Donald Trump’s claim he is immune from prosecution for alleged election obstruction in 2020, intensifying the legal jockeying over whether Trump’s criminal trial will stay on schedule for early next year. The response by the Supreme Court came hours after Smith’s office filed its request seeking to essentially leapfrog an appeals court process that Trump has already started but which could take months to resolve.

DeSantis’ Campaign and Allied Super PAC Face New Concerns About Legal Conflicts, AP Sources Say

MSN – Steve Peoples and Thomas Beaumont (Associated Press) | Published: 12/12/2023

As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis works to project strength in the Republican presidential primaries and cut into Donald Trump’s huge lead, DeSantis’s expansive political machine is facing leadership challenges, stagnant polling numbers, and new concerns about potential legal conflicts. There has been concern in recent weeks among some within DeSantis’s operation that interactions between his campaign and his network of outside groups are blurring the lines of what is legally permissible.

Still Lacking Evidence, House GOP Votes to Formalize Biden Impeachment Inquiry

MSN – Jaqueline Alemany and Matt Viser (Washington Post) | Published: 12/13/2023

House Republicans voted to formally authorize an impeachment inquiry against President Biden to strengthen their oversight powers as GOP lawmakers continue to investigate the Biden family’s finances. The foundation of the impeachment inquiry rests on an unsubstantiated allegation that has become the linchpin of conspiracy theories and false claims regarding the Biden family’s purported corrupt and criminal conduct.

A ‘Black Hole’ Exists in State Lobbying Disclosures: Report

Yahoo News – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 12/13/2023

A report commissioned by Public Citizen found 98 percent of S&P 500 companies do not provide their investors with state-specific data on lobbying activity. Since 2010, investors have filed 576 shareholder resolutions requesting more details on how much companies spend on lobbying activities and oversight of those activities, the report found. The only S&P 500 company that disclosed material risk connected to lobbying on its annual report to investors was FirstEnergy, which was wrapped up in a recent scandal that thrust this issue into the spotlight.

Supreme Court Will Review Scope of Obstruction Law That Trump Is Charged with Breaking

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 12/13/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up a case that could derail hundreds of January 6 felony prosecutions and could also deal a blow to special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecution of Donald Trump. The case, arising from the prosecution of a defendant accused of pushing against police and inflaming a mob attempting to breach the Capitol, calls into question prosecutors’ handling of an Enron-era obstruction law to punish those who stormed Congress.

Kansas Republican Watkins, Ousted Amid Voter Fraud Charges, Returns to Congress as Lobbyist

Yahoo News – Daniel Desrochers (Kansas City Star) | Published: 12/11/2023

Former Rep. Steve Watkins is back in the U.S. Capitol, this time as a lobbyist. He waited more than two years after leaving office before registering as a lobbyist. Watkins entered a diversion agreement on three felony charges for voting in the wrong city council race in Topeka’s 2019 municipal election. A little less than a year after admitting guilt, Watkins registered a company called Huxley Rock LLC. Huxley Rock is a one-man firm. Watkins’ LinkedIn page says it specializes in business and political consulting.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Alaska Campaign Watchdog Rules Anti-Ranked Choice Group Can Continue Gathering Signatures

Yahoo News – Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) | Published: 12/7/2023

An anti-ranked choice voting ballot group will be allowed to continue operating with no immediate consequences for alleged campaign finance violations after a decision by the Alaska Public Offices Commission. The commission considered whether to expedite the adjudication of a complaint alleging the ballot group was helped by an Anchorage church, in violation of the law, as the group works to repeal Alaska’s voting system. By the time the commission rules on whether the law was violated, the group’s work will be done.

Arizona – Phoenix Approves Ethics Commission After 6 Years and on the Fourth Attempt

MSN – Sam Kmack (Arizona Republic) | Published: 12/13/2023

The Phoenix City Council approved the creation of ethics commission after spending six years trying and failing to convene the group, which will now independently investigate complaints of ethical violations against elected officials and other city leaders. Such groups exist in almost every other sizable city in the country, said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. But since 2017, Phoenix has struggled to put the commission together thanks to consistent objections from officials on both sides of the isle.

Arizona – Arizona GOP Leaders Sued to Stop ‘Dark Money’ Transparency. A Judge Will Rule by Year’s End

Yahoo News – Mary Joe Pitzl (Arizona Republic) | Published: 12/13/2023

A judge said he will rule by December 29 in a case challenging the constitutionality of a voter-approved law on campaign finance transparency. Attorneys representing Republican legislative leaders are asking Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Timothy Ryan to issue a preliminary injunction to block the law. It requires disclosure of major donors to campaigns that until now has been able to mask their contributors by creating a class of nonprofit organizations that do not have to name their donors.

California – How Well Is Your Legislator Representing You?

CalMatters – Sameea Kamal | Published: 12/10/2023

Despite the hundreds of laws that legislators pass each year, many Californians are not always aware of what their representatives do, or how their decisions impact their lives. Their job description is modeled after what federal lawmakers do, in response to specific needs, or based on how legislators interpret the principles of representation. Given the lack of strict requirement, how do we measure how well a lawmaker is performing?

Colorado – Lawyer on Denver Health Board Says He’s Stopped Lobbying for Tobacco Giant Altria After Getting a Call to Resign

Colorado Public Radio – John Daley | Published: 12/13/2023

Denver updated its application for those who want to sit on one of the city’s 130 boards and commissions. The application now includes questions that ask applicants if they are a registered lobbyist and if they would have a conflict-of-interest in their new position. The change was a request from the city council to add transparency after some members thought there was not enough when the former mayor appointed a lobbyist whose clients included a tobacco company to the board of Denver Health.

Florida – DeSantis Staffers Blocked Release of Travel Records, Whistleblower Says

MSN – Beth Reinhard (Washington Post) | Published: 12/13/2023

During a meeting, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) officials said some of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s travel records should be released, but the governor’s aides overruled them, citing a new state law that restricts access to those records. The dispute escalated into a major battle over the law limiting disclosure of DeSantis’s travel activities and information about his state taxpayer-funded security detail as he crisscrosses the country seeking the Republican presidential nomination. The FDLE is tasked with protecting and transporting the governor and maintaining his travel records.

Florida – A Report Rips Disney for Freebies to Its Local Board. It Omits Gifts to Top Florida Politicians.

NBC News – Noah Pransky and Alec Hernández | Published: 12/7/2023

A war of words – and regulations – escalated when a board, hand-picked by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, endorsed an audit alleging Disney World for decades used free park perks to improperly influence public officials and employees tasked with the oversight of the park. The audit claimed Disney gave complimentary annual passes and steep discounts to the public employees, calling the perks “akin to bribes.”

Florida – Howland Files Legislation for Certain No-Bid Contracts to Go Through Jacksonville City Council

Yahoo News – Hanna Holthaus (Florida Times-Union) | Published: 12/11/2023

New legislation could bring an end to no-bid lobbying contracts in Jacksonville city government. The city council’s finance committee criticized the $300,000 federal grant writing and lobbying contract to Langton Consulting, owned by Mayor Donna Deegan supporters, because the administration offered it directly without shopping for other bids. Committee Chairperson Nick Howland asked the administration to drop the contract and filed a bill to require all future state and federal lobbying and grant writing contracts to be approved by city council.

Georgia – Georgia Libertarians Fight Two-Party Campaign Finance Law at 11th Circuit

Courthouse News Service – Kayla Goggin | Published: 12/13/2023

An appeals court will decide whether to give the Libertarian Party of Georgia another chance at pursuing its challenge to a campaign finance law that allows some candidates to accept unlimited campaign contributions, a fundraising advantage the party says benefits Republican and Democratic hopefuls over third-party contenders. The lawsuit claims the act unfairly allows Republican and Democratic candidates to create special leadership committees to accept campaign contributions over the typical limits.

Georgia – Giuliani Could Pay Millions as Ga. Election Worker Defamation Trial Starts

MSN – Spencer Hsu and Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 12/10/2023

Former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani could be on the hook for up to $43.5 million in damages as a defamation lawsuit filed against him by two Georgia election workers goes to trial. The showdown between the financially strapped Giuliani and the two temporary poll workers he baselessly accused of ballot tampering in 2020 will highlight a major court battle over false claims that became central to former President Trump’s efforts to stay in power and is now at the heart of two criminal cases against him.

Illinois – Four Years Later, City Council Finally Poised to Extend Lobbyist Requirements to Nonprofits

Chicago Sun-Times – Fran Spielman | Published: 12/11/2023

Chicago is finally getting around to broadening the definition of registered lobbyists to include nonprofits, but only after softening the blow to avoid tying their hands with costly red tape. The city council’s Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight passed a revised ordinance that calls for Chicago to join New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Philadelphia in requiring nonprofit lobbyists to register and file regular reports with the Board of Ethics.

Illinois – Board of Ethics Finds Probable Cause Four Lobbyists Improperly Donated to Johnson

MSN – A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 12/13/2023

The Chicago Board of Ethics found two registered lobbyists appeared to violate an executive order by giving money to Mayor Brandon Johnson. The violations do not carry a penalty for the mayor but could mean those lobbyists lose their ability to work at City Hall. Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2011 signed the orders barring donations from city contractors and lobbyists, which will remain in place until a future mayor rescinds them.

Iowa – Iowa Lawmaker Calls for Gov. Kim Reynolds to Remove Satanic Display from Capitol

MSN – Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez and Noelle Alviz-Gransee (Des Moines Register) | Published: 12/11/2023

A satanic display placed in the Iowa Capitol is unconstitutional, said Rep. Brad Sherman, who is calling on Gov. Kim Reynolds to order its removal. But other Republican legislators say they would oppose the government limiting freedom of speech in reaction to the display, which will be in place for a total of two weeks.

Maine – Anti-Super PAC Campaign Says They Have Enough Signatures to Get on the Maine Ballot

Maine Beacon – Dan Neuman | Published: 12/7/2023

A ballot campaign led by activist Lawrence Lessig to limit contributions to super PACs says it has collected enough signatures to qualify for the Maine ballot in 2024. Super PACs differ from traditional PACs in that they give corporations the ability to make unlimited contributions. Maine Citizens to End Super PACs, the group behind the ballot question, argues that if successful, the initiative would cap donations to super PACs at $5,000, all but eliminating their effectiveness.

Maine – Maine Media Groups, Utilities Challenge New Law on Foreign Spending on Referendums

Portland Press Herald – Rachel Ohm | Published: 12/12/2023

Maine’s two largest power companies and groups representing media outlets filed separate federal lawsuits challenging a state law passed by voters in November to ban foreign governments and affiliated organizations from spending money on state and local referendum campaigns. The measure is largely a response to foreign government spending in the referendum campaign two years ago over the future of a planned electricity corridor in western Maine.

Massachusetts – Brookline School Officials Violated Massachusetts Campaign Finance Laws by Sending Emails About Tax Increases

MSN – James Vaznis (Boston Globe) | Published: 12/9/2023

Tucked inside various newsletters to parents in Brookline last spring were appeals from school administrators to support property tax hikes at the ballot box for the school budget, accompanied by warnings about devastating cuts if the votes failed. Brookline officials got their way at the ballot box, but repeatedly broke the state’s campaign finance law by sending out the emails to influence the vote, according to an investigation by the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

Michigan – Records: Michigan senator helped steer $25M Clare grant now under investigation

Bridge Michigan – Jonathan Oosting and Mike Wilkinson | Published: 12/13/2023

A state senator and a lobbyist intervened to help a former legislative staffer obtain a $25 million grant that is now under investigation by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel for possible prosecution. Records shed new light on how a no-bid contract was awarded to a nonprofit created and run by Dave Coker, who once worked for them-House Speaker Jason Wentworth. State Sen. Rick Outman acknowledged he phoned state health officials on behalf of the project, but maintained he had no idea that Coker would benefit.

Michigan – Whitmer Signs Bills Criminalizing Election Official Intimidation, Curbing AI in Campaigns

Detroit News – Beth LeBlanc | Published: 11/30/2023

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed nearly 20 bills that will create penalties for intimidating an election worker, solidify the process for presidential electors, change the way young people register to vote, and put restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence in campaign ads. Bill sponsors described the legislation as a way to button up state laws in the wake of controversy over the 2020 presidential election.

Michigan – Whitmer Signs Bills Implementing Proposal 1

MSN – Clara Hendrickson (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 12/9/2023

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bills implementing requirements for top state officials and lawmakers to report information about their finances after voters approved a constitutional amendment mandating the disclosures. The bills go beyond Proposal 1, subjecting candidates for office to financial reporting requirements, for instance. But they do not go as far as some Democratic lawmakers and transparency advocates had hoped.

Nevada – Lombardo Spurned Ethics Commissioner’s Reapplication Ahead of Major Vote, Emails Show

Nevada Independent – Tabitha Mueller | Published: 12/13/2023

Days before a Nevada Commission on Ethics on a potential $1.6 million fine for using his sheriff’s badge and uniform during his 2022 campaign for governor, Gov. Joe Lombardo appointed two new members to the eight-member board, both of whom later voted against fining or censuring the governor. Emails indicate Lombardo made the new appointments despite a former Republican commissioner expressing interest in serving another term.

New Jersey – Judge Throws Out Suit That Tried to Block Changes to NJ Campaign Finance Law

Yahoo News – Ashley Balcerzak (Bergen Record) | Published: 12/11/2023

A state judge dismissed a lawsuit that  the former leader of New Jersey’s campaign finance watchdog agency filed against Gov. Phil Murphy seeking to overturn a controversial new law revamping campaign finance rules. It was the second of two lawsuits filed by Jeff Brindle, the former executive director of the Election Law Enforcement Commission. The judge dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning Brindle cannot file the same lawsuit again.

New York – Hochul Vetoes Lobbying Loophole Bill After Chief Judge Battle

Albany Times Union – Joshua Solomon | Published: 12/10/2023

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed bipartisan legislation intended to close a loophole in lobbying laws that was exposed during a political battle over her initial, and failed, nomination of a new chief judge of the Court of Appeals. The efforts to influence the selection of the state’s top judge had centered on Hochul’s efforts to install Justice Hector LaSalle as the top jurist on the state’s highest court. The nomination triggered well-funded efforts to influence the Legislature’s decision on LaSalle’s appointment, revealing a gap in state law that allows unregistered lobbying in judicial nominations and other top state offices.

New York – New York High Court Allows State Democrats Chance to Alter Congressional Maps

MSN – Maegan Vazquez and Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) | Published: 12/12/2023

The New York State Court of Appeals granted Democrats who control the state Legislature a chance to approve a new set of congressional district lines, effectively throwing out a map that led to several Republican victories in 2022 House races. The ruling could be consequential in determining which party controls the House during the next Congress. In 2022, Republicans flipped four districts in New York, giving them a razor-thin majority in the House.

New York – Appeals Court Denies Trump’s ‘Presidential Immunity’ Argument in Defamation Lawsuit

MSN – Philip Marcelo (Associated Press) | Published: 12/13/2023

A federal appeals court ruled Donald Trump gave up his right to argue presidential immunity protects him from being held liable for statements he made in 2019 when he denied he raped advice columnist E. Jean Carroll. A three-judge panel upheld a lower court’s ruling that Trump had effectively waived the immunity defense by not raising it when Carroll first filed a defamation lawsuit against him four years ago.

Oklahoma – Okla. Ethics Commission Names New Executive Director

NonDoc – Michael McNutt | Published: 12/7/2023

Lee Anne Bruce Boone was named as the new executive director of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. She will start her duties on January 4, succeeding Ashley Kemp. Commission Chairperson Jarred Brejcha said Boone’s leadership skills stood out among the 14 applicants for the post. All the applicants were from Oklahoma.

Oregon – ‘Thank God They Walked Out’: Oregon’s partisan divide highlights heightened animosity in statehouses

Yahoo News – Paul Demko (Politico) | Published: 12/13/2023

Ten Oregon Republican state senators may face the end of their legislative careers for a six-week legislative walkout aimed at thwarting what they see as a radical Democratic agenda. The lawmakers are banned from running for reelection for accumulating at least 10 unexcused absences during this year’s legislative session. It is arguably the most glaring example of how Washington’s toxic partisan culture is increasingly infecting statehouses across the country.

Pennsylvania – The Philly Ethics Board Dropped Its Case Against the ‘Super PAC’ That Backed Mayoral Candidate Jeff Brown

MSN – Sean Collins Walsh (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 12/11/2023

The Philadelphia Board of Ethics dropped its lawsuit against the super PAC that supported Jeff Brown’s unsuccessful run for mayor, ending a legal saga that shook up the election and contributed to Brown’s fifth-place finish in the Democratic primary. The board announced it will instead focus on revising the campaign finance regulations that were at the center of the dispute.

Texas – Supreme Court Allows Texas Voting Map Challenged by Civil Rights Advocates

MSN – Robert Barnes and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 12/12/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court allowed a local Texas election to go forward under a map that a lower court had found diluted the votes of Black and Latino residents. The order came in response to a challenge from civil rights advocates opposed to the voting districts in Galveston County. While the case involves the boundaries in just one locality, it could have broader implications for challenges to election maps and the protection of voting rights nationwide.

Washington – WA GOP Fights Secretary of State’s Effort to Track Election Misinformation

Seattle Times – Jim Brunner | Published: 12/11/2023

An effort by Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs to track and refute viral online misinformation about elections has prompted objections from the state Republican Party. The state GOP recently filed a formal complaint with the Executive Ethics Board, accusing Hobbs of violating the constitution and his oath of office by hiring a firm to scour social media for harmful “narratives and threats” about Washington elections officials and voting.

Campaign Finance Maine: “Maine Media Groups, Utilities Challenge New Law on Foreign Spending on Referendums” by Rachel Ohm for Portland Press Herald Elections National: “Supreme Court Will Review Scope of Obstruction Law That Trump Is Charged with Breaking” by Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) for Yahoo News Ethics Florida: “DeSantis Staffers Blocked Release of Travel Records, Whistleblower Says” by Beth Reinhard (Washington Post) for MSN Nevada: “Lombardo Spurned Ethics Commissioner’s Reapplication Ahead of Major Vote, Emails Show” by Tabitha Mueller for Nevada Independent Legislative Issues Oregon: “‘Thank God They Walked Out’: Oregon’s partisan divide highlights heightened animosity in statehouses” by Paul Demko (Politico) for Yahoo News Lobbying Colorado: “Lawyer on Denver Health Board Says He’s Stopped Lobbying for Tobacco Giant Altria After Getting a Call to Resign” by John Daley for Colorado Public Radio Illinois: “Board of Ethics Finds Probable Cause Four Lobbyists Improperly Donated to Johnson” by A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) for MSN National: “A ‘Black Hole’ Exists in State Lobbying Disclosures: Report” by Taylor Giorno (The Hill) for Yahoo News Redistricting New York: “New York High Court Allows State Democrats Chance to Alter Congressional Maps” by Maegan Vazquez and Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) for MSN Texas: “Supreme Court Allows Texas Voting Map Challenged by Civil Rights Advocates” by Robert Barnes and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) for MSN

The Chicago City Council Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight recommended the passage of a substitute ordinance broadening the definition of registered lobbyists to include nonprofits with several exceptions to ease concerns from the nonprofit community.

An ordinance was passed in July 2019 to impose new registration and reporting requirements on certain nonprofit interactions with the city, but after many concerns were raised, implementation never took place.

Substitute Ordinance 2023-2937 clarifies the definition of lobbying to make it easier for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations to understand.

Lobbyist is any individual who, on behalf of any other person, contacts or communicates directly with a city official or employee to influence any administrative action or legislative action.

The ordinance also amends the exceptions to the definition of lobbying to exempt any nonprofit entity having both an operating budget and net assets or fund balances of less than $5 million.

The ordinance also establishes a monetary and hourly threshold for registration.

Registration is required for lobbyists who are paid or otherwise compensated, or spend at least $1,250, in any combination, for lobbying in any lobbyist reporting period; or who spend more than 20 hours on lobbying in any lobbyist reporting period.

The ordinance also adds definitions concerning grassroots lobbying, reporting periods, covered activity, and exemptions.

Total fines for failure to file a report would be capped at $20,000 per violation.

If passed, the ordinance will be effective July 1, 2024, to give the Board of Ethics ample time to conduct a robust public education campaign.

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “Alaska Campaign Watchdog Rules Anti-Ranked Choice Group Can Continue Gathering Signatures” by Iris Samuels (Anchorage Daily News) for Yahoo News

New Jersey: “Judge Throws Out Suit That Tried to Block Changes to NJ Campaign Finance Law” by Ashley Balcerzak (Bergen Record) for Yahoo News

Pennsylvania: “The Philly Ethics Board Dropped Its Case Against the ‘Super PAC’ That Backed Mayoral Candidate Jeff Brown” by Sean Collins Walsh (Philadelphia Inquirer) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Supreme Court Will Consider Fast-Tracking Trump Appeal in D.C. Trial” by Devlin Barrett, Perry Stein, Robert Barnes, and Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “George Santos Attorney Expresses Optimism About Plea Talks as Expelled Congressman Appears in Court” by Philip Marcelo (Associated Press) for ABC News

Florida: “A Report Rips Disney for Freebies to Its Local Board. It Omits Gifts to Top Florida Politicians.” by Noah Pransky and Alec Hernández for NBC News

Legislative Issues

Iowa: “Iowa Lawmaker Calls for Gov. Kim Reynolds to Remove Satanic Display from Capitol” by Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez and Noelle Alviz-Gransee (Des Moines Register) for MSN

Lobbying

Illinois: “Four Years Later, City Council Finally Poised to Extend Lobbyist Requirements to Nonprofits” by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times

On January 1, the city of Burlington, Ontario’s new lobbyist registry bylaw comes into effect.

The law effectively replaces the city’s Lobbyist Registration Policy, which passed on October 19, 2021, and came into effect January of 2022.

As noted in the city of Burlington’s December 12 press release, the new a bylaw approved by City Council on July 11, 2023, includes:

• A move from volunteer to mandatory registration of applicable lobbying activities. All lobbyists must file a registration for each matter they intend to lobby prior to the lobbying, or within fifteen days of the initial communication;
• An expanded definition of lobbying communication that includes a formal meeting, email, letter, phone call or meaningful dialogue or exchange that materially advances a matter that is defined as lobbying, whether in a formal or an informal setting;
• The addition of the Burlington Leadership Team as a part of the lobbyist registry, along with the city council, as public office holders;
• The appointment of the city clerk as the Lobbyist Registrar to centralize and improve efficiency of registry administration;
• Limited enforcement of the bylaw: Where a person has contravened any of the provisions in the bylaw, they will be prohibited from lobbying activities until an information and education meeting with the Lobbyist Registrar is held. For a second offense, lobbying activities will be prohibited for 60 days.

While the city’s current registry is presently available online, new registration forms and webpage updates will be made to reflect the bylaw once it takes effect in January 2024.

“The new Lobbyist Registry bylaw will help ensure greater transparency in the local government decision-making process,” said Deputy Clerk Kevin Klingenberg in the press release.

Q: I heard some jurisdictions have training requirements for registered lobbyists. What do I need to do to comply with these requirements?

A: Yes, you are correct. However, these requirements can vary greatly depending on the jurisdiction.

For example, Maryland requires you to complete your initial training within six months of your initial registration date and subsequently within each two‐year period following the date of your most recently completed training course. When filing your registration, you will need to certify you are current and compliant with this biennial training requirement or you have been registered for less than six months and will complete the training within the initial six-month period. Failure to comply with this requirement can result in fines or even suspension of your registration.

On the other hand, Illinois requires its registered lobbyists to complete an annual ethics and an annual sexual harassment training as part of the registration process. Per Illinois’s Lobbyist Registration Act, a registration is not deemed to be complete until the training has been completed. As such, the training must be completed prior to engaging in lobbying activities. Further, since the training requirement is necessary to complete your registration, the training must be completed even if you terminate your registration prior to completing the registration.

As another example of training requirements, Chicago also has a mandatory annual training requirement for its registered lobbyist. However, the annual training must be completed by June 30 of every year for the 12-month period from July 1 through June 30. The Board of Ethics can assess fines of $250 for each day the training remains incomplete.

The key to maintaining training compliance is understanding these training requirements can be different for each jurisdiction in which you lobby. So, it is imperative to familiarize yourself with each relevant jurisdiction’s requirements, including the timing and frequency of the training, to ensure full compliance.

 

More information about these topics can be found in the Lobbying Compliance Guidebook on the State and Federal Communications subscriber website by selecting the desired jurisdiction from the list.

Campaign Finance Massachusetts: “Brookline School Officials Violated Massachusetts Campaign Finance Laws by Sending Emails About Tax Increases” by James Vaznis (Boston Globe) for MSN Elections Michigan: “Whitmer Signs Bills Criminalizing Election Official Intimidation, Curbing AI in Campaigns” by Beth LeBlanc for Detroit News National: “As Advertisers Flee Musk’s X, Democrats Splurge on Political Ads” by Cristiano Lima and Aaron Schaffer (Washington Post) for MSN Washington: “WA GOP Fights Secretary of State’s Effort to Track Election Misinformation” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times Ethics National: “Dictator-for-a-Day? Scholars Say Trump Can Do Damage Without Being One.” by Sarah Ellison (Washington Post) for MSN Legislative Issues California: “How Well Is Your Legislator Representing You?” by Sameea Kamal for CalMatters Lobbying National: “Kansas Republican Watkins, Ousted Amid Voter Fraud Charges, Returns to Congress as Lobbyist” by Daniel Desrochers (Kansas City Star) for Yahoo News Procurement Florida: “Howland Files Legislation for Certain No-Bid Contracts to Go Through Jacksonville City Council” by Hanna Holthaus (Florida Times-Union) for Yahoo News

Campaign Finance National: “Kevin McCarthy Uses PAC to Lavish Cash on High-End Resorts, Private Jets and Fine Dining” by Paul Pringle and Adam Elmahrek (Los Angeles Times) for MSN Maine: “Anti-Super PAC Campaign Says They Have Enough Signatures to Get on the Maine Ballot” by Dan Neuman for Maine Beacon Elections Georgia: “Giuliani Could Pay Millions as Ga. Election Worker Defamation Trial Starts” by Spencer Hsu and Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) for MSN Ethics National: “Trump Gag Order Reinstated but Narrowed in Jan. 6 Case” by Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) for MSN National: “House Ethics Committee Requests Interview with Witness in Gaetz Probe” by Paula Reid and Annie Grayer (CNN) for MSN Michigan: “Whitmer Signs Bills Implementing Proposal 1” by Clara Hendrickson (Detroit Free Press) for MSN Oklahoma: “Okla. Ethics Commission Names New Executive Director” by Michael McNutt for NonDoc Lobbying New York: “Hochul Vetoes Lobbying Loophole Bill After Chief Judge Battle” by Joshua Solomon for Albany Times Union

National/Federal

George Santos Reveals One Truth: It’s easy to abuse campaign finance laws

DNyuz – Rebecca Davis O’Brien (New York Times) | Published: 12/2/2023

Perhaps no federal officeholder in modern American history has been accused of ignoring, testing, or breaking as many aspects of campaign finance law so flagrantly, in such a short span of time, as George Santos has. But his case, while sensational, illustrates the weaknesses of the system, and its potential for abuse. The system, which largely relies on campaigns and political committees to self-report thousands of donations, expenditures, loans, and refunds, has been left wide open for anyone willing to mislead, experts said.

Doug Burgum Suspends Long-Shot Presidential Campaign

MSN – Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 12/4/2023

Long-shot Republican presidential candidate and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum suspended his campaign after failing to gain momentum with voters in a crowded primary field. Burgum pitched himself as a job creator uniquely qualified to build the economy and bridge connections between small towns and big cities, but that platform never found traction with a base that has favored Donald Trump as Burgum mostly avoided attacking the front-runner.

Special Counsel Alleges Trump ‘Sent’ Supporters on Path to Jan. 6 Violence

MSN – Spencer Hsu and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 12/5/2023

Federal prosecutors accused Donald Trump of a pattern of lying about elections and encouraging violence, saying he “sent” supporters to the Capitol on January 6, 2021, to criminally block the election results. Prosecutors working for special counsel Jack Smith went further than they did in their indictment in attempting to tie Trump to the riot. They said at Trump’s criminal trial they intend to introduce evidence of his acts before the 2020 election, and his subsequent alleged threats, to establish his motive, intent, and preparation for attempting to subvert Joe Biden’s election victory.

Senate Democrats Vote to Subpoena Harlan Crow, Leonard Leo in Supreme Court Ethics Probe as GOP Storms Out

MSN – Riley Beggin and John Fritze (USA Today) | Published: 11/30/2023

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to subpoena a wealthy donor and a legal activist with ties to conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices after partisan bickering ended with Republicans storming out of the hearing as the final vote was tallied. Democrats requested details of gifts, transportation, lodging, travel, and private club access provided to justices by billionaire Harlan Crow that appear to have been tied in some cases to conservative legal activist Leonard Leo.

House Expels New York Rep. George Santos. It’s Just the Sixth Expulsion in the Chamber’s History

MSN – Kevin Frekking (Associated Press) | Published: 12/1/2023

The U.S. House voted to expel Rep. George Santos after a critical ethics report on his conduct that accused him of converting campaign donations for his own use. He was just the sixth member in the chamber’s history to be ousted by colleagues. The first-term lawmaker initially was celebrated as an up-and-comer after he flipped a district from Democrats last year and helped Republicans win control of the House. But soon after, troubles began.

Pro-DeSantis Super PAC Fires CEO Amid Turmoil

MSN – Michael Scherer and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) | Published: 12/3/2023

Never Back Down, a super PAC that has overseen much of Ron DeSantis’s presidential operation, fired its chief executive officer less than two weeks after the previous chief executive resigned. It was the latest upheaval as fighting between the Florida governor’s allies has erupted into public view. The chairperson of Never Back Down, former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, also resigned.

Trump Pardoned Them. Now They’re Helping Him Return to Power.

MSN – Beth Reinhard, Manuel Roig-Franzia, and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) | Published: 12/2/2023

Before Donald Trump, no president used his constitutional clemency powers to free or forgive so many people who could be useful to his future political efforts. A review of Trump’s 238 clemency orders found dozens of recipients have gone on to plug his 2024 candidacy through social media and national interviews, contribute money to his front-running bid for the Republican nomination, or disseminate his false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election.

Trump Not Immune from Criminal, Civil Liability Over Jan. 6, Judges Rule

MSN – Rachel Weiner and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 12/1/2023

Donald Trump has no absolute immunity from civil or criminal consequences for his attempts to stay in power following the 2020 election, two federal courts ruled, a pair of decisions that set the stage for a legal battle over presidential power probably headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Hours after an appellate court ruled Trump could be sued by police officers over injuries they suffered during the riot, the judge overseeing his criminal case on election subversion charges ruled he had no protection from prosecution as a former president.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the Ousted Speaker, Announces He’s Leaving Congress

NBC News – Scott Wong and Sahil Kapur | Published: 12/6/2023

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who this fall became the first speaker to be ousted from power in the middle of a congressional term, said he will resign from office at the end of December. His exit is a blow to his successor, Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Republicans, further cutting the already narrow GOP majority and making passing legislation in 2024 even more challenging. For McCarthy, winning the speaker’s gavel in January after a grueling floor fight marked the pinnacle of a long political career in Sacramento and Washington.

Congressional Lawmakers, Advocacy Groups Urge FEC Regulation on Deceptive AI

OpenSecrets – Harshawn Ratanpal and Jimmy Cloutier | Published: 11/30/2023

More than 50 lawmakers and 30 organizations urged the FEC to regulate the use of deceptive artificial intelligence (AI) in campaign ads in support of a petition from Public Citizen. While the Federal Election Campaign Act does not address the use of deceptive AI explicitly, federal campaign finance law does prohibit politicians and those working for them from posing as another campaign. Public Citizen has argued the provision on “fraudulent misrepresentation” should apply to AI-generated content that falsely shows a federal candidate saying or doing something they did not.

China-Backed DeSantis Donor Hires Top GOP Lobbyist, Foreign Ties Not Disclosed

Yahoo News – Ben Wieder and Theo Hockstader (Miami Herald) | Published: 12/5/2023

The lobbying registration form filed by Ballard Partners for iGas USA failed to indicate iGas is partially owned by a state-controlled Chinese company, as required by law. Under the Lobbying Disclosure Act, lobbyists are required to indicate whether any foreign entity holds at least a 20 percent stake in the company they are lobbying for. But this rule is frequently ignored by lobbyists, according to Craig Holman, the lobbyist for Public Citizen.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – New Complaint Alleges Anchorage Church Illegally Aided Campaign Against Ranked-Choice Voting

Anchorage Daily News – Iris Samuels | Published: 12/4/2023

Supporters of Alaska’s voting system are alleging its opponents have again violated the law in their quest to repeal the system by ballot initiative. In a third complaint filed by Alaskans for Better Elections to the state Public Offices Commission, it alleges opponents of ranked-choice voting are part of an “intentional conspiracy to violate the law” by not disclosing their funding and expenses, including the involvement of an Anchorage Christian organization called Wellspring Ministries.

Alaska – Committee Dismisses Complaints That 2 Alaska Lawmakers Committed Ethics Violations

KTOO – Andrew Kitchenman (Alaska Beacon) | Published: 12/5/2023

The body charged with policing the ethics of members of the Alaska House dismissed complaints alleging two members improperly allowed an Alaska Right to Life representative to misuse state resources. The complaints said current Rep. David Eastman and former Rep. Christopher Kurka violated the ethics law during a visit to the state Capitol by Pat Martin. The complaints alleged Martin was an “unregistered lobbyist” for Alaska Right to Life. Martin’s official title with the group is outreach and development director.

Arizona – Goldwater Says Ballot Measure Site Is ‘Resource to Educate.’ Others Disagree

MSN – Stacy Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 12/6/2023

A spokesperson for the Goldwater Institute says its new website is “a resource to educate Arizonans about the ballot initiative process.” That resource educates Arizonans not about existing ballot initiative processes, however, but about procedures that would be put in place if a majority of voters approve a question on their November ballots. The website falls into a murky area of law when it comes to backing ballot measures, one that is often sorted out through legal challenges. It also signals the sometimes behind-the-scenes and often carefully crafted push by special interests to sway public opinion in the 2024 election cycle.

Arkansas – At University of Arkansas, a State Law Stifles Pro-Palestinian Speakers

Buffalo News – Vimal Patel (New York Times) | Published: 11/22/2023

Nathan Thrall, a Jewish American writer whose work strongly supports Palestinian rights, was invited to speak to students at the University of Arkansas about a new book. But there was one catch: to be paid for his visit, Thrall was told he had to pledge, according to a 2017 state law, that he would not boycott Israel. He declined. When news broke that Thrall would not sign the pledge, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders applauded the university. At college campuses around the country, students and faculty have been engulfed in bitter debates over students’ pro-Palestinian speech.

California – LA City Council Votes to Take First Step in Creating ‘Office of Compliance’

Los Angeles Daily News – City News Service | Published: 12/1/2023

The Los Angeles City Council took a step to formally establish an Office of Compliance that would proactively assist council members with identifying and avoiding potential conflicts-of-interest. The council requested a detailed report that would guide council members in the creation of an Office of Compliance to ensure higher standards of ethics. Council members must follow ethics rules and laws such as those imposed by the city charter, and state and federal laws. According to the council members, those standards have increased and grown in complexity over the years, making compliance more difficult.

California – Mayor Bass Announces Stricter Ethics Rules for L.A. City Staff

MSN – City News Service | Published: 12/1/2023

Staff working in Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office will be expected to abide by new, stricter ethics rules. In early November, the mayor also adopted restrictions on charitable donations from registered city lobbyists and city developers to the Mayor’s Fund of Los Angeles and the Getty House Foundation.

California – S.F. Corruption Scandal: Ex-parole officer going to prison for bribes to Mohammed Nuru

MSN – St. John Barned-Smith (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 11/30/2023

A former state parole officer in San Francisco will spend six months in prison after pleading guilty to passing $20,000 in bribes to former Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru to convince Nuru to hire an engineer. Ken Hong Wong had hoped to avoid jail time, but U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick noted Wong’s criminal acts “tarnished” a lengthy and distinguished history of public service. “It’s one of the sleaziest and lowest things that somebody could do,” Orrick said as he handed down his sentence.

California – Irvine Leaders Consider Potential Reforms to Its Lobbying Laws

Orange County Register – Hanna Kang | Published: 12/6/2023

Irvine leaders are talking about changes to how the city’s lobbyists are governed, which officials say has largely stayed the same for nearly two decades. City Attorney Jeffrey Melching offered a series of potential proposals recently, including lowering the compensation threshold at which an individual is required to register as a lobbyist.

California – What Could Campaign Finance Reform Look Like in Two OC Cities?

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 12/4/2023

Officials in a couple Orange County cities are contemplating tightening the rules on campaign spending amid the continued fallout of one of the largest corruption scandals in county history. The debate is taking off in the largest city, Anaheim, but also likely going to hit one of the county’s smallest cities, Stanton, which neighbors Anaheim but has gone untouched by the scandal.

Colorado – Colorado Supreme Court Justices Question Whether the State Can Bar Trump from the 2024 Ballot

Associated Press News – Nicholas Riccardi and Christine Fernando | Published: 12/6/2023

Colorado Supreme Court justices sharply questioned both sides about whether they could exclude former President Trump from the 2024 ballot in a case that seeks to upend his bid for a second term by claiming the Constitution’s insurrection clause bars him from another run for the White House. At issue is the wording of the clause itself, whether the courts have a right to intervene at this stage if Trump has otherwise met the basic requirements to appear on Colorado’s 2024 primary ballot, and whether Trump incited an insurrection when his supporters stormed the Capitol.

Colorado – Divided by Politics, a Colorado Town Mends Its Broken Bones

DNyuz – Jonathan Weisman (New York Times) | Published: 11/30/2023

In April 2020, Shane Fuhrman, a progressive lawyer from New York, beat the longtime fire chief Gilbert Archuleta by 10 votes to become the new mayor of Silverton, Colorado. To supporters, Fuhrman represented progress. To his opponents in the town of 796 residents, he would make Silverton into the incarnation of Aspen, with staggering housing prices, luxury outposts, and billionaire denizens. Their skepticism turned to anger when he declared the town council would stop reciting the Pledge of Allegiance until further notice. But Silverton came back together again.

Florida – Lobbying Restrictions Get Go-Ahead from Federal Appeals Court

Law.com – Jim Saunders (News Service of Florida) | Published: 12/4/2023

A federal appeals court allowed Florida to enforce, with one exception, a 2018 constitutional amendment imposing restrictions on lobbying while a legal battle continues to play out. A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals approved a request for a partial stay of an injunction that District Court Judge Beth Bloom issued this summer to block the restrictions statewide. The amendment prevented state and local officials from lobbying other government bodies while in office.

Georgia – Georgia County Signs Up to Use Voter Database Backed by Election Deniers

DNyuz – Alexandra Berzon and Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 12/1/2023

A suburban county in Georgia agreed to use a new voter information database endorsed by the election denial movement, a move that defied warnings from voting rights groups, election security experts, and state election officials. Columbia County, a heavily Republican county outside Augusta, is the first in the country known to have agreed to use the platform, called EagleAI. Its supporters claim the system will make it easier to purge the rolls of ineligible voters.

Kentucky – How Wealthy Donors Legally Gave Even More to Democratic Party During Beshear’s Campaign

Kentucky Lantern – Tom Loftus | Published: 12/6/2023

Ahead of the November governor’s race, London Mayor Randall Weddle and other Kentuckians gave big to a type of political committee that allows wealthy donors to make massive contributions. Weddle, whose earlier excess contributions to Gov. Andy Beshear’s reelection effort had drawn regulatory scrutiny, contributed $550,000 to a national Democratic Party committee known as the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund (DGVF). Weddle’s was by far the largest contribution reported by the DGVF during the general election season, but within the legal limits of how much a person can give to such a committee.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Accuses Former LSU Professor of Unlawful Lobbying

Louisiana Illuminator – Piper Hutchinson | Published: 12/6/2023

The Board of Ethics alleges David Sobek, a former Louisiana State University political science professor, instructed a graduate assistant with whom he was reportedly having an affair, to investigate material in courses his “estranged wife” taught. The graduate assistant was allegedly told to look for anything that touches on critical race theory (CRT) and to distribute that information to legislators who might favor anti-CRT legislation. Louisiana law prohibits state employees acting in their official capacity or on behalf of their agency from lobbying the Legislature.

Maine – Documents Reveal NextEra’s Hidden Attempts to Derail CMP’s Transmission Line Corridor

Maine Public Radio – Steve Mistler | Published: 11/30/2023

NextEra Energy’s attempts to derail a transmission corridor through western Maine involved a significant secret donation to the state Democratic Party in 2018 as well as the 2019 financing of a group that helped organize a referendum to scuttle the project. NextEra’s financing of a 2021 referendum was publicly disclosed, but the documents released reveal how consultants hired by the company originally attempted to defeat the New England Clean Energy Contract by secretly financing two groups that became targets of investigations by the Maine ethics commission.

Mississippi – Gov. Reeves Mum on Health Care Meetings, Claims No Documents Exist

Mississippi Today – Devna Bose | Published: 12/6/2023

As the state’s hospital crisis continues, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has held meetings on health care, but his office refuses to say what they are about. His staffers also claim there are no official documents for those meetings, despite internal correspondence that indicates otherwise and despite Reeves proposing detailed health policy changes. Several experts, including a former governor, say the lack of documentation for meetings and the lack of detail on Reeves’ calendar is unusual. One national expert called it “bad practice.”

Missouri – Pot Company Owner in Legal Fight with Missouri Hosts Fundraiser for AG Andrew Bailey

St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Kurt Erickson | Published: 12/7/2023

The co-owner of a Missouri cannabis company hosted a fundraiser at his home for Attorney General Andrew Bailey at the same time his business is involved in a lawsuit against the state. Bailey is overseeing the case involving a company that lost its license to operate over allegations of problems with its products. Although Bailey’s campaign says it is unaware it received contributions from the host of the November event, the incident is similar to one in which Bailey cited a conflict-of-interest and withdrew from a case involving a campaign donor.

Nevada – Pro-Trump Electors Indicted in Nevada, the Third State to Issue Charges

MSN – Amy Gardner and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 12/6/2023

A Nevada grand jury charged six Republicans who claimed to be presidential electors in 2020 and submitted certificates to Congress falsely asserting that Donald Trump had won the election in their state. Nevada is the third state after Georgia and Michigan to seek charges against the pro-Trump activists who met and cast ballots for the then-president on December 14, 2020, despite Joe Biden’s victory.

New York – Bill That Would Close Judicial Lobbying Loophole Remains in Play

Albany Times Union – Joshua Solomon | Published: 12/4/2023

Legislation intended to close a loophole that allows those seeking to influence the outcome of judicial nominations without state oversight is under review by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, but it remains unclear whether she will sign the measure into law. Judicial nominations at all levels of government have become increasingly politicized and the lawmakers empowered to approve or reject candidates for the bench have arguably grown more demanding that the judges they support adhere to their political ideologies.

New York – N.Y. Appeals Court Reinstates Trump Gag Order in Civil Fraud Case

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 11/30/2023

A New York appeals court reinstated a limited gag order on Donald Trump, preventing him from making public comments about court staffers in a civil business fraud case brought by the state. The court upheld Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron’s set of orders that prevented Trump and his defense team from mentioning court staffers, including a law clerk who has been the subject of antisemitic and other threats and messages since the case began.

New York – Eric Adams Donor Claims Boss Reimbursed Campaign Contribution Tied to Event Now Under FBI Investigation

The City – George Joseph, Bianca Pallaro, and Rosalind Adams | Published: 12/7/2023

A donor to Eric Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign said their boss reimbursed them for a contribution recorded at an event that is at the center of the federal probe into whether the campaign conspired with the Turkish government to accept unlawful foreign donations. Such a reimbursement would constitute an illegal straw donation, enabling the true source of the funding to remain unknown to evade campaign finance laws that set limits on who can give and how much they can contribute.

Ohio – Sam Randazzo, Ohio’s Former Top Utilities Regulator, Charged with Bribery, Embezzlement Crimes

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer and Andrew Tobias (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 12/4/2023

Ohio’s former top utility regulator, Sam Randazzo, was indicted on federal bribery and fraud charges. The indictment says Randazzo accepted a $4.3 million bribe in exchange for helping FirstEnergy secure its policy priorities, including helping with House Bill 6, the law at the center of a federal bribery probe. In one instance, Randazzo pushed to cancel a review the company believed would hurt its bottom line by forcing it to reduce the rates it charged customers. If convicted, Randazzo could face up to 20 years in prison.

Ohio – Friend of Ex-Councilman Jeff Pastor Admits Creating Nonprofit to ‘Sanitize’ Bribe Payments

MSN – Kevin Grasha and Sharon Coolidge (Cincinnati Enquirer) | Published: 12/5/2023

A friend of former Cincinnati City Councilperson Jeff Pastor admitted creating a nonprofit designed solely to “sanitize” tens thousands of dollars in bribes. In one instance, Pastor told undercover agents posing as investors he would vote in favor of their projects and agreed to accept $15,000 for his support. Pastor said he could receive the money through Marshall’s nonprofit, “Ummah Strength.”

Rhode Island – As More Sexual Harassment Allegations Come to Light, McKee’s Ethics Appointee Withdraws. What We Know.

MSN – Katherine Gregg (Providence Journal) | Published: 12/1/2023

As details of multiple sexual harassment complaints resurfaced, Gov. Dan McKee’s appointee to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission resigned, with the governor’s office acknowledging the “vetting process was not adequate.” The announcement came after John Marion, head of Common Cause Rhode Island, called on McKee to “take another look” at his appointment of Bryant Da Cruz, a former South Kingstown Council member who admitted to town officials his behavior was “unacceptable” after six women accused him of sexual harassment.

South Dakota – Yes, Sioux Falls Councilors Can Accept Gifts, but an Updated Ethics Policy Now Clarifies How

Yahoo News – Trevor Mitchell (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) | Published: 12/6/2023

The Sioux Falls City Council approved an update to the ethics ordinance. Rules about gifts, including the payment of travel expenses, are clarified in the new ordinance. Employees or officers of the city could receive “gift of travel, lodging, registration fees, entrance fees, food and drink, and other incidental expenses” as long as it is related to a “widely attended gathering” related to the duties of the recipient or the city’s legislative or policy interests.

Virginia – Newport News Drafts Rules, Ethics Handbook After Council Credit Card Misuse

Virginian-Pilot – Josh Janney | Published: 12/2/2023

Newport News City Council plans to adopt a handbook that includes a code of ethics and will guide council conduct and codify roles and responsibilities. The handbook was suggested by Mayor Phillip Jones after concerns were raised about council members’ misuse of city-issued credit cards earlier in the year. Jones said the handbook would help clarify what is an allowed expenditure.

Washington – Candidate Loses by Single Vote After He Didn’t Cast a Ballot for Himself

MSN – Jonathan Edwards (Washington Post) | Published: 12/5/2023

Ryan Roth mailed his ballot in a few days ahead of the November 7 election, unaware he was casting the most consequential vote of his life. Having run a four-month campaign to convince others he should serve on the Rainier City Council, Roth voted for himself. Roth did not know he was casting the decisive ballot in a race that would be determined by one vote. His opponent, Damion Green, had chosen not to vote for himself in the election, which would take nearly a month for officials to sort out.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Trump Electors Settle Lawsuit, Agree Biden Won in 2020

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 12/6/2023

In a legal settlement, the 10 Republicans who signed official-looking paperwork falsely purporting Donald Trump won Wisconsin in 2020 have agreed to withdraw their inaccurate filings, acknowledge Joe Biden won the presidency, and not serve as presidential electors in 2024 or in any election where Trump is on the ballot. The settlement comes as Republicans in two other states face criminal charges for falsely claiming to be presidential electors, and investigations are underway in three additional states.

Campaign Finance Arizona: “Goldwater Says Ballot Measure Site Is ‘Resource to Educate.’ Others Disagree” by Stacy Barchenger (Arizona Republic) for MSN Kentucky: “How Wealthy Donors Legally Gave Even More to Democratic Party During Beshear’s Campaign” by Tom Loftus for Kentucky Lantern Elections Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Trump Electors Settle Lawsuit, Agree Biden Won in 2020” by Patrick Marley (Washington Post) for MSN Ethics California: “LA City Council Votes to Take First Step in Creating ‘Office of Compliance'” by City News Service for Los Angeles Daily News National: “Special Counsel Alleges Trump ‘Sent’ Supporters on Path to Jan. 6 Violence” by Spencer Hsu and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) for MSN Mississippi: “Gov. Reeves Mum on Health Care Meetings, Claims No Documents Exist” by Devna Bose for Mississippi Today Ohio: “Friend of Ex-Councilman Jeff Pastor Admits Creating Nonprofit to ‘Sanitize’ Bribe Payments” by Kevin Grasha and Sharon Coolidge (Cincinnati Enquirer) for MSN Legislative Issues National: “Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the Ousted Speaker, Announces He’s Leaving Congress” by Scott Wong and Sahil Kapur for NBC News Lobbying Alaska: “Committee Dismisses Complaints That 2 Alaska Lawmakers Committed Ethics Violations” by Andrew Kitchenman (Alaska Beacon) for KTOO

Campaign Finance

Alaska: “New Complaint Alleges Anchorage Church Illegally Aided Campaign Against Ranked-Choice Voting” by Iris Samuels for Anchorage Daily News

National: “George Santos Reveals One Truth: It’s easy to abuse campaign finance laws” by Rebecca Davis O’Brien (New York Times) for DNyuz

Elections

National: “Doug Burgum Suspends Long-Shot Presidential Campaign” by Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) for MSN

Washington: “Candidate Loses by Single Vote After He Didn’t Cast a Ballot for Himself” by Jonathan Edwards (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

Arkansas: “At University of Arkansas, a State Law Stifles Pro-Palestinian Speakers” by Vimal Patel (New York Times) for Buffalo News

California: “S.F. Corruption Scandal: Ex-parole officer going to prison for bribes to Mohammed Nuru” by St. John Barned-Smith (San Francisco Chronicle) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “China-Backed DeSantis Donor Hires Top GOP Lobbyist, Foreign Ties Not Disclosed” by Ben Wieder and Theo Hockstader (Miami Herald) for Yahoo News

New York: “Bill That Would Close Judicial Lobbying Loophole Remains in Play” by Joshua Solomon for Albany Times Union

Campaign Finance California: “What Could Campaign Finance Reform Look Like in Two OC Cities?” by Hosam Elattar for Voice of OC National: “Pro-DeSantis Super PAC Fires CEO Amid Turmoil” by Michael Scherer and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) for MSN National: “Congressional Lawmakers, Advocacy Groups Urge FEC Regulation on Deceptive AI” by Harshawn Ratanpal and Jimmy Cloutier for OpenSecrets Elections Georgia: “Georgia County Signs Up to Use Voter Database Backed by Election Deniers” by Alexandra Berzon and Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) for DNyuz Ethics National: “Trump Pardoned Them. Now They’re Helping Him Return to Power.” by Beth Reinhard, Manuel Roig-Franzia, and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) for MSN Ohio: “Sam Randazzo, Ohio’s Former Top Utilities Regulator, Charged with Bribery, Embezzlement Crimes” by Jeremy Pelzer and Andrew Tobias (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN Virginia: “Newport News Drafts Rules, Ethics Handbook After Council Credit Card Misuse” by Josh Janney for Virginian-Pilot Lobbying Florida: “Lobbying Restrictions Get Go-Ahead from Federal Appeals Court” by Jim Saunders (News Service of Florida) for Law.com

National/Federal

Antagonisms Flare as Red States Try to Dictate How Blue Cities Are Run

MSN – Molly Hennessy-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 11/27/2023

Despite long advocating small government and local control, Republican governors and legislators across a significant swath of the country are increasingly overriding the actions of Democratic cities – removing elected district attorneys or threatening to strip them of power, taking over election offices, and otherwise limiting local independence. The antagonisms between red states and blue cities are all the more notable because the urban areas in the crosshairs are mostly majority-minority, with many mayors and district attorneys of color.

Donations to GOP Drop as Worries Mount About the Party’s Finances

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 11/27/2023

The Republican Party’s finances are increasingly worrisome to party members, advisers to former President Trump, and other operatives involved in the 2024 election effort. The Republican National Committee (RNC) disclosed it had $9.1 million in cash on hand as of October 30, the lowest amount for the RNC in any FEC report since February 2015. Donors have not cut as many large checks to the RNC in recent years, and the party’s small-dollar program has also suffered, according to people familiar with the party’s finances.

Trump Lawyers Seek to Probe U.S. Handling of 2020 Election Fraud Claims

MSN – Spencer Hsu and Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 11/28/2023

Attorneys for Donald Trump asked a federal judge to allow them to investigate several U.S. government agencies about their handling of investigations into him and allegations of voter fraud three years ago as the former president moves to defend himself from charges that he criminally conspired to subvert the results of the 2020 election. His demands in the historic prosecution are wide-ranging. Trump’s lawyers argued for broad leeway to compel special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecution team to turn over vast swaths of information.

‘Shrugged Off and Ignored’: Lawmakers disagree on how to ease pain of election churn

MSN – Justin Papp (Roll Call) | Published: 11/30/2023

Constituent casework is a basic function of any congressional office. But in North Carolina, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards’ predecessor, embattled former Rep. Madison Cawthorn, declined to give him access to any constituent case files after Edwards beat him in a closely fought primary. The situation exposed a long-standing problem of rocky transitions, with constituents caught in the middle, and lawmakers have not agreed on how to fix it.

Details of Scott Perry’s Role in Trump Efforts to Stay in Power Unsealed

MSN – Rachel Weiner, Spencer Hsu, and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 11/30/2023

A batch of communications was released in the case of U.S. Rep. Scott Perry by the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, which has heard litigation over special counsel Jack Smith’s effort to access the communications stored on Perry’s cell phone. The court partially blocked Smith’s effort in a ruling that relied on the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause. Later, the documents appeared to have been removed from the court’s public docket, suggesting it may have been posted inadvertently.

Johnson’s Release of Jan. 6 Video Feeds Right-Wing Conspiracy Theories

Seattle Times – Luke Broadwater, Alan Feuer, and Angelo Fichera (New York Times) | Published: 11/23/2023

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to publicly release thousands of hours of Capitol security footage from January 6, 2021, has fueled a renewed effort by Republican lawmakers and far-right activists to rewrite the history of the attack that day and exonerate the pro-Trump rioters who took part. For Johnson, beginning to release about 40,000 hours of video footage fulfilled a promise he made to hard-right lawmakers to win their support for the speakership.

He Doesn’t Report Having Checking or Savings. So Where Did Andy Ogles Get $320,000 for His Campaign?

WTVF – Phil Williams | Published: 11/29/2023

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles reported he loaned his campaign $320,000 during the 2022 election. The FEC report raised eyebrows among some because he had never been seen as a person of great wealth. A media investigation shows Ogles has not disclosed any substantial investments. He does not report having a savings account. From the beginning of his campaign for Congress, Ogles was dogged by questions about his fundraising claims.

Members of Congress Head for the Exits, Many Citing Dysfunction

Yahoo News – Kayla Guo (New York Times) | Published: 11/26/2023

More than three dozen members of Congress have announced they will not seek re-election next year, some to pursue other offices and many others simply to get out of Washington. The wave of lawmakers across chambers and parties comes at a time of dysfunction on Capitol Hill, primarily instigated by House Republicans. The chaos has Republicans increasingly worried they could lose their slim House majority next year, a concern that typically prompts a rash of retirements from the party in control. But it is not only GOP lawmakers who are opting to leave.

For Election Workers, Fentanyl-Laced Letters Signal a Challenging Year

Yahoo News – Michael Wines (New York Times) | Published: 11/22/2023

For the people who run elections at thousands of local offices nationwide, 2024 was never going to be an easy year. But the recent anonymous mailing of powder-filled envelopes to election offices in five states offers new hints of how hard it could be. The letters are an indicator of what some officials say is a fresh rise in threats to their safety and the functioning of the election system. They presage the pressure-cooker environment that election officials will face next year in a contest for the White House that could chart the future course of American democracy.

Could Abortion Rights Rescue Red-State Democrats in the Senate?

Yahoo News – Michael Bender and Anjali Huynh (New York Times) | Published: 11/29/2023

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion rights have become an invaluable political asset for Democrats. They have leveraged the issue to hold onto control of the Senate, limit losses in the House, and fuel victories in key state races in the Midwest and the South. But perhaps the toughest test for the issue’s power will come in U.S. Senate contests like Sherrod Brown’s in Ohio and Jon Tester’s in Montana. The fate of the thin Democratic majority in the chamber could well be sealed in those two places, by the same voters who have installed Republicans in every other statewide office.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Legislative Ethics Committee Dismisses Complaints Against Alaska Lawmakers

Anchorage Daily News – Iris Samuels | Published: 11/29/2023

The Legislative Ethics Committee dismissed complaints against sitting and former Alaska lawmakers who were accused of allowing “an unregistered lobbyist” for an anti-abortion organization to use their Capitol offices as a “base of operations.” The complaints allege Rep. David Eastman and former Rep. Christopher Kurka allowed Pat Martin, head of Alaska Right to Life, to use their offices for several hours when Martin traveled from Wasilla to the state Capitol “with the stated intent to distribute signed petitions to the Legislature.”

Arizona – This Ballot Measure Could Change the Election Game. But Will the Result Be the Same?

MSN – Mary Jo Pitzl (Arizona Republic) | Published: 11/29/2023

A proposed ballot measure would eliminate Arizona’s partisan primary system and replace it with a system in which every voter can vote in every election, regardless of party affiliation or lack of affiliation. Sarah Smallhouse, a supporter of the reform, said the idea is to appeal to independents, the state’s largest voting bloc. Despite their numbers, Smallhouse said independents cannot vote in primaries unless they take the extra step of requesting a partisan ballot.

Arizona – Arizona Officials Charged with Allegedly Conspiring to Delay Midterm Election Outcome

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 11/29/2023

Two Republican members of a county election board in southern Arizona were indicted by a state grand jury. Cochise County Supervisors Peggy Judd and Terry Crosby are charged with interference with an election officer and conspiracy. The indictment alleges the two knowingly interfered with the secretary of state’s ability to finish the statewide canvass for the election by delaying a vote to formally accept their county’s votes during the time period required by state law.

Arizona – Supreme Court Rejects Arizona GOP Leaders’ Effort to Avoid Deposition in Voting Rights Suit

MSN – Ray Stern (Arizona Republic) | Published: 11/27/2023

Arizona legislative leaders will submit to depositions in a lawsuit over two voting rights laws after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected their application for an emergency stay. Senate President Warren Petersen and Speaker Ben Toma both said they would comply. The plaintiffs want to find out if Republican lawmakers created the bills with discriminatory intent.

California – Top OC Official Helped Direct Millions to His Daughter’s Center Without Disclosing Family Connection

LAist – Nick Gerda | Published: 11/22/2023

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has voted to fund millions of dollars to an organization led by his daughter without publicly disclosing his close family connection. Do voted twice to award contracts that included subcontracts to Warner Wellness Center, his daughter Rhiannon Do’s group. During public discussion of one of those votes, Andrew Do said he had two years of conversations with the top county health official leading up to the vote. Both of Councilperson Do’s votes to fund the subcontracts happened with no public mention his daughter was working as Warner Wellness’s president.

California – Family Vacations, Fancy Clothes and a Cigar Humidor: How an O.C. politician got fined for abusing campaign funds

MSN – Faith Pinho (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 11/24/2023

The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) fined former Assemblyperson William Brough $100,000 for using campaign funds to cover myriad personal costs, including family vacations, his children’s cellphone bills, and $2,400 worth of clothing, in violation of state law. Brough used a total of $17,303 in campaign funds for personal expenses and failed multiple record-keeping requirements, even as his campaign treasurer warned him about violations, according to the FPPC.

California – Disney’s Representative Could Soon be Considered a Lobbyist at Anaheim City Hall

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 11/29/2023

The Anaheim City Council agreed to enhance the city’s lobbying laws for the second time in just over a year. The ordinance expands the definition of lobbying and who needs to register to include both outside lobbyists and those employed directly by the company they are advocating for. A second council vote is needed for the ordinance to take effect. The move comes after investigators said FBI agents concluded in sworn affidavits that City Hall is essentially controlled by lobbyists and Disneyland resort interests.

Colorado – Colorado Supreme Court Will Hear Appeal of Ruling That Trump Can Stay on Ballot Despite Insurrection

MSN – Nicholas Riccardi (Associated Press) | Published: 11/21/2023

The Colorado Supreme Court agreed to hear appeals from both a liberal group that sought to disqualify Donald Trump and the former president himself after a state judge ruled Trump “engaged in insurrection” on January 6, 2021, but can still appear on the state’s ballot. The ruling by District Court Judge Sarah Wallace, which said Trump is not covered by the Constitution’s ban on insurrectionists holding office, was the latest in a series of defeats for the effort to end Trump’s candidates with Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

Delaware – Why Delaware Elections Commissioners Rarely Enforce Campaign Finance Laws

Yahoo News – Amanda Fries (Delaware News Journal) | Published: 11/27/2023

Delaware elections officials have the authority to investigate campaign finance violations, but that oversight has never been used. Election officials can investigate campaigns for compliance with state laws regarding campaign expenditures and donations. Yet, elections officials say they have no records of probes conducted under this authority.

Florida – Mayor Suarez Faces Ethics Complaint Over Presidential Campaign Costs Billed to City

Miami New Times – Naomi Feinstein and Alex DeLuca | Published: 11/22/2023

In a complaint filed with the Florida Commission on Ethics, activist Thomas Kennedy accuses Miami Mayor Francis Suarez of violating the law by spending taxpayer funds on personal security during his bid for president. The complaint cites records that showed Miami Police Department officers traveled on the campaign trail with Suarez and billed the city more than $20,000 for their hotels, transportation, and meal expenses.

Illinois – Democratic PAC Shifts Cash Out of Its Account as It Gets Hit with One of the Biggest State Election Board Fines Ever

MSN – Rick Pearson and Jeremy Gorner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 11/21/2023

The State Board of Elections issued $99,500 in fines against the All for Justice PAC. The move followed a report by The Chicago Tribune on the PAC’s reporting deficiencies as it spent more than $7.3 million on independent expenditures supporting Justices Elizabeth Rochford and Mary Kay O/Brien, both of whom won their campaigns and increased the Illinois Supreme Court’s Democratic majority. The PAC had been given 30 days to appeal or seek a reduction in the fines but it transferred its remaining cash balance of $149,516 to another independent expenditure committee that has been dormant since July 2019.

Illinois – Former GOP Senator, Third-Party Governor Candidate to Represent Himself in Corruption Trial

NPR Illinois – Hannah Meisel (Capital News Illinois) | Published: 11/28/2023

On what was supposed to have been the first day of the federal corruption trial of former Illinois Sen. Sam McCann for allegedly misusing more than $200,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses, McCann presented a pair of last-minute motions to represent himself, which delayed the trial for at least the 13th time. He allegedly used some of the money to pay his mortgage, buy personal vehicles, and even pay himself.

Illinois – Ethics Board Urges Chicago City Council to Tighten Rules to Stop Campaign Cash Pleas to City Employees

WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 11/27/2023

Chicago’s ethics ordinance should be tightened to apply to political fundraising committees to prevent future city officials from escaping sanctions for violations, including sending emails to city employees at their official email addresses asking them to send cash to their campaigns, the Board of Ethics urged the city council. The recommendation followed the board’s dismissal of a complaint prompted by Inspector General Deborah Witzburg’s determination that former Mayor Lori Lightfoot violated the ethics code by sending pleas for cash to city employees.

Indiana – Former Indiana Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to Casino Corruption Charge

MSN – Isabella Volmert (Associated Press) | Published: 11/28/2023

A former Indiana lawmaker pleaded guilty to supporting a bill favoring a casino in exchange for promises of lucrative employment. According to prosecutors, ex-Rep. Sean Eberhart, a member of the committee that oversees casinos and gaming in the state, used his position to successfully advocate for the relocation of two casinos and to obtain other favorable terms for the company, including tax incentives. In exchange, they said, Eberhart accepted the promise of future employment, which included annual compensation of at least $350,000.

Indiana – Indiana Gunmaker That Offered GOP Lawmakers Discounted Rifles Is Fined After Investigation

MSN – Kayla Dwyer (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 11/30/2023

The Indiana Lobby Registration Commission fined a gunmaker and ordered the company to register. A complaint said Fostech made a flyer available to some lawmakers advertising an “Indiana legislator rifle” at half the suggested retail price. The offer came during a session in which the company also testified in opposition to a major piece of gun legislation. Common Cause Indiana Executive Director Julia Vaughn’s complaint argued Fostech’s actions appeared to fit the definition of lobbying and should have been reported publicly as such.

Iowa – GOP Official’s Wife Convicted in Months-Long 2020 Voter-Fraud Scheme

MSN – Timothy Bella (Washington Post) | Published: 11/23/2023

As Tam and Thien Doan tried to obtain absentee ballots in Iowa in 2020, they were surprised to find out that votes had already been cast in their names. The siblings, both Democrats, were even more astonished to learn their ballots had been cast in support of Republican candidates only. Unbeknownst to the Doans, they were among a group of Vietnamese immigrants targeted in a months-long voter-fraud scheme by the wife of a Republican county supervisor who wanted her husband to win “by any means necessary” in the 2020 primary and general elections, according to prosecutors. Kim Phuong Taylor was convicted of 52 counts of voter fraud.

Kentucky – Top Metro Council Republican Will Face Removal Proceedings Over Ethics Charges

Louisville Public Media – Roberto Roldan | Published: 11/28/2023

Five Louisville Metro Council members voted to move forward with removal proceedings against Councilperson Anthony Piagentini. The process will eventually lead to an ethics trial, where the full Metro Council will act as a jury. Removing Piagentini will take a two-thirds vote. He was found guilty of ethics violations by Louisville’s Ethics Commission, which said there was “clear and convincing evidence” he negotiated a job with a nonprofit while supporting their bid for a major grant.

Maine – State Ethics Commission Fines Group Behind ‘Right to Repair’ Referendum

Yahoo News – Rachel Ohm (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 11/29/2023

Maine’s ethics commission reached an agreement with the political committee that convinced voters to approve Question 4 on the November ballot.  The commission approved a $35,000 penalty against the Automotive Right to Repair Committee because it was late complying with a transparency law for major funders. The maximum fine under state law was $240,000. Maine requires ballot question committees to notify donors who give more than $100,000 that they have to file a report with the ethics commission.

Michigan – Former Democratic Party Chair, AIPAC Deny Offering Nasser Beydoun $20M to Run Against Rashida Tlaib

Yahoo News – Todd Spangler and Clara Hendrickson (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 11/28/2023

Nasser Beydoun, an Arab-American businessperson who is running for the open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan, became the second Democratic candidate to say he was offered as much as $20 million in campaign support to abandon that race and run instead against U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib. Beydoun said the offer of “approximately $20 million” in “potential” campaign funding to run against Tlaib was made to him by former state Democratic Party Chairperson Lon Johnson. He denied making an offer to Beydoun.

New Mexico – New Mexico Supreme Court Upholds Democratic-Drawn Congressional Map

Associated Press News – Morgan Lee | Published: 11/27/2023

The New Mexico Supreme Court upheld a Democratic-drawn congressional map that divvied up a conservative, oil-producing region and reshaped a swing district along the U.S. border with Mexico. The justices affirmed a lower court decision that the redistricting plan enacted by Democratic lawmakers in 2021 succeeded in substantially diluting votes of their political opponents, but the changes fell short of “egregious” gerrymandering.

New York – New York Mayor Eric Adams Is Accused of Sexual Assault

MSN – Mariano Alfaro (Washington Post) | Published: 11/23/2023

New York Mayor Eric Adams is accused of committing sexual assault in 1993, according to a new court summons filed under the state’s Adult Survivors Act. According to the summons, the plaintiff was sexually assaulted by Adams while they both worked for the city. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the act into law last year, giving adult sexual assault survivors up to one year to file a lawsuit against their alleged attacker, regardless of when the alleged violation happened.

New York – Eric Adams Attended Nearly 80 Events Celebrating Turkey

Politico – Joe Anuta, Jason Beeferman, and Maya Kaufman | Published: 11/17/2023

As Brooklyn borough president, Eric Adams attended nearly 80 events over eight years to celebrate Turkey, including a flag-raising in 2015, a charity ball in 2018, and a Zoom meeting with the Turkish consul in 2020. In 2019, as he was embarking on a run for New York City mayor, he joined Martha Stewart at a gala celebrating Turkish Airlines, a company caught up in in an ongoing FBI probe into Adams’ campaign finances. These revelations shed light on Adams’ unusually strong relationship with Turkey, which has drawn scrutiny from federal investigators.

Ohio – Husted to Be Deposed, DeWine Subpoenaed in Lawsuit Over FirstEnergy Bribery Scheme

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 11/28/2023

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted is scheduled to be deposed by investors suing FirstEnergy in connection with the House Bill 6 scandal, the most significant public corruption case in state history. In addition, Gov. Mike DeWine received a subpoena for documents in connection with the civil case. The lawsuit mirrors allegations that FirstEnergy paid multimillion-dollar bribes to former House Speaker Larry Householder and Sam Randazzo, formerly the state’s top utility regulator, in exchange for legislation and favorable regulatory treatment. DeWine appointed Randazzo shortly after taking office in 2019.

Ohio – Ohio Supreme Court Upholds New State Legislative Redistricting Plan

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 11/27/2023

The Ohio Supreme Court upheld the state’s new legislative redistricting plan, dismissing lawsuits filed by Democratic and good-government groups claiming the new maps are illegally gerrymandered. In a four-to-three party-line ruling, the court’s Republican justices dismissed the lawsuits on procedural grounds. The ruling means that new Ohio House and Senate maps will remain in place through 2030, unless voters approve a proposed overhaul to the redistricting process itself next year.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Republican Party PAC Misreported Millions in Funds, Audit Finds

Oklahoman – Mindy Ragan Wood (Oklahoma Voice) | Published: 11/27/2023

A federal audit uncovered millions in misreported income and expenses for a PAC associated with the Oklahoma Republican Party. An FEC draft audit found the Oklahoma Leadership Council’s bank records did not match its federal campaign finance reports by nearly $2 million. The council is a federal PAC the state Republican Party uses to back GOP candidates and fund independent expenditures against their opponents.

Pennsylvania – Federal Judge Says Pennsylvania Mail-In Ballots Should Still Count If Dated Incorrectly

Associated Press News – Michael Runbinkam | Published: 11/21/2023

Mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania without accurate handwritten dates on their exterior envelopes must still be counted if they are received in time, a judge ruled, concluding that rejecting such ballots violates federal civil rights law. The decision has implications for the 2024 presidential election in a key battleground state where Democrats have been far more likely to vote by mail than Republicans.

Pennsylvania – Pa. Legislature Paid $280K to Settle Harassment, Other Claims While Requiring Secrecy in Many Cases

Spotlight PA – Angelea Couloumbis | Published: 11/30/2023

The Pennsylvania Legislature quietly paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past five years to settle sexual harassment and other claims against lawmakers and staffers. Many of the settlements include controversial secrecy clauses and other provisions that prevent public disclosure of the agreement. Female legislators criticized Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office for paying $295,000 to resolve a sexual harassment claim against a top advisor. The settlement, which only became public after several media outlets filed public records requests, included a nondisclosure agreement.

Tennessee – Judges Rule Against Tennessee Senate Redistricting Map Over Treatment of Nashville Seats

Yahoo News – Jonathan Mattise and Kimberlee Kruesi (Associated Press) | Published: 11/22/2023

A Republican-drawn map for Tennessee’s Senate seats violates the state Constitution because lawmakers incorrectly numbered the legislative districts in left-leaning Nashville, which affects which years those seats are on the ballot, a panel of judges ruled. The decision centers on maps passed by the Republican-supermajority Legislature in 2022. According to the ruling, the state’s attorneys “conceded” they would not defend the Senate map in court and instead focused their attention arguing the plaintiffs did not have standing to sue.

Washington – Seattle City Council Candidates Got $2.4M from Democracy Vouchers

Crosscut – Donna Gordon Blankinship | Published: 11/27/2023

Seattle voters were actively involved in financing city council elections this year, distributing nearly 95,000 Democracy Vouchers that pumped nearly $2.4 million into 30 campaigns. Supporters say the idea democratizes political campaigns by giving regular people public money to contribute as they choose, presumably taking some power from wealthy individuals, companies, and organizations that seem to dominate political giving. The program also gives candidates another way to engage directly with voters.

Washington – Seattle Lobbying Firm Strategies 360 Files for Bankruptcy Amid Legal Feud

Seattle Times – Jim Brunner | Published: 11/29/2023

A prominent lobbying and public affairs firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid a bitter legal dispute between estranged co-owners. Strategies 360 filed a petition to stave off what Chief Executive Officer Ron Dotzauer described in court filings as a hostile and humiliating takeover bid by his former business partner, Eric Sorenson. The Seattle-based firm employs about 140 people in 13 states and Washington D.C.

Elections Arizona: “Arizona Officials Charged with Allegedly Conspiring to Delay Midterm Election Outcome” by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) for MSN National: “Could Abortion Rights Rescue Red-State Democrats in the Senate?” by Michael Bender and Anjali Huynh (New York Times) for Yahoo News Ethics Indiana: “Former Indiana Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to Casino Corruption Charge” by Isabella Volmert (Associated Press) for MSN Kentucky: “Top Metro Council Republican Will Face Removal Proceedings Over Ethics Charges” by Roberto Roldan for Louisville Public Media Ohio: “Husted to Be Deposed, DeWine Subpoenaed in Lawsuit Over FirstEnergy Bribery Scheme” by Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN Lobbying California: “Disney’s Representative Could Soon be Considered a Lobbyist at Anaheim City Hall” by Hosam Elattar for Voice of OC Washington: “Seattle Lobbying Firm Strategies 360 Files for Bankruptcy Amid Legal Feud” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times Redistricting New Mexico: “New Mexico Supreme Court Upholds Democratic-Drawn Congressional Map” by Morgan Lee for Associated Press News