September 1, 2017 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 1, 2017
National: Campaign Regulation Foes Targeting State-Level Restrictions Center for Public Integrity – Ashley Balcerzak | Published: 8/31/2017 Having won significant battles at the federal level over campaign finance laws, political groups and libertarian nonprofits are now targeting state-level rules in […]
National:
Campaign Regulation Foes Targeting State-Level Restrictions
Center for Public Integrity – Ashley Balcerzak | Published: 8/31/2017
Having won significant battles at the federal level over campaign finance laws, political groups and libertarian nonprofits are now targeting state-level rules in district and appellate courts across the country. The effects could be wide-ranging. The most notable battles deal with when groups need to disclose their donors, and whether contribution limits trample on donors’ freedoms of speech and expression.
The New Front in the Gerrymandering Wars: Democracy vs. math
New York Times – Emily Bazelon | Published: 8/29/2017
Wisconsin Republicans tried hard to keep their legislative mapmaking process a secret, but they were not successful. In the first of two lawsuits brought by Democratic voters, three federal judges berated GOP leaders in 2012 for ‘‘flailing wildly in a desperate attempt to hide’’ their methods to assure Republican control of the state Legislature. A court ordered Republicans to turn over three computers. In 2016, a computer expert hired by the plaintiffs found spreadsheets that used a powerful new gerrymandering tool, based on sophisticated computer modeling.
Federal:
How to Get Rich in Trump’s Washington
New York Times – Nicholas Confessore | Published: 8/30/2017
Interests that have spent millions of dollars lobbying in Washington, D.C. were surprised by Donald Trump’s victory last November. By the end of his first 100 days in office, it seemed, Trump had not so much “drained the swamp” as enshrouded it in a fog of uncertainty. No previous president had changed his mind more often, or contradicted his cabinet so frequently, or permitted such ideological combat in the White House. Big corporations and trade associations did not quite know what to expect. But mostly, they did not know whom to contact. All of this inadvertently created an entirely new business model for Trump’s friends and former employees.
Members of Congress Scoring Personal Loans from Political Supporters
Center for Public Integrity – Nicholas Jahr and Ellen McCreary Ionas | Published: 8/29/2017
A review of financial disclosure forms filed by current members of the U.S. House and Senate reveals at least 19 have accepted loans from organizations or wealthy individuals instead of a bank or traditional financial institution. Often, these organizations and individuals rank among the lawmakers’ key political supporters. In two of these cases, the loans were made to members’ spouses. The loans range in value from $15,000 to $5 million. There is nothing illegal about such loans, even when the lender is also a campaign donor. But watchdog groups say such arrangements raise concerns about possible conflicts-of-interest.
Washington Lobbying Firms Receive Subpoenas as Part of Russia Probe
Washington Post – Carol Leonnig and Tom Hamburger | Published: 8/25/2017
Special counsel Robert Mueller issued grand jury subpoenas asking public relations and lobbying firms to provide records regarding their interactions with the consulting firms led by Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser to President Trump, and Paul Manafort, former chairperson of the Trump presidential campaign. The requests suggest Mueller’s investigators are looking closely at Manafort and Flynn, both of whom face possible legal jeopardy for allegedly failing to disclose foreign governments or parties may have been the beneficiaries of their consulting and lobbying work, as they seek potential links between Trump’s campaign and Russia.
From the States and Municipalities:
California
3 of 4 Colonies Corruption Defendants Found Not Guilty on All Charges
San Bernardino Sun – Joe Nelson and Richard Deatley | Published: 8/28/2017
Developer Jeff Burum and two former San Bernardino County officials – former Supervisor Paul Biane, and Mark Kirk, former chief of staff for then-county Supervisor Gary Ovit – were found not guilty of bribery, conflict-of-interest, and improper influence in an alleged scheme to get county approval of a $102 million court settlement in favor of a developer. Prosecutors alleged Burum paid $400,000 in political contributions to the defendants and former Board of Supervisors Chairperson Bill Postmus, who later entered a plea bargain with prosecutors and testified at the trial. The money, investigators alleged, were actually bribes or payments for delivering the settlement.
Florida
FBI Arranged Outings for Gillum, Others During NYC Trip
Tallahassee Democrat – Jeff Burlew | Published: 8/25/2017
The FBI may have tried to entice Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum through one of his close friends to see a Broadway show, catch a Major League Baseball game, and stay at a New York City hotel as part of its investigation into alleged public corruption in Tallahassee. Gillum, who had room reservations elsewhere, will not say if he stayed at or visited the Millennium Hotel in Manhattan, where an FBI agent posing as a developer had arranged rooms for him and others. He also will not say if he attended “Hamilton” or went to the New York Mets game. Public officials such as Gillum are required to report gifts valued over $100, though there are exceptions.
Georgia
White Lawmaker Warns Black Attorney She May ‘Go Missing’ If Confederate Statues Are Threatened
Washington Post – Cleve Wootson Jr. | Published: 8/30/2017
Georgia Rep. Jason Spencer said a former Democratic lawmaker might “go missing” if she continues to criticize Confederate statues. Spencer originally posted a photo with a memorial for Confederate President Jefferson Davis, saying the statue was Georgia’s history and used the hashtag #DealWithIt in a Facebook post. That prompted a response from former state Rep. LaDawn Jones, who told Spencer to “put your hoods and your tiki torches away. We are no longer afraid.” Spencer then said those who criticize the state’s Confederate history “will go missing in the Okefenokee” because people in South Georgia “will not put up with it like they do in Atlanta.”
Idaho
Lawmakers: Idaho ‘uniquely poised’ to stiffen campaign, lobbying disclosure requirements
Spokane Spoesman-Review – Betsy Russell | Published: 8/28/2017
Idaho lawmakers are mulling several key changes to the state’s campaign finance and lobbying laws. A bipartisan working group met for a second time to hear possible recommendations from the state’s top lobbyists and Secretary of State Lawerence Denney. The goal is to have the panel submit suggestions to before the 2018 legislative session begins in January. Some of the proposals would place new reporting requirements on PACs, and require lobbyists to report their expenditures year-round, rather than just during the legislative session.
Iowa
Special Interest Groups Spend Big at Iowa Capitol
Des Moines Register – Brianne Pfannenstiel | Published: 8/24/2017
A Des Moines Register analysis showed special interest groups in Iowa paid lobbyists about $20.4 million last year in an effort to sway policy on issues ranging from Medicaid to workers’ compensation to legalized fireworks. The data provide a broad look at who is vying for influence at the Capitol during a year in which Republicans took control of the House, Senate, and governor’s office for the first time in nearly 20 years. With the new power dynamic, many groups may choose to “lobby up,” either to capitalize on their new opportunity or to fight perceived threats, said lobbyist Jim Carney.
Kentucky
Ethics Group Wants to Know What Led Mnuchin to View Eclipse in Kentucky
Washington Post – Drew Harwell and Beth Reinhard | Published: 8/24/2017
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is seeking records detailing the cost of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin’s recent trip to Kentucky in a government plane, saying it “seems to have been planned around the solar eclipse.” Mnuchin and his wife, Louise Linton, watched the eclipse from the lawn of Fort Knox in Kentucky, which was just outside the path of totality. It was Linton’s sharing of the expensive designer labels of her outfit as she stepped off the plane in Kentucky in an Instagram post and her subsequent rant against a commenter who criticized it that first raised eyebrows.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, Lobbyists Outnumber Lawmakers Seven-to-One
WWLP – Steve LeBlanc (Associated Press) | Published: 8/27/2017
There are now more than seven lobbyists for each of the 200 state lawmakers in Massachusetts. From 2006 to 2016, the number of active lobbyists jumped by about 1,000. A big part of the increase is due to a law that took effect in 2009 aimed at sharpening the definition of a lobbyist. Before the new law, an individual was not considered to be a lobbyist if he or she spent less than 50 hours lobbying, or received less than $5,000 in lobbying fees, during each six-month reporting period. The new law tightened that to 25 hours, or $2,500.
Michigan
Attorney: Michigan super PACs face ‘firestorm’ of fines
Detroit News – Jonathan Oosting | Published: 8/28/2017
Attorney Bob LaBrant asked Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson’s office to clarify state rules governing super PAC contributions in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2012 that opened the doors for unlimited but independent political spending as a form of free speech. Michigan has not updated its campaign finance laws to reflect the decision, and LaBrant argues a little-known state Bureau of Elections action in 2014 could lay the groundwork for a “firestorm” of complaints and fines that would cut across business, labor, conservative, and liberal donors.
Montana
Discounted Sale of US Interior Secretary’s Motor Home Raises Questions
ABC News – Bobcaina Calvin (Associated Press) | Published: 8/28/2017
U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s dormant congressional campaign committee recently sold a 2004 motor home at a steep discount to Montana Sen. Ed Buttrey. But a seemingly ordinary transaction between friends, when seen through the optics of stringent campaign finance laws, can raise a bevy of questions. After learning about the transaction, watchdogs are raising a $25,000 question: Why would Zinke’s campaign committee sell the Kountry Star Freightliner for half the price of its apparent $50,000 market value? The FEC prohibits political committees to sell assets, including campaign vehicles, below fair market value.
Washington
Is Olympia Lawyer the Democrats’ Champion in Complaint-Filing War?
Tacoma News Tribune – Melissa Santos | Published: 8/27/2017
A conservative activist has been taking aim at Democrats and liberal groups for the past year, filing at least 120 complaints saying they have broken Washington state’s campaign finance laws. Now, someone is turning the tables, saying conservative Glen Morgan and a group he leads have committed some of the same financial reporting violations. Walter Smith, an Olympia attorney, said he is concerned that the state’s campaign finance laws are being enforced unevenly due to the volume of complaints Morgan has filed against Democratic candidates in recent months.
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
August 31, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying “How to Get Rich in Trump’s Washington” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times Oregon: “Marijuana Lobbyists Harvest Cash from Bankers, Accountants, Lawyers and Others” by Scott Thistle for Portland Press Herald Utah: “State Lawmaker Chosen to Head Utah […]
Lobbying
“How to Get Rich in Trump’s Washington” by Nicholas Confessore for New York Times
Oregon: “Marijuana Lobbyists Harvest Cash from Bankers, Accountants, Lawyers and Others” by Scott Thistle for Portland Press Herald
Utah: “State Lawmaker Chosen to Head Utah Technology Council Advocacy Group” by Lee Davidson for Salt Lake Tribune
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “Utility Regulators Consider Giving Service Territory to Campaign Donors” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic
Ethics
“DOJ Is Investigating Whether Uber Broke the Law Against Foreign Bribery” by Elizabeth Dwoskin for Washington Post
“Members of Congress Scoring Personal Loans from Political Supporters” by Nicholas Jahr and Ellen McCreary Ionas for Center for Public Integrity
Alaska: “New Ballot Initiative Targets Legislators’ Per Diem Pay” by James Brooks for Juneau Empire
New York: “State Worker Is Interrogated for Allegedly Letting Someone in the Building” by Rick Karlin for Albany Times Union
Procurement
Missouri: “KCI Contract Selection Delayed by Conflict of Interest Complaint against Justus” by Steve Vockrodt and Lynn Horsley for Kansas City Star
August 11, 2017 •
Los Angeles City Council Seeking Disclosure Ordinance for Contractors Working on Border Wall
The Los Angeles City Council voted to draft a law that would require contractors doing business with the city to disclose whether they have any contracts connected with the proposed border wall between Mexico and the United States. The current […]
The Los Angeles City Council voted to draft a law that would require contractors doing business with the city to disclose whether they have any contracts connected with the proposed border wall between Mexico and the United States.
The current proposal would not ban companies working on the wall from doing business with Los Angeles, but many council members said it would be a factor they could consider when voting on city contracts.
The City Council voted 13-0 to have city attorneys draft the ordinance. Once drafting is complete, the council will consider the ordinance for approval.
July 26, 2017 •
Wednesday’s State Government and Ethics News
Lobbying New York: “De Blasio Ally Didn’t Register as Lobbyist Despite Big Push for a Donor” by William Neuman for New York Times Ethics “Manafort Agrees to Turn Over Notes That Could Provide New Details on Trump Tower Meeting with […]
Lobbying
New York: “De Blasio Ally Didn’t Register as Lobbyist Despite Big Push for a Donor” by William Neuman for New York Times
Ethics
“Manafort Agrees to Turn Over Notes That Could Provide New Details on Trump Tower Meeting with Russian Lawyer” by Rosalind Helderman and Karoun Demirjian for Washington Post
“Five Sentenced to Days in Jail for Supreme Court Disruption Over Campaign Finance” by Spencer Hsu for Washington Post
Elections
“Federal Judge Allows Trump Commission’s Nationwide Voter Data Request to Go Forward” by Spencer Hsu for Washington Post
California: “A New Suit Says Lawmakers Broke the Law When They Changed California’s Recall Election Rules” by John Myers for Los Angeles Times
Virginia: “Transgender Woman Challenges Virginia Bathroom Bill Sponsor” by 2017 Sarah Rankin (Associated Press) for Roanoke Times
Legislative Issues
“In Congress, New Fears and New Protections in Wake of Baseball Team Shooting” by Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post
Procurement
Illinois: “New Details Emerge of Former DCFS Head’s Controversial Contracts, Hires” by David Jackson and Gary Marx for Chicago Tribune
July 6, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying “Florida Lobbyist Turning Trump Ties into Mega-Millions” by Rachel Wilson for Center for Public Integrity Campaign Finance Canada: “Justin Trudeau Lobbied at Recent Fundraising Event, Critics Raise Flags About New Rules” by Amy Minsky for Global News Colorado: “Colorado […]
Lobbying
“Florida Lobbyist Turning Trump Ties into Mega-Millions” by Rachel Wilson for Center for Public Integrity
Campaign Finance
Canada: “Justin Trudeau Lobbied at Recent Fundraising Event, Critics Raise Flags About New Rules” by Amy Minsky for Global News
Colorado: “Colorado Supreme Court: Douglas County School District didn’t violate campaign laws” by Brian Eason for Denver Post
Ethics
“Justice Dept. Compliance Expert Whose Contract Ended Early Says Trump Conflicts Made Work Feel Hypocritical” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post
“As Mueller Builds His Russia Special-Counsel Team, Every Hire Is Under Scrutiny” by Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post
“CNN Story About Source of Trump Wrestling Video Draws Backlash” by Daniel Victor for New York Times
Arizona: “Sue or Be Sued: Indicted developer George Johnson has long history in court” by Michael Kiefer for Arizona Republic
Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Judge’s Bribery Conviction, Prison Sentence Upheld” by Debra Hale-Shelton for Arkansas Online
California: “Appeals Court Throws Out Some Criminal Charges for Angela Spaccia, a Top Official in the Bell Corruption Scandal” by Corina Knoll for Los Angeles Times
Elections
Kansas: “Kobach: Kansas won’t give Social Security info to Kobach-led voter commission at this time” by Bryan Lowry for Kansas City Star
Procurement
Florida: “Florida’s Departing Fiscal Watchdog Used Public Scrutiny as a Weapon” by Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) for Bradenton Herald
June 19, 2017 •
Monday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Campaign Finance “This Hyperpartisan Conservative Site Is Connected To Several Pro-Trump PACs” by Craig Silverman Tarini Parti for BuzzFeed News California: “Contra Costa DA Resigns, Is Now a Convicted Felon” by Nate Gartrell for East Bay Times Ethics “Special Counsel […]
Campaign Finance
“This Hyperpartisan Conservative Site Is Connected To Several Pro-Trump PACs” by Craig Silverman Tarini Parti for BuzzFeed News
California: “Contra Costa DA Resigns, Is Now a Convicted Felon” by Nate Gartrell for East Bay Times
Ethics
“Special Counsel Is Investigating Jared Kushner’s Business Dealings” by Sari Horwitz, Matt Zapotosky, and Adam Entous for Washington Post
“How Michael Flynn’s Disdain for Limits Led to a Legal Quagmire” by Nicholas Confessore, Matthew Rosenberg, and Danny Hakim for New York Times
“Office of Government Ethics: Bannon’s waiver ‘problematic'” by Megan Wilson for The Hill
Washington: “Mayor Ed Murray Not Ruling Out Write-In Campaign, As Accuser in Sex-Abuse Lawsuit Vows to Revive Case” by Lewis Kamb and Jim Brunner for Seattle Times
Lobbying
Illinois: “Emanuel Friend, Alderman’s Husband Both Illegally Lobbied Mayor Via His Personal Email: Ethics board” by Bill Ruthhart for Chicago Tribune
New Jersey: “Bringing Balloons Down to Earth: Bill would end mass release” by Scott Fallon for Bergen Record
Procurement
District of Columbia: “D.C. Council Report: Bowser administration favored top donor in contracting” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post
May 31, 2017 •
Maryland Procurement Code Changes Signed into Law
Gov. Larry Hogan signed House Bills 390 and 426 into law. Both bills amend the procurement code. House Bill 390 requires business to file a public disclosure form if, during a calendar year, a business enters into contracts, leases, or […]
Gov. Larry Hogan signed House Bills 390 and 426 into law. Both bills amend the procurement code.
House Bill 390 requires business to file a public disclosure form if, during a calendar year, a business enters into contracts, leases, or other agreements with the state worth $200,000 or more.
House Bill 426 amends the dollar value of small procurements from $25,000 to $50,000.
Both bills will become effective on October 1, 2017.
May 14, 2017 •
Monday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying “DOJ Deflects Calls for More Foreign Agents Act Transparency” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA Kansas: “Who Are Kansas Lobbyists Taking to Dinner?” by Bryan Lowry and Kelsey Ryan for Kansas City Star Texas: “Powerful Abbott Appointee’s Lobbying Sparks […]
Lobbying
“DOJ Deflects Calls for More Foreign Agents Act Transparency” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA
Kansas: “Who Are Kansas Lobbyists Taking to Dinner?” by Bryan Lowry and Kelsey Ryan for Kansas City Star
Texas: “Powerful Abbott Appointee’s Lobbying Sparks Blowback in Legislature” by Jay Root for Texas Tribune
Campaign Finance
Maryland: “FBI Searches Republican Political Consulting Firm in Annapolis” by Fenit Nirappil, Josh Hicks, and Matea Gold for Washington Post
Ethics
“Trump Warning to Comey Prompts Questions on ‘Tapes’” by Peter Baker and Michael Shear for New York Times
District of Columbia: “Bowser Cabinet Official Probed Over Child’s School Placement” by Peter Jamison for Washington Post
Florida: “Ex-Florida Congresswoman Convicted of Taking Money Meant for Charity” by Matt Stevens for New York Times
Rhode Island: “Providence Council President Charged with Embezzlement” by Jennifer Bogdan for Providence Journal
Elections
“Trump Picks Voter ID Advocate for Election Fraud Panel” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis for New York Times
Procurement
New York: “Government Watchdogs Push ‘Clean Contracting’ Reform in Albany” by Rachel Silberstein for Gotham Gazzette
May 9, 2017 •
West Virginia Disclosure Laws Effective in July
Lawmakers passed two measures dealing with ethics and transparency during the regular legislative session that wrapped up in April. House Bill 2319 will become effective July 5, requiring candidate committees for members of the Legislature to make additional disclosures of […]
Lawmakers passed two measures dealing with ethics and transparency during the regular legislative session that wrapped up in April.
House Bill 2319 will become effective July 5, requiring candidate committees for members of the Legislature to make additional disclosures of contributions and fundraising events while the Legislature is in session.
House Bill 2001 will become law July 7, requiring companies contracting with state agencies on contracts over $100,000 to make disclosures listing interested parties to the contract.
Bills that were not approved during the legislative session do not carry over.
May 2, 2017 •
Procurement Fraud Prevent Act Introduced in U.S. Senate
On April 25, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Gary Peters introduced legislation designed to help small businesses registering to procure federal contracts. Senate Bill 938, the Procurement Fraud Prevent Act, would require small businesses, when registering to contract with the […]
On April 25, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Gary Peters introduced legislation designed to help small businesses registering to procure federal contracts.
Senate Bill 938, the Procurement Fraud Prevent Act, would require small businesses, when registering to contract with the federal government, to be notified of free federal program assistance when procuring federal contracts. These federal programs include the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, the Small Business Administration, and the Minority Business Development Agency.
“Our legislation would ensure that more small businesses are aware of the free tools and resources already available to them so they can focus on making competitive bids, growing their companies, and creating jobs in their communities,” said Collins in a press release.
April 27, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying “Spending on Lobbying Approached $1 Billion in First Quarter, Highest in 5 Years” by Kimberly Kindy for Washington Post New York: “NYCLU’s Request for Donor Exemption Is Denied” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union Oregon: “Ethics Commission: Gov. […]
Lobbying
“Spending on Lobbying Approached $1 Billion in First Quarter, Highest in 5 Years” by Kimberly Kindy for Washington Post
New York: “NYCLU’s Request for Donor Exemption Is Denied” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Oregon: “Ethics Commission: Gov. Brown’s budget adviser may lobby on her behalf” by Anna Marum for Portland Oregonian
Campaign Finance
“Trump Inauguration Admits Errors, Vows to Correct Numerous Faulty Donor Records” by Christina Wilkie for HuffPost
Montana: “State Campaign Finance Reform Bill Hits Snag in Senate” by Corin Cates-Carney for Montana Public Radio
Ethics
“Some Public Pensions Help Trump, Report Shows” by Julia Harte (Reuters) for U.S. News & World Report
Rhode Island: “Panel: Probable cause that R.I. Supreme Court justice Flaherty violated ethics code” by Katie Mulvaney for Providence Journal
Vermont: “Ethics Commission Bill Gains Steam in House” by Mark Johnson for VTDigger.org
Elections
“Slow Pace of Trump Nominations Leaves Cabinet Agencies ‘Stuck’ in Staffing Limbo” by Lisa Rein for Washington Post
Legislative Issues
Alabama: “House Judiciary Committee Releases Final Report on Bentley Impeachment” by Mike Cason for AL.com
Procurement
California: “Blacklist of Border-Wall Contractors Advanced in California Senate” by Nick Cahill for Courthouse News Service
April 26, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying “Flynn’s Turkish Lobbying Linked to Russia” by Issac Arnsdorf for Politico “‘What’s Upstream?’ Ad Campaign Funded by EPA Did Not Break Federal Lobbying Rules, Investigation Finds” by Joseph O’Sullivan for Seattle Times Campaign Finance “Bill Would Force Maine-Based PACs […]
Lobbying
“Flynn’s Turkish Lobbying Linked to Russia” by Issac Arnsdorf for Politico
“‘What’s Upstream?’ Ad Campaign Funded by EPA Did Not Break Federal Lobbying Rules, Investigation Finds” by Joseph O’Sullivan for Seattle Times
Campaign Finance
“Bill Would Force Maine-Based PACs to Shed Light on Secretive Contributors” by Steve Mistler for Maine Public Radio
Ethics
“Flynn Probably Broke the Law by Failing to Disclose Foreign Payments, House Oversight Leaders Say” by Karoun Demirjian for Washington Post
“State Department Website Removes Article Touting History of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Estate” by Anne Gearan for Washington Post
“Sessions Vows to Enforce an Anti-Bribery Law Trump Ridiculed” by Charlie Savage for New York Times
“Greitens Says He Isn’t Responsible for Attack Ads Against Sen. Rob Schaaf” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star
Legislative Issues
“Tar Heel Republicans Override Gov. Cooper Veto in Latest Partisan Clash” by The Associated Press for Raleigh News & Observer
Procurement
“Contract with Company Connected to Epps Bribery Case Questioned” by Geoff Pender for Jackson Clarion-Ledger
April 12, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying Missouri: “Limit on Lobbyist Gifts Clears Missouri Senate Committee” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star Campaign Finance California: “Anti-Pot Group Faces Campaign Finance Violations from Its Work Opposing Marijuana Legalization in California” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles […]
Lobbying
Missouri: “Limit on Lobbyist Gifts Clears Missouri Senate Committee” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star
Campaign Finance
California: “Anti-Pot Group Faces Campaign Finance Violations from Its Work Opposing Marijuana Legalization in California” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times
New York: “Investigations into De Blasio Spurred City Reform, Renewed Calls for State Changes” by Samar Khurshid for Gotham Gazette
Ethics
“Secret A.T.F. Account Paid for $21,000 Nascar Suite and Las Vegas Trip” by Matt Apuzzo for New York Times
Michigan: “Michigan Sen. Bert Johnson Indicted by Grand Jury” by Paul Egan and Kathleen Gray for Detroit Free Press
South Carolina: “New SC Ethics Law Does Not Go Far Enough, Critics Say” by Avery Wilks for The State
Elections
Texas: “Federal Judge Says Texas Voter ID Law Intentionally Discriminates” by Manny Fernandez for New York Times
Legislative Issues
Oklahoma: “LGBTQ Group’s Capitol Visit Prompts Mass Email About ‘Cross-Dressers in the Building’” by Randy Krehbiel for Tulsa World
Procurement
California: “Feds: Well-known Oakland contractors conspired to cheat government” by Malaika Fraley for East Bay Times
April 7, 2017 •
Governor Signs Bill Modernizing Colorado Procurement Code
Gov. Hickenlooper recently signed House Bill 17-1051, modernizing the Colorado Procurement Code. Among other changes, the bill exempts grants from the state bidding requirements and makes the Procurement Code of Ethics and Guidelines applicable to state procurement officials, end users, […]
Gov. Hickenlooper recently signed House Bill 17-1051, modernizing the Colorado Procurement Code.
Among other changes, the bill exempts grants from the state bidding requirements and makes the Procurement Code of Ethics and Guidelines applicable to state procurement officials, end users, vendors, contractors, and interested third parties.
If the Legislature adjourns sine die on May 10, 2017, the bill will be effective August 9.
Photo of Gov. Hickenlooper By U.S. Department of Agriculture via Wikimedia Commons
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