December 15, 2011 •
Federal Judge Strikes Down Ban on PAC-to-PAC Transfer
Alabama Democratic Conference Prevails
A federal judge ruled in favor of the Alabama Democratic Conference in their challenge of the state prohibition on PAC-to-PAC transfers of funds.
The Alabama Democratic Conference alleged that the law prohibited their PAC from getting money from other PACs to use for voter communication and voter turnout initiatives.
November 22, 2011 •
Alabama Releases 2012 Campaign Finance Filing Calendar
Contains Increased PAC Filing Requirements
The Alabama Secretary of State’s office has released the 2012 campaign finance filing calendar.
The calendar incorporates the changes enacted by the Alabama Legislature as public acts 2011-687 and 2011-697 including increased frequency of reporting required by political action committees.
November 9, 2011 •
Alabama Has Its New Ethics Law, But Exemption Requests Keep Coming
The Birmingham News gives us another glimpse at the state of lobbying in Alabama.
For a detailed look at the type of exemptions being submitted, take a look at “Alabama’s new ethics law fails to stop exemption requests from lobbyists and public officials” by Kim Chandler.
According to the article: “The Alabama Ethics Commission has received nearly 200 requests to certify dinners, trips and conferences as allowable exemptions since Alabama 10 months ago adopted a new ethics law, which caps how much a lobbyist can spend on a public official.”
October 31, 2011 •
Alabama, Lobbying, and the Changes
Alabama ethics reform 10 months later …
Today’s Birmingham News offers an article by Kim Chandler, “New Alabama ethics law sweeps in culture shift for capital lobbyists,” which describes how lobbying techniques in the state have changed since the ethics law was passed. Chandler also considers the views of those whose businesses have suffered in the capitol as a result of those changes.
“Ten months after the Alabama Legislature approved the new ethics law capping lobbyists’ spending, the culture is different in Montgomery, said several legislators. There are no more free tickets, golf outings, social trips or nightly one-on-one dinners with lobbyists.”
Photo of the Alabama State Capitol building by Jim Bowen on Wikipedia.
August 1, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 1, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Crossroads GPS, Priorities USA Violate Tax Laws, Reform Groups Allege in IRS Petition
Oregon Congressman, Named in Sex Case, to Resign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Bob Riley’s PAC Admits Taking PAC-to-PAC Donation in Violation of Law Riley Pushed
California
Judge Ready to Strike down San Jose Law Barring Last-Minute Campaign Contributions
District of Columbia
D.C. Council Member Thomas to Repay D.C. $300,000
Florida
Judge Hears Challenge to Florida Campaign Law
Florida
Press Group in Talks to Take Over State Lobbyist Registration
Georgia
Ethics Commission Could See Major Reorganization
Illinois
Emanuel Ethics Reforms Back on Track at City Council
Massachusetts
GOP’s Winslow Uses On-line Coupon to Promote Fundraiser
New York
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz Fined $20,000 for Taking Free Foreign Trips for His Wife
Rhode Island
Twenty Politicians Owe $800,000 in Election Fines
Tennessee
Some Advocacy Avoids Tennessee Lobbying Label
Virginia
For Virginia Companies, Campaign Donations to Lawmakers Just another Cost of Doing Business
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 12, 2011 •
Alabama Law Challenged for Violating First Amendment Rights
Law Restricting Political Contributions Challenged
ALABAMA: The Alabama Democratic Conference has filed a lawsuit against Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange and two district attorneys alleging that a new Alabama law violates the Conference’s first amendment rights by placing restrictions on political contributions.
The new law bans the transfer of money from PACs, 527 groups, and private foundations to other PACs, 527 groups, and private foundations.
July 11, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 11, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
IRS Drops Audits of Political Donors
New Breed of ‘Super PACs,’ Other Independent Groups Could Define 2012 Campaign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Alabama Democratic Conference Files Lawsuit to Stop New Alabama Law Banning Political Fund Transfers
Arizona
Arizona Conservatives Scramble after Campaign Finance Law’s Defeat
California
Marijuana Lobbyist’s Fundraiser for DA Raises Questions
Veil Drawn on Donors to Latino Caucus-Controlled California Nonprofit
Connecticut
Agent Who Arrested Politicians Now Seeks House Seat
Georgia
Illinois
Mayor Rahm Emanuel Proposing New Round of Ethics Reforms
Iowa
Judge Upholds New Iowa Campaign Disclosure Rules
Massachusetts
House Leader Apologizes for Holocaust Remarks
Michigan
Justices Stop Political Gifts Taken at Work
Minnesota
Campaign Board Rejects NOM’s Efforts to Shield Donors in Marriage Battle
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Lt. Gov. Ard Paying $48,000 Fine
Washington
Ex-Prisons Chief Eldon Vail Says He Resigned Because of an Affair with Subordinate
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 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.
June 13, 2011 •
Alabama Legislature Adjourns
Bill Sent to Governor
The Alabama Legislature adjourned on June 9, 2011.
Before adjourning, the legislature passed House Bill 0058 which requires public officials, spouses of public officials, candidates for public office, and spouses of candidates for public office to disclose employment or contracts with the state and federal government.
The bill has been sent to the governor for signature.
Photo of the Alabama State Capitol by Jim Bowen on Wikipedia.
May 24, 2011 •
Alabama Ethics Commission Gains Funding Guarantee
Governor signs bill providing $1.8 million.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has signed a bill that guarantees future funding for the Alabama Ethics Commission.
The new law appropriates one tenth of one percent of the state’s general fund budget to the ethics commission. Under the current proposed budget, this appropriation represents approximately $1.8 million dollars.
The appropriation provision in the new law can only be modified by a two-thirds vote of the Alabama House and Senate.
March 16, 2011 •
New Alabama Law under Attack in Federal Court
Opponents of a new law prohibiting payroll deductions from public employees for “political activity” have filed for a temporary injunction in federal court.
The complaint filed by the American Education Association seeks to have the law overturned on grounds of violating free speech and equal protection.
Even though the law prohibits the use of payroll deductions from all public employees for such activities, the teachers’ group says the law, passed and supported by Republicans, is discriminatory and specifically aimed at them because the A.E.A. has traditionally been a strong supporter of Democratic candidates.
The statute in question has been a source of controversy since it was passed in December during a special legislative session which saw an overhaul of several aspects of the Alabama ethics laws.
February 3, 2011 •
Alabama Lawmakers Overhaul Ethics Rules in Special Session
Following a headline-grabbing scandal in which several prominent Alabama lawmakers, businessmen, and lobbyists were indicted in a cash-for-votes scheme related to pending gambling laws, state legislators took the opportunity to overhaul lobbyist, campaign finance, and other ethics rules.
The special session, called by Governor Riley in late December, lasted seven days and saw the passage of several landmark bills, each of which was promptly signed into law.
The most dramatic change concerning lobbyists is the newly enacted expenditure limits. Previously, lobbyists could spend anything on an official without having to report it until the spending exceeded $250 per day. Now, lobbyists may only spend $25 on an official for a meal with an annual limit of $150. For a lobbyist’s employer, the limit is $50 per meal with a $250 annual cap. This law has been criticized by some as having too many loopholes. For instance, the limit does not apply to an “educational function” or certain “widely attended” events. Disclosure of spending at these events is still required when spending exceeds $250 per official.
Lawmakers also passed a ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers of funds. This, lawmakers hope, will reduce the “shell game” sometimes played which makes it very difficult for the public to track who is actually funding candidates or making expenditures.
Several of the laws passed impacted the actions of state officials directly. Starting in 2014, a state lawmaker will no longer be allowed to hold another government job. Additionally, the reforms include a ban on “pass through pork.” This is a practice whereby state lawmakers could direct an agency to spend money a certain way without legislative approval. Finally, the Alabama Ethics Commission will be granted subpoena power; this is expected to make enforcement of the laws much easier and effective.
The most controversial bill passed during the session is one banning politically active groups from receiving contributions via payroll deduction from state employees. This law was decried as an attack on the American Education Association, a group usually linked to Democratic candidates. Governor Riley, a Republican, defended the bill as a step to prevent misuse of state time and money.
While most agree the reform package is not perfect or all-inclusive, most within the state’s ethics and political circles agree they are a significant step forward at a time when Alabama badly needs one.
Photo of the Alabama Statehouse by Spyder_Monkey on Wikipedia.
December 21, 2010 •
Governor Riley Approves Ethics Reform Bills
Alabama Governor Bob Riley signed seven bills relating to lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics into law yesterday.
While not as strict as the bills originally proposed by the Governor, the newly passed rules represent a dramatic overhaul to Alabama ethics law. Under the new rules, PACs will be forbidden from making transfers of funds to other PACs with a few exceptions.
State lawmakers will be unable to hold a second public job, and one bill imposes a ban on “pass-through pork” whereby a legislator can appropriate funds to a specific agency or project without legislative approval. In the new year, lobbyists will be required to complete a training program, and the State Ethics Commission will have subpoena power.
Another bill signed by Governor Riley will forbid public employees from donating to political groups via payroll deduction. This law has been criticized as politically motivated by state Democrats.
December 17, 2010 •
Alabama Lawmakers Pass Seven Ethics Bills
Important changes made to lobbying and campaign finance rules.
The Alabama legislature concluded its special session late Thursday. The lawmakers passed versions of all seven bills proposed by Governor Bob Riley.
The new laws modify and strengthen state lobbying, campaign finance, and ethics rules. Among the highlights of the laws heading to the Governor’s desk is a requirement for those seeking a state grant or contract with the executive branch to register as lobbyists.
Under another pending bill, a lobbyist will be forbidden from giving an official a “thing of value” with certain exceptions, such as a meal costing $25 with a total limit of $125 per year. Governor Riley’s office has indicated each of the seven passed bills will be signed into law unless the staff reviewing them discovers mistakes or errors.
Photo of Alabama State Capitol by Jim Bowen on Wikipedia.
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