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

Lobbying

“The Commission’s Corporate Job Pipeline” by James Panichi for Politico

“Top Lobbyists 2015: Associations” by Staff for The Hill

“Top Lobbyists 2015: Grassroots” by Staff for The Hill

California: “Former SF Police Union President Fined for Illegally Lobbying Last Year” by Jonah Owen Lamb for San Francisco Examiner

Rhode Island: “R.I. House Panel Opens Investigation into 38 Studios Loan” by Katherine Gregg for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“Is There a Silver Lining to Citizens United?” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times

Florida: “Mystery Surrounds Largest Donor to Florida Solar Power Ballot Initiative” by Jeremy Wallace for Miami Herald

Ethics

“Dennis Hastert, Ex-Speaker of House, Pleads Guilty to Banking Violation” by Monica Davey and Mitch Smith for New York Times

New York: “Albany’s Museum of Political Corruption No Longer Just a Funny Idea” by Michael DeMasi for Albany Business Review

Redistricting

“In Swing-State Ohio, Both Parties Want to Limit Their Own Power in Redistricting” by Daniel Vock for Governing

Lobbying

“Lobbyist Finds a Quiet Place to Work, as a Six-Figure U.S. Government Contractor” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

California: “Number of California Lobbyists Grows over Past Decade” by Jim Miller for Sacramento Bee

Florida: “Lobbyist Miscues Laid Out in Legislative Report” by Brandon Larrabee (News Service of Florida) for Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Missouri: “Man Fined for Not Registering as Lobbyist” by Summer Ballentine (Associated Press) for Waynesville Daily Guide

Ethics

Alabama: “Mike Hubbard Says Alabama Ethics Law He Fought For Is Unconstitutionally Vague” by The Associated Press for AL.com

Illinois: “Jury Finds Lake Station Mayor, Wife Guilty in Federal Trial” by Teresa Auch Schultz for Chicago Tribune

New York: “Who’s Paying Assemblyman’s Auto Bills?” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Elections

“Perry Suspends Campaign after Hopes for a ‘Second Chance’ Were Dashed” by David Weigel, Philip Rucker, and Dan Balz for Washington Post

Procurement

“Federal Contractors Tell Obama: Stop picking on us” by Lydia Wheeler for The Hill

Redistricting

“New Political Map-Making Push Gains Ground, Concerns” by Rick Pearson for Chicago Tribune

A special session of the legislature adjourned Friday, August 21, 2015, without an agreement on a new congressional district map. Florida’s supreme court ruled the current map unconstitutional, forcing lawmakers to return to Tallahassee earlier this month.

The failure to reach an agreement likely means the new map will be drawn by the courts. Gov. Rick Scott could force the legislature back into session before a court hearing on Tuesday, August 25, but he has stated he would not do so.

Lobbying

“Jon Stewart’s Next Act: Lobbyist?” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico

California: “Measure Seeks to Reveal Names, Funding behind Indirect Lobbying” by Emily Green for San Francisco Chronicle

New York: “JCOPE Denies Request to Shield Abortion-Issue Donors” by Jimmy Vielkind for Capital New York

Campaign Finance

“Super PAC Doppelgangers Eclipse Candidates in Campaign Money Chase” by Michael Beckel for Center for Public Integrity

California: “Campaign Money Has MTA Board Members Missing Votes” by David Zahniser and Katie Shepherd for Los Angeles Times

Maine: “Anti-Gay Marriage Group Suffers another Loss in Bid to Conceal Donors to Maine Campaign” by Steve Mistler for Portland Press Herald

New York: “New York State Lawmakers Spend Millions in Campaign Funds on Legal Fees” by Susanne Craig and Thomas Kaplan for New York Times

Ethics

Massachusetts: “Voters May Have a Say on Boosting Public Records Access” by Todd Wallack for Boston Globe

Redistricting

New York: “Democrats Unveil a Plan to Fight Gerrymandering” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times

A special session of the Legislature will be held next month for lawmakers to approve a new congressional district map. The state’s supreme court recently invalidated the current map and created a 100-day deadline to complete changes.

The special session will be held from August 10 to August 21, 2015.

Nine districts are in need of reconfiguration but the 5th and 13th are expected to change the most.

The group Fair Districts for Summit County has proposed a charter amendment to create an independent commission responsible for the approval of redistricting plans. Should the amendment gain enough signatures to get on the November ballot and be passed by voters, the redistricting would take effect in 2016.

Ten Democratic council members have sponsored legislation opposing the amendment, claiming the changes are attempts to gerrymander districts to benefit Republicans and weaken the importance of Akron in county council districts.

The council is introducing its own charter amendment to create a redistricting commission, but any redistricting changes would take place after the 2020 U.S. Census.

Lobbying

Colorado: “Colorado Lobbying Income Likely to Set a Record This Year” by Arthur Kane for Colorado Watchdog

Virginia: “Plastic Tumblers, a Night at Dad’s House Top Gifts in Post-McDonnell Richmond” by Laura Vozzella for Washington Post

Campaign Finance

“Revenge of Citizens United” by Kenneth Vogel and Tarini Parti for Politico

New York: “Bipartisan Group Sues to Close New York’s Corporate Donation Loophole” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Ethics

Minnesota: “Lobbyist Accuses Hastings Lawmaker of Defamation in Lawsuit” by David Montgomery for St. Paul Pioneer Press

Ohio: “Columbus Cancels Red-Light Camera Contract after Bribe Investigation” by Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Ex-Mayor of Pennsylvania’s Capital Charged with Corruption” by Marc Levy and Mark Scolforo (Associated Press) for Albany Times Union

Redistricting

Florida: “One of America’s Weirdest Congressional Districts Has Just Been Trashed by the Florida Supreme Court” by Michael Miller and Nick Kirkpatrick for Washington Post

Lobbying

“Lobbying Typos and Misdemeanors” by James Panichi for Politico

“How Marco Rubio Turned Political Star Power into a Soaring Personal Income” by Tom Hamburger and Sean Sullivan for Washington Post

Ohio: “Lobbyist a Constant in Columbus’ Politics” by Mark Ferenchik and Lucas Sullivan for Columbus Dispatch

Virginia: “With McAuliffe in Office, Old Friends Find New Opportunities” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) for Lexington Herald-Leader

Campaign Finance

“Bernie Sanders Doesn’t Follow the Money” by Tarini Parti and Jonathan Topaz for Politico

“Money Talks, Especially during Legislative Sessions” by Madison Russ for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

Maine: “Combative Maine Governor Becomes a Party of One” by Katherine Seelye for New York Times

New Jersey: “Backlog of Local N.J. Ethics Cases Fosters Frustration” by Nicholas Pugliese for Bergen Record

Pennsylvania: “Lack of Funding for State Ethics Commission Invites Corruption, Experts Worry” by Kari Andren for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Redistricting

“Justices Rule 5-4 That Independent Panels Can Draw Election District Lines” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post

Lobbying

Arkansas: “30-Day Grace Vexes State’s Ethics Panel” by Michael Wickline for Arkansas Online

Campaign Finance

“House Quietly Passes Tax Exemption for Megadonors” by Kenneth Vogel and Hillary Flynn for Politico

“Big Money in Politics Emerges as a Rising Issue in 2016 Campaign” by Matea Gold for Washington Post

Ethics

Florida: “Florida Ethics Panel Recommends Fining Former Lawmaker David Rivera $58K” by Kathleen McGrory for Miami Herald

Florida: “Even after the Gift Ban and Reform, Freebies Flow to Florida Lawmakers” by Michael Van Sickler for Tampa Bay Times

Kentucky: “Head of State Ethics Agency to Take Top Post at Kentucky Registry of Election Finance” by Jack Brammer for Lexington Herald-Leader

New Jersey: “Ferriero Convicted on Racketeering Count; Ex-Democratic Chief Used Political Clout for Profit” by Peter Sampson for Bergen Record

New York: “Carl Heastie, New York Assembly Speaker, Benefited from Mother’s Embezzling” by Russ Buettner and David Chen for New York Times

Pennsylvania: “Montco Businessman Charged in PennDot Graft Probe” by Ben Finley for Philadelphia Inquirer

Redistricting

North Carolina: “US Supreme Court Tosses NC High Court Decision on State’s GOP-Drawn Electoral Maps” by Ann Blythe for Raleigh News & Observer

Lobbying

“Waning Influence? Part 3: Ups and Downs, by Industry” by Dan Auble for Center for Responsive Politics

“PSC Rejects FPL’s Lobbying Fee Request” by Susan Salisbury for Palm Beach Post

“Boston-to-D.C. Flights Showcase Region’s Power Players” by Matt Viser for Boston Globe

Campaign Finance

“Wall Street Money Can Predict How Democrats Vote. Here’s How” by Chris Wilson and Pratheek Rebala for Time

“National Parties, Donors Embrace Higher Campaign Limits” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today

“Ethics Panel Wants State Agencies, Employees to Disclosure Campaign Activity” by Mario Moretto (Bangor Daily News) for Lewiston Sun Journal

Ethics

“Languid, Lax Congressional Ethics Disciplinary System May Pick Up Pace in 2015” by David Hawkins for Roll Call

“‘Boss’ Gifts to Pittsburgh Employees from Peduto Raise Questions” by Bob Bauder for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Elections

“The Tortoise and the Hare” by Maggie Haberman for Politico

Redistricting

“Panel Adopts Ideas for Changing Virginia’s Redistricting Process” by Jenna Portnoy for Washington Post

Lobbying

Arkansas: “Schools Rethinking Gifts to Arkansas Lawmakers Following Passage of Constitutional Amendment” by the Associated Press for Greenfield Reporter

Florida: “Homestead’s Former Mayor Sentenced to 22 Months in Corruption Case” by David Ovalle and Melhor Marie Leonor for Miami Herald

Maine: “Maine Public in the Dark on Local-Issue Lobbying” by Steve Mistler for Portland Press Herald

West Virginia: “Statehouse Beat: Lobbyists change with new Legislature” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette

Campaign Finance

“Here’s Where Campaign Finance Reform May Move Ahead As Congress Dithers” by Paul Blumenthal for Huffington Post

Ethics

Pennsylvania: “Kane’s Account of Sting Draws Increasing Fire” by Craig McCoy and Angela Couloumbis for Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania: “Who’s Minding the Store for Legislative Ethics?” by Joe Smydo for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wisconsin: “GAB Declined to Reauthorize Walker Campaign Probe” by Patrick Marley and Jason Stein for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin: “Wisconsin Elections Board Director Defends Work, Structure, Amid Calls for Overhaul” by Scott Bauer (Associated Press) for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Elections

“Tea Partier Braces for Primary Challenge from the Establishment” by Manu Raju for Politico

Redistricting

North Carolina: “NC Supreme Court Upholds GOP-Drawn Legislative and Congressional Districts” by Ann Blythe for Raleigh News & Observer

Lobbying

California: “Santa Monica Could Require Lobbyists to Register” by Nikki Cervantes for Santa Monica Lookout

Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Lawmakers Will Be Challenged to Ban Themselves from Taking Lobbyists’ Gifts” by Marc Levy (Associated Press) for Columbus Republic

Rhode Island: “Mollis Concludes Former R.I. Attorney General Lynch Did Not Violate Lobbying Rules” by Katie Mulvaney for Providence Journal

Rhode Island: “Ruling Says Zaccagnino Lobbied for 38 Studios without Registering” by Katie Mulvaney for Providence Journal

Campaign Finance

“New Software Helps Connect the Money Dots in Politics” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

New York: “Hotelier Avoids Prison for Violating Campaign Finance Laws” by Stephanie Clifford for New York Times

Ethics

“Lawyers Create Big Paydays by Coaxing Attorneys General to Sue” by Eric Lipton for New York Times

New Jersey: “New Jersey Paying Fees to a Financial Firm That Employs Christie’s Wife” by Kate Zernike for New York Times

Virginia: “Va. Del. Joseph Morrissey to Resign in Wake of Conviction but Run Again for His Seat” by Rachel Weiner for Washington Post

South Carolina: “S.C. House, Senate Clash over Ethics Reform” by Jeremy Borden for Charleston Post and Courier

Pennsylvania: “Ex-Traffic Court Judge Sentenced to Prison in Bracelet Case” by Julie Shaw for Philadelphia Daily News

Redistricting

Ohio: “Redistricting Reform Plan Passes House, Needs Voter Approval” by Jackie Borchardt (Northeast Ohio Media Group) for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Lobbying

“Report: Energy contractor and former lawmaker lobbied officials for no-bid contract worth $2.4 billion per year” by Josh Hicks for Washington Post

Arizona: “Ducey Seeking Donations to Gubernatorial Transition Effort” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

California: “California Legislators Flying to Maui to Meet with Special Interests” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times

Campaign Finance

“Hate Political Ads? Skip Morning Shows” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

Massachusetts: “Election Was Awash in Cash, but Effect is Unclear” by David Scharfenberg for Boston Globe

San Diego, CA: “Fines Levied for Illegal Donations” by David Garrick for San Diego Union-Tribune

Ethics

Arkansas: “Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe to Pardon Son on Drug Charge” by Sam Levine for Huffington Post

Hawaii: “Court: State must release financial disclosures for boards” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

North Carolina: “Ex-Duke Energy Lawyer Now Advising NC Regulators” by Michael Biesecker and Mitch Weiss (Associated Press) for Raleigh News and Observer

Ohio: “Canton Financial Advisor Sentenced to 45 Months in Ohio Treasurer’s Office Kickback Scheme” by Theodore Decker and Kathy Lynn Gray for Columbus Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Ex-Official Pleads Guilty in Turnpike Scandal” by Angela Couloumbis for Philadelphia Inquirer

Washington: “Lt. Governor Defends Work Ethic, Outside Business” by Susannah Frame for KING

West Virginia: “Ethics Commission Hires Stepto as Director” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette

Procurement

Idaho: “Court Says State Broke Law with Broadband Contract Law” by Nathan Brown for Twin Falls Times-News

Elections

“Spurred by Midterm Losses, Liberal and Moderate Democrats Square off Over Strategy” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times

Redistricting

Alabama: “Justices Hear Black Lawmakers’ Challenge to Alabama Redistricting” by Adam Liptak for New York Times