July 11, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 11, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
IRS Drops Audits of Political Donors
New Breed of ‘Super PACs,’ Other Independent Groups Could Define 2012 Campaign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Alabama Democratic Conference Files Lawsuit to Stop New Alabama Law Banning Political Fund Transfers
Arizona
Arizona Conservatives Scramble after Campaign Finance Law’s Defeat
California
Marijuana Lobbyist’s Fundraiser for DA Raises Questions
Veil Drawn on Donors to Latino Caucus-Controlled California Nonprofit
Connecticut
Agent Who Arrested Politicians Now Seeks House Seat
Georgia
Illinois
Mayor Rahm Emanuel Proposing New Round of Ethics Reforms
Iowa
Judge Upholds New Iowa Campaign Disclosure Rules
Massachusetts
House Leader Apologizes for Holocaust Remarks
Michigan
Justices Stop Political Gifts Taken at Work
Minnesota
Campaign Board Rejects NOM’s Efforts to Shield Donors in Marriage Battle
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Lt. Gov. Ard Paying $48,000 Fine
Washington
Ex-Prisons Chief Eldon Vail Says He Resigned Because of an Affair with Subordinate
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
July 5, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 5, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Colbert Declares Victory at FEC
FEC Limits Lawmakers’ Fundraising for Super PACs
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Gambling Trial Highlights Fees Paid to Legislators
Arizona
Justices Strike Down Arizona Campaign Finance Law
Florida
Judge Strikes Down Florida Campaign Finance Matching Law
Illinois
Jury Finds Blagojevich Guilty of Corruption
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Special Education Director Said to Siphon $10 Million
Missouri
Missouri Lawmakers Eat for Free
Nevada
Tougher Nevada Campaign Money Laws Come into Play
New York
New Contribution Rule Limits Assignments to Elected Judges
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Ethics Commission Reprimands NRA Lobbyist
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Justices in Altercation
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
June 27, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 27, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
FCC Report Finds Major Shortage in Local Reporting
Federal:
Donor Meeting at White House Draws Fire
FEC Asks Crossroads to Reveal Donors
Secret Election Financing Surges with Evasion of IRS Scrutiny
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Bill to Ban Event Tickets, Other Gifts to Lawmakers Gets New Life
Florida
Palm Beach County Ethics Code Exemption Allows Free High-Priced Tickets for Public Officials
Georgia
With Ethics Chief’s Exit, Who’ll Step In?
Illinois
Chicago Puts Lobbyists’ Pay On-line
Massachusetts
House Republicans Recommend ‘Snitch Rule,’ Ethics Reforms
North Carolina
Legislating at Lightning Speed with Lots of Goofs
Oregon
Oregon House Rejects Bill That Would Cap Penalties for Campaign Finance Violations
Rhode Island
U.S. Representative to Pay R.I. $127,000 for Campaign Fund Error
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
June 20, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 20, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Federal Election Commission Deadlocks on Greater 2012 Donor Disclosure
More Political Action Committees to Get ‘Super’ Powers?
U.S. Appeals Decision Overturning Ban on Corporate Donations to Candidates
Weiner Resigns in Chaotic Final Scene
From the States and Municipalities:
Colorado
Complaint Filed against Secretary of State Scott Gessler
Connecticut
Ethics Dispute Drained Local Budget of More than $630,000
Georgia
Shake-Up at Ethics Commission as Top Staffers to Exit
Hawaii
State Drops Campaign Gift Appeal
Massachusetts
DiMasi Found Guilty on Seven of Nine Counts in Kickback Scheme
No Fault Found in House Incident
Nevada
Justices Rule on When Lawmakers Should Recuse from Issues
New York
Ethics Clears Legislative Hurdles
Report: Grassroots lobbying in N.Y. skyrockets since 2008
Pennsylvania
Lawyers, Chamber of Commerce Oppose City’s Broad, New Lobbying Disclosure Law
Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Union Law That Cuts Bargaining Powers to Take Effect Following Supreme Court Ruling
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
June 13, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 13, 2011
Here are highlights from State and Federal Communications, Inc.’s latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
A Weiner Ethics Case Would Cover Uncharted Ground
Virginia Federal Judge Rejects Government Request to Reconsider on Donations
Democrat or Republican, National Party Committees Reap Campaign Riches from Registered Lobbyists
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Big Names in Alabama Politics Set for Bingo Trial Opening
District of Columbia
D.C. Attorney General: Council’s Thomas diverted public funds
Michigan
Koch-Backed Group’s Fake Eviction Notices Rile up Detroit
Nevada
Rory Reid to Pay $25,000 Fine in PAC Case
New York
Bill Not a Feast but Lunch is OK
Cuomo and Legislative Leaders Strike Deal on New Ethics Rules
N.Y. Finds a Growth Industry in Ethics Enforcement
Ohio
House Cozy with Charter School Lobby
Texas
Dallas City Council Rolls Back Some Changes to Ethics Ordinance
Washington
Former Evergreen Professor Fined $120,000 in Largest-Ever Ethics Penalty
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
June 6, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 6, 2011
Here are highlights from State and Federal Communications, Inc.’s latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal
Campaign Finance Experts See Few Implications of Virginia Ruling
The Influence Industry: The fine lines between a Palin vacation and Palin tour
When ‘Coordinate’ Is a Dirty Word
From the States:
California
Former Vernon Official Pleads Guilty to Illegally Using Public Money
Colorado
Gessler Rulemaking on Campaign Finance Raising Eyebrows
Florida
Legislature Fails to Add Stronger Ethics Laws
Illinois
Senator Wants Charges Filed against Colleague
Louisiana
Mark St. Pierre is Taken into Custody after Jury Finds Him Guilty of Bribery, Conspiracy
Massachusetts
Financial Disclosure Forms Still Outdated
Minnesota
Campaign Finance Board Fines Alleged Felon Who Can’t Be Found
New Jersey
Christie Refuses to Reimburse N.J. for Traveling By Helicopter to See Son’s Baseball Game
Ohio
Cuyahoga County Offers First Ethics Training for Businesses
Tennessee
Tennessee Opens Door to Corporate Political Donations
Washington
Port Fined after Failing to File Lobbying Expenses
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
May 25, 2011 •
Our News You Can Use Video
News You Can Use, a service of State and Federal Communications, is in its 11th year.
Take a look at our new video explaining the news service:
May 23, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – May 23, 2011
Here are highlights from State and Federal Communications, Inc.’s latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal
Colbert at the FEC? Really
National
Fox Parent Company to Disclose Political Giving
From the States:
Arizona
Fiesta Bowl Seeks Repayment for Political Contributions
Illinois
Emanuel Jumps into Work, Signs Six Executive Orders
Maryland
Johnson, Ex-County Executive in Prince George’s, Pleads Guilty to Taking Bribes
Minnesota
Court Lets Minnesota Corporate Disclosure Law Stand
Tennessee
Four Named to State Ethics Commission
Virginia
Virginia Ethics Rules Questioned in Wake of Federal Case
Wisconsin
Officials Dismiss Ethics Complaints Over Anti-Union Bill
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
April 26, 2011 •
Digital Government News Summary
Here are a few news items from the last few days dealing with the federal government’s online efforts.
The U.S. House of Representatives has debuted a beta version of its new website.
The Hill reports the U.S. State Department has shut down its website America.gov and will put its communications work into social media.
ExecutiveGov.com reports that Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) is seeking more information from White House Chief Information Officer about which open government websites are at risk of being cut.
March 3, 2011 •
Lobbying News You Can Use
Ex-Senator Lobbies for Hollywood
Lights, camera … action! According to a piece in the New York Times, former U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) has been hired as top lobbyist for the Motion Picture Association of America.
The articles notes that according to the law Dodd cannot directly lobby on Capitol Hill until 2013, but can offer plenty of strategy. “I have no intention of violating either the letter or spirit of that law, which is one I support strongly,” said the former senator.
For the full story, be sure to read “Motion Picture Industry Group Names Ex-Senator Dodd as Its New Chief” by Brooks Barnes and Michael Cieply in the March 1 edition of the New York Times.
February 25, 2011 •
News You Can Use from Indiana
A Deputy Attorney General Fired for Comments Made on Twitter
Jim Sedor, the editor of State and Federal Communications’ News You Can Use, offers this breaking news item. Jeff Cox, a deputy attorney general in Indiana, has been fired for commenting on his Twitter account that police in Wisconsin should use live ammunition to disperse protesters.
For the full story, here is the article by Chris Sikich and Mary Beth Schneider in the Indianapolis Star: “Indiana official fired for remarks on Twitter” from February 24.
Here is a statement from the Attorney General’s Office on Jeff Cox’s online postings and his being fired.
February 7, 2011 •
News You Can Use – The Democratic National Convention
Democratic Party says it won’t use corporate money for their national convention.
Here is a campaign finance news item from last Friday. According to an article in the New York Times, the Democratic Party has announced it will not use corporate money for their national convention. The article said there will still be a chance for corporate in-kind contributions, and they can still pay for parties on the periphery of the official event.
For the full story, see “Democrats Promise No Corporate Money for Convention” by Michael Shear in the February 4 issue of the New York Times.
Photo of the 2008 Democratic National Convention by Qqqqqq on Wikipedia.
February 4, 2011 •
News You Can Use from Rhode Island
New rules for lobbyists could be coming to Providence.
Here is a heads-up for those following lobbying news in Rhode Island. News Editor Stephen Beale wrote on GoLocalProv that Providence, Rhode Island could be the first city in the state to require lobbyists to register with city hall.
The new rules have sparked a debate between supporters of government transparency and accountability and those who do not wish to inhibit non-lobbying groups from interacting with government.
For the full article, go to “Providence Could Become First RI City to Regulate Lobbyists” on GoLocalProv.com.
Photo of the Providence City Hall by ctman987 on Wikipedia.
February 3, 2011 •
News You Can Use from California
Lobbyist receives fine
Jim Sedor, editor of News You Can Use, pointed out this article – “Lobbyist for San Manuel Tribe Fined $30,000 by State” from Tuesday’s Riverside Press-Enterprise.
According to the article, lobbyist Frank Molina of Strategic Solutions Advisors was fined $30,000 by the California Fair Political Practices Commission for failing to file lobbying reports. The article states Molina has lobbied for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, both operating casinos.
News You Can Use is State and Federal Communications’ weekly summary of national news focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
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.
