Campaign Finance Pennsylvania: “Pittsburgh Looks to Tighten Campaign Finance Reports for PACs, Independent Expenditures” by Ashley Murray for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Elections National: “Wisconsin Recount Confirms Biden’s Win Over Trump, Cementing the President’s Failure to Change the Election Results” by Rosalind […]
Campaign Finance
Pennsylvania: “Pittsburgh Looks to Tighten Campaign Finance Reports for PACs, Independent Expenditures” by Ashley Murray for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Elections
National: “Wisconsin Recount Confirms Biden’s Win Over Trump, Cementing the President’s Failure to Change the Election Results” by Rosalind Helderman and Amy Gardner (Washington Post) for MSN
Ethics
National: “NRA Reports Alleged Misspending by Current and Former Executives to IRS” by Beth Reinhard and Carol Leonning (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Trump Pardons Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, Who Pleaded Guilty to Lying to the FBI” by Rosalind Helserman and Josh Dawsey for Washington Post
Delaware: “Wilmington Councilman Rebuked: ‘City employees must not be threatened for doing their jobs’” by Jeanne Kuang for Wilmington News Journal
Illinois: “City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin Denies Wrongly Firing Chief of Staff, Other Employees” by Gregory Pratt for Chicago Tribune
Illinois: “New Cache of ComEd Documents Shows Indicted Madigan Confidant Pressing Utility for Jobs and Contracts” by Dan Petrella, Jamie Munks, and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News
Legislative Issues
Virginia: “As Virginia Democrats Rein Themselves In with Bill Limits, Some Legislators See Lost Opportunities” by Laura Vozzella for Washington Post
Lobbying
Ohio: “Bankruptcy Judge Orders Lobbyists to Testify About Any Ties to Householder Bribery Case” by Jim Mackinnon for Akron Beacon Journal
Campaign Finance National: “Georgia Senator David Perdue Privately Pushed for a Tax Break for Rich Sports Teamowners” by Robert Faturechi and Justin Elliott for ProPublica California: “SLO County Supervisors OK $25,000 Campaign Donation Cap Over Hundreds of Objections” by Lindsey […]
Campaign Finance
National: “Georgia Senator David Perdue Privately Pushed for a Tax Break for Rich Sports Teamowners” by Robert Faturechi and Justin Elliott for ProPublica
California: “SLO County Supervisors OK $25,000 Campaign Donation Cap Over Hundreds of Objections” by Lindsey Holden for San Luis Obispo News
New York: “Bill Would Further Restrict Coordination Between City Candidates and Independent Expenditure Campaigns” by Samar Khurshid for Gotham Gazette
Elections
National: “Trump Pushes Supreme Court to Let Him Reshape Apportionment” by Michael Macagnone for Roll Call
Ethics
National: “All the President’s ‘Guys’” by Ben Terris for Washington Post
California: “Feds Charge Recology Exec in Purported Mohammed Nuru Bribery Scheme” by Julian Mark and Joe Eskenazi for Mission Local
Illinois: “Feds Draw Near Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan as Key Confidant Weighs Cooperation Choice” by Jason Meisner and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News
Ohio: “Sam Randazzo Resigns as Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chair” by Jeremy Pelzer for Cleveland Plain Dealer
Legislative Issues
Wyoming: “When Will the Wyoming Legislature Convene Next Year? No One’s Sure Yet” by Nick Reynolds for Casper Star Tribune
Missouri Capitol Building
The second special session of the Missouri General Assembly has been delayed until after the Thanksgiving break. This comes in response to a number of positive COVID-19 cases among members and staff. The special session began on November 5 to […]
The second special session of the Missouri General Assembly has been delayed until after the Thanksgiving break.
This comes in response to a number of positive COVID-19 cases among members and staff.
The special session began on November 5 to focus on getting federal CARES Act funding distributed to the state.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
Cincinnati Skyline - by Mr. RNGAndreson
Cincinnati City Councilman Alexander “P.G.” Sittenfeld was arrested on federal corruption charges. He is the third council member to be arrested this year. Sittenfeld denies the allegations of bribery and attempted extortion and does not plan to resign. If he […]
Cincinnati City Councilman Alexander “P.G.” Sittenfeld was arrested on federal corruption charges.
He is the third council member to be arrested this year.
Sittenfeld denies the allegations of bribery and attempted extortion and does not plan to resign.
If he does resign, four members of the council will choose his successor by a majority vote.
San Luis Obispo - by MARELBU
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 on Friday to set campaign contribution limits at $25,000. Hundreds of community members called in asking the county go with the forthcoming state limit of $4,700. Opponents of the $25,000 […]
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 on Friday to set campaign contribution limits at $25,000.
Hundreds of community members called in asking the county go with the forthcoming state limit of $4,700.
Opponents of the $25,000 ceiling voiced concerns the higher limit would lead to corruption.
Others argued the county should not make a decision until a replacement for deceased Supervisor Adam Hill is seated.
Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation limiting campaign contributions to local candidates to $4,700 in cities and counties not having their own contribution limits.
Those limits go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.
The $25,000 limit will apply to candidates for 10 county offices, including the five supervisors, the district attorney, and the sheriff.
Campaign Finance National: “Biden Transition Steps Up Fundraising as Trump Withholds Federal Money” by Elena Schneider and Theodoric Meyer for Politico California: “After Divisive Election Cycle, San Jose to Explore New Campaign Finance Laws” by Maggie Angst for San Jose […]
Campaign Finance
National: “Biden Transition Steps Up Fundraising as Trump Withholds Federal Money” by Elena Schneider and Theodoric Meyer for Politico
California: “After Divisive Election Cycle, San Jose to Explore New Campaign Finance Laws” by Maggie Angst for San Jose Mercury News
Nevada: “Las Vegas Judge Took Lawyer’s Campaign Donation Before Dismissals” by David Ferrara for Las Vegas Review-Journal
Elections
National: “Trump’s Escalating Attacks Put Pressure on Vote Certification Process” by David Fahrenthold, Beth Reinhard, Elise Viebeck, and Emma Brown (Washington Post) for MSN
Ethics
New York: “Trump Tax Write-Offs Are Ensnared in 2 New York Fraud Investigations” by Danny Hakim, Mike McIntire, William Rashbaum, and Ben Protess for New York Times
Ohio: “Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld Arrested on Federal Charges” by Andrew Tobias for Cleveland Plain Dealer
Utah: “Audit Finds Free Spending and Cronyism by Ex-State Agency Head” by Bethany Rodgers for Salt Lake Tribune
Lobbying
National: “K Street Moves to Counter ‘Purity’ Test for Biden Administration” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call
Florida: “After Months of Work, Leon County Gives OK to Stronger Lobbying Ordinance” by Karl Etters for Tallahassee Democrat
Colorado Capitol Building
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced the start date of the previously announced special session on COVID-19 relief to begin November 30 at 10 a.m. Among the action items to be addressed during the session are childcare support, housing and direct […]
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced the start date of the previously announced special session on COVID-19 relief to begin November 30 at 10 a.m.
Among the action items to be addressed during the session are childcare support, housing and direct rental assistance, food insecurity, and public health response.
It is expected to take at least three days to approve the legislation. A professional lobbyist must disclose within 72 hours if a lobbyist agrees to lobby for an existing client or takes a new position in connection to legislation, standard, rules, or rates during a special session.
New Mexico Capitol Building - Ken Lund
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced November 19 she will call a special legislative session prior to Thanksgiving to provide COVID-19 relief. The state has about $300 million in federal aid. Gov. Grisham and lawmakers want to use the […]
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced November 19 she will call a special legislative session prior to Thanksgiving to provide COVID-19 relief.
The state has about $300 million in federal aid. Gov. Grisham and lawmakers want to use the resources toward small businesses and unemployment.
The special session is scheduled to begin Tuesday, November 24, and is expected to last one day. The Roundhouse will be closed to the public during that time.
A legislative report will be due within 48 hours for each separate expenditure of $500 or more made or incurred by a lobbyist or employer during the special legislative session.
Illinois State Capitol Building
The Illinois Legislature canceled the veto session originally scheduled for this week and December 1-3, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. State lawmakers hope to meet in January, though no date has been set. Generally, the veto session, a short session […]
The Illinois Legislature canceled the veto session originally scheduled for this week and December 1-3, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
State lawmakers hope to meet in January, though no date has been set.
Generally, the veto session, a short session in the fall, is used to override bills that have been vetoed and resolve conflicts with the governor.
There are no vetoes to address this year, but lawmakers could address other matters.
The next General Assembly will be inaugurated on January 13, 2021.
Therefore, the veto session would have to take place before then if it is held.
Oregon Senate Chamber - photo by Cacophony
Lawmakers on Wednesday signaled support in using a provision from the state constitution never before used. Under the provision, Gov. Kate Brown can declare a catastrophic disaster. In addition, she can convene a special legislative session under looser rules than […]
Lawmakers on Wednesday signaled support in using a provision from the state constitution never before used.
Under the provision, Gov. Kate Brown can declare a catastrophic disaster.
In addition, she can convene a special legislative session under looser rules than lawmakers would normally abide by.
Legislators likely would not be required to appear at the Capitol for such a session, eliminating concerns about spreading the coronavirus.
The House and Senate also could operate without a two-thirds quorum of lawmakers in attendance.
If Gov. Brown does declare a catastrophic emergency, it can only last for 30 days unless extended by lawmakers.
A spokesperson for Brown stated the governor is open to holding another special session if legislators can agree to a succinct list of policies addressing Oregonians’ most pressing needs.
Originally reported as defeated, Ballot Measure 2 was approved with 50.5% of the vote reported as of November 17. The measure will make several changes to the election process, including replacing partisan primaries with open top-four primaries for state executive, state legislative, […]
Originally reported as defeated, Ballot Measure 2 was approved with 50.5% of the vote reported as of November 17.
The measure will make several changes to the election process, including replacing partisan primaries with open top-four primaries for state executive, state legislative, and congressional offices.
Also, the measure establishes ranked-choice voting for general elections, including the presidential election, in which voters can rank the candidates.
Additionally, Ballot Measure 2 requires persons and entities contributing more than $2,000 derived from donations, contributions, dues, or gifts to disclose the true sources (as defined in law) of the political contributions.
The approved system of top-four primaries and ranked-choice voting general elections will be first used in 2022.
This will include the gubernatorial, U.S. House, and a U.S. Senate election in Alaska.
Campaign Finance New Mexico: “Modest Sunshine Still Leaves Campaign Cash in Shadow” by Sara Swann (The Fulcrum) and Bryan Metzger for New Mexico In Depth Elections National: “Trump Fires Top DHS Official Who Refuted His Claims That the Election Was […]
Campaign Finance
New Mexico: “Modest Sunshine Still Leaves Campaign Cash in Shadow” by Sara Swann (The Fulcrum) and Bryan Metzger for New Mexico In Depth
Elections
National: “Trump Fires Top DHS Official Who Refuted His Claims That the Election Was Rigged” by Ellen Nakashima and Nick Miroff (Washington Post) for MSN
Florida: “State Investigating Mysterious Candidate Who Swayed Tight Florida Senate Race” by Samantha Gross and Ana Ceballos for Tampa Bay Times
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rejects Complaints About Philadelphia Election Observations” by Zach Montellaro and Josh Gerstein for Politico
Ethics
Louisiana: “After IG’s Ouster, Stronger Whistleblower Laws Considered by New Orleans Ethics Review Board” by Jeff Adelson for Nola.com
New York: “After Cuomo Book Approval, Ethics Commissioners Quash Greater Scrutiny” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Legislative Issues
National: “6 Lawmakers in 5 Days: New COVID-19 infections put spotlight on Congress’ loose guidelines” by Christal Hayes for USA Today
Lobbying
National: “Corporations and Foreign Nations Pivot to Lobby Biden” by Kenneth Vogel and Eric Lipton for New York Times
California: “Newsom’s Cozy Ties with Top Lobbyist Showcased by French Laundry Dinner Party” by Jeremy White and Debra Kahn for Politico
Colorado Capitol Building
The Colorado General Assembly is preparing for a special session to provide more relief to those impacted by COVID-19. Gov. Jared Polis wants lawmakers to take immediate action on elements of his $1.3 billion stimulus package. This would include relief […]
The Colorado General Assembly is preparing for a special session to provide more relief to those impacted by COVID-19.
Gov. Jared Polis wants lawmakers to take immediate action on elements of his $1.3 billion stimulus package. This would include relief for restaurant owners and other small businesses.
The special session is expected after the Thanksgiving holiday, before lawmakers return on January 13 for their next regular session. It will take at least three days to approve the legislation.
A professional lobbyist must disclose within 72 hours if a lobbyist agrees to lobby for an existing client or takes a new position in connection to legislation, standard, rules, or rates during a special session.
