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
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
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
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
