July 14, 2016 •
North Dakota Gov. Calls Special Session
Gov. Jack Dalrymple called a special session to convene August 2. The session is needed to address North Dakota’s budget shortfall, and it is expected to last three days.
Gov. Jack Dalrymple called a special session to convene August 2.
The session is needed to address North Dakota’s budget shortfall, and it is expected to last three days.
July 13, 2016 •
Hawaii Legislators Convene Special Legislative Session
Hawaii legislators convened a special session Tuesday after Gov. David Ige vetoed a bill intended to assist state employees who will be affected when three Maui county hospitals are taken over by Kaiser Permanente on October 1. The state must […]
Hawaii legislators convened a special session Tuesday after Gov. David Ige vetoed a bill intended to assist state employees who will be affected when three Maui county hospitals are taken over by Kaiser Permanente on October 1.
The state must decide how to transition employees from state service to private service in the largest privatization project in modern state history. Lawmakers met briefly on Tuesday before breaking for recess; they will reconvene Monday.
July 13, 2016 •
Special Election Called for Open House Seat in Mississippi
A special election has been called to fill the vacant House District 72 seat. The election will be held on August 23, 2016. Rep. Kimberly Campbell left the position at the end of May to become the state director of […]
A special election has been called to fill the vacant House District 72 seat. The election will be held on August 23, 2016.
Rep. Kimberly Campbell left the position at the end of May to become the state director of AARP. Candidate qualifying ends on July 25.
July 12, 2016 •
Florida Congresswoman Indicted on Ethics Charges
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown has been indicted on 22 federal charges, including fraud and conspiracy. Brown, who represents the state’s 5th Congressional District, is accused of using a fake charity to solicit contributions and using those funds for personal gain. […]
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown has been indicted on 22 federal charges, including fraud and conspiracy.
Brown, who represents the state’s 5th Congressional District, is accused of using a fake charity to solicit contributions and using those funds for personal gain. Investigators claim nearly $200,000 in charity funds were used to pay for events held by Brown and to pay taxes she owed.
If convicted, Brown could face up to 300 years in prison.
July 12, 2016 •
Special Session Called in Utah
On Monday, July 11, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued a call for a special legislative session to be held this Wednesday, July 13. The session was called to consider legislation related the Judicial Nomination Commission, the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, the […]
On Monday, July 11, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert issued a call for a special legislative session to be held this Wednesday, July 13. The session was called to consider legislation related the Judicial Nomination Commission, the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, the Utah State Fairpark, and other matters.
One major concern the governor wants addressed in the special session is unmanned aircrafts being used near wildland fires. “This summer, wildfires in the state have become significantly worse due to drones interrupting air operations,” Gov. Herbert said in his press release.
July 12, 2016 •
Minnesota Governor Reappoints Campaign Finance Board Members
Gov. Mark Dayton has reappointed Emma Greenman and Peggy Leppik to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. Both women have previously served as members of the board, but due to the appointment and confirmation process in Minnesota, both were […]
Gov. Mark Dayton has reappointed Emma Greenman and Peggy Leppik to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
Both women have previously served as members of the board, but due to the appointment and confirmation process in Minnesota, both were required to step down from their positions when they were not confirmed by the Senate before the end of the 2016 legislative session.
After the governor’s appointment, board members are allowed to serve pending confirmation by the Legislature, so Dayton has effectively restored both to their positions, and the confirmation process will begin again during the next regular session of the Legislature.
July 12, 2016 •
Hawaii State Ethics Commission Selects New Executive Director
Dan Gluck is the new executive director of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. Gluck served as legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii before being unanimously selected by the commission. He replaces Les Kondo, who was appointed […]
Dan Gluck is the new executive director of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. Gluck served as legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii before being unanimously selected by the commission. He replaces Les Kondo, who was appointed by the state Legislature to serve as state auditor.
July 11, 2016 •
New Executive Director Announced for Virginia’s Ethics Council
The Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council has a new executive director. The General Assembly has appointed Stewart Petoe, an attorney from the state’s crime commission, to fill the position left vacant since May. Chris Piper, Petoe’s successor, […]
The Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council has a new executive director.
The General Assembly has appointed Stewart Petoe, an attorney from the state’s crime commission, to fill the position left vacant since May. Chris Piper, Petoe’s successor, left after Republican leadership stated they would not confirm Piper because he is not an attorney.
The Council issues advisory opinions and informal guidance on ethics issues and is in charge of collecting financial disclosures from public officials and lobbyists.
July 11, 2016 •
Minnesota Special Session Unlikely Until After Primary Election
A special session is now unlikely until after the primary elections, due to lawmakers’ increasingly busy schedules. Lawmakers have sought a special session to pass tax and bonding bills since adjourning the regular session in May, but Gov. Mark Dayton […]
A special session is now unlikely until after the primary elections, due to lawmakers’ increasingly busy schedules.
Lawmakers have sought a special session to pass tax and bonding bills since adjourning the regular session in May, but Gov. Mark Dayton required agreement on several issues before he was willing to call the session.
To date, Dayton and lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement on those issues.
July 11, 2016 •
Washington Voters Likely to Decide on Campaign Finance Reforms
Backers of Washington’s Initiative 1464 have submitted more than the required 326,000 signatures to appear on the November ballot. If voters approve the measure, the initiative will require new campaign finance disclosures, limit contributions by lobbyists and government contractors, and […]
Backers of Washington’s Initiative 1464 have submitted more than the required 326,000 signatures to appear on the November ballot.
If voters approve the measure, the initiative will require new campaign finance disclosures, limit contributions by lobbyists and government contractors, and impose a three-year waiting period on lobbying by former public officials and senior staff. I-1464 also seeks to create a publicly funded voucher system for contributions.
The Office of the Secretary of State must still validate the signatures before I-1464 will officially be added to the ballot.
Photo of the Washington State Capitol by Nikopoley on Wikimedia Commons.
July 8, 2016 •
Illinois Lawmakers Wrap Up Spring Business with Short-term Budget Deal
After failing to pass a budget before the end of its spring session in May, the 98th Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its business on Thursday, June 30. While concerns over the state budget were not completely alleviated, lawmakers were […]
After failing to pass a budget before the end of its spring session in May, the 98th Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its business on Thursday, June 30.
While concerns over the state budget were not completely alleviated, lawmakers were able to pass a short-term budget deal to keep basic services running.
Gov. Bruce Rauner believes further compromise and budget reform could occur in the 60 days following the November election when legislators will be more comfortable tackling tougher issues.
July 8, 2016 •
Former Alabama House Speaker Sentenced
On July 8, 2016, former House Speaker Mike Hubbard was sentenced to four years in prison following his conviction on 12 felony ethics charges. Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker denied prosecutors’ request for Hubbard to pay $1.6 million in […]
On July 8, 2016, former House Speaker Mike Hubbard was sentenced to four years in prison following his conviction on 12 felony ethics charges.
Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker denied prosecutors’ request for Hubbard to pay $1.6 million in restitution and fines. Instead, Hubbard is ordered to pay $210,000 in fines.
July 8, 2016 •
Ann Arbor, MI Voters to Decide on Election Cycle Change
This November, voters will decide whether term limits for the mayor and City Council members should be increased from two to four years. Election cycles would remain staggered, but the proposed amendment to the city charter would eliminate elections in […]
This November, voters will decide whether term limits for the mayor and City Council members should be increased from two to four years.
Election cycles would remain staggered, but the proposed amendment to the city charter would eliminate elections in odd years, which have typically had low turnout.
Opponents of the amendment argue longer terms will decease officials’ accountability to voters, while those in favor hope for higher city election participation as a result of the new terms.
Photo of downtown Ann Arbor by Andrew Horne on Wikimedia Commons.
July 8, 2016 •
Special Session in Alaska Impacts Campaign Fundraising
Alaskan lawmakers have been busy strategizing how to continue campaign fundraising ahead of the July 11 special session. State statute bans lawmakers from soliciting or accepting contributions in the capital city or any municipality where the Legislature is convened. Despite […]
Alaskan lawmakers have been busy strategizing how to continue campaign fundraising ahead of the July 11 special session.
State statute bans lawmakers from soliciting or accepting contributions in the capital city or any municipality where the Legislature is convened.
Despite calls by some lawmakers to hold the session in Anchorage due to a lodging shortage in Juneau, the formal legislative session will remain in Juneau allowing political fundraising to continue in Anchorage.
Photo of the chamber of the Alaska House of Representatives by L’Aquatique on Wikimedia Commons.
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