November 1, 2011 •
See Us in Person!
Plan to say hello at future events where State and Federal Communications will be attending and/or speaking regarding compliance issues.
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
October 28, 2011 •
Our Halloween Fundraiser
Today, the staff of State and Federal Communications had a Halloween Party to raise money for the United Way of Summit County.
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.)
October 26, 2011 •
Come Get Your Donuts and Cider!
State and Federal Communications, Inc. is raising money for United Way of Summit County.
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
October 26, 2011 •
State and Federal Communications
Coco Chanel said it best, “Imitation is the highest form of flattery.”
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.
October 17, 2011 •
Elizabeth Bartz Appointed to CSG Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, has been appointed to serve as a member of Council of State Governments’ Intergovernmental Affairs Committee for 2011/2012 term.
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!
October 13, 2011 •
Our 2012 United Way Campaign
We Had a Big Success
State and Federal Communications just wrapped up its 2012 United Way Campaign and it was a success. We are proud to say this is our twelfth campaign for the organization and we are believers in the work they do.
Each year United Way brings in a speaker from one of the agencies they support so that we can see how our contributions go to work in the community. This year we had the privilege of hearing a representative from the Salvation Army speak to us about the vital services they offer in the community and how United Way has been integral in supporting that work.
Each year year State and Federal Communications tries innovative ways to meet our fundraising goal. This year we set up two teams, the Stars and the Stripes. The team with the highest percentage of team members contributing what United Way calls “Fair Share Plus” would win a number of prizes.
The winning team was the Stripes, headed up by IT Business and Operations Analyst Dave McPeek. Congratulations team Stripes!
State and Federal Communications came up with 129% of the target goal that United Way had given us! We are thrilled. Thank you to everyone who so generously contributed.
October 10, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 10, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
How One Criminal Case Hit K Street
Hybrid PACs: Super PACs and Traditional PACs Can Merge
Lobbyists In On ‘Super’ Secrets
OMB Finalizes Details on White House Lobbying Reform Rules
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Commission’s Opinions Further Define 2010 Ethics Law
Delaware
Colbert Takes Satirical Swipe at Abuse of Delaware Spending Disclosure Laws
Minnesota
Disclosure Rules Apply, Campaign Finance Board Says
New Jersey
N.J. Ethics Reform Efforts Bogged Down for Year
New Mexico
New Mexico Governor Signs Bill to Close Loopholes in State Contract Bidding
New York
NYC Mayor Cross-Examined at Ex-Operative’s Trial
Texas
Recall Case Likely to Extend Beyond El Paso
Utah
Lobbyists Want Keys to the Gym and Valet Parking at Capitol
Virginia
Trackers an Evolving but Undeniable Political Force
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
October 4, 2011 •
Planned Outage for Lobby Comply
On Thursday, October 6, Lobby Comply Blog will be down for about an hour.
The outage will occur in the afternoon while we make some upgrades.
Thank you for your patience. We appreciate our many readers!
October 3, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – October 3, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Business Executives Call for End to Anonymous Cash
In Turn to Politics, Facebook Starts a PAC
Political Embezzlement Rises as U.S. Campaign Accounts Swell
Solyndra’s Lobbying Not Disclosed by Energy under Stimulus Guidelines
From the States and Municipalities:
Colorado
Campaign Finance Law Argued Before Colorado Supreme Court
Florida
After ‘Wild West,’ Palm Beach County Lobbyists Face New Rules
Indiana
Federal Judge Strikes Down Portion of Indiana ‘Robo-Call’ Ban
Maryland
State Senator’s Future Hangs in the Balance at Corruption Trial
Minnesota
Campaign Finance Board Releases Guidelines on Ballot Initiatives
Pennsylvania
Ex-Judge Gets 17 1/2 Years in Pa. Kickbacks Case
Rhode Island
Arrested Rhode Island Representative Won’t Resign, Will Run Again
Tennessee
Tennessee Lawmakers’ Ethics Panel Has Own Critics
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
September 29, 2011 •
State and Federal September Photo Scrapbook
Here are some fun pictures from recent events.
September 28, 2011 •
E-X-P-A-N-D-I-N-G Our Online Guides
Dear Clients:
We are always looking to add value to our services. You may have noticed in the past three months we have added 36 new jurisdictions to our online website.
Now that we are starting the last quarter of the year, we are going to increase the amount of information in each section.
Executive Sourcebook on Lobbying Laws:
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We are separating the penalties so you will see what they are for registration, reporting, and gift violations.
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Does the jurisdiction have a document retention policy?
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Is gift splitting allowed?
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We are also separating the gift restrictions for lobbyists and non-lobbyists.
Executive’s Sourcebook on Political Contributions:
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What is the jurisdiction’s document retention policy?
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What restrictions are there on fundraising, as applied both to corporations attending a political event and as applied to corporations holding its own fundraiser?
Executive’s Sourcebook on Procurement Lobbying:
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Restrictions on pre-RFP communications between a bidder and the procurement department?
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Are there any post-RFP “cone of silence” restrictions?
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Difference between “bidder” and “contractor.”
It continues to be our goal to be your #1 online resource for lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying.
Until next month, let your fingers do the walking at www.stateandfed.com and see the amount of information available to you and your organization.
Elizabeth Z. Bartz
President and CEO
September 26, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 26, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
Election Spending to Exceed $6 Billion Thanks Partly to Jim Bopp
Twitter to Launch Political Advertising
Federal:
K Street Cool to Obama Lobbying Plan
Watchdog Spotlights Lawmaker Ethics in ‘Most Corrupt’ Report
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Former Governor Riley Gets Ethics Training He Pushed
California
California Pension Managers Fined for Unreported Gifts
Connecticut
‘Shock Jock’ Hal Turner Acquitted in Connecticut Threats Case
District of Columbia
Wells Drafts D.C. Bill to Limit Lobbyists’ Influence
Illinois
The Price of Influence in Chicago
Louisiana
Sugar Bowl in Violation of Tax Law with Purchases to Fundraiser
Missouri
T.D. El-Amin Gets Record Ethics Fine
Montana
Supreme Court Looks at Campaign Finance for Political Spending
Oklahoma
Oklahoma High Court Hears Former Senator’s Appeal
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin
Judge: Wisconsin campaign law is unconstitutional
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
September 19, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – September 19, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
New Rule Would Expand Tight Obama Lobbying Rules to All Federal Workers
‘Revolving Door’ of Employment between Congress, Lobbying Firms, Study Shows
Without Scandal, Lobby Reform Stalls
From the States and Municipalities:
Colorado
Gessler to Help Raise Cash to Pay off GOP Fine
Delaware
Kentucky
Gubernatorial Candidates Back ‘No Cup of Coffee’ Rule
Massachusetts
Disgraced DiMasi Is Given Eight Years
Montana
Conservative Groups File New Lawsuit over Montana Election Laws
New Jersey
Report: Serious flaws in N.J. ‘pay-to-play’ law
New York
Former Hospital Chief Convicted of Offering Bribes to Albany Legislators
North Carolina
Groups Seek to Overturn N.C. Campaign Spending Law
South Dakota
Ethics Rules for State Workers Weak, Critics Say
Texas
Anita Perry’s Salary Comes Indirectly from Governor’s Backers
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.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
September 16, 2011 •
Elizabeth Bartz Heading to Milwaukee with the Greater Akron Chamber
Group is looking for ideas for regional development
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, will be attending the Greater Akron Chamber Inaugural InterCity Leadership Visit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Akron Chamber, she will be representing the business community.
The trip will be from September 18 – 22, with the aim of exchanging ideas and learning best practices for regional growth.
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.
