State and Federal Communications President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz is attending the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Fall Forum 2011 in Tampa, Florida.

The conference runs from November 30 until December 3, 2011.

State and Federal Communications is proud to be one of the Event Sponsors of the Women in Government Relations 2011 PACs, Politics & Grassroots Conference.

Compliance Manager Amber Fish Linke and Federal Compliance Associate Rebecca South are attending the conference today in Washington, D.C.

State and Federal Communications’ President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz and Federal Compliance Associate Rebecca South are attending the American League of Lobbyists Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. today.

According to the American League of Lobbyists website: “Amidst Administration attacks on registered lobbyists, calls for increased transparency, and restrictions on lobbyists attending White House meetings and serving on Advisory Committees, what does the coming election year mean for the lobbying profession?

On Wednesday, November 16th, the American League of Lobbyists Annual Meeting will feature a panel of some of the nation’s top reporters who cover lobbying. Brody Mullins of the Wall St. Journal, Tory Newmyer of Fortune Magazine, and John Bresnahan of Politico will discuss the business, profession, and ethical quandaries of lobbying in today’s challenging environment.”

National:

Special Sessions: A calculated risk

Federal:

Obama Administration Draft Memo Could Shed Light on ‘Lettermarking’

Sunlight Foundation Follows Lobbyist Tweets

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama

Alabama’s New Ethics Law Fails to Stop Exemption Requests from Lobbyists and Public Officials

California

California Legislators Head to Maui for Retreat Funded by Special Interests

California

Carrie Underwood Show Boosts Tribe’s Lobbying Expense

Colorado

Judge Warns Colorado Secretary of State Went Too Far in Raising Campaign Finance Threshold

Colorado

NBC News Can’t Pay for Colorado Governor’s Travel, Ethics Panel Says

Illinois

Clout, Corruption in Illinois to Take Other Forms

Kansas

Kansas’ Lobbyist Data Falls Far Short of Need, Watchdog Group Reports

Maryland

Maryland Sen. Currie Acquitted of Corruption Charges

Missouri

Missouri Lawmaking at Issue before High Court

North Carolina

N.C. Lobbyist Donations Ban Upheld By Federal Court

Wisconsin

First Recall Effort Launched against Walker, Triggering Unlimited Fundraising

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.

State and Federal Communications, Inc. is proud to be the sponsor of the WASRG Award of Excellence Reception at the 2011 WASRG Summit. The event will be held at the Hall of States in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, November 9, 2011.

The reception will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Regina Brett has delighted readers with her book, God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours. A cancer survivor with a terrific world view, Regina’s regular column in The Cleveland Plain Dealer has reached scores of people over the years.

Yesterday, I visited with Regina about “The Regina Brett Show,” a weekly call-in radio show she hosts on Northeast Ohio’s NPR affiliate station, WKSU 89.7 FM. On November 16, the topic of her show is Giving Thanks. State and Federal Communications is proud to be the sponsor of the show that evening. Don’t miss it!

For those readers who are new to your show, would you tell us about The Regina Brett Show?

I say it is a show that is more about the internal affairs, the inside things that people are concerned about – relationships, education, health, marriage, and children. We’re not a public affairs show. There are a lot of public affairs shows out there. This is more of an internal affairs kind of thing.

Your subjects range from large issues to personal ones, from the serious to the whimsical. How do you pick the subject matter for your shows?

You know, it’s kind of a group effort with the producer and the sound technician.  We brainstorm and we ask, “What are people concerned about?” And it’s a little tricky because you want to do something that is current events. So we ask, will it still be current a week, or two weeks from now? We try to think of things that are kind of evergreen, that are going to always matter.

The show on November 16 explores Giving Thanks. Can you tell us who your guests will be?

(more…)

My #1 conference of choice is State Government Affairs Council Leaders Policy Conference. I first attended this in 2001 at the Wigwam in Scottsdale and I was hooked. I first met CSG’s Executive Director, David Adkins there and Stan Tretiak, then with Coors, was the conference chairperson and had the CEO of Coors address the group.

You could say I loved it so much, I not only joined the association; I ran for the board, and am now the president!

This year, David Christman, from the National Beer Wholesalers Association, is the conference chairperson. The program is outstanding. Speakers include:

1. Craig Karges—Nationally recognized speaker and author;
2. Margaret Anderson Kelliher—President and CEO of Minnesota High Tech Association;
3. Kevin McCarty—Florida Insurance Commissioner;
4. William Symonds—Director, Pathways to Prosperity Project,
   Harvard Graduate School;
5. Michael Sargeant—Executive Director of the DLCC;
6. Matt Walter—Political Director of RSLC;
7. Dana Perino—Political Commentator, and Former White House Press Secretary; and
8. Cincinnati’s own Johnny Bench—Baseball Legend.

In addition to this great cast of speakers are the exceptional legislators in the audience. SGAC invites the top six (6) legislators from every state. This gives everyone the opportunity to speak with state leaders and develop the important working relationships you will need in 2012. I don’t know where to start, but some of them include:

1. Kansas Senate President Stephen Morris;
2. Maryland Senate President Mike Miller;
3. Georgia Senator Don Balfour;
4. Ohio Representative Ted Celeste;
5. Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus; and
6. Massachusetts Senator Richard Moore.

There is still space available for you at SGAC’s LPC. You can obtain all the needed information at www.sgac.org.

Until next month, take the time to hone your skills, sharpen the saw, and awaken the giant within—okay, too much Covey and Robbins! The point is to stay on top of your game and be the best for your organization.

November 9, 2011 WASRG Summit, Washington, D.C.

November 16, 2011 American League of Lobbyists Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

November 19-22, 2011 SGAC Foundation Leaders’ Policy Conference, Miami, Florida

November 29-December 2, 2011 NCSL 2011 Fall Forum, Tampa, Florida

December 4-7, 2011 Council on Governmental Ethics Laws, Nashville, Tennessee

There was an entrance fee of $10 if you wanted to come to work today in a costume, and a lucky thirteen of us did just that.

Candy, pizza, prizes, and a staff meeting today too! We also held our second annual Halloween donut and cider sale. Akron Community Foundation Vice President for Community Investment, John Garofalo, came to support the sale.  Here he is with Elizabeth Bartz purchasing donuts and cider for the office.

The Compliance Department was very creative – they all showed up as their co-worker Compliance Associate Jim Warner. Well, each was a different Jim Warner, as you will see.

We had a blast helping the United Way of Summit County and we hope your day was as fun as ours. Enjoy the pictures! (The complete picture collection you can see on our Facebook.)

On Friday, October 28, 2011, we are selling apple cider and Krispy Kreme doughnuts in the Courtyard Square lobby from 9:00am – Noon.

If you would like to order donuts by the dozen or cider by the gallon in advance, please contact Nicolette Koozer at 330.761.9960 or email nkoozer@stateandfed.com

State and Federal Communications, and its predecessor State and Federal Associates, have been involved with lobbying compliance since 1976. You can imagine many others might try to duplicate our program but never have the resources or staff to implement the platinum type of service you currently receive from my highly trained in-house staff of 11 attorneys.

When I purchased my area of business from State and Federal Associates in 1993 and formed State and Federal Communications, Inc., we really were the only gig in town. As time goes on and as technology is easier, there are others—who have been clients or former employees—that feel a similar URL and a toll free number makes it easy to replicate. But don’t be fooled. There is only one true compliance company in Ohio and in this country and our reputation and our list of clients speak for themselves.

In government relations I have everyone down to two degrees of separation. In the case of competitors, it is only one because each has seen success and yearns for it. I don’t take it personally…it’s business. And, I assure you I take my business seriously and my relationship with my clients even more seriously. Your compliance needs have always been our absolute priority.

Thank you for the confidence you have in our services.  We look forward to many, many more years together.

According to the CSG website: “The Intergovernmental Affairs Committee is the primary policy body for CSG and the primary body setting the federal-state relations agenda for CSG. It is particularly concerned about federalism issues and other issues impacting states’ rights … The mission of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee is to serve as CSG’s monitoring and advisory arm on major federal issues before Congress and the Administration.”

Congratulations to you, Elizabeth!