November 26, 2018 •
D.C. Council Approves Pay-to-Play Reforms
The Washington D.C. Council approved a bill in a first full council vote that aims to restrict political contributions by government contractors doing business with the district. The bill also addresses improper coordination between campaigns, political action committees and independent […]
The Washington D.C. Council approved a bill in a first full council vote that aims to restrict political contributions by government contractors doing business with the district.
The bill also addresses improper coordination between campaigns, political action committees and independent expenditure committees.
The pay-to- play component of the bill would ban campaign contributions by businesses seeking contracts of $250,000 or more.
The council votes again on the bill in December. If approved and funded, the bill would take effect on October 1, 2019.
Pay-to-play provisions would take effect after the November 2020 general election.
November 16, 2018 •
The District of Columbia Adjusts Procurement and Lobbying Requirements
Act A22-0442, which included the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Amendment Act of 2018, passed congressional review. The Act expands the scope of procurement lobbying in the District of Columbia to include action by an executive agency or official […]
Act A22-0442, which included the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Amendment Act of 2018, passed congressional review.
The Act expands the scope of procurement lobbying in the District of Columbia to include action by an executive agency or official in the executive branch to contract, grant or procure goods or services.
The lobbyist reporting periods change from semi-annual to quarterly reporting in January 2019.
Additional registration requirements were added including the precise description of the subject matter, including any bill, proposed resolution, contract, or other legislation of all writing or oral communications related to lobbying activities conducted with an executive or legislative member or official’s staff.
October 30, 2018 •
Washington D.C. Campaign Finance Reform Addresses Pay-to-Play
The Washington D.C. Council Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety unanimously passed a bill that aims to restrict political contributions by government contractors doing business with the district. The bill also addresses improper coordination between campaigns, political action committees […]
The Washington D.C. Council Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety unanimously passed a bill that aims to restrict political contributions by government contractors doing business with the district.
The bill also addresses improper coordination between campaigns, political action committees and independent expenditure committees.
The pay-to-play component of the bill would ban campaign contributions by businesses seeking contracts of $250,000 or more.
If passed by the full council, the bill is subject to appropriation and, if funded, would take effect on October 1, 2019.
Pay-to-play provisions would take effect after the November 2020 general election.
October 23, 2018 •
Procurement Policy Bill Vetoed
Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo vetoed Bill 28-34 aimed at restructuring the process of procurement protests. The governor indicated that the Attorney General and the General Services Agency also opposed the measure as ambiguous because it allowed anyone who showed […]
Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo vetoed Bill 28-34 aimed at restructuring the process of procurement protests.
The governor indicated that the Attorney General and the General Services Agency also opposed the measure as ambiguous because it allowed anyone who showed an interest in the procurement to have the ability to file a protest.
October 15, 2018 •
Monday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Elections Georgia: Voting Rights Become a Flashpoint in Georgia Governor’s Race by Ben Nadler (Associated Press) for WRAL Ethics National: Watchdog: Issues with IRS processing of improper political activity complaints by Naomi Jagoda for The Hill October National: Facebook Purged […]
Elections
Georgia: Voting Rights Become a Flashpoint in Georgia Governor’s Race by Ben Nadler (Associated Press) for WRAL
Ethics
National: Watchdog: Issues with IRS processing of improper political activity complaints by Naomi Jagoda for The Hill October
National: Facebook Purged Over 800 Accounts and Pages Pushing Political Messages for Profit by Elizabeth Dwoskin and Tony Romm for Washington Post
New York: Assemblyman Joe Errigo Charged with Accepting a Bribe to Eid a Development by Gary Craig and Steve Orr for Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
South Carolina: Will SC Lawmakers Close Loopholes Exposed by State House Corruption Probe? by Maayan Schechter for The State
Lobbying
National: From Wall Street to K Street, Companies Gauge the Risks of Doing Business with Saudi Arabia by Mark Landler, Kenneth Vogel, and Kate Kelly for New York Times
Alaska: Alaska Law Says Lobbyists Can’t Fundraise for Candidates. But the Invitations Keep Coming by Nathaniel Hertz for Alaska Public Media
Procurement
Louisiana: Louisiana’s Lucrative Voting Machine Contract Award Canceled by Melinda Deslatte (Associated Press) for Washington Times
September 6, 2018 •
Thursday’s LobbyComply News Roundup
Campaign Finance New York: “Mayoral Charter Revision Commission Puts Three Questions on November Ballot” by Samar Khurshid for Gotham Gazette Elections National: “Once Bipartisan, an Election Security Bill Collapses in Rancor” by Catie Edmonson for New York Times Massachusetts: “Ayanna […]
Campaign Finance
New York: “Mayoral Charter Revision Commission Puts Three Questions on November Ballot” by Samar Khurshid for Gotham Gazette
Elections
National: “Once Bipartisan, an Election Security Bill Collapses in Rancor” by Catie Edmonson for New York Times
Massachusetts: “Ayanna Pressley Upsets Capuano in Massachusetts House Race” by Katharine Seelye for New York Times
North Carolina: “Court Won’t Force North Carolina Redistricting This Year” by Josh Gerstein for Politico
Ethics
National: “A Broken Relationship and Accusations of Emotional Abuse: The case of Keith Ellison” by Julie Turkewitz and Farah Stockman for New York Times
Colorado: “Colorado Lawmakers Who Don’t Attend Sexual Harassment Training Could Be Publicly Shamed” by John Herrick for Colorado Independent
Florida: “Andrew Gillum’s Receipts for New York and Costa Rica Trips Leave Unanswered Questions” by Jeff Burlew and Jeffrey Schweers for Tallahassee Democrat
Maryland: “Ex-Maryland Lawmaker Sentenced to 48 Months in Liquor Board Bribery Scheme” by Lyn Bui (Washington Post) for Danbury News Times
Procurement
Texas: “Texas Schools Agency Botched Award of Huge No-Bid Contract on Special Ed Student Data, Audit Finds” by Robert Garrett for Dallas News
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
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 […]
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
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