December 5, 2016 •
Special Session Called for North Carolina
Gov. Pat McCrory announced December 13 as the date for a special session to address Hurricane Matthew relief. The state will need to provide matching funds and funding for what federal relief won’t cover. The special session is also expected […]
Gov. Pat McCrory announced December 13 as the date for a special session to address Hurricane Matthew relief.
The state will need to provide matching funds and funding for what federal relief won’t cover.
The special session is also expected to address relief needed for the recent wildfires in the western part of the state.
December 2, 2016 •
First Hearing Set in Court Challenge Against South Dakota’s Initiated Measure 22
The lawsuit filed in state court to block the government ethics overhaul recently approved by voters will have its first hearing December 8th. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of Initiated Measure 22 which became effective last week restricting campaign contributions […]
The lawsuit filed in state court to block the government ethics overhaul recently approved by voters will have its first hearing December 8th. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of Initiated Measure 22 which became effective last week restricting campaign contributions and gifts from lobbyists.
The group of 24 Republican lawmakers bringing the suit are seeking an injunction to block the law, and South Dakotans for Integrity, the ballot question committee that supported Initiated Measure 22, has filed a motion to intervene.
December 2, 2016 •
Special Election Likely for California’s 34th Congressional District
Gov. Jerry Brown has selected 34th Congressional District Rep. Xavier Becerra to be the next attorney general of California. The attorney general position became available when Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in the November election. State law […]
Gov. Jerry Brown has selected 34th Congressional District Rep. Xavier Becerra to be the next attorney general of California.
The attorney general position became available when Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in the November election.
State law requires the governor to arrange a special election date within two weeks of Becerra leaving his congressional post.
December 2, 2016 •
Florida House Offers Training Sessions for New Rules Affecting Lobbyists
The Florida House is offering training sessions to assist lobbyists in getting to know the new House Rules adopted last month. A seminar will be offered on December 13 and December 14, 2016, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Room […]
The Florida House is offering training sessions to assist lobbyists in getting to know the new House Rules adopted last month. A seminar will be offered on December 13 and December 14, 2016, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Room 404 of the House Office Building.
The training will focus on disclosure requirements and the new rules governing lobbyist and member conduct. Supplementary information and tutorials are available on the House’s website, www.myfloridahouse.gov, and lobbyists are encouraged to review the materials prior to attending a training session.
Photo of the Old and New Florida State Capitols by Infrogmation on Wikimedia Commons.
December 2, 2016 •
Oklahoma Ethics Commission Proposes Changes to Lobbyist Filing Dates
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission recently approved a proposed rule amendment regarding due dates for lobbyist registration and reporting. The intent is to make registration and reporting more convenient by providing more time between the end of the registration or reporting […]
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission recently approved a proposed rule amendment regarding due dates for lobbyist registration and reporting.
The intent is to make registration and reporting more convenient by providing more time between the end of the registration or reporting period and the due date for filing. Registration renewals would be required by January 15, and lobbying reports would be due on or before the 15th in any month a report is required.
The amendment is still pending. If lawmakers do not disapprove the rule, the changes will go into effect when the Legislature adjourns in May.
December 1, 2016 •
Special Election for Minnesota House District 32B Scheduled for February 14, 2017
A special election for House District 32B will be held on Feb. 14, 2017. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Republican Robert Barrett was ineligible to run for the office because he did not reside in District 32B for six months […]
A special election for House District 32B will be held on Feb. 14, 2017.
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Republican Robert Barrett was ineligible to run for the office because he did not reside in District 32B for six months immediately preceding the Nov. 8, 2016, general election.
Fellow Republican Anne E. Neu will replace Barrett to run against Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate Laurie J. Warner.
December 1, 2016 •
Virginia Gov. Sets Special Election Date
Gov. Terry McAuliffe has set a special election date to replace members of the General Assembly who were elected to Congress. The election will be held on Jan. 10, 2017. Sen. Tom Garrett, District 22; Sen. A. Donald McEachin, District […]
Gov. Terry McAuliffe has set a special election date to replace members of the General Assembly who were elected to Congress. The election will be held on Jan. 10, 2017.
Sen. Tom Garrett, District 22; Sen. A. Donald McEachin, District 9; and Delegate Scott Taylor, District 85, each won seats in Congress.
Candidates have until Dec. 5 to register to be on the ballot.
December 1, 2016 •
Court Orders 2017 Special Election for NC General Assembly Seats
A federal appeals court ruled North Carolina must hold special elections in November 2017 for General Assembly seats in unconstitutionally gerrymandered districts. The Legislature will need to redraw districts by mid-March, and legislators recently elected from the affected districts will […]
A federal appeals court ruled North Carolina must hold special elections in November 2017 for General Assembly seats in unconstitutionally gerrymandered districts. The Legislature will need to redraw districts by mid-March, and legislators recently elected from the affected districts will have their terms shortened to one year from the usual two-year term.
Earlier this year, the court ruled the affected 28 districts unconstitutional, but allowed the 2016 election to continue under the old maps. This new order settles the issue of whether the new districts would take effect for the regular 2018 election or if a special election would be necessary.
December 1, 2016 •
Chairman of JCOPE Steps Down
On November 29, 2016, Daniel Horwitz’s departure as the chairman of the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) was announced at a panel meeting. Horwitz has been a member of JCOPE since 2011 and the chairman since […]
On November 29, 2016, Daniel Horwitz’s departure as the chairman of the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) was announced at a panel meeting.
Horwitz has been a member of JCOPE since 2011 and the chairman since 2013. A replacement for Horwitz has not been appointed, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo is currently vetting candidates for the position.
November 28, 2016 •
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Complete Work Prior to Scheduled Adjournment
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives cancelled a non-voting session day scheduled for Nov. 22, 2016, effectively ending the 2015-2016 legislative session. Adjournment sine die does not technically take place until Nov. 30; however, both chambers have completed their work. Lawmakers […]
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives cancelled a non-voting session day scheduled for Nov. 22, 2016, effectively ending the 2015-2016 legislative session.
Adjournment sine die does not technically take place until Nov. 30; however, both chambers have completed their work. Lawmakers will reconvene for the next legislative session on Jan. 3, 2017.
November 28, 2016 •
Lawmakers File Legal Challenge Against South Dakota’s Initiated Measure 22
A group of Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit in state court Wednesday, Nov. 23, to block the government ethics overhaul recently approved by voters. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of Initiated Measure 22, which became effective last week restricting campaign […]
A group of Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit in state court Wednesday, Nov. 23, to block the government ethics overhaul recently approved by voters.
The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of Initiated Measure 22, which became effective last week restricting campaign contributions and gifts from lobbyists. Gov. Dennis Daugaard says he supports repeal of the measure and he will not include money in his budget for the public campaign finance system called for by the new law.
November 23, 2016 •
Florida Legislature Holds Organizational Session, Changes Ahead for Lobbyists
Both chambers of the Florida Legislature held organizational sessions yesterday, Nov. 22, 2016. Agenda items included selection of House and Senate leadership, administering the oath of office for new members and approving the rules governing the upcoming session. Newly minted […]
Both chambers of the Florida Legislature held organizational sessions yesterday, Nov. 22, 2016. Agenda items included selection of House and Senate leadership, administering the oath of office for new members and approving the rules governing the upcoming session.
Newly minted Speaker Richard Corcoran’s agenda to reduce the influence of lobbyists will take effect during the next session through the approved House Rules. Among the changes, lobbyists are now required to disclose the issues they are lobbying by filing an electronic notice of appearance; former members of the Legislature are prohibited from lobbying the House for six years; and no member of the House may accept private plane travel from a lobbyist or a corporation employing lobbyists.
The Senate also passed its rules but did not make such sweeping changes.
November 23, 2016 •
North Carolina Governor’s Race Drags On
Yesterday, Gov. Pat McCrory formally requested a recount in his race for governor against Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper. Cooper has already declared victory, but with the race within 10,000 votes, McCrory is not conceding and there is no answer […]
Yesterday, Gov. Pat McCrory formally requested a recount in his race for governor against Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper.
Cooper has already declared victory, but with the race within 10,000 votes, McCrory is not conceding and there is no answer to when the race will officially end. This week, the head of the conservative group Civitas Institute filed a federal lawsuit to block the counting of votes cast using same-day registration on Election Day. McCrory has also filed challenges in many counties alleging voter fraud, claiming ballots were cast by dead people and felons.
November 22, 2016 •
FPPC Approves Amendments to Increase Gift and Campaign Contribution Limits
On Nov. 17, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) approved regulations to make biennial cost of living adjustments to campaign contribution and gift limits that will apply from Jan. 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2018. The newly amended regulations change […]
On Nov. 17, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) approved regulations to make biennial cost of living adjustments to campaign contribution and gift limits that will apply from Jan. 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2018.
The newly amended regulations change the gift limit from $460 to $470 and makes increases to campaign contribution limits.
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