November 28, 2011 •
News You Can Use – November 28, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Democratic Groups Stalled on Launch Pad
FEC Permits Small Donor Channeling
Religious Lobbying Groups Multiply on Capitol Hill
South Jersey Congressman Spent $9,000 from Campaign Funds on Donor’s Wedding
From the States and Municipalities:
California
New Chair of Campaign Finance Watchdog Draws Strong Reactions
Connecticut
WFP Director Fined For Lobbying Without Badge
District of Columbia
D.C. Council to Consider Ethics Reform Bill
Illinois
Tony Rezko Sentenced to 10½ Years: Former Blagojevich fundraiser convicted of corruption
Massachusetts
Bump Knocked for Fundraising Letter
Mississippi
Campaigns Downplay Race, but Voters Don’t Follow Suit
Nevada
Trip to Brazil Raises Concerns about Lobbyists’ Access
Pennsylvania
City’s Lobbyist-Disclosure Program to Start in ’12
Washington
Right-Wing PAC Fights Campaign Disclosure
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
November 21, 2011 •
News You Can Use – November 21, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Poll: Americans divided on companies that hire lobbyists
Federal:
Administration Officials Double as Obama Campaign Speakers
Corporate Lobbying Is a Very Exclusive Club
Gingrich Said to Be Paid By Freddie Mac to Court Republicans
Obama Administration Extends Review of Lobbyist Gift Ban
From the States and Municipalities:
Alaska
FEC Rejects Miller’s Senate Race Complaint
Arizona
Former Fiesta Bowl Employee Indicted
California
FPPC Sticks with $30,000 Fine for Lobbyist Frank Molina
California
New Gift Rules Would Benefit Legislators Dating Lobbyists
Colorado
Judge Says Gessler’s Campaign Finance Change Unconstitutional
Michigan
No Such Thing as Free Lunch? There Is for State Lawmakers in Lansing
Missouri
Missouri High Court Hears Challenge to 2010 Ethics Law
Nevada
No Vote on Transparency Bill Lets Lobbyists Keep Paying Tab
New Mexico
Gov. Martinez Says Officials and Lobbyists Are Too Cozy
New York
Appeals Court Allows New Trial for Bruno
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.
November 14, 2011 •
News You Can Use – November 14, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Special Sessions: A calculated risk
Federal:
Obama Administration Draft Memo Could Shed Light on ‘Lettermarking’
Sunlight Foundation Follows Lobbyist Tweets
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Alabama’s New Ethics Law Fails to Stop Exemption Requests from Lobbyists and Public Officials
California
California Legislators Head to Maui for Retreat Funded by Special Interests
California
Carrie Underwood Show Boosts Tribe’s Lobbying Expense
Colorado
Judge Warns Colorado Secretary of State Went Too Far in Raising Campaign Finance Threshold
Colorado
NBC News Can’t Pay for Colorado Governor’s Travel, Ethics Panel Says
Illinois
Clout, Corruption in Illinois to Take Other Forms
Kansas
Kansas’ Lobbyist Data Falls Far Short of Need, Watchdog Group Reports
Maryland
Maryland Sen. Currie Acquitted of Corruption Charges
Missouri
Missouri Lawmaking at Issue before High Court
North Carolina
N.C. Lobbyist Donations Ban Upheld By Federal Court
Wisconsin
First Recall Effort Launched against Walker, Triggering Unlimited Fundraising
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.
October 31, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 31, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Ex-Abramoff Associate Ring Sentenced to 20 Months in One of Scandal’s Harshest Punishments
Influence Industry Officially in a Funk
Lobbyist Stint Led to Cain’s Political Forays
Lobbyists Claim Victory against Tax Rule
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Ex-Alabama Rep. Terry Spicer Enters Agreement to Plead Guilty to Bribery
Alaska
Guilty Pleas Mark End of Alaska Corruption Investigation
Arizona
Judge Rejects Arizona Campaign Finance Measure
Illinois
Ex-Teachers Union Boss Gets $242,000 State Pension
Kentucky
David Williams’ In-Law is Restoring America Group’s Sole Donor
Montana
Montana Political Practices Office to Address Social Media Campaign Complaints
Nevada
Short-Staffed Ethics Commission Wading Through Flood of Cases
New York
Operative Convicted of Stealing from NYC Mayor
Ohio
Washington
With $22 Million Bet, Costco Shakes Up Washington Election
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Capitol to Allow Guns
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.
October 24, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 24, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Deep Sea Burial Forms First Corporate ‘Super PAC’
Federal:
ACLU Challenge to Small Piece of Campaign Finance Law May Lead to a Slippery Slope
Judge Sends Abramoff Deputy to Halfway House
K Street Suffers from Twitter Jitters
From the States and Municipalities:
Alaska
APOC Busy as Redistricting Raises Legislators’ Questions
California
California’s Center for Governmental Studies to Close
California
San Jose Eases Campaign Limits, Focuses Economic Efforts
Florida
To Interview Mayor, Reporters Must Register as Lobbyists
Kentucky
Judge Bars Group’s Ads Supporting David Williams from Airing
Massachusetts
Lally, DiMasi Conspirator Who Cooperated with Prosecutors, Sentenced to 18 Months
Montana
Group Asks Judge to Toss Campaign Finance Ruling
Pennsylvania
Nutter, Green Unlikely Allies in Same-Sex Ethics Bill
Tennessee
Corporations Signing Up to Donate Under New State Law
Texas
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.
October 17, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 17, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Company Shops for Campaign Cash
Former Lobbyist Sent to Jail for a Few Hours for Taking Hill Aides to 2003 World Series Game
‘Scarlet L’ for K Street Returns as Obama Sharpens 2012 Rhetoric on Lobbyists
‘Super PAC’ American Crossroads Seeks Permission to Feature Candidates in Ads
The Outsized Returns from Lobbying
From the States and Municipalities:
California
California OKs Donations via Text
California
L.A. Ethics Commission Slaps Developer with Maximum Campaign Fine
California
Proposed California Regulations Spell Out Gift-Reporting Requirements for Elected Officials
Massachusetts
DiMasi Friend Admits Breaking Massachusetts Lobbying Law
New Mexico
GOP Files Lawsuit against Newly Imposed Campaign Contribution Limits in New Mexico
Tennessee
Tennessee Lawmaker Arrested on DUI, Gun Charges
Vermont
Judge: Republican Governors Association violated Vermont campaign finance laws
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.
October 10, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 10, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
How One Criminal Case Hit K Street
Hybrid PACs: Super PACs and Traditional PACs Can Merge
Lobbyists In On ‘Super’ Secrets
OMB Finalizes Details on White House Lobbying Reform Rules
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Commission’s Opinions Further Define 2010 Ethics Law
Delaware
Colbert Takes Satirical Swipe at Abuse of Delaware Spending Disclosure Laws
Minnesota
Disclosure Rules Apply, Campaign Finance Board Says
New Jersey
N.J. Ethics Reform Efforts Bogged Down for Year
New Mexico
New Mexico Governor Signs Bill to Close Loopholes in State Contract Bidding
New York
NYC Mayor Cross-Examined at Ex-Operative’s Trial
Texas
Recall Case Likely to Extend Beyond El Paso
Utah
Lobbyists Want Keys to the Gym and Valet Parking at Capitol
Virginia
Trackers an Evolving but Undeniable Political Force
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.
October 3, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 3, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Business Executives Call for End to Anonymous Cash
In Turn to Politics, Facebook Starts a PAC
Political Embezzlement Rises as U.S. Campaign Accounts Swell
Solyndra’s Lobbying Not Disclosed by Energy under Stimulus Guidelines
From the States and Municipalities:
Colorado
Campaign Finance Law Argued Before Colorado Supreme Court
Florida
After ‘Wild West,’ Palm Beach County Lobbyists Face New Rules
Indiana
Federal Judge Strikes Down Portion of Indiana ‘Robo-Call’ Ban
Maryland
State Senator’s Future Hangs in the Balance at Corruption Trial
Minnesota
Campaign Finance Board Releases Guidelines on Ballot Initiatives
Pennsylvania
Ex-Judge Gets 17 1/2 Years in Pa. Kickbacks Case
Rhode Island
Arrested Rhode Island Representative Won’t Resign, Will Run Again
Tennessee
Tennessee Lawmakers’ Ethics Panel Has Own Critics
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.
September 26, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 26, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Election Spending to Exceed $6 Billion Thanks Partly to Jim Bopp
Twitter to Launch Political Advertising
Federal:
K Street Cool to Obama Lobbying Plan
Watchdog Spotlights Lawmaker Ethics in ‘Most Corrupt’ Report
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Former Governor Riley Gets Ethics Training He Pushed
California
California Pension Managers Fined for Unreported Gifts
Connecticut
‘Shock Jock’ Hal Turner Acquitted in Connecticut Threats Case
District of Columbia
Wells Drafts D.C. Bill to Limit Lobbyists’ Influence
Illinois
The Price of Influence in Chicago
Louisiana
Sugar Bowl in Violation of Tax Law with Purchases to Fundraiser
Missouri
T.D. El-Amin Gets Record Ethics Fine
Montana
Supreme Court Looks at Campaign Finance for Political Spending
Oklahoma
Oklahoma High Court Hears Former Senator’s Appeal
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin
Judge: Wisconsin campaign law is unconstitutional
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.
September 19, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 19, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
New Rule Would Expand Tight Obama Lobbying Rules to All Federal Workers
‘Revolving Door’ of Employment between Congress, Lobbying Firms, Study Shows
Without Scandal, Lobby Reform Stalls
From the States and Municipalities:
Colorado
Gessler to Help Raise Cash to Pay off GOP Fine
Delaware
Kentucky
Gubernatorial Candidates Back ‘No Cup of Coffee’ Rule
Massachusetts
Disgraced DiMasi Is Given Eight Years
Montana
Conservative Groups File New Lawsuit over Montana Election Laws
New Jersey
Report: Serious flaws in N.J. ‘pay-to-play’ law
New York
Former Hospital Chief Convicted of Offering Bribes to Albany Legislators
North Carolina
Groups Seek to Overturn N.C. Campaign Spending Law
South Dakota
Ethics Rules for State Workers Weak, Critics Say
Texas
Anita Perry’s Salary Comes Indirectly from Governor’s Backers
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.
September 12, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 12, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Bipartisan Bill Would Require Transparency of Super Committee
Facing Voter Discontent, Lawmakers Skip Town Halls
Members of Debt Panel Have Ties to Lobbyists
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Campaign Accountant Held in Theft of Funds
Connecticut
Watchdog Agencies Spared as Malloy Nails Down Budget Cuts
Georgia
Ethics Chief Arrives Amid Makeover
Rhode Island
R.I. Rep. Leo Medina Is Charged with a Felony
Washington
Seattle City Employee to Be Fined for Driving City Car to Casino
Wisconsin
Attorney: New Wisconsin ad rules too broad
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.
September 6, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 6, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Interest Groups Push Obama on Order
SEC Whetting Incentives for Whistle-Blowers
Super Committee Pits Lobbying Firms’ Clients against One Another
The Influence Industry: ‘Candidate super PACs’ surge ahead in the 2012 money race
From the States and Municipalities:
Connecticut
Guay to Head Unified Watchdog Group
Florida
New South Florida Politicians Go to ‘Good Government’ Boot Camp
Florida
Nonprofit Writes Florida Law for its Own Program
Georgia
Georgia Lobbyists Hope to Boost Ethics
Georgia
Montana
Schweitzer Fined $4,100 in Ethics Case
Nebraska
Donations OK’d for First Lady’s Expenses
Nebraska
State Not Enforcing Campaign Limits
North Carolina
Candidate Criticized for Scheduling Fundraiser at Lobbyist’s Home
Pennsylvania
Ex-Pa. House Speaker Pleads Guilty to Corruption
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.
August 29, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 29, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
National Organization for Marriage Repeatedly Rebuked For Disclosure Violations
Federal:
Super Committee and K St. Creativity
From the States and Municipalities:
California
California Lawmakers-Turned-Lobbyists Cultivate Relationships under the Dome
Florida
Firefighters’ Fundraiser Gets Ethics OK, with Difficult Restrictions
Georgia
State Utility Commissioner’s Pursuit of Masters Tickets Improper, Critics Say
Nebraska
In-Session Fundraisers Questioned
Nevada
Fake Twitter Accounts Force Their Way onto Political Landscape
New Jersey
How an Irate Response to a Carl Lewis E-Mail Cost an N.J. Assemblyman His Job
New Jersey
Union Sidestep Donation Limits
Pennsylvania
Experts Question Use of $400,000 in Private, Anonymous Funds to Buy out Philadelphia Superintendent
Texas
Perry’s Fundraising for Governors Group Draws Scrutiny
Washington
Longtime Government Worker Now PDC Director
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.
August 22, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 22, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Special Interests Gave $3 Million to Members of New Budget Super Committee
The 2012 Election Brings a New Kind of Fundraiser: The super bundler
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
AP Interview: Juror says Alabama gambling trial jury favored acquittals on undecided charges
California
Porter Steps Down as Head of Political Watchdog Agency
Florida
Tallahassee Lobbyists Earning More This Year
Kentucky
Louisville Metro Council Ethics Panel Enforces Gift Rules
Maine
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Maine PAC Reporting Requirement
Nebraska
Attorney General: State campaign finance law likely unconstitutional
New York
Donor Limit Tops $100,000 at Capitol
New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo Signs Government Ethics Law for N.Y. State Officials, Workers
Rhode Island
Anti-Gay Marriage Group Loses Appeal of R.I. Court Ruling
Virginia
Hamilton Sentenced in Bribery, Extortion Case
Washington
Public Disclosure Commission Seeks New Director
Wisconsin
GOP’s Senate Edge Stays at One after Recalls
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.
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.
