September 16, 2016 •
Nevada Special Session Likely
Gov. Brian Sandoval plans to call a special legislative session in early October to approve an estimated $1.9 billion stadium funding plan. The Southern Nevada Tourism Committee is working with the Oakland Raiders and a group of private developers to […]
Gov. Brian Sandoval plans to call a special legislative session in early October to approve an estimated $1.9 billion stadium funding plan. The Southern Nevada Tourism Committee is working with the Oakland Raiders and a group of private developers to bring the first professional football team and major events arena to Las Vegas. In addition, vacancies needing to be filled in the Legislature make a special session likely.
Legislators have expressed concern about holding a special session so close to the November 8 general election in part because lawmakers are prohibited from receiving campaign contributions during a legislative session and for 15 days after adjournment.
Gov. Sandoval will decide whether to call the session once he reviews the committee’s recommendations and all questions have been answered. If called, the special legislative session would be the 30th in Nevada’s 152-year history.
Photo of the Nevada State Legislature by Ryans Jerz on Wikimedia Commons.
September 15, 2016 •
Alabama House District 79 Special General Election
The special general election for House District 79, former House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s seat, will be on November 29, 2016. Alabama Republicans selected Joe Lovvorn as their candidate in the September 13 special primary. Because Lovvorn won a majority of […]
The special general election for House District 79, former House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s seat, will be on November 29, 2016.
Alabama Republicans selected Joe Lovvorn as their candidate in the September 13 special primary. Because Lovvorn won a majority of votes, no special runoff election is needed.
Lovvorn will face Libertarian candidate Gage Fenwick in November.
September 15, 2016 •
Michigan State Rep. Pettalia Passes Away
The state representative for the 106th District, Peter Pettalia, tragically passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on September 12, 2016. Pettalia was elected to the Michigan House in 2010 and previously served as Presque Isle Township supervisor […]
The state representative for the 106th District, Peter Pettalia, tragically passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on September 12, 2016.
Pettalia was elected to the Michigan House in 2010 and previously served as Presque Isle Township supervisor for 16 years.
Pettalia was term-limited. The state GOP will decide who finishes Pettalia’s remaining term, and his seat will be filled at the general election on November 8, 2016.
Photo of Rep. Peter Pettalia courtesy of the Michigan House Republicans website.
September 15, 2016 •
Tennessee General Assembly Adjourns Extraordinary Session
The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned a three-day extraordinary session on Wednesday, September 14. Lawmakers repealed a drunken driving law threatening to cost the state $60 million in federal highway funding. The U.S. Department of Transportation threatened to withhold the funds […]
The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned a three-day extraordinary session on Wednesday, September 14.
Lawmakers repealed a drunken driving law threatening to cost the state $60 million in federal highway funding. The U.S. Department of Transportation threatened to withhold the funds if the state did not change the maximum allowable blood alcohol content for drivers under 21 to comply with the federal zero-tolerance standard.
Lawmakers also expelled Rep. Jeremy Durham after at least 22 women accused him of improper sexual contact during his four years in office. Earlier this year, House Speaker Beth Harwell moved Durham across the street from the main legislative office building and limited his access to the main buildings to official legislative business. Because he did not serve enough time in the House, he is no longer eligible to receive a state pension.
Photo of the Tennessee State Capitol by Ichabod on Wikimedia Commons.
September 15, 2016 •
West Virginia Special Session Likely
West Virginia’s Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin plans to call a special legislative session next week to address funding for flood recovery. The session is expected to take place on September 19 and 20 to coincide with previously scheduled legislative interim […]
West Virginia’s Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin plans to call a special legislative session next week to address funding for flood recovery.
The session is expected to take place on September 19 and 20 to coincide with previously scheduled legislative interim meetings.
The Legislature will need to authorize funding from the state’s rainy day emergency fund to cover flood recovery costs.
September 13, 2016 •
New York Assembly Candidate’s Death May Create Vacancy
On September 9, 2016, New York Assemblyman Bill Nojay took his own life. Nojay was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court on fraud charges related to mishandling of a trust fund on the day he passed. Nojay was already […]
On September 9, 2016, New York Assemblyman Bill Nojay took his own life. Nojay was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court on fraud charges related to mishandling of a trust fund on the day he passed.
Nojay was already listed on the primary ballot for September 13, 2016. If Nojay wins the primary, the seat will default to a vacancy and the GOP will select a replacement.
Nojay’s opponent, Richard B. Milne, has offered his sincerest condolences and has suspended all political activity until further notice.
Photo of Rep. Bill Nojay courtesy of the New York State Assembly website.
September 12, 2016 •
One Tennessee Legislator Faces Expulsion and Another Resigns
The Tennessee General Assembly convened a special session this morning to fix the state’s drunken driving laws, but lawmakers may also use the opportunity to expel Rep. Jeremy Durham. Durham is being investigated by multiple state agencies after nearly two […]
The Tennessee General Assembly convened a special session this morning to fix the state’s drunken driving laws, but lawmakers may also use the opportunity to expel Rep. Jeremy Durham. Durham is being investigated by multiple state agencies after nearly two dozen women accused him of inappropriate sexual conduct.
Rep. Joe Armstrong was also expected to be expelled, but Armstrong resigned his seat last Friday after being convicted of filing a false income tax return. His resignation is effective today. If legislators’ efforts are successful, Durham will be only the second Tennessee lawmaker to be ousted since the Civil War.
Photo of Rep. Jeremy Durham courtesy of the Tennessee General Assembly website.
September 12, 2016 •
Criminal Complaint Filed Against Former Texas Ethics Commissioner
On September 8, a 101-page sworn criminal complaint was filed against a former Texas Ethics Commissioner. Michael Quinn Sullivan filed the complaint against Tom Harrison with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, according to The Lead. Harrison, who resigned this […]
On September 8, a 101-page sworn criminal complaint was filed against a former Texas Ethics Commissioner. Michael Quinn Sullivan filed the complaint against Tom Harrison with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, according to The Lead.
Harrison, who resigned this year from the Ethics Commission, is alleged by Sullivan to have violated state bribery laws while he was a commissioner. Sullivan is president of Empower Texans, a nonprofit organization created to encourage governmental fiscal responsibility, according to the organization’s website.
September 12, 2016 •
California’s FPPC Proposes Regulation Affecting Nonprofits
On October 20, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) will consider a proposed regulation to provide further direction on how nonprofit organizations should report donor names relating to travel payments. The proposed regulation would create Form 807 for the purpose […]
On October 20, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) will consider a proposed regulation to provide further direction on how nonprofit organizations should report donor names relating to travel payments.
The proposed regulation would create Form 807 for the purpose of disclosing donor information of nonprofits that regularly organize and host travel for elected officials.
The FPPC is accepting written comments on the proposal until October 18, 2016.
September 12, 2016 •
Direct Corporate Contributions a Future Possibility in South Dakota
The South Dakota panel assembled by Secretary of State Shantel Krebs to review campaign finance laws showed support of a proposal to allow direct contributions from individual organizations like businesses and labor unions. The panel met Tuesday, September 6 and […]
The South Dakota panel assembled by Secretary of State Shantel Krebs to review campaign finance laws showed support of a proposal to allow direct contributions from individual organizations like businesses and labor unions.
The panel met Tuesday, September 6 and will meet two more times before finalizing proposals that will be requested from the Legislature in January. The panel is also expected to propose new campaign finance reporting requirements.
September 12, 2016 •
Alabama Special Session Adjourns Sine Die
The first special session of 2016 adjourned sine die on September 7, 2016. Gov. Robert Bentley’s lottery proposal failed in the Senate. Instead, the Legislature approved House Bill 36 to use part of the BP oil settlement to provide funds […]
The first special session of 2016 adjourned sine die on September 7, 2016. Gov. Robert Bentley’s lottery proposal failed in the Senate. Instead, the Legislature approved House Bill 36 to use part of the BP oil settlement to provide funds for the Alabama Medicaid Agency.
Despite legislators attempts to use the special session to revamp the ethics laws, House Bills 10, 11, and 32 were not passed.
September 12, 2016 •
Alabama Ethics Commission Approves Advisory Opinion
On September 1, 2016, the Alabama Ethics Commission unanimously approved an opinion clarifying when a state employee may seek private employment. The opinion stated no public employee may ask a lobbyist for a job or a job interview, but may […]
On September 1, 2016, the Alabama Ethics Commission unanimously approved an opinion clarifying when a state employee may seek private employment.
The opinion stated no public employee may ask a lobbyist for a job or a job interview, but may seek employment from principals without quitting their current jobs. As always, state employees must be aware of any conflicts of interest that may emerge in the pursuit of private sector employment.
The opinion will be effective following a 30-day public comment period on October 1, 2016.
September 12, 2016 •
County Court Orders Miami-Dade Proposal Placed on November Ballot
A judge has ordered a campaign finance ballot measure be placed on the ballot in November. After the County Commission rejected the proposal for containing legally insufficient language, An Accountable Miami-Dade filed a petition for a writ of mandamus last […]
A judge has ordered a campaign finance ballot measure be placed on the ballot in November. After the County Commission rejected the proposal for containing legally insufficient language, An Accountable Miami-Dade filed a petition for a writ of mandamus last week.
The political committee asked the court to force the County Commission, the Mayor, and the Supervisor of Elections to place the measure on the ballot. Circuit Court Judge William Thomas granted the petition, stating the group met all of the requirements to get a proposal on the ballot, including gathering nearly 130,000 signatures.
The County has appealed the ruling and a hearing has been set for next week before the Third District Court of Appeal.
If successfully passed, the measure will reduce the campaign contribution limit from $1,000 to $250 and ban vendors, their lobbyists, and immediate family members from contributing to county candidates.
September 12, 2016 •
Broward County Hospital System Launches Website for Lobbyist Registration
Broward Health, the county’s hospital system, has implemented its decade-old lobbyist registration policy through a new website. The website contains information about the policy, registration procedures, and expenditure reporting. Lobbyists engaged to lobby the North Broward Hospital District, its Board […]
Broward Health, the county’s hospital system, has implemented its decade-old lobbyist registration policy through a new website. The website contains information about the policy, registration procedures, and expenditure reporting.
Lobbyists engaged to lobby the North Broward Hospital District, its Board of Commissioners, or its employees must register with the Vice President for Government Relations prior to engaging in lobbying. There is a registration fee of $40 for each client represented and registrations must be renewed by July 1 each year. Registered lobbyists must also file an annual statement of expenditures by July 30, covering July 1 of the prior year through June 30.
The policy also outlines requirements for lobbyist hired to represent the Hospital District before certain state, county, and local government units.
More information regarding lobbyist policies and procedures is available on Broward Health’s website at https://app.browardhealth.org/lobbyist.
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