July 27, 2018 •
Rule Proposed for Federal Vendor Feedback
On July 23, an advance notice of a federal rule change to encourage federal vendor feedback was published in the Federal Register. The General Services Administration, the Department of Defense and The National Aeronautics and Space Administration are considering an […]
On July 23, an advance notice of a federal rule change to encourage federal vendor feedback was published in the Federal Register.
The General Services Administration, the Department of Defense and The National Aeronautics and Space Administration are considering an amendment to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to establish a standard survey for obtaining voluntary feedback from actual and potential offerors concerning federal government contracts and solicitations.
The Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) for “FAR case 2017-014, Use of Acquisition 360 To Encourage Vendor Feedback” seeks public input on the potential benefits and burdens of voluntary feedback surveys and especially encourages feedback from actual and potential federal contractors.
The ANPR offers some suggestions for public commenters to consider, including whether different information should be collected on the survey based on the type of company or the type of acquisition, what is a reasonable estimate of an organization’s costs to complete the survey, and ideas of what might be the best way the government can obtain honest and open feedback on the contract administration process.
Public comments must be submitted in writing to the Regulatory Secretariat Division on or before September 21, 2018, to be considered during the formulation of the proposed rule.
July 9, 2018 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Ethics National: “As Tariffs Near, President Trump’s Business Keeps Profiting from Chinese Ties” by Jonathan O’Connell and David Fahrenthold for San Jose Mercury News Arizona: “Corporation Commission Director Resigns Amid Concerns of Conflict with APS” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona […]
Ethics
National: “As Tariffs Near, President Trump’s Business Keeps Profiting from Chinese Ties” by Jonathan O’Connell and David Fahrenthold for San Jose Mercury News
Arizona: “Corporation Commission Director Resigns Amid Concerns of Conflict with APS” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic
Illinois: “Federal Judge Orders Illinois to Adopt Ethics Rules for Environmental Regulators” by Michael Hawthorne for Chicago Tribune
Indiana: “Attorney General Curtis Hill Under Investigation Following Calls by Top Indiana Republicans” by Tony Cook and Ryan Martin for Indianapolis Star
South Dakota: “Critics Concerned About Power of Initiative’s Ethics Panel” by the Associated Press for Mitchell Republic
Lobbying
National: “Countries Hosting Trump Businesses Have Added Lobbyists at Rapid Pace Since Inauguration” by Frank Bass for MapLight.org
National: “EPA’s Acting Administrator Has Long Lobbying Record on Issues Before the Agency” by Steven Mufson (Washington Post) for Chicago Tribune
Procurement
Canada: “Construction Magnate Antonio Accurso Sentenced to 4 Years for Fraud, Corruption” by Paul Cherry for Montreal Gazette
June 25, 2018 •
San Francisco Amends Campaign Finance and Conflict of Interest Provisions
Legislation amending San Francisco’s Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code takes effect next week. Ordinance No. 129-18 is effective June 30, though most of its provisions are not operative until January 1, 2019. The ordinance extends the restriction period for contractor […]
Legislation amending San Francisco’s Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code takes effect next week. Ordinance No. 129-18 is effective June 30, though most of its provisions are not operative until January 1, 2019.
The ordinance extends the restriction period for contractor contributions from six to 12 months following contract approval. It also requires interested parties making a behested payment or payments of $10,000 or more to file a disclosure within 30 days.
Other changes include, but are not limited to, additional disclosure requirements for contributions from business entities and for bundled campaign contributions, as well as an additional pre-election statement for committees.
June 21, 2018 •
Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance National: “Democrats Dodge Campaign Finance Law” by James Arkin for Politico Colorado: “Colorado Enacts Replacement Campaign Finance Enforcement System” by Andrew Garrahan for National Law Review New Mexico: “Secretary of State Loses Bid for Emergency Funds” by Dan […]
Campaign Finance
National: “Democrats Dodge Campaign Finance Law” by James Arkin for Politico
Colorado: “Colorado Enacts Replacement Campaign Finance Enforcement System” by Andrew Garrahan for National Law Review
New Mexico: “Secretary of State Loses Bid for Emergency Funds” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
Ethics
National: “Commerce Secretary Shorted Stock as Negative Coverage Loomed” by Mike McIntire for New York Times
Arkansas: “Arkansas Senate OKs Overhaul of Ethics Rules” by Andrew DeMillo (Associated Press) for The Times-Record
Colorado: “Denver City Council Committee Votes to Allow Expensive Business Class Trips as Gifts” by Ben Markus for Colorado Public Radio
Kentucky: “Kentucky Man Gets 30-Day Sentence in Attack on Senator Rand Paul” by Suzannah Gonzales for Reuters
New York: “Corruption Retrial Begins for Ex-New York Senate Leader, Son” by Associated Press for Tampa Bay Times
Procurement
National: “Korean Firm Tied to Trump Lawyer Got U.S. Contract Despite Corruption Probe” by Shawn Boburg and Aaron Davis for Washington Post
June 4, 2018 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Elections National: “Trump Ran as a Renegade. Now He’s Trying to Keep Them at Bay.” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times Ethics National: “Lawsuit Says Citizenship Question on Census Targets Minorities for Political Gain” by Michael Wines for New […]
Elections
National: “Trump Ran as a Renegade. Now He’s Trying to Keep Them at Bay.” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times
Ethics
National: “Lawsuit Says Citizenship Question on Census Targets Minorities for Political Gain” by Michael Wines for New York Times
Arizona: “Bribery Trial Involving Ex-Utility Regulator, Three Others Begins” by Michael Kiefer for Arizona Republic
Illinois: “Lawmaker Resigns from Madigan’s Leadership Team Following Allegations of Retaliation, Verbal Abuse” by Monique Garcia, Ray Long, and Kim Grieger for Chicago Tribune
New York: “The #MeToo Movement Came to Albany. But Will It Stick?” by Vivian Wang for New York Times
New York: “Mangano Corruption Trial Ends in Mistrial on Long Island” by Colin Moynihan for New York Times
Lobbying
Florida: “Gillum Meeting with FBI Undercover Agents Took Shape During Costa Rica Trip with Lobbyists” by Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat
Procurement
Kansas: “After Backlash, Kansas DCF Strikes New Rule Banning Opposition to Agency” by Sherman Smith for Hayes Daily News
May 31, 2018 •
Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance California: “That Political Mailer on Your Kitchen Counter Isn’t What It Seems” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee Massachusetts: “There’s a Bill That Would Rein in Charlie Baker’s Fundraising, but Democrats Aren’t Touching It” by Frank Phillips for […]
Campaign Finance
California: “That Political Mailer on Your Kitchen Counter Isn’t What It Seems” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee
Massachusetts: “There’s a Bill That Would Rein in Charlie Baker’s Fundraising, but Democrats Aren’t Touching It” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe
New Jersey: “Mayor’s Ex-Treasurer Helped Run Big Campaign. Now He’s Facing Jail Time.” by Thomas Moriarty and Karen Yi (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger
Elections
National: “Richard Painter Makes Unlikely Senate Bid in Minnesota” by Ben Kamisar for The Hill
Ethics
National: “‘Spygate’ Spotlights Trump’s Use of Conspiracy Theories to Erode Trust” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Maggie Haberman (*New York Times) for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
National: “Concerned by Trump, Some Republicans Quietly Align with Democrats” by Kenneth Vogel for New York Times
National: “Trump Asked Sessions to Retain Control of Russia Inquiry After His Recusal” by Michael Schmidt and Julie Hirschfeld Davis (New York Times) for MSN
Missouri: “Greitens Offered to Resign as Part of Deal to Dismiss Computer-Tampering Charge” by Lindsay Wise and Joseph Bustos for Kansas City Star
Legislative Issues
Ohio: “Key Laws, Residents Vexed When Legislative Leaders Resign” by Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) for Morning Journal
Lobbying
Nova Scotia, Canada: “Chrétien Ignores Lobbyist Registrar’s Inquiry on Meeting with N.S. Premier” by Michael Tutton (Canadian Press) for CBC News
Procurement
Massachusetts: “Baker Adviser Helped Energy Firms Land Big Mass. Contracts” by Joshua Miller and Jon Chesto for Boston Globe
May 2, 2018 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News
Campaign Finance Canada: “Trudeau Government Proposes Major Changes to Elections Law” by Aaron Wherry for CBC Florida: “FEC Plans Crackdown on Zombie Campaigns” by Christopher O’Connell for Tampa Bay Times California: “Former Lobbyist Gets 4 Months in Prison for Role […]
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Canada: “Trudeau Government Proposes Major Changes to Elections Law” by Aaron Wherry for CBC
Florida: “FEC Plans Crackdown on Zombie Campaigns” by Christopher O’Connell for Tampa Bay Times
California: “Former Lobbyist Gets 4 Months in Prison for Role in Azano Campaign Finance Scandal” by Greg Moran for San Diego Union-Tribune
Ethics
National: “Senate Democrats Question the Role of a Former For-Profit College Lobbyist at the Education Department” by Danielle Douglas-Gabriel (Washington Post) for Seattle Times
National: “Trump-Allied House Conservatives Draft Articles of Impeachment Against Rosenstein as ‘Last Resort’” by Robert Costa, Sari Horwitz, and Matt Zapotosky (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Mueller Has Dozens of Inquiries for Trump in Broad Quest on Russia Ties and Obstruction” by Michael Schmidt (New York Times) for MSN
Arkansas: “Wilkins, Former Arkansas Legislator, Pleads Guilty to Bribery” by Jan Cottingham for Arkansas Business
Kentucky: “She Advised KY House GOP During Hoover Scandal. Now She’ll Advise the Investigators.” by Daniel Desrochers for Lexington Herald-Leader
Procurement
Missouri: “Auditor: Missouri highway patrol officials with ties to transportation firm steered it business” by Sky Chadde for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
April 19, 2018 •
Thursday’s Government and Ethics News
Campaign Finance Canada: “B.C. Ponders More Changes to Election-Financing Rules” by Matt Robinson for Vancouver Sun Ethics Florida: “Fernandez Gave Football Tickets to City Officials; Investigation Finds ‘No Rule Violation’” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat Georgia: “Former Atlanta Mayor […]
Campaign Finance
Canada: “B.C. Ponders More Changes to Election-Financing Rules” by Matt Robinson for Vancouver Sun
Ethics
Florida: “Fernandez Gave Football Tickets to City Officials; Investigation Finds ‘No Rule Violation’” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
Georgia: “Former Atlanta Mayor Named in Federal Subpoena” by Dale Russell for WAGA
Iowa: “Iowa Elections Official Did Not Disclose Side Business” by Ryan Foley (Associated Press) for Daily Nonpareil
Missouri: “Missouri Ethics Nominees: No promises made to Greitens” by Blake Nelson (Associated Press) for Columbia Missourian
New Mexico: “Financial Disclosures Tripping Up New Mexico Legislators” by Andrew Oxford (Santa Fe New Mexican) for Las Cruces Sun-News
New York: “New York Attorney General Seeks Power to Bypass Presidential Pardons” by Danny Hakim and William Rashbaum for New York Times
Lobbying
National: “Patrick Kennedy Profits from Opioid-Addiction Firms” by Adam Cancryn for Politico
Procurement
Maryland: “Hogan Administration Delays Consideration of Fast-Tracked Transportation Contract” by Michael Laris for Washington Post
April 5, 2018 •
Kansas Passes Procurement Lobbying Bill
Kansas lawmakers passed a bill expanding the definition of lobbying to increase transparency in government contracts. Senate Bill 394 requires lobbyist registration for attempting to influence members of the executive or judicial branch regarding any covered action, including contracts and […]
Kansas lawmakers passed a bill expanding the definition of lobbying to increase transparency in government contracts.
Senate Bill 394 requires lobbyist registration for attempting to influence members of the executive or judicial branch regarding any covered action, including contracts and agreements.
The final version of the bill removed a provision that would have raised the gift-giving threshold for purposes of goodwill lobbying to $100 from $40 annually.
If Gov. Jeff Coyler approves, the bill will take effect July 1.
March 20, 2018 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News
Campaign Finance Illinois: “15 Got Promotions from Court Clerk Dorothy Brown Within 6 Months of Donations” by Robert Herguth and Tanveer Ali for Chicago Sun-Times New York: “JCOPE Continues Long-Running Probe of de Blasio Donors” by Chris Bragg for Albany […]
Campaign Finance
Illinois: “15 Got Promotions from Court Clerk Dorothy Brown Within 6 Months of Donations” by Robert Herguth and Tanveer Ali for Chicago Sun-Times
New York: “JCOPE Continues Long-Running Probe of de Blasio Donors” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
South Dakota: “‘Pay to Play’ Questions Emerge in South Dakota Governor’s Race” by John Hult for Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Elections
National: “Facebook’s Role in Data Misuse Sets Off Storms on Two Continents” by Matthew Rosenberg and Sheera Frenkel for New York Times
Ethics
North Carolina: “Cooper Names 8 to North Carolina Elections and Ethics Board” by Gary Robertson (Associated Press) for Durham Herald-Sun
Lobbying
National: “Bye-Bye Box Seats? Tax Law May Curb Corporate Cash at Games” by Marcy Gordon (Associated Press) for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Legislator’s Name Surfaces in Graft Case” by Doug Thompson for Arkansas Online
Procurement
Florida: “In Miami, MCM Thrives on Big County Contracts. Now It Faces the FIU Bridge Catastrophe” by Douglas Hanks for Miami Herald
March 12, 2018 •
West Virginia Legislature Adjourns
The West Virginia Legislature adjourned sine die on March 10. Senate Bill 283, which expands the scope of those who may be debarred for procurement violations and establishes direct-award procurement requirements, passed both chambers and is on the governor’s desk. […]
The West Virginia Legislature adjourned sine die on March 10.
Senate Bill 283, which expands the scope of those who may be debarred for procurement violations and establishes direct-award procurement requirements, passed both chambers and is on the governor’s desk.
Gov. Jim Justice has 15 days to sign or veto the legislation.
March 8, 2018 •
Missouri Bill Would Increase Vendor Disclosure Requirements
Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill to increase transparency in the state procurement process. Senate Bill 1060 would require individuals, corporations, associations, and other business entities entering into certain state contracts to disclose political contributions of $500 or more made […]
Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill to increase transparency in the state procurement process.
Senate Bill 1060 would require individuals, corporations, associations, and other business entities entering into certain state contracts to disclose political contributions of $500 or more made to 501(c)(4) political organizations.
The bill would also require such persons or entities to file a new disclosure for any year a contract remains in effect.
Without the proposal, the identity of those contributing to political organizations would otherwise remain anonymous; current campaign finance law does not require such organizations to file reports of contributions and expenditures.
February 12, 2018 •
Bill Introduced to Establish FEMA Contractor Review
On February 8, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson introduced a bill to establish a contractor review process with respect to disaster relief contracts valued at over $1 million. The covered contracts are defined in the bill as contracts for goods and […]
On February 8, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson introduced a bill to establish a contractor review process with respect to disaster relief contracts valued at over $1 million.
The covered contracts are defined in the bill as contracts for goods and services awarded in response to a major disaster or emergency declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and valued in an amount equal to or exceeding $1 million.
The reviews would be conducted by the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. After being introduced, the bill, House Resolution 4995, was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
January 23, 2018 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance Federal: “Fewer Than 16,000 Donors Accounted for Half the Federal Campaign Contributions in 2016” by Michelle Ye Hee Lee for Washington Post Missouri: “Greitens Campaign Operation Is Sharing Space with Dark Money Group” by Kurt Erickson for St. […]
Campaign Finance
Federal: “Fewer Than 16,000 Donors Accounted for Half the Federal Campaign Contributions in 2016” by Michelle Ye Hee Lee for Washington Post
Missouri: “Greitens Campaign Operation Is Sharing Space with Dark Money Group” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Elections
National: “Government Says It Is Dropping Most Remaining Inaugural Day Rioting Cases” by Keith Alexander for Washington Post
Ethics
National: “In the Crowd at Trump’s Inauguration, Members of Russia’s Elite Anticipated a Thaw Between Moscow and Washington” by Craig Timberg, Rosalind Helderman, Andrew Roth, and Carol Leonnig for Washington Post
Federal: “Congressman Combating Harassment Settled His Own Misconduct Case” by Katie Rogers and Kenneth Vogel for New York Times
Federal: “Supreme Court Opens Door to Sheldon Silver Corruption Retrial” by John Reilly for Newsday
Federal: “Watchdog Petitions Federal Court to Kill New Appointments for Lobbying, Ethics Commissioners” by Marco Vigliotti for Hill Times
Lobbying
Kansas: “Kansas Bill Aims at Anyone Trying to Sway Executive Branch Register ‘Like a Lobbyist’” by Hunter Woodall and Jonathan Shorman for Kansas City Star
Procurement
Georgia: “Former Atlanta City Official Gets 2 Years in Bribery Probe” by Kate Brumback (Associated Press) for Los Angeles Times
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