August 15, 2011 •
New York City Lobbying Commission Release Preliminary Report
Recommends Expanding Definition of Lobbying and Increasing Registration Threshold
The New York City Lobbying Commission has released its recommendations to update and enhance the city’s lobbying laws.
In its preliminary report, the commission recommends expanding the definition of lobbying to include efforts to influence legislation prior to a bill’s introduction, efforts to keep a bill from being introduced, or efforts to shape or stop executive orders by the mayor. The commission also recommends raising the threshold for lobbyist registration from $2,000 to $5,000. The commission rejected suggestions to move regulation of lobbying from the city clerk’s office to another office.
The commission’s final report will be submitted to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City Council who, if they agree with the recommendations, can introduce legislation incorporating the changes.
Photo of the Manhattan Municipal Building by Momos on Wikipedia.
August 15, 2011 •
West Virginia Governor Calls Additional Special Session
Will Address Redistricting
West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has called another special session of the state Legislature to address redistricting following his veto of the redistricting bill passed during the last special session.
The special session will begin at noon on Thursday, August 18, 2011.
Photo of the West Virginia State Capitol building by Analogue Kid on Wikipedia.
August 12, 2011 •
Maine PAC Reporting Laws Upheld
Court finds that Maine laws properly “promote the dissemination of information about those who deliver and finance political speech”
The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the constitutionality of Maine’s reporting requirements for political action committees, rejecting a challenge brought by the National Organization for Marriage.
The National Organization for Marriage challenged the constitutionality of Maine’s election law, claiming Maine’s reporting requirements for political action committees are vague and over-broad.
The 1st Circuit Court decision upheld the constitutionality of Maine’s laws requiring the disclosure of contributions and expenditures in candidate elections by PACs and by independent groups.
The decision also overturned a portion of the District Court’s ruling which found the words “influence” and “influencing” were unconstitutionally vague as applied in the Maine statute.
August 2, 2011 •
Frederick County MD’s Proposed Ethics Law
Public Hearing Scheduled
The Frederick County Board of Commissioners voted to have a public hearing for a new ethics ordinance which, among other things, would no longer require lobbyists to disclose their annual income.
Based on one of the state’s recommended models for local ethics laws for counties and cities, the ordinance drew concerns by commissioners that the requirements for lobbyists could be weaker than those currently in place. As an example, Frederick County’s requirements for registration and reporting for grassroots lobbying are not included in the proposed ordinance, which would supersede the current law.
The public hearing has been scheduled for September 6.
August 2, 2011 •
Court Enjoins Enforcement of Wisconsin Contribution Limit
Special Elections August 9th and 16th
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has enjoined enforcement of a Wisconsin law that makes it illegal for anyone to give more than $10,000 in a calendar year to a political committee that makes independent expenditures in elections.
The Wisconsin Right to Life State PAC sought to halt enforcement of the contribution limit in light of the special elections to be held on August 9 and 16, 2011.
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals enjoined enforcement of the Wisconsin contribution limit finding that Wisconsin Right to Life State PAC had a reasonable likelihood of succeeding on the merits of its appeal, and set the case for expedited appeal.
August 1, 2011 •
Smartphone Political Contributions in California
FPPC supports the plan
California may become the first state to allow political contributions on the state and local levels to be made by text message on your smartphone. The California Fair Political Practices Commission is behind a plan that would allow such contributions by the 2012 elections. Approval is expected by October.
The hope is that this will allow for small donations and widen the number of people who are engaged in the political process. Last December, the Federal Election Commission rejected a similar plan for federal campaigns.
Here is a Capital Public Radio recording of Commission Chair Ann Ravel talking about the idea and what regulations would need to accompany it.
Today’s San Francisco Chronicle offers “Calif. poised to OK political donations via text,” by Carla Marinucci.
August 1, 2011 •
North Carolina Adjourns Special Session
Schedules Special Session in September
The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned the special session concerning redistricting on Thursday, July 28, 2011.
During the session, the redistricting process for the state was completed.
Further, five of Governor Beverly Perdue’s vetoes were overridden.
The Legislature is expected to convene another special session on Monday, September 12, 2011.
Photo of the North Carolina State Legislative Building by Jayron32 on Wikipedia.
August 1, 2011 •
Santa Clara Court Strikes Down Ban on Late Contributions
Contributions permitted through election day.
Santa Clara Superior Court Judge James P. Kleinberg has issued a proposed decision striking down a San Jose law that bars campaign contributions to candidates during the 17 days leading up to an election.
The proposed decision will be finalized in August.
August 1, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – August 1, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
Crossroads GPS, Priorities USA Violate Tax Laws, Reform Groups Allege in IRS Petition
Oregon Congressman, Named in Sex Case, to Resign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Bob Riley’s PAC Admits Taking PAC-to-PAC Donation in Violation of Law Riley Pushed
California
Judge Ready to Strike down San Jose Law Barring Last-Minute Campaign Contributions
District of Columbia
D.C. Council Member Thomas to Repay D.C. $300,000
Florida
Judge Hears Challenge to Florida Campaign Law
Florida
Press Group in Talks to Take Over State Lobbyist Registration
Georgia
Ethics Commission Could See Major Reorganization
Illinois
Emanuel Ethics Reforms Back on Track at City Council
Massachusetts
GOP’s Winslow Uses On-line Coupon to Promote Fundraiser
New York
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz Fined $20,000 for Taking Free Foreign Trips for His Wife
Rhode Island
Twenty Politicians Owe $800,000 in Election Fines
Tennessee
Some Advocacy Avoids Tennessee Lobbying Label
Virginia
For Virginia Companies, Campaign Donations to Lawmakers Just another Cost of Doing Business
State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 80 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.
News You Can Use is a news service provided at no charge only to clients of our online Executive Source Guides, or ALERTS™ consulting clients.
Jim Sedor is editor of News You Can Use.
July 28, 2011 •
Chicago City Council Passes Ethics Ordinance
Includes Five Key Provisions
On July 28, 2011 the Chicago City Council passed a new ethics reform ordinance. The ordinance is part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s efforts to provide more government transparency.
The new ordinance includes five key provisions. First, it creates a searchable online system for lobbyist registration and reporting. Second, it adds the term “lobbyist” to the group of people subject to the $50 gift restriction per single non-cash gift and $100 aggregated gift limit per each calendar year. Third, the new ordinance prohibits city employees, officials, or their businesses from applying for or receiving loans from lobbyists.
Fourth, the ordinance amends the semi-annual lobbyist activity report form to require lobbyists to disclose all campaign contributions to city elected officials and city employees running for office. Lastly, the ordinance codifies the revolving door provision created by Mayor Emanuel’s May 16, 2011 executive order.
Photo of the Chicago River by Robert S. Donovan on Wikipedia.
Clarifies Campaign Finance Reporting
The office of the Secretary of State has released an amended version of the Rules Concerning Campaign and Political Finance, 8 CCR 1505-6.
Rule 5.13 now requires reports of contributions and expenditures to be filed on a monthly basis leading up to the state’s primary election in June and continuing until reports are required to be filed on a biweekly basis beginning in September.
The rule was necessitated by the enactment of Senate Bill 11-189, which changed the date of the state’s primary from August to June. Thus, the requirement to begin filing biweekly reports in July prior to the now vacated primary election date in August was rendered infeasible.
July 28, 2011 •
State and Federal Communications Expands Coverage
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 Gilbert, Arizona; Savannah, Georgia; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Springfield, Missouri; and Syracuse, New York on our website.
The image of North America by Bosonic dressing on Wikipedia.
July 27, 2011 •
Georgia to Convene Special Session
Redistricting the Focus
The Georgia General Assembly is scheduled to convene in special session on Monday, August 15, 2011.
The primary topic of discussion is to be redistricting.
Photo of the Georgia State Capitol dome by Connor.carey on Wikipedia.
July 27, 2011 •
West Virginia to Hold Special Session
Begins August 1
West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has called a special legislative session.
It will begin at noon on August 1, 2011.
Here is the press release on the Office of the Governor website and a link to the West Virginia Legislature website.
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.