January 24, 2017 •
Tuesday Government Relations and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying Alaska: “As Clock Ticked Toward Session, Alaska Lawmakers Turned to Lobbyists for Cash” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dispatch News New Mexico: “Loophole Cuts Lobbyist Spending Reporting” by Sandra Fish for New Mexico In Depth Ethics “After Ethics Review, […]
Lobbying
Alaska: “As Clock Ticked Toward Session, Alaska Lawmakers Turned to Lobbyists for Cash” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dispatch News
New Mexico: “Loophole Cuts Lobbyist Spending Reporting” by Sandra Fish for New Mexico In Depth
Ethics
“After Ethics Review, Senate Postpones Committee Vote for Betsy DeVos” by Danielle Douglas-Gabriel for Washington Post
“We Rely on the Government for Lots of Data. What Happens to That in the Era of ‘Alternative Facts’?” by Mark Berman for Washington Post
“Liberal Watchdog Group Sues Trump, Alleging He Violated Constitutional Ban” by David Fahrenthold and Jonathan O’Connell for Washington Post
Pennsylvania: “Ex-Mayor Reed Admits Carelessness, Not Criminality, in Pleading Guilty to Stealing City Artifacts” by Matt Miller for Harrisburg Patriot-News
Rhode Island: “Gallison to Admit Stealing from a Friend, the Poor and a Disabled Client” by Tom Mooney for Providence Journal
Redistricting
“Supreme Court Won’t Review Texas Voter Law Found to Discriminate Against Minorities” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post
December 7, 2016 •
Wednesday News Roundup
Lobbying California: “EBay Faces Fines from State Ethics Watchdog after Failing to Disclose Sacramento Lobbying on Time” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times Campaign Finance Maine: “Proposal Would Require PACs to Disclose Major Donors” by Steve Mistler for Maine […]
Lobbying
California: “EBay Faces Fines from State Ethics Watchdog after Failing to Disclose Sacramento Lobbying on Time” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times
Campaign Finance
Maine: “Proposal Would Require PACs to Disclose Major Donors” by Steve Mistler for Maine Public Radio
Wisconsin: “After Conviction, Schmitt May Not Seek Re-election” by Adam Rodewall for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ethics
“Trump Sold All Shares in Companies in June, Spokesman Says” by Drew Harwell and Rosalind Helderman for The Washington Post
California: “L.A. Ethics Commission Investigating LAPD’s Watchdog Over Handling of Special Inmate’s Jail Log” by Kate Mather for Los Angeles Times
Florida: “Broward Corruption Cop Sets Up Fight with Cities Over Ethics Reforms” by Brittany Wallman for South Florida Sun Sentinel
Minnesota: “10 U Officials Had Free Access to MSFA Suites at Vikings Stadium” by Rochelle Olson for Minneapolis Star Tribune
Elections
Colorado: “Amendment 71 Made It Harder to Get Initiatives on the Ballot – What Happens Now?” by Brian Eason for The Denver Post
Redistricting
“Justices Wrestle with Role of Race in Redistricting” by Adam Liptak for The New York Times
November 23, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying Indiana: “Holcomb Transition Team Enjoys Pacers Game at Team’s Expense” by Leslie Weidenbener for Indianapolis Business Journal Oregon: “Governor’s Respected Energy Chief to Step Down, Partly Because of Lobbyist Influence” by Scott Thistle and Tux Turkel for Portland Press […]
Lobbying
Indiana: “Holcomb Transition Team Enjoys Pacers Game at Team’s Expense” by Leslie Weidenbener for Indianapolis Business Journal
Oregon: “Governor’s Respected Energy Chief to Step Down, Partly Because of Lobbyist Influence” by Scott Thistle and Tux Turkel for Portland Press Herald
Campaign Finance
“FEC Questions Trump Donations Worth $1.3M” by Mark Hensch for The Hill
New York: “City Council Hears Legislative Package on Conflicts of Interest and Campaign Finance” by Samar Khursid for Gotham Gazette
Washington: “GMO Labeling Supporters Fined $320K Over Campaign Disclosure” by the Associated Press for KOMO
Ethics
“Trump Drops Threat of New Hillary Clinton Investigation” by Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Michael D. Shear for The New York Times
“Trump Foundation Admits to Violating Ban on ‘Self-Dealing’’ New Filing to IRS Shows” by David Fahrenthold for The Washington Post
Missouri: “Columbia Lawmaker Proposes Ethics Bills in Response to Greitens’ Campaign Promises” by Brittany Ruess for Columbia Daily Tribune
New York: “Percoco, Kaloyeros, Six Others Indicted” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union
Pennsylvania: “Pittsburgh’s Revamped Ethics Board Up, Running” by Bob Bauder for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Elections
North Carolina: “North Carolina Governor Alleges Voter Fraud in Bid to Hang On” by Elena Schneider for Politico
Wisconsin: “Many in Milwaukee Neighborhood Didn’t Vote – and Don’t Regret It” by Sabrina Tavernise for The New York Times
Redistricting
Wisconsin: “Judges Find Wisconsin Redistricting Unfairly Favored Republicans” by Michael Wines for The New York Times
August 15, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying “Thought the U.S. Was Divided Already? Just Watch as Elections Go Digital.” by Stephen Ansolabehere for Washington Post California: “Lawmakers Weaken Bill to Ban Behind-the-Scenes Communications at Coastal Commission” by Dan Weikel for Los Angeles Times Campaign Finance Alaska: […]
Lobbying
“Thought the U.S. Was Divided Already? Just Watch as Elections Go Digital.” by Stephen Ansolabehere for Washington Post
California: “Lawmakers Weaken Bill to Ban Behind-the-Scenes Communications at Coastal Commission” by Dan Weikel for Los Angeles Times
Campaign Finance
Alaska: “Anchorage Rep. LeDoux’s New Fundraising Effort Targets Lobbyists, Bar Owners” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dispatch News
New Jersey: “Voters to Decide on Belmar Pay-to-Play” by Paul Williams for Asbury Park Press
New Mexico: “New Mexico Election Officials Fix Campaign Spending Glitch” by Associated Press for KOB
Ethics
“Criticize Politicians on Twitter? They Might Block You” by Colin Campbell for Raleigh News & Observer
New York: “For Cuomo, Passing Ethics Bill Was Urgent, Signing It Was Not” by David Howard King for Gotham Gazette
Elections
“One Ally Remains Firmly Behind Donald Trump: The N.R.A.” by Nick Corasaniti and Alexander Burns for New York Times
“Hack of Democrats’ Accounts Was Wider Than Believed, Officials Say” by Eric Lichtblau and Eric Schmitt for New York Times
“Is Trump Wrecking Both Parties?” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times
Redistricting
North Carolina: “Federal Judges Find NC Legislative Districts Unconstitutional” by Lynn Bonner for Raleigh News & Observer
June 28, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying California: “Sweeping Public Utilities Commission Changes Announced” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee Campaign Finance “Report: It’s harder to know who’s paying for political ads” by Geoff Mulvihill (Associated Press) for Las Vegas Sun Kentucky: “Ethics Commission OKs Crowdfunding […]
Lobbying
California: “Sweeping Public Utilities Commission Changes Announced” by Jeremy White for Sacramento Bee
Campaign Finance
“Report: It’s harder to know who’s paying for political ads” by Geoff Mulvihill (Associated Press) for Las Vegas Sun
Kentucky: “Ethics Commission OKs Crowdfunding for Legislative Campaigns” by Ryland Barton for WFPL
Massachusetts: “State’s Chief Campaign Official Seeks Heftier Fines for PACs” by Matt Stout for Boston Herald
Ethics
Connecticut: “Cigna-Anthem Merger: Gov. Malloy’s Insurance Regulator Told Ethics Officials She Was Not Involved in Cigna Issues, even as Her Agency Was” by David Sirota for International Business Times
Florida: “Opa-locka’s Ethics Switcheroo Draws Laughs amid FBI Corruption Probe” by Jay Weaver for Miami Herald
South Carolina: “Gov. Nikki Haley Signs Ethics Reform into Law, Endorses Sen. Larry Martin” by Maya Prabhu for Charleston Post & Courier
Virginia: “Supreme Court Vacates Ex-Virginia Governor’s Graft Conviction” by Adam Liptak for New York Times
Elections
“Donald Trump and R.N.C. Crack Down on Rebelling Delegates” by Jeremy Peters for New York Times
Redistricting
North Carolina: “Supreme Court to Review NC’s Use of Race in Redistricting” by Jonathan Drew (Associated Press) for ABC News
May 24, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying Pennsylvania: “Pa. Officials, Lobbyists Split on How to Vet Business Propositions” by Brad Bumsted for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Campaign Finance “Key G.O.P. Donors Still Deeply Resist Donald Trump’s Candidacy” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns for New York Times Massachusetts: […]
Lobbying
Pennsylvania: “Pa. Officials, Lobbyists Split on How to Vet Business Propositions” by Brad Bumsted for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Campaign Finance
“Key G.O.P. Donors Still Deeply Resist Donald Trump’s Candidacy” by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns for New York Times
Massachusetts: “New Bill Would Rein in State GOP’s Fund-Raising” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe
Ethics
Alabama: “One-Time Rising Star Hubbard to Stand Trial on Ethics Charges” by Mike Cason for AL.com
Colorado: “Audit: Colorado ethics commission rarely helps those filing complaints” by Joey Bunch for Denver Post
Hawaii: “Hawaii Lawmakers Again Balk at Ethics, Lobbying Reform” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat
Elections
“Why Democrats Are Set to Retake State Legislatures in 2016 (and It’s Not Just Trump)” by Amber Phillips for Washington Post
“Bernie Sanders Makes a Campaign Mark. Now, Can He Make a Legacy?” by Jonathan Mahler and Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times
Legislative Issues
Montana: “Term Limits Have Weakened Legislature, Some Observers Say” by Jayme Fraser for Helena Independent Record
Redistricting
Virginia: “Supreme Court Upholds Virginia Redistricting” by Richard Wolf for USA Today
April 4, 2016 •
One Person, One Vote Ruling by U.S. Supreme Court
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously decided a state or locality may draw its legislative districts based on the total population of all people rather than based on only the population of registered voters. In Evenwel v. Abbott, appellants argued […]
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously decided a state or locality may draw its legislative districts based on the total population of all people rather than based on only the population of registered voters.
In Evenwel v. Abbott, appellants argued apportionments based on total population for drawing Texas Senate legislative districts diluted their votes in relation to voters in other state Senate districts. They argued such dilution was a violation of the one-person, one-vote principle of the Equal Protection Clause.
While the Court found the apportionment was constitutionally drawn, the decision, written by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for six of the Justices, explicitly stated it does not address whether “states may draw districts to equalize voter-eligible population rather than total population.” Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito each issued separate concurring opinions. The Court decision is available here.
March 22, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying New York: “Nonprofit Linked to Mayor de Blasio Is Closing” by J. David Goodman for New York Times New York: “Harold Ickes, Mentor to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Builds Lobbying Victories” by Michael Grynbaum for New York Times Campaign […]
Lobbying
New York: “Nonprofit Linked to Mayor de Blasio Is Closing” by J. David Goodman for New York Times
New York: “Harold Ickes, Mentor to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Builds Lobbying Victories” by Michael Grynbaum for New York Times
Campaign Finance
“Scorecard: Essential disclosure requirements for contributions to state campaigns, 2016” by Staff for National Institute on Money in State Politics
“How ‘Ghost Corporations’ Are Funding the 2016 Election” by Matea Gold and Anu Narayanswamy for Washington Post
Massachusetts: “Large Donations Help Mass. GOP Avoid State Cap” by Frank Phillips for Boston Globe
Mississippi: “Many Mississippi Officials Take from Closed Campaign Accounts, Review Reveals” by The Associated Press for New York Times
Montana: “For Some Montana Office Seekers, It’s Not about Winning” by Bobby Caina Calvan (Associated Press) for Great Falls Tribune
Elections
“The U.S. Has ‘Worst Elections of Any Long-Established Democracy,’ Report Finds” by Rick Noack for Washington Post
“Trump Wannabes Shake Up Cable Airwaves” by Hadas Gold for Politico
Ohio: “Cleveland Prepares for Unrest at GOP Convention” by Tracy Jan for Boston Globe
Redistricting
Virginia: “Supreme Court May Decide against Va. Republicans in Redistricting Fight” by Robert Barnes and Jenna Portnoy for Washington Post
November 24, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying Arizona: “In Arizona, lobbyist disclose spending; you just don’t know on whom” by Justin Price in The Arizona Republic Canada: “Lobbying: important amendments to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct” by Gregory Kane, V. Peter Harder and Danylo Korbabicz in Lexology […]
Lobbying
Arizona: “In Arizona, lobbyist disclose spending; you just don’t know on whom” by Justin Price in The Arizona Republic
Canada: “Lobbying: important amendments to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct” by Gregory Kane, V. Peter Harder and Danylo Korbabicz in Lexology
Campaign Finance
Kansas: “House-Senate panel votes to double campaign donation limits” by Tim Carpenter in The Topeka Capital-Journal
State Legislatures
Florida: “State Lawmakers Pushing To Extend Legislative Terms” by Nick Evans in WFSU.org
Vermont: “Off-session legislative activity causes concern” by Neal Goswami in the Times Argus
Washington: “Liias, Ryu selected for leadership posts in State Legislature” in My Edmonds News
Elections
“What to Know About the Presidential Race Today” in The New York Times
Redistricting
Florida: “Redistricting challengers amend filed maps, withdraw plan to cross Tampa Bay” by Mary Ellen Klas in Tampa Bay Times
November 18, 2015 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying Texas: “Lobby Reform Rules Move Forward” by Jo Clifton for Austin Monitor Campaign Finance “What Are the Benefits of Campaign Finance Reform?” by Sam Power for Washington Post California: “Vacations, Groceries, Hotels: Supervisor Todd Spitzer’s spending from obscure fund […]
Texas: “Lobby Reform Rules Move Forward” by Jo Clifton for Austin Monitor
Campaign Finance
“What Are the Benefits of Campaign Finance Reform?” by Sam Power for Washington Post
California: “Vacations, Groceries, Hotels: Supervisor Todd Spitzer’s spending from obscure fund raises questions” by Meghann Cuniff for Orange County Register
Connecticut: “Dems Would Scrap Clean Election Program to Balance Budget” by Christine Stuart for CTNewsJunkie.com
Ethics
“Chris Christie, Taking Law-and-Order Stance, Sidesteps Bridge Scandal in ’16 Race” by Alexander Burns for New York Times
North Carolina: “NC Rep. Lewis Took Last-Minute Action to Protect Friend’s State Contract” by Patrick Gannon for Raleigh News & Observer
Wisconsin: “Assembly GOP Approves Rewritten Campaign Finance Laws, GAB Overhaul” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Redistricting
“Supreme Court Takes Up Virginia Redistricting Case” by Jenna Portnoy for Washington Post
November 6, 2015 •
Florida Legislature Adjourns Special Session Early; Still No Senate District Map
After multiple attempts, and multiple special sessions, the Florida Legislature adjourned the third special session of the year on November 5, 2015 without reaching a redistricting agreement for the state senate. The adjournment came a day earlier than expected after […]
After multiple attempts, and multiple special sessions, the Florida Legislature adjourned the third special session of the year on November 5, 2015 without reaching a redistricting agreement for the state senate. The adjournment came a day earlier than expected after the two chambers reached an impasse on the latest version of the map.
Now a Tallahassee Circuit Court judge will likely choose a map from drafts submitted throughout the process. This latest roadblock has renewed calls for an independent commission to handle redrawing the map.
Photo of the Old and New Florida State Capitols by Infrogmation on Wikimedia Commons.
November 6, 2015 •
News You Can Use Digest – November 6, 2015
National: Neuropolitics, Where Campaigns Try to Read Your Mind New York Times – Kevin Randall | Published: 11/2/2015 All over the world, political campaigns are seeking voter data and insights that will propel them to victory. Now, that includes the […]
National:
Neuropolitics, Where Campaigns Try to Read Your Mind
New York Times – Kevin Randall | Published: 11/2/2015
All over the world, political campaigns are seeking voter data and insights that will propel them to victory. Now, that includes the contentious field known as neuromarketing – or in this case, neuropolitics. Technologies like facial coding, biofeedback, and brain imaging have long been used by companies in the hope of pushing the boundaries of marketing and product development. But their use by political parties and governments is a growing phenomenon. The practice has come under attack, but the skepticism has not dissuaded political parties in many parts of the world. The campaigns of presidents and prime ministers on at least three continents have hired science consultants to scan voters’ brains, bodies, and faces, all with the aim of heightening their emotional resonance with the electorate.
New Generation of Trade Group CEOs Take More Aggressive – and at Times Unorthodox – Approach to Lobbying
Washington Post – Catherine Ho | Published: 11/4/2015
A new generation of trade group leaders are deploying a wide range of unorthodox lobbying tactics, a shift reflecting the new normal of the advocacy business. Some of the new CEOs are as much as two or three decades younger than their predecessors and came to power at the same time gridlock and chaos reigned in Congress. Rather than only forging relationships with federal lawmakers, they are turning to state-level lobbying and media campaigns to shape public opinion. These younger leaders are pushing to remake the image of some trade groups as a cushy track to retirement for former elected officials.
Federal:
Bush, Clinton Benefit from Lobbying Gray Area
Politico – Isaac Arnsdorf | Published: 11/3/2015
Campaigns are required to file reports detailing registered lobbyists who round up donations, but that number is only a small slice of the fundraisers who work in some capacity in Washington’s influence industry. A quarter of those who bundled $100,000 or more for Hillary Clinton work at lobbying firms or public affairs agencies, lobby at the state level, or otherwise make their living from influencing the government, even though they are not themselves registered to lobby Congress. For Jeb Bush, 58 of the 342 people who raised at least $17,600 are advocates and operatives linked to the influence industry, although they are not reported as federal lobbyists. The reliance on these power brokers shows how much both candidates are drawing on family and party networks forged over decades in politics to bankroll their presidential bids. It also illustrates the weaknesses in the rules meant to subject lobbyists to more public scrutiny.
Paul Ryan Lands at Center of a Rivalry for the Soul of the G.O.P.
New York Times – Carl Hulse | Published: 11/2/2015
The rise of the tea party-influenced conservatives who toppled John Boehner as House speaker has driven a wedge between the party’s right flank and the corporate interests and business advocates who were the embodiment of the Republican Party in years past. Now the term Chamber of Commerce Republican has been turned into a pejorative by hard-right conservative activists who rail against “crony capitalism.” It is an extraordinary political development, one that the new speaker, Paul Ryan, will have to navigate as he takes control of the House. And those on the hard right and in the corner offices are watching closely to see which way he leans.
Twitter <3 Enhanced Political #Disclosure
Center for Public Integrity – Dave Levinthal | Published: 11/4/2015
Twitter’s nascent PAC, which is poised to make its first-ever federal campaign contributions, plans to disclose them within 48 hours. “Timely disclosure is something we could do. We figured, ‘Why not?'” said Colin Crowell, Twitter’s head of global public policy. Twitter will also publicly disclose its trade association memberships and membership costs, as well as any financial associations it has with nonprofit organizations, which are not required to reveal their donors.
From the States and Municipalities:
Arizona – Elections Panel Moves to Uncover Political ‘Dark Money’
Arizona Daily Star – Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) | Published: 10/31/2015
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission adopted a rule that spells out what will be considered to be a “political committee.” That designation is crucial because only political committees are required to report both contributions and expenditures. The new guideline says the reporting requirement applies when any organization spends at least half of its overall communications expenses on Arizona political races. Tom Collins, the commission’s executive director, said the rule is a direct result of heavy spending last election by groups that refused to disclose the source of their cash.
California – Tighter Rules for Lobbying Win S.F. Voter Approval
San Francisco Chronicle – Kevin Fagan | Published: 11/3/2015
Proposition C, which was approved by San Francisco voters on November 3, will require individuals or groups to register as lobbyists if they spend more than $2,500 in a month to encourage others to lobby city officials directly. The issue was placed on the ballot by a unanimous vote of the city Ethics Commission to try to rein in “Astroturf” lobbying, which refers to third-party influence efforts that try to disguise the real group or person behind a fake grassroots message. Many of the city’s grassroots and nonprofit organizations supported the idea behind Proposition C but said it would unfairly force them to abide by the same rules as more-moneyed traditional lobbyists. Proponents maintained that all lobbyists, big and small, should be equally accountable.
Connecticut – Joseph Ganim, Disgraced Ex-Mayor of Bridgeport, Conn., Wins Back Job
New York Times – Kristin Hussey | Published: 11/3/2015
An ex-convict who spent seven years in federal prison for corruption reclaimed the Bridgeport mayor’s office, completing a stunning comeback bid that tapped nostalgia for brighter days in Connecticut’s largest city. Joe Ganim, who was released from prison five years ago, declared victory in a race involving seven opponents. Ganim was mayor from 1991 to 2003, resigning after he was convicted of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars from people and companies doing business with the city. Eddie Moro, a security employee in the public school system, said he has no problem with Ganim’s criminal record. “He didn’t kill nobody,” said Moro.
Maine – Maine Backs Post-Citizens United Campaign Finance Initiative
Huffington Post – Paul Blumenthal | Published: 11/3/2015
Maine voters approved a proposal to expand the state’s public campaign financing system. It will increase public funding for candidates to as much as $3 million while allowing them to collect additional five-dollar qualifying donations. The initiative will also require organizations behind political advertisements to disclose the top three donors funding the ads and increase penalties for candidates who violate the state’s campaign finance laws.
Maryland – D.C. Law Student Takes Case against Md. Gerrymandering to Supreme Court
Washington Post – Robert Barnes | Published: 11/1/2015
Steve Shapiro worked on an assignment for a class at American University’s Washington College of Law, where he is a first-semester student. He pored over his brief due at the U.S. Supreme Court, where his battle against Maryland’s often-criticized gerrymandered congressional districts will be heard in a case that bears his name. It was his decades-long fight with Maryland’s political leadership over redistricting that, in part, fueled his decision to leave his job as a career federal employee and enroll full time in law school. Before he ever took his first law class, he served as his own lawyer, filing the original complaint in what is now called Shapiro v. McManus and a subsequent appeal after losing the first round.
New York – In Two Corruption Cases, the Culture of Albany Will Go on Trial
New York Times – William Rashbaum and Susanne Craig | Published: 11/1/2015
The former leaders of New York’s two legislative chambers face simultaneous public corruption trials this month in a federal courthouse. Former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, long one of the state’s most powerful lawmakers, goes on trial first on charges he used his office to collect millions of dollars in kickbacks and bribes. Dean Skelos, a former Senate majority leader, faces his own criminal trial on November 16. He is charged with taking official actions on behalf of several companies in exchange for payments to his son. The trials are the highest-profile cases in a string of corruption scandals. More than 30 state lawmakers have either been indicted or forced from office in recent years.
New York – Mayor de Blasio’s Hired Guns: Private consultants help shape City Hall
New York Times – Thomas Kaplan | Published: 11/4/2015
Several consultants helped guide Bill de Blasio campaign for New York City mayor in 2013, and they have remained at his side as a kind of privately funded brain trust, offering strategic advice and helping to shape the message that comes from City Hall. Their involvement also poses conflict-of-interest concerns; some of their firms have clients that do business with the city. Most of the money for the consultants has come from a nonprofit organization, the Campaign for One New York, that was created by political professionals from his mayoral campaign as a vehicle to push de Blasio’s initiatives, and whose donors have included real estate developers and unions.
North Carolina – McCrory Brokered Meeting on Contract for Friend and Campaign Donor
Raleigh News & Observer – Joseph Neff, Craig Jarvis, and Ames Alexander | Published: 10/30/2015
Last fall, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory personally intervened on behalf of a friend and major political donor who wanted to renew $3 million in private prison contracts over the objections of McCrory’s top prison officials. Graeme Keith Sr., a developer and retired banker, has pursued private maintenance contracts in state prisons since 1999. Keith’s contracts at two prisons were set to expire December 31, 2014; a third would have ended four months later. The governor convened an October 2014 meeting where, according to a Department of Public Safety memorandum, Keith told prison officials and McCrory that “he had been working on this project ‘private prison maintenance’ for over ten years and during that time had given a lot of money to candidates running for public office and it was now time for him to get something in return.”
Texas – Opponents of Houston Rights Measure Focused on Bathrooms, and Won
New York Times – Manny Fernandez and Alan Blinder | Published: 11/4/2015
More than a year ago, when Houston Mayor Annise Parker and her supporters first proposed an ordinance outlawing discrimination based on factors such as race, religion, and sexual orientation and steered it through the city council, they expected it to be welcomed in a diverse city that had become, with Parker’s election in 2009, the nation’s first big city to elect an openly gay or lesbian mayor. Instead, voters rejected the ordinance overwhelmingly. Opponents zeroed in on the measure’s gender-identity protections and focused the debate on a narrow issue whose very relevance was disputed by rivals: bathrooms, and access to them. What was clear was that a months-long effort by social conservatives to repeal the ordinance and reframe the issue had paid off, through tactics likely to be used again in similar battles around the country.
Washington – ‘Democracy Vouchers’ Win in Seattle; First in Country
Seattle Times – Bob Young | Published: 11/3/2015
Seattle voters passed a ballot measure that was seen as a national model for campaign finance reform. Under Initiative 122, every city resident would receive four “democracy vouchers” each representing $25 of public funds. The vouchers could be given to any local candidate of their choice, as long as that candidate opted in to the program. The measure also prohibits candidates from receiving contributions from any person or company with at least $250,000 in city contracts or $5,000 in lobbying expenses. It also will bar elected officials and their top aides from lobbying the city for three years after leaving their government jobs.
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.
November 5, 2015 •
Thursday News Roundup
Lobbying “New Generation of Trade Group CEOs Take More Aggressive – and at Times Unorthodox – Approach to Lobbying” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post California: “Tighter Rules for Lobbying Win S.F. Voter Approval” by Kevin Fagan for San Francisco […]
“New Generation of Trade Group CEOs Take More Aggressive – and at Times Unorthodox – Approach to Lobbying” by Catherine Ho for Washington Post
California: “Tighter Rules for Lobbying Win S.F. Voter Approval” by Kevin Fagan for San Francisco Chronicle
Rhode Island: “38 Studios: House panel chairwoman wants investigation of deal maker Michael Corso” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal
Campaign Finance
Florida: “Dade Medical College Owner Turns Himself In” by Michael Vasquez for Miami Herald
“Maine Backs Post-Citizens United Campaign Finance Initiative” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post
South Dakota: “Council Nixes PAC Contribution Limit” by Joe Sneve for Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Washington: “‘Democracy Vouchers’ Win in Seattle; First in Country” by Bob Young for Seattle Times
Ethics
“Mayor de Blasio’s Hired Guns: Private consultants help shape City Hall” by Thomas Kaplan for New York Times
Elections
“Joseph Ganim, Disgraced Ex-Mayor of Bridgeport, Conn., Wins Back Job” by Kristin Hussey for New York Times
“Matt Bevin, Republican, Wins Governor’s Race in Kentucky” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Alan Blinder for New York Times
“Michigan Lawmakers Ousted Over Affair Lose Bid to Regain House Seats” by Associated Press for New York Times
Redistricting
Ohio: “Voters Approve Issue to Reform Ohio’s Redistricting Process” by Jim Siegel for Columbus Dispatch
November 3, 2015 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Campaign Finance “Larry Lessig Ends Presidential Campaign, Citing Unfair Debate Rules” by David Weigel for Washington Post Arizona: “Elections Panel Moves to Uncover Political ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star New Jersey: “Analysis: Outside […]
Campaign Finance
“Larry Lessig Ends Presidential Campaign, Citing Unfair Debate Rules” by David Weigel for Washington Post
Arizona: “Elections Panel Moves to Uncover Political ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star
New Jersey: “Analysis: Outside money may flood 2017 election” by Dustin Racioppi for Bergen Record
New Mexico: “Flurry of Campaign Finance Cases after Duran Indictment Renews Call for Ethics Commission” by Justin Horwath for Santa Fe New Mexican
Oregon: “Activists Angle for Oregon Campaign Finance Measures” by Taylor Anderson for Bend Bulletin
Ethics
New York: “In Two Corruption Cases, the Culture of Albany Will Go on Trial” by William Rashbaum and Susanne Craig for New York Times
North Carolina: “McCrory Brokered Meeting on Contract for Friend and Campaign Donor” by Joseph Neff, Craig Jarvis, and Ames Alexander for Raleigh News & Observer
Elections
“How Donald Trump Leverages America’s Fault Lines” by Lynn Vavreck for New York Times
Redistricting
Maryland: “D.C. Law Student Takes Case against Md. Gerrymandering to Supreme Court” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post
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.