On January 9, Sen. Rob Portman introduced a bill to monitor federal agencies’ procurement practices in order to ensure products manufactured in the U.S. are given priority. Senate Bill 2284, the BuyAmerican.gov Act of 2018, creates an online portal called […]
On January 9, Sen. Rob Portman introduced a bill to monitor federal agencies’ procurement practices in order to ensure products manufactured in the U.S. are given priority.
Senate Bill 2284, the BuyAmerican.gov Act of 2018, creates an online portal called BuyAmerican.gov, which would monitor all federal contracts and grants for any waivers of statutory or regulatory requirements to buy from U.S. sourced suppliers. The website would be maintained by the U.S. General Services Administration and list each requested waiver.
The bipartisan bill is currently cosponsored by fellow Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, and Sen. Sherrod Brown and Sen. Christopher Murphy, both of the Democratic Party. “Taxpayer dollars should support American-made products, and our federal agencies should lead the way in promoting U.S. jobs and products,” said Senator Brown, according to Portman’s press release.
December 5, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance New York: Lawmaker’s business boosted by aide’s public campaign funds by Chris Bragg for The Albany Times Union Ohio: Columbus City Council May Clear Up Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements by Adora Namigadde for WOSU Elections Georgia: More elections […]
Campaign Finance
New York: Lawmaker’s business boosted by aide’s public campaign funds by Chris Bragg for The Albany Times Union
Ohio: Columbus City Council May Clear Up Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements by Adora Namigadde for WOSU
Elections
Georgia: More elections scheduled for January to fill state Senate and House seats by Mark Niesse for The Atlanta Journal Constitution
Minnesota: Special elections set to replace departed Minnesota lawmakers accused of sexual harassment by Erin Golden for The Minneapolis Star Tribune
Ethics
Obama’s Ethics Chief: Trump Lawyer’s Claim The President Can’t Face Obstruction Charge is “Baloney” by Harriet Sinclair for Newsweek
Conyers Won’t Seek Re-election in Wake of Harassment Claims, Relative Says by Yamiche Alcindor for The New York Times
Manafort Associate Has Russian Intelligence Ties, Court Document Says by Kenneth Vogel for The New York Times
Massachusetts: Rosenberg steps down as ethics probe begins by Christian Wade for The Salem News
Lobbying
Former Podesta, BGR lobbyists start new firm by Theodoric Meyer for Politico
Procurement
Govt flags new IT hardware procurement marketplace by Leon Spencer for ARN
November 29, 2017 •
Fort Wayne City Council Approves Pay-to-Play Ordinance
The Fort Wayne City Council approved a pay-to-play ordinance on November 28. The ordinance will prohibit contractors who have donated more than $2,000 a year to an elected official’s campaign from bidding on city projects. The restriction includes natural or […]
The Fort Wayne City Council approved a pay-to-play ordinance on November 28. The ordinance will prohibit contractors who have donated more than $2,000 a year to an elected official’s campaign from bidding on city projects.
The restriction includes natural or legal persons with a 7.5 percent or more interest in the bidding entity and extends to a bidder’s spouse and any children living in the same household.
Mayor Tom Henry has 10 days to sign or veto the legislation.
If approved, the ordinance will become effective on January 1, 2018.
November 29, 2017 •
Fort Wayne City Council Approves Pay-to-Play Ordinance
The Fort Wayne City Council approved a pay-to-play ordinance on November 28. The ordinance will prohibit contractors who have donated more than $2,000 a year to an elected official’s campaign from bidding on city projects. The restriction includes natural or […]
The Fort Wayne City Council approved a pay-to-play ordinance on November 28. The ordinance will prohibit contractors who have donated more than $2,000 a year to an elected official’s campaign from bidding on city projects.
The restriction includes natural or legal persons with a 7.5 percent or more interest in the bidding entity and extends to a bidder’s spouse and any children living in the same household.
Mayor Tom Henry has 10 days to sign or veto the legislation.
If approved, the ordinance will become effective on January 1, 2018.
November 14, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance New York: “Cuomo, a Master of the $50,000 Fund-Raiser, Bypasses Small Donors” by Shane Goldmacher for New York Times Ethics “Menendez Jury Deadlocks, Judge Orders Them to Keep Trying to Reach a Verdict” by Laura Jarrett and Sarah […]
Campaign Finance
New York: “Cuomo, a Master of the $50,000 Fund-Raiser, Bypasses Small Donors” by Shane Goldmacher for New York Times
Ethics
“Menendez Jury Deadlocks, Judge Orders Them to Keep Trying to Reach a Verdict” by Laura Jarrett and Sarah Jorgenson for CNN
“Too Rich for Conflicts? Trump Appointees May Have Many, Seen and Unseen” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times
California: “Santa Monica School Leader Voted on Contracts with Firms That Did Business with Her Husband, Documents Show” by Benjamin Oreskes and Adam Elmahrek for Los Angeles Times
Colorado: “Why a Colorado Lawmaker Went Public with Sexual Harassment Allegations Against a Fellow Lawmaker” by John Frank for Denver Post
Florida: “Citizens Give Commissioners an Earful on Ethics” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
Minnesota: “As Harassment Allegations Surface at Minnesota State Capitol, a Culture Is Challenged” by J. Patrick Coolican and Maya Rao for Minneapolis Star Tribune
New York: “Despite Recent Wins for Democrats, Gerrymanders Dim Hopes for 2018” by Alexander Burns, Michael Wines, and Trip Gabriel for New York Times
Procurement
Maryland: “Baltimore County School Leaders Verletta White, Dallas Dance Were Paid by Tech Industry Group” by Liz Bowie and Doug Donovan for Baltimore Sun
November 13, 2017 •
Monday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Ethics California: Adelanto Councilman Accused of Taking $10,000 Bribe, Hiring Man to Burn Down His Restaurant by Beatriz Valenzuela and Joe Nelson for San Bernardino Sun California: She Wanted a Job and Said California Senator Invited Her Home. He Fired […]
Ethics
California: Adelanto Councilman Accused of Taking $10,000 Bribe, Hiring Man to Burn Down His Restaurant by Beatriz Valenzuela and Joe Nelson for San Bernardino Sun
California: She Wanted a Job and Said California Senator Invited Her Home. He Fired Aides Who Knew. By Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee
Michigan: Trash Giant Rizzo Pleads Guilty to Bribery by Robert Snell for Detroit News
New York: N.Y. Pension Fund Manager Charged with Taking Bribes Pleads Guilty by Brendan Pierson for Reuters
Lobbying
Russia Scandal Befalls Two Brothers: John and Tony Podesta by Kenneth Vogel for New York Times
New Mexico: Compliance with ABQ Lobbying Rules Falls Way Short by Marjorie Childress for New Mexico In Depth
Campaign Finance
Missouri: Missouri’s Move to Limit Campaign Donations Puts Elections in Hands of Big-Money PACs by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star
Procurement
Wisconsin: Scott Walker’s Campaign Treasurer’s Firm Gets Capitol Contract After Being the Only Bidder by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
October 31, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Ethics Trump Campaign Adviser Admitted to Lying about Russian Contacts by Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post Manafort Indicted on 12 Counts, Surrenders to FBI by Katie Bo Williams for The Hill How Congress Plays by Different Rules on Sexual Harassment and Misconduct by Michelle […]
Ethics
Trump Campaign Adviser Admitted to Lying about Russian Contacts by Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post
Manafort Indicted on 12 Counts, Surrenders to FBI by Katie Bo Williams for The Hill
How Congress Plays by Different Rules on Sexual Harassment and Misconduct by Michelle Ye Hee Lee and Elise Viebeck for Washington Post
California: California Assemblyman Was Disciplined After Woman Claimed He Groped Her by Melanie Mason for Los Angeles Times
Florida: Florida Senate’s Top Democrat Resigns after Admitting Affair with Lobbyist by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald
South Carolina: Law Provides Loophole for South Carolina Legislators to Be Paid for ‘Consulting’ Work by Seanna Adcox (Associated Press) for Charleston Post and Courier
Campaign Finance
California: Judge Sentences Azano to Three Years in Federal Prison by Greg Moran for San Diego Union Tribune
New York: De Blasio Donor Says He Helped Mayor Get Ex-Jail Guards Chief ‘Under Control’ by Vivian Wang for New York Times
Procurement
Puerto Rico Moves to Cancel Contract with Whitefish Energy to Repair Electric Grid by Steven Mufson, Arelis Hernandez, and Aaron Davis for Washington Post
October 30, 2017 •
Santa Fe City Council to hold Public Hearings on Campaign Finance and Procurement Code Bills
The Santa Fe City Council will hold a public hearing on a bill relating to campaign finance on December 13, 2017. The bill will remove public disclosure of independent expenditures for groups supporting or opposing ballot measures. On January 10, […]
The Santa Fe City Council will hold a public hearing on a bill relating to campaign finance on December 13, 2017. The bill will remove public disclosure of independent expenditures for groups supporting or opposing ballot measures.
On January 10, 2018, the City Council will hold a public hearing on a bill regarding procurement. If adopted, the bill regarding procurement would adopt the New Mexico procurement code as the purchasing manual for Santa Fe.
Both bills are available at the Santa Fe, New Mexico website.
October 30, 2017 •
Court Gives City Wide Berth in Letting Non-Compliant Offerors Revise Forms
In United Healthcare Services, Inc. v. Mayor & City Council of Baltimore, United Healthcare Services, Inc. (United) was not awarded the city of Baltimore’s Request for Proposal (RFP) for medical administration services despite being fully compliant with listed Minority Business […]
In United Healthcare Services, Inc. v. Mayor & City Council of Baltimore, United Healthcare Services, Inc. (United) was not awarded the city of Baltimore’s Request for Proposal (RFP) for medical administration services despite being fully compliant with listed Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Women Business Enterprises (WBE) goals.
The companies awarded the contract did not comply with the requested MBE and WBE set at 11 percent and 4 percent respectively. After United complained, the city allowed the selected offerors to revise their MBE and WBE forms.
United filed suit against the city alleging violations of Baltimore’s procurement laws. The court found the city “is generally given a wide berth in making its decisions,” and United cannot point to a provision in the City Code the city clearly violated.
Additionally, the City Code only requires bidders make a “good faith effort” to be in compliance with the RFP and “the City has more expertise interpreting the City Code, and its own rules, than the Court.”
In turn, United failed to establish it would be likely to succeed on the merits.
October 30, 2017 •
Monday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Ethics Justice Department Agrees to Settle Lawsuits Over IRS Scrutiny of Tea Party Groups by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post California: Sexual Harassment Complaints Topic of California Assembly Public Hearings by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee Florida: City Commissioners Nix Key Wording in Ethics Ordinance by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee […]
Ethics
Justice Department Agrees to Settle Lawsuits Over IRS Scrutiny of Tea Party Groups by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post
California: Sexual Harassment Complaints Topic of California Assembly Public Hearings by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee
Florida: City Commissioners Nix Key Wording in Ethics Ordinance by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
South Carolina: South Carolina GOP Caucus: Open records law doesn’t apply by The Associated Press for Raleigh News and Observer
Campaign Finance
FEC Drops Foreign Money Case Involving Super PAC Contributions by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA
Kansas: Kansas Ethics Panel Says No to Bitcoin Contributions, at Least for Now by Peter Hancock for Lawrence Journal-World
Lobbying
Florida: Ethics Board Cites Justin Sayfie, Capitol Group for Reporting Violations by Jim Rosica for Florida Politics
Illinois: Emanuel’s Ethics Board Walks Back $2,500 Fines Against 3 Who Illegally Lobbied Him by Bill Ruthhart for Chicago Tribune
Elections
Kentucky: Fired Elections Staffer Alleges Grimes Improperly Gathered Voter Data During Campaigns by Daniel Desrochers for Lexington Herald-Leader
Procurement
With Business Booming Under Trump, Private Prison Giant Gathers at President’s Resort by Amy Brittain and Drew Harwell for Washington Post
October 25, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying Washington: “Seattle Mayoral Aide Sees Conflict of Interest in Lobbying by Political Consultants” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times Campaign Finance “Black Executives Join Forces, Forming a PAC to Back Them Up” by Kate Kelly for New York Times […]
Lobbying
Washington: “Seattle Mayoral Aide Sees Conflict of Interest in Lobbying by Political Consultants” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
Campaign Finance
“Black Executives Join Forces, Forming a PAC to Back Them Up” by Kate Kelly for New York Times
Florida: “Beach Commissioner Resigns, Cuts Deal Barring Him from Public Office for One Year” by Joey Flechas and Nicholas Nehamas for Miami Herald
Idaho: “City Attorney Investigates Helicopter Promotion” by Bruyan Clark for Post-Register
Missouri: “Greitens’ Office Coordinated with Campaign Fund Over Top Missouri Schools Job, Report Shows” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Ethics
California: “California Senate Hires Two Firms to Investigate Sexual Harassment Complaints” by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee
Oregon: “State Senator: Fellow senator groped me in Oregon Capitol” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian
Texas: “Prosecutors Drop All Remaining Charges Against Rep. Dawnna Dukes” by Nolan Hicks, Mark Wilson, and Ryan Autullo for Austin American-Statesman
Elections
“Russia’s Favored Outlet Is an Online News Giant. YouTube Helped.” by Daisuke Wakabayashi and Nicholas Confessore for New York Times
Legislative Issues
“Sen. Jeff Flake Will Retire, Citing Direction of GOP Under Trump” by David Weigel and Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post
Procurement
Montana: “Small Montana Firm Lands Puerto Rico’s Biggest Contract to Get the Power Back On” by Steven Mufson, Jack Gillum, Aaron Davis, and Arelis Hernandez for Washington Post
October 20, 2017 •
Austin to Consider Procurement Overhaul
The Austin Financial Services Department is proposing drastic changes to the city’s anti-lobbying and procurement ordinance. The proposed changes shorten the no contact period during a bid solicitation and allow the purchasing officer to consider mitigating factors when determining if a […]
The Austin Financial Services Department is proposing drastic changes to the city’s anti-lobbying and procurement ordinance.
The proposed changes shorten the no contact period during a bid solicitation and allow the purchasing officer to consider mitigating factors when determining if a violation has occurred. The recommendations also abbreviate, clarify, and consolidate what communications and representations are permitted and prohibited during the solicitation process.
Comments and suggestions for additional proposed changes are still being accepted.
This comes after city council voted to suspend the anti-lobbying and procurement ordinance for individuals seeking waste management contracts after they struggled to find and agree upon suitable contractors.
City Council met this week to discuss the proposed changes and postponed taking action until November 9, 2017.
September 11, 2017 •
Monday’s Government and Ethics News
Campaign Finance New Mexico: New Campaign Spending Rules to Take Effect by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal New York: Firm Uses Loophole to Secretly Donate $60G to de Blasio Campaign, Lobbying Records Show by James Fanelli for New York Daily […]
Campaign Finance
New Mexico: New Campaign Spending Rules to Take Effect by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
New York: Firm Uses Loophole to Secretly Donate $60G to de Blasio Campaign, Lobbying Records Show by James Fanelli for New York Daily News
Ethics
Mueller Gives White House Names of 6 Aides He Expects to Question in Russia Probe by Carol Leonnig, Rosalind Helderman, and Ashley Parker for Washington Post
Kentucky: Legislative Sex Harassment Case Spurs Call for Change in Kentucky’s Ethics Law by Jack Brammer for Lexington Herald-Leader
Elections
On Facebook and Twitter, a Hunt for Russia’s Meddling Hand by Scott Shane for New York Times
In Free-Range Trump, Many See Potential for a Third Party by Jeremy Peters for New York Times
Lobbying
Canada: Quebec’s Lobbyist Registry Best in Canada, Though All Struggle in Key Transparency Metrics: Study by Marco Vigliotti for The Hill Times
Virginia: Virginia Lawmakers Attend Fewest Lobbyist-Paid Entertainment Events Since McDonnell Case by Will Houp for Virginian-Pilot
Procurement
Illinois: Aldermen Take Another Stab at Relaxing Ethics Rules for Contractors by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times
September 6, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News
Lobbying Delaware: “Politics of Persuasion: Dozens of lobbyists now work the legislature for more than 200 groups” by Matt Bittle for Delaware State News Texas: “Fred Lewis Appointment Stirs Controversy” by Jo Clifton for Austin Monitor Campaign Finance “Democrats Say […]
Lobbying
Delaware: “Politics of Persuasion: Dozens of lobbyists now work the legislature for more than 200 groups” by Matt Bittle for Delaware State News
Texas: “Fred Lewis Appointment Stirs Controversy” by Jo Clifton for Austin Monitor
Campaign Finance
“Democrats Say ‘Citizens United’ Should Die. Here’s Why That Won’t Happen.” by Sarah Kleiner for Center for Public Integrity
California: “SF’s Political Watchdog Agency Proposes Sweeping Reforms, Nonprofits Cry Foul” by Joshua Sabitini for San Francisco Examiner
Colorado: “Denver Proposal Aims to Force Disclosure of Independent Spending in Elections as ‘Dark Money’ Trickles Down” by Jon Murray for Denver Post
Maine: “Pressed to Reveal Funding Sources, Miami Real Estate Developer Withdraws from York County Casino Campaign” by Scott Thistle for Portland Press Herald
Ethics
“Mueller Examining Trump’s Draft Letter Firing FBI Director Comey” by Rosalind Helderman, Carol Leonnig, and Ashley Parker for Washington Post
“Menendez Trial Set to Begin with Tensions High and Washington Watching” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times
Hawaii: “OHA’s Peter Apo To Pay $25,000 For Ethics Violations” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat
Wisconsin: “Report: New Ethics Commission has conducted just 1 investigation, says compliance is up” by Mark Sommerhauser for Wisconsin State Journal
Procurement
New Mexico: “New Mexico Sues Chiefs Owner Clark Hunt, Alleging Kickbacks in $300 Million Investment” by Robert Cronkelton and Ian Cummings for Kansas City Star
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