September 2, 2011 •
New Municipalities Update- September 2, 2011
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for:
Tempe, Arizona
Evansville, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
Flint, Michigan
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
September 1, 2011 •
Georgia Adjourns Special Session
Agreement on Redistricting Reached During Georgia Special Session
The Georgia General Assembly, in special session since August 15, 2011, adjourned on August 31, 2011.
The adjournment comes after reaching agreements concerning legislative redistricting.
September 1, 2011 •
Chicago Lobbyist Database Provides Unprecedented Information
New Information links lobbyist expenses with their clients
Eric Brown’s Political Activity Law blog pointed to a press release today, in which Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that information connecting lobbyists’ activities, their compensation, and expenses with each of their clients would now be provided on the city’s lobbyist disclosure database.
Regarding the new data that is now going to be released, Mayor Emanuel said,
“Today I am delivering on a promise to make more lobbyist data available as part of my administration’s commitment to transparency. For the first time ever, we are making city lobbyist data available online that isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. This new data ties information together in a way that shows the connection between client, lobbyist and city hall.”
This information is available through the City of Chicago Data Portal. The lobbyist databases include the Lobbyist Agency Report, Lobbyist Gift Report, Lobbyist Categorized Expenditures Report, Lobbyist Major Expenditures Report, and Lobbyist Registry.
August 30, 2011 •
Auditor’s Reports Finds Funding and Staffing Issues at Missouri Ethics Commission
Increased Lobbyist Registration Fees Considered
A report by state Auditor Thomas Schweich found that the Missouri Ethics Commission is underfunded and understaffed.
The ethics commission was given new responsibilities in 2010, including additional abilities to initiate investigations and enforce new campaign finance laws.
The commission had been seeking seven new employees to address the new responsibilities, but budgetary constraints led to only two new hires.
The auditor’s report suggests raising lobbyist registration fees to increase revenue.
The report notes, “According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Missouri’s current lobbyist registration fee of $10 per year is one of the five lowest registration fees in the nation.”
August 30, 2011 •
Mississippi to Hold Special Session
Governor called it for Friday, September 2
The Mississippi State Legislature will convene in special session at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 2, 2011.
Governor Haley Barbour called the special session on Monday in order to consider a state bond issue. Other projects may be undertaken as well, but details about these projects have not yet been released.
The session is expected to last one day.
Photo of the Mississippi State Capitol by Shawn Lea (Szlea) on Wikipedia.
August 30, 2011 •
New Milford, NJ Adopts Pay-to-Play Ordinance
Possible 4 Year Ban for Vendor Violators
The Borough Council of New Milford, New Jersey has adopted a new pay-to-play ordinance.
Ordinance #2011:17 prohibits any business entity who submits a proposal for, enters into negotiations for, or agrees to any contract or agreement with the borough, from knowingly making any contribution to local candidates, candidate committee or joint candidates committees, PACs, or to holders of public office having ultimate responsibility for the award of a contract or agreement.
Certain threshold amounts apply to this prohibition, such as a maximum of $300 per calendar year for any purpose to any candidate or candidate committee for mayor or a governing body. In order to cure any violations in excess of the limits, a reimbursement of contributions is allowed if made within 30 days. The new ordinance also applies to renewal and material modifications of existing contracts. Prior to the awarding of a contract, vendors will be required to submit sworn statements attesting to compliance with the regulations.
Vendors found in violation could face disqualification from eligibility for future contracts with the Borough for four years from the date of the violation.
Some exceptions to the new ordinance are allowed, including contracts awarded in the case of emergencies
August 30, 2011 •
“Fair Fight” Not Fair Constitutionally According to Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission
Nebraska to Cease Enforcement of “Fair Fight” Campaign Statute
The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission voted unanimously Friday to stop enforcement of a 1992 law aimed at leveling the playing field in state political races. This decision stems from the recent United States Supreme Court decision concerning the state of Arizona where a similar law was deemed unconstitutional.
Under Nebraska’s law, candidates could qualify for “fair fight” money from the state if they adhered to voluntary spending limits and their opponent had exceeded such limits.
Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, who had recently opined the law would be found unconstitutional if challenged in court, will have 10 days to file suit once the Commission officially notifies his office of the refusal to enforce the law, as is required in Nebraska any time a state agency refuses to enforce a law.
Photo of the Nebraska State Capitol by Decumanus on Wikipedia.
August 30, 2011 •
FPPC Releases Draft of Text Message Contribution Regulation
Interested persons’ meeting to be held.
The Fair Political Practices Commission will hold an interested persons’ meeting on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the proposed text message contribution regulation. The commission has also issued a notice to adopt the text message regulation at a public hearing to be held on or after October 13, 2011.
The proposed regulation permits candidates and committees to raise funds through low-dollar text message contributions. For the purposes of the regulation, contributions are deemed to be received on the date that a mobile fundraising vendor, acting as an agent of the candidate or committee, obtains possession and control of the funds. Once received by the mobile fundraising vendor, contributions must be promptly reported to the candidate or committee’s treasurer or a designated agent thereof no later than the closing date of any campaign statement the candidate or committee is required to file.
For text message contributions of less than $25, candidates and committees will be required to maintain the dates and daily totals of contributions. For contributions exceeding $25 but less than $100, the proposed regulation requires that candidates and committees record the full name and street address of the contributor, the cumulative amount received from each contribution, and any information regarding an intermediary where applicable. When a contribution exceeding $100 is received, the regulation requires that the candidate or committee maintain a record of the contributor’s name and address, occupation, employer, the cumulative amount received from the contributor, and any information regarding an intermediary where applicable.
Under the proposed regulation, a contribution made by text message will be attributed to the person who is subscribed to the cell phone number from which the contribution is received.
August 29, 2011 •
Good Ideas Might Yield a Free Lunch
Ohio state representative trades free lunch for good idea
On Ohio.com, the Associated Press report that Ohio Republican state Rep. Marlene Anielski of Cleveland is beginning a contest she named “There Ought to Be a Law” where constituents from her district will be competing for a free lunch provided by none other than Rep. Anielski.
Participants will enter their proposals for possible legislation by September 30th, and whoever provides the proposal Rep. Anielski deems the best will get a free lunch, as well as the satisfaction of their proposal possibly being drafted into a bill.
August 26, 2011 •
Report Problems to Your City From Your Smart Phone
Salt Lake City 311 App Allows Citizens to Make Reports From Their Phones
A new 311 smart phone app for Salt Lake City, Utah allows a citizen to take a geo-coded picture with his or her smartphone and enter more detailed information about the problem. In response to the citizen’s entry, a real-time case is created that’s sent directly to the staff person who will handle the situation.
According to this article on GovTech, the app called Salt Lake City 311 transmits the request to the city’s GIS database, which then provides an address match for the city responder to answer the notification personally, with no middleman in between.
This app streamlines the process of fieldworkers responding to calls, as well as creating a convenient and easy way for everyday citizens to report problems.
This kind of 311 app is something that is likely to be seen in many other municipalities across the nation in the near future.
August 26, 2011 •
Georgia Ethics Commission Chooses LaBerge as New Executive Secretary
Chosen to Replace Stacey Kalberman
The Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission has named Holly LaBerge as its new Executive Secretary.
LaBerge, a former Budget Analyst for the House Budget Office and Director of Government Relations for the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council, beat out Jerry R. Presley, a former lobbyist, government official, and private consultant, for the position.
The commission interviewed each candidate at its meeting Friday before meeting in private to make a decision.
LaBerge takes over for Stacey Kalberman, who left the commission over disputes concerning the agency’s budget and her request for subpoenas to investigate Governor Nathan Deal’s campaign.
August 26, 2011 •
New Municipalities Update
In a continuing effort to better serve the needs of its clients, State and Federal Communications, Inc. is expanding coverage of laws and regulations in more municipalities.
We now provide information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for:
Sterling Heights, Michigan
Lafayette, Louisiana
August 26, 2011 •
Washington P.D.C. Selects New Director
Andrea McNamara Doyle to Replace Interim Director Doug Ellis
Andrea McNamara Doyle has been selected to be the new director of the Washington Public Disclosure Commission.
Doyle, who has previous experience as a government manager and legislative staff attorney, was chosen from 71 applicants after a several month search.
She will replace interim director Doug Ellis who is retiring from the agency later this year.
August 24, 2011 •
Caudell to Replace Belinfante at Georgia Ethics Commission
Governor Makes Appointment
Governor Nathan Deal has appointed B. Chan Caudell to replace Josh Belinfante as a member of the State Ethics Commission.
Caudell is an attorney and former commissioner of Habersham County, Georgia. He also serves on the board of directors for North Georgia Technical College and is vice chair of Common Cause Georgia as well as the State Bar of Georgia advisory committee that reviews legislation.
Belinfante resigned last week, stating he was looking into running for state senate.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.