February 17, 2012 •
Redistricting News Roundup
Here is today’s redistricting news from the states:
Arizona: “Arizona House Speaker wants June special election on redistricting” by Mary Jo Pitzl in The Arizona Republic.
Florida: “Gov. Rick Scott signs off on new congressional districts” by Brandon Larrabee in the Miami Herald.
“With redistricting lawsuit looming, legislators want immunity” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Tampa Bay Times.
“House redistricting tweaks quietly put U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams in her preferred district” by Mark K. Matthews and Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.
Maryland: “Alternative redistricting plans stalled” by Danielle E. Gaines in the Gaithersburg Gazette.
Missouri: “Missouri Supreme Court examines new US House districts” by Chris Blank in the Kansas City Star.
New York: “Senate redistricting proposal comes under fire” by Aaron Besecker in The Buffalo News.
“Judge calls for ‘special master’ to redraw state legislative and congressional district boundaries” by Kenneth Lovette in the New York Daily News.
Washington: “Secretary of state asking justices to approve redistricting plan” byThe Associated Press in The Seattle Times.
Wisconsin: “Court issues stern order in state redistricting” by Scott Bauer in the Green Bay Press Gazette.
“Federal judges slam GOP lawmakers over redistricting secrecy” by Patrick Marley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
February 14, 2012 •
Missouri Supreme Court Strikes Ethics Legislation
Only procurement provisions to remain
The state Supreme Court has struck down much of the 2010 ethics law passed by state lawmakers. Senate Bill 844 changed campaign finance laws, gave greater authority to the Missouri Ethics Commission, created new crimes for ethics violations, and required Capitol dome keys be given to all lawmakers.
The court said Tuesday the bill violated a requirement of the state Constitution that legislation not be amended to change its original purpose. The procurement portion will remain in effect because the Supreme Court concluded that was the original purpose of the legislation.
The decision upholds Circuit Judge Daniel Green’s ruling last spring.
December 14, 2011 •
Missouri Ethics Bill Would Ban All Lobbyist Gifts
State Representative Jason Kander introduced a sweeping ethics bill today that would ban all lobbyist gifts.
The bill, HB1080, also includes strict limits on campaign contributions and a ban on legislators working as political consultants.
Kander believes the gifts, along with six-figure campaign donations, allow special interests to gain improper influence.
The bill would limit campaign contributions to $500 for House races, $1,000 for the Senate and $2,000 for statewide elections.
December 14, 2011 •
Term Limits in Missouri Possibly Do More Harm Than Good
Report shows detrimental effects of term limits on Missouri legislature
The term limits approved in Missouri in 1992 that were put into full effect in the House in 2001 and in the Senate in 2003 have been shown by a report from the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri to have had more negative than postive effects.
A post from The Thicket points out that the average within chamber tenure of Missouri legislators in 2011 is about what it was in the 1920s. Additionally, the report claims that the loss of experienced members has resulted in a loss of institutional memory and that due to the term limit, politicians are planning for their next job instead of focusing on their current position in the legislature of doing work for their constituents.
Although the term limits were put into effect to help prevent politicians from abusing their power, are the trade-offs of less focused and experienced politicians worth it?
To learn more, read New Report Says Term Limits Detrimental to Missouri Legislature by Karl Kurtz.
November 7, 2011 •
Did Missouri Lawmakers Act Illegally with Ethics Bill?
Missouri Supreme Court Will Hear Arguments
This week the Missouri Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether lawmakers acted illegally in a legislative attempt to increase ethics requirements. The case appeals a ruling by Circuit Judge Daniel Green finding Senate Bill 844 to be a violation of the constitution’s single subject requirement.
What began as a one-page bill allowing officials to use the Office of Administration for procurement decisions became a 69-page bill entitled “relating to ethics.” The bill changed campaign finance laws, gave greater authority to the Missouri Ethics Commission, created new crimes for ethics violations, and required Capitol dome keys be given to all lawmakers.
Judge Green’s ruling struck down all but the original procurement provision. The Attorney General believes the bill can be saved by striking only the provision regarding Capitol dome keys. Those challenging the bill argue the entire bill is unconstitutional.
Photo of the Missouri Supreme Court building by Americasroof on Wikipedia.
October 27, 2011 •
News from Missouri
Special Legislative Session Ended Tuesday
Missouri’s special legislative session on economic development ended Tuesday, October 25, 2011 without an economic bill.
The Senate passed a motion to adjourn sine die.
The Seals of the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate by Tom Lemmens on Wikipedia.
October 12, 2011 •
No Presidential Primary in Missouri?
A vote is coming next Monday.
The Missouri Legislature will consider legislation to cancel the state’s 2012 presidential primary. Here is an Associated Press article that appeared in the Columbia Missourian announcing the possible action: “Missouri to consider abolishing presidential primary.”
According to the article: “Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer says his chamber will convene Monday to consider legislation canceling Missouri’s 2012 presidential primary … repealing that law could save the state from spending millions of dollars on a purely symbolic election.”
Increased Lobbyist Registration Fees Considered
A report by state Auditor Thomas Schweich found that the Missouri Ethics Commission is underfunded and understaffed.
The ethics commission was given new responsibilities in 2010, including additional abilities to initiate investigations and enforce new campaign finance laws.
The commission had been seeking seven new employees to address the new responsibilities, but budgetary constraints led to only two new hires.
The auditor’s report suggests raising lobbyist registration fees to increase revenue.
The report notes, “According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Missouri’s current lobbyist registration fee of $10 per year is one of the five lowest registration fees in the nation.”
August 23, 2011 •
Missouri Legislature Called to Special Session
Special Session to Convene September 6
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has called the Legislature to begin a special session on Tuesday, September 6, 2011.
The special session was called to address a number of the governor’s job creation proposals.
Photo of Missouri Governor Jay Nixon by Bernard Pollack on Wikipedia.
July 28, 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 in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for Gilbert, Arizona; Savannah, Georgia; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Springfield, Missouri; and Syracuse, New York on our website.
The image of North America by Bosonic dressing on Wikipedia.
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.
May 16, 2011 •
Missouri General Assembly Adjourns
Will reconvene for a technical session.
The first regular session of Missouri’s 96th General Assembly adjourned the evening of May 13, 2011.
The General Assembly will reconvene for a technical session at 8:00 a.m., May 26, 2011 to last until May 30, 2011 in accordance with the constitution.
Governor Jay Nixon may sign or veto bills until July 14, 2011, and the veto session of the General Assembly is scheduled to convene on September 14, 2011.
Photo of the Missouri Capitol Building by RebelAt on Wikipedia.
Missouri Law to Remain in Effect Awaiting Resolution of Appeal
The Cole County Circuit Court has stayed the court’s previous judgment holding the portion of Senate Bill 844 relating to campaign finance unconstitutional.
The stay does not apply to Missouri Revised Statutes section 130.031(13), covering who may contribute to a political action committee.
The stay order allows all provisions of law, including those enacted into law by Senate Bill 844 (except for section 130.031(13)), to remain in effect until a final resolution of the case on appeal.
Measure Would Limit Contributions to $5,000
The Secretary of State has approved a summary for a proposed ballot measure to limit campaign contributions to candidates in Missouri.
The proposal would prohibit candidates from accepting more than $5,000 per donor for each election.
The Secretary of State’s action clears the way for supporters to begin collecting the more than 91,000 signatures needed to put the question to voters in 2012.
Photo of Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan courtesy of the Secretary of State website.
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.
