June 2, 2016 •
Maryland Legislative Lobbyist Appointed to Highest Court
Gov. Larry Hogan has appointed his top legislative lobbyist, Joseph M. Getty, to the Court of Appeals. Getty has extensive policy making experience, previously serving in both the House of Delegates and Senate, but has never before worked as a […]
Gov. Larry Hogan has appointed his top legislative lobbyist, Joseph M. Getty, to the Court of Appeals.
Getty has extensive policy making experience, previously serving in both the House of Delegates and Senate, but has never before worked as a judge.
The appointment is effective immediately, but Getty must still be confirmed by the Senate, which will not meet until next year’s General Assembly session.
On May 30, legislation to amend lobbying disclosure laws was introduced in the House of Commons. If passed, Bill C-278 would require lobbyists to disclose whether they are funded by a foreign national, a non-resident corporation, or a non-resident organization […]
On May 30, legislation to amend lobbying disclosure laws was introduced in the House of Commons.
If passed, Bill C-278 would require lobbyists to disclose whether they are funded by a foreign national, a non-resident corporation, or a non-resident organization and whether grassroots communications will be used in their lobbying efforts.
May 20, 2016 •
Delaware Hit with Wave of Lobbyist and Donor Bills
On May 17, three separate bills regarding lobbyists and political donors were introduced in the General Assembly. If all three bills pass, political committees would be required to report a contributor’s occupation and employment information (Senate Bill 224), lobbyists would […]
On May 17, three separate bills regarding lobbyists and political donors were introduced in the General Assembly.
If all three bills pass, political committees would be required to report a contributor’s occupation and employment information (Senate Bill 224), lobbyists would be required to disclose the source and amount of received payments (Senate Bill 225), and lobbyists would be required to pay a registration fee or face certain penalties (House Bill 385).
March 7, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying California: “Santa Monica Rewrites Lobbying Rules” by Gary Walker for Argonaut Online New Jersey: “Pensions, Other Big Issues Spurred $70M in Spending to Sway N.J. Leaders” by Samantha Marcus and Susan Livio (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger Campaign Finance Arkansas “Former […]
Lobbying
California: “Santa Monica Rewrites Lobbying Rules” by Gary Walker for Argonaut Online
New Jersey: “Pensions, Other Big Issues Spurred $70M in Spending to Sway N.J. Leaders” by Samantha Marcus and Susan Livio (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger
Campaign Finance
Arkansas “Former State Legislator Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Fraud” by John Lyon for Arkansas News
Massachusetts: “Mass. Campaign Finance Regulators’ Office Gets Hip to Memes” by Steve Annear for Boston Globe
Virginia: “State Lawmakers Can’t Raise Campaign Money While in Session, but There’s a Loophole” by Patrick Wilson for The Virginian-Pilot
Ethics
California: “L.A. County D.A.’s Corruption Case against Three Irwindale Officials Is Dismissed” by Marisa Gerber for Los Angeles Times
Connecticut: “Connecticut Election, Information and Ethics Watchdog Agencies Fear Results of Deep Cuts” by Mary O’Leary for New Haven Register
Kentucky: “Legislation Allowing the Executive Branch Ethics Commission to Set Lobbying Registration Fees by Regulation Heads to House Floor” by Kevin Wheatley for cn/2
Procurement
“Lobbyists Plan for Battle over Contractor Fair Pay Rule” by Ben Penn for Bloomberg BNA
March 2, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying Massachusetts: “Bill Would Have Lobbyists Disclose Clients” by Michael Norton (State House News Service) for The Sentinel & Enterprise Campaign Finance “Jeb Bush’s Ambitions Paid Dividends for GOP Admaker Over the Years” by Matea Gold for Washington Post California: “California’s […]
Lobbying
Massachusetts: “Bill Would Have Lobbyists Disclose Clients” by Michael Norton (State House News Service) for The Sentinel & Enterprise
Campaign Finance
“Jeb Bush’s Ambitions Paid Dividends for GOP Admaker Over the Years” by Matea Gold for Washington Post
California: “California’s Ethics Watchdog Opposes Donor Stickers for Politicians” by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee
New Jersey: “Another Birdsall Exec Pleads Guilty, Faces Jail” by Kathleen Hopkins for Asbury Park Press
Ethics
Pennsylvania: “Menendez’s Lawyers Argue That Public Corruption Case against Senator Should Be Thrown Out” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post
District of Columbia: “Ethics Group Urges Inquiry of Mortgage Banking Lobbyist Who Led F.H.A.” by Gretchen Morgenson for New York Times
New Mexico: “Governor OKs Upgrades to State’s Campaign Finance Reporting System” by Heath Haussamen for New MexicoPolitics.net
Oklahoma: “Credit Card Purchases, Gifts Questioned by Oklahoma’s State Audit” by Randy Ellis for The Oklahoman
Elections
“How America’s Dying White Supremacist Movement Is Seizing on Donald Trump’s Appeal” by Jonathan Mahler for Washington Post
“Inside the Clinton Team’s Plan to Defeat Donald Trump” by Amy Chozick and Patrick Healy for New York Times
“Donald Trump Overwhelms G.O.P. Rivals from Alabama to Massachusetts” by Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin for New York Times
“Minority Voters Push Hillary Clinton to Victories” by Patrick Healy and Amy Chozick for New York Times
Legislative Issues
Wyoming: “‘Leg’-Mart’ Growing on Wyoming Lawmakers, Public” by Laura Hancock for Casper Star-Tribune
February 29, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Senator Defends Lobbyists after Ethics Reform Hearing in Capitol” by Max Londberg for Cass County Democrat California: “Female Lobbying Firm Thrives in Male-Dominated Capitol” by Laurel Rosenhall for CalMatters.org Campaign Finance Arizona: “Appeals Court Rules against Ex-AG Horne in […]
Lobbying
“Senator Defends Lobbyists after Ethics Reform Hearing in Capitol” by Max Londberg for Cass County Democrat
California: “Female Lobbying Firm Thrives in Male-Dominated Capitol” by Laurel Rosenhall for CalMatters.org
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “Appeals Court Rules against Ex-AG Horne in Campaign Finance Case” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star
Massachusetts: “New Rules Clarify ‘Cooperation’ between Candidates, Super PACs” by for NewBostonPost.com; Statehouse News Service
Ethics
“Aides’ Email-Server Testimony Could Throw Clinton Campaign a Curveball” by Spencer Hsu and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post
Massachusetts: “Joyce’s Role in Solar Project Probed” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe
New York: “Despite ‘Crickets’ on Ethics, Galef Presents a Tall Stack of Fixes” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union
Washington: “Scalia Led Court in Taking Trips Funded by Private Sponsors” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
Elections
“To Fight Critics, Donald Trump Aims to Instill Fear in 140-Character Doses” by Alexander Burns and Maggie Haberman for New York Times
New Jersey: “New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Endorses Donald Trump for President” by Jose DelReal for Washington Post
South Carolina: “Hillary Clinton Wins South Carolina Primary” by Amy Chozick and Patcrick Healy for New York Times
Legislative Issues
Missouri: “Missouri Supreme Court to Rule on Advocacy Group’s Right to Film Senate Hearings” by Zachary Reger for Columbia Missourian
February 24, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying California: “California Bill Would Ban Legislative Junkets Funded by Interest Groups” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee Missouri: “Curtis Presents Bill to Cut Union Exemption for Lobbying” by Travis Zimpfer for Missouri Times Campaign Finance “Democratic Party Fundraising Effort […]
Lobbying
California: “California Bill Would Ban Legislative Junkets Funded by Interest Groups” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee
Missouri: “Curtis Presents Bill to Cut Union Exemption for Lobbying” by Travis Zimpfer for Missouri Times
Campaign Finance
“Democratic Party Fundraising Effort Helps Clinton Find New Donors, Too” by Matea Gold and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post
“Can You Sell Marijuana Pipes to Help Fund Bernie Sanders?” by Michael Beckel for Center for Public Integrity
Massachusetts: “Baker Taps Wealthy Donors in Bid to Shape Mass. GOP” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe
Mississippi: “Elected Officials Use Campaign Finds for Private Gain in Mississippi” by Geoff Pender, Mollie Bryant, and Katie Royals (Jackson Clarion-Ledger) for The Sun-Herald
New Jersey: “Birdsall CEO Pleads Guilty in Huge N.J. Pay-to-Play Scheme” by S.P. Sullivan (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star Ledger
Ethics
New York: “Watchdog Group Asks for Inquiry into Nonprofits Tied to de Blasio” by J. David Goodman for New York Times
Elections
“Univision Aims to Make Hispanic Voting Bloc Even More Formidable” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times
Nevada: “In Nevada Caucuses, Trump Gets a Third Straight Win” by Philip Rucker and David Weigel for Washington Post
February 17, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying California: “L.A. Ethics Commission OKs $47,000 in Fines for Lobbying Violations” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times Michigan: “Lansing Power Brokers: Law firms, others strengthen their lobbying corps” by Lindsay Vanhulle for Crain’s Detroit Business New Mexico: […]
Lobbying
California: “L.A. Ethics Commission OKs $47,000 in Fines for Lobbying Violations” by Emily Alpert Reyes for Los Angeles Times
Michigan: “Lansing Power Brokers: Law firms, others strengthen their lobbying corps” by Lindsay Vanhulle for Crain’s Detroit Business
New Mexico: “Ethics Commission Hits Dead End in Senate Panel” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
Utah: “Free Lunches Becoming More Rare for Utah Legislators” by Lee Davidson for Salt Lake Tribune
Campaign Finance
Alaska: “North Slope Borough Mayor Charlotte Brower Pays $35,000 Campaign Fine” by Alex DeMarban for Alaska Dispatch News
Minnesota: “Minnesota Legislators Use Campaign Funds for Child Care, Pet Urns and Travel” by J. Patrick Coolican and Maya Rao for Minneapolis Star Tribune
Ethics
California: “Taking the Oath of Office Seriously to Fight Corruption in Southeast L.A. County” by Ruben Vives for Los Angeles Times
Ohio: “Convention Center Food Contract Prompts Criminal Investigation” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch
Elections
“Snapchat Bets Big on Quick-Fire Approach to Campaign Coverage” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times
“Battle over Scalia’s Replacement Already Spilling into Senate Races” by Steven Mufson and Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post
“Campaigns Secretly Prep for Brokered GOP Convention” by Ben Schreckinger for Politico
Procurement
Texas: “Some Contractors Say New Texas Disclosure Law Confusing” by for KXAN; Associated Press
February 16, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying Florida: “Lobbying firms pull in cash as year ends” by Jim Saunders in the Tallahassee Democrat Hawaii: “Lobbying Law Proposed For Kauai” by Chad Blair in the Honolulu Civil Beat Idaho: “Bill would make university, state agency lobbyists report […]
Lobbying
Florida: “Lobbying firms pull in cash as year ends” by Jim Saunders in the Tallahassee Democrat
Hawaii: “Lobbying Law Proposed For Kauai” by Chad Blair in the Honolulu Civil Beat
Idaho: “Bill would make university, state agency lobbyists report their spending” by Betsy Russell in the Spokesman Review
New Hampshire: “Political Wrangling Over ‘People’s Pledge’ in New Hampshire” by Simone Pathé in Roll Call
New Mexico: “Campaign finance fix bill triggered by KOB investigation 1 step away from clearing legislature” by Ryan Luby in KOB 4
Ethics
New Mexico: “Ethics commission proposal faces scrutiny in Senate panel” by Dan Boyd in the Albuquerque Journal
Virginia: “Senators vote to undo parts of ethics reform law” by Jim Nolan in the Richmond Times-Dispatch
Elections
“DCCC Names First 16 Candidates to ‘Red to Blue’ Program” by Simone Pathé in Roll Call
Florida: “With Safe Districts Gone, Two Florida Lawmakers Taking Their Time on 2016 Decision” by Eli Yokley in Roll Call
Ohio: “Bill would ban switching political parties in Ohio primary elections” by Robert Higgs in the Plain Dealer
Procurement
Texas: “Some contractors say new Texas disclosure law confusing” by The Associated Press in KXAN
Legislative Issues
Alaska: “Longtime Alaska Lawmaker Max Gruenberg Dies” by Nathaniel Herz in Governing
Arizona: “Arizona lawmakers seek ability to more easily overturn ballot measures” by Howard Fischer in the Daily Courier
June 26, 2015 •
Madison City Council to Consider Prohibiting Lobbyists from Serving on City Committees
Madison Ald. David Ahrens will soon propose an ordinance to ban registered lobbyists from serving on city committees. The proposal is expected to be introduced on July 7 as a means of eliminating both the appearance and reality of conflicts […]
Madison Ald. David Ahrens will soon propose an ordinance to ban registered lobbyists from serving on city committees. The proposal is expected to be introduced on July 7 as a means of eliminating both the appearance and reality of conflicts of interest.
The ordinance would not only prohibit registered lobbyists from serving on city committees, but would also force those who are not lobbyists when appointed and who register later to vacate their seats.
Although the city currently requires lobbyist registration and disclosure, Ahrens argues the current law isn’t enforced.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
