October 12, 2017 •
St. Petersburg City Council Passes Controversial Campaign Finance Law
City lawmakers have passed an ordinance to limit the influence of independent expenditures in local elections. By a 6-2 vote, City Council approved a measure to limit contributions from individuals to PACs involved in city elections and to restrict contributions […]
City lawmakers have passed an ordinance to limit the influence of independent expenditures in local elections.
By a 6-2 vote, City Council approved a measure to limit contributions from individuals to PACs involved in city elections and to restrict contributions from foreign-owned corporations with U.S.-based subsidiaries.
Supporters of the ordinance hope it will be a model law for other cities to stem the flow of money in politics after Citizens United.
Many believe a legal challenge is likely, but the drafters of the ordinance, a nonprofit group called Free Speech for People, are confident the language is constitutional under current campaign finance jurisprudence.
October 10, 2017 •
West Virginia Governor Calls Special Session
Gov. Jim Justice said he will call the West Virginia Legislature into special session on October 16, 2017. State officials have commented a legislative framework must first be established in order to get the road projects off the ground. On […]
Gov. Jim Justice said he will call the West Virginia Legislature into special session on October 16, 2017.
State officials have commented a legislative framework must first be established in order to get the road projects off the ground.
On October 7, 2017, voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing transportation officials to sell $1.6 billion in general obligation bonds to make up about 60 percent of the governor’s “Roads to Prosperity” program, which he believes will give the West Virginia economy a boost.
October 9, 2017 •
California Governor Signs Campaign Finance Disclosure Bill
Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 249 on October 7, which amends the Political Reform Act. The bill requires campaign advertisements to identify the name of the committee paying for the advertisement, as well as clearly displaying the top three […]
Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 249 on October 7, which amends the Political Reform Act.
The bill requires campaign advertisements to identify the name of the committee paying for the advertisement, as well as clearly displaying the top three contributors to that committee.
The bill also expands disclosure requirements for mass electronic mailings and telephone calls. The bill is effective immediately.
October 9, 2017 •
Governor Calls Special Elections to fill Vacancies in Missouri House
Gov. Eric Greitens recently issued writs of election for House Districts 97, 129, and 144. State Rep. John McCaherty resigned unexpectedly last month from District 97 to focus on running for Jefferson county executive. Sandy Crawford’s District 129 seat was […]
Gov. Eric Greitens recently issued writs of election for House Districts 97, 129, and 144.
State Rep. John McCaherty resigned unexpectedly last month from District 97 to focus on running for Jefferson county executive.
Sandy Crawford’s District 129 seat was left vacant following her election to Lt. Gov. Mike Parson’s former seat in the Missouri Senate.
Paul Fitzwater resigned his seat in the 144th District to accept an appointment to the state Board of Probation and Parole.
The elections will be held February 6, 2018.
October 9, 2017 •
Montana Special Session Likely
Some lawmakers say the Legislature will need to meet in a special session in the coming months to battle Montana’s budget crisis made worse by the summer’s wildfires. Gov. Steve Bullock can cut budgets by up to 10 percent to […]
Some lawmakers say the Legislature will need to meet in a special session in the coming months to battle Montana’s budget crisis made worse by the summer’s wildfires.
Gov. Steve Bullock can cut budgets by up to 10 percent to balance the budget, but the bipartisan Legislative Finance Committee said this week that more than spending cuts will be necessary and passed a resolution to reduce cuts. Gov. Bullock will likely come forward with his final spending cuts in the coming weeks.
A statement from the governor’s office issued this afternoon did not give a timeline for when Bullock may call a special session.
October 4, 2017 •
Alabama Special Election for Senate District 26
Gov. Kay Ivey has scheduled a special election for Senate District 26. The vacancy is a result of state Sen. Quinton Ross accepting a contract to become the next president of Alabama State University. The special election schedule coincides with […]
Gov. Kay Ivey has scheduled a special election for Senate District 26. The vacancy is a result of state Sen. Quinton Ross accepting a contract to become the next president of Alabama State University.
The special election schedule coincides with the special election for House District 4. As a result, a special primary election will be held on December 12, 2017, and the special general election will be held on February 27, 2018, provided a runoff is not required.
If a runoff is required, the special primary election will be held on February 27, 2018, and the special general election will be held on May 15, 2018.
October 3, 2017 •
Special Election Called for Alabama House District 4
Gov. Kay Ivey has scheduled a special election for House District 4. The vacancy is a result of former state Rep. Mick Hammon’s mail fraud conviction. A special primary election will be held on December 12, 2017, and the special […]
Gov. Kay Ivey has scheduled a special election for House District 4. The vacancy is a result of former state Rep. Mick Hammon’s mail fraud conviction.
A special primary election will be held on December 12, 2017, and the special general election will be held on February 27, 2018, provided a runoff is not required.
If a runoff is required, the special primary election will be held on February 27, 2018, and the special general election will be held on May 15, 2018.
October 3, 2017 •
Special Session Called for Maine Legislature
Gov. Paul LePage has called a special session of the Maine Legislature. The special session will address a food sovereignty law conflicting with federal requirements and funding for the Office of Geographic Information Systems. The special session will begin on […]
Gov. Paul LePage has called a special session of the Maine Legislature.
The special session will address a food sovereignty law conflicting with federal requirements and funding for the Office of Geographic Information Systems.
The special session will begin on October 23, 2017.
September 29, 2017 •
North Dakota Legislators to Sue Governor over Vetoes
A bipartisan group of lawmakers on the Legislative Management Committee voted 12-4 in favor of filing a lawsuit in North Dakota’s Supreme Court in response to Gov. Doug Burgum’s vetoes of legislation. Legislators are upset over the governor’s use of […]
A bipartisan group of lawmakers on the Legislative Management Committee voted 12-4 in favor of filing a lawsuit in North Dakota’s Supreme Court in response to Gov. Doug Burgum’s vetoes of legislation.
Legislators are upset over the governor’s use of his line-item veto to change parts of several spending bills, arguing that the intent of the legislation was changed by the deletion of the words and phrases.
Lawmakers argue their legislative authority to spend money has been violated, while the executive branch contends its executive authority is being violated by the challenge.
September 29, 2017 •
New Arkansas Lobbyist Registration and Reporting System
Beginning October 1, 2017, all lobbyists must register and file reports through the new lobbyist registration and reporting system. The new system requires all lobbyists, regardless of whether they are new lobbyists or currently registered, to re-register and submit a […]
Beginning October 1, 2017, all lobbyists must register and file reports through the new lobbyist registration and reporting system.
The new system requires all lobbyists, regardless of whether they are new lobbyists or currently registered, to re-register and submit a new signature card.
Lobbyists must re-register and submit a new signature card to file third quarter reports. The new system may be accessed at the Secretary of State’s website.
September 28, 2017 •
Hawaii Lawmakers Confirm Judicial Appointments in Second Special Legislative Session
The Hawaii Senate convened a two-day special legislative session on Monday, September 25, to confirm two judicial appointments. Choosing from a list of candidates selected by the Judicial Selection Committee, Gov. Ige had appointed former Third District Family Court Judge […]
The Hawaii Senate convened a two-day special legislative session on Monday, September 25, to confirm two judicial appointments.
Choosing from a list of candidates selected by the Judicial Selection Committee, Gov. Ige had appointed former Third District Family Court Judge Henry T. Nakamoto and attorney Robert D.S. Kim to the Third Circuit Court.
Each judge will serve a 10-year term.
September 28, 2017 •
California Moves Date of Presidential Primary
Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 568 on September 27, moving up the state’s presidential primary to March 3, 2020. The date of the 2016 primary was in June, but the Legislature pushed for an earlier primary in an attempt […]
Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 568 on September 27, moving up the state’s presidential primary to March 3, 2020.
The date of the 2016 primary was in June, but the Legislature pushed for an earlier primary in an attempt to have more of an impact on the national level.
The bill does not change the date of the 2018 primary.
September 26, 2017 •
West Virginia State Delegate Passes Away
State Delegate Tony Lewis of Preston died of cancer on Sunday, September 24, 2017. In a statement, Speaker Tim Armstead said, “He was a devoted family man, and a faithful and hard-working public servant. Tony’s dedication and work ethic left a […]
State Delegate Tony Lewis of Preston died of cancer on Sunday, September 24, 2017.
In a statement, Speaker Tim Armstead said, “He was a devoted family man, and a faithful and hard-working public servant. Tony’s dedication and work ethic left a lasting impression on all of us who worked with him. His strong character was never more apparent than during the recent special session, as Tony continued to come to Charleston and speak up for his district while receiving treatment for his cancer.”
Preston County’s Republican executive committee will nominate three possible replacements for Gov. Jim Justice to choose to replace Lewis.
September 25, 2017 •
Alaska Governor Officially Calls Fourth Special Legislative Session
Gov. Bill Walker issued a proclamation to convene the Legislature’s fourth special session on October 23 to address revenue and public safety issues. The governor has proposed a payroll tax of 1.5 percent that is expected to generate between $300 […]
Gov. Bill Walker issued a proclamation to convene the Legislature’s fourth special session on October 23 to address revenue and public safety issues.
The governor has proposed a payroll tax of 1.5 percent that is expected to generate between $300 million and $325 million. Under this proposal, Alaskans would pay the lowest taxes in the country.
Senate Bill 54, which addresses Class-C felonies, will also be under consideration.
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