LobbyComply Blog

National/Federal

Journalists Confront New Reality in Reporting After FBI Raid

MSN – Sarah Ellison, Patrick Marley, and Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) | Published: 1/15/2026

After the FBI searched a Washington Post reporter’s home, journalists from multiple outlets said they moved swiftly to secure their phones and laptops, reassure confidential sources and consult newsroom leaders as they worried about the federal government’s seizure of devices containing sensitive information. Many journalists said they saw the FBI raid as a jarring new step aimed at limiting news organizations’ ability to gather information the government does not want to be made public.

Recent Trump Investments Reignite Concerns Around Potential Conflicts of Interest

MSN – Auzinea Bacon (CNN) | Published: 1/17/2026

President Trump purchased up to $2 million in Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery investments days after the announcement of a megadeal between the two media giants, among other purchases, according to a financial disclosure from the White House, renewing questions from ethics experts around potential conflicts-of-interest. A White House official said Trump’s stock and bond portfolio is independently managed by third-party financial institutions.

How EPA Ethics Officials Cleared Former Industry Insiders for Regulatory Roles

MSN – Amudalat Ajasa (Washington Post) | Published: 1/19/2026

Environmental Protection Agency ethics officials have interpreted impartiality guidelines in a way that has allowed several former industry insiders to oversee dramatic changes to chemical regulations, documents show. Those ethics decisions have cleared the way for a former agriculture lobbyist to help reinstate a pesticide that had been banned twice by federal courts, as well as for two former chemical industry executives to help reassess the agency’s stance on the dangers of formaldehyde.

Trump Administration Backs Labor Secretary Facing Misconduct Probe

MSN – Meryl Kornfield and Lauren Kaori Gurley (Washington Post) | Published: 1/19/2026

The Trump administration is rallying around Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer as she faces professional misconduct allegations that led to the suspension of two of her top aides. The aides were named in a complaint to the agency’s inspector general alleging they scheduled personal travel during what were supposed to be official, taxpayer-funded trips, according to a report in the New York Post. Chavez-DeRemer was also accused of having an affair with a staffer and drinking in her office during the workday, the newspaper reported.

Trump’s Pardons Forgive Financial Crimes That Came with Hundreds of Millions in Punishments

MSN – Owen Auston-Babcock (NBC News) | Published: 1/20/2026

Just one year into his second term, President Trump has pardoned an unusually high number of wealthy people accused of financial crimes, according to an NBC News analysis of the last four administrations. Over half of Trump’s 88 individual pardons are for white-collar offenses, with money laundering, bank fraud, and wire fraud among the most frequent crimes. The 87 people and one corporation pardoned by Trump in the last year had been ordered to pay more than $298 million in fines and restitution, vastly more than the totals previously owed by those who received pardons during recent Democratic administrations.

‘No Longer in My Hands’: How Hill Republicans stopped caring about DOJ releasing the Epstein files

MSN – Hailey Fuchs (Politico) | Published: 1/19/2026

One month after the congressionally mandated deadline to release all its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the Justice Department has made only a fraction of the files public, and it remains silent on its plans to fully comply with the law. Also keeping quiet about the delays are congressional Republicans, almost all of whom voted in November to release the records after spending months heeding President Trump’s opposition to the move. Some of them are openly admitting it is no longer a priority.

Trump to Pardon Ex-Puerto Rico Governor Vázquez in Campaign Finance Case, Official Says

MSN – Darlene Superville (Associated Press) | Published: 1/16/2026

President Trump plans to pardon former Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez. She pleaded guilty last August to a campaign finance violation in a federal case that authorities say also involved a former FBI agent and a Venezuelan banker. Federal prosecutors had been seeking one year behind bars, something that Vázquez’s attorneys opposed as they accused prosecutors of violating a guilty plea deal reached last year that saw previous charges including bribery and fraud dropped.

Trump Administration Concedes DOGE Team May Have Misused Social Security Data

MSN – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 1/20/2026

Two members of Elon Musk’s DOGE team working at the Social Security Administration (SSA) were secretly in touch with an advocacy group seeking to “overturn election results in certain states,” and one signed an agreement that may have involved using Social Security data to match state voter rolls, the Justice Department revealed in court papers. The SSA referred both DOGE employees for potential violations of the Hatch Act, which bars government employees from using their official positions for political purposes.

Supreme Court Appears Likely to Allow Lisa Cook to Remain on Fed Board

MSN – Justin Jouvenal and Andrew Ackerman (Washington Post) | Published: 1/21/2026

The Supreme Court appeared likely to block President Trump from immediately firing Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve board, a move that would prevent Trump from exerting greater influence over the central bank that guides the economy. Nearly all the justices asked skeptical questions of Solicitor General D. John Sauer during roughly two hours of arguments, taking issue with most aspects of the government’s case that the president had met the legal bar to remove Cook while a lawsuit challenging her removal plays out.

FCC Targets Talk Shows by Revisiting ‘Equal Time’ Rule for Political Candidates

MSN – Kelly Kasulis Cho and Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 1/22/2026

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said network talk shows are required to give equal airtime to all candidates intending to run for the same public office, changing course on a decades-old ruling and raising free speech concerns. The “equal time” rule provides exemptions for “bona fide” news programs or interviews. In 2006, the FCC determined the “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” qualified for the exemption, distinguishing it from an entertainment program and setting a precedent followed by other talk shows. But the FEC said TV networks could not rely on that decision as a blanket ruling and would have to apply for exemptions for individual programs.

Smith Defends His Trump Investigations at a Public Hearing, Saying, ‘No One Should Be Above the Law’

MSN – Eric Tucker, Mary Clare Jalonick, Lisa Mascaro, and Alanna Durkin Richer (Associated Press) | Published: 1/22/2026

Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith defended his investigations of Donald Trump at a congressional hearing in which he insisted he had acted without regard to politics and had no second thoughts about the criminal charges he brought. Smith testified behind closed doors in December but returned to the House Judiciary Committee for a public hearing, his first since leaving the job last year. The hearing split along partisan lines as Republican lawmakers sought to undermine the former Justice Department official as Democrats hoped to elicit new and damaging testimony about Trump’s conduct.

Lobbying Revenues Soared in Trump’s First Year, Breaking Records for Top Firms

Reuters – David Thomas | Published: 1/21/2026

President Donald Trump’s tax-and-spend legislation, a six-week federal government shutdown, and executive actions on trade, healthcare, and other policies helped make 2025 a record-breaking year for federal lobbying revenue for several top U.S. firms. It was an especially big year for Ballard Partners. The firm said it grew its lobbying revenue by 300 percent in 2025 to $88.3 million. The previous single-year record for an individual firm was $67.8 million, according to OpenSecrets.

From the States and Municipalities

California – Feds Argue Corruption Case Against Sheng Thao Built on ‘Significant’ Evidence

Oaklandside – Eli Wolfe | Published: 1/20/2026

The federal government says it had ample evidence to pursue its case against former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and three other defendants without relying heavily on the testimony of an informant with a checkered history. This is one of the big takeaways from a motion prosecutors filed in the case against Thao, her romantic partner Andre Jones, and David and Andy Duong of California Waste Solutions. The prosecutors’ latest filing sets the stage for the first major hearing in March in the sprawling Oakland corruption case, which erupted into public view with raids of Thao, Jones, and the Duongs’ homes.

Florida – Donors Gave Big to DeSantis’ Marijuana Campaign After Getting $10M from Hope Florida

MSN – Lawrence Mower and Alexandra Glorioso (Miami Herald) | Published: 1/19/2026

Weeks after Gov. Ron DeSantis’s administration steered $10 million from a legal Medicaid settlement to a charity spearheaded by the state’s first lady, the Hope Florida Foundation gave $5 million apiece to two separate organizations that gave millions of dollars to a political committee waging an anti-marijuana campaign championed by the governor. The payments raised questions about whether the administration diverted Medicaid dollars through Casey DeSantis’s key initiative to a political campaign.

Hawaii – Hawai’I Attorney General to Investigate $35K Bribery Case After All

Honolulu Civil Beat – Christina Jedra | Published: 1/20/2026

The Hawaii attorney general reversed course recently, announcing she will take up the case of a state lawmaker who was recorded accepting $35,000 in a paper bag from the subject of a bribery investigation in 2022. Public scrutiny has grown since the Honolulu Civil Beat revealed the monetary handoff’s existence last year. Questions have been raised about whether it was a bribe, an unreported gift, or a campaign contribution – which would be a state crime – or legal campaign cash bundling, typically arranged to curry favor with politicians.

Illinois – New Melissa Conyears-Ervin Ad in Illinois’ 7th District Race Highlights Federal Campaign Spending Loophole

Yahoo News – Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 1/21/2026

Generally, candidates for federal office are prohibited from using state campaign funds because state fundraising rules and contribution limits are much looser than federal restrictions. But in seeking a seat in Congress and a position on the State Central Committee, both from Illinois’ Seventh Congressional District, Melissa Conyears-Ervin is taking advantage of a loophole in federal campaign finance law that allows her to use state campaign money for commercials ostensibly promoting her campaign for state central committee but that also tout her run for Congress.

Maryland – Baltimore City Councilman Joined Board of Taxpayer-Funded Nonprofit He Wrote a Bill On

WBFF – Patrick Hauf (Spotlight on Maryland) | Published: 1/19/2026

Baltimore City Councilperson Mark Parker joined the board of a taxpayer-funded nonprofit the same month he drafted legislation to regulate that organization, a move that watchdogs say raises conflict-of-interest concerns as the nonprofit faces mounting scrutiny over how it spends millions of dollars in public money. Parker was added to the board of the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund in September as he introduced legislation to tighten oversight of the nonprofit, which is guaranteed $16 million in city taxpayer funding this fiscal year.

Massachusetts – Who’s Paying for the 2026 Ballot Questions? Mass. Senate Passes a Bill Requiring More Transparency

MSN – John Micek (MassLive) | Published: 1/16/2026

With a record number of proposals likely headed to the 2026 ballot, the Massachusetts Senate united behind a bill proposing more public reporting on ballot question fundraising and spending. But the chamber opted against forcing similar disclosure at the local level. Lawmakers unanimously approved legislation expanding disclosure rules for ballot question campaigns in a bid to reveal a steadier flow of information about funding sources.

Minnesota – Justice Dept. Enters New Territory with Probe of Minnesota Officials

MSN – Patrick Marley and Yasmeen Abutaleb (Washington Post) | Published: 1/17/2026

President Trump’s Justice Department crossed a new threshold with its criminal investigation of top Democratic elected officials in Minnesota, targeting vocal critics during a moment of crisis in which protesters and federal agents are clashing on the city’s streets. Subpoenas the Justice Department is preparing to send suggest the agency is looking at whether Gov. Tim Walz’s and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s public statements about the administration’s actions amount to illegal interference with law enforcement.

Minnesota – ICE Targeted Off-Duty Police Officers in Twin Cities, Local Police Say

MSN – Frances Vinall (Washington Post) | Published: 1/21/2026

Local law enforcement leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul are raising concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents violating U.S. citizens’ civil rights, including those of off-duty police officers. Mark Bruley, police chief of suburban Brooklyn Park, said an off-duty police officer had been “boxed … in” by vehicles driven by ICE agents, who demanded with guns drawn to see paperwork proving the officer had a right to be in the country. “She’s a U.S. citizen, and clearly would not have any paperwork,” he said. All the off-duty officers who had been targeted by ICE in his city were people of color, Bruley said.

Minnesota – Exclusive: Justice Department leadership pushed FBI to investigate campaign contributions to Minnesota officials

MSN – Katelyn Polantz, Evan Perez, and David Wright (CNN) | Published: 1/20/2026

Top Justice Department officials pushed the FBI to investigate political campaigns in Minnesota over whether they illegally benefited from fraud in public service organizations. Some of the Justice Department’s interest, according to one of the sources, comes from a Washington Examiner report that said Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, and other state politicians received campaign donations from people implicated in the Minnesota public benefits fraud scheme and community care providers.

Minnesota – Judge Limits ICE’s Crowd Control Tactics Following Minneapolis Shooting

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney, Hassan Ali Kanu, and Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 1/16/2026

A federal judge barred federal agents in Minneapolis from arresting peaceful protesters or using nonlethal munitions and crowd control tools against them. The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Kate Menendez lands amid an increasingly confrontational dynamic between the Trump administration and Minnesota officials who have accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents of stoking fear and violence on local streets. It comes a week after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good.

Mississippi – MS Secretary of State Sets Sights on Campaign Finance Transparency

MSN – Bea Anhuci (Mississippi Clarion Ledger) | Published: 1/21/2026

Secretary of State Michael Watson has been proposing a campaign finance database for years. Now, as corruption scandals unfurl into investigations and trials throughout Mississippi, he thinks he has the support to enact his vision into law. The proposed system would require all candidates to digitally file their campaign finance information. The bill, developed with Sen. Jeremy England, would also restrict cash donation amounts, among other reforms.

Missouri – Bill Would Ban Missouri Politicians from Using Recurring Donations to Fund Campaigns

Yahoo News – Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) | Published: 1/13/2026

Missouri politicians would not be able to lure donors into recurring contributions with emotional appeals that do not disclose who would benefit from the money under a bill heard in committee. State Rep. Jim Murphy said the scheme leaves contributors, who are often elderly people, confused when thousands of dollars are drawn from their accounts months, or years, after they respond to a fundraising email or text.

Nebraska – Auditor Flags Possible Pillen ‘Favoritism’ in $2.5M No-Bid Bioeconomy Contract with Lobbyist

Yahoo News – Aaron Sanderford (Nebraska Examiner) | Published: 1/15/2026

Gov. Jim Pillen, while pressing the Nebraska Department of Economic Development in 2024 to tighten its belt, steered the state agency to award a $2.5 million no-bid emergency contract to a bioeconomy consultant and lobbyist he knew and had traveled with as part of state delegations. Auditor Mike Foley alleges the Economic Development Department, in carrying out that Pillen-picked contract, broke state law by not specifying in writing what emergency justified skipping the required step of bidding out contracts worth more than $50,000.

New York – Judge Strikes Down Republican Congressional District in New York

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 1/21/2026

A New York judge ordered state officials to redraw the congressional district held by Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, handing Democrats a likely victory amid a nationwide political brawl over congressional lines. State Judge Jeffrey Pearlman concluded Malliotakis’s Staten Island-based district violates a provision of the state constitution that bars the abridgment of voting rights for racial minorities. An appeal is expected, and Malliotakis said she is confident the existing lines will ultimately be upheld.

New York – Gov. Kathy Hochul Hasn’t Released Her Meeting Logs in 15 Months

MSN – Chris Bragg (New York Focus) | Published: 1/20/2026

When New York Gov. Kathy Hochul ran for a full term in 2022, she released her schedule of meetings on a rolling basis, usually several months after they occurred. The schedules indicated that Hochul’s record-breaking campaign fundraising was fueled by constant meetings with donors. As Hochul runs for a second full term this year, the public no longer has that view into how she is spending her time. That is because the most recent schedules her office has released are from September 2024, more than 15 months ago.

Oklahoma – Former Oklahoma Mental Health Department Official Settles with Ethics Commission

Yahoo News – Emma Murphy (Oklahoma Voice) | Published: 1/15/2026

The former deputy director of the state’s mental health department settled with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission and will pay $2,500 for violating lobbyist registration and reporting law.  Heath Hayes communicated with state officials “for the purpose of influencing governmental action” without being registered as a lobbyist, according to a statement from Lee Anne Bruce Boone, executive director of the Ethics Commission.

South Dakota – Donations to SD Campaigns from Foreign Nationals Would Be Banned by Bill Sent to State Senate

Yahoo News – Joshua Haiar (South Dakota Searchlight) | Published: 1/21/2026

South Dakota lawmakers advanced a bill that would bar candidates and political committees from taking campaign contributions or loans from a foreign national. Under the draft, accepting a contribution from any of the listed entities would be moved to a more severe class of misdemeanor, and a subsequent offense within a calendar year would change from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Texas – After a Hard-Fought Campaign, Austin Neighborhood Elects a Canine Mayor

MSN – Sydney Page (Washington Post) | Published: 1/22/2026

On a January night on Austin’s 37th Street, neighbors gathered to count the final ballots and swear in a new mayor. The mayor-elect did not give an acceptance speech – instead, he barked. Mo Bamba, a pug-chihuahua mix, was sworn in as the new mayor of 37th Street, following the neighborhood’s fourth annual pet election that drew more than 12,000 votes. The annual pet election began as a playful neighborhood tradition four years ago, designed to draw attention to Austin’s upcoming human mayoral runoff election amid a season of notably low voter turnout.

Virginia – Lindsey Halligan Out as U.S. Attorney Following Pressure from Judges

MSN – Steve Thompson, Salvador Rizzo, and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 1/20/2026

Lindsey Halligan, a Trump administration lawyer who was named head of a key U.S. attorney’s office in Virginia last year with instructions to seek criminal charges against President Trump’s perceived political adversaries, left her post at the Justice Department. Halligan’s departure followed moves by two federal judges who issued court orders hours earlier saying they intended to replace Halligan at the helm of the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Virginia and threatening disciplinary sanctions for any government lawyer who continued to refer to her as U.S. attorney in legal filings.

Washington – Prominent Seattle Lobbying Firm Defaults on Debts, Ousts Founder

Seattle Times – Jim Brunner | Published: 1/19/2026

A prominent Seattle lobbying firm ousted its well-known founder, laid off much of its staff, and is under new ownership after defaulting on millions of dollars in debt under a bankruptcy restructuring plan. The sale of Strategies 360 caps a public fall for a once-dominant firm and its founder Ron Dotzauer, a consultant with ties to top Washington politicians.

Campaign Finance

National: “Trump to Pardon Ex-Puerto Rico Governor Vázquez in Campaign Finance Case, Official Says” by Darlene Superville (Associated Press) for MSN

Illinois: “New Melissa Conyears-Ervin Ad in Illinois’ 7th District Race Highlights Federal Campaign Spending Loophole” by Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

Minnesota: “Exclusive: Justice Department leadership pushed FBI to investigate campaign contributions to Minnesota officials” by Katelyn Polantz, Evan Perez, and David Wright (CNN) for MSN

Elections

National: “Trump Administration Concedes DOGE Team May Have Misused Social Security Data” by Kyle Cheney (Politico) for MSN

Ethics

California: “Feds Argue Corruption Case Against Sheng Thao Built on ‘Significant’ Evidence” by Eli Wolfe for Oaklandside

National: “Supreme Court Appears Likely to Allow Lisa Cook to Remain on Fed Board” by Justin Jouvenal and Andrew Ackerman (Washington Post) for MSN

Hawaii: “Hawai’I Attorney General to Investigate $35K Bribery Case After All” by Christina Jedra for Honolulu Civil Beat

Virginia: “Lindsey Halligan Out as U.S. Attorney Following Pressure from Judges” by Steve Thompson, Salvador Rizzo, and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) for MSN

Question

I recently began a new position with responsibility for local government relations for my employer. I’ve only previously done state work. What do I need to know?

Answer

Local government lobbying compliance is significantly more fragmented and complex than state-level lobbying, and the differences can catch even experienced state lobbyists off guard. While state lobbying laws tend to follow more standardized frameworks, local lobbying requirements vary widely by jurisdiction, population size, government entity, and even industry.

Local Lobbying Laws Are Not Universal

Unlike state lobbying, some smaller cities, towns, and special districts have no lobbying ordinances. However, the absence of a local ordinance does not necessarily mean that compliance obligations do not exist. In several states, including Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, and Missouri, state lobbying laws extend to local government activity, requiring lobbyists to register and report with the applicable state agency when engaging with local officials.

In New York, for example, the state lobbying statute requires disclosure of all lobbying activities before municipalities, including jurisdictional subdivisions with populations exceeding 5,000 residents.

How State Law Can Shape Local Lobbying Requirements

State law may also mandate that local governments adopt their own lobbying frameworks. Maryland does not require local lobbyists to register at the state level, but it requires counties and municipal corporations to maintain lobbying regulations that substantially mirror state lobbying rules.

Highly regulated states such as California often have robust local disclosure requirements, particularly in larger cities and counties. Florida, while somewhat less centralized than California, is also known for numerous local lobbying ordinances that govern municipal and county-level advocacy.

Industry-Specific and Entity-Specific Compliance Risks

Local lobbying requirements frequently extend beyond traditional city councils and county commissions. Special-purpose entities (SPE) often impose their own disclosure regimes. Transportation authorities, such as the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and airport authorities, such as the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, may require separate registration and reporting.

School districts also present compliance risks. Lobbying activity involving districts such as Broward County Public Schools, Los Angeles Unified School District, or Miami-Dade County Public Schools can trigger registration and periodic reporting obligations, even when activity would not be reportable at the state level.

Healthcare is another highly regulated area. Some public hospital systems impose lobbying requirements that are more stringent than local ordinances. For example, Jackson Health System, an affiliated network of hospitals in Miami-Dade County, requires all pharmaceutical representatives to register as lobbyists before visiting facilities to promote products.

No Thresholds Mean Higher Compliance Exposure

A critical difference between state and local lobbying is that many local jurisdictions impose no monetary or activity thresholds. This means registration may be required simply for engaging in conduct that meets the definition of lobbying, regardless of time spent or compensation received. As a result, even minimal outreach can create compliance obligations.

Before engaging in any local government relations activity, it is essential to independently verify applicable state laws, local ordinances, and entity-specific rules or consult with a lobbying compliance professional to reduce the risk of inadvertent noncompliance.

Note: The information in this response can be easily found on our website in the Lobbying Compliance section of the United States Lobbying Compliance Guidebook.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Local Lobbying Compliance

1. How can I tell whether a local jurisdiction has a lobbying ordinance?

There is no single database or universal indicator. Larger cities and counties are more likely to have lobbying ordinances, but population alone is not determinative. Each jurisdiction must be reviewed individually, including municipal codes, ethics ordinances, and administrative policies. Special districts and quasi-governmental entities should be evaluated separately.

2. Does lobbying a local official always require registration?

Not always, but many local jurisdictions define lobbying broadly. In some cases, registration is required immediately upon engaging in covered activity, regardless of compensation or frequency. Where no registration threshold exists, even introductory meetings, informational outreach, or industry-specific advocacy may trigger obligations.

3. If state law governs local lobbying, do local rules still matter?

Yes. Even when state law applies, local ordinances or entity-specific policies may impose additional requirements. These can include separate registration, local reporting schedules, gift restrictions, or cooling-off periods. State compliance should never be assumed to fully satisfy local obligations.

4. Why is the absence of a registration threshold risky?

When no threshold exists, there is little margin for error. Limited or informal activity can still require registration and reporting, increasing exposure to enforcement actions, fines, or reputational harm if obligations are overlooked. Conservative compliance analysis is strongly recommended.

5. What steps should I take before engaging in local lobbying activity?

Before engaging with local officials or entities, confirm:

• Consult with a Lobbying Compliance Firm
• Whether state law applies to your activity
• Whether the local jurisdiction has a lobbying ordinance
• Whether special entities (school districts, transit authorities, hospitals) impose independent requirements
• Whether industry-specific rules apply

When uncertainty exists, consulting with a lobbying compliance firm, like State and Federal Communications, can help ensure accurate registration, timely reporting, and reduced compliance risk.

On February 23, a by-election will be held in the electoral division of Chicoutimi for a seat in the province’s National Assembly of Quebec. The seat became vacant on September 4 of last year following the resignation of Andrée Laforest, who left her position for an unsuccessful run to become the mayor of Saguenay. Under a decree issued by the Government of Québec on January 20, the Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Jean-François Blanchet, will oversee the organization of the election. Advance polling for voting will begin on February 15.

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Want to keep up with lobbying, procurement, and corporate contribution compliance internationally? We have you covered. Learn more here.

Campaign Finance

Florida: “Donors Gave Big to DeSantis’ Marijuana Campaign After Getting $10M from Hope Florida” by Lawrence Mower and Alexandra Glorioso (Miami Herald) for MSN

Missouri: “Bill Would Ban Missouri Politicians from Using Recurring Donations to Fund Campaigns” by Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) for Yahoo News

Ethics

National: “Trump Administration Backs Labor Secretary Facing Misconduct Probe” by Meryl Kornfield and Lauren Kaori Gurley (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump’s Pardons Forgive Financial Crimes That Came with Hundreds of Millions in Punishments” by Owen Auston-Babcock (NBC News) for MSN

National: “‘No Longer in My Hands’: How Hill Republicans stopped caring about DOJ releasing the Epstein files” by Hailey Fuchs (Politico) for MSN

Maryland: “Baltimore City Councilman Joined Board of Taxpayer-Funded Nonprofit He Wrote a Bill On” by Patrick Hauf (Spotlight on Maryland) for WBFF

New York: “As She Raises Millions, Hochul Isn’t Saying Who She’s Meeting With” by Chris Bragg for New York Focus

Lobbying

Washington: “Prominent Seattle Lobbying Firm Defaults on Debts, Ousts Founder” by Jim Brunner for Seattle Times

Your Question: Where do I need to register after I lobbied in a state?

Our Expertise: Deciding whether and where you need to register is already a herculean task, as you must navigate the labyrinthine world of state compliance laws. Along the way, you may encountera divergence in the path: one route leads to state registration, another to local registration, and a third requires both.
Thankfully, we at State and Federal Communications are here to offer you a ball of thread to assist with navigating the myriad paths that make up state and local compliance.

The first step in determining where registration is required is identifying who or what you are lobbying. Local lobbying generally targets city councils, county boards, and municipal authorities, while state lobbying targets state legislatures, governors, and state agencies. One potential hazard is misunderstanding which level of government oversees the entity you are lobbying.

For example, is the water authority owned by the city, county, or state? Is a local college part of the state university system? Lobbying these peripheral governmental entities may require registration with the entity itself, the local municipality, the county, or the state, depending on its governance.

Once you understand the scope of your lobbying, the next step is to review the law and verify the registration threshold. Some localities have their own reporting systems, while some states include local-level lobbying in their registration threshold. This analysis is done by delving into the registration threshold, then focusing on the definition of lobbying. If the definition concentrates on “state legislatures or agencies,” local lobbying is excluded.

Next, check to see if the local municipality you are lobbying has its own lobbying law and determine whether local registration is required. Finally, if applicable, confirm that the entity itself does not require registration.

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Want to keep up with all the newest happenings in lobbying, campaign finance, and procurement lobbying compliance? Sign up for our Compliance Now newsletter and never miss a beat – https://stateandfed.com/e-newsletter/

Campaign Finance

Massachusetts: “Who’s Paying for the 2026 Ballot Questions? Mass. Senate Passes a Bill Requiring More Transparency” by John Micek (MassLive) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Recent Trump Investments Reignite Concerns Around Potential Conflicts of Interest” by Auzinea Bacon (CNN) for MSN

National: “How EPA Ethics Officials Cleared Former Industry Insiders for Regulatory Roles” by Amudalat Ajasa (Washington Post) for MSN

Minnesota: “Justice Dept. Enters New Territory with Probe of Minnesota Officials” by Patrick Marley and Yasmeen Abutaleb (Washington Post) for MSN

Minnesota: “Judge Limits ICE’s Crowd Control Tactics Following Minneapolis Shooting” by Kyle Cheney, Hassan Ali Kanu, and Josh Gerstein (Politico) for Yahoo News

National: “Journalists Confront New Reality in Reporting After FBI Raid” by Sarah Ellison, Patrick Marley, and Colby Itkowitz (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

Oklahoma: “Former Oklahoma Mental Health Department Official Settles with Ethics Commission” by Emma Murphy (Oklahoma Voice) for Yahoo News

Procurement

Nebraska: “Auditor Flags Possible Pillen ‘Favoritism’ in $2.5M No-Bid Bioeconomy Contract with Lobbyist” by Aaron Sanderford (Nebraska Examiner) for Yahoo News

On January 19, the lobbyist registration threshold for organizations and corporations was lowered. Last year the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada issued new interpretation bulletins concerning the significant part of the duties threshold for when organizations and corporations must be registered under the Lobbying Act. One bulletin lowered the lobbyist registration threshold from 32 hours per month to eight hours in a rolling four-week period. A second updated interpretation addresses the Lobbying Act’s revolving door provision and interprets a significant part of a designated public office holder’s work as eight hours or more in any given consecutive four-week period. This includes any time spent preparing for and participating in oral communications with public office holders, as well as drafting written communications to public office holders.

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Want to keep up with lobbying, procurement, and corporate contribution compliance internationally? We have you covered. Learn more here.

Ken Kelewae was introduced to State and Federal Communications via the Akron Beacon Journal. At that time, David Giffels authored an article about Ken’s background in computers and how much he did at the companies where he worked. However, Ken was older and he found it difficult to find a fit.

Enter State and Federal Communications. The day after the article appeared Ren Koozer looked him up and brought him in for an interview. It was a win/win on both sides, and he has been here for 17 years.

We can count on Ken to fix, update, repair, and install software in the office along with having the only green thumb on staff. He is the one guy who will do anything, including standing on windowsills to straighten the window blinds. (We suggest he not do that anymore.)

Ken is one of those “always learning” people and is still taking courses on Microsoft Security and anything network related—devices, troubleshooting, and administration.

In 2026, Ken is going to retire effective March 31st. We are not filling this position as we have developed a staff of folks who can help with our IT issues. We look forward to the grand retirement party we will hold in his honor on March 12th. He is the company’s first retiree, and we will commemorate his tenure with a plaque in our office.

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Learn more about how Ken and his team at State and Federal Communications help organizations with their lobbying, campaign finance, and procurement lobbying compliance needs – https://stateandfed.com/about-us/

National/Federal

Judge Grills Feds Over ICE Rule Blocking Lawmakers from Surprise Oversight Visits

Courthouse News Service – Ryan Knappenberger | Published: 1/14/2026

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to explain whether it was unlawfully using congressionally appropriated funds to block members of Congress from conducting surprise oversight visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. In December, U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb ruled that a new set of ICE policies requiring lawmakers to provide notice of such visits seven days in advance was likely unlawful and beyond the Department of Homeland Security’s authority, freezing the policies for the time being.

ICE and Activists Clash Over Doxing and Privacy, in Court and Streets

MSN – Joseph Menn (Washington Post) | Published: 1/15/2026

As immigration agents and protesters clash in the streets, a parallel battle is unfolding over sensitive data used to identify and hold those on the other side to account. Government officers are using new tools featuring real-time location data and license-plate tracking to investigate protesters. Activists are using burner phones and donated dash cams to counter those efforts, recording masked agents and compiling lists of names and badge numbers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The government has charged activists under criminal statutes and tried to compel online platforms to reveal the identities of activists using their sites.

FBI Executes Search Warrant at Washington Post Reporter’s Home

MSN – Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 1/14/2026

The FBI executed a search warrant at a Washington Post reporter’s home as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials. The reporter, Hannah Natanson, was at her home at the time of the search. Federal agents searched her home and her devices, seizing her phone, two laptops, and a Garmin watch. Federal regulations intended to protect a free press are designed to make it difficult to use aggressive law enforcement tactics against reporters to obtain the identities of their sources or information.

Trump Makes Obscene Gesture, Mouths Expletive at Detroit Factory Heckler

MSN – Natalie Allison and Dan Merica (Washington Post) | Published: 1/13/2026

President Trump made an obscene gesture with his middle finger and mouthed an expletive to a factory employee who shouted at him during a tour of a Ford plant in Michigan, a reaction the White House said was “appropriate” given the heckling. Out of frame in a cellphone video, a person can be heard yelling “pedophile protector” just before Trump mouthed the insult, an apparent reference to the Trump administration’s handling of the investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Commerce Seeks to Strike ‘Redundant,’ ‘Obsolete’ Provisions from Lobbying Regs

MSN – Graham Thompson (The Well News) | Published: 1/14/2026

The Commerce Department wants to amend its regulations governing restrictions on lobbying, specifically to remove “redundant, obsolete and inefficient provisions.” The regulation slated for the changes is the decades-old 15 CFR Part 28, a set of rules that implemented government-wide restrictions on the use of appropriated funds for lobbying activities in connection with federal contracts, grants, loans, and cooperative agreements.

Washington’s New Lobbyists: Paid online influencers with few rules

MSN – Maggie Severns, Natalie Andrews, Josh Dawsey, and Eliza Collins (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 1/11/2026

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has transformed the federal government and upended the business of lobbying, creating a new class of Washington operatives that blur the lines between consulting, advocacy, and journalism. Corporate and foreign interests that used to rely primarily on paid lobbyists to pitch their case to lawmakers and administration officials are instead pouring money into trying to get their cause promoted by a group of young, conservative influencers known to be close to Trump’s staff.

Sen. Mark Kelly Sues Hegseth Over Censure, Potential Demotion

MSN – Noah Robertson and Tara Copp (Washington Post) | Published: 1/12/2026

Sen. Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s letter of censure and effort to potentially demote the retired Navy officer, escalating a confrontation over a video reminding U.S. service members they can refuse illegal orders. Kelly’s lawyers argued the Pentagon’s inquiry and formal reprimand, unlawfully punished the senator for his speech and violated his due process.

House Votes to Subpoena Journalist Over Report on Delta Force Commander

MSN – Scott Nover and Kadia Goba (Washington Post) | Published: 1/8/2026

A House Oversight Committee vote to subpoena journalist Seth Harp over his reporting on the U.S. military operation in Venezuela has raised concerns among press freedom watchers, who say the action disregards First Amendment guarantees. The day after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Harp shared on X a photograph and biography of a military officer he identified as the commander of the Army’s Delta Force unit, which played a central role in the Caracas operation. Harp later wrote on X that the social media site locked his account until he deleted the post.

Smithsonian Removes Trump Impeachment Text as It Swaps His Portrait

MSN – Samantha Chery, Janay Kingsberry, and Kelsey Ables (Washington Post) | Published: 1/10/2026

The National Portrait Gallery removed a swath of text that mentioned President Trump’s two impeachments and the  insurrection at the Capitol as it swapped out a prominent photo of him. It replaced a photo accompanied by a longer caption recounting Trump’s first term and his reelection. “Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials,” it read in part.

Justice Department Opens a Criminal Investigation of Fed Chair

MSN – Andrew Ackerman and Salvador Rizzo (Washington Post) | Published: 1/11/2026

The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Board Chairperson Jerome Powell, tied to the renovation of the Fed’s headquarters along the National Mall. Powell accused the Justice Department of using the threat of criminal prosecution to pressure the central bank to lower interest rates, describing newly issued grand jury subpoenas as an unprecedented challenge to the Fed’s independence.

Virginia and Maryland at Center of Congressional Redistricting Battle

MSN – Erin Cox, Teo Armus, and Katie Shepherd (Washington Post) | Published: 1/13/2026

In what could be Democrats’ last wave of mid-cycle redistricting, the Virginia and Maryland Legislatures will each convene with national party leaders pushing them to redraw congressional maps and net as many as five seats to help build an advantage ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats in both states will hold majorities and the governor’s seat as debate unfolds, and they have been heavily lobbied for months to press for as many seats as possible, efforts that have had mixed results.

Top Prosecutors in DC., Minneapolis Leave Amid Turmoil Over Shooting Probe

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 1/13/2026

Multiple senior prosecutors in the District of Columbia and Minnesota are leaving their jobs amid turmoil over the Trump administration’s handling of the shooting death of a Minneapolis woman. The departures include at least five prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office in Minneapolis, including the office’s second-in-command. The Minnesota resignations followed demands by Justice Department leaders to investigate the widow of Renée Good, the woman killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot into her car.

These Prosecutors Spent Years on Cases. Then Trump Granted Pardons.

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 1/14/2026

White-collar and public corruption cases are among the most resource-intensive for the Justice Department to pursue. Prosecutors, FBI agents, and other specialists often work for years to build such cases, following money trails and interviewing scores of witnesses before they even file an indictment. More than half a dozen experienced prosecutors said Trump’s clemency acts have eroded faith among current and former Justice Department employees that the cases they devote years to prosecuting will lead to accountability.

Trump Is Trying to Change How the Midterm Elections Are Conducted

MSN – Patrick Marley and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) | Published: 1/12/2026

President Trump, fearful that a Congress controlled by Democrats could investigate him, impeach him, and stymie his agenda, is using every tool he can find to try to influence the 2026 midterm elections. Many of these endeavors go far beyond typical political persuasion, challenging long-established democratic norms. They include demands that Republican state lawmakers redraw congressional districts before the constitutionally required 10-year schedule, the prosecution of political opponents, a push to toughen voter registration rules, and attempts to end the use of voting machines and mail ballots.

Trump’s ‘Superstar’ Appellate Judges Have Voted 133-12 in His Favor

Seattle Times – Mattathias Schwartz and Emma Schartz (New York Times) | Published: 1/11/2026

President Trump has found a powerful but obscure bulwark in the appeals court judges he appointed during his first term. They have voted overwhelmingly in his favor when his administration’s actions have been challenged in court in his current term, an analysis of their 2025 records shows. Appellate judges chosen by Trump in his first term repeatedly reversed rulings made by District Court judges in his second, clearing the way for his policies and gradually eroding a perception early last year that the legal system was thwarting his efforts to amass presidential power.

Several of Kennedy’s Dietary Advisers Have Ties to Meat and Dairy Interests

Seattle Times – Alice Callahan and Maggie Astor (New York Times) | Published: 1/11/2026

Soon after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as the nation’s health secretary, he promised to overhaul the federal nutrition guidelines. A key step, he said, would be to “toss out the people who were writing the guidelines with conflicts-of-interest.” His own panel, he said, would “have no conflicts-of-interest.” But the new guidelines, which emphasize protein, meat, cheese, and milk, were informed by a panel of experts with several ties to the meat and dairy industries.

From the States and Municipalities

California – No Campaign? No Problem. Inside California Political Elites’ Shadowy Spending

MSN – Nicole Nixon and Kate Wolffe (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 1/11/2026

The indictment of Dana Williamson, a former top aide to Gov. Gavin Newsom, opened a window to Sacramento’s campaign finance ecosystem, showing the ways that lawmakers, lobbyists, consultants, and interest groups use accounts to trade money, time, and access. A review of more than 100 accounts and lobbying records reveals how two types of accounts in particular – ballot measure committees and campaign accounts held by ex-lawmakers – are commonly used to shore up political connections and help elected officials live large, while spending little, if anything, on campaigns those accounts were ostensibly designed to support.

California – Federal Judges Allow California to Use New US House Map Ahead of 2026 Election

MSN – Trân Nguyễn (Associated Press) | Published: 1/14/2026

California can use a new voter-approved U.S. House map that is designed to boost Democrats in the 2026 midterms, a federal three-judge panel ruled. The complaint accused California of violating the Constitution by using race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters when drawing the new district lines. The map, aimed at giving Democrats a shot at flipping as many as five House seats next year, was decisively approved by voters through Proposition 50 in November.

Colorado – Opportunity Caucus Lawmakers, in Response to Ethics Complaints, Say They Didn’t Violate Gift Ban by Attending $32,000 Vail Retreat

Colorado Sun – Taylor Dolven | Published: 1/9/2026

A group of state lawmakers say they did not violate Colorado’s gift ban when they attended a retreat at a ritzy hotel in Vail in October with lobbyists but still will not say where they got the money to pay for legislators’ hotel rooms, food, and drinks, totaling $32,000. In response to complaints against the lawmakers filed with the Independent Ethics Commission, the lawmakers say they are in the clear because their caucus covered the $32,671.15 tab with money given to the group.

Colorado – Colorado Appeals Panel Skeptical of Sentencing for Former County Clerk Who Breached Election Systems

MSN – Colleen Slevin (Associated Press) | Published: 1/14/2025

A Colorado appeals court panel seemed skeptical that a judge could use former county clerk Tina Peters’ insistence on spreading election conspiracy theories as part of the reason to sentence her to nine years in prison for orchestrating a data breach of election equipment. The three-judge panel was dismissive of many of the arguments made by Peters’ attorneys. But they grilled the state’s lawyer over the trial judge reciting Peters’ false statements about elections in handing down her sentence.

Florida – She Made a Facebook Comment About Her Mayor. Then the Police Arrived.

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 1/14/2026

Raquel Pacheco began recording on her phone as she opened her front door to the pair of police officers standing outside. They told her they had questions about a Facebook comment she had written about Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. The now-public tussle over Pacheco’s Facebook comment is another salvo in a battle between activists across the country and authorities whom they accuse of stifling speech about divisive political topics.

Illinois – Supreme Court Says Candidates Can Challenge Vote Counting Rules

Yahoo News – Josh Gerstein (Politico) | Published: 1/14/2026

Candidates for public office can sue in advance over vote counting practices they contend are illegal, the Supreme Court ruled. The justices said U.S. Rep. Rep. Michael Bost of Illinois can proceed with a lawsuit challenging a practice President Trump has long decried: counting ballots received after Election Day.

Indiana – ‘Paid Protester’ Lobbying Bill Advances to Senate Floor with ‘Substantial’ Edits Expected

Yahoo News – Leslie Bonilla Muñiz (Indiana Capital Chronicle) | Published: 1/13/2026

Legislation requiring paid political influencers to report to Indiana lobbying regulators heads to the Senate floor despite major concerns from regulators and First Amendment advocates, and the author’s admission the bill was drafted in a rush. The bill focuses on “influence campaigns,” defined as attempts to mobilize the public to take some action or contact state officials, including via protest.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Says Judge Can Spend Campaign Money on His Role as Mardi Gras Krewe Royalty

MSN – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 1/15/2026

A Jefferson Parish judge who has been chosen king of a Carnival krewe can spend his campaign money to purchase merchandise for his role, according to the Louisiana Board of Ethics. Judge Adrian Adams, who is up for reelection this year, specifically asked if he could use political contributions to purchase cups, beads, and other carnival favors bearing his name and image to be given out at parades and other Mardi Gras festivities.

Louisiana – Louisiana Ethics Board Might Seek Exemption for Elected Officials to New Privacy Law

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 1/14/2026

The Louisiana Board of Ethics might seek an exemption from a new privacy law that allows current and retired judges, and soon hundreds of other public officials, to remove their personal information from its online records and website. The board’s staff recommended it ask state legislators to write an exception into the statute for documents the board oversees. Lawmakers would have to approve a change to the law, and their legislative session begins March 9.

Louisiana – Landry Can Appoint Three More Members to Ethics Board, Controlling Majority of Panel

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 1/9/2026

Gov. Jeff Landry has the power to appoint three more members to the Louisiana Board of Ethics this year, giving him control over the majority of the entity that enforces campaign finance and government transparency laws. Three of the 15 board members’ terms expired January 1. The governor controls all seats now open to new appointees. He selected five new members last year. Appointing three more would give him a slim majority of eight members.

Michigan – Before Road Funding Deal, Road Builder Money Flowed to Michigan Lawmakers

Bridge Michigan – Simon Schuster | Published: 1/9/2026

Less than two months before Michigan lawmakers finalized a historic deal to pump as much as $2 billion a year into road repairs, a slew of road construction executives whose companies will benefit from the spending opened their checkbooks at an upscale steakhouse in metro Detroit. Those donations more than doubled compared to prior years as House Speaker Mike Hall and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for a bipartisan road funding deal, according to an analysis by Bridge Michigan.

Mississippi – FBI Tracked Jackson Leaders Years Before 2023 Sting, Documents Show

Yahoo News – Charlie Drape (Clarion Ledger) | Published: 1/14/2026

The FBI was secretly tracking former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens nearly a year before federal prosecutors said their public corruption case began. The records were made public as part of Owens’ motion to dismiss his 2024 indictment, in which his lawyers attached hundreds of documents, including FBI emails, confidential informant reports, and discovery materials produced by prosecutors. Owens argues the government improperly targeted and entrapped him.

New Mexico – Lawmaker Streamlines Lobbyist Disclosure Bill for Second Try

New Mexico In Depth – Marjorie Childress | Published: 1/12/2026

New Mexico Rep. Sarah Silva filed a bill that requires lobbyists or their employers to file a report within 48 hours of when they start lobbying on legislation. The reports must identify the specific bill, their position on it, and which employer is paying them to lobby. Because the upcoming legislative session is a short “budget” session, the governor must add the lobbying transparency bill to lawmakers’ agenda in order for them to consider and vote on the measure.

New York – Former Adams Aide Tony Herbert Arrested on Sweeping Federal Bribery Charges

Yahoo News – Molly Crane-Newman, Chris Sommerfeldt, Thomas Tracey, and Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) | Published: 1/13/2026

Tony Herbert, a former official in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration and longtime fixture in New York City politics, was arrested by federal authorities on sweeping public corruption charges alleging he took bribes and kickbacks during his time at City Hall. The indictment alleges he was engaging in public corruption during his stints in Adams’s Community Affairs Unit and as Citywide Public Housing Liaison.

North Carolina – NC Warns Supreme Court Candidate Over ‘Prohibited’ Lobbyist Campaign Donation

MSN – Kyle Ingram (Raleigh News and Observer) | Published: 1/13/2026

The North Carolina State Board of Elections sent a warning letter to Rep. Sarah Stevens, the Republican candidate for the state Supreme Court, after she was accused of violating the law by accepting political contributions from two lobbyists. State law prohibits sitting lawmakers from accepting campaign donations from a lobbyist, even though the donation was for Stevens’ judicial campaign.

North Dakota – Financial Disclosures for North Dakota Officials, Candidates Now Available for Free Online

Yahoo News – Mary Steurer (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 1/12/2026

A new website allows members of the public to view the financial interest statements of North Dakota political candidates and other elected or appointed officials. Moving forward, the public will be able to download the forms for free online. State filings previously were maintained as paper records and could only be accessed by submitting a request to the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office, which could involve a fee.

Ohio – Judge Clears Way for Householder’s State Trial in HB 6 Scandal. Yost Has This Warning

MSN – David Gambino (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 1/8/2026

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder will continue to face state felony charges stemming from the House Bill 6 scandal after a Cuyahoga County judge denied his motion to dismiss the case. Common Pleas Judge Kevin Kelley Householder’s arguments that investigators exceeded their authority, Cuyahoga County was an improper venue, and several charges were time‑barred and should have been filed only as misdemeanor campaign finance offenses.

Oregon – Facing $25M Request, Oregon Lawmakers Again Float Delaying Historic Campaign Finance Law

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 1/13/2026

Multiple Oregon lawmakers of both parties have expressed support for delaying implementation of the state’s law that will limit political contributions and increase transparency. Top officials of the secretary of state’s office have requested $25 million in the upcoming legislative session to keep the implementation of the law on track. But they have said that amount is only a “placeholder” estimate, largely because the agency has not yet hired a contractor to create some of the technological infrastructure required by the law. Without further guidance and additional funding, agency officials have warned the rollout of the law could be botched.

Oregon – Longtime Oregon Lawmaker Admits to Ethics Violation, But Fails to Disclose Business Client

Portland Oregonian – Les Zaitz (Salem Recorder) | Published: 1/9/2026

For the second time in a year, state Rep. Greg Smith has conceded violating Oregon law by not fully disclosing clients of his private consulting company. Smith agreed to a letter of education from the Government Ethics Commission over the violation. That sanction is standard for the commission in matters concerning disclosures.

Rhode Island – Foulkes Wants to Ban Lobbyist Donations During Legislative Sessions

MSN – Patrick Anderson (Providence Journal) | Published: 1/12/2026

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes is calling on her 2026 election rivals in Rhode Island to renounce donations from lobbyists this year, just as the traditional political fundraising season kicks into high gear. Foulkes says all statewide officeholders and General Assembly members, plus anyone running for those offices, should not be allowed to accept contributions from registered lobbyists during the annual legislative session.

Texas – Fort Bend Rep. Gary Gates Passed a Bill That Helped His Business. Now He’s Suing to Be Sure It Sticks.

MSN – Eric Dexheimer (Houston Chronicle) | Published: 1/14/2026

When state Rep. Gary Gates passed legislation closing an affordable housing loophole that threatened to cost Texas cities hundreds of millions of dollars in lost property tax revenue, he considered the law one of his biggest-ever legislative achievements. Gates owns and manages low-income housing properties. His new law shut the door on controversial local government agencies that had inked hundreds of deals across the state. Developers who profited from the deals challenged the new rules in court. Gates, acting in his private capacity as an affordable-housing landlord, joined the legal battle opposing the developers.

Virginia – Trump Officials Fire High-Ranking Prosecutor in Virginia Amid Turmoil

MSN – Salvador Rizzo, Perry Stein, and Steve Thompson (Washington Post) | Published: 1/12/2026

A veteran prosecutor who was recruited to help run a key U.S. attorney’s office in Virginia was abruptly dismissed after disagreements with the Trump administration. Robert McBride was first assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia for about two months, starting after President Trump and his administration purged the top prosecutors in the office and ordered that criminal charges be filed against two of the president’s perceived political opponents, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Washington – Mayor Katie Wilson Pays Small Fine for Child Care Help During Campaign

Seattle Times – David Kroman | Published: 1/14/2026

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson paid $250 for failing to report more than $10,000 in payments made by her parents to help with childcare during her 2025 campaign. Because, according to Wilson’s own account, the money was given to allow her more financial flexibility to campaign for office, the payments should have been reported as in-kind contributions, concluded Wayne Barnett, executive director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.

Washington – Board Finds Reasonable Cause Ferguson Violated Ethics Law

Seattle Times – Jim Brunner | Published: 1/11/2026

The Washington State Executive Ethics Board found “reasonable cause” to believe Gov. Bob Ferguson violated the law by bringing his former top aide onto a state plane last year. The board voted to accept the findings of a staff investigation that found Ferguson illegally “provided a special privilege” to Mike Webb, his longtime former top aide, “by allowing them passage on a state aircraft.” State law generally prohibits the use of state resources for private gain.

Elections

Illinois: “Supreme Court Says Candidates Can Challenge Vote Counting Rules” by Josh Gerstein (Politico) for Yahoo News

National: “Trump Is Trying to Change How the Midterm Elections Are Conducted” by Patrick Marley and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

National: “These Prosecutors Spent Years on Cases. Then Trump Granted Pardons.” by Perry Stein (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Judge Grills Feds Over ICE Rule Blocking Lawmakers from Surprise Oversight Visits” by Ryan Knappenberger for Courthouse News Service

Florida: “She Made a Facebook Comment About Her Mayor. Then the Police Arrived.” by Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) for MSN

Louisiana: “Louisiana Ethics Board Might Seek Exemption for Elected Officials to New Privacy Law” by Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) for Yahoo News

Mississippi: “FBI Tracked Jackson Leaders Years Before 2023 Sting, Documents Show” by Charlie Drape (Clarion Ledger) for Yahoo News

Texas: “Fort Bend Rep. Gary Gates Passed a Bill That Helped His Business. Now He’s Suing to Be Sure It Sticks.” by Eric Dexheimer (Houston Chronicle) for MSN

Campaign Finance

North Carolina: “NC Warns Supreme Court Candidate Over ‘Prohibited’ Lobbyist Campaign Donation” by Kyle Ingram (Raleigh News and Observer) for MSN

Ethics

National: “Top Prosecutors in DC., Minneapolis Leave Amid Turmoil Over Shooting Probe” by Perry Stein (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Sen. Mark Kelly Sues Hegseth Over Censure, Potential Demotion” by Noah Robertson and Tara Copp (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Several of Kennedy’s Dietary Advisers Have Ties to Meat and Dairy Interests” by Alice Callahan and Maggie Astor (New York Times) for Seattle Times

New York: “Former Adams Aide Tony Herbert Arrested on Sweeping Federal Bribery Charges” by Molly Crane-Newman, Chris Sommerfeldt, Thomas Tracey, and Josephine Stratman (New York Daily News) for Yahoo News

Oregon: “Longtime Oregon Lawmaker Admits to Ethics Violation, But Fails to Disclose Business Client” by Les Zaitz (Salem Recorder) for Portland Oregonian

Lobbying

Indiana: “‘Paid Protester’ Lobbying Bill Advances to Senate Floor with ‘Substantial’ Edits Expected” by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz (Indiana Capital Chronicle) for Yahoo News

Redistricting

National: “Virginia and Maryland at Center of Congressional Redistricting Battle” by Erin Cox, Teo Armus, and Katie Shepherd (Washington Post) for MSN

Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson published the 2026 annual limit for lobbyist gifts to public officials. The change for 2026 was 2.9%, making the newly adjusted cumulative gift limit $130.85 for 2026. No public official and no member of the immediate family of a public official may accept from any lobbyist or principal any gifts with a cumulative value greater than $130.85 during the 2026 calendar year.

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It’s here, 2026 – Happy New Year! Many of us in January focus on resolutions and/or goals that we would like to achieve in the new year, and I, for one, have my own list of items that I plan to work on in the coming months!

I can say that one of the items on my list is somewhat a continuation from late last year, when I focused on making sure that I reached out to people more, just to check in with them and see how they’re doing. I want to continue making connecting and re-connecting with people a priority in 2026, and as many of you know, I am always up for meeting people in person for coffee or lunch!

Another goal that I have for 2026 is to find opportunities to engage with a few new groups. There are many organizations around doing amazing work, and I am looking to expand my knowledge and getting plugged in with a few of them — I will keep you posted on my progress.

Speaking of being plugged in – I am looking forward to seeing our amazing State and Federal Communications’ clients out and about at the various conferences and other events that we all support, in addition to seeking out new opportunities to get more face-time with our supporters and friends!

I am looking forward to 2026! There will be a lot going on this year, but I am ready to step it up a bit and rise to the challenges – let me know how you are doing with your resolutions and goals for this year, and Happy New Year!

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