August 28, 2017 •
California Disclose Act Gets Closer to Passage
Assembly Bill 249, also known as the “California Disclose Act,” will be heard in the Senate on August 29. The bill requires most campaign ads to display their top three funders, even if those contributions were funneled through other committees. […]
Assembly Bill 249, also known as the “California Disclose Act,” will be heard in the Senate on August 29. The bill requires most campaign ads to display their top three funders, even if those contributions were funneled through other committees.
Similar versions of AB 249 have been introduced without passage since 2012. A similar bill from 2016 failed by one vote in the Senate. Last year’s bill was opposed by the California Fair Political Practice Commission (FPPC) due to the bill’s language making enforcement difficult.
The current version of the bill underwent changes to make the proposed law more acceptable to opponents and the FPPC has remained neutral.
August 28, 2017 •
Georgia Special Election Announced for Open House Seat
A special election will take place on November 7, 2017, to fill a vacancy in the Georgia House of Representatives. Regina Quick resigned from the House District 117 seat to become a superior court judge. If necessary, a runoff election […]
A special election will take place on November 7, 2017, to fill a vacancy in the Georgia House of Representatives.
Regina Quick resigned from the House District 117 seat to become a superior court judge. If necessary, a runoff election will take place on December 5.
District 117 includes parts of Jackson, Clarke, Barrow, and Oconee counties.
August 28, 2017 •
Hawaii Legislature to Convene Special Legislative Session
State legislative leadership submitted a proclamation on Thursday, August 24, to call the Hawaii Legislature into special session on Monday, August 28, 2017. The proclamation was filed at the written request of two-thirds of the members of each house. Lawmakers […]
State legislative leadership submitted a proclamation on Thursday, August 24, to call the Hawaii Legislature into special session on Monday, August 28, 2017.
The proclamation was filed at the written request of two-thirds of the members of each house.
Lawmakers are expected to consider a bill drafted by committee chairs to fund the completion of the rail project on Oahu.
August 28, 2017 •
Special Election Announced for Fairfax County School Board
A countywide special election will take place on August 29, 2017, to fill a vacant at-large school board seat. School board member Jeanette Hough resigned the seat in May. The winner will serve the remainder of Hough’s term, ending December […]
A countywide special election will take place on August 29, 2017, to fill a vacant at-large school board seat.
School board member Jeanette Hough resigned the seat in May. The winner will serve the remainder of Hough’s term, ending December 31, 2019.
School board members are non-partisan officeholders; however, Democrats and Republicans issue endorsements to make their preferences known.
August 18, 2017 •
Oklahoma Governor Considering Special Legislative Session
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin wants a special legislative session to address a budget shortfall caused by a recent Oklahoma Supreme Court Ruling. The Court struck down a cigarette fee resulting in $215 million in lost revenue. If the budget is […]
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin wants a special legislative session to address a budget shortfall caused by a recent Oklahoma Supreme Court Ruling. The Court struck down a cigarette fee resulting in $215 million in lost revenue.
If the budget is not reappropriated, the ruling will force four state agencies to restructure their budgets due to loss of funds. Money cannot be transferred to the affected agencies without a legislative directive.
Though a special session is likely inevitable, legislative leadership has suggested the governor wait to call a session because there are other revenue-related court cases still pending.
August 17, 2017 •
FPPC Votes to Change Recall Election Campaign Finance Rule
On August 17, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) voted to reverse a longstanding rule that limited how much money politicians and their committees can give to a candidate-controlled recall committee. The 2002 FPPC opinion that was reversed by today’s […]
On August 17, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) voted to reverse a longstanding rule that limited how much money politicians and their committees can give to a candidate-controlled recall committee.
The 2002 FPPC opinion that was reversed by today’s vote limited politician contributions to candidate-controlled recall committees to $4,400.
The rule change now allows politicians to give unlimited amounts of money to help fight the recall of Democratic Senator Josh Newman.
Chair Jodi Remke was the only dissenting commissioner in the 3-1 final vote.
August 16, 2017 •
Anaheim, CA Adopts Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Ordinance
On August 15, the Anaheim City Council adopted an ethics and lobbying ordinance. The ordinance imposes a two-year revolving door restriction and requires lobbyist registration and quarterly reporting. The ordinance will go into effect 30 days after passage on September […]
On August 15, the Anaheim City Council adopted an ethics and lobbying ordinance.
The ordinance imposes a two-year revolving door restriction and requires lobbyist registration and quarterly reporting. The ordinance will go into effect 30 days after passage on September 14.
City Council is also expected to consider additional amendments to broaden the new ordinance in 90 days.
August 16, 2017 •
Texas Special Session Adjourns Sine Die
The Texas Legislature ended its special legislative session abruptly Tuesday night without a resolution on Gov. Greg Abbott’s top priority of property tax reform. The House adjourned earlier in the day leaving the Senate to accept their version of the […]
The Texas Legislature ended its special legislative session abruptly Tuesday night without a resolution on Gov. Greg Abbott’s top priority of property tax reform.
The House adjourned earlier in the day leaving the Senate to accept their version of the property tax reform bill or not pass one. The Senate did not accept the House version and the session ended without fanfare.
Some Senators are calling for Gov. Abbott to call a second special session solely for the issue.
About half of the session’s 20-item agenda was accomplished, including the passage of several sunset bills.
August 16, 2017 •
Republicans to Hold Runoff Election in Alabama
Appointed U.S. Senator Luther Strange and former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore will be going head-to-head on September 26 because neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round of the Republican primary […]
Appointed U.S. Senator Luther Strange and former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore will be going head-to-head on September 26 because neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round of the Republican primary election.
President Trump and establishment Republicans have lined up behind Strange, but Moore has wide appeal among religious conservatives across the Yellowhammer State.
The winner of the runoff election will face Democrat Doug Jones, a former U.S. Attorney who coasted to victory in the first round, on December 12.
August 11, 2017 •
Petition Filed to Recall Nevada Senator
A former Nevada Republican Assemblyman filed a recall petition with the Nevada Secretary of State this month seeking to recall Democratic Senator Joyce Woodhouse and replace her with her Republican opponent from the 2016 election. Under Nevada law, petitioners are […]
A former Nevada Republican Assemblyman filed a recall petition with the Nevada Secretary of State this month seeking to recall Democratic Senator Joyce Woodhouse and replace her with her Republican opponent from the 2016 election.
Under Nevada law, petitioners are not required to give a reason for submitting a recall petition. Although no reason was cited in the filed petition, a registered voter said a signature-gatherer seeking support for the petition stated it stemmed from Sen. Joyce’s support of a sanctuary city bill during the 2016 legislative session.
The petition needs signatures from 25 percent of the voters who cast a ballot in the Senate District 5 election in 2016 to have a special election.
August 11, 2017 •
Los Angeles City Council Seeking Disclosure Ordinance for Contractors Working on Border Wall
The Los Angeles City Council voted to draft a law that would require contractors doing business with the city to disclose whether they have any contracts connected with the proposed border wall between Mexico and the United States. The current […]
The Los Angeles City Council voted to draft a law that would require contractors doing business with the city to disclose whether they have any contracts connected with the proposed border wall between Mexico and the United States.
The current proposal would not ban companies working on the wall from doing business with Los Angeles, but many council members said it would be a factor they could consider when voting on city contracts.
The City Council voted 13-0 to have city attorneys draft the ordinance. Once drafting is complete, the council will consider the ordinance for approval.
August 10, 2017 •
North Carolina Changes Session Dates
The North Carolina General Assembly convened for a special session on August 3 to address unresolved conference reports and amend the previous adjournment resolution, cancelling a previously scheduled September 6 special session. Lawmakers will now convene on August 18 to […]
The North Carolina General Assembly convened for a special session on August 3 to address unresolved conference reports and amend the previous adjournment resolution, cancelling a previously scheduled September 6 special session.
Lawmakers will now convene on August 18 to address redistricting.
The change in session dates was needed after a federal three-judge panel ordered lawmakers to draw new legislative district maps by September 1.
August 9, 2017 •
Flint Voters Approve Charter Update
Flint voters approved updates to the city’s charter on August 8, 2017. Updates include gift restrictions involving persons doing business or seeking to do business with the city, lobbyist registration and reporting requirements, and post-employment restrictions on public servants. The […]
Flint voters approved updates to the city’s charter on August 8, 2017.
Updates include gift restrictions involving persons doing business or seeking to do business with the city, lobbyist registration and reporting requirements, and post-employment restrictions on public servants.
The charter becomes effective on January 1, 2018.
The completed draft of the charter has been posted by the Charter Review Commission.
August 7, 2017 •
Special Election Announced for Open Florida House Seat
Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order setting a special election for House District 58. The special primary will be held on October 10, 2017, and the general election will follow on December 19. Rep. Dan Raulerson announced his retirement, […]
Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order setting a special election for House District 58. The special primary will be held on October 10, 2017, and the general election will follow on December 19.
Rep. Dan Raulerson announced his retirement, effective August 15, to focus on his health and his business.
Holding the election this year will allow the winner to take his or her seat when the 2018 legislative session begins on January 9.
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