Campaign Finance Canada: “Campaign Donation Limits in B.C. Have Levelled Playing Field, CBC Analysis Finds” by Tara Carman for CBC Elections National: “Threatening Emails Reportedly Sent to Democratic Voters in Three Swing States, Sparking Investigations” by Craig Timberg and Isaac […]
Campaign Finance
Canada: “Campaign Donation Limits in B.C. Have Levelled Playing Field, CBC Analysis Finds” by Tara Carman for CBC
Elections
National: “Threatening Emails Reportedly Sent to Democratic Voters in Three Swing States, Sparking Investigations” by Craig Timberg and Isaac Stanley-Becker (Washington Post) for Seattle Times
North Carolina: “Federal Appeals Court Won’t Lift North Carolina Ballot-Receipt Extension” by Josh Gerstein for Politico
Ethics
National: “Trump Records Shed New Light on Chinese Business Pursuits” by Mike McIntire, Russ Buettner, and Susanne Craig for New York Times
California: “Community Newspaper Backed by Former Irvine Mayor and Current Council Candidate Draws Criticism” by Ben Brazil for Los Angeles Times
California: “City Clerk Sent People’s Credit Card Numbers to Jailed Husband” by City News Service for Patch
Lobbying
National: “Former Top Trump Fundraiser Elliott Broidy Pleads Guilty to Foreign Lobbying Charge” by Ben Wieder for Miami Herald
Illinois: “Chicago Mayor Exchanged Emails with Lobbyist as City Ethics Board Declined to Enforce Lobbying Ban” by John Byrne and Gregory Pratt (Chicago Tribune) for MSN
Wyoming: “Secretary of State Will Require Gun Rights Group to Disclose Donors” by Nick Reynolds for Casper Star Tribune
Michigan State Capitol - By Brian Charles Watson
The Bureau of Elections posted the Lobby Registration Act 2021 Reporting Thresholds. This changes every year in January to reflect the change in the consumer price index for Detroit. The threshold for a lobbyist compensating a lobbyist agent or other […]
The Bureau of Elections posted the Lobby Registration Act 2021 Reporting Thresholds.
This changes every year in January to reflect the change in the consumer price index for Detroit.
The threshold for a lobbyist compensating a lobbyist agent or other employee increased from $2,525 to $2,575 for any 12-month period.
The financial transaction threshold between a registered lobbyist or lobbyist agent and a public official increased from $1,275 to $1,300.
Travel and lodging reimbursements increased from $825 to $850.
Food and beverage expenditures for a public official increased from $63 to $64 in any month.
Meanwhile, the $400 threshold for food and beverages purchased between January 1 and the end of the reporting period remains the same as last year.
Employee reimbursements increased from $25 to $26, and the general gift threshold also increased from $63 to $64.
Late filing fees increased from $25 a day up to a maximum of $750, to $26 and a $780 maximum.
The registration threshold of $650 for a lobbyist agent or a lobbyist’s expenditure on one public official during a 12-month period and exempt expenditures at $13, remain the same as last year.
Campaign Finance National: “How Trump Plowed Through $1 Billion, Losing Cash Advantage” by Brian Slodysko and Zeke Miller for Associated Press News National: “The Big Role That Big Donors Still Play, Quietly, for Joe Biden” by Shane Goldmacher for New […]
Campaign Finance
National: “How Trump Plowed Through $1 Billion, Losing Cash Advantage” by Brian Slodysko and Zeke Miller for Associated Press News
National: “The Big Role That Big Donors Still Play, Quietly, for Joe Biden” by Shane Goldmacher for New York Times
Montana: “Montana’s Political Cop Finds Cooney Violated Campaign Finance Rules” by Perrin Stein for Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Rhode Island: “What’s in a Semicolon? Punctuation Is Key as Lawyers Offer Last Arguments in Political Operative Jeffrey Britt’s Case” by Kate Mulvaney for Providence Journal
Elections
Colorado: “Facing a Deluge of Misinformation, Colorado Takes the Offensive Against It” by Nick Corasaniti and Davey Alba for New York Times
Ohio: “Ex-House Speaker Runs for Reelection Despite Federal Charges” by Farnoush Amiri for Associated Press News
Pennsylvania: “Supreme Court Allows Pennsylvania to Count Ballots Received Up to 3 Days After Election Day” by Richard Wolf for USA Today
Ethics
National: “Back from the Supreme Court, House Pushes DC Circuit for Trump Financials” by Megan Mineiro for Courthouse News Service
California: “Main Witness in Santa Clara County Concealed-Gun Bribery Case Pleads Guilty” by Robert Salonga for San Jose Mercury News
Campaign Finance Illinois: “Illinois Dems Slam GOP Candidate for Taking Donations from Red-Light Camera Biz – but Madigan’s Ties to Industry Run Deep” by Robert Herguth for Chicago Sun-Times Elections California: “Loops, Slants and Crossed ‘T’s’: How election workers verify […]
Campaign Finance
Illinois: “Illinois Dems Slam GOP Candidate for Taking Donations from Red-Light Camera Biz – but Madigan’s Ties to Industry Run Deep” by Robert Herguth for Chicago Sun-Times
Elections
California: “Loops, Slants and Crossed ‘T’s’: How election workers verify voter signatures” by John Wilkens for San Diego Union Tribune
Michigan: “Michigan Appeals Court Reinstates Election Day Mail-In Ballot Deadline as Early Voting Surge Continues” by Elise Viebeck, John Glionna, and Douglas Moser for Washington Post
Ethics
National: “Full Federal Appeals Court in D.C. to Weigh House Subpoena to Ex-White House Counsel Donald McGahn” by Spencer Hsu for Washington Post
National: “Supreme Court Tees Up Census Case Over Whether Trump Can Exclude Undocumented Immigrants” by Steven Shepard for Politico
National: “On the Job and On the Stump, Cabinet Officials Flout Hatch Act” by Stephen Lee, Megan Boyanton, Andrew Kreigbaum, Shaun Courtney, and Alex Ruoff for Bloomberg Law
Kansas: “Wichita Man Arrested for Allegedly Threatening to Kidnap and Kill Mayor Over City’s Mask Mandate, Police Say” by Timothy Bella for Washington Post
New Mexico: “NM Investment Scandal Winds Down” by Mike Gallagher for Albuquerque Journal
Ohio: “Indicted Lobbyist Caims Jay Edwards Is ‘Representative 8’ in HB6 Affidavit, Report Says” by Ben Peters for Athens News
Gov Tim Walz, with Lt Gov Peggy Flanagan - by Lorie Shaull
Lawmakers adjourned the fifth special session of the Legislature on October 15 after passing four bills. This included the bonding bill, which requires a three-fifths supermajority in each house to pass. Gov. Tim Walz called the session to extend the […]
Lawmakers adjourned the fifth special session of the Legislature on October 15 after passing four bills.
This included the bonding bill, which requires a three-fifths supermajority in each house to pass.
Gov. Tim Walz called the session to extend the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by 30 days.
Walz is obligated by law to call a special session for lawmakers to approve the emergency declaration.
Campaign Finance Oregon: “Oregon Public Employee Unions, Interest Groups Launch Neutral-Looking Election Website to Sway Voters” by Hillary Borrud for Portland Oregonian Elections Florida: “Florida Acts to Remove Felons from Voter Rolls as Election Looms” by Gary Fineout for Politico […]
Campaign Finance
Oregon: “Oregon Public Employee Unions, Interest Groups Launch Neutral-Looking Election Website to Sway Voters” by Hillary Borrud for Portland Oregonian
Elections
Florida: “Florida Acts to Remove Felons from Voter Rolls as Election Looms” by Gary Fineout for Politico
Ethics
National: “Twitter Changes Policy That Blocked a New York Post Story About Biden’s Son” by Elizabeth Dwoskin for Washington Post
National: “White House Was Warned Giuliani Was Target of Russian Intelligence Operation to Feed Misinformation to Trump” by Shane Harris, Ellen Nakashima, Greg Miller, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN
Illinois: “Cook County Commissioner Is Part Owner of and Worked for a Cannabis License Applicant, Which Critics Say She Should Have Disclosed Sooner” by Robert McCoppin for Chicago Tribune
Kentucky: “Ethics Problems in Kentucky County Government? Many Have No Ethics Boards to Look.” by Bill Estep (Lexington Herald-Leader) for MSN
Maryland: “Maryland Lawmakers Issue Subpoena to Hogan’s Former Chief of Staff Over Six-Figure Payout” by Pamela Wood for Baltimore Sun
Lobbying
National: “Lobbyists Face Challenges Meeting Newly Elected Lawmakers in November” by Alex Gangitano for The Hill
Canada: “Supreme Court Declines to Hear Appeal in Aga Khan Lobbying Case” by Jim Bronskill (Canadian Press) for CTV
Yukon Legislature
On October 15, the Canadian territory of Yukon’s new and first lobbying law came into force with the online Yukon Lobbyist Registry becoming live. Bill No. 23, the Lobbyists Registration Act, received Royal Assent on November 22, 2018, but only […]
On October 15, the Canadian territory of Yukon’s new and first lobbying law came into force with the online Yukon Lobbyist Registry becoming live. Bill No. 23, the Lobbyists Registration Act, received Royal Assent on November 22, 2018, but only came into effect this year.
Consultant lobbyists and in-house lobbyists are required to register. Registration is required for individuals communicating with a public office holder, directly or through grassroots communications, in attempts to lobby. Additionally, a consultant lobbyist is required to register when arranging a meeting between a public office holder and any other person for the purposes covered by the Act.
There are two revolving door provisions in the Act. For the six-month period after ceasing to be in office, a former public office-holder is prohibited from lobbying as a consultant lobbyist, but he or she is not prohibited from immediately lobbying as an in-house lobbyist. Additionally, a consultant lobbyist is prohibited from becoming an employee of Yukon’s public service for six months after terminating her or her lobbyist registration. Penalties for violations of the Lobbyists Registration Act include fines up to $25,000 for the first violation and up to $100,000 for each subsequent violation.
As of October 16, the lobbyist registry does not have any registered lobbyists.
Campaign Finance Washington: “Port of Tacoma, Others Agree to Fine in Save Tacoma Water Campaign Finance Case” by Alexid Krell (Tacoma News-Tribune) for MSN Elections National: “Fake Twitter Accounts Posing as Black Trump Supporters Appear, Reach Thousands, Then Vanish” by […]
Campaign Finance
Washington: “Port of Tacoma, Others Agree to Fine in Save Tacoma Water Campaign Finance Case” by Alexid Krell (Tacoma News-Tribune) for MSN
Elections
National: “Fake Twitter Accounts Posing as Black Trump Supporters Appear, Reach Thousands, Then Vanish” by Craig Timberg and Isaac Stanley-Becker for Washington Post
Ethics
National: “Supreme Court Won’t Revive Congressional Emoluments Case Against Trump” by Robert Barnes and Ann Marimow for Washington Post
National: “‘Unmasking’ Probe Commissioned by Barr Concludes Without Charges or Any Public Report” by Matt Zapotosky and Shane Harris (Washington Post) for MSN
California: “Ex-Director of Coliseum Authority Takes Plea Deal in Stadium Naming Rights Case; Avoids Jail Time” by David Debolt for San Jose Mercury News
New York: “Trump Again Asks Supreme Court to Block Subpoena for His Tax Records” by Charlie Savage for New York Times
Virginia: “Men in Alleged Kidnapping Plot Also Considered Targeting Virginia Governor, FBI Says” by Bill Chappell and Ryan Lucas for National Public Radio
Lobbying
Florida: “Prominent Lobbyist Didn’t Disclose Calls to Orlando Airport Board Members, Violating Policy” by Jason Garcia for Orlando Sentinel
Illinois: “Aldermen Reject Lightfoot’s Proposal to Ease Ban on Lobbying by Elected Officials” by Heather Cherone for WTTW
Chicago City Hall - Ken Lund
In a recent vote, Chicago City Council’s Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight unanimously rejected an ordinance. Introduced by Mayor Lori Lightfoot in April, this would amend a previously passed amendment. The ordinance passed unanimously by City Council 10 months […]
In a recent vote, Chicago City Council’s Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight unanimously rejected an ordinance.
Introduced by Mayor Lori Lightfoot in April, this would amend a previously passed amendment.
The ordinance passed unanimously by City Council 10 months ago prohibits cross-lobbying.
This would include City Council or any city agency, department, board, or commission by elected officials from the Illinois General Assembly or any unit of local government in the state.
The proposed amendment added an exception to permit lobbying by lobbyists with no current contractual or legislative dealings with the city.
The committee voted 16-0 not to send the measure to the full council.
The BOE announced last month it would begin enforcing Ordinance 2-156-309 on October 1, as no action had been taken.
In addressing the committee today, Executive Director Steven Berlin stated the ordinance is historic.
He goes on to explain there are no other jurisdictions in the United States prohibiting both their own officials and employees from lobbying on behalf of private clients anywhere, while also prohibiting elected officials from other jurisdictions from lobbying the city on behalf of private clients.
Campaign Finance National: “As U.S. Politics Heats Up, Companies Seek to Avoid Controversy” by Jessica DiNapoli for Reuters Rhode Island: “A Chaotic Campaign Helped Save Rhode Island’s House Speaker in 2016. Now It Threatens to End His Political Career” by […]
Campaign Finance
National: “As U.S. Politics Heats Up, Companies Seek to Avoid Controversy” by Jessica DiNapoli for Reuters
Rhode Island: “A Chaotic Campaign Helped Save Rhode Island’s House Speaker in 2016. Now It Threatens to End His Political Career” by Dan McGowan and Edward Fitzpatrick for Boston Globe
Washington: “Twitter to Pay $100k to Washington State in Settlement Over Political Ad Disclosure Violations” by Todd Bishop for GeekWire
Elections
Alaska: “Alaska Absentee Witness Requirements Scrapped for Election” by Becky Bohrer for Associated Press News
Minnesota: “Federal Judge Upholds Minnesota’s Deadline Extension for Counting Ballots” by Jason Slotkin for National Public Radio
Texas: “Appeals Court OKs Texas Governor’s Order to Limit Drop Off Locations for Absentee Ballots” by Rachel Elbaum for NBC News
Ethics
National: “Trump’s Children Brought Secret Service Money to the Family Business with Their Visits, Records Show” by David Fahrenthold, Joshua Partlow, and Carol Leonnig (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Supreme Court Halts Census in Latest Twist of 2020 Count” by Mike Schneider for Associated Press News
National: “Trump Taps U.S. Marine Band for White House Event and Raises Questions About Employing the Military for Political Purposes” by Paul Sonne for Washington Post
Hawaii: “Ballot Questions Could Bolster Ethics Watchdog’s Staffing and Spending” by Chad Blair for Honolulu Civil Beat
Chicago River @ Michigan Ave. By David Wilson
The Chicago Board of Ethics extended the lobbyist third quarter activity report deadline. Due to problems with the ELF system, the deadline is extended from October 20 to October 26. Reports must be submitted electronically through the ELF system. The […]
The Chicago Board of Ethics extended the lobbyist third quarter activity report deadline.
Due to problems with the ELF system, the deadline is extended from October 20 to October 26.
Reports must be submitted electronically through the ELF system.
The ELF system has a new look but works the same way, and has instructions available under the resources tab.
A report is due even if there is no activity during the reporting period.
A report in DRAFT, PENDING REVIEW, or PENDING PAYMENT status will prevent filing of a new activity report until those filings are finalized.
Campaign Finance National: “The Mystery of a GOP Congressman’s Seemingly Rent-Free Campaign Office” by Daniel Newhauser for Politico National: “Trump Engineered a Sudden Windfall in 2016 as Campaign Funds Dwindled” by Susanne Craig, Mike McIntire, and Russ Buettner for New […]
Campaign Finance
National: “The Mystery of a GOP Congressman’s Seemingly Rent-Free Campaign Office” by Daniel Newhauser for Politico
National: “Trump Engineered a Sudden Windfall in 2016 as Campaign Funds Dwindled” by Susanne Craig, Mike McIntire, and Russ Buettner for New York Times
Elections
National: “With Election Day Looming, Twitter Imposes New Limits on U.S. Politicians – and Ordinary Users, Too” by Elizabeth Dwoskin and Craig Timberg (Washington Post) for Seattle Times
California: “Unofficial Ballot Drop Boxes Popping Up Throughout the State Worry Elections Officials” by Alicia Robinson and Brooke Staggs for Orange County Register
Colorado: “Colorado Voters to Decide Whether to Pull Out of National Popular Vote Effort” by John Aguilar for Denver Post
North Carolina: “A Legal Fight Over How to Fix Ballot Errors in North Carolina Has Left Thousands of Voters in Limbo – Nearly Half People of Color” by Elise Viebeck for Washington Post
Ethics
Georgia: “Common Cause Calls for Investigation of Georgia Ethics Commission’s Conflict of Interest Policies” by Dale Russell for WAGA
New York: “Trump Got a $21 Million Tax Break for Saving the Forest Outside His N.Y. Mansion. Now the Deal Is Under Investigation.” by Joshua Partlow, Jonathan O’Connell, and David Fahrenthold (Washington Post) for MSN
Lobbying
Virginia: “Inside the Utility Company Lobbying Blitz That Will Hike Electric Bills” by Patrick Wilson (Richmond Times-Dispatch) for ProPublica
Texas Capitol Building
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott named December 19 as the special election runoff for Senate District 30 to fill Sen. Pat Fallon’s seat. The special election for Texas State Senate District 30 was held on September 29 after Fallon announced his […]
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott named December 19 as the special election runoff for Senate District 30 to fill Sen. Pat Fallon’s seat.
The special election for Texas State Senate District 30 was held on September 29 after Fallon announced his plans to run for election to the U.S. House to represent the 4th Congressional District of Texas.
State Rep. Drew Springer and Dallas Salon Owner Shelley Luther are on the ballot to fill Fallon’s seat. District 30 covers a big chunk of north Texas including parts of Grayson, Denton, Collin, and Parker Counties.
Campaign Finance Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee Chairwoman Reaps Big Harvest of Campaign Contributions from Insurance Industry” by Ford Turner for Allentown Morning Call Elections National: “Facebook to Temporarily Halt Political Ads in U.S. After Polls Close Nov. 3, Broadening […]
Campaign Finance
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee Chairwoman Reaps Big Harvest of Campaign Contributions from Insurance Industry” by Ford Turner for Allentown Morning Call
Elections
National: “Facebook to Temporarily Halt Political Ads in U.S. After Polls Close Nov. 3, Broadening Earlier Restrictions” by Elizabeth Dwoskin for Washington Post
National: “New Justice Dept. Election Fraud Guidance Could Allow Boosting of Trump’s Exaggerated Claims, Legal Observers Say” by Matt Zapotosky (Washington Post) for MSN
Florida: “Federal Judge Denies Request to Extend Florida Voter Registration Deadline” by Allison Ross for Tampa Bay Times
Pennsylvania: “Judge Throws Out Trump Campaign’s Pennsylvania Lawsuit” by Marc Levy for Associated Press News
Wisconsin: “Federal Appeals Court Blocks Extension for Wisconsin Ballot Returns” by Zach Montellaro and Josh Gerstein for Politico
Ethics
California: “Arcadia Subsidiary of Chinese Company to Pay $1 Million Fine in LA City Hall Bribery Scandal” by City News Service for Los Angeles Daily Breeze
Virginia: “Va. Congressional Candidate Reported No Assets. His Amended Disclosure Shows He Holds Dozens of Stocks.” by Meagan Flynn for Washington Post
Lobbying
National: “Longtime GOP Fundraiser Elliott Broidy Charged with Acting as a Foreign Agent, Is Likely to Plead Guilty” by Matt Zapotosky (Washington Post) for Seattle Times
