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.

National/Federal

Trump Compares Political Opponents to ‘Vermin’ Who He Will ‘Root Out,’ Alarming Historians

ABC News – Soo Rin Kim and Lalee Ibssa | Published: 11/13/2023

Donald Trump vowed to “root out” his political opponents, who he said “live like vermin” as he warned supporters that America’s greatest threats come “from within” – extreme rhetoric that echoes the words of fascist dictators like Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, experts said. A Trump campaign spokesperson dismissed the backlash to his speech, at a Veterans Day rally in New Hampshire, but some historians said the parallels were alarming.

Ex-Fundraiser for George Santos Pleads Guilty to Posing as Congressional Aide to Raise Campaign Cash

Associated Press News – Dave Collins | Published: 11/14/2023

A former fundraiser for U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge, admitting he impersonated a high-ranking congressional aide while raising campaign money for Santos.  Sam Miele was caught soliciting donations under the alias Dan Meyer, who was then chief of staff for Rep. Kevin McCarthy. Miele also acknowledged he committed access device fraud by charging credit cards without authorization to send money to the campaigns of Santos and other candidates, and for his own personal use, prosecutors said.

Democrats, No Longer Squeamish on Abortion, Lean into Searing Personal Ads

DNyuz – Rebecca Davis O’Brien and Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 11/8/2023

Ads in the 2023 election campaign signaled a new tone in Democrats’ messaging on abortion rights, one that confronts head-on the consequences of strict anti-abortion laws. Historically, it has been Republicans who used dire warnings and shock value in advertising to make their case on the issue. But the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson, despite being a resounding legal and policy victory for Republicans, has had the paradoxical effect of galvanizing long-held, broad public support for abortion rights.

Democrats Plan to Spend Millions to Weaken Republican Supermajorities

DNyuz – Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 11/14/2023

Democrats are planning to spend millions of dollars next year on just a few state legislative elections in Kansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Wisconsin, states where they have little to no chance of winning control of a chamber. Democrats are pushing to break up Republican supermajorities in states with Democratic governors, effectively battling to win back the veto pen district by district. The political dissonance of having a governor of one party and a supermajority of an opposing party in the Legislature is one of the starkest effects of gerrymandering, revealing how parties cling to evaporating power.

How the Supreme Court Settled on an Ethics Code – and What It Left Out

MSN – Ann Marimow and Robert Barnes (Washington Post) | Published: 11/15/2023

Supreme Court justices stung by controversies over the court’s ethics pledged to follow a broad code of conduct promoting “integrity and impartiality,” but without a way to enforce its standards against those who fall short. The code contains broadly worded sections relating to outside relationships, recusal from cases that could bring financial gain to family members, the use of a justice’s staff, and limits on appearances at fundraisers for groups. But there is every sign that each word was carefully chosen.

Donald Trump Exempt from Campaign Finance Laws: FEC commissioner

MSN – Kate Plummer (Newsweek) | Published: 11/10/2023

FEC Commissioner Ellen Weintraub said Donald Trump has effectively been made exempt from campaign finance laws because her agency refuses to investigate him. In at least 28 instances, she said staff at the general’s counsel’s office determined a criminal investigation was warranted. But Weintraub added that her Republican colleagues put the former president in a “category by himself” by refusing to approve any of the recommendations against Trump.

MAGA-Dominated State Republican Parties Plagued by Infighting, Money Woes

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Patrick Marley, and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 11/13/2023

In the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan, election denial and grassroots fervor for former President Trump have rocked the Republican apparatus. Now, the state parties are plagued by infighting, struggling to raise money, and sometimes to cover legal costs stemming from Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 defeat, threatening to hamper GOP organizing capabilities in next year’s presidential election.

Tim Scott Suspends Struggling Presidential Primary Bid

MSN – Meryl Kornfield, Marianne LeVine, and Hannah Knowles (Washington Post) | Published: 11/13/2023

Sen. Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the U.S. Senate, announced he was suspending his campaign for the GOP presidential nomination after months of struggling to gain ground in polling with an uplifting message that was out of step with today’s party. Scott did not endorse any other candidate, and he declined a suggestion that he might be a vice-presidential candidate.

‘Curveball Like No Other:’ Johnson’s rise has K Street trying to keep up

MSN – Caitlin Reilly (Roll Call) | Published: 11/13/2023

Rep. Mike Johnson’s unexpected rise to speaker of the House has left K Street scrambling as lobbyists try to establish inroads with the relatively unknown lawmaker and his staff. Johnson has been in Congress for less than seven years and lacks the deep bench of long-time, trusted aides and ex-staffers that K Street usually relies on to curry favor on Capitol Hill.

McCarthy Accused of Elbowing Lawmaker, While Fight Nearly Breaks Out in Senate

MSN – Azi Paybarah, Marianna Sotomayor, and Liz Goodwin (Washington Post) | Published: 11/14/2023

Rep. Tim Burchett accused Rep. Kevin McCarthy of elbowing him in the back as they passed each other in a crowded hallway. Burchett was one of eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy as House speaker. Sen. Markwayne Mullin brought a hearing to a standstill as he confronted one witness, stood up, and challenged him to a fistfight. Joanne Freeman, a history professor at Yale, said it was important for lawmakers to denounce belligerent behavior and threats, particularly when it comes from a member of their own party. “If no one speaks up it becomes representative of what that party stands for,” she said.

House Ethics Panel Examines Change to Expand Legal Expense Fund Coverage

MSN – Chris Marquette (Roll Call) | Published: 11/14/2023

The House ethics committee is considering whether to change rules about lawmaker legal expense funds to expand the pool of people who can use them to pay for their legal bills connected to a campaign or office. Rep. David Schweikert, who faced lawsuits related to his 2022 primary race, asked the committee to allow campaign staffers, vendors, and spouses draw from legal expense funds rather than having to use campaign funds.

DOJ Argues Steve Wynn Foreign Lobbying Suit Should Be Reinstated

Yahoo News – Sabrina Willmer (Bloomberg) | Published: 11/14/2023

A Justice Department attorney argued casino magnate Steve Wynn should have registered as a foreign agent when he alerted the Trump administration that China wanted to extradite a wealthy exile. A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard arguments in the government’s appeal of a decision to toss civil claims against Wynn. District Court Judge James Boasberg had reasoned the Foreign Agent Registration Act only applies to ongoing violations and years had passed since Wynn was required to file a statement.

Prosecutors Urge Appeals Court to Reinstate Trump Gag Order

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 11/14/2023

Donald Trump’s renewed attacks on the family of special counsel Jack Smith and his repeated invective against likely witnesses in his Washington, D.C. criminal case warrant the urgent restoration of a gag order against him, prosecutors argued. Smith’s team urged a federal appeals court to reinstate the gag order, which a three-judge panel suspended earlier in November amid Trump’s appeal of the restrictions imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan.

Exclusive: 5 Senate Banking Dems demand more details on corporate lobbying strategy

Yahoo News – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 11/15/2023

Five Democrats who sit on the Senate Banking Committee urged the Securities and Exchange Commission to require companies to disclose more details on their corporate lobbying strategy to shareholders. Registered lobbyists are required to file quarterly disclosures that include the total spent on federal lobbying. But registrants are not required to disclose details including whether they lobbied for or against specific legislation or regulations, even as the lobbying activities of a company can carry reputational risks to its investors.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Right-Wing Site’s Reporting on Mayor Raises Ethics Questions After His Death

MSN – Jonathan Edwards (Washington Post) | Published: 11/9/2023

Journalism professor A.J. Bauer felt uneasy when he opened an email newsletter from 1819 News. The Alabama-based website was promoting its story alleging that a small-town mayor who was also a pastor wore women’s clothing and makeup while posing online. Bauer had watched as some in the state grew increasingly hostile to those who do not adhere to traditional gender norms. The site later reporting that F.L. Copeland Jr., the mayor of Smiths Station and a pastor at First Baptist Church of Phenix City, had died by suicide.

Arizona – Rep. Leezah Sun’s Ethics Complaint Rebuttal Acknowledges Poor Behavior, Argues for No Punishment

Yahoo News – Ray Stern (Arizona Republic) | Published: 11/14/2023

An Arizona lawmaker’s rebuttal to an ethics complaint against her acknowledges some of her poor behavior and accuses a city official of potentially suffering from past “trauma” because he claimed she intimidated him. Rep. Leezah Sun faces potential expulsion from the House after being accused of making intimidating statements and interfering with a child custody case. Through her lawyer, she denied the allegations in a formal response to the complaint that charges Sun with violating the Legislature’s rule against “disorderly behavior.”

California – S.F. Mayoral Candidate’s Close Friend Was Charged in Corruption Probe. Will It Undermine His Campaign?

MSN – St. John Barned-Smith and J.D. Morris (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 11/13/2023

San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, who is trying to unseat Mayor London Breed in the November 2024 election, has never hidden his close relationship with Siavash Tahbazof, the patriarch of a family with deep business ties across the city, or the developer;s relatives and business associates. That puts Safaí in an awkward position after Tahbazof and two others were charged with fraud by federal prosecutors.

California – Anaheim Officials to Publicly Post Online Who They Meet With

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 11/13/2023

Anaheim City Council members voted unanimously to implement a policy that will require them to proactively post their calendar online listing meetings with lobbyists, developers, union representatives, and residents starting in January 2024. The policy comes after sworn affidavits by FBI agents and a report by independent investigators concluded the same thing: Anaheim City Hall is essentially controlled by Disneyland resort interests and lobbyists. The new calendar policy is among a host of reform proposals city council members are expected to tackle this fall.

Delaware – Delaware Supreme Court Reviews Convictions of Ex-Auditor After Corruption Allegations

MSN – Randall Chase (Associated Press) | Published: 11/15/2023

The Delaware Supreme Court is weighing whether to overturn the unprecedented convictions of the state’s former auditor on public corruption charges. The court heard arguments in the case of Kathy McGuiness, who was convicted on misdemeanor charges of conflict-of-interest, official misconduct, and noncompliance with state procurement rules. The conflict-of-interest charge involved the hiring of McGuiness’s daughter as a part-time employee in the auditor’s office. McGuinness also was convicted of structuring payments to a consulting firm to avoid having to get them approved by the state Division of Accounting.

Delaware – How Hall-Long’s Refusal to Release Audit Findings Sparked Elections Reform Talks

Yahoo News – Amanda Fries (Delaware News Journal) | Published: 11/14/2023

Delaware law does not require Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long to release the audit performed on her campaign finances, but watchdogs are hoping she will do so anyway in the interest of transparency. While Hall-Long has said the audit, and the campaign’s decision to openly acknowledge it, was an act of transparency, she continues to decline to release the audit itself, instead suggesting the amended campaign finance reports “fully convey” the audit’s results. The internal audit was launched shortly after Hall-Long announced her bid for governor, prompted by what she said were “reporting issues that require attention.”

Florida – Mayor Suarez’s Secret Side Gigs Included Advising Associates of Kremlin-Linked Oligarch

Yahoo News – Shirsho Dasgupta (Miami Herald) | Published: 11/14/2023

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez earned payments totaling six figures advising two financial firms run by close associates of a Russian oligarch, two of several side jobs he refused to reveal to the public until he ran for president, with its more rigorous disclosure requirements. As a part-time mayor, Suarez can accept private employment as he sees fit, as long as it does not overlap with his mayoral duties and the employers do not receive special city benefits in return. He has insisted he kept his private jobs and public duties separate, but until now had mostly refused to reveal the identities of those employers.

Florida – City Council Members Expand Oversight After Criticizing Lobbying Contract

Yahoo News – David Bauerlein (Florida Times-Union) | Published: 11/9/2023

Jacksonville City Council will be putting more attention on no-bid contracts by having the auditor’s office attend the meetings of the Procurement Division committees that vote on awards of city contracts for everything from construction to supplies to professional services. The council will also get reports every three months from the Procurement Division on all single-source awards during that time frame. The moves were in response to Mayor Donna Deegan hiring Langton Consulting in a $300,000 no-bid contract to perform federal lobbying and grant-writing.

Georgia – Ex-Trump Allies Detail Efforts to Overturn Election in Georgia Plea Videos

MSN – Amy Gardner and Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 11/13/2023

The defendants that accepted plea deals in the Georgia election interference case made recordings that were intended to lay out what they know and be used against the other defendants. Although some of the recordings were garbled, the portions of the four statements from lawyers Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro, and Sidney Powell, and Georgia bail bondsman Scott Hall, offered many previously undisclosed details about the effort by Trump and his allies to reverse his defeat.

Hawaii – Hawaii Ethics Panel to Push for More Disclosure of Lobbyists

Honolulu Civil Beat – Chad Blair | Published: 11/14/2023

Hawaii lawmakers in 2023 passed legislation that requires all state lawmakers to include in financial disclosures the names of lobbyists with whom they have a relationship. Now, the state Ethics Commission wants to revise the law so legislators who work for large employers and who know “or reasonably should know” who is on a lobbying list should also disclose those clients that meet the $5,000 threshold. The lobbying disclosure proposal was one of five tentatively approved by the commission for its legislative package for the 2024 legislative session.

Illinois – Brandon Johnson Wasn’t Supposed to Take Campaign Money from City Contractors, but He Did

Chicago Sun-Times – Robert Herguth and Tim Novak | Published: 11/9/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is not allowed to take campaign contributions from city contractors but has accepted them anyway. Christian Perry, Johnson’s political director, says taking the money was an “oversight” and it is being returned, about $46,500 in all. In some instances, it appears contractors were solicited for campaign cash by Johnson’s political fundraisers. His campaign aides thought it was all right to take money from city contractors as long as the amounts fell below a certain threshold. But the mayor was barred from taking any money from them after he was sworn in on May 15.

Illinois – Clout-Heavy Contractor Linked to Federal Investigations at City Hall and in the Suburbs

MSN – Jason Meisner, A.D. Quig, Sarah Freishtat, and Gregory Pratt (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 11/13/2023

James Bracken’s multifaceted businesses have garnered government contracts from across Cook County worth up to $250 million for demolition services, equipment rental, and materials. At the same time, Bracken and the businesses themselves have contributed nearly $375,000 over the past two decades to a wide array of local elected officials, including a half-dozen who have been charged or come under federal investigation. Now it is Bracken who finds himself embroiled in two separate federal criminal probes, both tied to his business enterprise.

Illinois – Ethics Board Finds Probable Cause Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin Wrongfully Fired 2 Whistleblowers

Yahoo News – Gregory Pratt (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 11/14/2023

Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin violated the ethics code by firing two top aides who alleged she repeatedly misused taxpayer resources and pressured public employees to help her political allies, according to a finding of probable cause by the city’s Board of Ethics. Over the coming months, Conyears-Ervin will have a chance to rebut the findings before the board issues a final ruling and potentially a fine.

Kentucky – Weddle’s Excess Giving to Beshear, Kentucky Democratic Party Under Investigation

Kentucky Lantern – Tom Loftus | Published: 11/10/2023

The Registry of Election Finance launched a civil investigation into the excess campaign contributions given by London Mayor Randall Weddle to the reelection campaign of Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Democratic Party. The action marks the first evidence that any public agency is investigating the bundles of more than $300,000 in donations to Beshear and the party. Registry Executive Director John Steffen said Weddle and his wife “may have violated” the state law that prohibits a person from giving excess donations to a candidate or political party by giving in the names of other persons.

Maryland – Ex-Baltimore Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby Guilty in Federal Perjury Trial

MSN – Dan Morse (Washington Post) | Published: 11/9/2023

Baltimore’s former top prosecutor, Marilyn Mosby, was convicted of two counts of perjury after she had been accused of lying about her finances to withdraw money from her city retirement account under a program designed to help people struggling financially during the coronavirus pandemic. Prosecutors said she falsely claimed to suffer from financial hardships to access $90,000 from retirement funds she later used to buy two homes in Florida. Mosby has denied wrongdoing, saying she did not defraud anyone.

Michigan – Judge Allows Trump on Michigan Primary Ballot as Critics Try to Bar Him

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 11/14/2023

A judge ruled Donald Trump can appear on the primary ballot in Michigan, delivering the latest setback to those who contend Trump sparked an insurrection on January 6, 2021, and is barred from running for president again as a result. State Judge James Robert Redford wrote that courts do not have the authority to determine whether someone is eligible to run for office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Redford also ruled Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson does not have the authority under state law to remove candidates from the ballot based on that provision.

Missouri – Rod Jetton’s Political Career Ended in Scandal. Now He’s Dean Plocher’s Chief of Staff

Missouri Independent – Jason Hancock | Published: 11/9/2023

Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher’s new chief of staff is a former legislative leader whose political career was upended more than a decade ago by a federal bribery investigation and allegations of sexual assault. He is joining Plocher’s office as the speaker faces an ethics committee inquiry into allegations of misconduct and calls for him to resign from fellow Republicans.

Missouri – Missouri AG Bailey’s Office Quietly Removed ‘Public Corruption’ Complaint Form on Website

Yahoo News – Kacen Bayless (Kansas City Star) | Published: 11/16/2023

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office scrubbed from its website an online form that allowed residents to file complaints of public corruption against elected officials. An archive from May shows that the online form allowed users to issue complaints of criminal acts by public officials so long as the local police agency had a conflict-of-interest in investigating the matter. The decision has come under scrutiny in the wake of a series of scandals surrounding House Speaker Dean Plocher, who faces calls to resign after reports surfaced that he received government reimbursements for expenses paid for by his campaign.

Nebraska – A Boom of Ballot Initiatives Is Reshaping This State’s Democracy

MSN – Greg Jaffe (Washington Post) | Published: 11/15/2023

Today, Congress is so divided and ideologically polarized that it struggles to execute its most basic responsibilities. State Legislatures are often so dominated by a single party that the majority can push through its agenda with little regard for what most voters might prefer. In the two dozen states that allow citizen-sponsored referendums, Democrats and Republicans are turning to the ballot box to make law and in many cases overrule their elected officials. The initiatives have rolled across the country in waves in recent decades.

New Hampshire – New Hampshire Announces First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primary, Defying DNC

MSN – Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) | Published: 11/15/2023

New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan set his state’s presidential primary for January 23, formalizing its defiance of the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) reworked primary calendar, which aims to give voters in more racially diverse states an early voice in the nominating process. The DNC approved a plan this year to shuffle the order in which states would appear in its 2024 primary calendar. The plan calls for South Carolina to be the first primary state, followed by New Hampshire and Nevada a week later, then Michigan.

New York – FBI Seized Phones, iPad from New York Mayor Eric Adams in Escalation of Fundraising Investigation

ABC News – Jake Offenhartz (Associated Press) | Published: 11/10/2023

FBI agents seized phones and an iPad from New York City Mayor Eric Adams as part of an investigation into political fundraising during his 2021 campaign. The seizures happened as Adams was leaving a public event in Manhattan. A search warrant indicated authorities are examining whether the Adams campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive donations from foreign sources, funneled through straw donors. The warrant also requested information about Adams’ use of the city’s public campaign finance program.

New York – Adams’ Compliance Lawyer Has Lobbied City Hall While Doing Work for His Campaign

MSN – Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) | Published: 11/10/2023

Vito Pitta, New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime campaign compliance lawyer, has been getting paid by the campaign for consulting and legal services at the same time as his government relations firm has lobbied the mayor’s administration on behalf of a variety of private interests. There are no laws or regulations prohibiting the type of dual role Pitta has played but the situation raised conflict-of-interest concerns. Pitta is not the only Adams campaign adviser who has lobbied his administration in conjunction with working for him in a political capacity.

New York – New York’s Top Court Hears Democratic Attempt to Draw New Congressional Maps

Yahoo News – Bill Mahoney (Politico) | Published: 11/15/2023

New York’s top court heard oral arguments in a case that will determine whether the Democratic-dominated state Legislature will have another chance to draw maps for its 26-member congressional delegation. A Democratic victory in the Court of Appeals would let legislators make the lines for as many as seven Republican-held seats in New York friendlier to Democrats. The stakes are high: Democrats would have kept a majority in Congress in 2022 had they won five additional races.

Pennsylvania – Female Pa. Senators Want to Combat Sexual Harassment in Harrisburg, Following Scandal Involving a Top Aide to Gov. Josh Shapiro

MSN – Gillian McGoldrick (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 11/14/2023

A bipartisan group of female state senators unveiled a package of legislation aimed at combatting sexual harassment at the Pennsylvania Capitol, following several high-profile allegations made against top officials this year, including state representative and a top aide to the governor. But the bills will not address some of the biggest priorities among victim advocates.

Pennsylvania – How a Lobbyist for Investment Contractors Ended Up Heading the Pa. Pension Board That Hires Them

MSN – Joseph DiStefano (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 11/15/2023

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro recently named Gregory Thall, a longtime government official who now works as a lobbyist, as chairperson of the $35 billion-asset State Employees Retirement System (SERS) pension plan. As a lobbyist for GSL Public Strategies Group, Thall disclosed a long list of the firm’s clients he registered to represent. They include Lubert-Adler Partners, which is one of more than 100 private money managers paid to invest public funds for SERS.

South Dakota – South Dakota Lawmakers Must List All Conflicts of Interest Ahead of Supreme Court Opinion

MSN – Annie Todd (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) | Published: 11/14/2023

South Dakota lawmakers will receive a letter asking them to list all possible conflicts-of-interest when it comes to their jobs outside of being legislators. Those responses will then be used in a brief that the South Dakota Supreme Court will examine while they make a decision regarding the broad nature of a constitutional provision banning lawmakers from having a either a direct or indirect conflict in state contracts during their terms and up to a year after they exit office.

West Virginia – Senate Democrat Joe Manchin Says He Will Not Seek Reelection

MSN – Liz Goodwin, Amy Wang, and Michael Scherer (Washington Post) | Published: 11/9/2023

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin announced he would not seek reelection in 2024, setting back Democrats’ plans to hold onto their majority in 2024 and raising their fears he could get involved in the presidential race as a third-party candidate. Manchin had defied political gravity by holding onto his seat in the deeply red state of West Virginia but would have faced long odds against either Gov. Jim Justice or Rep. Alex Mooney, who are running in the Republican primary next year.

National/Federal

To Help 2024 Voters, Meta Says It Will Begin Labeling Political Ads That Use AI-Generated Imagery

ABC News – David Klepper (Associated Press) | Published: 11/8/2023

Facebook and Instagram will require political ads running on their platforms to disclose if they were created using artificial intelligence (AI). Under the new policy by Meta, labels acknowledging the use of AI will appear on users’ screens when they click on ads. The rule takes effect January 1 and will be applied worldwide. The development of new AI programs has made it easier to quickly generate lifelike audio.

Congress Urges Judiciary to Take Final Steps to Clamp Down on Amicus Brief Lobbying

Courthouse News Service – Benjamin Weiss | Published: 11/3/2023

Lawmakers who for years have demanded the federal judiciary prevent organizations from swaying judges by gaming a common court practice urged the U.S. Judicial Conference to wrap up proposed rulemaking that would serve as a major check on such activity. Members of Congress, particularly Democrats, have long raised concerns that lobbying groups and other organizations use coordinated groups of amicus briefs to push courts toward favorable rulings.

Federal Trial of Pelosi Attack Suspect Renews Focus on Political Violence

DNyuz – Tim Arango and Holly Secon (New York Times) | Published: 11/9/2023

David DePape lived a solitary life, worked carpentry jobs and was seemingly obsessed with right-wing conspiracy theories on the internet. Then in October 2022, police said, DePape, broke into Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband when she was still House speaker. The authorities said he told investigators he intended to take hostage Pelosi, long a subject of virulent attacks by right-wing leaders and pundits. DePape’s trial spotlights the online disinformation cycle that has been fed by conspiracy theorists, conservative activists, elected officials, and media outlets.

Democratic Plan to Subpoena Supreme Court Justices’ Allies Faces Pushback

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 11/8/2023

Democrats in Congress have tried unsuccessfully to press the Supreme Court to strengthen its ethics rules following revelations that some justices accepted and did not report free luxury travel, real estate deals, and gifts from wealthy benefactors. The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to vote to subpoena two wealthy benefactors, along with a judicial activist who helped shape the court’s conservative supermajority. But the path to obtaining the information Democrats are seeking will be contentious.

Campaign Fundraisers Are Hitting High Notes at Taylor Swift and Beyoncé Concerts

MSN – Hailey Fuchs (Politico) | Published: 11/8/2023

In a twist on the meet-and-greet events that routinely dot the fundraiser party circuit, some members of Congress are shaking hands with donors and others at concert venues, in VIP boxes, or suites. Just as the Federal Reserve credits Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour for boosting the tourism industry and the overall economy, Swift and Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour have been a means for lawmakers to boost their own campaign coffers.

Trump and Media Want a Televised Trial in D.C. The U.S. Doesn’t.

MSN – Spencer Hsu and Tom Jackman (Washington Post) | Published: 11/4/2023

A coalition of news organizations asked U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to make an exception to the rule barring cameras from federal courtrooms for Donald Trump’s election subversion case and permit the televising, recording, or same-day release of video and audio recordings of his trial. Federal courts have long prohibited cameras in the courtroom, wary of feeding what the Supreme Court called a “carnival atmosphere” of publicity that could intimidate witnesses, sway jurors, or deprive criminal defendants of their due process rights.

A Law That Helped End Slavery Is Now a Weapon to End Affirmative Action

MSN – Julian Mark (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2023

The Civil Rights Act of 1866, which established citizenship for newly emancipated slaves, has become central to the legal battle over what is fair and equal when it comes to race in the workplace. In recent years, and especially since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned race-conscious college admissions in June, the Reconstruction-era law has emerged as a critical tool for conservatives intent on dismantling race-specific programs that promote “diversity, equity and inclusion,” or DEI.

Trump Appointee Sentenced to Nearly 6 Years for Attacking Police on Jan. 6

MSN – Rachel Weiner and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 11/3/2023

A Trump appointee to the State Department who assaulted multiple police officers at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison by a fellow veteran of the administration. Judge Trevor McFadden said he was “disturbed” that Federico Klein considered it part of his “duties” to attend the rally that day and join the protesters at the Capitol agitating for lawmakers to throw the election to Donald Trump. Officers testified Klein was at the front of the violent mob for nearly two hours, first helping to break a police line and then joining a Battle against officers guarding a tunnel into the building.

Trump Belief That 2020 Election Was Stolen Is Not a Defense, DOJ Says

MSN – Rachel Weiner, Spencer Hsu,and Tom Jackman (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2023

Prosecutors said they plan to show at trial that Donald Trump lied repeatedly about the results of the 2020 election as part of a conspiracy to subvert the legitimate results. But they also said they do not need to prove whether Trump believed he lost the race. Legal experts have debated the importance of Trump’s state of mind in his federal election subversion case, with some arguing that to win a conviction the government must pin down the true beliefs of a politician who amassed a long record of making false or misleading claims while president.

AI Policy Yields a Goldmine for Lobbyists

Yahoo News – Hailey Fuchs and Brendan Bordelon (Politico) | Published: 11/4/2023

Lobbyists are rushing to sign up artificial intelligence (AI) companies as clients and K Street firms also are being enlisted by industries and interest groups that want help influencing AI policy. Groups as disparate as the NFL Players Association, Nike, Amazon, and the Mayo Clinic have enlisted help from firms to lobby on the matter. Some lobbyists compared the boom in business opportunities to the cryptocurrency policy debate. But AI has the potential to be even bigger.

Appeals Courts Temporarily Lifts Trump’s Gag Order as He Fights the Restrictions on His Speech

Yahoo News – Alanna Durkin Richer and Eric Tucker (Associated Press) | Published: 11/3/2023

A federal appeals court temporarily lifted a gag order on Donald Trump in his 2020 election interference case in Washington, the latest twist in the legal fight over the restrictions on the former president’s speech. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit decision puts a hold on the limited gag order to give the judges time to consider Trump’s request for a longer pause on the restrictions while his appeals play out.

From the States and Municipalities

Oceania – Lobbying and Communications Firm Senate’s ‘Wildly Inappropriate’ Contracts at Commerce Commission Revealed

Radio New Zealand – Guyon Espiner | Published: 11/6/2023

A public relations and lobbying firm was embedded at New Zealand’s Commerce Commission, working on highly sensitive areas of competition policy at the heart of an inflation crisis. Staff from the Wellington consultancy SenateSHJ worked in the physical offices of the competition watchdog and were given Commerce Commission email addresses and devices. While Senate lobbied for private sector clients, the commission did not pay it for lobbying, only for communications and media training. Documents showed Senate worked on commission projects in the energy sector, despite representing private sector energy clients.

Arizona – Two Groups Making New Bid to Hide Names of Donors in Political Races

Arizona Capitol Times – Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) | Published: 11/7/2023

Attorney Scott Freeman acknowledges that Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott McCoy rejected his bid to void Proposition 211. The judge ruled in June there is nothing unconstitutional about the voter-approved measure designed to prohibit “dark money” in campaigns. McCoy said Freeman’s clients could seek an exemption. The judge noted that would require either group to show “reasonable probability that disclosure of its contributors’ names will subject them to threats, harassment, or reprisals from either government officials or private parties.”

Arizona – Arizona Rep. Leezah Sun Decries ‘False Statements’ as Court Grants Restraining Order Against Her

Yahoo News – Ray Stern (Arizona Republic) | Published: 11/3/2023

Democratic leaders in the Arizona House filed an ethics complaint against Rep. Leezah Sun, who allegedly harassed and made a death threat to employees with the city of Tolleson. Sun recently denied an allegation claiming that she said she would throw a Tolleson lobbyist off a balcony to “kill her.” The complaint alleges Sun made threats against officials with the city, interfered with a lawful court order, violated state custodial interference laws, and engaged in disorderly conduct.

California – Judge Finds Eastman Culpable for Ethics Breaches in 2020 Bid to Keep Trump in Power

MSN – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 11/3/2023

A California judge made a “preliminary finding” that attorney John Eastman breached professional ethics when he aided Donald Trump’s bid to overturn the 2020 election, a milestone in the proceedings over whether Eastman should lose his license to practice law. Now, state bar officials are preparing to present “aggravation” evidence aimed at justifying their call to strip Eastman, a veteran conservative attorney who once clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, of his law license.

California – Oakland’s Conflict of Interest Tracking System Isn’t Working

Oaklandside – Eli Wolfe | Published: 11/7/2023

There are state and local laws in California that prohibit government workers from having conflicts-of-interest. Local governments like Oakland require city employees and elected officials to disclose their personal finances so the public can be sure there is no hidden agenda behind a decision. The Oakland Public Ethics Commission is supposed to act as a bulwark against public corruption, and it can investigate and fine officials who violate the law. But the commission is struggling to make use of the city’s most basic conflict-of-interest tool, a document called Form 700.

Delaware – Ethics Agency Says Delaware Officials Improperly Paid Employees to Care for Seized Farm Animals

MSN – Randall Chase (Associated Press) | Published: 11/6/2023

Delaware’s ethics agency determined the state agriculture secretary and one of his top deputies violated the law by entering into no-bid agreements with Department of Agriculture employees to care for farm animals seized by animal welfare officials. The Public Integrity Commission ruled Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse improperly agreed to pay one of his employees more than $90,000 as part of a no-bid agreement to take care of a flock of poultry after almost 500 birds were seized in May.

Florida – Miami Commissioner’s Campaign Pays City Staffer’s Company $100k. It’s Legal

WLRN – Joshua Ceballos | Published: 11/6/2023

Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes is facing a longshot opponent in this year’s race who spent only a few hundred of his own dollars on his campaign. Yet the Reyes campaign has spent more than $200,000, and steered more than half the money to a public relations company that is owned by the wife of his chief of staff. County ethics rules do not prohibit government employees from working on campaigns if they do not use government resources or time, but the payments to Reyes’ top employee constitute the highest spending in what appears to be a less than competitive race.

Illinois – Edward M. Burke, ‘Figurehead of the Old Regime,’ Faces Historic Corruption Trial

Chicago Sun-Times – Jon Seidel | Published: 11/6/2023

Edmund Burke, Chicago’s longest serving city council member, is on trial, charged with racketeering, bribery, and extortion. The case is the result of an aggressive probe into the same old-school Chicago-style politics through which Burke built his power, and which he personified for decades. If found guilty, Burke would be the fourth current or former member of the council to be convicted in federal court in five years.

Illinois – City Summons Reporter to Court After He Asked Too Many Questions

DNyuz – Rebecca Carballo (New York Times) | Published: 11/6/2023

Officials in a Chicago suburb issued citations to a local news reporter after he persistently contacted elected officials about a flooding issue. The Daily Southtown published an article by Hank Sanders about consultants informing officials in Calumet City that storm water facilities were in “poor condition” before a recent flood swept through the community. Sanders continued to inquire about flooding issues after the article was published. His calls and emails drew complaints from Calumet City officials, including Mayor Thaddeus Jones, who is also a state representative.

Indiana – Indiana AG’s Remarks About Abortion Doctor Amount to Misconduct, Court Finds

MSN – Maria Luisa Paúl (Washington Post) | Published: 11/3/2023

Shortly after Roe v. Wade was overturned last year, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita accused a doctor who had helped a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio terminate her pregnancy of being an “abortion activist” with “a history of failing to report” similar procedures to state officials. Those comments, which Rokita made about Caitlin Bernard during an appearance on Fox News, amounted to “attorney misconduct,” the Indiana Supreme Court ruled.

Kansas – Kansas Officials Downplayed Involvement in Marion Raid. Here’s What They Knew.

Kansas Reflector – Sherman Smith | Published: 11/6/2023

Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody enlisted the support of local and state law enforcement officials in the days before he led raids on the local newspaper office, the publisher’s home, and the home of a city council member. The Bureau of Investigation, Department of Revenue, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, along with the county attorney and a magistrate judge, were complicit in the raid or knew it was imminent. But in the days that followed, they largely downplayed their involvement.

Kentucky – Democrat Andy Beshear Wins Reelection for Governor in Kentucky

MSN – Hannah Knowles and Dylan Wells (Washington Post) | Published: 11/7/2023

Democrat Andy Beshear defeated his Republican opponent Daniel Cameron to win reelection as Kentucky’s governor, securing a stark victory in a state Donald Trump won by 26 points. The results are a stark blow to Trump and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, both of whom endorsed Cameron, the state attorney general who tried to nationalize the race and remind voters of their party lines. He and his allies promoted an endorsement from Trump and attacked Beshear as a Joe Biden ally who clashed with Republicans on culture war issues.

Louisiana – New Orleans Employees May Have Violated State Laws with ‘Smart City’ Contract, Report Says

NOLA.com – Joseph Cranney | Published: 11/8/2023

Two city employees should not have participated in last year’s controversial selection of a public wi-fi contract and may have violated state ethics laws by not disclosing their ties to the winning bidder the New Orleans Office of Inspector General (OIG) said in a report. The OIG largely backed the conclusions of an earlier investigation by two outside firms hired by the city council, though neither probe found evidence of self-dealing. The state ethics board also cleared the employees, IT staffer Christopher Wolff and former Utilities Director Jonathan Rhodes, of any violations.

Louisiana – Decimated by Division, Louisiana Democrats Lost Before Balloting

Yahoo News – Emily Cochrane (New York Times) | Published: 11/4/2023

Before a ballot was cast, Louisiana Democrats knew they could not win control of the state Legislature this year. It was mathematically impossible because a lack of candidates meant they were not even contesting the majority of districts. Their best hope for political success was that Shawn Wilson would force a runoff against Jeff Landry, the state attorney general, in an open primary for governor. But when Landry won a majority of the primary vote, eliminating the need for a runoff, the results instead laid bare the bleak conditions of a state Democratic Party decimated by internal divisions, paltry fundraising, totals, and a disenchanted voter base.

Maine – Voters Pass Ban on Foreign Spending on Referendum Campaigns

Portland Press Herald – Randy Billings | Published: 11/7/2023

Maine voters approved a referendum to ban foreign governments and affiliated organizations from spending money on state and local referendum campaigns. Federal and state election laws already prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to candidates seeking office in Maine, but they do not ban foreign governments or entities from spending money to influence state and local referendums or elections.

Michigan – Divided House Passes Highly Debated Transparency Bills in Wee Hours of Morning

Detroit News – Beth LeBlanc | Published: 11/9/2023

The Michigan House approved financial disclosure requirements that opponents argued violated the spirit of the voter-mandated transparency reforms. The legislation would require annual financial disclosures of several statewide elected officials and lawmakers starting in April, meeting the requirements of the ballot measure approved a year ago. But the bills neglected to require similar disclosures from an official’s spouse and failed to close long-acknowledged loopholes in Michigan’s transparency laws.

Michigan – Detroit Enacts Ethics Reforms Following Free Press Investigation

MSN – Dave Boucher (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 11/8/2023

Detroit board members who set salaries for the mayor and other elected leaders are among many public officials who must now file new ethics disclosures in light of a Detroit Free Press investigation. Each member of the Elected Officials Compensation Commission – along with mayoral appointees on boards that oversee police, the water department, and other entities – will need to file new disclosures early next year.

Minnesota – Trump Can Appear on 2024 Primary Ballot in Minnesota, State Supreme Court Rules

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 11/8/2023

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Donald Trump can appear on the primary ballot next year but left open the possibility he could be struck from the general election ballot because of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The Minnesota case is one of several interlocking challenges that argue Trump cannot serve again under Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which bars insurrectionists from holding office.

Missouri – Phelps County Judge Rules Missouri City Tried to ‘Intimidate’ Woman with Ban on City Hall Visits

Missouri Independemt – Rudi Keller | Published: 11/8/2023

A small Missouri town’s attempt to “intimidate and silence” a critic violated both her First Amendment rights and the state’s Sunshine Law, a judge ruled. Edgar Springs, a town of 200 in Phelps County, must pay a nominal fine of $150 to Rebecca Varney for banning her from City Hall for four years, and for holding several closed meetings with business that should have been conducted in public, Judge John Beger decided.

New York – Grievances, Insults, Tangents: Trump brings his 2024 campaign into the courtroom

MSN – Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) | Published: 11/6/2023

Donald Trump portrayed himself as the victim of “election interference” and a “political witch hunt.” He decried the “weaponization” of a judicial system he alleges, without evidence, is unfairly targeting him. But the former president was not speaking at a campaign rally. Instead, he was inside a courtroom. New York Attorney General Letitia James was alleging he and his company falsely inflated property values to gain lending advantages, and Trump was on the witness stand.

New York – FBI Raids Home of NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ Top Campaign Fundraiser as Part of Federal Corruption Probe

MSN – Chris Sommerfeldt, Thomas Tracy, and Michael Gartland (New York Daily News) | Published: 11/3/2023

FBI agents raided the home of Brianna Suggs, the manager of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign fundraising operation who has claimed credit for collecting more than $19 million for his political efforts over the years. The raid is part of a federal public corruption investigation into whether Adams’ 2021 campaign conspired with the Turkish government and a Brooklyn construction firm to funnel foreign money into the campaign’s coffers via straw donors.

North Carolina – In Earls Investigation, Federal Judge Wrangles with Key Question: How political can NC Supreme Court justices get?

WRAL – Will Doran | Published: 11/2/2023

North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls is suing the state’s Judicial Standards Commission to stop an ethics investigation targeting her for critiques she made about racial, gender, and political biases at the state’s highest court. She says it is a violation of her First Amendment rights, and little more than an attempt to intimidate her into silence. The commission says judges are banned from making comments that might make people lose faith in the integrity of the judicial system. U.S. District Court Judge William O’Steen will decide whether to shut down the investigation.

Ohio – Ohio Voters Guarantee Abortion Rights 16 Months after U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Roe

MSN – Laura Hancock and Andrew Tobias (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 11/7/2023

Ohio voters passed a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights and became the seventh state to side with reproductive rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Republican leaders in the General Assembly scheduled an August special election intended to thwart the abortion rights amendment by requiring all future constitutional amendments pass with a supermajority at the ballot box. That was defeated and Ohio’s abortion rights amendment only needed to pass with a simple majority.

Ohio – LaRose Uses State Newsletter to Promote Senate Campaign

Ohio Capital Journal – Marty Schladen | Published: 10/30/2023

Frustrated former employees told the press that in their office “everything revolved around” Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s run for U.S. Senate. Now, LaRose appears to be using the taxpayer-funded office’s newsletter in that campaign. As a state official, LaRose is not supposed to use state resources in his political campaigns. As secretary of state, it is important that he wall off politics from his official duties because LaRose administers elections, including those in which he is running.

Pennsylvania – Democrat Cherelle Parker Will Become Philadelphia’s First Female Mayor

MSN – Sean Collins Walsh (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 11/7/2023

Democrat Cherelle Parker defeated Republican David Oh to become the 100th mayor of Philadelphia. She will be the first woman to hold the office when her four-year term begins in January. A former state representative and city council majority leader, Parker coasted to victory in the general election with a compelling personal story, a tough-on-crime platform, and strong backing from the Democratic establishment and organized labor.

South Dakota – South Dakota Governor Asks State Supreme Court About Conflict of Interest After Lawmaker Resigns

ABC News – Associated Press | Published: 11/3/2023

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem requested guidance from the state Supreme Court about conflict-of-interest rules for lawmakers, several weeks after a lawmaker resigned and agreed to repay $500,000 in federal COVID-19 relief she received for her day care business. Jessica Castleberry was a senator when she received the stimulus funding. Doing so violated a state Supreme Court advisory warning lawmakers it is unconstitutional for them to accept federal pandemic funding.

Utah – A Utah Lake Dredging Critic Got Dragged into a Lawsuit with a Private Company. Did He Also Lose a Public Grant?

MSN – Leia Larsen (Salt Lake City Tribune) | Published: 11/8/2023

The private company behind a plan to dredge Utah Lake and turn it into an island city sued a leading critic, ecology professor Ben Abbott, for defamation. Abbott countersued, alleging the company was trying to stifle public debate about the proposal. Then, months later, Abbott found out his grant for a $500,000 watershed study funded by the Legislature had been canceled. “We were totally taken by surprise,” said Abbott, who teaches at Brigham Young University. “… I thought, ‘Does this have something to do with the islands situation?'”

Virginia – Virginia Democrats Projected to Sweep General Assembly, Dealing Blow to GOP

MSN – Gregory Schneider and Laura Vozzella (Washington Post) | Published: 11/7/2023

Virginia voters rejected Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s costly efforts to take control of the Virginia General Assembly in the November 7 elections, flipping the House of Delegates to Democratic control and preserving a blue majority in the state Senate that can block his conservative agenda. Youngkin raised record sums of money and spent personal political capital pushing for full GOP control of both chambers. Whether Virginians rewarded or resisted Youngkin’s campaign was considered an indicator of voter attitudes ahead of next year’s presidential election.

Washington – The Financing of 6 Proposed WA Ballot Initiatives Is Being Investigated by the State PDC

Yahoo News – Shauna Sowersby (The Olympian) | Published: 11/7/2023

Six controversial ballot initiatives that are still in the signature-gathering process are under formal investigation by the Washington Public Disclosure Commission (PDC). The six initiatives are the efforts of Let’s Go Washington and sponsored by Brian Heywood, a Republican donor. Two allegations are listed on the PDC website, one for failing to accurately file reports that reflect “in-kind contribution details for the expenditures made, and which initiatives were supported” and the other for “failing to properly disclose the identity of a vendor for some of the in-kind contributions received from Brian Heywood.”

National/Federal

Rep. George Santos Survives Effort to Expel Him from the House. But He Still Faces an Ethics Report

ABC News – Kevin Freking and Stephen Groves (Associated Press) | Published: 11/1/2023

U.S. Rep. George Santos survived a vote to expel him from the House as most Republicans and 31 Democrats opted to withhold punishment while both his criminal trial and a House ethics committee investigation proceed. The effort to expel Santos was led by his fellow New York Republicans, who are anxious to distance themselves from a colleague infamous for fabricating his life story and accused of stealing from donors, lying to Congress, and receiving unemployment benefits he did not deserve.

Prosecutors Withdraw Second Subpoena in Trump Fund-Raising Inquiry

DNyuz – Alan Feuer and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 10/26/2023

Federal prosecutors have withdrawn a subpoena seeking records from former President Trump’s 2020 campaign as part of their investigation into whether Trump’s political and fundraising operations committed any crimes as he sought to stay in power after he lost the election. The decision this week by special counsel Jack Smith to effectively kill the subpoena to the Trump campaign came on the heels of the withdrawal of a similar subpoena to Save America, the PAC that was formed by Trump’s aides shortly after he lost the race in 2020.

Supreme Court Skeptical of Lawyer’s Claim to Phrase ‘Trump Too Small’

MSN – Robert Barnes (Washington Post) | Published: 11/1/2023

Supreme Court justices across the ideological divide seemed skeptical that a California lawyer has a free speech right to trademark the double-entendre phrase “Trump Too Small” for use on T-shirts criticizing former President Trump. In fact, Chief Justice John Roberts opined, ruling for Trump critic Steve Elster could make it harder for others to create their own takes about the man running to reclaim his old job.

Trump’s Classified Documents Case Schedule May Be Delayed, Judge Cannon Says

MSN – Perry Stein and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 11/1/2023

The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s indictment for allegedly mishandling national security secrets suggested she might push back the planned trial timeline, as courts wrestle with the growing complexity of juggling four separate criminal cases and an ongoing civil trial against the former president. U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon listened to prosecutors argue at a hearing for keeping the schedule she set earlier this year, which includes a trial in May 2024. Lawyers for Trump insisted they needed more time to prepare.

This Conservative Appeals Court’s Rulings Are Testing the Supreme Court

MSN – Robert Barnes and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 10/26/2023

With a dozen judges nominated by Republican presidents, and only four by Democrats, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is the favored launchpad for right-leaning politicians and organizations seeking groundbreaking judicial decisions restricting abortion, limiting gun laws, and thwarting the ambitions of the Biden administration. The Fifth Circuit’s work is drawing more U.S. Supreme Court review than that of any other among the dozen regional appeals courts, which operate one step below the high court. In the new term, the justices already have said they will review eight decisions from the New Orleans-based court.

Hearings Begin as Trump Critics Attempt to Kick Him Off Ballots

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 10/27/2023

Judges are weighing an unprecedented and historic question: is former President Trump eligible to run for office again given his alleged role in the riot at the U.S. Capitol? A week-long hearing in Denver will explore whether January 6 qualified as an insurrection, which could bar Trump from the ballot in Colorado. The Minnesota Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether an obscure part of the Constitution might keep Trump off the ballot there. In coming weeks, courts around the country might hold similar proceedings.

Judge Reimposes Restrictions on Trump’s Speech in Jan. 6 Case

MSN – Rachel Weiner and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 10/29/2023

A federal judge reimposed limits on Donald Trump’s public statements in advance of his trial on charges of conspiring to subvert the results of the 2020 election. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan put back in place an order she had lifted nine days earlier to give Trump and prosecutors more time to argue whether the restrictions were unconstitutional, as attorneys for the former president had claimed. Trump can now ask a higher court for an emergency stay pending appeal, but in the meantime, he is bound by Chutkan’s limits.

Mike Pence Suspends His Struggling 2024 Campaign

MSN – Maeve Reston and Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) | Published: 10/28/2023

Former Vice President Mike Pence suspended his campaign for the GOP presidential nomination, facing the reality there was little appetite for his candidacy among the legions of Republican voters who remain loyal to Donald Trump and viewed Pence as a traitor because he refused to follow Trump’s demands to overturn the 2020 election results. Pence’s years-long descent from first in line for the presidency to an also-ran reached a conclusion at a high-profile summit which brought together some of the most powerful Republican donors in one room.

News on TikTok and Instagram Is Booming, Signaling a New Era

MSN – Taylor Lorenz (Washington Post) | Published: 10/31/2023

News consumption hit a tipping point around the globe during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, with more people turning to social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram than to websites maintained by traditional news outlets, according to the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. One in five adults under 24 use TikTok as a source for news. Britain’s Office of Communications said young adults in the United Kingdom now spend more time watching TikTok than broadcast media. As independent online producers of news programming rose to prominence, the ramifications for society are still coming into focus.

Democrats Plan to Subpoena Wealthy Benefactors of Supreme Court Justices

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 10/30/2023

Senate Democrats announced plans to vote to subpoena a pair of wealthy conservatives and a judicial activist who have underwritten or organized lavish travel for some U.S. Supreme Court justices, a move that adds to the pressure on the court to strengthen its ethics policies. The Judiciary Committee leaders will vote to authorize subpoenas for information from billionaire Harlan Crow, a close friend and benefactor of Justice Clarence Thomas, and from Leonard Leo, the conservative judicial activist.

High Court Struggles on Whether Officials May Block Social Media Critics

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 10/31/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court struggled to agree on how to determine when public officials can block critics from their private social media accounts, reviewing two cases that will have broad implications for citizen interactions with politicians online. All nine justices seemed to acknowledge the challenge and importance of defining when government employees are acting in an official capacity online, and therefore bound by First Amendment restrictions on censorship; and when they are acting as private citizens, with their own individual free speech rights.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Alabama Legislators Study Past Ethics Proposals Ahead of Planned Revision Bill

Alabama Reflector – Ralph Chapoco | Published: 10/26/2023

Members of the House Ethics and Finance Committee discussed efforts since 2010 to amend Alabama’s ethics law. The gathering was the third in a series of “work meetings” providing legislators planning to draft legislation to update the existing law after a report released in 2019 recommending changes that included tightening language in the state’s ethics code and offering graduated penalties for specific violations.

Alabama – Local Journalists Arrested in Small Alabama Town for Grand Jury Story

MSN – Paul Farhi (Washington Post) | Published: 11/1/2023

A newspaper publisher and a reporter were arrested for publishing an article that officials said was based on confidential grand-jury evidence, a move that press-freedom advocates are characterizing as an unconstitutional attack on the news media. Publisher Sherry Digmon and reporter Don Fletcher of the Atmore News in Alabama were arrested after a story by Fletcher disclosed details of an investigation into the local school board’s payments to seven former school-system employees.

Arizona – Complaint Alleges GOP Lawmaker Illegally Used Campaign Cash to Attend J6

Arizona Mirror – Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Published: 10/30/2023

An Arizona legislator who was among the rioting crowds at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, is facing a campaign finance complaint alleging he illegally used cash from a failed re-election bid to attend the insurrection, including airfare and a hotel stay. On January 5, Kern reported an expenditure for an airline ticket. On January 11, Kern reported an expenditure of $436.74 for travel and lodging at a Hyatt hotel.

Arizona – Arizona Prosecutors Ask About 2020 Pressure Campaign by Trump Allies

MSN – Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 10/27/2023

The Arizona attorney general’s investigation into the coordinated attempt to overturn the 2020 election results by creating and sending documents to the federal government falsely declaring Donald Trump the winner is also zeroing in on the pressure placed on local officials by the former president’s key allies to help avert his loss. The investigation underscores the dramatically different approach that prosecutors from opposing parties have taken when weighing post-2020 activities.

California – Survey Says Residents Want More Information About Who’s Lobbying City Officials

Long Beach Post – Jason Ruiz | Published: 10/26/2023

Most respondents to a city survey about proposed changes to Long Beach’s lobbying rules said city officials should have to proactively disclose meetings with lobbyists, something they are not currently required to do. Those disclosures, respondents said, should be more frequent and robust than the law currently requires. The Long Beach Ethics Commission asked for the feedback as it is crafting changes to the city’s lobbying disclosure law. A new draft of the changes could be out as soon as November.

California – Free Speech Group Plans to Appeal S.F. Campaign Finance Law to U.S. Supreme Court

MSN – Bob Egelko (San Francisco Chronicle) | Published: 10/28/2023

San Francisco’s law requiring political ads to identify their top financial donors survived another challenge in federal appeals court, but nine conservative judges argued in dissent the law violates free speech. An attorney for opponents of the measure says he will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The law went beyond disclosure mandates in state law by requiring committees financing local campaign advertisements to identify in the ads their top two donors of $5,000 or more.

California – Facing Strong Opposition, Bill Gore Withdraws from Consideration for San Diego Ethics Board

MSN – Jeff McDonald (San Diego Union Tribune) | Published: 10/30/2023

More than a month after being nominated by Mayor Todd Gloria to serve on the San Diego Ethics Commission, former Sheriff Bill Gore has withdrawn his nomination in the face of overwhelming opposition. Gloria’s nomination generated immediate backlash from criminal justice reform advocates and family members of people who died in San Diego County jails in recent years. According to sheriff’s department records, more than 170 people died in county jails on Gore’s watch since he was first appointed sheriff in 2009.

Florida – Florida Fights a Ruling That Halts Its Lobbying Restriction

WMNF – Jim Saunders (News Service of Florida) | Published: 10/26/2023

Pointing to securing the “public trust,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody asked a federal appeals court to overturn a decision that blocked part of a 2018 state constitutional amendment imposing new restrictions on lobbying. U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom issued a permanent injunction against a restriction on state and local officials lobbying other government bodies while in office. Bloom said the constraint violated First Amendment rights.

Florida – No Ethics Charges for Ivey Over Election Scandal After Candidates Decline to Give Testimony

Yahoo News – Eric Rogers (Florida Today) | Published: 10/30/2023

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey will not face ethics charges related to allegations of interference in the 2022 elections, after the candidates who came forward declined to talk to state investigators, according to the Florida Commission on Ethics. Ivey admitted making offers to the candidates in an interview with investigators but denied it was meant to sway their decisions to run, the allegation at the heart of the ethics complaint.

Georgia – Georgia’s Congressional Map Violates Voting Rights Act, Court Finds

Yahoo News – Zach Montellaro (Politico) | Published: 10/26/2023

A federal court found Georgia’s congressional map violates the Voting Rights Act, the latest Southern state to have its map struck down for discriminating against Black voters. A judge ordered the state Legislature to redraw the lines by early December. The opinion said Black voters’ power had been diluted following extensive population growth in the state that has been disproportionately powered by Black residents. Gov. Brian calling the Legislature into special session on November 29 to handle redistricting.

Hawaii – Hawaii Ethics Commission Steps Up Training of Government Employees

Honolulu Civil Beat – Chad Blair | Published: 10/20/2023

Since a new law requiring state legislators and employees to complete live or online ethics training classes every four years went into effect January 1, the number of people taking the course has increased as compared to 2021. That is due in part because an online, self-directed version of the course was introduced in 2020, when the pandemic forced many people to work from home. But there are still hundreds of workers that have not taken the training, either online or live via webinar or in-person classes.

Illinois – How the Massive Power Ed Burke Wielded Paved the Way for His Alleged Corruption

WBEZ – Fran Spielman (Chicago Sun-Times) and Mariah Woelfel | Published: 10/31/2023

As Chicago Ald. Ed Burke prepares to stand trial on sweeping corruption charges in a racketeering indictment, the path to this moment was paved in part by the enormous power he gained through “scratch my back” politics, including aldermanic prerogative. Also known as aldermanic privilege, the practice is an entrenched, off-the-books power that gives council members unquestioned say over a broad range of decisions – from zoning matters to parking permits. Despite efforts to curb it, that tradition continues to this day.

Maine – Maine Considers Closing Loophole That Allows Foreign Government Spending on Referendums

The Hill – David Sharp (Associated Press) | Published: 11/2/2023

Maine voters will decide whether to ban foreign influence in elections, many of them irked over the $22 million a Canadian utility spent to fight state referendums on a hydropower transmission project. Hydro Quebec, owned by the Canadian province, exploited an election law loophole to fight attempts to stop the project on which the utility stood to gain $10 billion. If voters grant their approval on November 7, Maine would be the 10th state to close the loophole in federal election law that bans foreign entities from spending on candidate elections, yet allows donations for local and state ballot measures, said Aaron McKean of the Campaign Legal Center.

Maryland – Potomac Edison Faces Maryland Audit After Admitting It Charged Customers for FirstEnergy’s Bribes and Lobbying

Energy and Policy – Dave Anderson | Published: 10/26/2023

Maryland utility regulators ordered a new audit of Potomac Edison after the FirstEnergy-owned utility admitted in a rate case that it owes nearly $1.7 million in refunds to Maryland customers it wrongly charged for bribes, lobbying, corporate sponsorships, advertising, and other expenses. The new audit will seek to ensure that Potomac Edison’s wrongful charges to customers in Maryland are fully accounted for and refunded.

Michigan – Financial Disclosure Bills Pass Michigan Senate with Limited Revisions

MSN – Simon Schuster (MLive) | Published: 11/2/2023

The Michigan Senate passed legislation laying out what state politicians must show the public in new personal financial disclosures, after slightly expanding the requirements amid criticism the bills leave too much in the dark. Elected officials and candidates in the legislative and executive branches of state government will have to list their sources of income, but not the amount, and list assets and liabilities under the bills. A sticking point remains the amount of information candidates or elected officials must list about family members.

Mississippi – Gov. Tate Reeves’ Top Political Donors Received $1.4 Billion in State Contracts from His Agencies

Mississippi Today – Julia James, Geoff Pender, Bobby Harrison, Taylor Vance, and Adam Ganucheau | Published: 10/31/2023

Of the 88 individual or corporate donors who have given Gov. Tate Reeves’ campaigns at least $50,000, Mississippi Today identified 15 donors whose companies received a total of $1.4 billion in state contracts or grants since he took office in 2020. The investigation reveals how private companies, whose executives routinely donate large sums to politicians, can rake in hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds while having the ear of powerful elected officials.

Missouri – Missouri House Ethics Committee Begins Inquiry into Personnel Moves by Dean Plocher

Missouri Independent – Rudi Keller | Published: 10/27/2023

The Missouri House Ethics Committee met behind closed doors to discuss a “personnel inquiry” in a meeting that had been widely expected to focus on beleaguered House Speaker Dean Plocher. The committee, which reviews complaints against House lawmakers, is scheduled to meet again to discuss the same inquiry on November 8. The meeting came as Plocher, who is running for lieutenant governor in 2024, is facing calls to resign after reports surfaced he received government reimbursements over several years for expenses also paid for by his campaign. He has started to pay back the money he improperly received.

New Jersey – Corruption, Backroom Deals, Local Politics Mire N.J.’s Legal Weed Rollout, Businesses Say

MSN – Jelani Gibson (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 10/30/2023

New Jersey promised a fair and ethical cannabis industry in which mom-and-pop shops would thrive. The law crafted by state legislators allowed towns, with little oversight, to authorize who can sell the product legally. Cannabis entrepreneurs seeking a piece of the billion-dollar industry are saying they are being exposed to extortion and intimidation. Municipalities can set their own fees, licensing schemes, and preferences independent of state supervision in a way that exceeds virtually every other regulated industry including liquor licenses.

New Jersey – Head of NJ Elections Watchdog Retires After Surviving Murphy’s Ouster Attempt

MSN – Ashley Balcerzak (Bergen Record) | Published: 11/1/2023

Jeff Brindle, longtime executive director of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), officially retired, roughly a year after the Murphy administration sought to oust him from the position. Brindle filed two lawsuits this year against Gov. Phil Murphy, one alleging a conspiracy “to extort and force” his resignation and a second challenging the constitutionality of a controversial bill that overhauled ELEC. Deputy Director Joe Donohue will serve as acting executive director while the commission conducts a search for a replacement for Brindle.

New Jersey – How Menendez Tried and Failed to Place an Ally in a Key Federal Post

Yahoo News – Benjamin Weiser, Nicholas Fandos, and Tracy Tully (New York Times) | Published: 10/30/2023

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez went to great lengths to try to secure a friendly prosecutor in New Jersey’s top federal law enforcement position. Far from being routine politics, Menendez’s attempts to fill the position were part of a brazen scheme to sell his office for cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz convertible, a federal indictment says.

New York – Noncompete Campaign Raises Lobbying Questions

Albany Times Union – Joshua Solomon | Published: 10/27/2023

A dispute over whether the actions by the Public Policy Institute of New York State, the nonprofit arm of the state’s Business Council, are considered lobbying raises questions on what the nonprofit must report, including whether it has to disclose its donors for a campaign concerning noncompete agreements that is valued at more than five times the charity’s typical spending in a year. The nonprofit’s spokesperson, James Freedland, said the institute is not seeking to influence elected officials, a statement that government watchdogs dispute.

New York – N.Y. Ethics Watchdog Revising 2024 Legislative Agenda

Spectrum News – Kate Lisa | Published: 11/1/2023

State ethics commissioners worked on fine-tuning their legislative agenda for 2024, setting sights on how New York lawmakers can change policy to best regulate lobbying and ethical behavior of elected officials when they return to Albany in January. Members of the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government held a public roundtable and discussed plans to press the Legislature to better regulate ethics training required for lobbyists, including a daily late fee for lobbyists and clients who fail to complete it in the required timeframe.

Oklahoma – Ryan Walters Reported $5,000 Campaign Donation a Year Late. It May Cost Him

MSN – Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) | Published: 11/1/2023

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters finally disclosed a $5,000 donation to his 2022 campaign from a PAC one year after the report was due. The 1776 Project made the donation on October 31, 2022. It says on its website it is “committed to abolishing critical race theory … from the public school curriculum.” Walters was supposed to report the contribution within 24 hours because it was received just days before the general election.

Virginia – An Election Chief Says the ‘Big Lie’ Ended Her Career. She’s Fighting Back.

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 11/2/2023

Lynchburg Registrar Christine Gibbons was removed from her position, accused of corruption, taken to court, and reported to police for supposedly siphoning votes to Joe Biden in the 2020 election. A Republican who called for Gibbons’ firing and attended the “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington on January 6, 2021, was appointed as one of her bosses on the local election board. Gibbons filed a lawsuit, which contends the election board violated her First Amendment right to free political association by removing her for purely partisan reasons. It is among the first in the country to make that argument.

Virginia – Va. AG Will Probe Fundraising of Pro-Palestinian Group

MSN – Justin Jouvenal (Washington Post) | Published: 10/31/2023

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced his office will investigate the fundraising of one of the nation’s most prominent nonprofit organizations dedicated to educating the public, lobbying Congress, and organizing rallies for pro-Palestinian causes. Miyares said his office has “reason to believe” the Northern Virginia-based American Muslims for Palestine may not be complying with state rules on charitable giving and will investigate allegations lodged in a federal civil suit that the group provides indirect support to Hamas. AMP denied the allegations and called them not only “defamatory, but dangerous.”

Virginia – Youngkin ‘Purge’ Removed Nearly 3,400 Legal Virginia Voters from Rolls

MSN – Laura Vozzella (Washington Post) | Published: 10/29/2023

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s elections team has admitted in the run-up to pivotal General Assembly elections that it removed nearly 3,400 qualified voters from the state’s rolls, far higher than the administration’s previous estimate of 270. Elections officials acknowledged what it called the mistaken removal five weeks after early voting began for the November 7 elections. The outcome will determine the fate of Youngkin’s conservative legislative agenda.

Washington – WA Lawmaker Plans Hiatus from Think Tank Job to Comply with Ethics Rules

Washington State Standard – Jerry Cornfield | Published: 10/27/2023

State Rep. Chris Corry appeared to satisfy concerns of an ethics panel so he can continue working for the Washington Policy Center without violating any conflict-of-interest laws. He became director of the conservative think tank’s Center for Government Reform in May. Corry could have faced an investigation and punishment by the Legislative Ethics Board if he kept both posts.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor Sues Republican Legislature Over Blocking Basic Functions

ABC News – Scott Bauer (Associated Press) | Published: 10/31/2023

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers sued the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature, arguing it is obstructing basic government functions, including signing off on pay raises for university employees that were previously approved. Evers is asking the state Supreme Court to take the case directly, bypassing lower courts. Evers argues committees controlled by a few Republican lawmakers are being used by the Legislature to “reach far beyond its proper zone of constitutional lawmaking authority.”

Wyoming – Bills Would Add Voter Requirements, Expand Campaign Donor Reporting

Gillette News Record – Hannah Shields (Wyoming Tribune Eagle) | Published: 10/27/2023

The Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee advanced bill drafts that could create significant changes to existing Wyoming election laws. One bill would add a 30-day residency requirement prior to Election Day. Another would expand the definition of an organization to include “any group of two … or more persons that … pools or otherwise jointly expends funds totaling in aggregate more than ($1,000).” The proposed legislation would allow groups to report campaign expenditure or electioneering communication without registering as a PAC.

National/Federal

Meadows Granted Immunity, Tells Smith He Warned Trump About 2020 Claims: Sources

ABC News – Katherine Faulders, Mike Levine, and Alexander Mallin | Published: 10/24/2023

Former President Trump’s final chief of staff in the White House, Mark Meadows, has spoken with special counsel Jack Smith’s team at least three times this year, including once before a federal grand jury, which came only after Smith granted Meadows immunity to testify under oath, according to sources familiar with the matter. The sources said Meadows informed Smith’s team that he repeatedly told Trump in the weeks after the 2020 presidential election that the allegations of significant voting fraud coming to them were baseless.

An Unsanctioned Coterie of Pro-Israel Quasi-Lobbyists Has Descended on D.C.

MSN – Hailey Fuchs and Caitlin Oprysko (Politico) | Published: 10/22/2023

An ad hoc group of donors, activists, and allies have moved swiftly to help Israel. They have leveraged their political clout, their relationships with lawmakers, and their fundraising networks to do so. Their goal is to shape how elected officials in the U.S. react to the crisis. But their work also underscores how much of the political fight around the nascent war is being done on the fly; and how much is being waged in unconventional theaters: college campuses, corporate boardrooms, K Street offices. and Capitol Hill restaurants.

New House Speaker Mike Johnson Faces Herculean Task of Uniting Republicans

MSN – Marianna Sotomayor, Amy Wang, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Theodoric Meyer, and Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2023

Rep. Mike Johnson, a lesser-known conservative who has been a devoted follower of former President Trump was elected as speaker of the House, reopening the chamber for legislative business after a 21-day paralysis because the fractious Republican conference could not coalesce around a single nominee. Johnson now faces the herculean task of uniting a deeply ideologically fractured conference that is tasked with averting a government shutdown in less than a month, sending supplemental aid to Israel and other foreign countries, and passing reauthorization bills before the end of the year.

Special Counsel Urges Judge to Crack Down Further on Trump’s Comments

MSN – Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2023

Special counsel Jack Smith argued that recent comments by Donald Trump show not only that a federal gag order should be reimposed, but the court should weigh stricter sanctions, including sending him to jail, if he keeps talking about witnesses in his case. The filing was one of four made by the special counsel’s office on a range of legal issues in preparation for Trump’s planned trial on charges he conspired to obstruct Joe Biden’s electoral victory. Trump’s public statements attacking prosecutors, court personnel, and others have raised alarms among judges who worry such broadsides might inspire someone to commit violence.

Clarence Thomas’s RV Loan Was Forgiven, Senate Committee Report Says

MSN – Robert Barnes and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2023

Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Ron Wyden called on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to tell the panel whether he declared more than $250,000 of loan forgiveness on his tax filings. Wyden released a report that details a loan Thomas received from a friend, Anthony Welters, to buy a luxury Prevost Marathon motor coach in 1999. The report said Thomas made some interest payments on the $267,230 loan, but it was declared settled by Welters in 2008 without Thomas repaying a substantial portion, or perhaps any, of the principal.

Congressman Charged with Pulling False Fire Alarm in House Building

MSN – Peter Hermann and Clarence Williams (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2023

Rep. Jamaal Bowman was criminally charged with pulling a false fire alarm that forced the evacuation of the Cannon House Office Building as lawmakers scrambled to avert a government shutdown. Bowman was charged in a judicial summons, meaning he was not arrested. In an affidavit filed in court, authorities allege Bowman tried to open an emergency door and, when that failed, pulled a fire alarm and walked away and did not report his actions to police.

Elon Musk’s X Removes New York Times’ Verification Badge

MSN – Drew Harwell (Washington Post) | Published: 10/19/2023

The social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, removed the gold “verified” badge from the New York Times’ account amid ongoing complaints about the news organization from X owner Elon Musk. The badge was the only symbol distinguishing the Times’ 55-million-follower account from impostors amid two major global conflicts in Israel and Ukraine. The move further extends Musk’s attempts to use the social media company he bought with claims of defending free speech to undercut news organizations he dislikes.

Lawsuit Aims to Slam Shut Loophole That Lets Political Parties Skirt Campaign Finance Law

MSN – Kathleen Culliton (Raw Story) | Published: 10/23/2023

A loophole that allows political parties to bypass campaign finance limits now faces a new legal challenge from watchdog groups in Washington D.C. The Campaign Legal Center and OpenSecrets filed a lawsuit against the FEC, which they hope will create new disclosure rules for national political party committee accounts. The loophole links back to the 2014 “Cromnibus” and an amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act that allows parties to draw funds from “special purpose accounts,” according to the complaint.

Trump Files New Challenges to Federal Election Obstruction Case in D.C.

MSN – Spencer Hsu and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 10/24/2023

Donald Trump launched a multipronged legal attack on his federal prosecution for allegedly subverting the results of the 2020 election, saying his actions were protected by the First Amendment as political speech and arguing he cannot be tried in criminal court for trying to block Joe Biden’s victory after being impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate. While aspects of Trump’s case raise historic legal questions, the motions are fairly typical for criminal defendants trying to challenge the legal sufficiency of the charges against them.

Top Groups’ Lobbying Spending Drops in Divided Congress

MSN – Caitlin Reilly (Roll Call) | Published: 10/23/2023

Total spending on lobbying by the biggest interest groups fell in the first three quarters of 2023 compared to last year amid partisan gridlock in a divided Congress. The dip came as the steady clip of major laws that moved through the last Congress slowed to a trickle this session with Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans the House, where GOP leadership has struggled to maintain control of its conference.

How Ron DeSantis’ Super PAC Is Taking Financial Pressure Off His Campaign

NBC News – Alec Hernández and Bridget Bowman | Published: 10/20/2023

With three months to go until the first contest of the Republican nominating race, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to lean heavily on Never Back Down for support across the early states, and his most recent campaign finance report demonstrates how the super PAC has helped cover costs that otherwise might have drained DeSantis’s own campaign treasury. Beyond playing an extensive role in the governor’s campaign schedule and travel, the super PAC is also responsible for a large door-knocking operation in Iowa and running a slew of voter coalitions supporting DeSantis.

Appeals Court Upholds Broad Use of Obstruction Law That Prosecutors Have Deployed Against Trump

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 10/20/2023

Federal prosecutors avoided an appeals court ruling that could have upended their criminal prosecution of Donald Trump, but the legal battle will continue over a federal obstruction statute that has become a cornerstone of cases stemming from the storming of the Capitol. A panel of the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals ruled there are numerous ways for the government to prove January 6 defendants acted “corruptly” when seeking to obstruct Congress’ proceedings. A ruling that narrowly construed the meaning of “corruptly” could have derailed the prosecution of Trump on an obstruction charge.

Supreme Court to Decide if Biden Admin Illegally Bullied Social Media into Censoring Content

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney and Rebecca Kern (Politico) | Published: 10/20/2023

The Supreme Court will determine whether the Biden administration violated the Constitution when it pressured technology companies to remove from their platforms what federal officials said was false or misleading content about the 2020 election and Covid-19. In taking the case, the justices also blocked the lower court’s injunction that would have barred many types of contact between federal officials and the social media giants. The action means administration officials can keep contacting social media companies for now while the justices weigh the case.

From the States and Municipalities

California – Sacramento Ethics Commission Dismisses Campaign Contribution Complaint after Investigation

Capital Public Radio – Kristin Lam | Published: 10/25/2023

The Sacramento Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against mayoral candidate Flojuane Cofer and found she did not violate a campaign fundraising rule. Voting unanimously, the commission disagreed with part of an independent evaluator’s recommendation on how to deal with the complaint. The investigator found the city’s campaign contribution rules surrounding off-year elections are confusing.

California – Is Anaheim’s Fall of Reform Going to Freeze Over?

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 10/25/2023

Anaheim’s elected officials continue a rollout of reform proposals, but it is unclear how many overhauls will be made to a City Hall hit with one of the biggest corruption scandals in Orange County history. It comes as some Disney-backed city council members question if reforms are needed, like bolstering whistleblower protections, consequences for misconduct by elected officials, decreasing the city manager’s purchasing power, and overhauling lobbyist rules. The discussions come months after independent investigators alleged the city was essentially controlled by lobbyists and Disneyland resort interests.

Colorado – A New Law Has Stricter Regulations for Campaign Finance. What Does That Mean for Pueblo?

Pueblo Chieftan – Anna Lynn Winfrey | Published: 10/23/2023

A new law in Colorado imposes new requirements for how long campaign finance records are kept and sets contribution limits for municipal races. But as a home rule city, Pueblo has the jurisdiction to craft its own regulation on campaign finance. Because of the expected timing of a mayoral runoff race in January, after the bill goes into effect, the city council is expected to vote soon on an ordinance that would effectively freeze the current rules in place. Councilors could adopt more stringent requirements later, if desired.

Florida – Mayor Donna Deegan Approves No-Bid Contract for a Firm That Backed Her Campaign

MSN – David Bauerlein (Florida Times-Union) | Published: 10/24/2023

A company whose owner hosted a campaign event for Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan in January won a no-bid contract worth $300,000 for federal grant-writing, lobbying, and policy development after the city determined no other firm in the nation could provide all those services. The city typically requires competitive bidding, but the Professional Services Evaluation Committee recommended Deegan approve the one-year contract to Langton Consulting without seeking proposals from any other firms.

Florida – Florida Rule Would Limit Talk of ‘Social Issues’ at Public Universities

Yahoo News – Divya Kumar (Tampa Bay Times) | Published: 10/23/2023

A proposed regulation aimed at restricting diversity programs and social activism at Florida’s public universities has stirred confusion, with some saying its broadly worded passages could limit free speech. The regulation, when approved, will determine how the state enforces the law pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that seeks to gut diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at colleges and universities.

Florida – Florida Ethics Panel Says County Commissioner Steele Can Resume Lobbying for Municipalities

Yahoo News – Dave Berman (Florida Today) | Published: 10/24/2023

Brevard County Commissioner Jason Steele was given the green light to resume his lobbying work. including for municipalities within the county, while he continues to serve as commissioner. The Florida Commission on Ethics approved an advisory opinion from its legal staff that said there currently is nothing illegal about Steele lobbying on behalf of clients, as long as he does not lobby before the county commission and does not use nonpublic information he obtained as a commissioner for his lobbying work.

Georgia – Trump Co-Defendant Kenneth Chesebro Pleads Guilty in Georgia Election Case

MSN – Holly Bailey and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 10/20/2023

Kenneth Chesebro, a former lawyer for Donald Trump’s campaign, pleaded guilty to illegally conspiring to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss in Georgia, striking a deal in which he will avoid jail time and agreed to provide evidence that could implicate other defendants, including Trump himself. Chesebro pleaded guilty to a single felony count of conspiracy to file false documents. The charge relates to his role organizing slates of pro-Trump electors to meet in seven states where Joe Biden had won.

Georgia – Jenna Ellis Becomes Latest Trump Lawyer to Plead Guilty Over Efforts to Overturn Georgia’s Election

Yahoo News – Will Weissert and Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 10/24/2023

Attorney and conservative media figure Jenna Ellis pleaded guilty to a felony charge over efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in Georgia. Ellis, the fourth defendant in the case to enter into a plea deal, was a vocal part of Trump’s reelection campaign in the last presidential cycle and was charged alongside the Republican former president and 17 others. Ellis pleaded guilty to one felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings. She had been facing charges of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and soliciting the violation of oath by a public officer, both felonies.

Hawaii – Hawaii Budget Director’s Conflict of Interest: He owns HECO stock

Honolulu Civil Beat – Stewart Yerton | Published: 10/26/2023

Hawaii’s state budget and finance director is facing an ethical dilemma as Gov. Josh Green’s administration works to establish a fund for victims of the Maui wildfires. Luis Salaveria, who is playing a role in planning the fund that would benefit Hawaiian Electric Industries, also owns Hawaiian Electric stock. That should disqualify Salaveria from taking any official action that could affect the company, according to the state ethics code. But what, if anything, Salaveria plans to do to address the situation is unclear.

Hawaii – Hawaii Bribery Scandal Casts a Shadow Over Lahaina’s Ruins

Yahoo News – Blaze Lovell (New York Times) | Published: 10/25/2023

As Maui County recovers from the devastating wildfires that killed at least 99 people, millions of dollars will be spent on rebuilding critical infrastructure using a flawed contract-monitoring system that is marred by bribery and a lack of competition. A recent bribery case prompted some county officials to begin phasing out the use of sole-source contracts, but the practice is still in use in the county. That very little has changed since the bribery scandal was revealed could leave the door open for some contractors to take advantage of the disaster or for government money to be wasted.

Illinois – Illinois Lawmakers Banned Campaign Contributions from Red-Light Camera Companies – Then Accepted Them

Illinois Public Radio – Robert Herguth (Chicago Sun-Times) | Published: 10/20/2023

In May, the General Assembly passed a bill to ban campaign contributions from the red-light camera industry that has been embroiled in a bribery scandal still unfolding in federal court. Among those backing the bill was Illinois Senate President Don Harmon. Less than six weeks later, his campaign accounts accepted two contributions totaling $5,000 from Redspeed Illinois, a contractor operating red-light cameras in a number of Chicago-area municipalities. Bernadette Matthews, executive director of the state elections board, said the new law does not include penalties for violators.

Kentucky – Louisville Metro Councilman Anthony Piagentini Found in Violation of Ethics Rules

MSN – Eleanor McCrary (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 10/19/2023

Louisville Metro’s Ethics Commission found Councilperson Anthony Piagentini in violation of six ethics rules after he was accused of using his city position to land a $40 million grant for the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council, which then hired him. The commission also unanimously voted to recommend to the Metro Council that he be removed from his seat, but that decision ultimately lies with his 25 peers. Piagentini also received a penalty of $500 per violation.

Louisiana – Supreme Court Agrees with Delay on Drawing New Louisiana Congressional Map

MSN – Robert Barnes (Washington Post) | Published: 10/19/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed with a delay on proceedings that could lead to creating a second congressional district in Louisiana where Black voters make up a large-enough share of the electorate to have a significant chance of electing their preferred candidate. The justices rejected requests by Black voters challenging a map passed by the state’s Republican-led Legislature to allow a lower court judge to proceed in coming up with a new map. The order indicates that once litigation over the issue is completed, the Legislature might get a chance to draw a revised map.

Maine – Inside Poland Spring’s Hidden Attack on Water Rules It Didn’t Like

Yahoo News – Hiroko Tabuchi (New York Times) | Published: 10/24/2023

When Maine lawmakers tried to rein in large-scale access to the state’s freshwater this year, the effort initially gained momentum. Then a Wall Street-backed giant called BlueTriton stepped in. Americans today buy more bottled water than any other packaged drink, and BlueTriton owns many of the nation’s biggest brands. Maine’s bill threatened the company’s access to the groundwater it bottles and sells. The legislation had already gotten a majority vote on the committee and was headed toward the full Legislature, when a lobbyist for BlueTriton proposed an amendment that would eviscerate the entire bill.

Massachusetts – Ryan and Stephanie Fattman Agree to Record Fines to Settle Campaign Finance Cases

Yahoo News – Kinga Borondy (Worcester Telegram & Gazette) | Published: 10/24/2023

The Massachusetts attorney general’s office reached a settlement with stated Sen. Ryan Fattman; his wife, Worcester Registrar of Probate Stephanie Fattman; and members of their campaign committees in the three-year probe into campaign finance irregularities. The settlements to be paid total hundreds of thousands of dollars, the largest amounts ever paid by candidate committees to the state to resolve cases.

Michigan – Financial Disclosures Proposed for Michigan Politicians Are ‘Pretty Weak,’ Advocates Say

MLive – Simon Schuster | Published: 10/25/2023

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a package of legislation that details what state elected officials must include in Michigan’s first-ever financial disclosures. The legislation, while bringing specificity to some areas 2022’s Proposal 1 left vague, also leaves gaps in reporting, exempting public officials from having to disclose some of the very financial benefits that roiled state government in recent scandals. Nicholas Pigeon, executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, called the bills “a mixed bag … that is pretty weak compared to the rest of the country.”

Michigan – After Campaign Finance Complaint Against Fouts, City Attorney Files Against Council Foes

MSN – Christina Hall (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 10/25/2023

The Warren city attorney filed state campaign finance complaints against three city council members for comments they made during a council meeting using city equipment, which was broadcast live and is on video on the city’s website. The complaints come days after the secretary of state’s office determined Mayor Jim Fouts may have violated the law by endorsing candidates during his State of the City address.

Missouri – Records Show Missouri House Speaker Charged State for Travel Already Paid for By His Campaign

Missouri Independent – Jason Hancock | Published: 10/23/2023

Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher filed an expense report to be reimbursed for a $1,199.60 plane ticket to the 2023 Uniform Law Commission conference. The House ultimately agreed to pay him the money. But the cost of the ticket did not come out of Plocher’s bank account. It came out of his campaign. Seven months earlier, “Plusher for Missouri” reported paying $1,199.60 for airfare to Hawaii for the conference. A review of Plocher’s expense reports over the years shows the Hawaii expense was not an isolated event.

New Hampshire – Breaking with Longstanding Tradition, Biden Won’t Appear on New Hampshire’s Primary Ballot

Yahoo News – Francesca Chambers (USA Today) | Published: 10/24/2023

President Joe Biden’s name will not be on the New Hampshire primary ballot. Biden has been tussling with the state for nearly a year over its historically early primary date and will not make the trip to Concord to file. In a break with centuries-old tradition, the incumbent president will not appear on the state’s Democratic primary ballot at all, with the national party pledging to discipline candidates who compete in unsanctioned primaries like the one New Hampshire plans to hold.

New Jersey – ‘Phantom Candidates’ in Tough N.J. Legislative Elections? Republicans Call for Investigation.

MSN – Brent Johnson (New Jersey Advance Media) | Published: 10/23/2023

Allegations about a “dark money” group pushing “phantom candidates” have invaded a pair of tense races for the New Jersey Legislature. Republican candidates in the second and fourth districts, two of the most competitive in this year’s elections, have asked top law enforcement officials to investigate a new nonprofit group with a Queens address that sent out campaign mailers to voters urging them to support independent or third-party “conservative” candidates.

New York – ‘A Well-Thought-Out Scheme’: Orange County lawmakers claim corruption with county’s contracts with IT company

Albany Times Union – Lana Bellamy | Published: 10/26/2023

New York Sen. James Skoufis alleges the Orange County government entered into illegal contracts with an information technology company in order to enrich the family of a top-ranking county official, and county administrators have attempted to cover up a larger corruption scheme. Skoufis laid out the case that contracts between the county and StarCIO totaling $823,000 were illegally procured and inflated to enrich Isaac Sacolick, the company’s proprietor and the brother-in-law of county Human Resources Commissioner Langdon Chapman.

New York – Judge Fines Trump $10,000 for Second Violation of New York Gag Order

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2023

A New York judge fined Donald Trump $10,000 for violating a gag order in a business-fraud lawsuit and warned the former president the penalties will only get worse if he keeps breaking the rules set for the civil trial, in which he is accused of falsely inflating his property values. The five-figure fine came after New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron unexpectedly called Trump to the witness stand to explain, under oath, a comment he made outside the courtroom earlier in the day.

New York – Adams Campaign Contributors Plead Guilty to Straw Donor Conspiracy Charge

The City – George Joseph | Published: 10/24/2023

Shahid and Yahya Mushtaq, two brothers who run a construction company in Queens, each pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor conspiracy charge stemming from a straw donor scheme that aimed to generate illicit public matching funds for Eric Adams’ successful 2021 mayoral campaign. The brothers’ plea deals require them both to pay a $500 fine and complete 35 hours of community service.

New York – Who Paid for Gov. Hochul’s Israel Trip? Her Office Won’t Say.

The Gothamist – Jon Campbell | Published: 10/25/2023

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office will not say who pledged to pay for the governor’s recent visit to Israel, an arrangement the state’s ethics board has not yet approved, despite her trip to the Middle East last week. Hochul spent two days in Israel amid its war with Hamas, touring the country and meeting with dignitaries, along with victims and their families. Gubernatorial spokesperson Avi Small said the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government is still “in the final stages of reviewing this arrangement to ensure it fully complies with state ethics law.”

North Carolina – N.C. Republicans Pass Redistricting Map Expected to Flip 3 House Seats

MSN – Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff (Washington Post) | Published: 10/25/2023

The North Carolina General Assembly gave final approval to new congressional and state legislative district maps that would empower the state Republican Party for years to come. North Carolina’s 14 congressional seats are now evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. The new map would probably flip at least three of those seats to the GOP. Proponents say they are allowed to draw maps that favor political parties because of recent court precedent, and Republicans have the power to do so because they won more seats in both chambers of the Legislature.

Ohio – Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose Quietly Ordered Purge of Thousands of Inactive Voters Last Month

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 10/24/2023

Thousands of inactive Ohio voters were purged from the state’s voter rolls in September at the direction of Secretary of State Frank LaRose after some voters had already begun casting ballots in the November election. LaRose maintains he issued the directive because he’s required by federal and state election law to set rules and timelines for maintaining accurate voter registration lists. But a state lawmaker asked why he did not delay it until after the general election, as he did earlier ahead of the August special election on a proposed constitutional amendment to make it harder to pass future amendments.

Ohio – Mayor Pureval Removed from Cincinnati Southern Railway Campaign Ads After Conflict of Interest Questions

WCPO – Taylor Weiter and Dan Monk | Published: 10/19/2023

Commercials promoting the sale of the Cincinnati Southern Railway no longer feature Mayor Aftab Pureval after a media investigation found connections between campaigns for the sale and Pureval’s re-election. Building Cincinnati’s Future and Friends of Aftab Pureval, the mayor’s re-election campaign, share the same treasurer, Jens Sutmoller.

Oklahoma – Phantom Attack Ads Target Oklahoma Candidate, Connected to Nationwide Dark Money Network

MSN – Clifton Adcock (The Frontier) | Published: 10/24/2023

Common Sense Conservatives spent money on a direct mail advertisement this fall against Baptist minister Dusty Deevers in a Republican primary for a seat in the Oklahoma Senate. Records show Common Sense Conservatives is one small piece of a larger, nationwide “dark money” network that conducts most of its operations out of Ohio, has been involved in numerous federal and state-level campaigns in other states including Oklahoma, and has ties to at least one bogus charity.

National/Federal

Gag Order on Trump in Election Case Leaves More Hard Questions

DNyuz – Charlie Savage and Alan Feuer (New York Times) | Published: 10/17/2023

U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan’s gag order against Donald Trump is the first major consequence of his life as a criminal defendant. But in some ways, the order raises more questions than it answers, including how the judge intends to enforce her restrictions. Chutkan ruled Trump’s pretrial attacks on potential witnesses and others threatened the integrity of the upcoming trial on charges stemming from his effort to subvert the 2020 election. She barred Trump from continuing to publicly berate special counsel Jack Smith and his team, court staff, or any “reasonably foreseeable witness.”

Trump Lawyer Acknowledged Political Agenda in Election Suit, Emails Show

DNyuz – Maggie Haberman and Luke Broadwater (New York Times) | Published: 10/8/2023

Kenneth Chesebro and other lawyers fighting to reverse then-President Trump’s election defeat were debating whether to file litigation contesting Joe Bidens victory in Wisconsin. Chesebro argued there was little doubt the litigation would fail in court as Trump continued to push his baseless claims of widespread fraud. But the “relevant analysis is political,” Chesebro argued. Trump has signaled one of his possible defenses is that he was simply acting on the advice of his lawyers. But Chesebro’s emails could undercut any effort to show the lawyers were focused solely on legal strategies.

Amazon’s Alexa Has Been Claiming the 2020 Election Was Stolen

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 10/7/2023

Amid concerns that the rise of artificial intelligence will supercharge the spread of misinformation comes a wild fabrication from a more commonplace source: Amazon’s Alexa, which declared the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Asked about fraud in the race, the popular voice assistant said it was “stolen by a massive amount of election fraud,” citing Rumble, a video-streaming service favored by conservatives. Alexa disseminates misinformation about the race even as Amazon promotes the tool as a reliable election news source to more than 70 million estimated users.

Pence Campaign Sputters Amid Money Troubles, Staff Cuts and Low Enthusiasm

MSN – Meryl Kornfield and Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) | Published: 10/19/2023

Four months after launching his presidential campaign with an embrace of traditional conservatism and a rejection of his former running mate Donald Trump, Mike Pence now stands at a difficult crossroads. Plagued by financial problems, low polling numbers, and a message that has not resonated with the party base, he has been forced to confront tough realities this fall about the future of his campaign.

Sen. Bob Menendez Charged with Conspiring to Act as Foreign Agent

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Isaac Stanley-Becker (Washington Post) | Published: 10/12/2023

Sen. Robert Menendez was charged in a superseding federal indictment with conspiracy by a public official to act as a foreign agent, intensifying the legal peril the veteran lawmaker faces as he continues to resist calls to resign. Menendez; his wife, Nadine Menendez; and an associate, Wael Hana, were charged with conspiring to have Sen. Menendez act as an illegal foreign agent on behalf of the Egyptian government while he was serving as a U.S. senator with access to sensitive intelligence as the former head of the Foreign Relations Committee.

Campaign of Rep. George Santos Refunds More Money Than It Raises

MSN – Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) | Published: 10/16/2023

The campaign of scandal-plagued U.S. Rep. George Santos reported refunding more money to donors than it raised during the past three months, raising questions about how seriously he is pursuing reelection. The paltry fundraising figures are not typical for incumbents running in swing districts at this point in the election cycle, particularly when multiple challengers have already announced campaigns.

Former IRS Contractor Pleads Guilty to Leaking Trump’s Tax Returns

MSN – Salvador Rizzo (Washington Post) | Published: 10/12/2023

A financial consultant who performed contract work for the IRS pleaded guilty to leaking confidential tax returns filed by the wealthiest Americans, including those of then-President Trump. Charles Littlejohn admitted he obtained thousands of individuals’ tax returns by accessing an IRS database, and then leaked the materials to the New York Times and ProPublica beginning in 2019. The news organizations showed how Trump and others employed strategies to slash their federal tax bills, in some cases down to zero.

Special Counsel Jack Smith Pulls Subpoena Over Pro-Trump Fundraising

MSN – Josh Dawsey, Perry Stein, and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 10/17/2023

Special counsel Jack Smith withdrew a subpoena seeking records about fundraising by the PAC Save America, a group that is controlled by former President Trump and whose activities related to efforts to block the results of the 2020 presidential election have come under investigation. The move indicates Smith is scaling back at least part of his inquiry into the political fundraising work that fed and benefited from unfounded claims the election was stolen.

How Conservative Media Figures Helped to Fuel the GOP Speaker Chaos

MSN – Sarah Ellison and Will Sommer (Washington Post) | Published: 10/17/2023

Fox News host Sean Hannity’s extensive effort to personally whip up votes for U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan in his bid to be House speaker highlights the central role right-wing media has played in the drama over who will wield the speaker’s gavel. At each turn, conservative media figures such as Hannity and Stephen Bannon injected high-profile disruption into a process that normally plays out behind the scenes. A handful of backbench lawmakers have seized the opportunity to flex their power in a nearly evenly split chamber, creating drama but offering little direction.

Conservative Companies Create Parallel Economy as Polarization Thrives

Yahoo News – Julia Shapero (The Hill) | Published: 10/18/2023

As a growing number of businesses lean into their conservative values or credentials to appeal to consumers, some have suggested that a “parallel economy” is emerging. These political appeals have become increasingly important to American consumers amid growing political polarization, said Nailya Ordabayeva of Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business. As consumers’ politics have influenced their purchasing decisions, companies have sought to tap into these political identities, and these efforts are not unique to the right, Ordabayeva said.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Lavish Trip for Group of Conservative MPs in Ethics Spotlight

CBC – Elizabeth Thompson | Published: 10/16/2023

A pricey trip for a group of Conservative Members of Parliament sponsored by a special interest group and a Hungarian think-tank could soon come under the microscope by the House of Commons ethics committee. The trip to London took place last June and was sponsored by Canadians for Affordable Energy and the Danube Institute. Billed as an opportunity to discuss energy policy, the trip included thousands of dollars in flights, hotels, and ground transportation as well as a dinner at the Guinea Grill with $600 bottles of champagne that totaled an estimated $6,262.

Alaska – Alaska Attorney General Approves Free Legal Defense for Top Officials Accused of Ethical Lapses

Frontiersman – James Brooks (Alaska Beacon) | Published: 10/17/2023

The state of Alaska will provide legal representation for its governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general in ethics complaints filed against those top officials. Current policy allows the state to reimburse top officials for privately hired legal defense under certain circumstances, including in cases where the officials are exonerated. Assistant Attorney General Cori Mills said that is more expensive than using in-house counsel.

Arkansas – Arkansas Lawmakers OK Plan to Audit Purchase of $19,000 Lectern for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders

MSN – Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) | Published: 10/12/2023

Arkansas lawmakers voted to audit the purchase of a $19,000 lectern for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, delving into an unusual controversy that has prompted questions about the seemingly high cost of the item and claims the governor’s office violated the state’s open-records law. The executive committee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee also voted to audit the governor’s travel and security expenditures that were retroactively shielded from public release under a new Freedom of Information Act exemption Sanders signed in September.

California – Orange Could Start Requiring Lobbyists to Register with the City

MSN – Michael Slaton (Orange County Register) | Published: 10/12/2023

The Orange City Council is exploring whether to start requiring lobbyists to register and report their actions to the city. The effort is largely to prevent impropriety and promote transparency, officials said, but was also inspired by the recent Anaheim corruption saga. The city council is creating an ad hoc committee to explore the proposed law and update campaign finance laws.

California – California Governor Vetoes Bill Requiring Independent Panels to Draw Local Voting Districts

MSN – David Lieb (Associated Press) | Published: 10/9/2023

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that would have required dozens of his state’s largest cities, counties, and educational districts to use independent commissions to draw voting districts. California’s local redistricting methods came under scrutiny last year following a leaked recording of a private discussion among several Los Angeles City Council members. The officials, all Latino Democrats, used crude and racist comments while plotting to bolster their political power at the expense of Black voters.

California – San Francisco Homeowners Say They Were Duped into Paying a Now-Disgraced Building Inspector

San Francisco Standard – Michael Barba | Published: 10/17/2023

Manh Chau was renovating his dream house in San Francisco when his contractor, Kelvin Zeng, asked him to cut a check for $5,000. Zeng told him to write the name “Bernie Curran” on the check, according to Chau. What Chau did not know at the time was Bernie Curran was not a subcontractor as he had assumed. Curran was a senior building inspector who, just a day after Chau dated the check, inspected his house, court. Now, Curran is about to begin a stint in federal prison after pleading guilty in two separate criminal cases over his financial ties to various property owners in the city.

California – Anaheim Considers an Ethics Officer in Fallout of City Hall Corruption Scandal

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 10/18/2023

An ethics officer could soon start having some sort of oversight role in Anaheim in the aftermath of one of the biggest public corruption scandals to hit Orange County. City council members unanimously voted to create an ethics officer position and have staff come back with options to explore what exactly that person’s responsibilities will be. Creating an ethics officer position to oversee the city’s lobbyist registration and campaign finance was one of several recommendations that investigators made to the city in a report on the scandal.

Florida – One Mystery Solved: Dolphins subsidiary partly behind Mayor Suarez’s $30k F1 weekend

Yahoo News – Sarah Blaskey and Joey Flechas (Miami Herald) | Published: 10/13/2023

A company tied to the Miami Dolphins and team owner Stephen Ross, a billionaire with business before the city, gave Mayor Francis Suarez a $3,500 Formula 1 ticket, a newly filed gift disclosure revealed. It is the latest in a drip-drip of information revealing the sources behind Suarez’s $30,000 Grand Prix weekend in May, which is at the center of an ongoing state ethics investigation into whether the mayor violated Florida gifts laws.

Georgia – Sidney Powell Pleads Guilty in Case Over Efforts to Overturn Trump’s Georgia Loss and Gets Probation

Associated Press News – Kate Brumback | Published: 10/19/2023

Lawyer Sidney Powell pleaded guilty to reduced charges over efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election in Georgia, becoming the second defendant in the case to reach a deal with prosecutors. Powell, who was charged with violating the state’s anti-racketeering law, entered the plea just a day before jury selection was set to start in her trial. She pleaded guilty to six misdemeanors accusing her of conspiring to intentionally interfere with the performance of election duties.

Illinois – What Do Recent Illinois Corruption Trials Have in Common? State Rep. Bob Rita as a Witness.

Chicago Sun-Times – Robert Herguth | Published: 10/13/2023

Three recent public corruption cases in Illinois shared a common element: state Rep. Bob Rita as a prosecution witness. Rita has not found out yet whether he will be asked to testify in a fourth trial, that of former House Speaker Michel Madigan. Unlike some witnesses in the trials, Rita has neither been charged with any crime nor compelled to testify under a grant of immunity from prosecution. He has been subpoenaed to testify at the request of federal prosecutors about the Illinois General Assembly’s inner workings and Madigan;s close aides.

Illinois – Ald. Jim Gardiner Hit with $20,000 Fine for Ethics Violations

Yahoo News – A.D. Quig (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/16/2023

The Chicago Board of Ethics fined Ald. Jim Gardiner $20,000 after he was accused of retaliating against a constituent and vocal critic by directing city staff to issue bogus citations that could have forced the man to pay more than $600 in fines. In all, the board said Gardiner violated the ethics code on 10 separate occasions. The city inspector general’s office has only successfully pursued a probable cause finding in 13 ethics investigations and Gardiner was the first who was a sitting city council member.

Louisiana – City Council Ousts Top Cantrell Aide for Breaking Campaign Finance Laws During Recall

New Orleans Advocate – John Stanton | Published: 10/17/2023

The New Orleans City Council ousted Gregory Joseph, Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s communications director and close advisor, for incompetence, neglecting his duties, and violating campaign finance laws, among other charges. In order to block Joseph from being rehired immediately after being fired, the council voted to suspend Joseph without pay from employment by the city for the remainder of Cantrell’s term.

Maine – State Ethics Director Recommends Against Investigating Senate President’s House Purchase

Yahoo News – Eric Russell (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 10/18/2023

The executive director of Maine’s ethics commission said he does not see sufficient grounds to investigate claims that Senate President Troy Jackson violated campaign finance laws in connection with his purchase of a house. Members could still vote to investigate Jackson, but they would be doing so against the recommendation of Jonathan Wayne. A complaint concerned Jackson’s purchase of a home in Augusta in 2019 while representing a district in Aroostook County. It questioned whether he violated the Legislature’s residency rules or falsely pledged to make the home his primary residence.

Maryland – 1776 Project PAC Fined $20,000 for Texts Sent to Carroll Voters on Behalf of Battaglia, Miller, Whisler

MSN – Thomas Goodwin Smith (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 10/12/2023

The 1776 Project PAC, which financially supported Tara Battaglia, James Miller, and Steve Whisler during the 2022 campaign for the Carroll County School Board, was fined $20,250 for failing to identify itself as having paid for 13,879 text messages sent to voters. Maryland law requires campaign messages sent on behalf of candidates to state who paid for the information to be distributed. This includes yard signs, pamphlets, and digital advertisements.

Massachusetts – Bill Aims to Expose ‘Dark Money’ at Town Meetings

Martha’s Vineyard Times – Staff | Published: 10/18/2023

A new bill was filed to counter the influence of what the sponsors are calling “dark money” in town meetings. Massachusetts campaign finance law requires disclosure for any group that receives contributions to oppose or promote a ballot question or influence an election. Candidates for state and local public offices must also follow strict requirements. But these disclosure and transparency requirements do not currently apply to groups seeking to influence issues addressed at town meetings, and do not appear before voters on the ballots, such as warrant articles.

Massachusetts – This Boston City Council Candidate Has More Than $100,000 in His Coffers. His Campaign Says He Didn’t Raise a Single Cent of It.

MSN – Danny McDonald (Boston Globe) | Published: 10/19/2023

John FitzGerald’s day job as a deputy director at the Boston Planning & Development Agency may hamstring him from personally raising funds for his city council bid, but it has not stopped his campaign from amassing $109,000, a hefty haul for this kind of race. State ethics law is clear: public employees cannot receive “directly or indirectly, any contribution or anything of value for any political purpose.” But they may run for office, as long as a committee is organized to raise money on their behalf. FitzGerald said he “never solicited a donation for his campaign.”

Massachusetts – Abhijit Das, Ex-Congressional Candidate, Convicted of Breaking Campaign

MSN – Ryan Mancici (MassLive) | Published: 10/14/2023

Abhijit Das, who ran for a U.S. House in Massachusetts, was convicted of violating the Federal Election Campaign Act and making false statements. Among the allegations was that Das inflated his fundraising numbers with a scheme “to solicit personal loans from friends and close associates in excess of the $2,700 legal limit,” prosecutors said. Das also used $267,000 of campaign funds to pay debts for his hotel business relating to vendors.

Massachusetts – Mass. Gets Top Grade for 2020 Redistricting

Salem News – Christian Wade | Published: 10/16/2023

The home state of “gerrymandering” received a top ranking from Common Cause for its once-every-decade legislative redistricting process. Massachusetts got an “A-” grade, tied with California in the highest-in-the nation ranking. Massachusetts got high marks for having a strong coalition of voting access groups participating in the redistricting process, increasing minority representation in the state Legislature, and holding regular public hearings to discuss changes.

Michigan – Michigan Democrats Vowed Transparency Reforms. Now, They Say Maybe Next Year

Bridge Michigan – Jonathan Oosting | Published: 10/18/2023

Michigan is poised to end the year the same way it began, as one of only two states to fully exempt both the governor’s office and Legislature from public, which the Legislature must finalize by the end of this year under a ballot measure voters approved in 2022. But Democrats are punting on other promised transparency reforms until at least next year, including expansion of the Freedom of Information Act and tighter lobbying rules.

Michigan – Two Lobbyists Get Prison Time for Michigan Medical Marijuana Corruption Scheme

Detroit Free Press – Arpan Lobo | Published: 10/18/2023

Brian Pierce, a former lobbyist who pleaded guilty to participating in a corruption scheme in Michigan’s now-defunct medical marijuana licensing agency, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Vincent Brown, the other lobbyist to plead guilty in the scheme, was sentenced to 20 months in prison. They both pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit bribery, after the federal government accused them of providing $42,000 in cash bribes and other benefits to former House Speaker Rick Johnson during his time as chair of the former Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board.

Mississippi – Black Voters Fuel Democratic Hopes in Deep-Red Mississippi

Yahoo News – Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 11/17/2023

Just three years ago, Mississippi had an election law on its books from 1890 constitutional that was designed to uphold “white supremacy” in the state. The law created a system for electing statewide officials that drastically reduced the political power of Black voters. Voters overturned the law in 2020. This summer, an appeals court threw out another law that had permanently stripped voting rights from people convicted of a range of felonies. Now Mississippi is holding its first election for governor since those laws fell, the contest is improbably competitive in this deep-red state, and Black voters are poised to play a critical role.

Nevada – Nevada Lawmakers Funded Nonprofits; How and Why a Firestorm of Controversy Followed

Nevada Independent – Tabitha Mueller and Eric Neugeboren | Published: 10/15/2023

Several Nevada Democrats have found themselves in the political crosshairs for helping pass two bills in the final days of the legislative session that awarded $110 million in state funds to their nonprofit employers and dozens of other community groups. Lawmakers with connections to the organizations they voted to fund noted guidance they received from the Legislature’s legal division, which maintained the votes are not a conflict-of-interest because the legislation affects the average Nevadan just as much as lawmakers.

New Hampshire – A 15-Year-Old Known for Tough Questions Was Kicked Out of a GOP Event

MSN – Jonathan Edwards (Washington Post) | Published: 10/16/2023

Quinn Mitchell is not a journalist, political strategist, or even a voter. He is a 15-year-old high school freshman who, despite his age, has become a fixture on the New Hampshire presidential campaign circuit. His consistent presence and pointed questions at town halls and rallies led former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to describe him as “America’s most famous political teenager.” Quinn was recently kicked out of the state GOP’s First in the Nation Leadership Summit after a volunteer accused him of being a Democratic operative.

New Jersey – The Real Estate Tycoon Whose Fingerprints Are on the Menendez Indictment

DNyuz – Elise Young and Tracey Tully (New York Times) | Published: 10/16/2023

Fred Daibes, the real estate tycoon at the center of an international scandal threatening the career of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, has found his way out of more than one tough spot over the course of his tumultuous life. In 2018, federal indictment accusing him of scheming to defraud a bank he had founded threatened to upend his real estate empire and carried the risk of a lengthy prison term. It was then, prosecutors say, that he turned to a longtime ally for help: Sen. Menendez. What followed would form the basis for federal charges that Daibes, Menendez and his wife, and two other businesspeople are now facing.

New York – Can New York’s Mayor Speak Mandarin? No, but with AI He’s Making Robocalls in Different Languages

ABC News – Anthony Izaguirre (Associated Press) | Published: 10/17/2023

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been using artificial intelligence (AI) to make robocalls that contort his own voice into several languages he does not actually speak, posing new ethical questions about the government’s use of the rapidly evolving technology. The mayor said the robocalls have gone out in languages such as Mandarin and Yiddish to promote city hiring events. They have not included any disclosure that he only speaks English, or the calls were generated using AI.

Ohio – Ohio’s Redistricting Process Gets an ‘F’ from National Group

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 10/12/2023

Ohio’s redistricting process received a failing grade from Common Cause, which deemed the state;s congressional and legislative maps to be “unmitigated disasters” overall. The report noted how Ohio residents last year voted on the state’s congressional delegation and most of the state Legislature using district lines that were found to be unconstitutionally gerrymandered by the state Supreme Court.

Oklahoma – Ethics Commission Job Posting Redone, Legislature Asked to Triple Budget

NonDoc – Michael McNutt | Published: 10/16/2023

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted to extend the search for its next executive director after the state’s attorney general claimed the search “process has been irreparably flawed and must be started anew.” Commissioners also approved a budget request for the 2025 fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2024. The request, more than three times the amount the agency received this year, will be presented to the Oklahoma Legislature for consideration during next year’s regular session.

Pennsylvania – The Ethics Board Is Appealing a Ruling That Dismissed Its Case Against a Super PAC That Backed Jeff Brown for Mayor

MSN – Sean Collins Walsh (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 10/19/2023

The Philadelphia Board of Ethics appealed a court ruling that dismissed its high-profile lawsuit against the super PAC that backed Jeff Brown’s unsuccessful campaign for mayor. The board in April sent shockwaves through the mayor’s race when it sued For A Better Philadelphia, which spent millions of dollars to boost Brown as he sought the Democratic nomination. The board accused the super PAC of illegally coordinating with Brown because he raised money for the group in the months leading up to the launch of his campaign in November 2022.

Texas – El Paso City Council Advances Plan for Broader Political Contribution Reporting

MSN – Adam Powell (El Paso Times) | Published: 10/13/2023

The El Paso City Council advanced a plan that would increase transparency around political contributions but stopped short of acting on a proposed cap on donations. The council voted direct city staff to draft an ordinance that would require disclosure of donors who contributed $500 or more and might benefit from council actions.

West Virginia – DOT Head Claims No Conflict of Interest from Agency Contracts with Firm Employing His Son Before State Lawmakers

Charleston Gazette-Mail – Mike Tony | Published: 10/17/2023

West Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Jimmy Wriston suggested there is no conflict-of-interest nor appearance of one stemming from the relationship between his agency and a firm the agency contracts with that employs his son. Wriston signed two contracts for the Division of Highways to pay over $25.7 million to the firm, Michael Baker International. At the time, Wriston was deputy commissioner of the Division of Highways. Gov. Jim Justice named Wriston DOT secretary and DOH commissioner in October 2021.

National/Federal

Ex-Treasurer for Rep. George Santos Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy, Tells of Bogus Loan and Fake Donors

ABC News – Jake Offenhartz (Associated Press) | Published: 10/5/2023

The ex-treasurer for U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty to a fraud conspiracy charge and implicated Santos in a scheme to embellish his campaign finance reports with a fake loan and fake donors. Nancy Marks, who was a close aide to Santos during his two congressional bids, is a longtime political operative and bookkeeper for multiple candidates.

Trump Allegedly Discussed US Nuclear Subs with Foreign National After Leaving White House: Sources

ABC News – Katherine Faulders, Alexander Mallin, and Mike Levine | Published: 10/5/2023

Months after leaving the White House, former President Trump allegedly discussed potentially sensitive information about U.S. nuclear submarines with a member of his Mar-a-Lago Club – an Australian billionaire who then allegedly shared the information with scores of others, including more than a dozen foreign officials, several of his own employees, and a handful of journalists. Prosecutors and FBI agents have at least twice this year interviewed Anthony Pratt, who runs one of the world’s largest packaging companies.

Drawing the Line on AI-Based Deepfakes Proves Tricky for Congress

MSN – Gopal Ratnam (Roll Call) | Published: 10/11/2023

A bipartisan group of lawmakers proposed legislation that would ban the “distribution of materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media” about individuals seeking federal office. Civil rights groups, political consultants, free-speech advocates, and lawmakers across the political spectrum have agreed that the use of AI-generated deceptive ads poses risks to the democratic process by misleading voters. The trouble, though, is figuring out where to draw the line on what constitutes deception, or how to enforce prohibitions.

Republicans Fail to Coalesce Around Speaker Choice, Leaving House in Limbo

MSN – Marianna Sotomayor, Leigh Ann Caldwell, and Jaqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 10/11/2023

House Republicans were on the verge of open revolt after the ideologically fractious conference failed to coalesce around a speaker nominee, leaving the chamber rudderless and leaderless. The inability of Republicans to agree on who will lead them has left the chamber in an effective standstill since Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker, unable to consider any legislation to aid Israel in its war against Hamas or pass any appropriation bills to avoid a potential government shutdown. Neither issue produced enough urgency for Republicans to quickly elect a speaker as many had hoped, again highlighting the conference’s deep divisions.

Charles Koch Has Given More Than $5 Billion of His Stock to Two

MSN – Matt Durot (Forbes) | Published: 10/10/2023

Charles Koch is making big moves to ensure his charities and causes are funded long after he is gone. Koch, who is worth $54.5 billion, said that over the last four years he has transferred $5.3 billion of his conglomerate’s nonvoting stock to a pair of nonprofits with fewer restrictions on lobbying and politics than traditional charities. Koch did not make gifts of his company stock directly to the Stand Together nonprofit network. Instead, he chose groups that support the network and are allowed to directly engage in political campaigns and to do an unlimited amount of issue lobbying, as long as those are not their primary activities).

Biden Interviewed About Classified Documents Found at His Office, Home

MSN – Tyler Pager and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 10/9/2023

President Biden was interviewed over the last two days as part of the investigation led by special counsel Robert Hur into the discovery of classified documents at Biden’s private office and Delaware home. When appointing Hur to lead the probe, Attorney General Merrick Garland cited the “extraordinary circumstances” of the Justice Department investigating the president as he considered a reelection bid. Biden formally launched his reelection campaign months later.

New Charges Accuse George Santos of Identity Theft, Credit Card Fraud

MSN – Anumita Kaur (Washington Post) | Published: 10/10/2023

A superseding indictment charges U.S. Rep. George Santos with stealing the identities of family members and using donors’ credit cards to spend thousands of dollars, intensifying the legal peril facing Santos five months after he was charged with a host of other financial crimes. The most recent indictment accuses Santos of running two fraudulent schemes during the 2022 election cycle, in addition to the other shams alleged in May.

Two Families Got Fed Up with Their States’ Politics. So They Moved Out.

Seattle Times – Trip Gabriel (New York Times) | Published: 10/7/2023

Americans are increasingly fracturing as a people, and some are taking the extraordinary step of moving to escape a political or social climate they abhor. Democrats have left red states as Republicans have moved out of blue states, often over views on issues like abortion, transgender rights, school curricula, guns, race, and other matters. While there is no precise count of how many Americans have relocated because of politics and social issues, interviews with demographers and people who have moved or are considering moving, as well as a review of social media postings and polling, show the phenomenon is real.

Menendez Indictment Revives Concerns Over Money and Influence in Politics

Yahoo News – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 10/11/2023

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez is facing allegations he and his wife accepted “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in bribes. In exchange, he allegedly used his influence to protect three businesspeople and benefit the government of Egypt. The new criminal charges against Menendez have invited scrutiny of the legal ways money may influence public policy, including political contributions and lobbying. Paul Miller, founding partner at Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, takes issue with tying lobbyists to the Menendez case, which centers on alleged bribery by businesspeople who are not registered lobbyists.

Trump’s Claim That He Can’t Be Prosecuted Collides with Precedents

Yahoo News – Adam Liptak (New York Times) | Published: 10/12/2023

Among the bold claims in a recent motion filed by Donald Trump seeking to dismiss the federal indictment accusing him of conspiring to undermine the 2020 election, there was a significant concession. The key U.S. Supreme Court precedent the motion relied on for claiming “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution, his lawyers acknowledged, did not address criminal prosecutions. Should Trump lose in the trial court and on appeal, there is every reason to think he will ask the Supreme Court to step in.

Democrats Have Relied on One Company’s Tools to Power Its Campaigns. They’re Now Facing a Possible Collapse.

Yahoo News – Brittany Gibson and Madison Fernandez (Politico) | Published: 10/5/2023

A company at the center of the Democratic Party’s digital strategy is on the verge of a meltdown, sparking alarm among a broad constellation of liberal groups that are relying on it ahead of 2024. NGP VAN provides tools used by Democrats, from the White House to local school boards, to raise money and mobilize voters. But with new management in recent years, it has been stripping its operations to the bare bones.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Rep. John Rogers Says He Rejected Plea Deal in Federal Corruption Case, Will Seek 12th Term

MSN – Joseph Bryant (AL.com) | Published: 10/12/2023

As he makes his first court appearance in his federal corruption case, state Rep. John Rogers says he is ready to fight the charges and seek another term in the Alabama Legislature. A grand jury charged Rogers with obstruction in a kickback scheme involving public money from the Jefferson County Community Service fund, a collection of tax dollars that local lawmakers get to dole out to local causes. Prosecutors allege Rogers attempted to bribe someone to lie to investigators about the scheme by promising them additional public money.

Alabama – Court Picks New Alabama Congressional Map That Will Likely Flip One Seat to Democrats

Yahoo News – Zach Montellaro and Madison Fernandez (Politico) | Published: 10/5/2023

A federal court picked Alabama’s new congressional map, which will likely result in an additional Black – and Democratic – member in the delegation. The new map came after the same panel of federal judges twice found that lines drawn by the GOP-dominated Legislature likely violated the Voting Rights Act by weakening the power of Black voters. The new lines will be used for at least the 2024 elections, though Alabama Republicans have vowed to fight them for future cycles.

Arizona – Arizona Recount Law Could Delay Certifying 2024 Election, Officials Say

MSN – Yvonne Winget Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 10/5/2023

If the 2024 presidential election is close in Arizona, a newly enacted state law will mandate a ballot recount that will probably cause the state to miss crucial deadlines for certifying the vote. The battleground state is expected to play a pivotal role in the next presidential election and any holdup in counting votes there could cause chaos.

Arkansas – Scrutiny of Arkansas Governor’s $19,000 Lectern Deepens After New Records Are Released

Yahoo News – Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) | Published: 10/10/2023

Arkansas Gov, Sarah Huckabee Sanders is facing new and deepening questions after newly released public records revealed her office bought a lectern for $19,000 and a whistle-blower accused the office of altering records to cover up the spending. The Arkansas Republican Party paid for the lectern in September, but the words “to be reimbursed” were only added later to the original invoice. The undated reimbursement note adds to weeks of scrutiny over the purchase. A legislative panel is expected to vote on a request for an audit of the lectern’s purchase.

California – Secret Tape Scandal One Year Later: What’s changed at LA City Hall?

MSN – Frank Stoltze (LAist) | Published: 10/10/2023

Outrage followed the release in 2022 of a secretly recorded audio tape of some Los Angeles City Council members making racist and derogatory remarks. The audio was from a meeting where four council members were discussing how to redraw council district boundaries in a way that would maintain their power. For weeks, council meetings were marked by loud, angry protests that often shut down the proceedings. In the year since the tapes were leaked, the fallout from the scandal has fundamentally changed City Hall.

California – SF Government Watchdogs Eye New Ethics Regulations

San Francisco Examiner – Adam Shanks | Published: 10/11/2023

More than three years after a corruption scandal swept through San Francisco City Hall, the Ethics Commission will see its broad proposal for reforms finally land on the ballot. The measure. set to appear before voters in March 2024, would set new restrictions on accepting gifts and expand ethics training for city employees. In the meantime, the Ethics Commission is already contemplating regulations on thorny topics such as city employees’ ability to manage companies that contract with their own departments.

Florida – Mayor Suarez Praised Ken Griffin’s Controversial Plan. Billionaire’s Aide Wrote the Quote

Yahoo News – Sarah Blaskey, and Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 10/5/2023

When a reporter asked Miami Mayor Francis Suarez to comment on billionaire Ken Griffin’s controversial plan to relocate a historic home from his $106 million bayfront estate and turn it into a tourist attraction, the mayor expressed his full support. But Suarez’s sentiments were scripted, word for word, by Griffin’s spokesperson, who gave them to the city, emails indicate. The mayor’s office then presented the statement as Suarez’s own words to the Miami Herald.

Illinois – Illinois Democrats Drew New Maps. The Changes Pushed the GOP to the Right.

MSN – Kevin Sullivan and Clara Ence Morse (Washington Post) | Published: 10/7/2023

Illinois Democrats used their supermajority to redraw congressional district lines in a way that would strengthen their already solid lock on power. The strategy worked, adding one Democratic seat to the Illinois delegation, and trimming two Republican ones as GOP voters were packed into a smaller number of districts. The new map also accomplished what experts say gerrymandering does with ruthless efficiency, regardless of whether Democrats or Republicans are responsible: hollowing out the moderate political center and driving both parties further toward the ideological fringes.

Illinois – City Settlement Deal Demands Silence from Whistleblowers Fired by Chicago Treasurer Conyears-Ervin

MSN – Gregory Pratt (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/11/2023

In a departure from usual practices at City Hall, Chicago’s $100,000 settlement agreement with whistleblowers who were fired by Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin prohibits them from publicly discussing their negative experiences in her office. Of more than three dozen settlements reached with city workers over the past five years, the deal that Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration reached with the treasurer’s ex-employees was the only one that contained what amounts to a gag order. In a handful of cases, former employees agreed not to discuss the terms of their settlements, but they could still speak freely about their time in city government.

Illinois – ‘You Added Another Star to Chicago’s Walk of Shame’: Berrios son-in-law gets 5 1/2 years in prison in bribery case involving two state legislators

Yahoo Finance – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 10/11/2023

James Weiss, the son-in-law of former Cook County Democratic boss Joseph Berrios, was sentenced to five-and-one-half years in prison, bringing an end to a bribery case centered on the shady world of sweepstakes gaming with elements of political corruption, a state senator turned government mole, and even alleged mob ties. In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Steven Seeger decried Chicago’s long history of public corruption, saying cases like Weiss’ cause people to “roll their eyes” when they meet someone from Chicago.

Iowa – Democrats Remove Iowa Caucuses from First-in-the-Nation Status

MSN – Tyler Pager and Michael Scherer (Washington Post) | Published: 10/6/2023

The Democratic Party officially dislodged Iowa from its prized status as the first state in the presidential nominating process, approving the state Democratic Party’s plan to release their results on Super Tuesday next year. The decision ends a nearly two-year fight over Iowa’s place in selecting a Democratic nominee, which resulted in a complete overhaul of the calendar.

Kentucky – Louisville’s Ethics Board Sues City Over Control of Its Own Records

WDRB – Marcus Green | Published: 10/10/2023

Metro government’s ethics agency is suing Louisville and Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell, claiming it does not have total control over its own records as local law requires. The lawsuit argues the mayor-appointed Louisville Metro Ethics Commission is :at the mercy” of Metro government and its open records personnel to fulfill those requests under Kentucky law. As a result, the suit alleges, some records have been made public without the commission’s input, while it is not known if documents have been withheld.

Michigan – Michigan Republican Party Faces Financial Turmoil, Bank Records Show

Killeen Daily – Craig Mauger (Detroit News) | Published: 9/30/2023

The Michigan Republican Party had about $35,000 in its bank accounts in August, according to internal records that flash new warning signs about the dire state of the GOP’s finances and raise questions about whether the organization is complying with campaign finance laws. The party has regularly transferred money from an account that is usually focused on federal elections to other accounts to afford expenses. Earlier this year, the party’s federal account was loaned $15,000 after that account’s balance turned negative. The transaction was not reported in disclosures from the campaign or the party’s federal committee.

Montana – Political Commissioner Dismisses Dems’ Ethics Complaint Against Lt. Gov

Helena Independent Record – Seaborn Larson | Published: 10/11/2023

Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Chris Gallus dismissed an ethics complaint regarding Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras’ rental agreement with a religious advocacy group. Gallus found the complaint filed by state Democrats failed to articulate a violation and instead urged his office to investigate the party’s suspicions. The Montana Democratic Party asserted Juras was given a lease agreement below market rate for a rental home owned by the Montana Family Institute. That organization is closely aligned with the Montana Family Foundation, a longtime proponent of conservative causes.

New York – Appellate Division Says State Ethics Panel Can Keep Working

Albany Times Union – Brendan Lyons | Published: 10/10/2023

A state appeals court said New York’s ethics panel can remain in operation as it seeks to overturn a lower court decision that determined its structure violates the state constitution. The appeals court’s decision comes a month after a state Supreme Court justice ruled the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government was created in violation of the constitution and must suspend its work.

New York – After Years of Exaggerating His Business Assets, Trump Confronts Them in Court

MSN – Jonathan O’Connell and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 10/10/2023

Thousands of pages of court documents prepared by New York Attorney General Letitia James as evidence in the fraud case she has filed against Donald Trump show how accounting, banking, and real estate experts repeatedly informed Trump how much his properties and businesses were really worth. But over and over again, the documents reveal that Trump, his adult sons, and top executives allegedly ignored or sidelined those experts, exchanging their figures for numbers from another source: Trump’s own intuition.

New York – Mob Allegations Tail Tow Truckers in City Hall Bribery Scandal

The City – Greg Smith | Published: 10/10/2023

A tow company owner who raised money for New York City Mayor Eric Adams and faces bribery charges tied to his interactions with a former top mayoral aide has been enmeshed in scandals dating back 25 years, including one in which prosecutors alleged his company was controlled by the Genovese crime family. Mazzio was indicted on charges of bribing aide Eric Ulrich. In exchange for cash and New York Mets tickets, prosecutors allege Ulrich got Mazzio access to Adams’ chief advisor and a dinner with the mayor.

North Carolina – North Carolina Republicans Override Governor’s Veto on Key Election Law

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 10/10/2023

Republican lawmakers overrode North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill that overhauls who runs elections and achieves a long-sought goal of the state GOP. The legislation creates bipartisan boards that could deadlock on establishing early voting locations or certifying results in a state that may prove crucial in next year’s presidential election. Republicans contend the bill helps guarantee elections will be run fairly by establishing bipartisan election boards that will take politics out of the process.

Ohio – Ohio’s GOP Supermajority Tests Limits of Democracy Before Abortion Vote

MSN – Annie Gowan (Washington Post) | Published: 10/6/2023

In state after state since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Democrats and their abortion rights allies have won victories over Republicans and others who oppose abortion. The latest battleground is Ohio, where a GOP supermajority has fought to consolidate its power in ways that critics, and even some within the party, say threatens democracy.

Ohio – Ohio GOP Rivalry Escalates with Lawsuit Against House Speaker, Fight for Campaign Fund Control

MSN – Samantha Hendrickson (Associated Press) | Published: 10/11/2023

A schism between House Republicans appears to only be widening after a rival GOP-contingent sued fellow conservative Speaker Jason Stephens to seize control of over $1 million in campaign money from the Ohio House Republican Alliance and its coffers that fund campaigns for state GOP legislators. The lawsuit argues Rep. Derek Merrin is the leader of the alliance after a closed-door vote by the majority of the House Republican caucus earlier this year. Therefore, he leads the alliance and has authority over distributing its funds, which are expected to grow as campaign season revs up.

Ohio – Ex-Cincinnati Councilman PG Sittenfeld Sentenced to 16 Months in Federal Prison

WVXU – Nick Swartsell | Published: 10/10/2023

Former Cincinnati City Councilperson P.G. Sittenfeld will spend 16 months in prison, one year on probation, and pay a $40,000 fine on corruption charges. A jury found Sittenfeld guilty on one charge of bribery and one charge of extortion in 2022. At the center of Sittenfeld’s conviction are allegations he received $20,000 from undercover FBI agents.

Oklahoma – Okla. Board Moves Forward with Nation’s First Religious Charter School

MSN – Moriah Balingit (Washington Post) | Published: 10/9/2023

A state board in Oklahoma approved a contract with St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School, bringing the institution one step closer to becoming the first publicly funded religious charter school in the nation. The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted for the contract despite opposition from the state’s attorney general and a lawsuit that seeks to stop the school from opening. If the school opens, it would represent a new model in education: a tuition-free school with a religious curriculum that is funded largely with taxpayer dollars.

Oregon – Oregon Audits Division Urged to Pull OLCC Report After Inquest into Potential Influence from Former Secretary of State’s Cannabis Ties

KGW – Jamie Parfitt | Published: 10/11/2023

A newly released report dives into the role that former Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan played in an audit of the state’s cannabis regulatory agency, completed just before Fagan resigned amid ethics concerns due to her moonlighting work in the cannabis industry. Oregon’s audits division, like its election division, is overseen by the secretary of state. Around the time that Fagan resigned, Gov. Tina Kotek requested that Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum conduct an examination of the audits division’s cannabis audit in order to determine if there had been any influence from Fagan’s ties to the industry.

Oregon – Oregon Ethics Commission Dismisses Complaint Against Lobbyist Who Led Failed Holvey Recall

Yahoo News – Alan Torres (Eugene Register-Guard) | Published: 10/7/2023

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted unanimously to dismiss a complaint against Michael Selvaggio, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local (UFCW) 555 lobbyist who led the failed recall campaign against state Rep. Paul Holvey. The lawmaker accused Selvaggio of violating state law by filing the recall while House Bill 3183, a priority bill for UFCW that Holvey opposed, was in the House Rules Committee. It is illegal for a lobbyist to influence a legislator’s vote by funding or threatening to fund opposition.

Pennsylvania – Inside a Tangled Web of Pa. Businesses and Big Campaign Cash

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Matt Bernardini and Mike Wereschagin | Published: 10/9/2023

The flood of campaign donations by businessperson Adam Kidan and the access he gained through those contributions to prominent politicians illustrates how top political donors can enter the corridors of power through doors not open to average voters. With critical campaigns next year for president and U.S. Senate, good-government experts worry the use of corporations to dump cash into elections is undermining laws designed to show the public who is behind the most consequential decision-makers in the country.

South Carolina – Supreme Court Likely to Side with South Carolina GOP in Racial Gerrymandering Case

Yahoo News – Zach Montellaro and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 10/11/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared likely to uphold a Republican-drawn congressional district in South Carolina that a lower court found was racially gerrymandered. The case tests the legal limits of partisan gerrymandering when it intersects with race. The NAACP is accusing GOP lawmakers of drawing the state’s First Congressional District by shuffling Black voters in and out of the district to make it reliably Republican.

Texas – Texas Republicans’ Internecine Fights Overshadow Special Session

MSN – Molly Hennessey-Fiske (Washington Post) | Published: 10/8/2023

A civil war is raging among Texas Republicans. As lawmakers returned to Austin to address school vouchers and border security, that infighting threatens to consume the third special session of the year. The GOP has ruled all three branches of state government for decades, but this year tensions within the party have boiled over into very public battles. “… You have leadership of the Republican Party … trying to fend off challenges from the grassroots, certainly populist wing of the party,” said Brendan Steinhauser, a Republican strategist based in Austin.

Washington – Port of Seattle Commissioner Felleman Violated Ethics Code, Board Finds

Seattle Times – Renata Geraldo | Published: 10/5/2023

Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman violated the Port’s code of ethics by using his position to gain special privileges or exemptions with a nonprofit, the Port Board of Ethics found. Felleman tried using his commissioner status to get involved in the leadership of nonprofit Washington Maritime Blue’s Quiet Sound program. Quiet Sound, partly funded by the Port, seeks to reduce the underwater noise impact of large vessels on orcas. The program’s procedures say nontribal elected officials cannot join its leadership committee.

Wisconsin – As Wisconsin Supreme Court Takes Up Maps Case, Impeachment Threat Looms

Yahoo News – Reid Epstein and Julie Bosman (New York Times) | Published: 10/6/2023

The liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to hear a case challenging the state’s Republican-drawn legislative districts, a decision that could spur impeachment proceedings against a newly elected justice, Janet Protasiewicz, who refused to recuse herself from the case. The decision to accept the case, known as an original action because it means the case will bypass Wisconsin’s trial and appeals courts, comes over the objections of at least two of the court’s three conservative justices and the state’s leading Republicans.

National/Federal

Supreme Court to Decide Landmark Texas, Florida Social Media Cases and More

MSN – Ann Marimow and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 9/29/2023

The Supreme Court said it would wade into the future of free speech online and decide whether laws passed in Texas and Florida can restrict social media companies from removing certain political posts or accounts. The court’s review of those laws will be the highest-profile examination to date of allegations that Silicon Valley companies are illegally censoring conservative viewpoints. Those accusations reached a fever pitch when Facebook, Twitter, and other companies suspended Donald Trump’s accounts in the wake of the attack on the Capitol.

For Supreme Court, Ethics Have Become the Elephant in the Courtroom

MSN – Robert Barnes and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 10/1/2023

Some of the issues and political stalemates that haunt the Supreme Court are returning for the new term, accompanied by another concern: how to convince the public that the justices take seriously their ethical obligations. Reports about some justices hobnobbing with billionaire friends on lavish trips and maintaining ties to those who have business before the court have become the elephant in the courtroom. Justices across the ideological spectrum have said confidence in their decision-making is key to public acceptance of the court’s role as the final word on the law and Constitution.

Federal Appeals Court Expands Limits on Biden Administration in First Amendment Case

MSN – Jessica Guynn and John Fritze (USA Today) | Published: 10/3/2023

The nation’s top cybersecurity defense agency likely violated the First Amendment when lobbying Silicon Valley companies to remove or suppress the spread of online content about elections, a federal appeals court ruled. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals expanded an injunction to include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, ruling it used frequent interactions with social media platforms “to push them to adopt more restrictive policies on election-related speech.”

Vote to Oust McCarthy Is a Warning Sign for Democracy, Scholars Say

MSN – Sarah Ellison (Washington Post) | Published: 10/4/2023

Historians and political scientists say the vote to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House is a warning sign for the health of American democracy. The vote reflected the enormous power that a small group of representatives on their party’s ideological fringe can wield over an entire institution, said Daniel Ziblatt, a professor of government at Harvard University. It also showcased how difficult it will be for anyone to corral the House in a way that is functional, with major decisions over the budget and Ukraine funding ahead. “… [This] should set off alarm bells that something is not right,” said Ziblatt.

Gaetz’s Ouster of McCarthy Draws Attention to His Ethics Issues

Seattle Times – Luke Broadwater (New York Times) | Published: 10/3/2023

Rep. Matt Gaetz’s successful push to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy has cemented his status as one of the most reviled members of the House of Representatives, including among many of his fellow Republicans, and drawn attention to a long-running investigation by the House Ethics Committee into Gaetz’s conduct. McCarthy has argued that Gaetz’s motion to remove him is little more than personal payback for McCarthy’s failure to interfere with the inquiry, which is looking into allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of funds by Gaetz.

Republican Group Running Anti-Trump Ads Finds Little Is Working

Yahoo News – Jonathan Swain (New York Times) | Published: 9/29/2023

A well-funded group of anti-Trump conservatives has sent its donors a candid memo that reveals how resilient former President Trump has been against millions of dollars of negative ads the group deployed against him in two early voting states. Win It Back has spent more than $4 million trying to lower Trump’s support among Republican voters in Iowa and nearly $2 million more in South Carolina. But in the memo, the head of Win It Back PAC, David McIntosh, acknowledges that after testing more than 40 anti-Trump television ads, “all attempts to undermine his conservative credentials on specific issues were ineffective.”

Giuliani’s Drinking, Long a Fraught Subject, Has Trump Prosecutors’ Attention

Yahoo News – Matt Flegenheimer and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 10/4/2023

For more than a decade, friends conceded, Rudolph Giuliani’s drinking has been a problem. As he surged back to prominence during Donald Trump’s presidency, it was getting more difficult to hide it. Now, prosecutors in the federal election case against Trump have shown an interest in Giuliani’s drinking habits and whether the former president ignored what his aides described as the plain inebriation of the former mayor. The answer could complicate any efforts by Trump’s team to lean on a so-called advice-of-counsel defense, a strategy that could portray him as a client merely taking professional cues from his lawyers.

Supreme Court Rejects Eastman’s Bid to Scrap Rulings That Sent His Emails to Jan. 6 Investigators

Yahoo News – Josh Gerstein and Kylie Cheney (Politico) | Published: 10/2/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court, minus a recused Clarence Thomas, turned down a bid by attorney John Eastman to erase court rulings that described him as a linchpin in former President Trump’s bid to subvert the 2020 election. The decision essentially enshrines rulings by a federal judge in California that found Eastman’s emails contained evidence of a likely crime related to Trump’s efforts.

As Menendez’s Star Rose, Fears of Corruption Cast a Persistent Shadow

Yahoo News – Nicholas Fandos (New York Times) | Published: 9/27/2023

Robert Menendez rose from a New Jersey tenement to the pinnacle of power in Washington as the state’s senior U.S. senator. But those who have closely followed his career say the years he spent enmeshed in former Union City Mayor William Musto’s machine also set the tone for another, more sinister undercurrent that now threatens to swallow it – one in which Menendez became a power broker himself whose own close ties to moneyed interests have repeatedly attracted the scrutiny of federal prosecutors.

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, an Advocate for Liberal Priorities, Dies at Age 90

Yahoo News – Michael Blood and Mary Clare Jalonick (Associated Press) | Published: 9/29/2023

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, broke gender barriers throughout her long career in local and national politics, has died. She was 90. Feinstein, the oldest sitting senator, was a passionate advocate for liberal priorities important to her state, including environmental protection, reproductive rights, and gun control, but was also known as a pragmatic lawmaker who reached out to Republicans and sought middle ground.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Her Calendar Was Mostly Open. She Wasn’t in Office. Why Was Attorney General Aide Paid?

MSN – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 10/4/2023

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced in July that her chief of staff would be leaving the office four weeks later, wishing her “all the best in her future endeavors.” In the month that followed, that top aide, Amy Love, appeared to do little to no work while collecting a paycheck from taxpayers. Love went to the office just once in four weeks. She sent just one email in that time, to another staffer. Many of the meetings on Love’s schedule were canceled, and those that remained largely appear to be routine internal team meetings. It is unclear if Love attended those gatherings.

Arizona – Audit Flags Lavish Spending by Arizona to Woo Business Executives. State Leaders Defend It.

MSN – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 10/3/2023

Arizona political and economic development leaders’ use of major events such as the Super Bowl to woo company executives to bring business to the state have cost more than $2.4 million in six years, according to a new audit. Dubbed the CEO Forum, the business recruiting events tied to high-profile sporting events were a favorite way for former Gov. Doug Ducey to tout the perks of the state as part of his effort to be business friendly. The auditor general asked the state attorney general to probe whether the program violated the gift clause of the Arizona Constitution.

Arizona – Arizona Says No Labels Must Accept All Candidates Even If Third Parties Opposes Them

Yahoo News – Associated Press | Published: 9/29/2023

Arizona’s top elections official says the No Labels party cannot block candidates from using its ballot line to run for office, boosting opponents’ efforts to force the movement for a third-party presidential ticket to release more information about its anonymous donors. A senior official for Secretary of State Adrian Fontes rejected No Labels’ request to exclude two people who have filed paperwork to run for state office without the support of the party’s leadership. One of the two people opposes No Labels and is deliberately trying to force the party to comply with Arizona’s campaign finance laws.

California – Newsom Taps Emily’s List Leader to Fill Feinstein’s Senate Seat

MSN – Maeve Reston and Tyler Pager (Washington Post) | Published: 10/2/2023

California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Emily’s List President Laphonza Butler to fill the Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein, who died at the age of 90. Feinstein had just over a year left in her term and had said she would not run again. Three of California’s top Democrats – U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, and Adam Schiff – are in a contentious primary to fill the seat starting in January 2025, in what is likely to be the most expensive congressional race in the nation next year.

California – L.A. Councilmember John Lee Accused of Violating Ethics Laws During 2017 Vegas Trip

MSN – Julia Wick, Dakota Smith, and David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 10/2/2023

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission accused city Councilperson John Lee of violating ethics laws during a trip he took to Las Vegas before he was elected to the council. The accusations stem from Lee’s time working as chief of staff for former Councilperson Mitchell Englander, who pleaded guilty in 2020 to lying to federal investigators and was later sentenced to 14 months in prison. According to commission investigators, Lee accepted “multiple gifts from a businessperson and a developer, most of which exceeded the gift limit,” in 2016 and 2017.

California – L.A. Councilmembers Seek to Create Office for Ethics Compliance

MSN – City News Service | Published: 10/4/2023

In an attempt to increase public trust, two Los Angeles City Council members introduced a motion seeking to establish an Office of Compliance, with staff and resources to help identify potential conflicts-of-interest in advance of any votes. The office would review financial disclosure and other forms, as well as council and committee agendas to identify any potential conflicts. The city council has been rocked by a number of ethics scandals and accusations in recent years.

California – Disgraced SF Building Inspector Gets More Prison Time

San Francisco Examiner – Marcus White | Published: 10/2/2023

A San Francisco building inspector caught in a web of corruption at City Hall will serve at least another year in prison when his sentence begins. Bernie Curran, who pleaded guilty to perjury and financial conflict-of-interest, was sentenced to two years in prison. Curran can serve that sentence concurrently with a one-year, one-day federal sentence after he pleaded guilty in July to accepting illegal payments from people whose buildings he inspected.

California – Lawsuit Claims OC Board of Education Member Failed to Disclose $14 Million in Income

Voice of OC – Brandon Pho | Published: 10/4/2023

A retired federal judge brought a civil lawsuit against Orange County Board of Education member Mari Barke for allegedly failing to disclose as much as $14 million in income and business interests since her election. It comes amidst a campaign finance probe by the Fair Political Practices Commission into Barke’s disclosure filings. The lawsuit says that until March of this year, Barke had only reported $99 worth of income, business interests, investments, and gifts since assuming office in 2018.

California – Court Rules for Fresno Councilmembers in Lawsuit with County Over Campaign Money Transfers

Yahoo News – Tim Sheehan (Fresno Bee) | Published: 10/2/2023

Superior Court Judge Jonathan Skiles ruled against Fresno County’s campaign fundraising law limiting the amount a candidate for supervisor can transfer from another fund. The county limited transfers to $30,000, whereas incumbents had no limits on money from previous campaigns. City council members Garry Bredefeld and Luis Chavez now will have the ability to move their campaign funds to their races for the county board of supervisors.

District of Columbia – Leonard Leo Says He Will Not Cooperate with D.C. Attorney General Tax Probe

Yahoo News – Heidi Przybyla (Politico) | Published: 10/3/2023

Judicial activist Leonard Leo is not cooperating with an investigation by District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb for potentially misusing nonprofit tax laws for personal enrichment. David Rivkin, Leo’s attorney, said Schwalb has “no legal authority to conduct any investigatory steps or take any enforcement measures” because Leo’s multi-billion-dollar aligned nonprofits, which poured millions of dollars into campaigning for the nominations of conservative Supreme Court justices and advocating before them, were organized outside of the District of Columbia.

Florida – Miami Mayor Suarez Officially Under State Ethics Investigation for World Cup, F1 Tickets

Yahoo News – Sarah Blaskey and Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 9/28/2023

The Florida Commission on Ethics officially opened an investigation into Miami Mayor Francis Suarez following a complaint regarding his acceptance of expensive tickets to sporting events like the Miami Formula One Grand Prix and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The complaint raises questions about who paid for the various tickets worth thousands of dollars and whether Suarez complied with ethics laws requiring the mayor to disclose the source of all gifts, including complimentary access, valued over $100. The laws also prohibit elected officials from accepting such gifts from city vendors, lobbyists, or their employers.

Georgia – Trump Won’t Be on Trial in Georgia Case This Fall, but His Presence Will Be Felt

DNyuz – Danny Hakim and Richard Fausset (New York Times) | Published: 10/4/2023

Within weeks, prosecutors will present their case alleging a sprawling conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. But the star defendant, former President Trump, will not be there. Instead, the defendants in the first trial in the racketeering case against Trump and 18 of his allies will be two of the lawyers who tried to keep him in power after the election: Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, who were the only ones to seek speedy trials. The former president will loom over the courtroom, though. That has much to do with how racketeering cases work.

Georgia – First Trump Co-Defendant Pleads Guilty in the Georgia Election Interference Case

NPR – Associated Press | Published: 9/29/2023

A bail bondsman charged alongside former President Trump and 17 others in the Georgia election interference case pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges, becoming the first defendant to accept a plea deal with prosecutors. As part of the deal, Scott Graham Hall will receive five years of probation and will testify in further proceedings. He was also ordered to write a letter of apology to the citizens of Georgia and is forbidden from participating in polling activities. Prosecutors accused him of participating in a breach of election equipment in Coffee County.

Hawaii – Former CoreCivic Lobbyist Is Helping to Plan a New Oahu Jail

Honolulu Civil Beat – Kevin Dayton | Published: 10/2/2023

The state executive now tasked with devising a plan to finance a $900 million jail on Oahu worked for years as a registered lobbyist for CoreCivic, which is a prison developer that lobbied for years to try to get the state to move forward with the project. State Budget Director Luis Salaveria was registered as a lobbyist for CoreCivic until the end of last year but said he did not participate in the company’s push to get the state to issue a request for proposals to build the new jail.

Idaho – Idaho Secretary of State’s Office Releases New Campaign Finance, Lobbying Dashboard

KTVB – Abby Davis | Published: 9/28/2023

The November 7 elections are coming up, and election transparency is top of mind for the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office. It released a new campaign finance and lobbying dashboard, which lists all the mayoral and city council candidates. The aim of the dashboard is to give voters a better understanding of candidates. On the new dashboard, people can see how much money those candidates have raised and where it comes from. Previously, the data took a lot of time and effort to look through.

Kansas – Police Chief Resigns Weeks After Leading Raid on Kansas Newspaper Office

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 10/2/2023

The police chief who led the controversial raid of a newspaper office and its publisher’s home in a small Kansas town resigned days after he was suspended. During the raid in Marion, Kansas, officials seized a computer that held details about the Marion County Record’s investigation into Police Chief Gideon Cody. The raid Cody conducted set off a storm of questions from news organizations and their advocates, who viewed it as a major threat to press freedom.

Kansas – Kansas Lawmaker Threatens Wildlife Department Over Deer Baiting; Ethics Concerns Raised

Yahoo News – Dylan Lysen and Celia Llopis-Jepson (Wichita Eagle) | Published: 9/28/2023

A lawmaker threatened to strip funding from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks if it bans people from baiting deer with piles of food. State Rep. Lewis Bloom, a farmer from Clay Center, went as far as to claim the chairperson of the committee that oversees the agency’s budget would help him retaliate by defunding the department. Rep. Ken Corbet, chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee, owns a lodge that offers deer hunting for thousands of dollars per person, raising concerns of a conflict-of-interest.

Massachusetts – Massachusetts Republican Party Settles Campaign Finance Allegations with State, to Pay $15,000

MSN – Matt Stout (Boston Globe) | Published: 9/29/2023

The Massachusetts Republican Party agreed to settle allegations it took $137,000 in “impermissible” donations from a state senator in 2020 and used the money to help the campaign of his wife, according to an agreement the party’s new leader signed with state prosecutors. The GOP will pay $15,000 in three installments under the deal.

Michigan – Feds Charge Inkster Mayor Patrick Wimberly in Corruption Case

Detroit News – Robert Snell | Published: 10/3/2023

Inkster Mayor Patrick Wimberly was indicted in federal court, accused of receiving $50,000 in bribes, throwing the November election into disarray as the Wayne County politician becomes the latest public official accused of wrongdoing in a broader assault on corruption in Metro Detroit. Wimberly is accused of demanding cash to facilitate the sale of city-owned property to an unidentified “outside party,” prosecutors said. The person gave Wimberly $5,000 monthly cash bribes until Wimberly demanded more and the person started paying $10,000 each month, according to the indictment.

Michigan – Ex-Michigan House Speaker Sentenced to Prison in Marijuana Bribery Scheme

MLive – Michael Kransz | Published: 9/28/2023

Former Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson was sentenced to four years and seven months in prison for accepting bribes as head of a marijuana licensing board. He admitted accepting at least $110,000 when he led the now defunct Medical Marijuana Licensing Board from 2017 to 2019. In exchange, federal prosecutors say Johnson gave bribe payers inside information pertaining to the board’s work and other medical marijuana applicants, as well as support through the licensing process and favorable votes on license applications.

Nevada – Lombardo Files Lawsuit Challenging Ethics Commission Fine, Censure Over Use of Badge

Nevada Independent – Tabitha Mueller | Published: 10/2/2023

Attorneys for Gov. Joe Lombardo appealed the Nevada Commission on Ethics decision to censure and fine the governor for using his Clark County sheriff uniform and badge on the 2022 campaign trail. The appeal makes a new legal argument in the case, challenging the constitutional authority of the commission itself.

New Mexico – Ethics Commission Fines State Treasurer for State Campaign Finance Violation

Santa Fe New Mexican – Robert Knott | Published: 10/4/2023

A State Ethics Commission hearing officer found New Mexico Treasurer Laura Montoya violated campaign finance reporting laws by accepting $10,000 in straw donations. Retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Torgerson imposed a civil penalty of $1,000 on Montoya, saying she failed to treat two $5,000contributions properly.

New York – Trump’s Trial Starts Monday. It Will Spotlight What He’s Really Worth.

DNyuz – Jonah Bromwich, Ben Protess, and William Rashbaum (New York Times) | Published: 10/2/2023

After decades of exaggerating with impunity, Donald Trump is now on trial, facing a lawsuit that accuses him of inflating his riches by billions of dollars and crossing the line into fraud. It will be the first of several government trials he will face in the coming year, a procession of high-stakes courtroom battles that coincide with his third White House run. It will be an avidly scrutinized spectacle that will lift the curtain on Trump’s reputation as a businessperson, a core piece of his identity.

New York – Over 100 Campaigns Requested Public Funds in NY – but a Change Might Weaken Small Donors’ Power

Gothamist – Brigid Bergin | Published: 10/4/2023

More than 100 candidates have registered for a new state public matching funds program that helps boost small campaign donations, marking a major milestone in New York’s inaugural election cycle. But what the campaigns signed up for may not be what they get if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs a bill passed by the Legislature at the end of session. Proponents of the original program are urging Hochul not to sign the bill. They warn the changes will dilute the power of small-dollar donors and undermine the public matching system’s original intent.

New York – Adams Donor Who Twice Denied Making Campaign Donation Changes Story, Says She Gave $2,000 After All

Yahoo News – Michael Gartland (New York Daily News) | Published: 10/2/2023

A woman who twice denied donating $2,000 to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 campaign, in spite of records that state otherwise, changed her story hours after a news story was published. The New York Daily News reported that law enforcement and election watchdogs have taken an interest in the discrepancy between public records and her initial statements, as well as other donations to Adams.

New York – Judge in Fraud Trial Imposes Gag Order After Trump Attacks Judge’s Aide

Yahoo News – Erica Orden, Josh Gerstein, and Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 10/3/2023

The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial issued a gag order barring Trump from making comments about court staff after the former president posted a social media attack on the judge’s principal law clerk that included her photo. New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron said he had warned Trump “off the record” about making such comments, but Trump had ignored him. “Consider this statement a gag order forbidding all parties from posting, emailing or speaking publicly about any of my staff,” Engoron said.

Tennessee – Rep. Justin Jones Sues House Speaker Cameron Sexton Over Expulsion, Vote to Silence Him

MSN – Melissa Brown (Nashville Tennessean) | Published: 10/4/2023

Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones filed a federal lawsuit challenging his expulsion in April and the House rules restricting lawmakers’ floor comments that Republicans applied to silence Jones for part of the special session. Filed against Speaker Cameron Sexton and House administrative officials, the lawsuit argues Republicans have repeatedly blocked Jones from speaking during debate in violation of free speech rights under the state and federal constitutions. He also contends his due process rights were infringed upon by the expulsion proceedings.

Texas – Eric Dick Fined $10K for Campaign Finance Violations During Failed Run for Harris County Treasurer

MSN – Elizabeth Sander (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 10/3/2023

Harris County Department of Education Trustee Eric Dick faces $40,000 in fines for campaign finance violations after the Texas Ethics Commission recently tacked on another $10,000 penalty. The commission ruled Dick will be required to pay the $10,000 for campaign finance violations that occurred during his unsuccessful campaign for Harris County treasurer in March 2022. He was fined $30,000 in February 2022 for violations made during his unsuccessful 2019 run for city council.

Texas – Lawsuit by Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Accusers Can Continue, Texas Supreme Court Rules

Texas Tribune – Patrick Svitek | Published: 9/29/2023

The Texas Supreme Court sided with former top deputies of state Attorney General Ken Paxton and cleared the way for their whistleblower lawsuit to move forward. The lawsuit will return to a Travis County trial court. Four whistleblowers sued the attorney general’s office for wrongful termination and retaliation after they reported Paxton to the FBI, alleging he abused his office to help a friend and donor. They almost settled with the attorney general’s office for $3.3 million earlier this year until Texas House investigators, concerned about using taxpayer dollars for the settlement, started probing the lawsuit’s claims and recommended Paxton’s impeachment.

Virginia – Youngkin Takes $2M from TikTok Investor Despite App Ban, China Warnings

MSN – Laura Vozzella (Washington Post) | Published: 10/5/2023

Gov. Glenn Youngkin accepted a $2 million political contribution from a donor with a multibillion-dollar stake in TikTok, a Chinese-owned app the governor banned from state devices last year amid his broader campaign against Chinese influence in Virginia. With hefty political donations, Yass has been helping TikTok rally conservatives in Washington, D.C. against banning the app in the U.S., the Wall Street Journal reported.

National/Federal

Rupert Murdoch to Step Down as Chairman of Fox Corporation and Fox News

Billings Gazette – David Bauder (Associated Press) | Published: 9/21/2023

Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old Australian media magnate whose creation of Fox News made him a force in American politics, is stepping down as leader of both Fox’s parent company and his News Corp. media holdings. His son, Lachlan, will become News Corp. chairperson and continue as chief executive officer of Fox Corp. Fox News Channel has profoundly influenced television and the nation’s politics, making Murdoch a hero to some and pariah to others. The 24-hour network converted the power and energy of political talk radio to television.

Rep. Lauren Boebert Rents an Apartment from an Executive for Koch-Backed Group

Business Insider – Brent Griffiths | Published: 9/21/2023

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert rents a Washington apartment from a top official for the right-wing advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, a key part of the conservative influence network originally funded by brothers Charles and David Koch. There are no ethics rules or laws that bar members of Congress from renting apartments from people affiliated with lobbying groups. But the arrangement is an indicator of how small Washington can be, and how closely entwined legislators can become with the people who are paid to influence them.

How a Little-Known Group Helped Resurgent Democrats Wield Power

DNyuz – Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 9/25/2023

For decades, Republicans have outmaneuvered and outspent Democrats in state Legislatures, gerrymandering them into the minority in both red states and political battlegrounds. GOP lawmakers have used that advantage to pass countless conservative policies with a help along the way. Conservative think tanks and other policy groups drafted model legislation for Republican lawmakers to cut taxes, expand gun rights, and loosen environmental regulations. Now Democrats are trying to put themselves on even footing.

Trump Fights Jack Smith Request for Narrow Gag Order in Jan. 6 Case

MSN – Spencer Hsu and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 9/25/2023

Attorneys for former President Trump blasted federal prosecutors’ request for a narrow gag order that would bar him from attacking participants in the criminal case charging him with conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election, claiming he must be free to campaign for the Republican nomination in 2024. The response joins a battle that promises to be a recurring feature of Trump’s multiple state and federal criminal cases and that highlights challenges facing prosecutors and judges in the historic attempts to prosecute a former president and active candidate.

Misinformation Research Is Buckling Under GOP Legal Attacks

MSN – Naomi Nix, Cat Zakrzewski, and Joseph Menn (Washington Post) | Published: 9/23/2023

Conservative politicians are accusing academics, universities, and government agencies of colluding with technology companies to censor right-wing views. Interviews with professors, government officials, physicians, nonprofits, and research funders describe an escalating campaign that has cast a pall over programs studying not just political falsehoods but also the quality of medical information online. Social media platforms have pulled back on moderating content even as evidence mounts that Russia and China have intensified covert influence campaigns.

Ex-FBI Counterspy Chief McGonigal Pleads Guilty in Payment Plot

MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 9/22/2023

The FBI’s former top spy hunter in New York, who had pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions and launder funds for a Russian billionaire he once investigated, pleaded guilty in a separate case charging him with hiding secret cash payments while overseeing highly sensitive cases. Charles McGonigal admitted he concealed his receipt of payments and meetings with foreign officials to avoid questions about a conflict-of-interest between his private post-retirement business plans and his official duties as one of the FBI’s top leaders.

Senate Adopts Resolution Requiring Men to Wear Business Attire on Chamber Floor

MSN – Mariana Afaro (Washington Post) | Published: 9/27/2023

The U.S. Senate adopted a resolution requiring male senators to wear a coat, tie, and slacks or other long pants on the chamber’s floor following days of upheaval sparked by Majority Leader Charles Schumer’s decision to stop enforcing the requirement of business attire. Before Schumer’s initial move, the Senate had followed an unwritten and unevenly enforced policy that encouraged men to wear suits and ties and women to cover their arms.

Cash, Gold Bars, Arms Sales: How Bob Menendez met legal peril, again

MSN – Isaac Stanley-Becker (Washington Post) | Published: 9/23/2023

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez and his wife Nadine were indicted on bribery charges, Justice Department officials announced, detailing what officials said was a corrupt scheme involving gold bars, stacks of cash, and using the senator’s powerful position to secretly benefit the Egyptian government. Allegations of a secretive campaign to aid the government in Cairo stand out not just because of Menendez’s singular power in the Senate to shape U.S. foreign policy as the chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee, but also because of the rebuttal he offered when asked about accusations of impropriety earlier this year.

Chutkan Rejects Trump Request to Step Aside as Judge in His D.C. Trial

MSN – Spencer Hsu and Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 9/27/2023

U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan denied Donald Trump’s demand that she recuse herself from his federal election obstruction case, saying attorneys for the former president had applied a “hypersensitive, cynical, and suspicious” reading of two of her statements in sentencing Capitol attack defendants to accuse her of bias. Trump’s defense can ask an appellate court to weigh in, but the standard for a federal appeals court or the U.S. Supreme Court to review the ruling is very high.

Clarence Thomas Secretly Participated in Koch Network Donor Events

ProPublica – Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott, and Alex Mierjeski | Published: 9/22/2023

Some of the richest people in the country attended the 2018 donor summit of the Koch network, the political organization founded by libertarian billionaires Charles and David Koch. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas also attended. He has attended Koch donor events at least twice over the years. Thomas was brought in to speak, staffers said, in the hopes that such access would encourage donors to continue giving. That puts Thomas in the position of having served as a fundraising draw for a network that has brought cases before the Supreme Court. The justice never reported the flight to Palm Springs.

In Three Southern States, a Legal Battle Over Political Maps

Yahoo News – Michael Wines (New York Times) | Published: 9/21/2023

The Republican-led Legislatures of Georgia, Louisiana, and Alabama find themselves backed against courtroom walls in similar circumstances, defending congressional maps that federal judges have said appear to discriminate against Black voters. Last year, the same judges said that, even before full trials were held, the same maps were so likely illegal that replacements should be used for the 2022 elections. But due to a once-obscure U.S. Supreme Court rule that outlaws election-law changes close to campaign season, the disputed maps were used anyway.

Not Just Clarence Thomas: Lower courts facing scrutiny over ethics, disclosures, too

Yahoo News – John Fritze (USA Today) | Published: 9/25/2023

Americans were able to review financial disclosure reports for all nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, documents that revealed private jet flights, foreign travel, and even a bouquet of flowers that Oprah Winfrey had ordered for Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. But those annual disclosures are far harder to find for hundreds of lower court judges that make up the bulk of the federal judiciary. At a time when the judicial branch is under heightened scrutiny over ethics, federal courts are struggling to honor a law intended to head off potential conflicts.

K Street Braces for Potential Shutdown

Yahoo News – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 9/27/2023

Lobbying and government affairs shops are busy preparing for a possible shutdown of the federal government. Lobbyists cannot do much except keep clients informed about what to expect if the government does shut down as they navigate uncertainty around tax credits, infrastructure investments, and political stability. It is a “very uncertain time” for clients, said Ryan Carney, a government affairs advisor at K&L Gates. The firm set up a task force with professionals who have experience with government shutdowns to monitor developments.

Bob Menendez Singlehandedly Blocked Bipartisan Bill to Regulate Foreign Influence in D.C.

Yahoo News – Ken Dilanian and Frank Thorp V (NBC News) | Published: 9/27/2023

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, who is charged with secretly aiding the Egyptian government in exchange for bribes, singlehandedly blocked passage of bipartisan legislation in 2020 that would have strengthened the law regulating foreign influence and lobbying in Washington, D.C. The proposed Foreign Agents Disclosure and Registration Enhancement Act grew out of widespread concerns that the current law regulating foreign lobbying had seldom been enforced, and foreign influence campaigns had successfully infiltrated American politics.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – ‘Insufficient Grounds’ for Full Probe into Ford Stag and Doe: Commissioner

Global News – Allison Jones (Canadian Press) | Published: 9/21/2023

Ontario’s integrity commissioner said there are “insufficient grounds” to conduct a full investigation into a “stag-and-doe” event for Premier Doug Ford’s daughter, though he noted an “interesting” finding about ticket sales for the gathering. New Democratic Party Leader Matt Stiles had asked J. David Wake to issue an opinion on the pre-wedding event for Ford’s daughter, which was attended by some land developers who had business in the province.

Alabama – Supreme Court Refuses to Allow Alabama to Use Disputed Map for 2024

MSN – Robert Barnes (Washington Post) | Published: 9/26/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court refused Alabama’s request to hold 2024 elections under a new congressional map judged to be an unlawful attempt to diminish the power of the state’s Black voters. It was the second time in four months the court has sided with a three-judge panel that found Alabama’s Legislature probably violated the Voting Rights Act by failing to create a second congressional district where minority voters have a large enough share of the electorate to elect their candidate of choice.

Alabama – Lawmakers Expected to Consider Changes to Alabama Ethics Law

MSN – Mike Cason (AL.com) | Published: 9/27/2023

The chairperson of the House Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee said he expects to propose changes to Alabama’s ethics law during the next legislative session. Rep. Matt Simpson is leading a series of meetings by the panel to examine issues identified by a study commission a few years ago and by Alabama’s appellate courts. Most of those are areas where the law is confusing, ambiguous, or unclear, Simpson said. One of the lingering issues is the precise definition and scope of the term principal, which refers to organizations and individuals that employ lobbyists.

Arizona – Elections Commission Adds New Disclosure Requirements for Political Ads on Air and in Print

KJZZ – Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 9/22/2023

A new rule adopted by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission adds the requirement for political ads to disclose the three largest sources of funds that bought the commercial. The rule details exactly how big the disclosure must be. Commission Executive Director Tom Collins agreed it is not possible to put all the required disclosure, like the top three funders, into many social media posts. But the rule will mandate inclusion of a clickable link that would take the reader to a page where people could get the required information.

California – Former Baldwin Park City Attorney Acted as ‘Co-Conspirator’ in $70K Bribery Scheme, Indictment Alleges

Los Angeles Daily News – Jason Henry (Pasadena Star News) | Published: 9/24/2023

Baldwin Park’s former city attorney assisted in a bribery and wire fraud scheme that funneled $70,000 in illicit payoffs to former Councilperson Ricardo Pacheco to secure his vote on a cannabis permit, according to federal authorities. The new allegations against Robert Tafoya became public following the grand jury indictment of Tafoya’s longtime friend and alleged co-conspirator, former Compton City Councilperson Isaac Galvin.

California – L.A. City Council Approves New Ethics Commissioner After Rejecting Previous Nominee

MSN – Dakota Smith (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 9/27/2023

The Los Angeles City Council approved a nominee for a spot on the Ethics Commission after several weeks of public scrutiny over the council’s handling of nominees for the panel. The council approved Alex Johnson, a vice president at Bryson Gillette, a consulting firm that also has done campaign work. The firm has handled more than $2 million worth of work for various campaigns since May 2020.

California – Empty Seats: San Diego ethics board hobbled by vacancies

MSN – Jeff McDionald (San Diego Union Tribune) | Published: 9/27/2023

Three out of seven seats on the San Diego Ethics Commission are vacant, meaning the city’s only regulator for enforcing campaign finance and other rules is legally unable to issue fines or mete out other discipline. The commission has not fielded a full board in years. It has also failed to comply with city rules requiring that at least three members of the panel are attorneys. The commission operated with six members during the first half of this year, but three seats expired June 30.

California – Anaheim Tightens Electronic Device Policy After Probe Finds Disregard for Records Law

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 9/27/2023

Anaheim politicians are cracking down on using private cellphones and other electronic devices to conduct city business, a practice that independent investigators say city officials frequently used to circumvent the state’s public records law. City officials directed staff to require the use of government phones and devices for top officials and staff, forbid conducting city business on personal accounts, and requiring officials to forward city business emails to government accounts.

California – Former California House Candidate Charged with Misusing Campaign Cash

Yahoo News – Lauren Sforza (The Hill) | Published: 9/27/2023

A four-time candidate for Congress in California was charged with misusing campaign funds, including transferring the cash back to his personal accounts via his friends and family. The indictment accuses Omar Navarro of using campaign money for personal expenses, including trips to Las Vegas and two criminal defense attorneys, and falsely recording them as campaign expenses to the FEC.

Connecticut – Ritter: No changes to campaign finance rules in special session

Connecticut Mirror – Mark Pazniokas | Published: 9/25/2023

House Speaker Matt Ritter said the General Assembly will not vote in the special session on a proposal to allow publicly financed candidates in Connecticut to raise money online using ActBlue, the popular Democratic fundraising platform. Ritter said ActBlue’s platform is not compliant with state law, and lawyers have struggled to draft statutory language that would open Connecticut to ActBlue without conflicting with or undermining the Citizens’ Election Program, which finances most campaigns for the General Assembly.

Florida – With Half of Miami’s Elected Officials Under Investigation, the City’s History Is Repeating

MSN – Charles Rabin (Miami Herald) | Published: 9/20/2023

Now-suspended Miami Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla is facing criminal charges he sold his vote for $245,000 in campaign money. At the same time, the FBI is separately investigating whether Mayor Francis Suarez worked behind the scenes to help a developer who was paying him $10,000 a month. Local prosecutors have an open case into whether Commissioner Joe Carollo, a former mayor, held improper influence over the police force. With half of Miami’s six elected officials under a cloud, there are renewed calls to clean house.

Florida – After Florida Restricts Black History, Churches Step Up to Teach It

MSN – Brittany Shammas (Washington Post) | Published: 9/24/2023

After months of controversy over new directives governing classroom instruction in Florida – changes critics said sanitized or even distorted the past – Black pastors across the state agreed their churches had no choice but to respond. They would teach Black history themselves. A nonprofit coalition of religious institutions, Faith in Florida, put together a tool kit to guide the churches and suggest books, articles, documentaries, and reports covering the Black experience. The churches’ involvement harks back to the pivotal role many played in the struggle to end segregation and advance voting rights.

Indiana – Rewrite of Indiana Campaign Finance Laws on Tap?

Times of Northwest Indiana – Dan Carden | Published: 9/27/2023

Indiana election law’s silence on corporate contributions to super PACs means such donations are prohibited or otherwise limited, the state Supreme Court ruled in answering a question from the Seventh U.S.  Circuit Court of Appeals. Indiana enforcement authorities have said they do not intend to punish corporate donations to super PACs, even if prohibited by state law, because the contributions are authorized by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. In the majority opinion, Justice Derek Molter said it is “no doubt time” for state lawmakers to update the law to reflect the Citizens United ruling.

Mississippi – Mississippi Announced Incentives for Company Days After Executive Gave Campaign Money to Governor

Yahoo News – Emily Wagster Pettus (Associated Press) | Published: 9/26/2023

Mississippi announced financial incentives for a shipbuilder to expand in Gulfport in 2020, days after the president of the shipbuilder’s parent company made a $10,000 campaign contribution to Gov. Tate Reeves. The state economic development agency under Reeves’ supervision, the Mississippi Development Authority, announced Gulf Ship would receive state incentives to expand the site it opened in Gulfport in 2006.

Missouri – Missouri Lawmaker Accused of ‘Unlawful’ Conduct in Push for Contract, Drawing FBI Scrutiny

Missouri Independent – Jason Hancock | Published: 9/22/2023

Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher is facing allegations he threatened to terminate the employment of a nonpartisan legislative staffer who resisted his monthslong push to hire a private company to manage constituent information. Plocher denies the accusations. But Dana Miller, chief clerk of the House since 2018 and a chamber staff member since 2001, wrote in an email to a GOP lawmaker about “threats made by Speaker Plocher concerning my future employment.” Miller was not the only legislative staffer expressing concerns.

New Hampshire – Investigators Conclude N.H. Lawmaker Doesn’t Live in the District He Represents

MSN – Steven Porter (Boston Globe) | Published: 9/21/2023

State Rep. Troy Merner resigned his seat in the New Hampshire House after investigators for the state attorney general’s office concluded Merner no longer lives in the district he represents and has not lived there since August 2022. Merner has been renting an office in Lancaster, but he has been residing with his wife and stepson about 15 miles south, in Carroll, which is part of a different legislative district in Coos County.

New Jersey – Governor Who Quit Politics Amid Scandal Eyes a New Job: Mayor

DNyuz – Tracey Tully (New York Times) | Published: 9/22/2023

Former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey quit politics in 2004 after announcing to his second wife and to the world that he was gay and had an affair with a man who worked for him. Now McGreevey, who once was thought to have the White House in his sights, is making plans to do what he had said he would not: re-enter politics. Over the past several months, McGreevey has begun cobbling together support for an expected run for mayor of Jersey City, the state’s second-largest city, where he has lived for eight years.

New Jersey – Ex-Mayor Indicted After Launching Run Despite Order Barring Him from Office, Authorities

MSN – Chris Shelton (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 9/26/2023

Former Paterson Mayor Joey Torres was indicted after he was accused of launching a new bid to run the city in 2022 despite being barred from doing so six years ago. Torres pleaded guilty to using city employees to work at a liquor distributorship his family planned to open. As part of his plea deal, Torres was required to forfeit future public employment.

New York – Ethics Commission Meets After Judge Ruled It’s Unconstitutional

Albany Times Union – Brendan Lyons | Published: 9/27/2023

The state ethics commission conducted its first meeting following a New York Supreme Court justice’s decision that found the agency was created in violation of the state constitution and must suspend its work pending the outcome of any appeal. The appellate division of the state Supreme Court granted a temporary stay on the decision. A permanent stay has not been granted. Earlier this year, another state Supreme Court justice ruled the commission was created in line with the state constitution and it was not improper for the final appointments to be made by an “Independent Review Commission” made up of law school deans.

New York – Latinos Have Transformed Sleepy Hollow, but Not Their Town Board

DNyuz – Grace Ashford (New York Times) | Published: 9/19/2023

More than half the Village of Sleepy Hollow, New York, is of Hispanic origin. But those demographics are rarely reflected on Election Day. The village is part of the Town of Mount Pleasant, which uses an at-large voting system that allows residents to cast ballots for all open positions. The Mount Pleasant town board has no Latino members, and no one could recall the last time it had one. That disconnect has led to a formal claim filed with the town, on behalf of five residents who say that they and other Latino voters are being disenfranchised.

New York – N.Y. Judge Finds Trump Committed Fraud and Sanctions His Attorneys

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 9/26/2023

A judge overseeing a $250 million lawsuit against Donald Trump ruled the former president and his company committed fraud by inflating his net worth in business transactions, narrowing the scope of what the state’s attorney general must prove at an upcoming civil trial. New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron also ordered the cancellation of Trump business certificates and imposed sanctions on attorneys representing him for repeating arguments that failed multiple times previously and were called “borderline frivolous.”

New York – Adams Campaign Repeatedly Ignored Regulators’ Demands to Identify Supporters Behind $300,000 in Contributions

The City – George Joseph, Bianca Pallaro, and Tom Robbins | Published: 9/22/2023

Eric Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign repeatedly ignored city regulators’ requests to identify political supporters who they suspected of having raised hundreds of thousands of dollars without disclosing their role. The flagged donations totaled more than $300,000 from more than 500 donors. Thanks to the city program that provides matching funds of up to eight-to-one for eligible contributions, the donations secured an additional $522,000 in public funds for the Adams campaign.

North Carolina – In North Carolina, Republicans Seek More Control Over Elections

Yahoo News – Michael Wines (New York Times) | Published: 9/24/2023

Shortly before North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper began his first term in 2017, his rivals in the Republican-controlled Legislature voted to strip the position of key powers, including the governor’s longstanding authority to appoint majorities to the state election board and local election boards in all 100 counties. After the state Supreme Court ruled the move was illegal, lawmakers put the idea on the ballot, but voters shot that down. Now, seven years after their first try, the legislators appear on the verge of getting what they have long sought.

Ohio – Ohio Republicans’ Legislative Redistricting Proposal Could Lead to More GOP Seats, Fewer Competitive Districts

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/22/2023

Ohio Republicans’ new state legislative map would make it easier for them to expand their supermajorities in both the House and Senate, as well as create fewer competitive districts overall, according to an analysis. Last year’s redistricting plan was repeatedly found by the state Supreme Court to be unconstitutionally gerrymandered in favor of Republicans. The ruling means the Ohio Redistricting Commission must again pass new district lines ahead of the 2024 election.

Oregon – Oregon Officials Face Ethics Sanctions Over Amazon Data Centers’ Tax Breaks and Land Deals

MSN – Mike Rogoway (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 9/27/2023

Three former public officials in Morrow County could be hit with thousands of dollars in penalties for failing to acknowledge they stood to profit when they gave tax breaks to Amazon data centers and arranged land sales to make way for the huge installations. Staff with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission proposed settling ethics charges against the officials. Two would pay $5,000 penalties and another would pay $2,500. Their attorney is contesting the charges and wants the commission to waive all penalties and issue a “letter of education” instead.

Tennessee – Knox County Ethics Chief Asks State’s ‘Money Cop’ to Investigate County Commissioner

MSN – Allie Feinberg (Knoxville News Sentinel) | Published: 9/27/2023

Knox County Ethics Committee Chairperson Michael Covington is trying to enlist the investigative powers of the state to get to the bottom of a complaint against county Commissioner Kyle Ward over a land deal he struck with a prominent developer. Covington filed a complaint with the state comptroller’s office, which investigates allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse by government officials. Ward is accused in a complaint of paying just $10 each to developer Scott Davis for two plots of land assessed at $50,000 apiece.

National/Federal

Lobbyists Flirt with AI While Remaining Cautious of Its Promises

Bloomberg Government – Kate Ackley | Published: 9/8/2023

Lobbyists are scrambling to put their imprint on federal oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) and grappling with its influence on their own profession even as they predict robot-lobbyists will likely remain in the realm of science fiction. Some lobbyists say they are willing to embrace AI. They have begun to experiment with it to ease tedious and time-consuming tasks, such as legislative analysis, background research, and drafting client memos. Others, eyeing it with trepidation, say they are holding off to see how it evolves.

The Senate Dress Code Gets a Casual Overhaul

DNyuz – Robert Jimison (New York Times) | Published: 9/19/2023

In the tradition-bound halls of the U.S. Senate, customs die hard and rules can be next to impossible to change. But for the first time in centuries, lawmakers are no longer expected to suit up to conduct business on the Senate floor. Majority Leader Charles Schumer established a new dress code allowing members to take a more business-casual approach to their workwear.

Revolving Door Redux: The DEA’s recently departed No. 2 returns to a Big Pharma consulting firm

MSN – Joshua Goodman and Jim Mustian (Associated Press) | Published: 9/20/2023

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) recently departed second-in-command returned for a new stint with the consulting firm where he previously advised Purdue Pharma and a drug distributor fighting sanctions over suspicious painkiller shipments. Louis Milione retired from the DEA a second time this summer amid reporting on potential conflicts caused by his prior consulting for the pharmaceutical industry. Less than three months later, Milione again landed a plum job at Guidepost Solutions, a firm hired by some of the same companies he had been tasked with regulating when he returned to the DEA in 2021.

Democrats Rap FEC Gridlock That Republicans Say Is a Feature

MSN – Daniela Altimari (Roll Call) | Published: 9/20/2023

A recent hearing by the House Oversight Committee marked the first time in 12 years that members of the FEC have come before a congressional oversight panel. Democrats on the committee want changes to the makeup of the commission. The six-member panel is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, a breakdown that critics say has led to partisan gridlock and hampered the FEC’s ability to enforce the rules. The are also calls to improve transparency and modernize technology.

Did Sen. Bob Menendez and Wife Improperly Take Gold Bars from Corrupt Bank Exec?

MSN – Jonathan Dienst and Courtney Copenhagen (WNBC) | Published: 9/20/2023

Federal prosecutors are looking into whether an admitted felon helped arrange to give gold bars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez or his wife in exchange for help. Investigators want to know if Menendez offered to contact the Justice Department to try to help that man who was accused of banking crimes. Those questions are now before a federal grand jury that is considering whether to hand up corruption charges against Menendez.

Lawmakers Are Spending Way More to Keep Themselves Safe. Is It Enough?

MSN – Greg Morton, Marianna Sotomayor, and Camila DeChalus (Washington Post) | Published: 9/18/2023

Candidates running for U.S. House and Senate offices increased campaign spending on security by more than 500 percent between the 2020 election and the 2022 midterms, a measure of the extraordinary rise in threats against elected officials in recent years and the country’s increasingly volatile political climate.  The steep increases came as changes in federal campaign finance rules made it easier to spend campaign dollars on security, a recognition of the nation’s changing threat outlook for elected officials. Lawmakers say more has to be done to help protect themselves and their staff from a dramatic rise in daily threats.

Red States Quit Nation’s Oldest Library Group Amid Culture War Over Books

MSN – Hannah Natanson (Washington Post) | Published: 9/15/2023

The American Library Association is facing a partisan firefight unlike anything in its almost 150-year history. The once-uncontroversial organization, which says it is the world’s largest and oldest library association and which provides funding, training, and tools to most of the country’s 123,000 libraries, has become entangled in the education culture wars – the raging debates over what and how to teach about race, sex, and gender.

Unapologetic Ex-Ambassador Avoids Prison in Illicit Lobbying Case

MSN – Craig Whitlock (Washington Post) | Published: 9/16/2023

Richard Olson Jr., a former U.S. ambassador to Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, was sentenced to three years’ probation and a $93,350 fine for violating federal lobbying and ethics laws in a case that exposed a secret history of romantic liaisons and lavish gifts during his 34-year career as a diplomat. Olson, who pleaded guilty to two federal misdemeanors related to his consulting work in the Middle East, could have received up to six months behind bars under federal sentencing guidelines.

Prosecutors in D.C. Election Case Are Seeking a Partial Gag Order for Trump

NPR – Associated Press | Published: 9/15/2023

Federal prosecutors are seeking an order that would prevent Donald Trump from making “inflammatory” and “intimidating” comments about witnesses, lawyers, and other people involved in the criminal case charging the former president with scheming to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Special counsel Jack Smith’s team said in a motion that such a “narrow, well-defined” order was necessary to preserve the integrity of the case and to avoid prejudicing potential jurors.

Alito Pauses Order Banning Biden Officials from Contacting Tech Platforms

Politico – Josh Gerstein and Rebecca Kern | Published: 9/14/2023

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito temporarily paused a lower-court order limiting Biden administration officials from contacting social media firms. Alito’s action followed an emergency filing from the Justice Department that asked the court to block an earlier injunction that would make it difficult for officials at the White House, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the FBI to respond to online posts that pose a danger to public health or safety. The Justice Department claims allowing the lower court ruling to stay in effect would “impose grave and irreparable harms on the government and the public.”

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Changes to Lobbying Rules Could Spell End to 50 Years of Free Trips to Israel for Canadian MPs, Senators

Globe and Mail – Steven Chase | Published: 9/17/2023

Changes to lobbying rules in Canada could spell an end to 50 years of free trips to Israel for Members of Parliament and senators. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, which funds the trips, says it is the group hardest hit by revisions to a code governing those who try to influence public officials. New rules for the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct went into effect on July 1 that restrict registered lobbyists in Ottawa from lobbying politicians who accept free trips from them.

Arizona – Arizona Senator Plans Probe into Gov. Katie Hobbs’ Payments to Campaign Security Guard

MSN – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 9/19/2023

State Sen. T.J. Shope says he will investigate how Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs was able to hire a private security guard while she was the state’s top election official and a gubernatorial candidate last year without telling the public who paid the bill. The Arizona Republic reported that Hobbs’ campaign did not disclose payments to the individual on campaign finance reports. Shope suggested the cost of security could have exposed a loophole or violated state campaign finance laws that limit donation amounts and restrictions on funding from certain sources.

Arizona – Arizona Gov. Hobbs Leans on Lobbyists in New Administration: How does she prevent conflicts?

Yahoo News – Stacey Barchenger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 9/18/2023

Aides to Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs include nine former lobbyists, whose work histories could raise concerns about conflicts-of-interest. Governors in recent years have faced scrutiny over their connections to lobbyists and the challenge of avoiding ethical lapses. Former Gov. Doug Ducey faced criticism that he and his team played favorites with business, often at taxpayer expense. Hobbs’ administration has been criticized for being opaque since its earliest days, when her campaign staff created a “dark money” fundraising group to pay for the inauguration.

Arkansas – Arkansas Governor Tried to Keep More Records Private. The Pushback Was Swift.

DNyuz – Rick Rojas (New York Times) | Published: 9/14/2023

When Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders summoned Arkansas lawmakers to Little Rock for a special legislative session to cut taxes and ban the state from mandating Covid-19 vaccinations, she added one more request: overhaul the state’s Freedom of Information Act. Sanders called for changes that included limiting the release of records related to policymaking and discussions of legal strategy. But the pushback was swift, swelling beyond organizations representing news organizations and government transparency advocates to include conservatives and some of the governor’s own supporters.

Arkansas – Arkansas Launches New, ‘More Friendly’ Campaign Finance Disclosure Filing Portal

Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette – Neal Earley | Published: 9/20/2023

The Arkansas Secretary of State’s office launched a new campaign finance disclosure and filing portal, billing it as a more user-friendly alternative. The office says the new reporting system will be easier to use for those searching its online campaign finance database and for candidates filing their reports.

California – Santa Clara Councilmembers File Ethics Complaint Against Group They Say Has Ties to Mayor Lisa Gillmor

East Bay Times – Grace Hase (Bay Area News Group) | Published: 9/18/2023

Three members of the Santa Clara City Council filed several ethics complaints against Stand Up For Santa Clara, a self-proclaimed “grass-roots watchdog organization” they claim is connected to Mayor Lisa Gillmor. Vice Mayor Kevin Park and council members Anthony Becker and Suds Jain filed complaints with the city and the California Fair Political Practices Commission claiming the group is a “political operation” and has failed to be transparent with its political spending or advertisements. The trio also filed a complaint with the IRS, questioning its non-profit status.

California – Your Guide to the LA Government Reforms on the Table after the City Hall Leaked Tape Scandal

LAist – Brianna Lee and Frank Stoltze | Published: 9/15/2023

Large-scale changes are rare at Los Angeles City Hall. But now there is more momentum than there has been in decades for three major reforms to how the city is governed. The proposals are the result of calls for reform after a secret recording was released last year that captured three city council members and a labor official using racist, homophobic, and other derogatory language while discussing ways to amass power in the city’s redistricting process.

California – Will Mickey Mouse Continue to Cast a Big Shadow Over Anaheim’s Election Campaigns?

Voice of OC – Noah Biesiada and Spencer Custodio | Published: 9/19/2023

In Anaheim, Disney is the political kingmaker – and somewhat of a policymaker. Yet residents rarely see the company’s influence discussed in public by city leaders. A recent report on corruption laid out a web of influence by Disney and other resort interests on City Hall policy making. In sworn affidavits, FBI agents also detailed a city largely controlled by Disneyland resort interests. This fall, council members are taking up a host of items designed to curb special interest influence.

California – How California Lobbyists Jam the Capitol for ‘High-Pressure’ Meetings to Sway Lawmaker Votes

Yahoo News – Lindsey Holden (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 9/14/2023

During the final days of the legislative session in California, lobbyists pack the Capitol rotunda in hopes of snagging some last-minute face time with Assembly members and senators as they cast their final votes for the year. Lobbyists began using the rotunda last year, once in-person activity at the Capitol resumed. Lobbyists are not allowed on the Assembly and Senate floors. The Assembly does not permit lobbyists to text members on the floor, although they can do so in the Senate.

Florida – Miami Commissioner Díaz de la Portilla Arrested on Bribery, Money Laundering Charges

MSN – Joey Flechas, Tess Riski, Sarah Blaskey, Jay Weaver, Charles Rabin, and Raisa Habersham (Miami Herald) | Published: 9/14/2023

Miami City Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla and William Riley Jr., an attorney and lobbyist, were arrested on corruption charges. They stand accused of laundering campaign money, failing to report political donations, and spending political funds on personal expenses. Díaz de la Portilla and Riley are accused of conspiring to launder $245,000 in political contributions in exchange for the commissioner’s support on a plan to build a sports complex in Miami.

Florida – State Arrests Former CFO of Disgraced Domestic Violence Coalition. More Arrests Expected.

MSN – Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) | Published: 9/20/2023

After a three-year investigation, state officials arrested Patricia Duarte, the former chief financial officer of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, for her role in padding the books at the defunct taxpayer-funded organization to compensate herself and Tiffany Carr, the former chief executive officer. Carr was paid $7.5 million in taxpayer funds over three years. A series of stories in The Miami Herald revealed how Carr used her tight control of the coalition to inflate her compensation while domestic violence victims across the state were denied services.

Florida – DeSantis Sits on Florida Ethics Cases as He Vows to ‘Break the Swamp’

Orlando Sentinel – Skyler Swisher | Published: 9/19/2023

As Gov. Ron DeSantis vows to clean up Washington if elected president, dozens of ethics orders seeking to punish the misdeeds of Florida politicians have been languishing on his desk in Tallahassee. The governor has not signed an ethics order since January 28, 2021. Until he takes action, politicians and public employees will not have to pay thousands of dollars in fines, even if they settled their ethics cases and admitted wrongdoing.

Hawaii – This Hawaii Super PAC Says It’s Raising Money for Wildfire Victims – And Political Candidates Too

Honolulu Civil Beat – Allan Kew | Published: 9/18/2023

A progressive political organization is taking advantage of the Maui wildfires to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars that may go to support candidates instead of direct help for victims of the August fires. Our Hawaii Action has raised at least $684,000 through the newly created Maui Community Power Recovery Fund. The group’s fundraising website starts with a familiar pitch, asking donors to “Support Maui Fires: Relief, Recovery and Rebuilding.” The page later notes that money will go to political organizing and campaign operations.

Illinois – Chicago Inspector General’s Office Seizes Computers from City Treasurer’s Office

MSN – Gregory Pratt (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 9/19/2023

Investigators with the Chicago inspector general’s office seized computers from the treasurer’s City Hall offices as part of an investigation into allegations of misconduct against Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin. The move comes after the release late last month of a 2020 letter that laid out a series of accusations by two aides Conyears-Ervin had fired who said the treasurer misused taxpayer resources and abused the powers of her office.

Indiana – Egg Farmer John Rust Files Lawsuit to Face U.S. Rep. Jim Banks in Indiana’s 2024 Senate Primary

Indiana Capital Chronicle – Casey Smith | Published: 9/20/2023

Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Rust filed a lawsuit to get his name on the May 2024 primary ballot. He maintains that a current Indiana law blocking him from the ballot is unconstitutional. Because Rust does not qualify to run as a Republican based only on his primary voting history, he needs additional approval from his county party chairperson. Indiana Republican Party officials have said Jackson County Republican Party Chairperson Amanda Lowery had indicated she would not approve his candidacy.

Michigan – Michigan Marijuana Board Chair Bribed with Sex Worker, Prosecutors Say

Bridge Michigan – Lauren Gibbons | Published: 9/14/2023

Lobbyists offered a sex worker to Rick Johnson, Michigan’s former marijuana board chairperson and a onetime House speaker, as part of a bribe scheme to expedite approval of medical marijuana business licenses, prosecutors revealed. Using the code name “Batman” in reference to Johnson in messages, lobbyists provided the services of the sex worker, tickets to sporting events, and direct cash payments laundered through multiple limited liability companies in return for an edge during the application process, prosecutors said in a sentencing document.

Nevada – Commissioners Adopt ‘Watered-Down’ Lobbyist Policy

This Is Reno – Kristin Hackbarth | Published: 9/19/2023

Washoe’s Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt an ordinance requiring paid lobbyists to identify themselves when providing public comment at commission meetings. Commissioners had directed county staff to draft an ordinance to regulate lobbyists interacting with county policymakers. The policy was modeled after the city of Reno’s. The final ordinance is a stripped-down version of what was presented to commissioners in August, and it removes the requirement for lobbyists to register with the county.

New Jersey – New Jersey Seeks Dismissal of Election Watchdog’s Lawsuit Challenging Controversial Law

New Jersey Monitor – Dana DiFilippo | Published: 9/20/2023

The state Attorney General’s Office asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit New Jersey’s top election watchdog filed against Gov. Phil Murphy. Jeff Brindle accused the governor of orchestrating a legislative overhaul of the state’s campaign finance law last spring to oust him from his longtime job as executive director of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

North Carolina – NC Lawmakers Could Have Full Discretion Over Public Records with New Budget Provision

MSN – Kyle Ingram and Dan Kane (Charlotte Observer) | Published: 9/20/2023

A provision in the draft state budget may give North Carolina lawmakers full discretion to determine which of their records are public, a move open government advocates said is a drastic reinterpretation of years of precedent in public records law. Legislators are already considered to be custodians of their own records, but current law only allows them to withhold records if they claim an exemption to the law, said Brooks Fuller, director of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition.

North Carolina – NC Speaker’s Campaign Has Paid His Law Firm Almost $70k for Rent, Watchdog Group Says

MSN – Travis Fain (WRAL) | Published: 9/18/2023

A watchdog group is calling on the State Board of Election to clarify North Carolina’s campaign finance rules and crack down on candidates who make money renting office space to their own campaign. The Campaign for Accountability flagged about $70,000 in payments that House Speaker Tim Moore’s campaign has paid on a building he owns, which also houses his law office.

Ohio – 3 Former Columbus Zoo Executives Indicted in $2.2M Corruption Scheme

ABC News – Associated Press | Published: 9/19/2023

Three former Columbus Zoo and Aquarium executives engaged in a pattern of corrupt activity that cost the facility more than $2.2 million, according to an indictment. Tom Stalf, who was the zoo’s president and chief executive officer; ex-Chief Financial Officer Gregory Bell, and Peter Fingerhut, its former marketing director “extorted, conspired, bribed and stole” while colluding with each other for over 10 years, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in announcing the 90-count indictment.

Ohio – Nearly 150 Now Say They Didn’t Agree to Use Their Names on Pro-Fracking Form Letters

MSN – Jake Zuckerman, Sean McDonnell, and Gretchen Cuda Kroen (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/16/2023

As a state board moves toward a decision on opening two state parks and two protected wildlife areas for fracking, its public comments are flush with nearly 150 letters under the names of people who say they did not authorize or send them. Those comments trace back to at least two different entities that wage advocacy and lobbying campaigns for the natural gas industry. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has vowed to investigate. The Consumer Energy Alliance has said it does not use names without permission and challenged the accuracy of the reporting.

Oregon – Portland Auditor Investigating Zenith Energy for Lobbying Violations

Street Roots – Jeremiah Hayden | Published: 9/15/2023

The Portland City Auditor’s Office is investigating Zenith Energy for potential violations of the city lobbying code. Confirmation of the investigation comes after it was reported that Zenith Energy and its public relations firm, Pac/West Communications, spent months courting city officials, their staff, and bureau staff to approve a land use permit in 2022.

Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Debuts Automatic Voter Registration, Joining 23 Other States and D.C.

MSN – Marisa Iati (Washington Post) | Published: 9/19/2023

Pennsylvania implemented automatic voter registration to ease the process of casting a ballot, joining 23 other states and the District of Columbia. Residents who are eligible to vote and who obtain or renew a driver’s license or identification card at the Department of Motor Vehicles now will be guided through the voter registration process by default. If they do not want to be added to the voter rolls, they have to actively opt out.

Pennsylvania – Democrats Again Secure One-Vote Pa. House Majority After Special Election Win

Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso | Published: 9/19/2023

Democrats have again secured a one-vote majority in the Pennsylvania House, prevailing in an Allegheny County special election the party was widely favored to win. Lindsay Powell’s win will end a two-month tie in the 203-member lower chamber that has existed since state Rep. Sara Innamorato resigned to focus on her run for Allegheny County executive.

Pennsylvania – A Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Crack Down on Harrisburg’s ‘Revolving Door’ of Lobbyists

Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso | Published: 9/19/2023

A new bill aims to slow the speed of the “revolving door” between public service and private sector lobbying, a threshold that Pennsylvania lawmakers and workers often cross once they leave state government. Current state law bars such officials and employees from lobbying their previous workplaces for a year. The new bill backed by members of both major parties would extend that pause by another year.

Tennessee – A Lawsuit Over Controversial House Sign Rules Is Over. The First Amendment Debate Is Not.

MSN – Angele Latham (Tennessean) | Published: 9/15/2023

A lawsuit over the Tennessee House’s ban on signs the August special legislative session may be coming to a close. But the First Amendment issues surrounding when government can limit speech in the name of order and decorum are not likely going away. Speaker Cameron Sexton has hinted the House may again take up the issue when the Legislature returns in 2024, a move likely to spark renewed debate about the boundaries of free speech.

Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Acquitted on All 16 Articles of Impeachment

MSN – Zach Despart (Texas Tribune) | Published: 9/17/2023

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted by the state Senate on 16 charges of bribery, unfitness for office, and abuse of office. He was immediately reinstated, ending a suspension that began in May with his impeachment by the House. The votes sealed the failure of a risky gambit by House Republicans, who began in secret in the spring to investigate, and then purge, a leader of their own party. The results came after sustained pressure on senators from grassroots groups, conservative activists, and the leader of the state Republican Party, who vowed retribution at the ballot box if Paxton was convicted.

Texas – ‘My Vote Was Rejected’: Trial underway in Texas over new voting law

Yahoo News – Edgar Sandoval (New York Times) | Published: 9/19/2023

A trial is underway in Texas over the state’s sweeping election overhaul. Since it went into effect, critics have raised concerns the law would impede voters with disabilities, elderly voters, and voters who do not speak English. The federal trial provides an unusual opportunity to hear directly from voters who wanted to cast a vote but were not able to do so. Lawyers representing the state countered that the new rules prevent potential voter fraud and that voters seem to be adapting better with every passing election.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Republicans Vote to Fire Elections Director, Who May Not Leave the Job.

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 9/14/2023

Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate voted to fire the state’s top nonpartisan elections official, whose allies responded by saying the lawmakers did not have the power to oust her. The Democratic governor’s administration plans to continue to pay Meagan Wolfe’s salary and make sure she maintains access to her office if she wants to continue as director of the state’s elections commission. The vote creates a dispute over who is in charge of overseeing elections in a state that is expected to play a critical role in next year’s presidential campaign and may have to redraw its legislative districts within months.

National/Federal

Former FTX Crypto Executive Pleads Guilty to Making Millions in Illegal Campaign Contributions

Associated Press News – Jake Offenhartz | Published: 9/7/2023

A former top executive at the failed FTX cryptocurrency exchange pleaded guilty to making tens of millions of dollars in illegal campaign contributions and engaging in a criminal conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transfer business. Ryan Salame, the former co-chief executive of FTX Digital Markets, is the fourth high-ranking official at the company or its affiliates to plead guilty to criminal charges.

Judge Appears to Reject Trump Bid to Talk Classified Info at Mar-a-Lago

MSN – Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 9/13/2023

After he was charged with mishandling national security papers, former President Trump asked to be allowed to discuss classified evidence in the case right where he allegedly had kept the documents: at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida home and private club.  The federal judge overseeing the case appeared to tell him no recently. U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon issued protective order granting prosecutors’ request for a set of rules about how classified information and documents should be handled in the case, rules that conform to the general practice of federal courts.

Court Sets Strict Limits on Jan. 6 Probe’s Access to Rep. Perry’s Phone

MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 9/13/2023

A federal appeals court barred special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation from recovering cellphone texts and other communications between U.S. Rep. Scott Perry and other lawmakers and staff about overturning the 2020 election on January 6, 2021, and ruled a judge must individually review roughly 2,000 documents to decide which, if any, fall outside lawmakers’ constitutional immunity from criminal investigation. The opinion, which the Justice Department could appeal, prolongs a secret dispute that has tied up the search of the conservative lawmaker’s phone data for more than a year.

Diamonds, Girlfriends, Illicit Lobbying: The fall of a former ambassador

MSN – Craig Whitlock (Washington Post) | Published: 9/9/2023

When Richard Olson Jr. retired from the State Department in 2016, he was lauded by colleagues for an illustrious career that included high-profile postings as the U.S. ambassador to Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. But previously undisclosed court records reveal the State Department’s inspector general investigated Olson for failing to report a $60,000 gift of diamond jewelry to his mother-in-law from the emir of Dubai. As part of a broader investigation, the FBI also questioned him about his extramarital affair with a journalist working in Pakistan while he was serving as the U.S. ambassador in Islamabad.

5th Circuit Finds Biden White House, CDC Likely Violated First Amendment

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski and Joseph Menn (Washington Post) | Published: 9/9/2023

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled the Biden White House, top government health officials, and the FBI likely violated the First Amendment by improperly influencing tech companies’ decisions to remove or suppress posts on the coronavirus and elections. The decision was likely to be seen as victory for conservatives who have long argued social media platforms’ content moderation efforts restrict their free speech rights. But some advocates also said the ruling was an improvement over a temporary injunction U.S. District Court Judge Terry Doughty issued in July.

Peter Navarro Convicted of Contempt for Defying Jan. 6 Panel Subpoena

MSN – Paul Duggan (Washington Post) | Published: 9/7/2023

Peter Navarro, a senior Trump White House aide and vocal election denier who has said he helped hatch a legislative scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential race, was found guilty of contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with the House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol. With right-wing provocateur Stephen Bannon, who was found guilty of contempt of Congress, Navarro is the second high-ranking Trump official to be convicted in a criminal case related to efforts to undo President Biden’s victory at the polls.

As GOP Investigates Prosecutors, Experts Worry About Judicial Independence

MSN – Jacqueline Alemany (Washington Post) | Published: 9/9/2023

Probing investigators’ methods and scruples is a strategy that has been utilized by both political parties during tumultuous moments and is a well-worn tool for lawmakers seeking to give the appearance of oversight. The strategy has been effective in shaping public opinion of the investigations of Donald Trump after years of broadsides against the judicial system by Trump and his allies. But in the wake of 91 criminal charges against Trump, the party’s attacks on prosecutors threatens to degrade an important precedent that protects prosecutorial independence and the ability to fairly root out wrongdoing without partisan influence or gain.

What Ginni Thomas and Leonard Leo Wrought: How a justice’s wife and a key activist started a movement

MSN – Heidi Przybyla (Politico) | Published: 9/10/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the 2010 Citizens United case transformed the world of politics. It loosened restrictions on campaign spending and unleashed a flow of anonymous donor money to nonprofit groups run by political activists. The conservative legal movement seized the moment with greater success than any other group, and the consequences have shaped American jurisprudence and politics in dramatic ways.

Kevin McCarthy Announces House Will Begin an Impeachment Inquiry into Biden

NBC News – Rebecca Kaplan, Summer Concepcion, and Sahil Kapur | Published: 9/12/2023

Speaker Kevin McCarthy directed three House committees to open an impeachment inquiry into President Biden to seek bank records and other documents from the president and his son Hunter Biden. McCarthy’s decision represents a major reversal for the speaker after he had he would not open an impeachment inquiry without a vote of the full House. McCarthy faces criticism from across the GOP spectrum due to the lack of evidence implicating the president in Hunter Biden’s transgressions.

Constitutional Debate Over Trump’s Eligibility to Run More Extensive Than Realized

Politico – Zach Montellaro | Published: 9/6/2023

The idea of barring Donald Trump from seeking the presidency on grounds that it would violate the 14th Amendment may be an increasingly popular constitutional argument pushed by a segment of legal scholars and activists. But it turns out election officials have been discussing how to handle it for months. The legal theory argues Trump is constitutionally disqualified from running for president under the amendment’s “insurrection clause,” which states that anyone who “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” after taking an oath of office to defend the Constitution is forbidden from holding public office.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Doug Ford Recommends Possible Jail Time for Ontario Lobbyists Caught Breaking the Rules

CTV – Katherine DeClerq | Published: 9/6/2023

Ontario Premier Doug Ford instructed the province’s attorney general to review legislation governing lobbyists and add increased penalties, including jail time, if they break rules. The request comes amid an integrity commissioner report that highlighted how certain developers with access to staff within the housing ministry were given an unfair advantage when it came to a development deal in Clarington. The government has committed to reviewing legislation governing lobbyists in the coming weeks.

Alabama – Alabama Asks US Supreme Court Again to Intervene in Redistricting Case

Yahoo News – Kim Chandler (Associated Press) | Published: 9/12/2203

Alabama asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let it keep Republican-drawn congressional lines in place as the state continues to fight a court order to create a second district where Black voters constitute a majority or close to it. Despite losing at the Supreme Court earlier this year in the redistricting case, the state is pursuing another appeal, hoping for a different result with the most recent Republican version of the map. Alabama asked the justices to stay a ruling issued by a three-judge panel that blocked the use of the latest districts in upcoming elections and directed a court-appointed special master to propose new lines for the state.

Alaska – Supporters of Effort to Repeal Ranked Voting in Alaska Violated Rules, Report Finds

Associated Press News – Becky Bohrer | Published: 9/13/2023

Backers of an effort to repeal ranked voting in Alaska violated state campaign finance rules, including by channeling money through a church-affiliated organization in a way that initially concealed the source of the contributions, a new report alleges. The report from the staff for the Alaska Public Offices Commission recommends penalties of $22,500 for Art Mathias, a leader of the repeal effort, and approximately $20,000 for the church-affiliated Ranked Choice Education Association among its findings.

California – Irvine Becomes Second Orange County City to Eye Tightening Lobbyist Rules

Voice of OC – Noah Biesiada | Published: 9/14/2023

After the corruption scandal kicked off in Anaheim last year, residents and activists throughout Orange County began asking questions about the impacts of lobbyists and if they wield outsized influence. It is a scandal that also touched on Irvine City Hall, where Mayor Farrah Khan’s former consultant Melahat Rafiei admitted to attempted bribery in 2018, forcing officials there to rethink their relationship with lobbyists. Now, new restrictions on lobbyists could be coming to after city council members voted to have city staff come back with proposals to strengthen the city’s disclosure rules.

California – Will Disney’s Representative Have to Register as a Lobbyist at Anaheim City Hall?

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 9/13/2023

The Anaheim City Council is considering beefing up the city’s lobbyist rules in the wake of the corruption scandal and may require government relations employees to register as lobbyists. It marked the first in a series of reform discussions set to take place over the next few months. An investigation detailed a loose network of lobbyists, with little enforcement of the city’s current rules and alleged multiple high-profile lobbyists violated the law by failing to report a host of meetings with officials. Currently, only contracted lobbyists are required to register with the city.

California – Former Anaheim Mayor, Who Admitted to Corruption, Funds Legal Defense with Campaign Money

Voice of OC – Noah Biesiada | Published: 9/7/2023

Former Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu has been wrestling with public corruption allegations from the U.S. Department of Justice over the past year, which ended when he signed a plea agreement admitting to the charges. But he did not pay for his own legal defense, his campaign donors did, a total of $300,000 according to campaign finance disclosures. California Fair Political Practices Commission rules make no mention of elected officials being able to use the funds to defend themselves from criminal prosecution.

Connecticut – Supreme Court Hears Free Speech Arguments in Public Campaign Finance Case

CT News Junkie – Hugh McQuaid | Published: 9/13/2023

The publicly funded campaigns of former Sen. Joe Markley and then-Rep. Rob Sampson jointly criticized Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy in 2014, including one shared mailer, each paying half the cost. That campaign expenditure and similar ones ignited a free-speech fight that reached the state Supreme Court over whether restrictions on using public campaign funds conflicts with the First Amendment. At issue was whether Markley and Sampson’s criticism of Malloy, who was seeking reelection in 2014, was furthering their own campaigns or boosting the governor’s Republican challenger, Tom Foley.

Florida – DeSantis Took Undisclosed Private Flights and Lodging Through Wealthy Donors

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 9/14/2023

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took at least six undisclosed trips on private jets and accepted lodging and dining in late 2018, according to documents that reflect his proclivity for luxury travel and leisure time with wealthy donors. The trips came during the period between DeSantis’s election and inauguration as governor. DeSantis did not report the flights or accommodations as gifts or campaign contributions, and it is unclear whether he used a separate legal option to personally reimburse for the flights at the cost of coach airfare.

Florida – After Years of Delay, State Dismisses Sexual Harassment Case Against Former Sen. Latvala

Yahoo News – Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) | Published: 9/8/2023

Latvala, who resigned in 2018 after allegations he had sexually harassed a legislative aide and a former lobbyist. Both women continue to stand by their allegations that Latvala, one of the most powerful men in state government, had used his positional power over them to grope them, make inappropriate sexual comments, and make sexual advances. But neither wanted to continue with an ethics trial and said they were exhausted by the emotional turmoil and five-year wait for the state to mete out justice.

Georgia – Trump Won’t Be Tried with Powell and Chesebro Next Month in the Georgia Election Case, a Judge Rules

Associated Press News – Kate Brumback | Published: 9/14/2023

A judge ruled former President Trump and 16 others will be tried separately from two defendants who are set to go to trial in October in the case accusing them of participating in an illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. Lawyers Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro had filed demands for a speedy trial. Trump and other defendants asked to be tried separately from Powell and Chesebro, with some saying they could not be ready by the October 23 trial date.

Georgia – Judge Denies Mark Meadows’s Effort to Move Georgia Case to Federal Court

MSN – Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 9/8/2023

A federal judge denied a request from former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to move the Georgia election-interference case against him from state to federal court, a shift he had sought on the grounds he was a federal officer at the time of the actions that led to his indictment. Meadows had hoped a move to federal court could lead to a dismissal of the case because h as a federal officer, he is immune from prosecution for acts taken in the course of his normal work.

Georgia – Georgia Special Grand Jury Recommended Charging Lindsey Graham in Trump Case

MSN – Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 9/8/2023

An Atlanta-area special grand jury that investigated alleged 2020 election interference in Georgia by Donald Trump and his allies recommended charging one of Trump’s closest associates, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, and 37 other people, a far larger group than a prosecutor ultimately charged. The final report by the special grand jury largely echoed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’s theory of the case, alleging a sweeping criminal conspiracy to subvert Joe Biden’s legitimate election win in Georgia.

Illinois – Chicago Ethics Board Defends Handling of Melissa Conyears-Ervin Allegations, Refers Such Complaints to Inspector General

MSN – Gregory Pratt (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 9/11/2023

Less than a week after the release of a 2020 letter alleging city Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin abused her office, the head of the Chicago Board of Ethics said the board handles all such complaints properly by referring them to the city’s inspector general’s office, but it cannot do more unless it receives detailed findings from the inspector general. Under questioning for days about why the board has not acted on the letter even though it and the city Law Department received a copy in December 2020, Ethics Board Chairperson William Conlon defended the board’s actions while also declining to discuss any case specifically.

Illinois – Johnson Transition Leader Agrees to Pay $10,000 Fine for Violating Lobbying Regulation

WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 9/12/2023

One of the leaders of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s transition team will pay a $10,000 fine to resolve charges brought by the Chicago Board of Ethics that he violated the city’s lobbying regulations. Djavan Conway, who owns Conway Consulting Group, acknowledged he failed to terminate his registration as a City Hall lobbyist in January 2021. Conway’s failure to notify officials he was not lobbying in 2022 triggered daily fines of $1,000.

Indiana – Campaign Finance Contributions on the Indiana Supreme Court Docket

Indiana Capital Chronicle – Whitney Downard | Published: 9/7/2023

The Indiana Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that would determine whether the state’s election code prohibits or limits corporate contributions to PACs that engage in independent campaign-related expenditures. Attorney James Bopp said while his client, the Indiana Right to Life Victory Fund, has not been limited by the state’s campaign finance laws or restricted from making contributions, a “plain language” reading of statute could potentially harm PAC activities in the future.

Maryland – Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Asks Ethics Board for Guidance on Keeping Campaign Separated from City Business

MSN – Emily Opilo (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 9/7/2023

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott requested guidance from the Board of Ethics on how to keep his campaign separate from city business as the race for mayor begins to heat up. Scott asked for written guidance and an in-person meeting between city ethics officials and Scott’s senior staff. Scott has made moves recently that have intermingled campaign and official duties.

Massachusetts – Attorney General in Settlement Negotiations with State GOP, Senator Over Alleged Campaign Finance Violations

MSN – Matt Stout (Boston Globe) | Published: 9/8/2023

State General Andrea Campbell’s office is negotiating a potential settlement with the Massachusetts Republican Party, its former leader, and a state senator, among others, over alleged campaign finance violations, signaling the years-long probe could be nearing a close. Campaign finance regulators first referred evidence to prosecutors in 2021 that then-state GOP Chairperson Jim Lyons, as well as state Sen. Ryan Fattman and Worcester County register of probate Stephanie Fattman, may have violated various campaign finance laws during the 2020 election, including those barring people from disguising the true source of donations.

Michigan – FOIA Friday: Private business ties raise calls for ethics reforms

Axios – Samuel Robinson | Published: 9/8/2023

Michigan Republicans are calling on House Democrats to move on legislation to bring financial disclosure requirements to lawmakers following a media investigation of state Rep. Angela Witwer. She has maintained a close relationship with the consulting firm she founded, The Detroit News found. The firm, Edge Partnerships, has worked with trade associations and agencies like the Michigan Department of Education, whose funding is set by lawmakers, including Witwer in her influential role as House Appropriations Committee chairperson.

Michigan – Michigan Ethics Board Finds State Arts Council Member Violated Conflict of Interest Rules

Detroit News – Beth LeBlanc | Published: 9/7/2023

A rarely used state ethics panel ruled an appointee to the Michigan Arts and Culture Council violated ethics policy by failing to recuse herself from several votes on grants for organizations she leads. The State Board of Ethics ruled Deborah Mikula violated two sections of the state ethics law related to conflicts-of-interest but did not violate two other provisions when she voted in favor of grants for the Michigan Library Association, where she serves as executive director, and the Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan, where she once served as president.

New York – Judge Rules N.Y.’s Ethics Commission Is Unconstitutional in Cuomo Case

Albany Times Union – Brendan Lyons | Published: 9/11/2023

A state Supreme Court justice ruled that a commission created last year to enforce ethics rules for New York’s employees and elected officials violates the state’s constitution because it is too independent. The ruling was issued in a court battle in which former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has fought against the ethics commission’s efforts to investigate a $5 million deal he received for writing a book about his administration’s handling of the pandemic. The decision is expected to be reviewed by the Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court.

New York – Ulrich, the Ex-NYC Building Commissioner, Indicted by Bragg in Sweeping Corruption Case

MSN – Joe Anuta, Jeff Coltin, and Emily Ngo (Politico) | Published: 9/13/2023

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg released a multi-count indictment of former city Department of Buildings Commissioner Eric Ulrich, accusing him of abusing his position and in his role as a former adviser to Mayor Eric Adams. Ulrich was among seven people charged in the wide-ranging indictment. “We allege that Eric Ulrich accepted or solicited more than $150,000 worth of bribes in less than two years by monetizing each elected and appointed role he held in New York City government,” Bragg said.

Ohio – Ohio Will Use Congressional Map Previously Ruled Unconstitutional Again in 2024, as Court Dismisses Legal Challenges

MSN – Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/7/2023

Ohio will use the same congressional districts in 2024 that it used last year, as the state Supreme Court granted the dismissal of two legal challenges to the map the court previously deemed to be unconstitutionally gerrymandered in favor of Republicans. The plaintiffs in the lawsuits had sought the dismissal of their own cases, saying they do not want voters to be in limbo ahead of the election. They also fear that if the current map is thrown out, Republicans would draw an even more GOP-friendly map than the current one, under which Republicans hold 10 seats and Democrats hold five.

Ohio – Rep. Bob Young Resigns from Ohio House as He Faces Domestic Violence Charges

Yahoo News – Haley BeMiller (Akron Beacon Journal) | Published: 9/8/2023

State Rep. Bob Young announced his resignation from the Ohio House as he faces allegations of domestic violence and violating a restraining order. Young was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence and assault in July. He is accused of slapping his wife during a private party at his home following a fundraiser.

Oklahoma – Leaders Concerned About the Future of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission

Tulsa World – Randy Krehbiel | Published: 9/11/2023

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has six employees and a budget of about $820,000 a year, making it one of the smallest and least-funded state agencies. Its executive director is leaving at the end of the year and its online database will go dark during the middle of next year’s campaign season if something is not done soon. Commissioner Jarred Brejcha is confident the panel can handle the flood of money, much of it untraceable, pouring into races at every level. Others, including the exiting executive and a former commissioner, are not nearly as convinced.

Pennsylvania – A Judge Ruled Against the Philly Ethics Board in Its Case Against Super PAC That Supported Mayoral Candidate Jeff Brown

MSN – Sean Collins Walsh (Philadelphia Inquirer) | Published: 9/12/2023

Court of Common Pleas Judge Joshua Roberts dismissed a lawsuit filed by the city Board of Ethics that alleged mayoral candidate Jeff Brown illegally coordinated with For a Better Philadelphia, a super PAC. Roberts’ ruling neither rejected any of the facts laid out by the board nor challenged the board’s authority to regulate super PACs, which are allowed to accept unlimited donations but are prohibited from coordinating with campaigns. Instead, the judge focused on a debate over definitions that had been central to the case.

South Carolina – Former Richland Councilwoman Hit with $300K Ethics Fine. Here’s How She Can Cut It by 90%

Yahoo News – Bristow Marchant (The State) | Published: 9/8/2023

After years of failure to disclose her financial interests and campaign spending to the state, a former member of Richland County Council has been hit with a nearly $300,000 penalty by the South Carolina Ethics Commission. But commissioners gave former Councilperson Gwendolyn Kennedy a window to avoid paying most of her fine. The commission found Kennedy committed 134 separate violations of state ethics law and campaign disclosure requirements dating to her time on county council from 2016 to 2020. The commission reached its decision after an August 17 hearing, at which the commission order notes Kennedy did not appear.

Tennessee – Did Commissioner and Developer Break Rules on Property Sale? Ethics Committee Will Decide

Yahoo News – Allie Feinberg (Knoxville News Sentinel) | Published: 9/13/2023

The Knox County Ethics Committee is considering a complaint filed against a county commissioner and a well-known developer over whether a property sale violated the ethics code ethics code. Scott Davis of Mesana Investments transferred ownership of a plot of land to Commissioner Kyle Ward, who paid $10 for the land, which the county appraised for more than $50,000 earlier this year. The complaint alleges Ward accepted a gift of over $50,000, which violates the ethics code.

Texas – Texas AG Ken Paxton Won’t Lose State Pension – Even If Convicted at Impeachment Trial

MSN – Robert Garrett and Lauren McGaughey (Dallas Morning News) | Published: 9/13/2023

No matter how his impeachment trial turns out, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s state pension is not in jeopardy. Paxton is among an elite set of elected officials. Even if they are impeached, convicted, and booted from office, state legislators and statewide officeholders such as Paxton retain their pensions. Only judges, who are enrolled in a separate pension fund, lose these retirement benefits if they are impeached and removed.

Virginia – Candidate in High-Stakes Virginia Election Performed Sex Acts with Husband in Live Videos

MSN – Sarah Rankin and Denise Lavoie (Associated Press) | Published: 9/11/2023

A candidate in a high-stakes legislative contest in Virginia had sex with her husband in live videos posted on a pornographic website and asked viewers to pay them money in return for carrying out specific sex acts. Susanna Gibson, who is running for a seat in the House of Delegates in a district just outside Richmond, issued a statement in which it denounced the sharing of the videos as a violation of the law and her privacy. The contest will carry significant weight in determining the balance of power in the Virginia General Assembly.

Virginia – Youngkin Borrowed Altria’s Jet. No One Will Say Where He Went.

Virginia Public Media – Ben Paviour | Published: 9/11/2023

Gov. Glenn Youngkin flew on Altria’s private jet to and from an undisclosed location at an unknown time, according to campaign finance records. Neither his campaign committee nor Altria will say who else was on board or give any other details about the trip. It is one of a handful of times Youngkin has benefited from donors who have given him at least $365,000 worth of unspecified “flight services” as part of his political work. Altria is a major player in Virginia politics and the General Assembly.

National/Federal

AI Deepfakes in Campaigns May Be Detectable, But Will It Matter?

MSN – Jim Saska (Roll Call) | Published: 9/5/2023

Deepfake audio, authentic sounding but false recordings built from short snippets of a subject talking, have become extremely realistic, presenting the potential for underhanded political tactics. Artificial intelligence (AI) developers warn that the technology’s rapid development and widespread deployment risks undermining the foundations of representative democracy. Campaign attack ads have long used the most unflattering pictures of their opponents. But AI will supercharge the ability of campaigns, and their rogue supporters, to produce believable fakes.

Democrat Introduces Bill to Limit Defense Contractor, Foreign Government Influence on Pentagon

MSN – Brad Dress (The Hill) | Published: 8/29/2023

Rep. Andy Kim announced he reintroduced legislation that would limit the ability of major defense contractors and foreign governments to hire former Defense Department officials and influence the Pentagon as lobbyists. The Department of Defense Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act would impose a four-year ban on defense contractors hiring senior Pentagon officials and enact a similar ban on former Defense Department employees who managed their contracts.

Court Undoes Ruling Allowing DOJ Access to Scott Perry’s Phone

MSN – Rachel Weiner and Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 9/5/2023

A federal appellate court blocked Justice Department access to the phone records of a Republican lawmaker as part of the investigation charging former President Trump with trying to undo the 2020 election results. The ruling stymies investigators who have been fighting to review thousands of documents from Rep. Scott Perry. U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell granted the special counsel access to most of the records nine months ago. Perry had argued the search would violate constitutional protection from criminal investigation for lawmakers engaged in “speech or debate.”

Project Veritas Audit Accuses ‘Untouchable’ Founder of Improper Spending

MSN – Will Sommer (Washington Post) | Published: 9/5/2023

An audit showed Project Veritas founder James O’Keefe covered personal expenses with funds from the donor-supported nonprofit whose self-described mission is investigative journalism. The Westchester County, New York, district attorney’s office is investigating O’Keefe. Before he left Project Veritas in February, under pressure from its board of directors, O’Keefe was surrounded by a “cult of personality” that enabled him to behave as if he were “untouchable,” the audit concluded.

Republicans Hired Way More Ex-Lobbyists as Congressional Staffers in the Last Year Than Democrats, Analysis Finds

MSN – Brian Metzger (Business Insider) | Published: 9/5/2023

Republicans on Capitol Hill have hired far more former lobbyists to work in their offices than Democrats in the last year, according to a new analysis. Legistorm found that 61 of the 91 former lobbyists who took jobs in partisan offices on Capitol Hill in the last year were hired by Republicans. But the problem of the “revolving door” is one that besets both political parties.

Enrique Tarrio, Proud Boys Leader on Jan. 6, Sentenced to 22 Years for Seditious Conspiracy

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 9/5/2023

Enrique Tarrio, the national leader of the Proud Boys on January 6, 2021, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for masterminding a seditious conspiracy aimed at derailing the transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden. The sentence, the lengthiest among hundreds arising from the attack on the Capitol, is a reflection of prosecutors’ evidence that the Proud Boys, helmed by Tarrio, played the most pivotal role in stoking the violent breach of police lines and the Capitol itself.

Google to Require ‘Prominent’ Disclosures for AI-Generated Election Ads

Yahoo News – Davey Alba (Bloomberg) | Published: 9/6/2023

Google will make it mandatory for all election advertisers to add a clear and conspicuous disclosure starting in mid-November when their ads contain Artificial Intelligence generated content. Advertisers must include prominent language like, “This audio was computer generated,” on altered election ads across Google’s platforms. The policy does not apply to minor fixes, such as image resizing or brightening. The update will improve Google’s transparency measures for election ads, the company said.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Former CRT Chair Appointed as New Interim Federal Ethics Commissioner

Globe and Mail – Ian Bailey | Published: 9/1/2203

Konrad Winrich von Finckenstein, a former chairperson of Canada’s broadcasting regulator, has been named interim federal conflict-of-interest and ethics commissioner, after the government’s previous pick for the role resigned amid concern about the appropriateness of the appointment. Mario Dion, who stepped down as commissioner in February, said the vacancy has put investigations on hold. During Dion’s term, he found Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and several cabinet ministers had broken ethics rules.

Alabama – Federal Court Strikes Down Alabama’s Second Attempt to Avoid Adding Another Majority-Black Congressional District

Yahoo News – Ethan Cohen and Fredreka Schouten (CNN) | Published: 9/5/2023

A federal court blocked a newly drawn Alabama congressional map because it did not create a second majority-Black district, as the U.S. Supreme Court had ordered earlier this year. The three-judge panel ordered a special master to submit three proposed maps that would create a second Black-majority district by September 25. The judges wrote they were “not aware of any other case,” where a state Legislature had responded to being ordered to a draw map with a second majority-minority district, by creating which the state itself admitted did not create the required district.

Alaska – Two More Alaska Ballot Measures Pass Legal Muster, But Another Is Disqualified

Alaska Public Media – James Brooks (Alaska Beacon) | Published: 9/6/2023

Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom approved two ballot measures and disqualified a third from advancing into the signature-gathering phase. One of the two measures approved by Dahlstrom would reimpose limits on political contributions.  The state has been without donation caps limits since 2021, when the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Alaska’s prior limits after a lawsuit by Republican activists.

California – How a New City Council Map of L.A. Turned into a Political Brawl

DNyuz – Jill Cowan, Serge Kovaleski, and Leanne Abraham (New York Times) | Published: 9/4/2023

The redistricting battle in Los Angeles underscores how some big city leaders – often Democrats – have used gerrymandering for their political advantage, much the way Republican lawmakers have redrawn legislative lines to secure or expand their control over some statehouses. Similar fights have been waged in Boston, Miami, and Chicago. The conflict in Los Angeles became a national controversy after audio was leaked that revealed the racist language that politicians used behind closed doors to discuss where to draw district boundaries.

California – San Francisco Corruption: Ex-parole agent pleads guilty in bribery case

San Francisco Standard – Noah Baustin | Published: 8/31/2023

An ex-parole agent and local pop singer pleaded guilty to bribery charges in federal court, marking the latest development in a Justice Department investigation uncovering corruption in San Francisco City Hall. Prosecutors accused Ken Hong Wong of paying former San Francisco Public Works head Mohammed Nuru $20,000 to get someone an engineering job in his department. An investigation revealed the job recipient was Xulu Liu, a recent college graduate and Chinese national. Public Works hired Liu as an assistant engineer earning $46 an hour in September 2019, public records show. She left the job after two weeks.

California – San Jose Council Eases Transparency Rule

San Jose Spotlight – Jana Kadash | Published: 9/5/2023

The San Jose City Council changed three ethics rules that could affect how money is used to influence policy. Officials revised the city’s “revolving door” protocol for former employees, removed fees for late lobbying disclosures, and uncapped reimbursement amounts for personal loans candidates made to their campaigns. City Clerk Toni Taber said the city did not collect fines for late weekly filings before the council nixed the fees. A media review found lobbyists often do not fill out the forms properly even if submitted on time.

California – Anaheim’s Corruption Scandal Causes Residents to Demand Reforms

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 9/6/2023

Anaheim residents and local community groups are charting their own path for reforms in the wake of a corruption scandal that has entangled City Hall. Residents and activists decided to take matters into their own hands after seeing Anaheim City Council members largely ignored calls for reforms until their most recent meeting on the heels of the former mayor agreeing to plead guilty to public corruption charges.

Florida – DeSantis Names Moms for Liberty Co-Founder to Florida Ethics Panel

MSN – Andrew Atterbury (Politico) | Published: 9/6/2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Tina Descovich, a co-founder of the conservative parental rights group Moms for Liberty, to the Florida Commission on Ethics. The move gives the governor a staunch ally on the panel responsible for weighing complaints against public officials in the state, which recently saw one remember resign after a conflict-of-interest violation. Aside from organizing the parental advocacy group, Descovich is a former school board member and runs a political committee that helped some conservatives win local education elections in 2022.

Florida – Judge Says DeSantis’ Congressional Map Is Unconstitutional, Orders Lawmakers to Draw New One

Yahoo News – David Kihara and Gary Fineout (Politico) | Published: 9/2/2023

A judge ruled Gov. Ron DeSantis’s redrawn congressional districts in North Florida violate the state’s constitution and ordered the Republican-led Legislature to create a new map. The ruling is a rebuke to DeSantis, who previously vetoed the Legislature’s attempts to redraw Florida’s congressional maps and pushed lawmakers to approve his map that dismantled a seat formerly held by Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat. The section violated is commonly referred to as the Fair Districts Amendment, which states that lawmakers cannot redraw congressional districts that “diminish” minority voters’ ability to elect someone of their choice.

Georgia – Efforts to Punish Fani Willis Over Trump Prosecution Are ‘Political Theater,’ Georgia Gov. Kemp Says

MSN – Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 8/30/2023

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp offered his strongest denunciation to date of efforts by his fellow Republicans to go after Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, dismissing the moves as “political theater that only inflames the emotions of the moment.” Some Republicans in Washington and Georgia have been attacking Willis since even before she announced the indictment of Donald Trump for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election. Kemp said any calls for a special session to impeach Willis or defund her office were wrong and she had done nothing to merit removal.

Georgia – Judge Denies Kenneth Chesebro’s Request to Sever Georgia Charges from Sidney Powell

The Hill – Zach Schonfeld | Published: 9/6/2023

A state judge denied Kenneth Chesebro’s attempt to sever his charges in the Georgia election interference case from fellow Trump-aligned attorney Sidney Powell, saying he did not deem it necessary to do so to achieve a fair trial. But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee did signal he has doubts about District Attorney Fani Willis’s broader desire to try all 19 co-defendants, including former President Trump, together.

Illinois – Chicago Treasurer Accused of Misconduct and Ethical Violations in Letter City Kept Secret for Years

Yahoo News – Gregory Pratt (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 9/5/2023

Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin used government workers to plan her daughter’s birthday party and be her personal bodyguard while she also pressured public employees to hold events benefiting political allies and repeatedly misused taxpayer resources, two former top aides alleged in a recently released letter the city fought for years to keep confidential. After Conyears-Ervin in 2020 dismissed employees Ashley Evans and Tiffany Harper, they shared a $100,000 settlement from the city. That settlement came after the letter was sent to the city’s top attorney and the Board of Ethics.

Kentucky – Greenberg’s Wife Has Role in Administration. Louisville’s Nepotism Code Might Not Allow

MSN – Josh Ward (Louisville Courier-Journal) | Published: 9/5/2023

The spouses of presidents and governors often have formal positions, as well as aides and offices. That is not common at the municipal level. But the Louisville mayor’s office bucks that trend, and it may run afoul of the city’s anti-nepotism rules. Sources said Mayor Craig Greenberg’s wife has an office in Metro Hall, a city-issued email, and gives orders to staffers. The Louisville ethics code says, “a family member of the Mayor” or other elected official “shall not be employed by or appointed to a position with such elected official’s office.”

Louisiana – Gubernatorial Frontrunner Jeff Landry Facing Ethics Charge

MSN – Ian Auzenne (WWL) | Published: 9/2/2023

A 2021 plane flight taken by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is the leading Republican candidate for governor, is landing him in trouble with the state Board of Ethics. The board voted to charge Landry and Stanton Aviation with one count each of ethics violations. Landry is charged with accepting a gift in relation to his position as attorney general. Stanton Aviation is charged with providing a gift to Landry.

Maryland – Compliance Board Orders Baltimore Board of Ethics to Release Mosby Legal Defense Fund Donors; City Vows to Appeal

MSN – Emily Opilo (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 9/6/2023

The Baltimore Board of Ethics must release the list of donors to a legal-defense fund formed to benefit city council President Nick Mosby and former State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, Maryland’s Public Information Act Compliance Board ordered. The compliance board found the ethics panel violated the Public Information Act by redacting the names of more than 130 donors to the fund when it released the list in March. The ethics board argued the names constituted financial information.

Nevada – Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow Won’t Run for Re-election Amid Scrutiny Over Nonprofit Ties

Nevada Independent – Jacob Solis | Published: 9/1/2023

Nevada Assemblyperson Michelle Gorelow will not run for re-election in 2024, a surprise move that comes after Gorelow had come under increasing pressure to justify taking a new position at a nonprofit that received hundreds of thousands of dollars in legislatively approved funding earlier this year. Separately, Assemblyperson C.H. Miller has come under fire for failing to disclose his employment by the Urban Chamber in a regular financial disclosure form ahead of a vote to give the nonprofit $100,000.

New York – State Gaming Official Voted on Rules Affecting Her Firm’s Client

Albany Times Union – Emilie Munson | Published: 9/1/2023

Over the course of about a year, New York Gaming Commissioner Marissa Shorenstein voted on multiple regulations with implications for a client of her employer, but the commission said her actions avoided any conflict-of-interest. Shorenstein worked as a principal at SKDK, a prominent public relations and lobbying firm that did work for the New York Racing Association, a not-for-profit corporation that operates three thoroughbred tracks in New York and is regulated by the Gaming Commission.

New York – Trump Accuser E. Jean Carroll Wins Liability Claims in Next Civil Case

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 9/6/2023

E. Jean Carroll, the advice columnist who was awarded $5 million in damages at a civil sexual assault trial against former President Trump in May, won the majority of a related defamation case in a summary judgment decision. U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled the May verdict clearly proved disparaging comments Trump made about Carroll in 2019 were false. Those comments do not need to be aired again to prove liability to jurors in s civil defamation trial scheduled for January, Kaplan said.

Ohio – Sen. Sherrod Brown Bets a Progressive Can Still Win in Trump-Leaning Ohio

MSN – Camila DeChalus (Washington Post) | Published: 9/2/2023

Democrat Sherrod Brown has won three U.S. Senate terms in Ohio, once a key swing state that has shifted solidly to Republicans over the past two presidential elections with a personal appeal to working-class families and particularly union trades. Now facing a tough reelection challenge in 2024, Brown is wagering that by casting himself as a pro-labor, progressive populist, he can retain support from White working-class voters whose embrace of Donald Trump has propelled Ohio’s move to the right.

Ohio – The Catholic Church Will Campaign Against Ohio’s Abortion-Rights Amendment. What About the Separation of Church and State?

MSN – Andrew Tobias (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 9/3/2023

The Catholic Church in Ohio is gearing up for this November’s election in a manner that in some ways resembles a PAC. It is preparing to distribute literature to parishioners, deploy church leaders to political fundraisers, make direct campaign contributions, and have its priests preach from the pulpit in opposition to a ballot measure that would add legal protections for abortion to the state constitution. Brian Hickey, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio, said he has heard from people who believe that churches and other religious organizations are not allowed to wade into politics under federal tax law. But that is not the case, Hickey said.

Oregon – Campaign Finance Complaint Filed Against Fire Union Stemming from Contributions for Columbia River Board Candidatesw

MSN – Maxine Bernstein (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 9/1/2023

The St. Helens Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 321 failed to properly report the source of a $6,000 contribution for the May election of three new Columbia River Fire & Rescue board members, according to a complaint to the state secretary of state’s office. The three union-backed candidates also never reported any contributions from the union, which paid for posters, mailers, and signs promoting their candidacy for a board seat, according to state records.

Pennsylvania – Inside Spotlight PA’s Fight to Unseal Lobbyist Communications with the Legislature

Spotlight PA – Angela Couloumbis | Published: 9/1/2023

A clause in Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law says that correspondence between a state lawmaker and a person seeking their help is off-limits to the public – unless that person is a lobbyist. But for years, the Legislature has summarily rejecting all requests for its emails, letters, or other forms of communications regardless of who was on the sending or receiving end. Spotlight PA put the lobbyist clause to the test by requesting from both the state House and Senate copies of communications between legislators and a narrow group of well-known lobbyists.

South Dakota – Legislator’s Conflict of Interest Puts Meaning of ‘Indirect’ Under Microscope

MSN – Mackenzie Huber (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) | Published: 9/5/2023

Former South Dakota Sen. Jessica Castleberry was found to have accepted over $500,000 in allegedly illegal indirect benefits from state government while serving as a legislator. The state constitution prohibits lawmakers from being interested “directly or indirectly” in contracts with the state or counties. In the handful of state Supreme Court cases and opinions dealing with the matter over the last 135 years, none has explicitly defined “indirect,” said Michael Card of the University of South Dakota.

Texas – Judge Declares City Campaign Contribution Blackout Period Unconstitutional

Austin Monitor – Jo Clifton | Published: 9/1/2023

U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman declared an Austin regulation on campaign fundraising unconstitutional. The regulation prohibits candidates for city council seats from seeking or accepting campaign contributions more than a year before an election. The rule was enacted after another judge struck down a city regulation prohibiting candidates from raising money more than six months before an election.

Texas – A Conservative Push to Save Ken Paxton

Yahoo News – J. David Goodman (New York Times) | Published: 9/4/2023

With television ads, text messages, direct mail, and billboards, supporters of the embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have embarked on an escalating campaign of political pressure, backed by hard-right billionaires, aimed at trying to sway the outcome of Paxton’s impeachment trial. The targets of their efforts are narrow: the 19 Republican members of the state Senate who will act as jurors in the trial and decide whether allegations of corruption and abuse of power are serious enough to warrant permanently removing and barring Paxton from office.

West Virginia – PSC Chooses Firm to Audit Mon Power and Potomac Edison Lobbying Expenses

Charleston Gazette-Mail – Mike Tony | Published: 9/5/2023

The West Virginia Public Service Commission chose Van Reen Accounting to audit Mon Power and Potomac Edison lobbying expenses in a review that will cover costs charged to the FirstEnergy subsidiaries related to the largest bribery scandal in Ohio history. The scope of the audit is to include lobbying and other costs of all FirstEnergy companies related to Ohio House Bill 6. That legislation was a billion-dollar bailout of FirstEnergy nuclear plants in Ohio.

National/Federal

A Lawmaker Hid One Key Fact as He Fought Checks on Gun Shops

DNyuz – Glen Thrush (New York Times) | Published: 8/25/2023

Rep. Andrew Clyde has been in Congress only since 2021, but he has quickly emerged as a vocal opponent of gun control, handing out dozens of AR-15 pins to exemplify his wide-ranging push to roll back federal firearms regulation. At a subcommittee hearing, Clyde grilled the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives about a little-known program to monitor gun dealers found selling large numbers of weapons later traced to crimes. Clyde did not disclose one of two gun stores he owns in Georgia was placed in the monitoring program in 2020 and 2021.

Trump Gets March 4 Trial Date in Federal Case Over Efforts to Overturn 2020 Election

MSN – Sarah Wire (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 8/28/2023

Donald Trump will face trial on March 4, 2024, for four felony charges related to his alleged efforts to stay in power after he lost the 2020 election. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan said her decision could not take into consideration the former president’s other responsibilities. Trump is again seeking the Republican nomination in 2024. The ruling means jury selection would begin a day before Super Tuesday, when California, Texas, and a dozen other states hold their presidential primaries.

Following Elon Musk’s Lead, Big Tech Is Surrendering to Disinformation

MSN – Naomi Nix and Sarah Ellison (Washington Post) | Published: 8/25/2023

Social media companies are receding from their role as watchdogs against political misinformation, abandoning their most aggressive efforts to police online falsehoods in a trend expected to affect the 2024 presidential election. Mass layoffs at Meta and other major tech companies have gutted teams dedicated to promoting accurate information online. An aggressive legal battle over claims the Biden administration pressured social media platforms to silence certain speech has blocked a key path to detecting election interference. Elon Musk has reset industry standards, rolling back strict rules against misinformation on X.

Trump Is Selling His Mug Shot on Shirts, Koozies and Bumper Stickers

MSN – Timothy Bella (Washington Post) | Published: 8/25/2023

Not long after Donald Trump was booked on felony charges alleging that he participated in a conspiracy to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia, his 2024 presidential campaign was selling merchandise featuring the first mug shot of a former American president. Other Republicans are also raising money off the mug shot. A committee for Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who is running for reelection in 2024, urged supporters to donate to WinRed, a small-donor fundraising platform for Republicans. “Today, ALL defense pledges will be flagged SPECIFICALLY for President Trump’s campaign,” the ad reads.

ChatGPT Breaks Its Own Rules on Political Messages

MSN – Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) | Published: 8/28/2023

OpenAI initially banned campaigns from using ChatGPT, its artificial intelligence-powered chatbot. But OpenAI then updated its website with a new set of rules limiting only what the company considers the riskiest applications. These rules ban campaigns from using ChatGPT to create materials targeting specific voting demographics, a capability that could be abused and spread disinformation. Yet ChatGPT can still be used to generate tailored political messages, an enforcement gap that comes ahead of the Republican primaries and amid a critical year for global elections.

Mitch McConnell Appears to Freeze Again While Talking with Reporters

MSN – Marisa lati and Paul Kane (Washington Post) | Published: 8/30/2023

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze for more than 20 seconds while taking questions from journalists in an incident that mirrored another occasion when he abruptly stopped speaking in late July. A reporter asked him about running for reelection in 2026. After about seven seconds, an aide approached and asked the senator if he had heard the question. McConnell stared straight ahead, and the aide asked reporters to give them a minute.

Judge Says Peter Navarro Can’t Use Privilege as Defense in Contempt Case

MSN – Paul Duggan (Washington Post) | Published: 8/30/2023

A judge ruled Peter Navarro, a Trump White House adviser charged with criminal contempt of Congress, cannot argue to a jury that he was barred by executive privilege from providing testimony and documents to the House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Navarro has continually asserted, without proof, that he defied the subpoena because Trump, in conversations with him, invoked executive privilege and instructed Navarro not to reveal any privileged information related to topics the committee was investigating.

Justice Thomas Says He Used Private Jet for Security Reasons after Dobbs Leak

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 8/31/2023

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas reported three 2022 trips on the private jet of a Texas billionaire in a newly released financial disclosure form, and for the first-time detailed Harlan Crow’s purchase of three properties from the justice’s family years. Thomas said he opted to fly on Crow’s private plane for one of the trips on the advice of his security detail. The justices faced heightened security risks, Thomas noted, after the leak of the court’s majority opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Republican Women, Fearing Backlash on Abortion, Pivot to Birth Control

Yahoo News – Annie Karni (New York Times) | Published: 8/30/2023

Vulnerable U.S. House Republicans, especially those in politically competitive districts, are trying to reconcile their party’s hardline anti-abortion policies with the views of voters in their districts, particularly independents and women. While many of these GOP lawmakers have cast votes this year to limit abortion access – maintaining a stance that some Republicans concede hurt their party in last year’s midterm elections – others spent part of the congressional recess talking up their support for birth control access, which is broadly popular across the country and across party lines.

X to Allow Political Ads for the First Time Since 2019

Yahoo News – Rebecca Klar (The Hill) | Published: 8/29/2023

X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, will allow political ads heading into the 2024 election cycle for the first time since 2019. The update is the latest change since Elon Musk bought the platform in October. While allowing paid political ads back, the platform will enforce policies that aim to combat the spread of false information.

GOP Salivates at the Biggest Campaign Finance Win Since Citizens United

Yahoo News – Ally Mutnick and Zach Montellaro (Politico) | Published: 8/29/2023

Republicans are growing increasingly optimistic about their prospects in a little-noticed lawsuit that would allow official party committees and candidates to coordinate freely by removing current spending restrictions. If successful, it would represent a seismic shift in how tens of millions of campaign dollars are spent and upend a well-established political ecosystem for television advertising.

From the States and Municipalities

Alaska – Report from Alaska Campaign Regulator Says Tshibaka-Linked Group Violated State Law

Yahoo News – James Brooks (Alaska Beacon) | Published: 8/26/2023

Staff for the Alaska Public Offices Commission recommended a $16,450 fine against Preserve Democracy, a group led by former U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka. Staffers concluded Preserve Democracy failed to register with the commission before campaigning in favor of a proposed ballot measure that would repeal Alaska’s ranked choice voting system.

Arkansas – Arkansas Lawmakers Question Whether Water Company Employees Acted as Lobbyists

Center Square – Kim Jarrett | Published: 8/30/2023

The Arkansas Ethics Commission will look at an email from some Central Arkansas Water Company employees and donations made by the company’s chief executive officer regarding whether they were lobbying. The Joint Performance Review Committee agreed to turn the matters over to the ethics panel after Sen. Dan Sullivan brought the committee an email from employees of the water company known as the Justice, Equity or Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

California – Longtime LA Politician Mark Ridley-Thomas Sentenced to 3 1/2 Years for Bribery

Courthouse News Service – Hillel Aron | Published: 8/28/2023

A federal judge sentenced longtime Los Angeles politician Mark Ridley-Thomas to three-and one-half years in prison. A jury found Ridley-Thomas guilty of bribery for soliciting favors for his son from the dean of the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work, in exchange for helping secure county contracts for the school. The dean, Marilyn Flynn, pleaded guilty to one count of bribery and was sentenced to three years of probation. But Ridley-Thomas maintained his innocence and the case proceeded to trial.

California – San Francisco DA Files New Corruption Charges in Probe with FBI

San Francisco Standard – Josh Koehn | Published: 8/29/2023

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins filed multiple felony charges against a former City Hall staffer, Lanita Henriquez, and Rudolph Dwayne Jones, the director of a community grant program for the city, alleging the two conspired to funnel public money into private contracts to enrich themselves. Henriquez allegedly approved 23 contracts in her official capacity with entities controlled by Jones in which she had financial interests.

California – San Francisco Corruption Scandal Forces New Ballot Measure for Voters

San Francisco Standard – Liz Lindqwister | Published: 8/25/2023

San Francisco ethics watchdogs have long urged the city to adopt tighter restrictions on gift-giving practices that have in the past opened the door for corruption. Now, the city will take the issue to voters. The Ethics Commission voted to place a package of anti-corruption measures on the March 5, 2024, ballot.  The measures introduce more explicit prohibitions on gift-giving and bribery and add more required ethics training for city officials.

California – Winds of Reform Spark in Anaheim Along with Council Tension During Corruption Probe Fallout

Voice of OC – Brandon Pho and Hosam Elattar | Published: 8/30/2023

After promising to reform a Disneyland resort-friendly City Hall, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken sent her resort-backed colleagues the warning shot that some frustrated residents have waited nine months to hear. “My biggest fear is that we were going to hear from … people in the community that we should just … forget about … the problems that were outlined in (a city-commissioned corruption) report,” said Aiken. “I want you to know that I am absolutely not willing to do that.”

California – Is Anaheim a Cue for More Cities to Start Registering Lobbyists?

Voice of OC – Brandon Pho | Published: 8/29/2023

Anaheim has one of Orange County’s most robust online disclosures of registered lobbyists who are paid to sway elected officials on policy making. Yet even with those rules, an FBI corruption probe – and an independent investigation the city commissioned in response – found outsized influence by lobbyists who failed to properly register. Now, some are questioning what that means for other Orange County cities without such policies in place to help members of the public discover the activities of their community’s most influential interest groups.

Florida – Florida’s Affordable Housing Board Suspended Its Director. DeSantis Reinstated Him

MSN – Lawrence Mower (Miami Herald) | Published: 8/28/2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis reinstated Florida’s affordable housing director a month after he was suspended pending the outcome of an inspector general investigation. Mike DiNapoli was DeSantis’s pick to lead the corporation after its previous leader abruptly resigned in January, following the governor’s re-election. DiNapoli was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations he created a hostile work environment.

Georgia – Mark Meadows, Former Trump Chief of Staff, Testifies in Georgia

MSN – Holly Bailey and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) | Published: 8/28/2023

Mark Meadows, Donald Trump’s final White House chief of staff, testified he helped question the 2020 presidential election results out of a federal interest in “free and fair elections” intended to build national trust in the outcome and bring on a peaceful transfer of power. Meadows, who along with Trump and 17 others was indicted in Atlanta, is seeking to move his case from state to federal court, claiming he was acting as a federal officer.

Georgia – Judge Rules Giuliani Defamed Georgia Election Workers, Orders Sanctions

MSN – Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 8/30/2023

A federal judge ruled Rudy Giuliani is legally liable for defaming two Georgia election workers who became the subject of conspiracy theories related to the 2020 election that were amplified by Donald Trump in the final weeks of his presidency. Giuliani will still go to trial on the monetary damages he owes to Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea ArShaye Moss. But U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell has already ordered Giuliani to pay roughly $132,000 in sanctions between his personal and business assets for his failures to hand over relevant information in the case.

Hawaii – Ex-Maui Rep Pleads No Contest to Campaign Spending Violation

Honolulu Civil Beat – Kim Gamel | Published: 8/28/2023

Former Hawaii Rep. Kaniela Ing pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of missing a deadline for filing a campaign spending report. Ing was charged in February after the Campaign Spending Commission took the rare step of referring the case to prosecutors.

Illinois – Tim Mapes, Longtime Gatekeeper to House Speaker Michael Madigan, Found Guilty of Lying to Federal Grand Jury to ‘Protect the Boss’

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 8/24/2023

A jury convicted a former chief of staff to longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of lying under oath to a grand jury to protect his once-powerful boss who is scheduled to go on trial on multiple corruption charges next year. Tim Mapes, who served as Madigan’s chief of staff, was convicted of one count of perjury and one of attempted obstruction of justice. The verdict marked the conclusion of a criminal case that centered on relatively straightforward charges yet delved deeply into the behind-the-scenes political intrigue of the scandals that rocked Madigan’s office and ended his decades-long grip on power.

Kansas – How a Small-Town Feud in Kansas Sent a Shock Through American Journalism

MSN – Jonathan O’Connell. Paul Farhi, and Sofia Andrade (Washington Post) | Published: 8/26/2023

Marion County Police Chief Gideon Cody led officers on a raid of the Marion County Record’s offices and the home of its editor and publisher, seizing computers, servers, cellphones, and other files. The raid was so unusual, and so alarming in its implications for the news media, that it became an international story. Press-advocacy organizations condemned the raid as a breach of state and federal laws that protect the media from government intrusion. The response to the raid was heightened by the sudden death of the editor’s 98-year-old mother, who had railed at the officers sorting through her belongings at their home and collapsed a day later.

Louisiana – Louisiana First in the Nation to Vote on Banning Private Elections Funding

Bolts – Alex Burness | Published: 8/24/2023

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in 2020 donated some $350 million to a previously obscure nonprofit organization called the Center for Tech and Civic Life, which helps maintain and improve local election procedures and ballot access around the country. The money was used for a variety of purposes, including ballot processing equipment and improved pay for election workers. In the October 14 election, Louisianans will see a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban private or foreign money from being used for the purpose of conducting elections.

Michigan – How Trump’s Election Lies Left the Michigan G.O.P. Broken and Battered

Yahoo News – Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 8/29/2023

The Michigan Republican Party is starving for cash. A group of prominent activists was hit with felony charges connected to a bizarre plot to hijack election machines. In the face of these troubles, suspicion and infighting have been running high. A recent state committee meeting led to a fistfight. The turmoil is one measure of the way Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 election have rippled through his party.

New Jersey – ELEC Says Goodbye to Brindle, Begins Search for Replacement

New Jersey Globe – David Wildstein | Published: 8/29/2023

The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission formally accepted Jeff Brindle’s retirement as executive director and will meet to discuss their search for his replacement. Brindle notified commissioners of his plans four weeks ago after heading the campaign finance agency since 2009. His decision came more than five months after Gov. Phil Murphy had sought to oust Brindle from his post over an email sent to a staffer last fall that mocked National Coming Out Day.

New York – Lobbying Topped $300 Million in N.Y. for First Time in 2022

Albany Times Union – Joshua Solomon | Published: 8/28/2023

Spending on lobbying in New York surged last year as the coronavirus pandemic subsided with a record $332 million spent to influence elected officials. The overwhelming majority of the money was spread across 60-plus firms and organizations that were paid at least $1 million in 2022 to lobby on state government matters.

New York – 3 Hosts of an Eric Adams Fund-Raiser Are Said to Face Indictment

DNyuz – William Rashbaum and Jonah Bromwich (New York Times) | Published: 8/28/2023

A few months before he was elected mayor of New York City, Eric Adams was feted at a $1,000-a-head fundraiser. Among the hosts was city Councilperson Eric Ulrich, whom Adams would eventually appoint as buildings commissioner. Now, at least four hosts of the event, including Ulrich, are under scrutiny, with several expected to face charges stemming from a bribery and organized crime investigation by the Manhattan district attorney’s office, according to several people familiar with elements of the inquiry. It is unclear whether the fundraiser is connected to the pending charges.

New York – Trump Asks to Dismiss Suit as A.G. Says He Inflated Worth by $2.2 Billion

DNyuz – Jonah Bromwich, Ben Protess, and William Rashbaum (New York Times) | Published: 8/30/2023

Before Donald Trump was indicted four times over, New York Attorney General Letitia James sued him, alleging his business and members of his family had fraudulently overvalued their assets. James will seek to bar him and three of his children from leading their family business to require him to pay a fine of around $250 million. James is arguing a trial is not necessary to find Trump inflated the value of his assets, fraudulently obtaining favorable loans and insurance arrangements. She said the fraud was so pervasive that Trump falsely boosted his net worth by between $812 million and $2.2 billion each year over the course of a decade.

New York – Top Execs at Group That Paid for Mayor Adams’ $34K Israel Trip Have Business Interests Before His Admin

MSN – Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) | Published: 8/25/2023

Two top executives at a philanthropic organization that bankrolled New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ recent trip to Israel have significant business and lobbying interests before his administration. The matter involves Marc Rowan and Eric Goldstein of the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York. A spokesperson for the group said it spent $4,857 on Adams’ airfare, lodging, food, and other expenses related to his Israel visit.

North Carolina – A North Carolina Court Justice Wants to Block an Ethics Panel Probe, Citing Her Free Speech

MSN – Gary Robertson (Associated Press) | Published: 8/29/2023

A Democratic justice on North Carolina’s Republican-majority Supreme Court sued an ethics panel to block it from investigating her public comments about state courts and colleagues, saying the probe and other recent scrutiny violate her free speech rights. Associate Justice Anita Earls filed the federal lawsuit against the state Judicial Standards Commission. She wants a judge to declare the panel can no longer investigate her speech “on matters of public concern.”

North Carolina – How US Allowed Pandemic Relief to Go to NC Companies Involved in Politics and Lobbying

Yahoo News – Danielle Battaglia (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 8/31/2023

Many North Carolina firms involved in lobbying and politics landed Paycheck Protection (PPP) loans, then had them forgiven, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The Small Business Administration has excluded those primarily engaged in lobbying or political activities from applying for agency loans. It was believed federal tax money should not be invested into those activities. When Congress authorized the PPP loans to help companies harmed by shutdowns as COVID-19 spread, those rules still applied. The rules allowed some firms in those industries to apply, but only if lobbying or political activity were not their “primary” lines of work.

Ohio – Ohio Abortion Rights Advocates Sue Over Ballot Language

Yahoo News – Jessie Balmert (Cincinnati Enquirer) | Published: 8/28/2023

The group pushing to enshrine abortion access in the Ohio Constitution filed a lawsuit challenging ballot language written by Republicans that reproductive rights advocates say is inaccurate and will confuse voters this fall. Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights asked the state Supreme Court to use the same ballot language they used to circulate petitions and collect signatures. If the court disagrees with that approach, advocates want “blatant inaccuracies” in the language fixed.

Oklahoma – Ryan Walters Ordered to Pay Oklahoma Ethics Commission Over Campaign Report Violations

MSN – Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) | Published: 8/28/2023

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters was ordered to pay $7,800 to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission for filing campaign reports late 14 times during his run for office last year. Only one of the orders has become final, though it has not been paid. Walters is contesting the others. Dozens of other candidates have had trouble meeting filing deadlines but few to the same extent, records show. Most are fined less than $1,000.

Oregon – Oregon Ethics Watchdogs Launch New Probe into Former Secretary of State Fagan’s Travel

Oregon Capital Chronicle – Julia Shumway | Published: 8/25/2023

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted unanimously to investigate former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan’s travel while in office and whether she bilked the state out of thousands of dollars by bringing her family with her on state-funded trips and double-dipping with campaign funds. She is also facing scrutiny from state and federal prosecutors and the state ethics commission, which began a separate probe into her conduct in office, including her $10,000-per-month consulting job with cannabis entrepreneurs involved in an audit conducted by her office.

Oregon – Republican Senators, State Attorneys Seek Oregon Supreme Court Review of Anti-Walkout Law

Oregon Capital Chronicle – Julia Shumway | Published: 8/29/2023

Five Republican senators and attorneys representing the state are seeking a quick resolution from the Oregon Supreme Court on the senators’ challenge to a voter-approved law intended to block them from running for reelection after they ground the legislative session to a halt for six weeks. Voters frustrated with GOP lawmakers’ increasing reliance on quorum-blocking walkouts passed a constitutional amendment to bar any senator with more than 10 unexcused absences from serving another term. Ten conservative senators passed that point in May, and they stayed away for another month as they protested bills on abortion, transgender health care, and guns.

Texas – Judge Declares New Texas Law That Would Erode Cities’ Power to Enact Local Rules Unconstitutional

Texas Tribune – Joshua Fechter | Published: 8/30/2023

A new Texas law aimed at undermining the ability of the state’s bluer urban areas to enact progressive policies is unconstitutional, a Travis County judge. State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble made the ruling just days before the law, which opponents nicknamed the “Death Star” bill, is slated to take effect. The Republican-backed law aims to stop local governments from enacting a wide range of policies by barring cities and counties from passing local ordinances that go further than what is allowed under broad areas of state law.

Texas – ‘This is Approved’: Top AG lawyers now represent their embattled suspended boss, and got taxpayer money while doing it

WFAA – Tanya Eiserer | Published: 8/29/2023

At the Texas Attorney General’s Office, they are some of Ken Paxton’s staunchest defenders: Solicitor General Judd Stone and general litigation chief Chris Hilton. Both played roles in fighting a lawsuit that alleged Paxton used his office to systemically benefit a friend and campaign donor. Once the House impeached Paxton, Hilton and Stone left the office to join the defense team for their former boss. Normally, it would be against internal ethics rules for a lawyer employed by the attorney general’s office to represent someone other than the state. But Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster waived those rules.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Supreme Court Flips Liberal, Creating a ‘Seismic Shift’

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 8/27/2023

Liberal groups, long accustomed to seeing the Wisconsin Supreme Court as hostile terrain, quickly maneuvered for potential victories on a string of major issues after voters elected a liberal majority to the court. They filed lawsuits to try to redraw the state’s legislative districts, which heavily favor Republicans. The Democratic attorney general sought to speed up a case challenging a 19th-century law that has kept doctors from providing abortions in Wisconsin. The turnaround is the result of an April election  that became the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, with campaigns and interest groups spending more than $50 million.

Wyoming – Lawmakers Aim to Address Campaign Spending, Residency Requirements with New Bills

Casper Star Tribune – Maya Shimizu Harris | Published: 8/29/2023

Wyoming’s next legislative session will likely see a slate of bills that aim to improve transparency around campaign spending and tighten voter residency requirements. The proposed legislation attempts to address concerns ranging from the influence of private money in campaigns and elections to the question of how long someone should be required to live in Wyoming before they can vote in the state’s elections.

National/Federal

Democratic Group Plans $10 Million Push to Protect Election Officials

DNyuz – Nick Corasaniti (New York Times) | Published: 8/17/2023

A group that works to elect Democrats as the top election officials in states around the country is planning a $10 million venture to pay for private security for election officials of both parties, register new voters, and try to combat disinformation. The Democratic Association of Secretaries of State is starting a tax-exempt organization called Value the Vote that will initially focus on five battleground states: Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, Nevada, and Wisconsin.

Special Counsel Says D.C. Grand Jury on Trump Documents Case Has Ended

MSN – Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 8/22/2023

The federal grand jury in the District of Columbia that helped investigate Donald Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents has ended, special counsel Jack Smith said in a court filing, which laid out new details about how the probe quietly expanded to look at alleged coverup efforts. Prosecutors and defense lawyers are sparring over the use of two grand juries to investigate Trump’s alleged hoarding of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, his home and private club. Trump is charged with illegally retaining national defense information after leaving the White House and obstructing efforts to retrieve the material.

Republican Rivals Clash Sharply in Combative Debate with No Trump

MSN – Josh Dawsey, Michael Scherer, and Marianne LeVine (Washington Post) | Published: 8/23/2023

Republican presidential contenders targeted each other as much as they did the absent front-runner, Donald Trump, in a combative first debate with a series of clashes reflecting the fierce competition to emerge as the main alternative to the former president. Trump’s decision to skip the event, a choice that highlighted his commanding polling lead, left him without a defense over two hours that marked the official start of the nomination battle. His biggest consolation came when all but one of the candidates onstage raised their hands to signal they would support Trump if he won the nomination and was convicted of a crime in a court of law.

State Lawmakers Move to Ban Chinese Land Ownership

MSN – Kimberly Kindy (Washington Post) | Published: 8/21/2023

In Washington, D.C., the White House and federal lawmakers are pursuing ways to constrain Chinese-owned businesses like TikTok amid a bipartisan push to limit China’s reach. Now state legislators have embraced a novel, locally focused tactic aimed at China’s domestic investments: restrictions on Chinese land ownership. Lawmakers in 33 states have introduced bills this year that would prohibit the Chinese government, some China-based businesses, and many Chinese citizens from buying agricultural land or property near military bases.

Super PACs Raise Millions as Concerns About Illegal Campaign Coordination Raise Questions

OpenSecrets – Maia Cook | Published: 8/18/2023

Super PACs, now a staple in modern presidential campaigns, are already gearing up to spend unlimited sums to support and oppose candidates for the 2024 election and many of those groups have a cozy relationship with the candidates they support. This might raise eyebrows to people that remember Citizens United, which stated any coordination between a campaign committee and an outside group backing their campaign – including PACs, corporations, nonprofits, and unions – is illegal.

As Ranked Choice Voting Gains Momentum, Parties in Power Push Back

Stateline – Matt Vasilogambros | Published: 8/21/2023

Over the past decade, ranked choice voting has become increasingly popular. From conservative Utah to liberal New York City, 13 million American voters in 51 jurisdictions now use the system, under which voters rank candidates based on preference, leading to an instant runoff in a crowded race. This year, Democrats and Republicans in power pushed back. Arguing that ranked choice voting is too complicated for voters to understand, Democrats in the District of Columbia and Republicans in states such as Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota took steps to prevent adoption of the voting system.

How Mark Meadows Pursued a High-Wire Legal Strategy in Trump Inquiries

Yahoo News – Jonathan Swan, Alan Feuer, Luke Broadwater, and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 8/22/2023

After receiving a subpoena from a grand jury investigating former President Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election, Mark Meadows started a delicate dance with federal prosecutors. He had no choice but to testify eventually. Yet Meadows –Trump’s final White House chief of staff – initially declined to answer certain questions, sticking to his former boss’s position they were shielded by executive privilege. But when prosecutors working for special counsel Jack Smith challenged Trump’s executive privilege claims before a judge, Meadows pivoted.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – House Committee to Consider Ethics Reform

Alabama Daily News – Mary Sell | Published: 8/20/2023

The Alabama House Ethics Committee will begin discussing possible changes to the state’s multiple ethics laws that apply to elected officials, government employees, and lobbyists. The committee will first review a 2019 report from the Code of Ethics Clarification and Reform Commission, a group created by the Legislature to propose changes to existing ethics laws.

California – California Boards Want to Keep Pandemic Rules for Public Meetings. Critics Call It Bad for Democracy

CalMatters – Sameea Kamal | Published: 8/23/2023

State boards are backing a bill to continue the exemptions from California’s open meetings law. An unusual coalition of good government, press, taxpayer, and industry groups is fighting back. Senate Bill 544 seeks to remove requirements to post all teleconference locations, post agendas at each location, and make those locations accessible to the public. The bill’s opponents – a rare coalition of good government, press, taxpayer. and industry groups – say Californians should be able to address their government officials in person.

California – Amid Outcry, L.A. City Council Defends Rejection of Ethics Nominee

MSN – Dakota Smith and David Zahniser (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 8/23/2023

When the city council voted down a proposed appointment to the city Ethics Commission, it all happened quickly and quietly. No one on the council offered a reason for the swift, and some say brutal, unanimous vote rejecting Jamie York. But after days of complaints from York’s allies and neighborhood council leaders, the explanations have come tumbling out.

California – Ex-Anaheim Mayor to Plead Guilty to Corruption Charges Tied to Angel Stadium Sale

MSN – Adam Elmahrek, Nathan Fenno, and Gabriel San Román (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 8/16/2023

Former Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu agreed to plead guilty to four criminal charges, capping a years-long investigation into alleged corruption that led to his resignation and scuttled the city’s $320 million sale of Angel Stadium. The charges against Sidhu include lying to FBI agents about not expecting to receive anything from the Angels when the transaction closed – secret recordings captured him saying he hoped to secure a $1-million campaign contribution – and destroying an email in which he provided confidential information about the city’s negotiations to a team consultant.

California – Ad Giant Plans to Use People’s Data to Knee-Cap Bill Regulating Data

MSN – Alfred Ng (Politico) | Published: 8/18/2023

One of the world’s largest advertising firms is crafting a campaign to thwart a California bill intended to enhance people’s control over the data that companies collect on them. Records show Interpublic Group emails reveal how an advertising company could use that same personal data and targeting capabilities to undermine a public policy proposal that threatens its bottom line.

California – SLO County Legislator Fined for Accepting Campaign Donation from a Lobbyist

Yahoo News – Stephanie Zappelli (San Louis Obispo Tribune) | Published: 8/19/2023

California Assemblyperson Dawn Addis was fined for accepting a campaign contribution from a lobbyist. When Addis ran for the Assembly in 2019, her campaign accepted a $250 donation from lobbyist Steve Black. The Political Reform Act bans lobbyists from donating to candidates running for office, and candidates from accepting such contributions. Both Addis and Black said they were unaware of the ban.

Colorado – 10th Circuit Reinstates Challenge to Colorado’s Regulations on Ballot Issue Advocacy Groups

Colorado Politics – Michael Karlik | Published: 8/23/2023

A trial judge threw out a lawsuit from the Colorado Union of Taxpayers over the state’s rules for advocating on ballot initiatives after finding the conservative advocacy group had not shown the government was likely to take enforcement action against it for failing to comply with the transparency regulations. But a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ruled the group had a reasonable fear of drawing a complaint about its spending without registering, and, therefore, had the ability to sue over the campaign finance law.

District of Columbia – D.C. Attorney General Is Probing Leonard Leo’s Network

MSN – Heidi Przybyla (Politico) | Published: 8/22/2023

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb is investigating judicial activist Leonard Leo and his network of nonprofit groups. The scope of the probe+ is unclear. But it comes after it was reported that one of Leo’s nonprofits paid his for-profit company tens of millions of dollars in the two years since he joined the company. A complaint was filed with the attorney general and the IRS requesting a probe into what services were provided and whether Leo was in violation of laws against using charities for personal enrichment.

Florida – DeSantis’ Disney Chief Glen Gilzean Resigns from Ethics Commission

MSN – Skyler Swisher (Orlando Sentinel) | Published: 8/22/2023

Glen Gilzean resigned as chairperson of the Florida Commission on Ethics so he can keep his $400,000-a-year job leading Gov. Ron DeSantis’s Disney World oversight district. In his resignation letter, Gilzean wrote he was unaware of a potential conflict-of-interest under state law until media reports flagged it.

Florida – ‘I Could Sell Golf’: How DeSantis and aides courted lobbyists for campaign cash

MSN – Isaac Arnsdorf and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) | Published: 8/20/2023

Fundraisers for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hoped some lobbyists in the state would raise at least $1 million each for his PAC, the state, and the Republican Governors Association, according to a document from his primary fundraiser. The document suggested lobbyists be allowed to offer their clients perks, such as meals and rounds of golf with DeSantis. While it is common for politicians to seek donations from lobbyists, the efforts by DeSantis to effectively auction off his leisure time to those seeking to influence state policy created a special pathway of access for donors that is striking in the way it was documented in writing, ethics experts said.

Florida – Deal Reached in Florida Redistricting Lawsuit. Outcome Is a Gamble for DeSantis and Democrats

MSN – Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) | Published: 8/15/2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis’s decision to dismantle a congressional district formerly held by a Black Democrat could be reversed according to a surprise agreement between lawyers for the state and civil rights groups challenging Florida’s map. Under the agreement the plaintiffs will drop their legal challenges to congressional districts in Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area, and focus arguments on the North Florida district they say violates state and federal voting rights protections for Black voters.

Florida – Suarez’s VIP Appearances at F1, World Cup Spark Complaint to State Ethics Commission

Yahoo News – Sarah Blaskey and Joey Flechas (Miami Herald) | Published: 8/22/2023

The Florida Commission on Ethics is reviewing a complaint over Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s attendance at exclusive, high-priced sporting events since the start of 2022. The complaint asks ethics officials to investigate Suarez’s VIP access to various events, including the Miami Formula One race in May 2023, and whether somebody else paid. Suarez, who was invited along with his wife to this year’s race by a billionaire with business before the city, says he reimbursed the businessperson. He did not provide proof. If he did repay in full, the tickets would not be a gift and he would not have to disclose them.

Georgia – Judge Approves $200,000 Bond for Trump in Georgia Election Case

MSN – Holly Bailey (Washington Post) | Published: 8/21/2023

A judge approved a $200,000 bond for former President Trump, who is expected to surrender on charges he and 18 allies illegally conspired to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss in Georgia. The consent bond order sets strict rules for Trump’s release. He is not allowed to communicate with witnesses or co-defendants about the case, except through his lawyers, and he is barred from intimidating witnesses or co-defendants.

Illinois – What Would It Take for Chicago’s City Council to Be More Independent?

WBEZ – Tessa Weinberg | Published: 8/16/2023

As the Chicago City Council enters its 100th year under its modern form, some aldermen, good government advocates, and political science experts say despite incremental progress, the council still has institutional inertia to overcome before it can operate independently from the historical grip the mayor’s office has held. Proposals include altering the council’s structure, more robustly staffing fiscal and legislative agencies, and a wholesale reset on Chicago’s municipal governance by codifying reforms in a city charter.

Kansas – Confidential Affidavits Detail Reasoning for Police Raid of Kansas Newspaper

MSN – Jonathan O’Connell and Jon Swaine (Washington Post) | Published: 4/19/2023

Newly unsealed court records provide insight into how law enforcement justified an unusual raid of the office of a Marion, Kansas, newspaper, a decision that has drawn widespread condemnation from news organizations and press freedom advocates. The Marion County Sheriff’s office said it was investigating “identity theft” and “unlawful acts concerning computers” when it searched the offices of the Marion County Record, the home of the paper’s publisher Eric Meyer, and the home of a local city council member – seizing computers, cell phones, and other materials, according to search warrant affidavits.

Kentucky – Ethics Trial for Metro Council Member Who Pushed $40 Million Grant for Future Employer Starts Monday

Louisville Public Media – Roberto Roldan | Published: 8/20/2023

Metro Councilperson Anthony Piagentini was an early supporter of a plan by the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council to train hundreds of entry-level workers and build an “innovation corridor” in the city. But when the $40 million project came up for a final vote in December, Piagentini abstained and removed himself as a co-sponsor without explanation. It was later found he took a job with the Healthcare CEO Council one day after the metro council approved funding. Piagentini faces an ethics board hearing in the case.

Maryland – Accepting Bribes Isn’t Permitted in Baltimore, Housing Commissioner Says

Baltimore Brew – Mark Reutter | Published: 8/23/2023

Baltimore Housing Commissioner Alice Kennedy issued an unusual memorandum recently. Titled “Attempted Bribes,” it informed her staff that “City of Baltimore employees are not permitted to accept bribes.” Kennedy listed the processing of permits, performing building inspections, issuing housing code violations, and acquiring and disposing of property as potential interactions where bribes could take place. Her memo came on the heels of an alert by Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming, which found building inspectors were not sure what to do when they were offered cash or gift cards.

Maryland – Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan Issues Annual Report Following Commission Recommendations

MSN – Lia Russell (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 8/16/2023

In the three years since its inception, Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan’s office has gone from three people toiling in a small windowless room to doubling its staff size and budget. That was the main message of its annual report, summarizing what Madigan’s office has accomplished during the previous fiscal year. The office is charged with rooting out fraud, misconduct, and waste within county government.

Michigan – Former Taylor Mayor Rick Sollars Enters Plea Agreement in Federal Corruption Case

WXYZ – Staff | Published: 8/22/2023

The former mayor of Taylor, Michigan, is facing years in prison after entering into a plea agreement in a federal corruption case. Sollars admitted to bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds by accepting things of value to influence and reward business transactions related to the city’s Right of Refusal program. The indictment said Sollars accepted over $30,000 in renovations to his home, more than $12,000 worth of household appliances and cabinets, cash, and other items to give a company city business.

Nebraska – Judge Rules Former Omaha City Councilman Vinny Palermo Will Stay in Jail Prior to Sentencing

Omaha World-Herald – Lauren Wagner and Molly Ashford | Published: 8/23/2023

A federal judge rejected a third attempt by former Omaha City Councilperson Vincent Palermo to be released from custody. Magistrate Judge Cheryl Zwart said there was no reason to allow Palermo to be released after he pleaded guilty to a federal charge recently. She also had concerns about Palermo obstructing justice if released. Palermo admitted to conspiring with his co-defendants to deprive the citizens of Omaha of honest representation by their city council member.

New Jersey – Feds Once Subpoenaed Records for 2 Murphy Advisers – Including One Now Running for N.J. Assembly

MSN – Matt Arco, Brent Johnson, and Susan Livio (NJ Advance Media) | Published: 8/21/2023

Two longtime advisers to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy,  including one who is poised to run for the state Assembly in the fall, were once the subject of a federal subpoena seeking records related to them and their consulting and lobbying firms. In the subpoena, federal prosecutors requested the recipient to present emails and documents to or from Brendan Gill, his public affairs consulting firm, The BGill Group, and the lobbying firm he is affiliated with, Public Strategies Impact. The subpoena, issued in February 2020, also sought similar documents and emails to and from Adam Alonso, Murphy’s former deputy chief of staff.

New Jersey – Democrat Challenging Testa Is Ghosting the Campaign

Press of Atlantic City – Bill Barlow | Published: 8/23/2023

Charles Laspata filed petitions in the spring to challenge incumbent New Jersey Sen. Michael Testa, It does not appear that Laspata has done much about the campaign since then. Democratic leaders in Cape May and Cumberland counties say they have not heard from Laspata, and attempts to contact him through email, social media, and by phone have been unsuccessful. The website of the Election Law Enforcement Commission does not show any of Lasopata’s required campaign finance forms have been filed for the primary election.

New Mexico – Judge Tosses New Mexico’s Political Contribution Limits

Yahoo News – Colleen Heild (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 8/17/2023

Some provisions of a New Mexico campaign finance law limiting the amount of money state political parties can give are unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled. The court enjoined the state from enforcing its $11,000 limit on contributions from state political parties to gubernatorial candidates or candidate committees; its $5,500 limit per election cycle for all other candidates; and the state’s $5,500 cap from state political parties to county parties. The judge upheld a $27,500 cutoff on donations from individuals and entities to state political parties.

North Carolina – N.C. Republican Bill Limits Mail Voting, Private Election Funding

MSN – Mariana Alfaro (Washington Post) | Published: 8/17/2023

Republicans in North Carolina passed election administration legislation that curtails absentee voting, empowers partisan poll watchers, and restricts private funding for elections. Voting rights advocates and Democrats have warned the measure, which passed both chambers in the Legislature along party lines, erodes access to the ballot in the battleground state. Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to veto the legislation, but Republicans can overturn his decision because they have veto-proof majorities in both legislative chambers.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma May Have to Go Back to Paper Filings for Campaign Finance Reports, Official Warns

Tulsa World – Barbara Hoberock | Published: 8/23/2023

With funding of critical concern, trouble appears to be on the horizon for Oklahoma’s electronic campaign filing system. In a letter to lawmakers and Gov. Kevin Stitt, outgoing state Ethics Commission Executive Director Ashley Kemp said the system needs an upgrade or replacement. She suggested that going back to paper filings would be an option.

Oregon – Oregon Labor Group Launches End Run Around Effort to Curb Political Donations, Shed Light on Dark Money

MSN – Hillary Borrud (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 8/21/2023

A nonprofit led by Orego’s public employee unions filed two ballot measure proposals that contain an end-run strategy aimed at defeating a proposal that campaign finance reformers have been working to qualify for the ballot to cap contributions and shed light on “dark money.” The two measures that Our Oregon filed to get on the ballot in 2024 would similarly limit the size of donations, but they would allow unions, business associations, and other membership organizations to continue sending hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to candidates.

Pennsylvania – Newly Introduced Legislation Would Increase Campaign Finance Transparency in Pennsylvania

WTAJ – Rebecca Parsons | Published: 8/23/2023

A new bill in Pennsylvania aims to increase transparency in elections by requiring campaigns and campaign organizations to itemize reimbursements on campaign finance reports. “… Donors give to campaigns with the expectation that their funds are going to be used for legitimate campaign expenditures and they deserve to know specifically how that money is being spent …,” said Rep. Jamie Barton, the bill’s sponsor.

Rhode Island – What Is ‘Red-Boxing’ and Why Is it an Issue in R.I.’s Congressional Race?

MSN – Edward Fitzpatrick (Boston Globe) | Published: 8/23/2023

Rhode Island’s First Congressional District race has delved into matters of climate change, defense spending, and education, but a less familiar issue is emerging as the campaign enters its final two weeks: “red-boxing.” Lt .Gov. Sabina Matos, one of 12 Democrats in the race, has accused rival Aaron Regunberg of lying about publishing information on his campaign website that she claims was aimed at helping a super PAC boost his candidacy. Regunberg in turn has accused Matos and other candidates of posting information intended for super PACs backing their campaigns.

South Carolina – Former Richland Councilwoman Used Taxpayer Money for Groceries, Ethics Commission Says

Charleston Post and Courier – Skylar Laird | Published: 8/17/2023

Former Richland County Councilperson Gwen Kennedy used her county taxpayer money to buy groceries, as well as “double dip” on travel expenses, and buy gas multiple times on the same day, a South Carolina Ethics Commission attorney said. Kennedy also misused campaign funds while running for county council, failed to file a number of required disclosures, and violated several other state ethics laws, commission General Counsel Courtney Laster said.

South Dakota – Rapid City Senator Resigns After She Violated Constitution for Accepting COVID-19 Funds

MSN – Annie Todd (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) | Published: 8/17/2023

State Sen. Jessica Castleberry announced her resignation after an investigation found she violated the South Dakota State Constitution by accepting federal funds for her small business. Castleberry will be required to repay the state $499,129 with interest after she accepted COVID-19 stimulus funds for her daycare. Attorney General Marty Jackley said none of the money was spent inappropriately and went toward Department of Social Services-approved expenditures. He did not say why it took three years for someone to notice the expenditures.

Texas – New Paxton Impeachment Files Detail Interventions, Secret Trips, Donor’s ‘Shell’ Companies

MSN – Lauren McGaughy (Dallas Morning News) | Published: 8/18/2023

Thousands of pages of newly released documents purport to reveal the depth of the relationship between Ken Paxton and Nate Paul, the real estate developer at the center of the Texas attorney general’s impeachment case. The evidence goes to the heart of the impeachment allegations, that Paxton used his power to help Paul thwart a federal investigation into his business, which had been raided by the FBI in 2019, and Paul bribed Paxton by funding a home remodel and giving a job to a woman with whom Paxton allegedly had an affair.

Washington – AG Bob Ferguson Backs Down on Campaign ‘Surplus’ Money, Files Reports Disclosing Donors

Seatte Times – Bob Brunner | Published: 8/19/2023

After months of resistance, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson disclosed the donors behind more than $1.2 million in surplus campaign funds from past years he shifted to his 2024 gubernatorial bid. Ferguson pumped the cash into his campaign in April and May, getting ahead of a state Public Disclosure Commission vote that aimed to close the loophole allowing such anonymous transfers, which critics said violate the spirit of campaign finance laws.

Wisconsin – Republicans Ask Newly Elected Liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz to Not Hear Redistricting Case

MSN – Scott Bauer (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) | Published: 8/23/2023

Republicans who control the Wisconsin Legislature asked that the newest Democratic-backed justice on the state Supreme Court recuse herself from lawsuits seeking to overturn GOP-drawn electoral maps, arguing she has prejudged the cases. Republicans argue in motions filed with the Wisconsin Supreme Court that Justice Janet Protasiewicz cannot fairly hear the cases because during her campaign for the seat she called the Republican-drawn maps “unfair” and “rigged” and said there needs to be “a fresh look at the gerrymandering question.”