February 17, 2012 •
Redistricting News Roundup
Here is today’s redistricting news from the states:
Arizona: “Arizona House Speaker wants June special election on redistricting” by Mary Jo Pitzl in The Arizona Republic.
Florida: “Gov. Rick Scott signs off on new congressional districts” by Brandon Larrabee in the Miami Herald.
“With redistricting lawsuit looming, legislators want immunity” by Mary Ellen Klas in the Tampa Bay Times.
“House redistricting tweaks quietly put U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams in her preferred district” by Mark K. Matthews and Aaron Deslatte in the Orlando Sentinel.
Maryland: “Alternative redistricting plans stalled” by Danielle E. Gaines in the Gaithersburg Gazette.
Missouri: “Missouri Supreme Court examines new US House districts” by Chris Blank in the Kansas City Star.
New York: “Senate redistricting proposal comes under fire” by Aaron Besecker in The Buffalo News.
“Judge calls for ‘special master’ to redraw state legislative and congressional district boundaries” by Kenneth Lovette in the New York Daily News.
Washington: “Secretary of state asking justices to approve redistricting plan” byThe Associated Press in The Seattle Times.
Wisconsin: “Court issues stern order in state redistricting” by Scott Bauer in the Green Bay Press Gazette.
“Federal judges slam GOP lawmakers over redistricting secrecy” by Patrick Marley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
January 17, 2012 •
Washington House Introduces Ethics Enforcement Responsibility Reform Bill
Bill Merges Legislative and Executive Ethics Commissions into the Public Disclosure Commission
The Washington House of Representatives has introduced house bill 2402, which will transfer ethics enforcement responsibility.
This bill merges the legislative branch ethics commission and the executive branch ethics commission into the public disclosure commission.
Photo of the interior of the Washington State Capitol Building by Cacophony on Wikipedia.
January 11, 2012 •
Follow Washington State Public Policy Issues on SCOUT
Washington’s public affairs network is offering a new service.
Take a look at this news item on NCSL’s blog, The Thicket: “TVW Introduces SCOUT” by Jan Goehring.
According to the post: “TVW, the Washington state public affairs network, is offering an innovative service to citizens who want to follow public policy issues and the legislative process. This new tool, called SCOUT, allows the public to easily keep track of issues. SCOUT will track video and bill information and automatically send it to those who open a free account.”
You can find the link to TVW here, and find out more about SCOUT at this link.
Photo of the Washington State Capitol dome by Tradnor on Wikipedia.
January 10, 2012 •
Washington House Committee on State Government and Tribal Affairs to Discuss House Bill 1474
Makes Electronic Lobbyist Filing Mandatory
The Washington House of Representatives, Committee on State Government and Tribal Affairs, has scheduled a public hearing for January 11, 2012 and a possible executive session for January 12, 2012 to discuss House Bill 1474 which would make electronic filing of lobbying reports mandatory.
It would also create new fees associated with electronic filings by lobbyists, lobbyist employers, and PACs.
If passed by both chambers and signed by the governor, changes will be effective July 1, 2012.
Photo of the Washington House of Representatives Chamber by Cacophony on Wikipedia.
December 30, 2011 •
9th Circuit Strikes Down PAC Contribution Blackout Period
Upholds Donor Disclosure Requirements
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has invalidated a Washington state law that prevented individuals from making contributions of more than $5,000 to PACs supporting ballot measures during the three weeks prior to an election.
The blackout period on contributions was challenged in a lawsuit filed by Family PAC, a political action committee that was formed to oppose Washington’s domestic partnership law.
While Family PAC was successful on the merits in challenging the blackout period, it was unsuccessful in its challenge to laws requiring PACs to report the name and address of anyone who contributes more than $25, and the occupation and employer of those who make contributions in excess of $100.
December 29, 2011 •
Washington State Redistricting Commission Releases Plan
Big changes coming to U.S. House district map
The Washington State Redistricting Commission has released a plan for a new map of congressional districts for the state. It must be approved by the Commission by January 1, 2012.
For full news coverage read:
“New Washington map creates competitive district” by Aaron Blake in the Washington Post.
“Radical changes in U.S. House district boundaries” by Joel Connelly in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
“Deal reached on new Washington congressional districts” by Mike Baker in the Seattle Times.
December 19, 2011 •
Washington State Legislature Adjourns
The second special session of the Washington State Legislature has adjourned sine die.
The 17 day special session which convened on November 28, 2011 adjourned late on December 14, 2011.
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.
Early Advantage in Campaign Cash at Stake
The campaign finance practices of Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee have come under fire as his campaign has asked supporters of his past congressional campaigns to roll their donations forward to his current campaign, regardless of contribution limits.
Inslee could then ask those donors for additional money that would be subject to the state’s campaign finance limits for the 2012 election cycle.
Republican candidate Rob McKenna’s campaign, characterized the money as “illegal.”
The Washington Public Disclosure Commission staff has stated that Inslee’s interpretations of campaign finance regulations are correct.
McKenna’s campaign pointed to federal election documents that show Inslee never declared the cash as surplus money, meaning it cannot be transferred, and also questioned whether a federal candidate could ever move money to a state campaign because the cash was raised under different election rules.
July 20, 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 Miami, Florida; Pembroke Pines, Florida; and Vancouver, Washington on our website.
The image of North America by Bosonic dressing on Wikipedia.
Constitutionality to Be Determined at Trial
U.S. District Court Judge Robert Bryan has issued a preliminary injunction barring the state from enforcing campaign contribution limits with respect to an effort to recall the Pierce County assessor. Washington restricts contributions to recall campaigns to $800 or less, though political parties and their official committees may contribute more.
In his decision Judge Bryan stated “the public interest in upholding free speech and association rights outweighs the interest in continued enforcement of these campaign finance provisions.”
Enforcement of the recall campaign contribution limits is enjoined pending a trial over whether the limits are constitutional.
July 11, 2011 •
News You Can Use Digest – July 11, 2011
Here are highlights from the latest edition of News You Can Use:
Federal:
IRS Drops Audits of Political Donors
New Breed of ‘Super PACs,’ Other Independent Groups Could Define 2012 Campaign
From the States and Municipalities:
Alabama
Alabama Democratic Conference Files Lawsuit to Stop New Alabama Law Banning Political Fund Transfers
Arizona
Arizona Conservatives Scramble after Campaign Finance Law’s Defeat
California
Marijuana Lobbyist’s Fundraiser for DA Raises Questions
Veil Drawn on Donors to Latino Caucus-Controlled California Nonprofit
Connecticut
Agent Who Arrested Politicians Now Seeks House Seat
Georgia
Illinois
Mayor Rahm Emanuel Proposing New Round of Ethics Reforms
Iowa
Judge Upholds New Iowa Campaign Disclosure Rules
Massachusetts
House Leader Apologizes for Holocaust Remarks
Michigan
Justices Stop Political Gifts Taken at Work
Minnesota
Campaign Board Rejects NOM’s Efforts to Shield Donors in Marriage Battle
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Lt. Gov. Ard Paying $48,000 Fine
Washington
Ex-Prisons Chief Eldon Vail Says He Resigned Because of an Affair with Subordinate
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 7, 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.
By Labor Day, our clients will find 36 additional municipalities included on our website. As they are completed, we will update our postings so you can check out the additional resources.
Right now, we have provided information on lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying for Alexandria, Virginia (my former home) and Tacoma, Washington.
In the future look for additional cities in New York, Arizona, and Michigan.
May 26, 2011 •
Washington Legislature’s Special Session Adjourns
Comes after passage of state budget.
The first special session of the 2011 Washington Legislature adjourned on May 25, 2011.
The 30 day session was called by Governor Gregoire after lawmakers failed to finish a budget and address spending matters before the conclusion of the regular session.
The special session adjourned after the passage of a state budget that includes billions in spending reductions with no increase in taxes.
Photo of the Washington State Capitol interior by Cacophony on Wikipedia.
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.
