March 20, 2018 •
Maryland House Votes to Bolster Laws on Sexual Harassment by Lobbyists
The Maryland House of Delegates unanimously voted on Monday to strengthen the General Assembly’s sexual harassment policies to cover lobbyists. The bill authorizes a person to file a complaint with the State Ethics Commission against a regulated lobbyist who has […]
The Maryland House of Delegates unanimously voted on Monday to strengthen the General Assembly’s sexual harassment policies to cover lobbyists.
The bill authorizes a person to file a complaint with the State Ethics Commission against a regulated lobbyist who has sexually harassed a member or employee of the General Assembly, and it also allows a lobbyist to file a complaint against a member of the General Assembly for sexual harassment.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
March 19, 2018 •
Monterey County, California to Hold Meetings on Campaign Finance Reform
An ad-hoc committee led by members of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors is starting a series of invitation-only meetings to discuss campaign finance reforms aimed at establishing contribution limits or a spending cap for all county elected officials. The […]
An ad-hoc committee led by members of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors is starting a series of invitation-only meetings to discuss campaign finance reforms aimed at establishing contribution limits or a spending cap for all county elected officials.
The goal of the meetings is to produce a recommendation for the full Board of Supervisors by the end of June and adopt limits in time for them to take effect January 1, 2019.
March 19, 2018 •
Carroll County, Maryland Passes Ethics Ordinance
The Board of Commissioners adopted a county ethics ordinance requiring additional disclosures from county candidates, elected officials, and certain county employees. The ordinance requires candidates, elected officials, and certain county employees to disclose interests in real property and in corporations. […]
The Board of Commissioners adopted a county ethics ordinance requiring additional disclosures from county candidates, elected officials, and certain county employees.
The ordinance requires candidates, elected officials, and certain county employees to disclose interests in real property and in corporations.
Additionally, the ordinance amends lobbyist reporting from monthly to bi-annual reporting.
The ethics ordinance was needed to bring Carroll County in compliance with state ethics requirements.
March 19, 2018 •
Special Election Called for Iowa Senate District 25
Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for Senate District 25. The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of State Sen. Bill Dix. Dix resigned after videos of the married lawmaker kissing a […]
Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for Senate District 25.
The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of State Sen. Bill Dix.
Dix resigned after videos of the married lawmaker kissing a lobbyist were posted online.
Reynolds has set the special election for April 10, 2018.
March 19, 2018 •
Florida Constitution Revision Commission to Consider Revolving Door Amendment
Once every 20 years, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) convenes for the purpose of reviewing the state’s Constitution and proposing changes for voter consideration. The CRC travels around the state for approximately one year to identify issues, perform research, […]
Once every 20 years, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) convenes for the purpose of reviewing the state’s Constitution and proposing changes for voter consideration. The CRC travels around the state for approximately one year to identify issues, perform research, and propose constitutional amendments.
This year, the CRC is considering 37 amendments, including one related to ethics reform. The proposal, known as P-39, establishes a revolving door provision prohibiting lawmakers from lobbying local, state, and federal officials during their terms of office and prohibiting them from lobbying the Legislature and state agencies for six years after leaving office.
Similar waiting periods would apply to appointed officials as well as officials locally elected. Current law imposes a two-year waiting period and applies only to legislators and state officers or employees.
P-39 will be considered by the full CRC this week.
March 16, 2018 •
Mississippi U.S. Senator to Retire
U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran is retiring because of ill health on April 1. Gov. Phil Bryant has 10 days after receiving an official notice of the vacancy to temporarily appoint a replacement until a successor is elected. Bryant has yet […]
U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran is retiring because of ill health on April 1.
Gov. Phil Bryant has 10 days after receiving an official notice of the vacancy to temporarily appoint a replacement until a successor is elected.
Bryant has yet to choose a replacement for the vacant seat. The special election will be held on November 6.
March 16, 2018 •
New York Congresswoman Louis Slaughter Passes Away
U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, known as a champion for women’s rights, passed away on March 16, 2018. Slaughter served as a U.S. Rep. for New York’s 25th District for over three decades. Gov. Andrew Cuomo may call a special election […]
U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, known as a champion for women’s rights, passed away on March 16, 2018.
Slaughter served as a U.S. Rep. for New York’s 25th District for over three decades.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo may call a special election to fill the remainder of her term.
Slaughter’s term expires at the end of 2018.
March 16, 2018 •
Wyoming Legislature Adjourns
The 64th Wyoming Legislature adjourned its budget session on March 15 after a nearly week-long extension. Lawmakers passed several bills, including agreeing to over $20 million in cuts to education while increasing spending on capital construction projects. Gov. Matt Mead […]
The 64th Wyoming Legislature adjourned its budget session on March 15 after a nearly week-long extension.
Lawmakers passed several bills, including agreeing to over $20 million in cuts to education while increasing spending on capital construction projects.
Gov. Matt Mead can choose to sign, veto, or allow the education and capital construction bills to become law without his signature.
March 16, 2018 •
Indiana General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die
The second regular session of the 120th Indiana General Assembly adjourned sine die very late on March 14, 2018. The final minutes of the session were hectic as lawmakers rushed through bills. Despite the rush, several bills were left pending […]
The second regular session of the 120th Indiana General Assembly adjourned sine die very late on March 14, 2018.
The final minutes of the session were hectic as lawmakers rushed through bills.
Despite the rush, several bills were left pending on the floor at the time of adjournment.
As a result, Gov. Eric Holcomb may call a special session to complete unfinished business.
March 15, 2018 •
Arkansas Special Session Ends with Announcement from Governor
The second extraordinary session of the 91st Arkansas General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 15, 2018. Several bills passed both houses including a bill addressing pharmacy benefit managers’ low reimbursement rates, also known as House Bill 1010. Gov. Asa […]
The second extraordinary session of the 91st Arkansas General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 15, 2018.
Several bills passed both houses including a bill addressing pharmacy benefit managers’ low reimbursement rates, also known as House Bill 1010.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed House Bill 1010 into law at an afternoon press conference.
At the press conference, Hutchinson announced plans to reduce cabinet-level agencies in state government by 50 percent.
March 15, 2018 •
North Carolina Governor to Appoint Elections and Ethics Enforcement Board Members
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will appoint members to the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement while litigation over the structure of the board is pending. The Democratic governor has sued Republican legislative leaders three times over legislation creating […]
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will appoint members to the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement while litigation over the structure of the board is pending.
The Democratic governor has sued Republican legislative leaders three times over legislation creating different versions of the joint board. The latest lawsuit was filed by the governor on March 13.
Cooper won the two previous lawsuits over versions creating an eight-member board comprised of four Democrats and four Republicans. He sued again, arguing the now nine-member board still prevents him from having control over carrying out elections laws.
A state board administering elections and campaign finance laws has been vacant since last June while the constitutionality of the joint board has been litigated.
March 15, 2018 •
Circuit Court Upholds Cook County Pay-to-play Restrictions
The Cook County Circuit Court upheld county pay-to-play limits on Tuesday, ruling against County Assessor Joseph Berrios. Berrios challenged the county’s campaign contribution limits for those who have sought official action from the county as unconstitutional. He also argued only […]
The Cook County Circuit Court upheld county pay-to-play limits on Tuesday, ruling against County Assessor Joseph Berrios.
Berrios challenged the county’s campaign contribution limits for those who have sought official action from the county as unconstitutional. He also argued only the state Legislature has the authority to set contribution limits; Judge Sanjay Tailor disagreed.
Local governments are permitted to enact laws governing campaign finance, provided they do not interfere with voter registration and election mechanics.
Berrios is expected to appeal.
March 14, 2018 •
Virginia Special Session Called
Gov. Ralph Northam called for a special session of the Legislature this week to finish work on the state’s budget. The session will convene April 11, just one month after the adjournment of the regular session. Lawmakers voted unanimously last […]
Gov. Ralph Northam called for a special session of the Legislature this week to finish work on the state’s budget.
The session will convene April 11, just one month after the adjournment of the regular session.
Lawmakers voted unanimously last week to request the special session.
Lawmakers must pass the two-year budget by June 30 in order to avoid a government shut down on July 1.
March 13, 2018 •
Pennsylvania Governor Introduces Ethics Reform Plan
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced his Citizen First ethics reform plan this week. Gov. Wolf, who took office in 2015, has been a proponent of broad ethics and government reform. The Citizens First ethics reform plan includes a gift ban […]
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced his Citizen First ethics reform plan this week. Gov. Wolf, who took office in 2015, has been a proponent of broad ethics and government reform.
The Citizens First ethics reform plan includes a gift ban for all public officials. Gov. Wolf already banned members of his administration from accepting gifts but is seeking a broader permanent ban to stop politicians from accepting unlimited gifts.
Along with a gift ban, the plan includes campaign finance reform creating contribution limits, restriction on political action committees, and heightened reporting requirements.
The proposed campaign finance reform would also include pay-to-play provisions requiring the disclosure of campaign contributions made by entities seeking contracts with the state.
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