Campaign Finance National: “FEC Fines Florida-Based Company for Illegal Contribution to Support Rick Scott’s 2018 Campaign” by Stephanie Aiken for Roll Call Indiana: “Council Lawyer: Mayor unlikely to appeal campaign contribution ordinance” by Dave Gong for Fort Wayne Journal Gazette […]
Campaign Finance
National: “FEC Fines Florida-Based Company for Illegal Contribution to Support Rick Scott’s 2018 Campaign” by Stephanie Aiken for Roll Call
Indiana: “Council Lawyer: Mayor unlikely to appeal campaign contribution ordinance” by Dave Gong for Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Ethics
National: “Mueller to Testify to Congress, Setting Up a Political Spectacle” by Nicholas Fandos for New York Times
Arkansas: “Former Arkansas Lawmaker Pleads Guilty in Corruption Cases” by Andrew DeMillo for AP News
California: “Former L.A. Building Inspector Fined $100,000 for Double Dipping on City Project” by Dakota Smith for Los Angeles Times
South Carolina: “Denied Top State Job Amid Ethics Questions, Former SC Lawmaker Named Magistrate Instead” by Avery Wilks for The State
Lobbying
Canada: “Lobbying Watchdog Says Glitch in System Skewed Volume of Registrations” by Beatrice Paez for Hill Times
Wyoming: “A Mystery Group Has Been Pushing to Stop Gambling Regulation in Wyoming” by Nick Reynolds for Casper Star-Tribune
Hawaii Gov. David Ige
Gov. David Ige signed a lobbying bill into law on June 25. The bill removes statutory remnants from when lobbying violations resulted in criminal penalties. Senate Bill 144 replaces “willfully” with “negligently” in the requirements of proof that a violation […]
Gov. David Ige signed a lobbying bill into law on June 25.
The bill removes statutory remnants from when lobbying violations resulted in criminal penalties.
Senate Bill 144 replaces “willfully” with “negligently” in the requirements of proof that a violation of the lobbyist law was committed for failure to file a statement or report.
Proceedings that were begun prior to the signing of the bill are not affected.
Additionally, rights and duties that matured and penalties that were incurred prior to the bill are not affected.
The bill became effective when signed.
Campaign Finance National: “GOP to Launch New Fundraising Site as Dems Crush the Online Money Game” by Alex Isenstadt for Politico National: “Beltway ‘Inundated’ with Fundraisers as Deadline Nears” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call National: “Duncan Hunter Had Affairs […]
Campaign Finance
National: “GOP to Launch New Fundraising Site as Dems Crush the Online Money Game” by Alex Isenstadt for Politico
National: “Beltway ‘Inundated’ with Fundraisers as Deadline Nears” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call
National: “Duncan Hunter Had Affairs with Women He Worked With, Including His Own Aide” by Katherine Tully-McManus for Roll Call
Connecticut: “Tensions Continue Between CT Lawmakers, Election Watchdog” by Ken Dixon for Middletown Press
Elections
National: “Candidates Hunt Desperately for Viral Moments” by Amy Wang (Washington Post) for MSN
Ethics
National: “Judge: Democrats’ emoluments case against Trump can proceed” by Ann Maromow, Jonathan O’Connell, and Carol Leonnig (Washington Post) for San Jose Mercury News
Illinois: “Defiant Ex-Ald. Willie Cochran Given 1 Year in Prison, Accuses Prosecutors of Misconduct: ‘There’s no justice in this’” by Jason Meisner for Chicago Tribune
Maryland: “Baltimore’s Budget for Ethics Enforcement: $0” by Ian Duncan for Baltimore Sun
Washington DC: “D.C. Council Will Hire Law Firm to Investigate Jack Evans” by Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post
Campaign Finance Colorado: “Colorado Dems Have a Plan to Shine A Light on Dark Money. Could It Work?” by Sam Brasch for Colorado Public Radio Elections Pennsylvania: “Voting Rights and Election Reform Are Hot Topics with Pa. Lawmakers. It’s a […]
Campaign Finance
Colorado: “Colorado Dems Have a Plan to Shine A Light on Dark Money. Could It Work?” by Sam Brasch for Colorado Public Radio
Elections
Pennsylvania: “Voting Rights and Election Reform Are Hot Topics with Pa. Lawmakers. It’s a Moment Three Decades in the Making.” by Jonathan Lai for Philadelphia Inquirer
Utah: “Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox Will Distance Himself from Making Calls on Election Complaints in the Governor’s Race in Which He’s a Candidate” by Dan Harrie for Salt Lake Tribune
Ethics
Illinois: “Ex-Lincoln-Way Superintendent Has Amassed Nearly $600K in Pension Income Since Being Indicted, Records Show” by Zak Koeske for Chicago Tribune
Minnesota: “New Documents Revisit Questions about Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Marriage History” by J. Patrick Coolican and Stephen Montemayor for Mineapolis Star Tribune
Legislative Issues
New York: “A Profound Democratic Shift in New York: ‘We seized the moment’” by Vivian Wang and Jesse McKinley for New York Times
Lobbying
Connecticut: “Life Gets Harder Minus Gavel for Brendan Sharkey, the House Speaker-Turned-Lobbyist Who Sued Dissatisfied Client That Fired Him” by Jon Lender for Hartford Courant
Florida: “When It Comes to Holding NRA Lobbyist Marion Hammer Accountable, Florida Senate Ignores Own Rules” by Dan Christensen for Florida Bulldog
New York Capitol Building
The New York State Legislature adjourned on June 21. During the legislative session lawmakers passed a bill closing a limited liability company loophole regarding contribution limits. The bill limits annual political spending by an LLC to $5,000, the same limit […]
The New York State Legislature adjourned on June 21.
During the legislative session lawmakers passed a bill closing a limited liability company loophole regarding contribution limits.
The bill limits annual political spending by an LLC to $5,000, the same limit as corporations.
The Legislature also passed election reforms relating to early voting, creating a unified June primary for federal and local elections, and upgrading election technology.
On June 21, Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for House District 46. The special election will fill the vacancy left by the resignation of State Representative Lisa Heddens. Heddens resigned on June 17 to serve on the Story […]
On June 21, Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for House District 46.
The special election will fill the vacancy left by the resignation of State Representative Lisa Heddens.
Heddens resigned on June 17 to serve on the Story County Board of Supervisors.
Reynolds has set the special election for August 6.
Maine Capitol Building
The 129th Legislature adjourned sine die just after 6:45 a.m. on June 20 after six months in session. During the session, Gov. Janet Mills signed amendments to the Maine Clean Election Act, clarifying disclosure requirements for political communications. Legislative Document […]
The 129th Legislature adjourned sine die just after 6:45 a.m. on June 20 after six months in session.
During the session, Gov. Janet Mills signed amendments to the Maine Clean Election Act, clarifying disclosure requirements for political communications.
Legislative Document 1721 provides automated, pre-recorded telephone calls and scripted live telephone communications that name a clearly identified candidate must clearly state the name of the person who made or financed the expenditure for the communication and whether the communication was authorized by a candidate.
Disclosure must be made during the 28 days, including election day, before a primary election or the 35 days, including election day, before a special election or between Labor Day and the date of a general election.
The bill further provides whenever a person makes an expenditure exceeding $500 expressly advocating through prerecorded automated telephone calls or scripted live telephone calls for or against an initiative or referendum appearing on a ballot, the telephone calls must clearly state only the name of the person who made or financed the expenditure for the communication.
The amendments will take effect on September 19, 2019.
Campaign Finance New York: “Council Hears Campaign Finance Bills to Enhance Low-Dollar Impact, Limit Criminals, Curb Conflicts” by Noah Berman for Gotham Gazette Elections National: “Biden’s Ties to Segregationist Senator Spark Campaign Tension” by Matt Viser and Annie Linskey (Washington […]
Campaign Finance
New York: “Council Hears Campaign Finance Bills to Enhance Low-Dollar Impact, Limit Criminals, Curb Conflicts” by Noah Berman for Gotham Gazette
Elections
National: “Biden’s Ties to Segregationist Senator Spark Campaign Tension” by Matt Viser and Annie Linskey (Washington Post) for San Francisco Chronicle
California: “A Million Independent Voters Risk Being Irrelevant in California’s Presidential Primary” by Ben Christopher for CALmatters
Ethics
National: “When Trump Visits His Clubs, Government Agencies and Republicans Pay to Be Where He Is” by David Fahrenthold, Josh Dawsey, Jonathan O’Connell, and Michelle Ye Hee Lee (Washington Post) for MSN
Alabama: “Roy Moore Running for Senate Despite Discouragement from GOP” by Kim Chandler and Alan Fram for AP News
Connecticut: “Connecticut’s Search for a New Ethics Watchdog” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror
Tennessee: “House Speaker Candidate’s Christian Magic Supply Business Is Not Registered with the State” by Joel Ebert and Natalie Allison for The Tennessean
Washington DC: “Federal Agents Search Georgetown Home of D.C. Council Member Jack Evans” by Peter Jamison, Peter Hermann, Spencer Hsu, and Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post
California State Capitol Building - Jeff Turner
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a special primary election for Assembly District 1 on August 27. The seat is vacant after Brian Dahle won the June 4 special election to fill Senate District 1 seat. Unless one candidate receives more than […]
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a special primary election for Assembly District 1 on August 27.
The seat is vacant after Brian Dahle won the June 4 special election to fill Senate District 1 seat.
Unless one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates in the special primary election will face off in a special general election.
Assembly District one covers portions of the Northeastern part of California.
On July 18, a federal appellate court affirmed the legality of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pay-to-play rule. In New York Republican State Committee v. SEC, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found the […]
On July 18, a federal appellate court affirmed the legality of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pay-to-play rule.
In New York Republican State Committee v. SEC, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found the SEC’s Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Rule 2030 constitutional.
The rule prohibits a placement agent from accepting compensation for soliciting government business from certain candidates and elected officials within two years of having contributed to such an official’s electoral campaign or to the transition or inaugural expenses of a successful candidate.
The New York Republican State Committee and the Tennessee Republican Party had argued the SEC did not have authority to enact the rule, the order adopting the rule was arbitrary and capricious because there was insufficient evidence it was needed, and the rule violated the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
While the court found the plaintiffs had standing, it ruled against all their arguments and upheld the rule.
Campaign Finance National: “A Foreigner Paid $200,000 for Tickets to Trump’s Inaugural. Now He Says He Was Duped.” by Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) for MSN National: “The Political Donor Class Is Mostly White and Male. Some Women of Color […]
Campaign Finance
National: “A Foreigner Paid $200,000 for Tickets to Trump’s Inaugural. Now He Says He Was Duped.” by Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) for MSN
National: “The Political Donor Class Is Mostly White and Male. Some Women of Color Are Trying to Change That.” by Michelle Ye Hee Lee for Washington Post
National: “DC Circuit Rejects NY State GOP-Led Challenge to Anti-‘Pay-to-Play’ Rule” by Tom McPartland for Law.com
Kentucky: “Feds Allege Dad of Alison Lundergan Grimes Wrongly Funneled Money to Her State Races” by Bill Estep and Daniel Desrochers for Lexington Herald-Leader
Ethics
Indiana: “Four Women File Lawsuit Against Curtis Hill. Here’s What It Says About Indiana Lawmakers.” by Kaitlin Lange for Indianapolis Star
Nevada: “Experts Give High Marks to New Law That Will Add Teeth to Nevada’s Public Records Statute” by James DeHaven for Reno Gazette Journal
Lobbying
Maine: “Bill Would Limit Lobbyist Contributions Year-Round” by for Middletown Press; Associated Press
Montana: “Montana Lobbyist Spending Reports Now Harder to Access” by Corin Cates-Carney for Montana Public Radio
Campaign Finance National: “FEC Chair Makes Another Go at Regulating Online Political Ads” by Karl Evers-Hillstrom for Center for Responsive Politics Arkansas: “Judge Blocks Law on Timing of Donations” by Linda Satter for Arkansas Democrat-Gazette New Jersey: “Gov Signs Dark-Money […]
Campaign Finance
National: “FEC Chair Makes Another Go at Regulating Online Political Ads” by Karl Evers-Hillstrom for Center for Responsive Politics
Arkansas: “Judge Blocks Law on Timing of Donations” by Linda Satter for Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
New Jersey: “Gov Signs Dark-Money Bill, Expects Lawmakers to Roll Back Problem Parts” by Colleen O’Dea for NJ Spotlight
Utah: “State’s ‘Hands Tied’ on PAC Connected to Utah Governor’s Former Campaign Manager, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox Says” by Lisa Riley Roche for Deseret News
Ethics
National: “As Trump’s Defense Pick Withdraws, He Addresses Violent Domestic Incidents” by Aaron Davis and Shawn Boburg (Washington Post) for Boston Globe
National: “Supreme Court Rules in Case Watched for Impact on Trump Pardons” by Josh Gerstein and Natasha Bertrand for Politico
New Jersey: “NJ Tax Breaks Panel: ‘Special interests’ exerted influence, then they benefited” by Dustin Racioppi for Bergen Record
Washington DC: “Law Firm That Investigated Jack Evans for Metro Found ‘Multiple Violations’ of Ethics Code” by Robert McCartney for Washington Post
A federal judge blocked a state law that prevents candidates for public office from accepting campaign contributions more than two years before an election. The ruling prompted an immediate appeal from the attorney general. Plaintiff Peggy Jones of Pulaski County […]
A federal judge blocked a state law that prevents candidates for public office from accepting campaign contributions more than two years before an election.
The ruling prompted an immediate appeal from the attorney general.
Plaintiff Peggy Jones of Pulaski County filed suit on April 5 over Arkansas Code 7-6-203(e).
Jones claimed the blackout period infringed on her First Amendment right of political expression by preventing her from donating money now to those she wishes to support as candidates in the 2022 election cycle.
Jones contended the blackout period is unconstitutional because it is not closely drawn to address the important governmental interest of preventing corruption.
She also claimed the law is over-broad because it bars all campaign contributions, including small contributions that do not present a potential for corruption.
U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. granted a preliminary injunction on June 17, enjoining the state from enforcing the law during the pendency of the matter.
