July 7, 2011 •
State and Federal July Photo Scrapbook
Here are some fun pictures from recent events.
July 7, 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.
July 12 -15, 2011 Social Media for Government Conference by Advanced Learning Institute, Washington, D.C.
August 8 – 11, 2011 NCSL Legislative Summit Booth 217, San Antonio, Texas
November 19-22, 2011 2011 SGAC Foundation Leaders’ Policy Conference , Miami, Florida
July 6, 2011 •
Meet Our Summer Interns
Internship season has returned to State and Federal Communications in 2011.
We did not have any interns last year because our budget tightened just as did everyone else’s. We missed having them in the office.
You should know we have a great program. First, we pay our interns, which the students love. Second, we pay a bonus at the end of the summer based on the number of hours they work, which their parents love.
Christina Dickos is working with me on business issues in the office. Christina will begin college this September studying English at The Ohio State University.
Emily Kesler is working with Joe May on our social media program. Emily is a junior at Northwestern majoring in Political Science and Psychology.
Zachary Koozer is assisting Ken Kelewae with computer upgrades and updates. Zachary will begin college this September at the University of Akron.
We welcome our summer interns and look forward to a great summer!
July 6, 2011 •
Longevity on the Job is Appreciated
Happy 10th Anniversary Nicolette!
Once again, we had the pleasure of honoring a colleague who has been with State and Federal Communications, Inc. for 10 years. Nicolette Koozer is the in-house graphic designer who makes sure everything we create looks like it came from the same parents. As it happens, she and I do; Nicolette is my kid sister.
She is a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She came to us after spending 18 years in the D.C. area doing technical illustration and graphic design work for the military. In fact, she was also the freelance designer with our predecessor company, State and Federal Associates, Inc. She has been at State and Federal Communications, Inc. since 2001 creating our corporate identity, conference prep, marketing pieces, and maintaining our intranet.
In acknowledging her history with the company, Nicolette shared her joy of working for a company where she appreciated having the privileged of working part-time and being active in her son’s school district in PTA and Music Boosters.
I love that our employees maintain their active life in their own school communities as well as being a part of my outstanding staff.
Congratulations to Nicolette as she joins our previous 10 year achievers–Nola Werren, Ren Koozer, and Jim Sedor.
Here is a video we made to celebrate Nicolette’s anniversary:
July 5, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 5, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Colbert Declares Victory at FEC
FEC Limits Lawmakers’ Fundraising for Super PACs
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Gambling Trial Highlights Fees Paid to Legislators
Arizona
Justices Strike Down Arizona Campaign Finance Law
Florida
Judge Strikes Down Florida Campaign Finance Matching Law
Illinois
Jury Finds Blagojevich Guilty of Corruption
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Special Education Director Said to Siphon $10 Million
Missouri
Missouri Lawmakers Eat for Free
Nevada
Tougher Nevada Campaign Money Laws Come into Play
New York
New Contribution Rule Limits Assignments to Elected Judges
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Ethics Commission Reprimands NRA Lobbyist
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Justices in Altercation
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.
July 1, 2011 •
State and Federal Communications Celebrates an Anniversary!
July 1, 2011 marks our 18th year.
State and Federal Communications is marking 18 extraordinary years of serving our clients. We are having a party in the office today, complete with decorations and ice cream.
We even have a video to mark the occasion:
June 27, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 27, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
National:
FCC Report Finds Major Shortage in Local Reporting
Federal:
Donor Meeting at White House Draws Fire
FEC Asks Crossroads to Reveal Donors
Secret Election Financing Surges with Evasion of IRS Scrutiny
From the States and Municipalities:
California
Bill to Ban Event Tickets, Other Gifts to Lawmakers Gets New Life
Florida
Palm Beach County Ethics Code Exemption Allows Free High-Priced Tickets for Public Officials
Georgia
With Ethics Chief’s Exit, Who’ll Step In?
Illinois
Chicago Puts Lobbyists’ Pay On-line
Massachusetts
House Republicans Recommend ‘Snitch Rule,’ Ethics Reforms
North Carolina
Legislating at Lightning Speed with Lots of Goofs
Oregon
Oregon House Rejects Bill That Would Cap Penalties for Campaign Finance Violations
Rhode Island
U.S. Representative to Pay R.I. $127,000 for Campaign Fund Error
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.
June 20, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 20, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Federal Election Commission Deadlocks on Greater 2012 Donor Disclosure
More Political Action Committees to Get ‘Super’ Powers?
U.S. Appeals Decision Overturning Ban on Corporate Donations to Candidates
Weiner Resigns in Chaotic Final Scene
From the States and Municipalities:
Colorado
Complaint Filed against Secretary of State Scott Gessler
Connecticut
Ethics Dispute Drained Local Budget of More than $630,000
Georgia
Shake-Up at Ethics Commission as Top Staffers to Exit
Hawaii
State Drops Campaign Gift Appeal
Massachusetts
DiMasi Found Guilty on Seven of Nine Counts in Kickback Scheme
No Fault Found in House Incident
Nevada
Justices Rule on When Lawmakers Should Recuse from Issues
New York
Ethics Clears Legislative Hurdles
Report: Grassroots lobbying in N.Y. skyrockets since 2008
Pennsylvania
Lawyers, Chamber of Commerce Oppose City’s Broad, New Lobbying Disclosure Law
Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Union Law That Cuts Bargaining Powers to Take Effect Following Supreme Court Ruling
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.
June 13, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 13, 2011
Here are highlights from State and Federal Communications, Inc.’s latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
A Weiner Ethics Case Would Cover Uncharted Ground
Virginia Federal Judge Rejects Government Request to Reconsider on Donations
Democrat or Republican, National Party Committees Reap Campaign Riches from Registered Lobbyists
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Big Names in Alabama Politics Set for Bingo Trial Opening
District of Columbia
D.C. Attorney General: Council’s Thomas diverted public funds
Michigan
Koch-Backed Group’s Fake Eviction Notices Rile up Detroit
Nevada
Rory Reid to Pay $25,000 Fine in PAC Case
New York
Bill Not a Feast but Lunch is OK
Cuomo and Legislative Leaders Strike Deal on New Ethics Rules
N.Y. Finds a Growth Industry in Ethics Enforcement
Ohio
House Cozy with Charter School Lobby
Texas
Dallas City Council Rolls Back Some Changes to Ethics Ordinance
Washington
Former Evergreen Professor Fined $120,000 in Largest-Ever Ethics Penalty
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.
FEC Commissioner to speak.
State and Federal Communications is sponsoring a Women in Government Relations (WGR) breakfast on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 in Washington, D.C.
The event will feature Catherine Hunter, Vice Chair of the Federal Election Commission, and will be presented by the WGR’s PACs, Politics and Grassroots Task Force.
State and Federal Communications President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz and Federal Compliance Associate Rebecca South will be attending.
Registration information is available on the Women in Government Relations event page.
June 6, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 6, 2011
Here are highlights from State and Federal Communications, Inc.’s latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal
Campaign Finance Experts See Few Implications of Virginia Ruling
The Influence Industry: The fine lines between a Palin vacation and Palin tour
When ‘Coordinate’ Is a Dirty Word
From the States:
California
Former Vernon Official Pleads Guilty to Illegally Using Public Money
Colorado
Gessler Rulemaking on Campaign Finance Raising Eyebrows
Florida
Legislature Fails to Add Stronger Ethics Laws
Illinois
Senator Wants Charges Filed against Colleague
Louisiana
Mark St. Pierre is Taken into Custody after Jury Finds Him Guilty of Bribery, Conspiracy
Massachusetts
Financial Disclosure Forms Still Outdated
Minnesota
Campaign Finance Board Fines Alleged Felon Who Can’t Be Found
New Jersey
Christie Refuses to Reimburse N.J. for Traveling By Helicopter to See Son’s Baseball Game
Ohio
Cuyahoga County Offers First Ethics Training for Businesses
Tennessee
Tennessee Opens Door to Corporate Political Donations
Washington
Port Fined after Failing to File Lobbying Expenses
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.
June 2, 2011 •
Elizabeth Bartz on Greater Akron Chamber Board of Directors
Chamber holds its 104th Annual Meeting.
On March 24, the Greater Akron Chamber held its 104th Annual Meeting and Elizabeth Bartz was reappointed for a second term on the Board of Directors.
Hundreds attended the grand event. Joe Kanfer, Chairman and CEO of GOJO Industries, was awarded the H. Peter Burg Award in recognition of his business and community leadership in Akron.
The evening’s festivities included a large-screen video presentation with testimonials from leaders of the Akron business community.
We enjoyed this segment featuring Elizabeth Bartz:
Video courtesy of the Greater Akron Chamber YouTube Channel.
June 1, 2011 •
State and Federal Communications Scrapbook
We wanted to share a few pictures from recent events.
Another proud moment for State and Federal Communications, Inc. occurred recently when Ren Koozer, I.T. Director, accepted the United Way of Summit County award for State and Federal Communications, Inc. for Highest Corporate per Capita giving by employees (for employers under 49) for the eighth year straight. Attending the event was [l to r:] George Ticoras, Joe May, John Cozine, Ren Koozer, Amber Fish Linke, Myra Cottrill, Steve Quinn, Ken Kelewae, and Nicolette Bartz Koozer, photographer.
Ren Koozer is accepting the Campaign Excellence Award for State and Federal Communications, Inc. for outstanding excellence in giving.
In the photo with Koozer are William Feth [AESCO Electronics] and Katie Rennard [United Way].
State and Federal Communications, Inc. treated the administrative staff to a luncheon sponsored by Superior Staffing on Administrative Assistants Day. Founder of Superior Staffing, Fran Doll, was the guest speaker. Her dynamic life story truly inspired the sold out crowd at Portage Country Club.
In attendance was: [front] Leah Hadgis, Susan Stofka, Val Blake, and Sarah Gray, [back] Megan Huber, Nicole Davis, Becky Campbell, and Justin Quinlan.
June 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.
June 8, 2011 NCSL/SGAC, Washington, D.C.
June 16, 2011 WASRG, Washington, D.C.
June 27 – 30, 2011 BIO International Convention, Washington, D.C.
July 12 -15, 2011 Social Media for Government Conference by Advanced Learning Institute, Washington, D.C.
August 8 – 11, 2011 NCSL Legislative Summit Booth 217, San Antonio, Texas
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.
