Lobbying

“A Cool Million Was Spent Lobbying Hawaii Lawmakers in Two Months” by Nathan Eagle for Honolulu Civil Beat

“Dem Gets Free Penn State Tickets and Bills Taxpayers for the Mileage as Lobbying Soars in Pa.” by Candy Woodall for Harrisburg Patriot-News

Campaign Finance

“Unlimited Campaign Contributions in Pa. Create ‘Investments in Power’” by Candy Woodall for Harrisburg Patriot-News

“Yes, ‘Citizens United’ Gives Republicans an Electoral Edge. Here’s Proof.” by Tilman Klumpp, Hugo Mialon, and Michael Williams for Washington Post

Ethics

“The Pentagon Isn’t Tracking if Former Employees Violate Revolving Door Laws” by Eric Katz for Government Executive

“Emails Raise ‘Pay to Play’ Concerns” by Chris Sikich for Indianapolis Star

“Spat Escalates over Secret Legislative Records in NM” by Morgan Lee (Associated Press) for Las Cruces Sun-News

“New Executive Director Named for OK Ethics Commission” by Rick Green for The Oklahoman

Elections

“American Anger: It’s Not the Economy. It’s the Other Party.” by Lynn Vavrick for New York Times

“The Messy Way Colorado Is Picking Its GOP Delegates May Actually Matter This Year” by Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post

“Trump’s Rise Shows Religion Is Losing Its Political Power” by Eduardo Porter for New York Times

“In Reddit’s Unruly Corners, Trump Finds Support” by John Herrman for New York Times

 

Campaign Finance

Wisconsin: “Ted Cruz Leans on Allied Super PAC as GOP Nomination Fight Rolls On” by Matea Gold and Sean Sullivan for Washington Post

Ethics

“The ‘Panama Papers’: Here’s What We Know” by Liam Stack for New York Times

Alabama: “Were the Gov. Robert Bentley Sex Scandal Tapes Legally Obtained?” by Keith Faulk for AL.com

Hawaii: “Why Was Ethics Director Suspended? Report Offers Few Details” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

New York: “Local Politics Take an Uncivil Turn, Roiling a Suburb of New York” by Lisa Foderaro for New York Times

South Carolina: “Attorney General’s Deputy Secretly Tried to Discredit Special Prosecutor” by John Monk for The State

Elections

“Control of State Courts Becomes Top Political Battleground” by Christina Cassidy (Associated Press) for Las Vegas Sun

Arizona: “U.S. Seeks Answers to Delays at Phoenix-Area Polls on Primary Day” by Fernanda Santos for New York Times

Wisconsin: “Bernie Sanders Wins Wisconsin Democratic Primary, Adding to Momentum” by Amy Chozick for New York Times

Wisconsin:“Wisconsin Goes to Cruz, Raising Chance of Fight at Convention” by Jonathan Martin and Matt Flegenheimer for New York Times

Campaign Finance

“K Street Money Set Looks to Contain Trump Damage” by Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman for Politico

California: “Citizens United Is Only 15% of the Political Cash Problem” by Nick Penniman and Wendell Potter for Los Angeles Times

Ethics   

Florida: “Bill Aimed at Cutting Public Corruption Goes to Gov. Scott” by The Associated Press for WINK

New York: “New York Assemblywoman Sexually Harassed Aide, Ethics Panel Says” by Vivian Yee for New York Times

Elections

“Can Labor Still Turn Out the Vote?” by Steven Greenhouse for New York Times

“Soros and Other Liberal Donors to Fund Bid to Spur Latino Voters” by Nicholas Confessore and Julia Preston for New York Times

“The Convention the GOP Doesn’t Want” by Julian Zelizer for The Atlantic

Lobbying

New York: “As Lobbying Money Rises, deBlasio’s Agency Disclosure Pledge Goes Unfufilled” by Laura Nahmias for Capital New York

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “‘Dark Money’ Rules Eased in AZ Senate Campaign Finance Bill” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star

Montana: “Montana Campaign Contribution Limit Challenge Coming to a Head” by Matt Volz (Associated Press for The Missoulian

Oregon: “Lawmakers Leave Salem without Taking up Campaign Finance Reform” by Taylor Anderson for Bend Bulletin

Ethics

Colorado: “Audit: Colorado’s ethics commission rarely helps those filing complaints” by Joey Bunch for Denver Post

Florida: “Facing Ethics Probe, Judge Lakin Decides to Retire” by Dale White for Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Minnesota: “House Speaker Daudt Sued by Debt Collectors, Was Tardy on Taxes” by Brian Bakst for MPR News

Pennsylvania: “Former LCB Chairman Who Took Gifts Drops Out of Ethics Panel” by Kari Andren for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Elections

 

“Donald Trump, the Winning Wild Card” by Thomas Edsall for New York Times

“Democrats Increase Their State House Majority in Special Elections” by Jack Brammerf and John Cheves for Lexington Herald-Leader

 

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Senators Credit KOB As They Pass Campaign Finance System Reform” by Ryan Luby for KOB

Campaign Finance

New Mexico: “‘Dark Money’ Disclosure Bill Dies in Final Days of Session” by Trip Jennings for New Mexico In Depth

Washington: “State: Food industry lobby engaged in ‘egregious’ money laundering in 2013 vote” by Joel Connelly for Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Ethics

Alaska: “Former Juneau Lawmaker Fined $18K for Allegedly Helping Oil Companies While Seeking Oil Jobs” by Matt Miller for KTOO

Missouri: “Gutting of Lobbying Bill Clouds Ethics Agenda’s Future” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Missouri: “Missouri Rep. Don Gosen Abruptly Resigns under Cloud of Suspicion” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

New York: “Former Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak Accused of Sexually Harassing Staffers Is Fined $100G by Legislative Ethics Commission” by Kenneth Lovett for New York Daily News

Ohio: “Ginther’s Ethics Proposals Get Public Hearing” by Mike Foley for WCBE

Texas: “Reports: Indicted Crystal City mayor jailed after disrupted council meeting” by Claire Cardona for Dallas Morning News

Virginia: “Virginia Taxpayers Pick Up $2,435 Food and Beer Bill for Mystery Guests in Redskins Suite” by Graham Moomaw for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Elections

“Fall of the House of Bush: How last name and Donald Trump doomed Jeb” by Ed O’Keefe, Dan Balz and Matea Gold for the Washington Post

“Sanders Supporters Like Chipotle, While Trump Fans Prefer Sonic” by Tim Higgins for Bloomberg.com

“Bernie’s Army of Coders” by Darren Samuelsohn for Politico

“Pope Francis Suggests Donald Trump Is ‘Not Christian’” by Jim Yardley for The New York Times

Nevada: “Hillary Clinton Beats Bernie Sanders in Nevada Caucuses” by Amy Chozick and Patrick Healy for The New York Times

South Carolina “The More Donald Trump Defies His Party, the More His Supporters Cheer” by Trip Gabriel for The New York Times

South Carolina: “Donald Trump’s South Carolina Victory Spurs New G.O.P. Jostling” by Maggie Haberman and Alan Rappeport for The New York Times

Enjoy these fun photos from recent events:

Enjoy this video with Elizabeth Bartz and hear why we are proud to be a Platinum Sponsor:

 

State and Federal Communications is excited to be attending the 2015 National PAC Conference on February 23-26. Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of the company, and a team of three of the staff, will be heading to Orlando Florida to participate in the program.

We  believe in the great value of this gathering and so we are proud to be the sponsor of the conference Wi-Fi. You can follow the conversations on Twitter @PACouncil #PAC15.

July 1, 1993, is when it all began for State and Federal Communications. It is hard to believe it has been 21 years.

Last September, Jason Nazar wrote an article in Forbes magazine, 16 Surprising Statistics About Small Businesses. Here are a few of his points:

1. The Small Business Administration defines a small business as an enterprise having fewer than 500 employees.
2. There are 28 million small businesses in the United States. And, this does not include the 22 million self-employed people with no additional payroll or employees.
3. Since 1995, small businesses have generated more than 65% of the net new jobs.
4. Seven out of 10 new employers survive at least two years, half at least five years, a third at least 10 years, and a quarter stay in business 15 years or more.

I had to read that last one a few times because we have definitely exceeded it. I only review these articles when I am reflecting on another year in business. I hardly study it nor do I count where we stand in the percentage of small businesses who have reached milestones.

So, how do we keep things moving? Just a few things…

1. Do the next right thing.
2. Do what you said you would do.
3. Ask someone if you need help.
4. Remember Scar from The Lion King? Life’s not fair. Deal with it.
5. Most luck comes from general hard work.
6. It’s work…If it was a lot of fun, it would be called recess.
7. Admit mistakes when made…It really does make you feel better.
8. Bump in the road? Jump over it and keep moving forward.
9. Nothing short of right is right. [Hat tip to Bill Taylor, first director of Kent State University School of Journalism.]
10. If it is to be, it is up to me.

I am not Peter Drucker, Mary Follett, or Max Weber. I am not even Ben Stein…but I was raised by working parents with the Midwestern work ethic, which is basically the belief that hard work and perseverance, rooted in quiet humility, pays off in the long run.

We are up to the challenge. In 2014, we now have 38 people on staff to help you know what is important about lobbying, political contributions, and procurement lobbying in the United States, federal government, more than 250 municipalities, and Canada.

Thank you for being our clients, colleagues, vendors, and friends. Watch out for what’s next.

Thank you,

Elizabeth Z. Bartz
President and CEO
@elizabethbartz

The Colorado Supreme Court issued its decision today in Gessler v. Colorado Common Cause, upholding a lower court’s decision ruling Secretary of State Scott Gessler did not have the authority to raise campaign finance limits for political issue committees. In 2002, voters passed a constitutional amendment creating a $200 contribution and expenditure threshold for issue committee status. The provision required both retrospective and prospective contribution and expenditure reporting once issue committee status was achieved.

Gessler later promulgated Secretary of State Rule 4.1 to increase the threshold to $5,000 and eliminate retrospective reporting requirements. Because the secretary of state does not have the authority to promulgate rules in conflict with other provisions of law, the Court affirmed the appeals court judgment and set aside Rule 4.1.

State and Federal Communications, Inc. had a surprise visitor stop by our office today. ADaM, the mascot for the County of Summit ADM Board, came by to say, ‘Thank You!’ for our donation to the annual ADM Recovery Challenge.

State and Federal Communications is proud to contribute to the ADM Board, and we are committed to their dedicated efforts to those individuals most in need in Summit County.

Learn how you can get involved on the Challenge’s Facebook page or at www.admboard.org.

 

 

State and Federal Communications, Inc. is excited to attend and be a sponsor of the Ohio State Bar Association 2014 Annual Convention in Columbus, Ohio from April 30 to May 2. If you are planning to attend, please stop by booth #23 and say hello!

 

 

The number of municipalities and regional governments our research associates track continues to grow. We now cover more than 230 municipalities and local governments. This is part of a continuous effort to better serve the needs of our clients.

We recently added seven municipalities for which our clients will find comprehensive, timely, and accurate information that includes: complete calendars of reporting deadlines; critical statutory citations; extensive directories of contact information; summaries of each state law; detailed reference charts on goods and services contributions; highlights of every statute; copies of all required forms; and much more.

The new municipalities are:

Surrey, BC
Lancaster, CA
Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
Pinellas County, FL
DuPage County, IL
Hilliard, OH
York County, PA
Sioux Falls, SD

State and Federal Communications, Inc. was a recipient of the Community Support Award from Summit County Children Services at their Fourth Annual Community Appreciation Breakfast on April 30, 2013. The company’s president and CEO, Elizabeth Bartz, attended the event and was counted among the agency’s “Champion for Children.” She also received a beautiful memento for this honor.

Children Services tells the story:

In the fall of 2012, the staff of State and Federal Communications decided they wanted to make an impact where it was most needed and asked Summit Count Children Services how they could help the young people in our care. The needs of emancipating youth – who at age 18 leave the agency care and need significant assistance to set up households and live independently – rose to the top of this generous group’s list.

As a team, the State and Federal Communications employees decided to celebrate the holidays by collecting and donating household items and small appliances to support these emancipating youth.

The employees divided up the agency’s list of suggested items and overwhelmed us with the arrival of carloads of items, donating enough to furnish apartments for five or more teens who would be leaving the agency care in the coming months.

The enthusiastic State and Federal Communications team held special events, involved their families and friends, and achieved their goal of helping young people in need at  a very important stage in their lives.

We celebrate their efforts and thank them for this exceptional generosity by recognizing State and Federal Communications, Inc. as a “Champion for Children.”

Thank you, Summit County Children Services for the amazing work you do and for allowing us to be a partner to help children in need!

 

State and Federal Communications is proud to be the sponsor of Keynote Speaker Jennifer Duffy at the WASRG 2012 Summit today in Washington D.C.!

According to the WASRG site:

Join us on Thursday, October 11th as we gather from 12 – 2 p.m. for the 2012 WASRG Summit. Your Board of Directors has reimagined and streamlined this event for 2012 to include a lunch and keynote followed by the presentation of the WASRG Award of Excellence.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of State & Federal Communications, we are pleased to have  Jennifer Duffy, Senior Editor for The Cook Political Report, headlining our event. Jennifer is responsible for U.S. Senate and Governors’ races at The Cook Political Report. Founded in 1984, The Cook Political Report provides analyses of Presidential, U.S. Senate, House and gubernatorial races.  Jennifer has 26 years of experience in campaign politics, the last 23 of which have focused on non-partisan political analysis. In 1985, she served as Press Secretary for the National Republican Senatorial Committee; she joined The Cook Political Report in 1988 as its first Assistant Editor. While continuing to work as the Report’s contributing editor, Jennifer also was a senior account executive with Hill and Knowlton Public Affairs Worldwide and an associate with the lobbying firm of Cassidy & Associates.

In 1995, Jennifer rejoined Cook & Company full-time. She has served as an off-air analyst for NBC News on Election Nights from 1996 through 2010. Jennifer has been quoted in numerous publications and has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, PBS’ “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer,” and C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal.” In June of 2011, BusinessInsider.com named her one of the 13 savviest political analysts in the country.

A native of Rhode Island, Jennifer received a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Government from Georgetown University in 1985.

WASRG is excited to bring this new format and new venue to the annual Summit. We hope you’ll take this opportunity to enjoy your friends and colleagues over a family-style lunch.

The Washington Area State Relations Group (WASRG) is one of the nation’s largest organizations dedicated exclusively to serving state government relations professionals.  Since the mid-1970s, WASRG has been providing its corporate, trade association and public sector members with a unique and valuable opportunity to interact with their peers, key state officials and public policy experts.