On July 1, the maximum value for food, drink, or refreshment an individual may provide to an elected official or public employee in Louisiana for a single event increased from $58 to $60. This threshold value is adjusted each year by the Board of Ethics to reflect changes in the consumer price index.

The Delaware General Assembly adjourned June 30, 2015, after many weeks of negotiation to pass the state’s budget.

In the early morning hours of July 1, 2015, Gov. Jack Markell signed the budget bills and a transportation funding measure, marking the end of the state’s legislative proceedings for the year.

The Washington Legislature adjourned its second special session on June 27, 2015, only to convene a third special session on the following day, June 28, 2015.

Legislators were under pressure to come to a budgetary agreement by July 1, 2015, or risk the shutdown of many government services. A budget bill was passed by both houses late Monday, June 29, 2015, and has been sent to the Governor.

Gov. Jay Inslee must sign the bill by midnight Tuesday, June 30, 2015, to avoid any interruption in government services and he plans to do so well in advance of the deadline on Tuesday.

The General Assembly will convene a special session today, June 29, 2015, to complete work on the state budget and other unfinished bills from the regular session.

Lawmakers will also address reforms to the prison and parole system as well as a bill dealing with excessive use of force by law enforcement.

Legislative leaders hope to wrap up the session in one day.

The Rhode Island General Assembly concluded its session and recessed on June 25, 2015. Any bills submitted to Gov. Gina Raimondo must be signed or vetoed by July 6. There is no pocket veto.

Photo of the Rhode Island State Capitol courtesy of Garrett A. Wollman on Wikimedia Commons.

Several Maine lawmakers are considering launching an investigation for impeachment hearings of Republican Gov. Paul LePage. LePage allegedly attempted to wield his influence to push Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves out of a new job at a charter school.

The grounds for impeachment include abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming and possible misuse of public assets. The relationship between LePage and Democrats in the Legislature is already contentious after LePage vowed to veto every piece of Democratic legislation submitted to him.

The Maine Constitution gives the state House of Representatives sole authority to bring an impeachment action. The state Senate would try the action and vote on whether to impeach. Impeachment requires a two-thirds vote of the state Senate.

Photo of Gov. Paul LePage by MattGagnon via Wikimedia Commons.

The New York State Assembly has ended its 2015 legislative session as of Thursday, June 25, 2015.

The session was originally slated to end June 17, 2015, but final details of an omnibus bill related to rent regulations and property tax rebates were still being negotiated until almost midnight on June 25.

One unique provision of the bill grants Gov. Andrew Cuomo the authority to perform marriage ceremonies.

Madison Ald. David Ahrens will soon propose an ordinance to ban registered lobbyists from serving on city committees. The proposal is expected to be introduced on July 7 as a means of eliminating both the appearance and reality of conflicts of interest.

The ordinance would not only prohibit registered lobbyists from serving on city committees, but would also force those who are not lobbyists when appointed and who register later to vacate their seats.

Although the city currently requires lobbyist registration and disclosure, Ahrens argues the current law isn’t enforced.

Gov. Mark Dayton has called a special election to fill Rep. Ryan Winkler’s seat in House District 46A. Winkler is resigning due to his family relocating to Belgium.

The special primary election will be August 11, 2015, and the special general election will be November 3, 2015.

Both elections coincide with already-scheduled local elections.

Photo of the Minnesota State Capitol dome by Mulad on Wikimedia Commons.

Gov. Jerry Brown has called a special legislative session to begin Friday, June 26, 2015.

The special session will focus on Senate Bill 16, a bill proposing funding for roads, highways, and bridges in the state.

The special session will take place concurrently with the legislature’s regular session.

Photo of the California State Capitol by Rafał Konieczny on Wikimedia Commons.

The Florida Legislature adjourned its three-week-long special session Friday, June 19, 2015 after reaching an agreement on the state’s budget.

Lawmakers returned June 1 after failing to pass a budget during the regular session due to a disagreement over Medicaid expansion.

The bill now rests with Gov. Rick Scott who has 10 days to sign it.

Photo of the Old and New Florida State Capitols by Infrogmation on Wikimedia Commons.

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is reconsidering a disclosure requirement for non-compensated state officers. The purpose of the rule in question is to reveal potential conflicts of interest between public duties and private economic interests of state officers and employees.

Proponents for change argue the disclosure requirements are overly burdensome and duplicative and have diminished the number of people willing to perform public service.

The commission heard public comments on Friday, June 12, and will consider revoking the rule, modifying it, or keeping it in its current form.

Gov. Peter Shumlin has signed Senate Bill 93, changing lobbyist reporting requirements. Reports must now be filed for each month the legislature is in session with an additional report in September.

The new law also requires identification of lobbyists contributing to advertisements meant to influence legislation and a report must be filed within 48 hours if such advertisement cost $1,000 or more. Furthermore, a legislator’s candidate committee and a legislative leadership committee may no longer solicit or accept a contribution while the legislature is in session.

These provision are effective July 1, 2015.

State and Federal Communications is proud to be a sponsor of The Ohio Society of Washington D.C. Summer Social this evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The event will be held at Tortilla Coast (Capitol Hill Location) on First Street SE.