LobbyComply Blog

A special election will be held January 6 to fill a vacancy in Assembly District 25. The seat was previously held by Bobby Sanchez who resigned after being elected as the mayor of New Britain.

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National/Federal

The Forgotten Court Case That Let Billionaires Spend Big on Elections

MSN – Beth Reinhard (Washington Post) | Published: 12/1/2025

The focus on Citizens United in the last 15 years has obscured a less-recognized campaign finance case, one that never made it to the Supreme Court. SpeechNow.org v. FEC paved the way for the super PACs frequently used by billionaires for election-year spending sprees. While Citizens United abolished the ban on independent expenditures by corporations and unions, SpeechNow went one step further. It erased limits on contributions to political committees that make independent expenditures and do not give money directly to candidates or parties. These entities took on the catchier name of super PACs.

Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison Over Illegal Donations to Obama Campaign

MSN – Michael Kunzelman (Associated Press) | Published: 11/20/2025

Grammy-winning rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel of the Fugees was sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegally funneling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to former President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. In April 2023, a federal jury convicted Michel of 10 counts, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. The trial included testimony from actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Former President of Honduras, Convicted of Trafficking, Freed after Trump Pardon

MSN – Tobi Raji, Shayna Jacobs, and Samantha Schmidt (Washington Post) | Published: 12/2/2025

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, convicted by a U.S. court last year on charges he ran the Central American nation as a “narco-state” that helped send South American cocaine to the United States, has been released from federal prison after receiving a pardon from President Trump. Hernández was serving 45 years in prison on importation and weapons charges. U.S. prosecutors said he built his political career on millions of dollars in bribes from traffickers in Honduras and Mexico, and as president helped to move at least 400 tons of cocaine to the U.S. while protecting traffickers from extradition and prosecution.

Trump Rails Against Somali Migrants: ‘I don’t want them in our country’

MSN – Amy Wang and Caroline O’Donovan (Washington Post) | Published: 11/2/2025

President Trump ended a Cabinet meeting with a rant against Somali migrants, accusing them of having “ripped off” Minnesota and using dehumanizing language to attack a group he has increasingly targeted in recent weeks. The president’s comments came amid reports his administration is ramping up immigration enforcement efforts targeting undocumented Somali immigrants in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Trump recently threatened to end temporary protected status for Somali immigrants in Minnesota and, without evidence, accused “Somali gangs” of terrorizing people there.

Northwestern to Pay $75 Million to End Trump Administration Probes

MSN – Angie Orellana Hernandez (Washington Post) | Published: 11/29/2025

Northwestern University has become the sixth school to reach a deal with the Trump administration in an agreement that ends federal investigations into allegations of unlawful discrimination, race-based admissions, and fostering a hostile educational environment for Jewish students. The deal requires Northwestern to pay $75 million to the U.S. government over several years; in turn, the administration will restore nearly $800 million in federal research funding that had been frozen since April.

Trump Says He Will Pardon Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar

MSN – Mariana Alfaro, Kadia Goba, and Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) | Published: 12/3/2025

President Trump said he will pardon U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, unexpectedly ending the prosecution of a member of the opposing party. Cuellar, one of the most conservative Democrats in the House, was charged last year with bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy. Trump also pardoned Cuellar’s wife, who also had been charged. The indictment detailed a bold corruption scheme in which Cuellar allegedly promised to wield his power as a member of Congress to advocate for his benefactors.

The New York Times Sues the Pentagon Over Press Restrictions

MSN – Scott Nover (Washington Post) | Published: 12/4/2025

The New York Times sued the Defense Department over its press policy prohibiting journalists from soliciting any information not explicitly authorized for release by the government. The Times alleged the press rules violated the First Amendment’s guarantee of a free press and the newspaper’s due process rights under the Fifth Amendment.

From the States and Municipalities

Canada – Ontario Will Require Skills Grant Applicants to Reveal If They Hired Lobbyists

Toronto Star – Moira Welsh | Published: 12/2/2025

Bowing to pressure, the Ontario government will soon require that groups hiring lobbyists for help in getting millions of dollars from the Skills Development Fund will now have to report those connections in their application. The change is expected by the end of the year. Labor Minister David Piccini has been under fire since auditor general Shelley Spence an audit found Piccini and his predecessor handed out $126 million in training funding to 64 organizations that used lobbyists to push applications ranked “low and medium” in a process that was “not fair, transparent or accountable.”

California – DWP Employee Made Assistants Run Personal Errands, Buy Her Snoop Dogg Tickets, Ethics Enforcer Says

MSN – Noah Goldberg (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 11/26/2025

A high-ranking employee at the Department of Water and Power (DWP) made staffers run personal errands for her, including purchasing tickets to a Snoop Dogg concert, according to the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission’s director of enforcement. It is alleged that Renette Anderson, an executive assistant to the DWP’s general manager, asked subordinates to book a plane ticket for her personal travel, make physical therapy appointments for her, purchase party supplies for a non-work party at her home, and make a service appointment at a Mercedes Benz dealership for her personal vehicle.

California – International Travel. Fancy Meals. Missing Receipts. Who Paid the Tab for This Top Official?

MSN – Paige St. John (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 12/4/2025

Ricardo Lara’s transition from influence-brokering California legislator to insurance regulator was rocky. Almost immediately upon assuming office in 2019, the state insurance commissioner was discovered soliciting money from those he regulated, even allowing his campaign fundraiser to set his office calendar. Lara is now under two new investigations for potential campaign finance and ethics violations and accused by consumer advocates of cozying up to those he regulates.

California – Unindicted Co-Conspirator Stays Silent After FBI Arrests but Still on SCIF Board

MSN – Lia Russell (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 12/3/2025

Weeks after four top Sacramento political figures were ensnared in an FBI corruption probe, one of them, lobbyist Alexis Podesta, has remained quiet and emerged relatively unscathed. Despite speculation that Gov. Gavin Newsom would remove her, Podesta attended a regularly scheduled meeting for the State Compensation Insurance Fund, the state agency on whose board of directors she sits. Podesta’s attorney has confirmed his client is an unindicted co-conspirator cited in the indictment from federal prosecutors.

District of Columbia – Judge Limits Warrantless Immigration Arrests in DC

MSN – Hassan Ali Kanu and Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 12/2/2025

A federal judge restricted the Trump administration’s ability to arrest suspected undocumented immigrants in the District of Columbia without a warrant, saying the arrests are only permissible if authorities have reason to believe the person is likely to escape. Government attorneys had disputed whether agents are using a lower standard than probable cause, but U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell ruled the plaintiffs’ accounts of their arrests and multiple public statements by high-ranking officials proved otherwise.

Florida – Florida Becomes the GOP’s Biggest Redistricting Test – and a Messy One

MSN – Gary Fineout (Politico) | Published: 12/2/2025

Florida is barreling into a mid-decade redistricting fight with Republicans in and out of the state pushing for action, but party leaders are split on how far to go and when to start. Those pushing the effort believe the state could yield three to five additional GOP House seats ahead of the 2026 midterms, a haul big enough to influence control of Congress. But the drive comes amid an ongoing power struggle inside the state Capitol and legal constraints that make Florida one of the hardest places in the country to redraw lines for partisan gain.

Georgia – Georgia Case Against Trump Dropped, Ending Efforts to Punish President over 2020 Election Aftermath

MSN – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 11/26/2025

A judge dismissed the Georgia election interference case against President Trump and others after the prosecutor who took over the case said he would not pursue the charges, ending the last effort to punish the president in the courts for his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. Pete Skandalakis, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, took over the case from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who was removed over an “appearance of impropriety” created by a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she chose to lead the case.

Illinois – Former Inspector General Joe Ferguson Fined $5K for Revealing Botched Little Village Smokestack Implosion Could Have Been Prevented

WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 11/28/2025

The Chicago Board of Ethics fined former Inspector General Joe Ferguson $5,000 for violating the city’s ethics ordinance by divulging a confidential report that found city officials could have prevented a plume of dust from enveloping Little Village in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when crews demolished the former Crawford Power Plant. Ferguson said that while he was disappointed by the fine, he had no regrets about his decision to send the report to two unidentified media organizations.

Indiana – Indiana Republicans’ Proposed Map Breaks Indianapolis into 4 Districts

MSN – Marissa Meador (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 12/1/2025

Indiana House Republicans released a proposed map with new congressional district lines that could lead to the elimination of the two Democrats from the state’s congressional delegation if passed. The official map marks a major step forward for Indiana’s redistricting proponents who had failed for weeks to sway reluctant senators on the plan to draw new districts. But on November 25, just minutes after the House announced it would meet on the topic of redistricting, the Senate announced it would reconvene December 8 to consider a proposed map from the House.

Kentucky – Groups Spent $9M Lobbying Kentucky Executive Branch Officials in Past Fiscal Year

Louisville Public Media – Joe Sonka | Published: 11/28/2025

Government contractors, health-related groups, and the medical marijuana industry were among hundreds of organizations that spent $9.1 million lobbying Kentucky’s executive branch agencies on policy in the fiscal year ending this summer. Kentucky has long required groups to report their spending on legislative lobbyists but first required reports on executive branch lobbying spending in 2020. This push for increased transparency followed the conviction of a former cabinet secretary and lobbyist for orchestrating a kickback scheme to steer large government contracts to clients.

Kentucky – KY Candidate Had a Fundraiser on His Own Church Campus. He Says There’s No Issue

MSN – Austin Horn (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 11/24/2025

A fundraiser for Ryan Dotson, a candidate in Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District race, was held on the grounds of the church Dotson leads. It is not against any campaign finance law to host a fundraiser at a church. But the event at Lighthouse World Outreach Center, where Dotson is lead pastor, does raise questions about how the event was carried out, according to a federal campaign finance expert.

Massachusetts – Super PAC Illegally Coordinated with Diehl Campaign in 2022 Election, Regulators Say

WBUR – Chris Van Buskirk | Published: 11/20/2025

State campaign finance regulators found former Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl and a super PAC that backed his campaign illegally coordinated during the 2022 election. Office of Campaign and Political Finance Director William Campbell said Diehl’s campaign and the super PAC, called Mass Freedom, hired the same media consultant. That created a presumption of coordination between the campaign and super PAC in violation of state law, according to Campbell.

Michigan – Conservative Activists Get Probation in Voter intimidation Case

MSN – Arpan Lobo (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 12/1/2025

Two conservative activists who previously pleaded no contest in connection to a robocall scheme to spread inaccurate information to mostly Black voters around Detroit, leading up to the 2020 election, will avoid jail time. Jacob Wohl and John Burkman were each sentenced to one year probation. Prosecutors said the men engaged in an effort that circulated robocalls to nearly 12,000 people in 2020. The robocalls made false claims about voting by mail, which was promoted that year as a way to avoid contracting COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Michigan – Issues Resolved in Hall Lions Ticket Complaint, Attorney Withdraws Request for Investigation

Yahoo News – Ben Solis (Michigan Advance) | Published: 12/3/2025

Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall’s troubles with a potential scandal over Detroit Lions tickets he received from a lobbying firm have been resolved, as the attorney who made a formal complaint rescinded his request for the state to investigate the matter. Bob LaBrant, the former general counsel for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, filed a complaint in reaction to news that Hal received tickets to a recent Lions home game from Bill Wort of Public Affairs Associates.

Mississippi – Supreme Court May Revive First Amendment Suit from Sidewalk Preacher Who Shouted at Concertgoers

MSN – John Fritze (CNN) | Published: 12/3/2025

Street preacher Gabriel Olivier wants to challenge an ordinance in federal court that was enacted by a Mississippi city that bars people from protesting outside an amphitheater. But before he can advance his lawsuit, he must deal with a 1994 Supreme Court precedent that is intended to bar people convicted of a crime from using civil lawsuits to effectively reverse their convictions. Olivier claimed the ordinance violates his First Amendment rights to share his faith publicly.

Missouri – Missouri Bill Targets ‘Misleading’ Automatic Donations Connected to Bill Eigel

Yahoo News – Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) | Published: 12/2/2025

No Missouri politician should be able to extract recurring campaign donations the way that Bill Eigel is from a Nebraska veteran tapped 35 times this year for more than $1,000, a Republican lawmaker said. State Rep. Jim Murphy used the first day of pre-filing for the upcoming legislative session to introduce a bill to ban solicitations that include recurring donations. The bill also requires each solicitation to state “in a clear and conspicuous manner” the candidate or PAC that will use the money.

New Jersey – Appeals Court Rules Trump Prosecutor Appointment Violates Law

MSN – Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 12/1/2025

A federal appeals court ruled President Trump unlawfully maneuvered to keep his former personal attorney, Alina Habba, as the top prosecutor in New Jersey, a decision that could have far-reaching implications for other controversial appointments that have been challenged in court. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled against the extraordinary steps the Justice Department deployed to bypass Senate confirmation and keep Habba in the top position.

New Jersey – NJ AG, Others Attack Bill That Would Combine State Watchdog Agencies

MSN – Mike Davis and Michael Diamond (Asbury Park Press) | Published: 11/27/2025

New Jersey, a state often synonymous with the corrupt antics of politicians at all levels, has too many government watchdogs keeping too many eyes trained on taxpayer dollars, according to one of its most powerful elected officials. It is a problem Senate President Nick Scutari hopes to fix. If signed into law, a new bill proposed by Scutari would essentially fold much of the Office of the State Comptroller’s responsibilities into the State Commission of Investigation, turning two watchdog agencies into one-and-a-half.

New Jersey – Progressive Topples Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey in Jersey City Mayoral Runoff

MSN – Ry Rivard (Politico) | Published: 12/2/2025

James Solomon, a city council member elected with the support of anti-machine progressives, will be the next mayor of New Jersey’s second largest city. Solomon besting disgraced former Gov. Jim McGreevey in the runoff to lead Jersey City. McGreevey joins former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a politician who grasped for a second chance in public life that voters did not want to give them.

New York – NY Gov. Hochul Accepted – and Is Now Refunding – Thousands in Donations from Appointees

Gothamist – Jimmy Vielkind | Published: 11/29/2025

After a Democratic primary rival questioned some of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s fundraising methods, the governor’s campaign said it will return thousands of dollars she accepted from people she has appointed to state boards and councils. Public records show Hochul raised at least $72,500 from people who donated after she gave them positions steering state policy. Some of the people in question also contributed before their appointments, and some of the appointees were first put into their positions by Hochul’s predecessor, Andrew Cuomo.    

New York – City Investigators Haven’t Given Up on Probing Eric Adams’ Conduct, Judge’s Order Reveals

MSN – Greg Smith (The City) | Published: 12/3/2025

A court order revealed the Department of Investigation (DOI) has an ongoing investigation of whether New York City Mayor Eric Adams violated ethics laws, a probe that is proceeding even after the mayor got his corruption case tossed after the Trump Justice Department abandoned it. U.S. District Court Judge Dale Ho revealed the existence of DOI’s investigation in issuing an order that opens the door for DOI to use material from the defunct federal indictment in its continuing conflict-of-interest probe of the mayor.

New York – Co. That Won Big-Bucks ‘Panic Button’ Deal for NYC Schools Hired Firm of Adams Ally Frank Carone

Yahoo News – Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) | Published: 12/1/2025

Before getting a multimillion-dollar contract from Mayor Eric Adams’ administration to install “panic buttons” in New York City public schools, a company hired the lobbying and consulting firm operated by Frank Carone, the mayor’s ex-chief of staff. SOS Technologies hired Oaktree Solutions to do “strategic consulting” in connection with its effort to secure the contract. There is no record Oaktree employees engaged in direct lobbying of Adams administration officials prior to the award. In any event, Carone resigned as chief of staff in late 2022, so he is no longer covered by the one-year lobbying ban on former city officials.

Pennsylvania – The State Budget Was 135 Days Late, but Pa. Lawmakers Got Their Pay Raise on Schedule

MSN – Tirzah Christopher (PennLive) | Published: 12/2/2025

Pennsylvania lawmakers received a pay increase on December 1, raising their base salary to $113,575. Only New York and California’s legislators make more. The Pennsylvania Legislature’s increases also are automatic, which means they go into effect without a vote. The raises come after a more than four-month budget impasse, which forced some counties, school districts, and non-profits across the state to take drastic measures like reducing staff or taking out high-interest loans to keep operating.

Rhode Island – How to Win Elections and Influence the State House? The League of RI Businesses Has a Plan.

Rhode Island Current – Nancy Lavin | Published: 11/25/2025

When a group of gun rights advocates piled into Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s office to rail against a proposed assault-style weapons ban last spring, Shekarchi gave them some advice om how to influence lawmakers. David Levesque took the message to heart. He created a string of 40 PACs allowing The League of Rhode Island Businesses to circumvent the $2,000-per-candidate annual campaign donation limit set by state law. While not illegal, the move exposes The League and its financial beneficiaries to greater risk of reporting mistakes and violations.

Tennessee – Republican Wins Special Election in Trump Country, as Democrat Gains Ground

MSN – Dan Merica (Washington Post) | Published: 12/2/2025

Republicans retained a ruby-red congressional district, winning a special election in Tennessee that became more competitive than initially expected and prompted an aggressive closing scramble by GOP leaders on behalf of their nominee. The victory by Matt Van Epps, who aligned himself with President Trump, capped a contest that served as the latest test of voters’ attitudes about Trump’s agenda and Democrats’ response less than a year before the midterm elections. Van Epps defeated Aftyn Behn, a left-leaning state representative who frequently mentioned economic concerns on the campaign trail.

Ethics

California: “International Travel. Fancy Meals. Missing Receipts. Who Paid the Tab for This Top Official?” by Paige St. John (Los Angeles Times) for MSN

National: “The New York Times Sues the Pentagon Over Press Restrictions” by Scott Nover (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump Says He Will Pardon Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar” by Mariana Alfaro, Kadia Goba, and Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) for MSN

Mississippi: “Supreme Court May Revive First Amendment Suit from Sidewalk Preacher Who Shouted at Concertgoers” by John Fritze (CNN) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Pennsylvania: “The State Budget Was 135 Days Late, but Pa. Lawmakers Got Their Pay Raise on Schedule” by Tirzah Christopher (PennLive) for MSN

Lobbying

Michigan: “Issues Resolved in Hall Lions Ticket Complaint, Attorney Withdraws Request for Investigation” by Ben Solis (Michigan Advance) for Yahoo News

New York: “Co. That Won Big-Bucks ‘Panic Button’ Deal for NYC Schools Hired Firm of Adams Ally Frank Carone” by Chris Sommerfeldt (New York Daily News) for Yahoo News

Redistricting

Florida: “Florida Becomes the GOP’s Biggest Redistricting Test – and a Messy One” by Gary Fineout (Politico) for MSN

Senate President Louise Lucas has called a special election in state Senate District 15 following the resignation of Sen. Ghazala Hashmi who was elected to the Lt. Governor position. The special general election will be held on January 6, 2026.

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In a world which often feels rushed and unpredictable, one constant source of strength and comfort is family. When I pause and reflect on the people who have shaped my life, supported my growth, and walked beside me through both challenges and celebrations, I cannot help but feel deeply grateful. My family is more than a group of individuals connected by blood or name—they are my foundation, my encouragement, and my greatest blessing.

I am thankful for the unconditional love that surrounds me. In moments when I falter or feel uncertain, my family reminds me that I am never alone. Their love creates a safe space where I can be myself without fear of judgment. It is in this space that I learn, heal, and grow.

I am thankful for the lessons they’ve taught me—lessons about kindness, responsibility, patience, and resilience. Whether through quiet guidance, shared stories, or leading by example, my family has given me the tools to navigate life with confidence and compassion.

I am thankful for the laughter we share. The simplest moments—inside jokes, shared meals, unexpected smiles—become treasured memories which brighten even the most difficult days. These moments remind me joy does not always come from big events, but from the everyday warmth of being together.

I am thankful for their support. My family celebrates my successes and stands by me in my struggles. They encourage me to pursue my goals, believe in my potential, and remind me of my worth when I forget it. Their presence strengthens my resolve and lifts my spirit.

Most of all, I am thankful for the sense of belonging my family provides. No matter where life takes me, I carry love with me—a steady reminder I am rooted in something strong, meaningful, and enduring.

As I reflect on everything my family brings into my life, gratitude fills my heart. I am truly thankful for each member of my family and for the countless ways they enrich my life every day.

“Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better? But because I knew you I have been changed for good.”

With gratitude,

EB

@elizabethbartz

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Campaign Finance

Missouri: “Missouri Bill Targets ‘Misleading’ Automatic Donations Connected to Bill Eigel” by Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) for Yahoo News

New York: “NY Gov. Hochul Accepted – and Is Now Refunding – Thousands in Donations from Appointees” by Jimmy Vielkind for Gothamist

Elections

Tennessee: “Republican Wins Special Election in Trump Country, as Democrat Gains Ground” by Dan Merica (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

Illinois: “Former Inspector General Joe Ferguson Fined $5K for Revealing Botched Little Village Smokestack Implosion Could Have Been Prevented” by Heather Cherone for WTTW

National: “Former President of Honduras, Convicted of Trafficking, Freed after Trump Pardon” by Tobi Raji, Shayna Jacobs, and Samantha Schmidt (Washington Post) for MSN

New Jersey: “NJ AG, Others Attack Bill That Would Combine State Watchdog Agencies” by Mike Davis and Michael Diamond (Asbury Park Press) for MSN

Lobbying

Canada: “Ontario Will Require Skills Grant Applicants to Reveal If They Hired Lobbyists” by Moira Welsh for Toronto Star

Kentucky: “Groups Spent $9M Lobbying Kentucky Executive Branch Officials in Past Fiscal Year” by Joe Sonka for Louisville Public Media

The Virginia Ethics Council announced an increase of the annual gift limit from $108 to $131. The adjustment is based on the consumer price index and applies to gifts from lobbyists, lobbyist principals, and those having or seeking a contract with a state or local agency. This increase will apply retroactively to January 1 and will be the gift limit until 2030 when it will again be adjusted.

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Campaign Finance

National: “Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison Over Illegal Donations to Obama Campaign” by Michael Kunzelman (Associated Press) for MSN

Kentucky: “KY Candidate Had a Fundraiser on His Own Church Campus. He Says There’s No Issue” by Austin Horn (Lexington Herald-Leader) for MSN

National: “The Forgotten Court Case That Let Billionaires Spend Big on Elections” by Beth Reinhard (Washington Post) for MSN

Rhode Island: “How to Win Elections and Influence the State House? The League of RI Businesses Has a Plan.” by Nancy Lavin for Rhode Island Current

Elections

Georgia: “Georgia Case Against Trump Dropped, Ending Efforts to Punish President over 2020 Election Aftermath” by Kate Brumback (Associated Press) for MSN

Ethics

California: “DWP Employee Made Assistants Run Personal Errands, Buy Her Snoop Dogg Tickets, Ethics Enforcer Says” by Noah Goldberg (Los Angeles Times) for MSN

New Jersey: “Appeals Court Rules Trump Prosecutor Appointment Violates Law” by Perry Stein (Washington Post) for MSN

Redistricting

Indiana: “Indiana Republicans’ Proposed Map Breaks Indianapolis into 4 Districts” by Marissa Meador (Indianapolis Star) for MSN

The Utah Legislature anticipates convening in special session on December 9 for the purpose of election system clarity, according to a joint press release issued by the House and Senate. The announcement follows a trial court decision in an ongoing lawsuit on congressional district maps.

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The Indiana House will convene Monday, December 1 due to pressure from the White House to consider congressional redistricting. Republicans currently hold seven of the nine U.S. House seats. Trump and other Republicans are hoping a new map favoring Republicans will help the party maintain control of the U.S. House in the 2026 elections.

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Invite them out for coffee or a steak? Make sure you know the gift restrictions of your state or municipality. Request a demo of our online guidebooks today.

Kaiya Wheeler is in the midst of her first year with State and Federal Communications, but her ambition and interest in the industry has served her well. She started just three months ago as a Compliance Assistant.

In her role, Kaiya accepts activity from our clients and makes sure that the information is processed, filed, and stored correctly so her colleagues are prepared for audits. She plays a big role in keeping the consulting process smooth and efficient.

Kaiya became interested in the industry while in college, as she majored in International Relations at Kent State University. Government relations and lobbying were covered frequently in her classes, which helped her analyze patterns, understand government operations, and comprehend terminology. As a 2024 graduate from Kent State, Kaiya joined the State and Federal Communications team in August, and she is adjusting well with the team. Her colleagues have made it easier for her to learn about the industry because of their experience, and her desire to ask questions has led her to learn more about compliance, research, and even marketing.

State and Federal Communications’ work is at an intersection of government relations and business, which Kaiya says keeps her interested and committed to her work. Seeing how things work and noticing all the moving parts associated with our company’s work is something Kaiya likes the most about her role. Kaiya knows that she is doing something meaningful all the time, and considering her work interesting makes her excited to come into our office every day.

Outside of work, Kaiya likes to explore Akron’s music and entertainment scenes. She particularly enjoys foreign horror films, which are surprisingly abundant.

Kaiya recognizes the company is growing pretty quickly, and she wants to work with State and Federal Communications for a long time. She would like to learn more and add to her skill set while learning more about the federal side to our company’s services because of State and Federal Communications’ growing client list.

We are looking forward to many more years with Kaiya as part of our State and Federal Communications team, which is full of experts you can trust. Learn more about what we can do for you at https://stateandfed.com/services/.

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission approved advancing two rulemaking amendments proposed at the November 13 meeting. Requested revisions to Rule 5.16 would allow a lobbyist principal to provide meals to either chamber of the Legislature during session, rather than only to a committee or subcommittee. Amendments to Rules 5.2 and 5.6, and a repeal of Rule 5.8, would potentially loosen gift restrictions to allow for expenditures on traditional business expenses, such as meals and events, while doing away with the requirement that gifts from lobbyists come only at infrequently occurring occasions of personal significance to the recipient. The commission will also consider issuing a guidance letter on Rule 5.14 to clarify only the actual cost of the food and beverage at an event to which all members of the Legislature are invited needs to be reported. The Ethics Commission will consider the drafted revisions, and public comment, at a hearing on December 19.

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Comply with state and local procurement lobbying rules. Our online guidebooks make it easy to view regulations all in one place. Learn more here.

The special session adjourned sine die on November 19. The session lasted seven days and lawmakers officially passed Gov. Joe Lombardo’s crime bill while adopting an additional amendment and making technical changes to the bill. However, the film tax credit bill failed when it was unable to garner enough votes to pass in the Senate. Other pieces of legislation up for debate during the special session were an appropriations bill and a proposal to create a grant program which would limit healthcare provider shortages. Those bills were both passed and will head to the governor’s desk.

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National/Federal

Top Fannie Mae Officials Ousted After Sounding Alarm on Sharing Confidential Housing Data

MSN – Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) | Published: 11/13/2025

A confidant of Bill Pulte, the Trump administration’s top housing regulator, provided confidential mortgage pricing data from Fannie Mae to a principal competitor, alarming senior officials of the government-backed lending giant who warned it could expose the company to claims it was colluding with a rival to fix mortgage rates. While Lauren Smith, the company’s head of marketing, still holds her position, the senior Fannie Mae officials who called her conduct into question were all forced out of their jobs late, along with internal ethics watchdogs who were investigating Pulte and his allies.

Trump Names Paul Ingrassia to GSA Post After Withdrawal Over Racist Texts

MSN – Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 11/14/2025

President Trump tapped Paul Ingrassia, the unsuccessful nominee to run the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), to become deputy general counsel of the General Services Administration, which oversees federal real estate. Ingrassia withdrew his OSC nomination after several GOP senators said they could not support him following reports he texted other Republicans racist slurs and said he had “a Nazi streak.” He also was subject to a sexual harassment investigation in recent months, according to Politico.

Trump Gives Second Pardon to Jan. 6 Participant and Pardons Two Others

MSN – Michael Kranish (Washington Post) | Published: 11/15/2025

President Trump issued a second pardon to Daniel Wilson, whom he had previously pardoned for participation in the breach of the Capitol but was in prison on a separate gun charge. Trump also pardoned Suzanne Kaye, who had been sentenced to 18 months in prison for threatening FBI agents who wanted to speak to her about her whereabouts on January 6, 2021.

Former Fed Official Resigned Following Ethics Probe, Document Shows

MSN – Victoria Guida (Politico) | Published: 11/15/2025

Former Federal Reserve board member Adriana Kugler stepped down from the central bank in August amid scrutiny of her financial holdings, which appeared to violate the bank’s ethics rules, according to a document detailing her trading activity. According to a document released by the Office of Government Ethics, Kugler or her husband bought and sold multiple individual stocks in 2024, a category of asset that senior Fed officials are not allowed to purchase.

The Trump Prosecutor Probing Former Top Obama Administration Officials

MSN – Perry Stein, Jeremy Roebuck, and David Ovalle (Washington Post) | Published: 11/17/2025

When Jason Reding Quiñones was hired in 2018 as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of Florida, he was placed alongside other entry-level attorneys in the office’s boot camp for new hires. Most of those prosecutors win promotion. Reding Quiñones flunked, failing to impress his supervisors with his work ethic and legal acumen and earning poor marks on his performance evaluation. He left the office in 2024. A year later, President Trump tapped Reding Quiñones to return to the Miami-based U.S. attorney’s office as its boss. Justice Department officials have entrusted Reding Quiñones with a broad probe of Trump foes.

Despite Congressional Action, Quick Release of Epstein Files Is in Doubt

MSN – Perry Stein, Jeremy Roebuck, and Theodoric Meyer (Washington Post) | Published: 11/19/2025

The House and Senate agreed to pass a bill calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all unclassified information and files related to the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The Justice Department so far has continued to say nothing about how it would respond to that demand. There are many reasons to doubt that a bulk release of the files is imminent. If President Trump wanted Bondi to release all the Epstein files, he could have ordered her to do so at any point in the past six months.

House Democrats Split Over Unusual Reprimand of One of Their Own

MSN – Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) | Published: 11/18/2025

The House, in a rare bipartisan action, voted to rebuke a Democrat who maneuvered the timing of his retirement to all but assure his handpicked successor would win his seat without opposition. The vote of formal disapproval of Rep. Jesús García was remarkable because it was instigated by a fellow Democrat, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. All Republicans and 23 Democrats supported the measure. The reprimand carries no formal penalty other than the damage to Garcia’s reputation, which a majority of Democrats sought to defend.

Trump Administration Revives Some Funding for IG Group

MSN – Meryl Kornfield and Hannah Natanson (Washington Post) | Published: 11/18/2025

The Trump administration reversed its attempt to eliminate funding for a key government oversight group, following calls from Capitol Hill to release the congressionally approved money and protect federal watchdog activities. The defunding of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, an umbrella organization for 72 inspectors general across government, was unrelated to the federal government shutdown, and the office’s 25 employees have remained furloughed since the start of the fiscal year.

Most Corporate Trump Ballroom Donors Repped by 3 Lobbying Firms, Watchdog Says

MSN – Arden Farhi (CBS News) | Published: 11/19/2025

The majority of the corporations known to have donated to the fund for President Trump’s new White House ballroom are represented by three lobbying firms, according to a report from Public Citizen. Lobbyists from those three firms – Miller Strategies, Ballard Partners, and Michael Best Strategies – mingled with the president and executives from top technology and cryptocurrency companies in the East Room recently. Several companies retained more than one of the lobbying firms in 2025, paying hundreds of thousands annually for advocacy before Congress and the Trump administration.

Ex-Officials Could Get Lifetime Bans from Lobbying for China, Russia Under New Bipartisan Push

MSN – Morgan Phillips (Fox News) | Published: 11/18/2025

Former national security officials could soon lose their security clearances or even face lifetime bans from lobbying for foreign adversaries under new legislation introduced in the House and Senate. The three-bill package takes direct aim at Washington’s “revolving door,” closing the loopholes that have let former officials and power brokers, many with deep knowledge of U.S. defense secrets, push the interests of China, Russia, and other hostile regimes inside the U.S. government.

Justice Dept. Acknowledges Full Grand Jury Never Saw Final Comey Indictment

MSN – Salvador Rizzo and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 11/19/2025

Justice Department lawyers acknowledged a full grand jury never reviewed the final indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, a remarkable admission that could threaten the viability of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney N. Tyler Lemons sought to downplay the error, arguing the revised indictment was changed only to remove the count that the grand jury rejected. “The new indictment wasn’t a new indictment,” Lemons said.

Justice Dept. Charges Democratic Congresswoman with Stealing FEMA Funds

MSN – Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 11/19/2025

Federal officials indicted U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick on allegations she used her family’s health care company to steal from a covid-19 vaccination contract funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and then used the money to bolster her congressional campaign. Cherfilus-McCormick was charged alongside multiple co-defendants, including her brother and her tax preparer. The House ethics committee is also investigating Cherfilus-McCormick.

Trump Family’s Business Ties to Saudi Arabia Raise Ethics Worries

Seattle Times – Vivian Nereim (New York Times) | Published: 11/18/2025

The leveraging of political relationships for personal profit is ordinary in the Persian Gulf, where hereditary ruling families hold near-total power and the term “conflict-of-interest” carries little weight. But the mixing of politics and profitmaking during President Trump’s second term has shattered American norms, shocking scholars who study ethics and corruption. Trump met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, engaging in national security talks with a foreign leader who also oversees a major construction project that is in talks over a potential deal with the Trump family business.

From the States and Municipalities

California – FBI Sent Letters to CA Lobbyists as Part of Corruption Probe Involving Ex-Newsom Chief of Staff

MSN – Lia Russell (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 11/18/2025

The FBI has read or listened to K Street and Sacramento lobbyists’ conversations as part of an ongoing corruption investigation that has so far ensnared Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, former Deputy State Attorney General Sean McCluskie, and lobbyist Greg Campbell. Letters from the Sacramento field office informed recipients their wire or electronic communications had been “intercepted” as part of its conspiracy case accusing Campbell, Williamson, and McCluskie of stealing campaign funds from former cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra.

Colorado – Colorado Ethics Commission Advances Complaints Against Democrats Who Attended Dark Money-Funded Retreat

Colorado Public Radio – Taylor Dolven (Colorado Sun) | Published: 11/19/2025

The Independent Ethics Commission will investigate complaints against state lawmakers who attended a weekend retreat with lobbyists in Vail paid for, at least in part, by a dark money group. The commission voted in favor of deeming the complaints “nonfrivolous” and allowing them to move forward. The complaints allege that 16 lawmakers who are members of the Opportunity Caucus violated Colorado’s prohibition on elected officials receiving gifts when they attended a retreat where they mingled with lobbyists at a ritzy hotel.

Colorado – Colorado Justices Weigh Disclosure Requirements for Ballot Initiative Spending

Colorado Springs Gazette – Michael Karlik (Colorado Politics) | Published: 11/18/2025

The Colorado Supreme Court considered whether an organization that spent $4 million to advocate for ballot initiatives in the 2020 election was required to disclose its donors and spending. Unite for Colorado argued it spent 10 percent or less of its money on a single ballot measure and less than 25 percent of its money on ballot measures. Therefore, Unite for Colorado did not have a “major purpose” of ballot issue advocacy that triggered disclosure. But some justices said an organization could avoid the transparency required of issue committees if it were so wealthy that its expenditures on ballot initiatives were relatively small in comparison.

Georgia – GOP Lawmaker Says Tougher Campaign Finance Penalties Needed in Response to New Georgia Project Case

Georgia Recorder – Ross Williams | Published: 11/13/2025

Stacey Abrams’ New Georgia Project is a thing of the past, but it may still be a major topic of conversation when lawmakers gather next year for the annual legislative session. The voter engagement project founded by Stacey Abrams announced it was dissolving after the Georgia Ethics Commission concluded the group violated state campaign finance law and levied a $300,000 fine, the largest for an ethics violation in state history. A GOP-led panel floated ideas for legislation that members said would discourage organizations from illegally funding candidates in the 2026 midterms and beyond.

Georgia – Georgia Prosecutor Keeps Case Against Trump Alive for Now

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 11/14/2025

The head of a Georgia prosecutors board assigned himself to oversee a sprawling racketeering case against President Trump and his allies over their attempts to overturn the 2020 election, keeping alive for now litigation that has long faced trouble. Peter Skandalakis, the board’s executive director, said he was taking the case because he had not been able to find another prosecutor to take it. He said he needed time to review the extensive material and did not signal whether he would ultimately pursue the case or abandon it.

Georgia – Ethics Commission’s Advisory Opinion Deals New Setback to Chris Carr in Fundraising Fight with Burt Jones

WXIA – Zach Merchant and Reeves Jackson | Published: 11/19/2025

An advisory opinion from Georgia’s ethics commission says certain candidates can loan their own personal money to a leadership committee or PAC. At the center of the dispute is a $10 million loan that Lt. Gov. Burt Jones made to his own leadership committee, a special fundraising vehicle that can accept unlimited donations. State law allows only a few officials to use these committees. The attorney general is not on that list. That means Jones has access to a leadership committee but state Attorney General Chris Carr, his primary opponent in the race for governor, does not.

Illinois – Senate President Don Harmon Faces New Challenge Over Near-$10M Campaign Finance Fine

Yahoo News – Rick Pearson (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 11/17/2025

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon is facing a new challenge over a State Board of Elections staff finding that his campaign committee owes $9.8 million in fines for accepting campaign contributions in excess of state limits. The Liberty Justice Center filed a complaint with the election board regarding Harmon’s committee. The move could allow the matter to go to court and sidestep the bipartisan election panel’s stalemate on the issue.

Indiana – Indiana Likely Will Not Push Forward with Redistricting Despite Pressure from White House

MSN – Adam Wren and Andrew Howard (Politico) | Published: 11/14/2025

President Trump’s effort to force mid-decade redistricting suffered a major setback after Indiana’s Republican Senate leader declared the chamber will not convene in December to redraw maps. It marks the fourth state where efforts have stalled despite pressure from Trump and his political team. Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray announcement immediately incensed those in Trump’s orbit.

Kansas – Mayor of Tiny Kansas Town Could Be Deported Over Voter Fraud Charges

MSN – Caroline O’Donovan (Washington Post) | Published: 11/18/2025

Joe Ceballos has been winning elections in the tiny ranching town of Coldwater for more than a decade, recently securing his second mayoral term in a landslide. But Ceballos’s version of the American dream – a Mexican immigrant who became an integral part of a close-knit Kansas community – has run into a newer American phenomenon: the aggressive prosecution of alleged voter fraud by noncitizens.

Kentucky – FCPS Lobbyist Terminates Contract, Alleging ‘Monetary and Reputational Damage’

MSN – Valarie Honeycutt Spears (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 11/14/2025

In May, Piper-Smith LLC submitted a $38,000 marketing campaign to the Fayette County Public Schools to help it convince the public that a 50 percent occupational tax increase was necessary. A lobbyist for Fayette County Public Schools has terminated her contract with the district after she says her firm suffered “significant damage due to the district’s shifting information on its budget status.”

Louisiana – In Louisiana, Casinos Can’t Make Political Donations, but Sportsbooks Can, Ethics Board Says

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 11/14/2025

Louisiana prohibits casino companies and executives from making state political contributions, but that same ban does not apply to sports gambling operations, according to the Louisiana Board of Ethics. A sport betting company and its senior management can still make political donations, even if the business is a subsidiary of a larger gambling enterprise prohibited from doing so.

Michigan – Woodward’s Firm Gave Campaign Services to Third of Commissioners He Oversees

MSN – Max Bryan (MediaNews Group) | Published: 11/13/2025

Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Dave Woodward is a paid political consultant for a business that provided campaign services to one-third of the commissioners he now oversees, records show, a situation critics see as a potential conflict-of-interest. Woodward is a partner owner of Pivot Point Strategies LLC, a firm that has provided campaign services to six fellow Democratic commissioners since the beginning of 2020, according to campaign finance reports.

Michigan – Michigan Establishes Disclosure Requirements for Earmarks in State Budget

MSN – Clara Hendrickson (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 11/19/2025

New Michigan laws will bring greater transparency to state spending directly awarded to a specific entity, such as a nonprofit or local government, at a lawmaker’s request. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a pair of bills establishing new disclosure requirements and mandating a 45-day period for the public to learn about earmark funding proposals before lawmakers approve the spending. Earmarks do not go through the typical process for distributing public dollars in which a state department or agency evaluates which bidders should receive funding.

Michigan – Detroit’s Ethics System Under Fire as Mary Sheffield Faces First Test as Mayor-Elect

Yahoo News – Violet Ikonomova (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 11/18/2025

A series of recent ethical concerns involving Detroit officials, including city council President and Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield, have prompted criticism of the city’s conflict-of-interest rules and the apparatus designed to ensure they are followed. Government ethics experts flagged poor advice from the Detroit Board of Ethics and policies that appear to allow officials to seek guidance from sources beyond that board, which can lead to conflicting determinations. Ethics training is lacking with less than 10 percent of Detroit’s 10,000-plus public servants having taken it.

Missouri – How a Nebraska Veteran Unwittingly Became a Repeat Donor to a Missouri County Campaign

Yahoo News – Rudi Keller (Missouri Independent) | Published: 11/17/2025

A Korean War veteran from Nebraska named Russell Wood made 35 donations totaling $1,050 over the last year to Bill Eigel’s campaign for St. Charles County executive. The problem is, Wood, who is 92, has never heard of Eigel or set foot in St. Charles County. He said he had no idea he had made so many donations to Eigel’s campaign. Wood appears to have been caught in an online fundraising practice that makes donations automatically repeat on a weekly or monthly basis unless the contributor changes a pre-checked box.

Nevada – Nevada Supreme Court Revives Criminal Case Over Trump Elector Gambit

Yahoo News – Kyle Cheney (Politico) | Published: 11/13/2025

A unanimous Nevada Supreme Court revived the criminal case against six prominent allies of President Trump who falsely claimed to be legitimate presidential electors amid Trump’s effort to subvert the 2020 election. The justices concluded state Attorney General Aaron Ford properly brought the forgery case in Las Vegas, overruling a lower-court decision that found the case should have been brought in Carson City, where the pro-Trump elector nominees signed the false documents.

New Mexico – New Mexico Lawmaker Appeals Adverse Ruling Over Campaign Donation to Student

Courthouse News Service – Joe Duhownik | Published: 11/18/2025

New Mexico’s secretary of state engaged in content discrimination when she referred Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino’s donation to a high school student for criminal prosecution under campaign finance laws, the senator told a federal appeals court. Ortiz y Pino said a section of the state’s Campaign Reporting Act violates the First Amendment by discriminating what types of charitable contributions an elected official can make with their campaign funds.

New York – Ex-Aide to NYC Mayor Eric Adams Avoids Prison Time as Federal Judge Addresses ‘Elephant in the Room’

MSN – Jake Offenhartz (Associated Press) | Published: 11/18/2025

A former aide to outgoing New York Mayor Eric Adams was sentenced to three years’ probation, including a year of home confinement, for soliciting illegal campaign contributions for Adams. But as a federal judge announced the sentence for Mohamed Bahi, a liaison to the city’s Muslim communities, he also addressed the “elephant in the room” – that Adams’ own corruption charges had been erased through a remarkable intervention by the Trump administration.

North Dakota – Campaign Finance at Heart of Latest Skirmish Between Executive Branch, ND Ethics Commission

Yahoo News – Jacob Orledge (North Dakota Monitor) | Published: 11/17/2025

The secretary of state is asking for a formal legal opinion from the attorney general on the North Dakota Ethics Commission’s authority, including whether it had the right to issue a recent advisory opinion. The Legislature empowered the commission to issue advisory opinions if a public official wants to know whether an action is permitted under state law. But the governor and other elected officials say the agency has overstepped, with the conflict contributing to a stalled process to fill vacancies on the commission.

Ohio – FirstEnergy Ordered to Pay More Than $250 Million for Misconduct in Sweeping Ohio Bribery Scheme

Yahoo Finance – Julie Carr Smyth (Associated Press) | Published: 11/19/2025

Ohio utility regulators ordered FirstEnergy to pay more than $250 million in fines and refunds for its misconduct in a statehouse bribery scandal whose fallout continues five years on. Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, among the state’s most powerful politicians, and four associates were charged for their parts in an alleged $60 million racketeering scheme funded by FirstEnergy in exchange for a $1 billion nuclear plant bailout. FirstEnergy admitted to the bribes and agreed to pay $230 million to avoid prosecution.

Oklahoma – After Vote Controversy, Lawmakers and Elected Officials Will Get Thousands More in Pay

MSN – Murray Evans (The Oklahoman) | Published: 11/19/2025

State boards that determine pay for legislators and statewide elected officials have met for a second time after their actions in previous meetings were called into question because one member was a registered lobbyist and should not have been serving on the boards. The Legislative Compensation Board and the Statewide Official Compensation Commission, which have the same nine members, rescinded actions from previous meetings and updated their decisions regarding pay raises for legislators and 11 statewide positions.

Pennsylvania – Barstool Influencers Pushed Anti-Tax Message as Pa. Lawmakers Privately Debated Sports Betting Proposal

Spotlight PA – Stephen Caruso | Published: 11/19/2025

As Pennsylvania lawmakers worked to reach a budget deal, three Barstool Sports influencers sent a message to their millions of followers: Harrisburg wants to tax your fun. Behind the scenes, Democrats were trying to sell their GOP counterparts on a deal that would increase taxes on sports betting and online gaming. The videos demonstrated the changing landscape of advocacy in a media environment where Americans flock to digital personalities for their news. They also raise questions about whether they constituted lobbying, and if Barstool Sports and its stars were registered to do such advocacy work.

South Carolina – Are All Public Charter School Districts Subject to Ethics Laws? SC Agency Says No

MSN – Zak Koeske (The State) | Published: 11/13/2025

For years, South Carolina’s ethics agency has held taxpayer-funded charter school districts to the same government accountability standards as traditional public-school districts. But that treatment, the Ethics Commission recently determined, should not have been applied to all charter school districts. Because the districts were created by private entities, the commission reasoned, they were not governmental entities, and their board members and employees were not public members or public employees.

Tennessee – Tennessee Judge Blocks Trump’s Use of National Guard in Memphis but Gives Time for Government Appeal

MSN – Adrian Sainz and Jonathan Mattise (Associated Press) | Published: 11/18/2025

A Tennessee judge blocked the use of the National Guard in Memphis under a crime-fighting operation by President Trump but also put the order on hold, giving the government five days to appeal. Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal’s decision sides with Democratic state and local officials who sued, contending Gov. Bill Lee cannot deploy the Tennessee National Guard for civil unrest unless there is rebellion or invasion, and even then, it would require action by state lawmakers.

Tennessee – Tennessee Registry Orders Pardoned House Staffer to Explain Troubled PAC

Yahoo News – Sam Stockard (Tennessee Lookout) | Published: 11/19/2025

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance is ordering a former House staff member recently pardoned after conviction in a corruption case to testify about a PAC he secretly formed in 2020 to sway the election. The registry voted to drop a subpoena against Cade Cothren and, instead, bring him in next year to explain his actions in forming the Faith Family Freedom Fund. Registry Chairperson Tom Lawless said Cothren sent fraudulent documents, including a treasurer’s report and several emails, to the agency when he formed the PAC.

Texas – Federal Court Blocks Texas from Using New Congressional Gerrymander in 2026 Midterms

MSN – Eleanor Klibanoff (Texas Tribune) | Published: 11/18/2025

A federal appeals court panel ruled Texas cannot use its new congressional map for the 2026 election and will instead need to stick with the lines passed in 2021. The decision is a blow for Republicans, in Texas and nationally, who pushed through this unusual mid-decade redistricting at the behest of President Trump. They were hoping the new map would help protect the narrow GOP majority in the U.S. House.

Wyoming – Wyoming Legislature Reverses Course on Axing Memberships with National Associations Perceived as Too Costly, Liberal

MSN – Maggie Mullen (WyoFile) | Published: 11/20/2025

Lawmakers reversed course on the prospect of cutting ties with two national, non-partisan organizations that have long provided research and training to members and staff of the Wyoming Legislature. Wyoming pays biennial dues to the Council of State Governments West and the National Conference of State Legislatures that cost approximately $271,300 and $293,500 respectively. The value of those memberships, however, came into question during a Management Council meeting in April.