Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election to fill a vacancy in Senate District 6 following the resignation of Sen. Justin Eichorn on March 20. The Senate was expected to expel Eichorn after he was arrested and charged as part of a minor prostitution sting. The special primary election will be held on April 15, followed by the special general election on April 29.

Campaign Finance

Washington: “Seattle Committee Weighs Increased Levy Renewal for Public Campaign Financing” by Spencer Pauley (The Center Square) for MSN

Elections

Arizona: “Measure That Could Affect GOP 2026 Race for Governor Advances” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Capitol Times

Ethics

National: “Disbanded Anti-Kleptocracy Unit Had Entangled Trump Allies” by Peter Whoriskey (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Judge Orders Government to Preserve Signal Messages About Houthi Military Strike” by Michael Kunzelman (Associated Press) for MSN

National: “Ethics Watchdog Says Congressman Cory Mills May Have Lied About Finances and Isn;t Cooperating” by Jack Newsham and Brent Griffiths (Business Insider) for MSN

Massachusetts: “Massachusetts Mayor Who Shuttered a Libelous Newspaper Faces Renewed Corruption Allegations” by Michael Casey (Associated Press) for MSN

Oregon: “Washington County Sewer Officials Ran Up Huge Food Tab on Ratepayers’ Dime” by Jamie Goldberg (Portland Oregonian) for MSN

Lobbying

Colorado: “Colorado Lawmakers Kill Bill Aimed at Banning Lobbyists from Donating to Campaigns” by Seth Klamann for Denver Post

Lawmakers passed a bill changing the disclosure requirements for political committees. House Bill 1264, effective July 1, 2025, requires campaign finance disclosure reports, including amendments, supplements, and termination reports to include the outstanding balance of each loan received at the time the report is filed.

Kansas lawmakers passed a bill allowing more nonprofits to reimburse public officials for travel and conferences. House Bill 2060 expands who can reimburse public officials for expenses to any nonprofit nonpartisan organization that doesn’t engage in lobbying in the state of Kansas. Current law prohibits certain elected officials and state employees from soliciting or accepting free or discounted tickets to entertainment or sporting events if such gifts are provided due to their role in government. The bill creates an exemption if it is obvious to the person accepting the gift the free or discounted tickets are not provided due to their position, or if accepting an invitation serves a legitimate state purpose or interest. The bill will now go to the governor to be signed or vetoed.

On March 27, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) held its scheduled meeting, but with only four commissioners instead of six and without a chairperson. Ellen Weintraub, who was just elected as chair on December 12 of last year, was not present and is currently not listed on the FEC’s website as a current commissioner.

Weintraub had received a letter dated January 31 of this year from President Donald J. Trump informing her he was removing her from the FEC “effective immediately.” While there remains a question of the legality of the firing, the FEC has still been conducting business and holding meetings with just the four commissioners. On January 20, Commissioner Sean J. Cooksey had resigned from the FEC, bringing its number down to five at the time.

The FEC website lists four commissioners with two vacancies: Vice Chairman James E. “Trey” Trainor III and Allen Dickerson, both Republicans, and Shana M. Broussard and Dara Lindenbaum, both Democrats. The FEC requires at least four commissioners to agree on any official action. No more than three commissioners can be from the same party. As it stands, all decisions must be unanimous between the four commissioners. Commissioners are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

At the meeting, Commissioner Dickerson nominated Commissioner Broussard for the position of chair. Following the motion, the commission held over its consideration to a future meeting.

In an Executive Order recently issued by President Donald J. Trump relating to voting in federal elections, the president also directed the U.S. Attorney General to prioritize the enforcement of existing laws both preventing foreign nationals from making political contributions in U.S. elections and prohibiting lobbying by organizations or entities that have received any federal funds.

The majority of the order, entitled Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections, concerns various aspects of voter registration, verification of citizenship of voters, illegal voting, and substantiation of state compliance with federal voting laws.

The order, issued on March 25, directs the U.S. Attorney General to act in consultation with the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.

National/Federal

Paul Weiss Chair Says Deal with Trump Adheres to Firm’s Principles

DNyuz – Matthew Goldstein, Jessica Silver-Greenbergm and Ben Protess (New York Times) | Published: 3/21/2025

The chairperson of Paul Weiss sought to reassure employees at the giant law firm that the deal it reached with President Trump was consistent with principles the firm has long stood by. Brad Karp sent a firm-wide email, detailing the agreement he had reached with Trump, which allowed the firm to escape an executive order that could have cost it significant business. Despite Karp’s assurances, the deal caused concern among the broader legal community that large law firms were capitulating to Trump’s demands instead of fighting them in court.

Federal Judiciary Creates New Task Force with Threats on the Rise

DNyuz – Abbie Van Sickle and Mattathias Schwartz (New York Times) | Published: 3/26/2025

A task force of federal judges will consider how to respond to “current risks” for the judiciary, following a spate of threats against judges who have ruled against the Trump administration. The formation of the task force is another sign the judicial branch is taking seriously an increasingly hostile and politicized climate.

Justice Dept. Tries to Intervene on Trump’s Behalf in Jan. 6 Lawsuits

DNyuz – Alan Feuer (New York Times) | Published: 3/20/2025

The Justice Department made an unusual effort to short-circuit a series of civil lawsuits seeking to hold President Trump accountable for his supporters’ attack on the Capitol. Department lawyers argued in court papers the cases that Trump was acting in his official capacity as president on January 6 and so the federal government itself should take his place as the defendant. That move, if successful, could protect Trump from having to face judgment for his role in the attack and from having to pay financial damages if he were found liable.

Lutnick Urges Fox News Viewers to Buy Tesla Stock, Raising Ethics Questions

MSN – Justine McDaniel and Sabina Rodriguez (Washington Post) | Published: 3/20/2025

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urged Fox News viewers to buy Tesla stock, an apparent violation of federal ethics rules that prohibit officials from endorsing products or businesses. His promotion of Tesla was the latest move by a Trump administration official to bolster support for Elon Musk’s car company as it becomes a target for voters upset about the sweeping cuts Musk is leading across the federal government through the U.S. DOGE Service.

K Street Crashes Into ‘Nearly Un-Lobbyable’ Elon Musk

MSN – Sophia Call and Daniel Lippman (Politico) | Published: 3/20/2025

Washington’s lobbying class is searching for an effective approach to an unprecedented challenge: how do you influence a mercurial outsider like Elon Musk who has immense but unofficial power and is the world’s richest person. But solving for Musk could pay huge dividends. If K Street can figure out how to lobby him, they can capitalize off the anxiety pervading Washington that drives companies and industries to sign six-figure retainers.

Health Benefits Company Co-Founded by Dr. Oz Could Be a Conflict of Interest

MSN – Lauren Weber and Caitlin Gilbert (Washington Post) | Published: 3/24/2025

Mehmet Oz, the nominee to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), co-founded health benefits company ZorroRX with his son last year. ZorroRX and similar companies promise to make hospitals money and save employers cash by connecting patients to the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. As head of CMS, Oz would lead an agency that could directly influence how much money hospitals, and in turn companies like ZorroRX, make from the federal system.

‘This Is Not Your Grandmother’s Easter Egg Roll’: White House seeks corporate sponsorships for Easter event

MSN – Betsy Kline (CNN) | Published: 3/23/2025

The White House, through an outside event production company called Harbinger, is soliciting corporate sponsors for this year’s Easter Egg Roll, which is prompting major concerns from ethics experts and shock from former White House officials from both parties. The solicitation for sponsorships marks an unprecedented offering of corporate branding opportunities on White House grounds running counter to long-established regulations prohibiting the use of public office for private gain.

Trump’s Washington Runs on Secret Chat App Signal

MSN – Shira Ovide, Danielle Abril, and Hannah Natanson (Washington Post) | Published: 3/25/2025

Two months into the Trump administration, there is a sweeping shift underway in Washington as federal workers, and some high-level administration officials, migrate their correspondence to the messaging app Signal in a zeal for secrecy. Adopting Signal and other surveillance-dodging tactics of spies and billionaires comes at the potential loss of a real-time history of the Trump administration. The Atlantic magazine’s top editor said he was accidently added to a signal group in which U.S. officials planned a recent military attack in Yemen.

Trump’s Crackdown on Top Law Firms Spreads to Congress

MSN – Dasha Burns, Caitlin Oprysko, and Daniel Lippman (Politico) | Published: 3/24/2025

An email circulated by a Republican Senate staffer to GOP Senate offices instructs them to pay heed to the lobbying clients of Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie, two law firms that President Trump has singled out in his campaign to crack down on those that oppose his policies. A person familiar with the email said the goal was to signal “that maybe Senate Republican staffers should consider whether they should be helpful to these individuals [that hire Covington and Perkins Coie], given their affiliation with firms deemed to be anti-Trump.”

For Many, Proving U.S. Citizenship to Vote Could Be Costly and Difficult

MSN – Anumita Kaur and Gaya Gupta (Washington Post) | Published: 3/26/2025

Millions of Americans could be prevented from voting after President Trump signed an executive order requiring people to provide documents that prove they are citizens when they register to vote. High costs, bureaucratic delays, and transportation issues are among myriad hurdles preventing many Americans from acquiring these forms of identification, which means Trump’s new mandate will make it harder for citizens to reach the ballot box, experts said.

Masked Agents Whisk Away Tufts Student from Sidewalk, Video Shows

MSN – Niha Masih, Frances Vinall, and Julie Yoon (Washington Post) | Published: 3/27/2025

As Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk made her way to an interfaith center to break the Ramadan, plainclothes agents, some masked, descended on her. Within about a minute, the agents whisked her away in handcuffs. Ozturk’s lawyer said the agent belonged to the Department of Homeland Security. Ozturk is a Fulbright scholar on an F-1 student visa, her lawyer said. President Trump promised to deport international students he alleges are engaging in “pro-terrorist, antisemitic, anti-American” campus protests over Israel’s war in Gaza.

From the States and Municipalities

Europe – Why Banning Huawei from the EU Institutions Is Harder Than It Seems

Euractiv – Anupriya Datta and Nicoletta Ionta | Published: 3/25/2025

The European Parliament quickly suspended lobbyists’ access after a new corruption case emerged involving Huawei, which allegedly paid bribes to politicians to support its 5G expansion in Europe. After the allegations became public, the European Commission issued internal instructions directing commissioners, cabinet members, and staff to immediately suspend all meetings and contacts with Huawei “until further notice.” But Huawei lobbyists could exploit loopholes to retain access to European Union premises despite the ban.

Canada – Canada’s Carney Calls Snap Election as Trump Looms Over Campaign

MSN – Amanda Coletta (Washington Post) | Published: 3/23/2025

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called a snap federal election for April 28, seeking to capitalize on momentum that has his Liberals resurgent. The campaign is likely to come down to one question: who can best handle President Trump and make Canada more resilient in the face of his threats? The election will pit Carney against Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, a populist firebrand who until recently held a commanding lead in the polls.

Arizona – GOP Lawmaker Undermines One of His Party’s Candidates for AZ Governor

Arizona Daily Star – Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) | Published: 3/27/2025

The head of the conservative Arizona Freedom Caucus is advancing legislation that would bar Republican Karrin Taylor Robson from becoming the next governor, even if she were to win the election over his favored GOP candidate. The resolution says nothing about Robson, but it does say no person is eligible to become a state elected official who for two years prior to the primary election was required to register as a paid lobbyist.

California – S.F. Is Weak and Ineffective at Preventing Conflicts of Interest, Report Finds

Mission Local – Xueer Lu | Published: 3/24/2025

Since January 2020, San Francisco has had eight department head-level employees forced out of office due to allegations of corruption. A new report suggests the city’s systems meant to limit conflicts-of-interest are lax and ineffective. The Budget and Legislative Analyst’s Office noted a distinct lack of process for reviewing financial disclosure forms, inconsistency across departments in ethics training, and failure of city employees to disclose secondary jobs and failure to catch and check them.

California – What Do the City Records Show About the Alleged Bribe in the Sacramento Mayor’s Race?

MSN – Joe Rubin (Sacramento Bee) | Published: 3/25/2025

Three weeks before allegedly offering a bribe to Sacramento mayoral candidate Flojaune Cofer, California Black Chamber of Commerce President Jay King had a previously undisclosed lunch meeting with then-City Manager Howard Chan and developer Paul Petrovich. During a September phone call, Cofer said she was asked by King to extend Chan’s contract. If she did, she said, King promised that Petrovich would make a substantial campaign contribution.

California – Ousted Official Used City Cash for Son’s UCLA Tuition, Probe Finds

San Francisco Standard – Gabe Greschler, Noah Baustin, Jonah Owen Lamb, and David Sijostedt | Published: 3/20/2025

Investigators revealed new details about a former San Francisco department head who allegedly enriched herself through a corrupt scheme of bribes and illegal gifts that went on for years. The city attorney’s office said Sheryl Davis, who has resigned as the Human Rights Commission director, received tens of thousands of dollars from a city-funded organization that benefitted her personal business ventures, expensive travel, and her son’s tuition at UCLA.

Colorado – Trump Complained About a Portrait of Him in Colorado’s Capitol. Now It’s Being Removed.

MSN – Justine McDaniel (Washington Post) | Published: 3/25/2025

President Trump likes having his name and image on things, but there is one representation of his likeness that he wanted gone – a portrait that hangs in the Colorado Capitol. Trump took to Truth Social to complain about the painting, blaming the state’s Democratic governor for it and demanding it be removed. Republican then asked for the portrait to be taken down, and the Democratic lawmakers who hold the majorities in the Legislature signed off on removing it.

Florida – Florida’s Top Gambling Regulator Became a FanDuel Lobbyist. A Bill Would Bar a Repeat.

MSN – Alexandra Glorioso (Miami Herald) | Published: 3/20/2025

As Florida’s first gambling regulator, Louis Trombetta took an aggressive approach to fantasy sports betting, driving three companies to shut down their games in the state. Then he went to work for one of their competitors. The sudden about-face has raised questions by ethics experts about the “revolving door” between regulators and the industry, a door one state lawmaker wants to shut behind Trombetta.

Idaho – Committee Sends Overhaul of Idaho’s Campaign Finance Law to House

Moscow-Pullman Daily News – Laura Guido | Published: 3/25/2025

A major overhaul of Idaho’s campaign finance law moved to the House floor. House Bill 442 would increase campaign expenditure reporting frequency, raise individual contribution limits, and include a trigger to significantly increase donation limits if a legislative candidate has $50,000 spent against them.

Kansas – Kansas Lawmakers Vote to Let More Organizations to Pay for Their Travel Expenses

MSN – Jack Harvel (Topeka Capital-Journal) | Published: 3/26/2025

A bill sent to the Kansas governor would allow more nonprofits to reimburse politicians for travel to events and conferences and give more leeway for the executive branch to accept gifts or discounted tickets to entertainment events. Organizations like the National Conference of State Legislatures can pay travel-related expenses, but non-nationwide organizations are prohibited. The bill expands who can reimburse lawmakers to any nonprofit nonpartisan group that does not lobby in the state.

Kentucky – Democrat Grimes, Former Kentucky Secretary of State, Wins Appeal in Ethics Case

Yahoo News – Jack Brammer (Kentucky Lantern) | Published: 3/23/2025

The Kentucky Court of Appeals unanimously has upheld a lower court order that cleared former Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes of ethics charges. The court said the Executive Branch Ethics Commission missed its statutory deadline to charge Grimes with improperly ordering the downloading and distribution of voter registration data from her public office while she was secretary of state. The commission argued it was not bound by any statute of limitations.

Louisiana – Supreme Court Presses Louisiana on Use of Race During 2022 Redistricting

MSN – John Fritze (CNN) | Published: 3/24/2025

The Supreme Court grappled with a years-old, messy legal battle over Louisiana’s congressional districts during an oral argument in which several of the court’s conservatives questioned whether the state had violated the Constitution because of its focus on race. Several of those justices signaled they are prepared to further weaken the influence that the Voting Right Act has on redistricting, although it was not clear if there was a majority to do so in Louisiana’s case. That is partly because lower courts had guided the state toward redrawing its lines with race in mind.

Maryland – Gov. Moore’s Planned Attendance at Political Fundraiser Raises Legal Questions

MSN – Brooke Conrad (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 3/27/2025

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore appearance at an upcoming event organized by the Unity First PAC is raising eyebrows in Annapolis. Maryland law places certain limits on fundraising activities by the governor and other state officials during the General Assembly session and the event is scheduled for April 2, five days before the conclusion of the session. David Mitrani, Unity First PAC’s lawyer, said the PAC does not “engage in activity that is covered under Maryland’s campaign finance law and is not a candidate committee … and is therefore not subject to the legislative session blackout period.”

Minnesota – Minnesota State Senator Resigns After He Was Charged with Soliciting a Minor for Prostitution

MSN – Steve Karnowski (Associated Press) | Published: 3/20/2025

Minnesota Sen. Justin Eichorn resigned after he was charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution, stepping down before the Senate could vote on whether to expel him. Investigators had placed multiple ads online offering sex for money, according to the charging documents. Eichorn exchanged text messages with an undercover officer purporting to be a 17-year-old girl for several days until they arranged a meet-up, where he was arrested.

Montana – Former Legislators Could Immediately Become Lobbyists Under Senate Bill

Daily Montanan – Jordan Hansen | Published: 3/20/2025

Former Montana legislators could immediately become lobbyists under legislation from Sen. Greg Hertz. Now, state lawmakers, elected state officials, department directors, appointed state officials, and members of an elected official’s personal staff are not allowed to be licensed as lobbyists if they have served in any of those positions over the previous two years. Senate Bill 222 would remove the statute entirely.

Montana – ‘Buckle Up’: In Montana, Republican lawmakers target the judiciary

DNyuz – David Chen (New York Times) | Published: 3/24/2025

As the Trump administration steps up its attacks on the federal judiciary, similar power struggles are unfolding at the state level. The Montana Legislature is weighing an avalanche of bills to reshape the judiciary and influence who gets to sit on the courts. Judicial elections would become partisan contests. A new court would be created to adjudicate constitutional claims, helmed by judges who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. At least two bills have even proposed that a judge’s “facial expressions” to be construed as evidence of bias, potentially resulting in disqualification.

Montana – Montana Senate Can’t Muster Enough Votes to Punish Former President Ellsworth

MSN – Tom Lutey (Montana Free Press) | Published: 3/24/2025

The Montana Senate drew to a stalemate over whether to expel Sen. Jason Ellsworth for ethics violations, though there is no limit to how many tries they get at taking some sort of disciplinary action. Lawmakers failed twice to get the necessary two-thirds majority required to expel a member. Between attempts to expel, senators were also unsuccessful at censuring Ellsworth. The latter entailed removing him from key committees and banning him from the Senate floor for a few weeks.

New Jersey – Sanctioned Trump Attorney Alina Habba to Be Interim N.J. Prosecutor

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 3/24/2025

Alina Habba, a lawyer for President Trump who received sanctions and judicial reprimands while representing him, will be appointed interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey. Habba has been serving as a White House counselor and was a prominent figure on the campaign trail for Trump. Habba was heavily involved in Trump’s legal entanglements before the November election. In that role, she was sanctioned for running afoul of what judges considered appropriate attorney conduct.

New Mexico – One Signature Away from Becoming Law, Lobbyists Worry Over Reporting Bill

Yahoo News – Megan Gleason (Albuquerque Journal) | Published: 3/20/2025

New Mexico lawmakers sent a bill to the governor that would require lobbyists or their employers to file reports disclosing stances on bills they are attempting to influence and, if positions change, to update their stances within 48 hours. Currently, lobbyists only need to publicly report who is employing them and money spent to benefit legislators for lobbying purposes. House Bill 143 has raised red flags for some lobbyists, who are concerned it would worsen existing logistical issues and be overly burdensome.

New Mexico – 60 Days Later, Cicero Institute’s Reason for NM Lobbying Still Hidden from Public

Yahoo News – Patrick Lohmann (Source New Mexico) | Published: 3/24/2025

The legislative session is over and hundreds of bills are closer to becoming law, but it is still unclear which of them a billionaire-backed think tank influenced when it hired two veteran New Mexico lobbyists. The Cicero Institute has been linked to legislative lobbying efforts in other states where lawmakers have made it a misdemeanor to camp in public. The lobbyists would not say, and state law did not require them to disclose which bills they lobbied for or against in the 60-day legislative session that ended March 22.

New York – Cuomo Failed to Disclose Lobbyists Who Bundled Donations

New York Focus – Chris Bragg and Julia Rock | Published: 3/20/2025

.In a recent campaign filing, Andrew Cuomo disclosed having had no “intermediaries” – also known as bundlers – that raised money for his New York City mayoral bid. But records show Tonio Burgos sent out a fundraising email on March 7 seeking donations for Cuomo’s campaign. The email directed potential donors to a fundraising webpage set up by the Cuomo campaign which told them their donations would be matched with taxpayer dollars, even though Burgos’s work as a registered lobbyist means any gifts he solicits are ineligible for matching funds.

New York – Newly Unsealed Memo Sheds Light on Justice Department’s Rush to Drop NYC Mayor’s Corruption Case

Yahoo News – Michael Sisak (Associated Press) | Published: 3/25/2025

New court documents offer a behind-the-scenes look at how federal prosecutors built and then tried to salvage their criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams in the face of unprecedented pressure from President Trump’s Justice Department. The documents include a draft memo by the former interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, who resigned in protest rather than carry out a directive from a top Justice Department official to dump the case against Adams.

Ohio – Romantic Partner of Ex-Cleveland City Councilman Basheer Jones Charged in Corruption Probe

MSN – Adam Ferrise (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 3/26/2025

The romantic partner of former Cleveland City Councilperson Basheer Jones was accused of lining her pockets with money from several schemes that authorities say the two carried out on nonprofits and through real-estate deals. Sinera Jones hid her relationship with Jones in the deals and allowed him to use his sway to get her a job with a nonprofit, according to prosecutors. Basheer Jones has pleaded guilty to similar charges.

Oregon – How Washington County Sewer Officials Scored Annual Hawaii Trips and 5-Star Lodging

MSN – Jamie Goldberg (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 3/20/2025

It is not uncommon for government workers in agencies large and small to attend out-of-state conferences. But what makes trips taken by officials with Washington Count’s sewer agency to Hawaii unusual is their frequency, cost, lack of transparency, and that the recurring tropical location is the result of a local business decision made by design. The trips are not accounted for in the agency’s annual budgets even though ratepayers of Clean Water Services indirectly footed the bill.

Pennsylvania – Democrat Notches an Upset in Pennsylvania State Senate Race

DNyuz – Campbell Robertson (New York Times) | Published: 3/26/2025

A Democrat won a surprise victory in a special election for the Pennsylvania Senate, narrowly prevailing in a district that Donald Trump won by 15 points last fall. The election, conducted in the small towns and suburbs of Lancaster County where no Democrat had won since 1979, joined two currents that are powering the political moment.

Texas – Cornyn, Cruz Ask US Supreme Court to Hear Activist’s Case Against Texas Ethics Watchdog

MSN – Bayliss Wagner (Austin American-Statesman) | Published: 3/25/2025

U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are supporting a conservative activist and political website publisher’s effort to have his case against the Texas Ethics Commission heard in the nation’s highest court. The senators filed a friend-of-the-court brief asking the Supreme Court to take up Michael Quinn Sullivan’s 10-year-old lawsuit challenging a $10,000 fine levied against him in 2014 by the commission. It unanimously found that Sullivan, then the president of advocacy group Empower Texans, failed to register as a lobbyist while he worked to influence state lawmakers.

Texas – Texas Senate Passes Weakened Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban Following GOP Amendment

The Texan – Brad Johnson | Published: 3/20/2025

The Texas Senate passed legislation intended to ban “taxpayer-funded lobbying” but tacked on an amendment that exempts groups like the Texas Association of School Boards. The bill prohibits local governments from hiring registered lobbyists and allows citizens to sue those localities if they violate the ban. It applies only to political subdivisions and not constitutional offices, like county sheriffs.

Vermont – Ways and Means: Experts say Vermont Legislature’s ethics disclosures are lacking

Seven Days – Hannah Bassett | Published: 3/26/2025

The public can follow much of Vermont lawmakers’ work easily these days. Bills are updated and tracked from the day they are introduced, and agendas are published online in advance of meetings. Since the pandemic, floor discussions and committee meetings are generally live streamed, and the recordings remain online for viewing after the sessions conclude. For a small state with relatively limited statehouse resources, this is a testament to how even Vermont’s oldest institutions can use modern tools to foster trust in government, when they choose to.

Wisconsin – Why Elon Musk and Tesla Have a Legal Bone to Pick with Wisconsin

DNyuz – Reid Epsien and Neal Boudette (New York Times) | Published: 3/26/2025

Elon Musk is far away the biggest spender in this year’s race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, throwing his fortune behind a conservative candidate aiming to topple the court’s four-to-three liberal majority. The $20 million and counting from Musk and groups tied to him comes as Tesla is suing Wisconsin over its law prohibiting vehicle manufacturers from selling cars directly to consumers. The case is now before a court in Milwaukee County, but it could proceed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the coming months.

Sometime in 2025, a by-election will be coming in Quebec for the provincial riding of Arthabaska for a seat in the province’s National Assembly of Quebec. MNA Éric Lefebvre resigned on March 18 to run with the Conservative Party of Canada for the federal riding of Richmond-Arthabaska (Quebec) for a seat in the Canadian House of Commons.

The by-election date in the Arthabaska electoral division has not yet been determined, according to Elections Quebec. Prime Minister François Legault has six months to call a by-election.

Campaign Finance

Wisconsin: “Why Elon Musk and Tesla Have a Legal Bone to Pick with Wisconsin” by Reid Epstein and Neal Boudette (New York Times) for DNyuz

Elections

Pennsylvania: “Democrat Notches an Upset in Pennsylvania State Senate Race” by Campbell Robertson (New York Times) for DNyuz

Ethics

California: “What Do the City Records Show About the Alleged Bribe in the Sacramento Mayor’s Race?” by Joe Rubin (Sacramento Bee) for MSN

Kansas: “Kansas Lawmakers Vote to Let More Organizations Pay for Their Travel Expenses” by Jack Harvel (Topeka Capital-Journal) for MSN

New York: “Newly Unsealed Memo Sheds Light on Justice Department’s Rush to Drop NYC Mayor’s Corruption Case” by Michael Sisak (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

Oregon: “How Washington County Sewer Officials Scored Annual Hawaii Trips and 5-Star Lodging” by Jamie Goldberg (Portland Oregonian) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Colorado: “Trump Complained About a Portrait of Him in Colorado’s Capitol. Now It’s Being Removed.” by Justine McDaniel (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

Texas: “Cornyn, Cruz Ask US Supreme Court to Hear Activist’s Case Against Texas Ethics Watchdog” by Bayliss Wagner (Austin American-Statesman) for MSN

KENTUCKY: Lawmakers passed a bill amending campaign finance law which prohibits a foreign national from making contributions or expenditures in support of or opposition to a ballot measure. House Bill 45, effective June 26,2025, defines foreign national as any individual who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States: a government, political subdivision, or municipality of a foreign country; a foreign political party; any entity, organized under the laws of or has its principal place of business in a foreign country; or any entity in the United States that is wholly or majority owned by any foreign national. The bill also establishes reporting and record retention requirements for political issues committees and persons making independent expenditures. The bill also expands the definition of independent expenditure to include expenditures in support of or opposition to a ballot measure.

Mark Gerberich, Director of Business Development, has integrated well into the team since joining two years ago. After 40 years in the sports and events business, the flip to the world of lobbying and campaign contributions compliance has been a natural fit for Gerberich in his sales and marketing role.

“I didn’t realize how comprehensive it was to stay compliant with federal, state, and local regulations,” he recalled.

Mark spent his first 18 years with the Pro Bowlers Tour, serving as Commissioner from 1996-2000, prior to selling the Tour to three ex-Microsoft executives. After 10 years in the sports facility business, he sold sporting goods to big box mass retailers, such as Dick’s, Dunham’s, MC Sports, Bass Pro Shops, and Scheel’s. His most recent foray was running the Akron-based Soap Box Derby from 2017-2023.

“Having a wide variety of experiences in marketing and selling has helped me tremendously at State and Federal Communications. I enjoy meeting people, and this industry has been very open and friendly to me,” he stated. “Our company has been in business over 30 years, has a great reputation, great people, and great products, which has helped too.”

Mark oversees a team of eight people that manage sales and promote marketing with intentional, consistent branding, in addition to supporting local and compliance industry programs with sponsorships, which in turn, helps with name recognition. The sales team has been successful in growing the business and attracting new clients to the firm with Mark’s leadership.

“State and Federal Communications is really focused on the client first, creating solutions, and having a commitment to excellence,” he added. “This really helps keep our customers satisfied, which gives us great confidence when we are selling.”

The other key role for Mark in his tenure at State and Federal Communications, Inc. is the processes he has created. In addition, sales data and grassroots marketing have played a key role in State and Federal Communications, Inc.’s success. Mark has undertaken the mission to expand our universe on the subscription side of the business, which has created new opportunities for the team.

On the sales side, “We meet customers where they are and try to find solutions for their current situation, whether that would include online or consulting services. All companies are currently utilizing a method for tracking their compliance, and we just try to assist in their pain points,” he said.

Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from St. John’s University in 1983, and then master’s degree in Sport Management from University of Akron in 2010. He taught sport management, sport history, and Intro to Sport Management over a 16-year period at the University of Akron. He also serves at Montrose Zion UMC, is on the board at Akron Roundtable, and supports First Tee Akron by volunteering in coaching.

The State and Federal Communications, Inc. team is full of experts you can trust. Learn more about what we can do for you at https://stateandfed.com/services/.

The federal by-election for the electoral district of Halifax (Nova Scotia) to fill a vacancy in the House of Commons has been cancelled.

Originally scheduled for April 14, Elections Canada announced that because A federal general election has been called for April 28, the previously scheduled by-election for the electoral district will be held on that date. Technically, the electoral district may change for the general election and have new electoral boundaries.

Member of Parliament Andy Fillmore, who had occupied the seat, resigned on August 31 of last year to run for Halifax mayor. On March 23, Prime Minister Mark Carney called the snap federal election because his Liberal Party was not able to form a majority government.

Campaign Finance

Idaho: “Committee Sends Overhaul of Idaho’s Campaign Finance Law to House” by Laura Guido for Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Ethics

California: “S.F. Is Weak and Ineffective at Preventing Conflicts of Interest, Report Finds” by Xueer Lu for Mission Local

National: “Trump’s Washington Runs on Secret Chat App Signal” by Shira Ovide, Danielle Abril, and Hannah Natanson (Washington Post) for MSN

New Jersey: “Sanctioned Trump Attorney Alina Habba to Be Interim N.J. Prosecutor” by Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

Europe: “Why Banning Huawei from the EU Institutions Is Harder Than It Seems” by Anupriya Datta and Nicoletta Ionta for Euractiv

National: “Trump’s Crackdown on Top Law Firms Spreads to Congress” by Dasha Burns, Caitlin Oprysko, and Daniel Lippman (Politico) for MSN

Montana: “Former Legislators Could Immediately Become Lobbyists Under Senate Bill” by Jordan Hansen for Daily Montanan

New Mexico: “60 Days Later, Cicero Institute’s Reason for NM Lobbying Still Hidden from Public” by Patrick Lohmann (Source New Mexico) for Yahoo News

The Maine Legislature adjourned sine die on March 21 after the passage of a budget for the next biennium. The Legislature was unable to secure the two-thirds majority required for the bill to be considered an emergency measure, which would have allowed the budget to take effect immediately after the governor’s signature. Without an emergency designation, all bills take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. With the adjournment, the budget and other non-emergency bills will take effect June 20. After approving the budget, Gov. Mills signed a proclamation calling the Legislature to reconvene March 25 for a special session.