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Financial Disclosure Forms Still Outdated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
June 1, 2011 •
State and Federal Communications Expands Coverage
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations for political contributions, lobbying, and procurement lobbying to more municipalities, regional governments, and governmental organizations.
We have added three new jurisdictions for which our online clients will find comprehensive, timely, and accurate information that includes: complete calendar of reporting deadlines; critical statutory citations; extensive directories of contact information; summaries of each state law; detailed reference charts on goods and services contributions; highlights of every statute; copies of all required forms; and much more.
The new jurisdictions are:
- Doral, FL
- Henderson, NV
- Spokane, WA
The image of North America by Bosonic dressing on Wikipedia.
May 27, 2011 •
Taps – A Moment of Remembrance
Memorial Day
Growing up in a musical family taught me to appreciate the impact music has in every aspect of my life. My father, a music instructor, would explain to me the importance of “Taps,” a specific military bugle call, and the honor one should take when performing Taps. Ironically, the simplicity and slow speed of Taps is what makes it one of the most difficult and challenging pieces to play. Every note, every breath, and every pause must be articulated perfectly and with feeling.
If you have heard Taps performed, you will agree that it is the only piece of music, aside from the National Anthem, able to render universal emotion and connection from all Americans. The melody is both eloquent and lingering and never fails to bring a tear to one’s eye. But more importantly, it is the symbolism of the music that I value most when observing Memorial Day.
When Taps is played, it is a time for reflection, honor, and peace. A person may think, feel, or appreciate this moment of recognition in any way he/she sees fit. That is what I love the most about Memorial Day, as well. Memorial Day is not a day where universal tradition calls for universal action. Every American is able to show respect and commemoration for the honorable fallen in a unique way. Some visit the graves of relatives or friends who have died protecting our country. Some worship and participate in religious ceremony, blessing those who have made a difference serving our country. Some simply choose a moment of silence in their busy day to pause and reflect on not only of the lives of our soldiers, but also on their own life.
Regardless of how you celebrate Memorial Day this weekend, remember save a small bit of time to think about this holiday and how it has affected you. And, if by chance you hear Taps performed—whether at a cemetery, church, or government ceremony—listen to the music and the emotions behind the composition. It may be the most meaningful Memorial Day you’ve had in a long time.
May 25, 2011 •
Our News You Can Use Video
News You Can Use, a service of State and Federal Communications, is in its 11th year.
Take a look at our new video explaining the news service:
May 23, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – May 23, 2011
Here are highlights from State and Federal Communications, Inc.’s latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal
Colbert at the FEC? Really
National
Fox Parent Company to Disclose Political Giving
From the States:
Arizona
Fiesta Bowl Seeks Repayment for Political Contributions
Illinois
Emanuel Jumps into Work, Signs Six Executive Orders
Maryland
Johnson, Ex-County Executive in Prince George’s, Pleads Guilty to Taking Bribes
Minnesota
Court Lets Minnesota Corporate Disclosure Law Stand
Tennessee
Four Named to State Ethics Commission
Virginia
Virginia Ethics Rules Questioned in Wake of Federal Case
Wisconsin
Officials Dismiss Ethics Complaints Over Anti-Union Bill
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.
May 19, 2011 •
“I Went to School with Reince Priebus”
A very short story about “degrees of separation.”
John Cozine, Research Manager for State and Federal Communications, shared a fun fact with me today. He told me he went to Junior High and High School with Reince Priebus, the Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC).
It is true; I saw the yearbook picture as proof. But I wouldn’t want anyone to put my Junior High picture on the internet, so I decided to opt for kindness and go with a more current photo.
Reince Priebus was elected Chairman of the RNC on January 14, 2011. You can find his blog here on the RNC website.
Photo of Reince Priebus courtesy of Wispolitics.com on Wikipedia.
State and Federal Communications attended OSBA in Columbus, Ohio
It was an honor being a participant and exhibitor at the annual Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) convention this year in Columbus, Ohio. The convention was held at the Hyatt Regency on May 4 – May 6, 2011. This has been State and Federal Communications’ second year participating in the convention and we are looking forward to attend many, many more.
Congratulations to the OSBA team, who beautifully planned and orchestrated the three-day event.
Why does State and Federal Communications look forward to and enjoy the OSBA convention so much?
- We are always hiring to facilitate assistance across research and compliance departments in our expanding company. Since attorneys make up 50 percent of our staff, OSBA is a great place to recruit attorneys from different fields and levels of expertise.
- We love to “switch it up” when typically attending more “government relations/affairs” type conventions. We support our attorneys in continuing their education with CLE certifications. Also, it is refreshing to attend conventions where the subject matter is different, whether it be our neighboring booths in the exhibit hall or the topics of the CLE seminars.
- Attorneys have a unique perspective about consulting, campaign finance, and lobbying work – one of the many reasons we recruit at OSBA. The member attorneys are direct with their questions and sincerely try to learn about our company. Likewise, it is nice to hear their thoughts about recent news and issues regarding our line of work. We appreciate OSBA members’ professionalism and look forward to staying in touch.
May 3, 2011 •
See Us in Person in Columbus
State and Federal Communications will be attending the Ohio Bar Association’s Annual Convention from May 4-6.
We would love to see you! Come visit us at booth #5 in the exhibit hall, right next to the voter registration. Or, chat with some of us in the OSBA conference classes Wednesday evening, Thursday, and Friday morning.
Here is a link to the event.
May 2, 2011 •
State and Federal Communications Wins Diversity Award
Joan Lunden was the conference host and keynote speaker.
Recently DiversityBusiness.com held its 11th Annual National Multicultural Business Conference at the Gaylord National outside of Washington, DC. Their conference proclamation was “American business has arrived at the next step in its evolution – the era of global diversity.”
Diversity has included the following: 1] businesses owned by people of color; 2] by women; and 3] by the disabled. But, in 2011 this organization wants you to know that it includes innovative ideas, varied products, greater quality, greater efficiency, and lower costs. Additionally, it includes a multicultural platform in markets, products, services, and experience.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. and Elizabeth Z. Bartz, President and CEO has been chosen to receive a DiversityBusiness.com award for its success in business in Ohio.
The conference host presenting the awards was Joan Lunden. Her keynote speech titled “10 ways to Reinvent Yourself” is featured in our May 2011 Compliance Now newsletter.
April 7, 2011 •
State and Federal Scrapbook
We wanted to share two recent fun pictures.
April 4, 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.
April 3-5, 2011 – NASPO, Boston, Massachusetts
April 14-16, 2011 – NCSL Spring Forum, Washington, D.C.
April 20, 2011 – DiversityBusiness.com Award, Washington, D.C.
May 5-6, 2011 – Ohio State Bar Association Annual Convention, Booth 5, Columbus, Ohio
May 5-7, 2011 – NCSL Spring Executive Committee Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts
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.
