Campaign Finance

National: “DNC Uses Political Donations to Pay Biden’s Legal Fees in Special Counsel Probe” by Soo Rin Kim, Isabelle Murray, and Lucien Bruggeman (ABC News) for MSN

Elections

Florida: “Florida GOP Operative Admits Role in ‘Ghost’ Candidate Scheme That Defeated Utility-Targeted Dem” by Mario Alejandro Ariza for Floodlight

Georgia: “New Prosecutor to Decide Fate of Georgia Lieutenant Governor in Trump Case” by Holly Bailey (Washington Post) for MSN

Oklahoma: “Will You have to Vote on Your State Lawmaker in November? Most Races Will Already Be Decided” by Keaton Ross for Oklahoma Watch

Ethics

National: “Judge Cannon Skeptical of Trump Co-Defendants’ Arguments to Dismiss Charges” by Perry Stein (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Leo Rejects Senate Subpoena from Panel Probing Gifts to Supreme Court Justices” by Tobi Raji (Washington Post) for MSN

Ohio: “Randazzo’s Death Clouds Path Forward on Criminal, Civil FirstEnergy Bribery Cases” by Jake Zuckerman and Andrew Tobias (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Lobbying

Illinois: “Giannoulias Calls for Disclosure of Lobbyist Contracts” by Peter Hancock (Capitol News Illinois) for NPR Illinois

The Idaho legislative session has come to an end after being extended into the month of April.

Notable legislation passed and signed by Gov. Brad Little includes two campaign finance bills.

House Bill 664 issues guidelines for the use of synthetic media in electioneering communications and requires certain disclosures and disclaimers within such communications.

Senate Bill 1251 amends the definition of political committee by removing language exempting federal PACs from being considered a political committee.

This does affect lobbying reporting.

A lobbyist activity report will now be due on May 15 for the expenditures made during the month of April.

The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission reports they have lost all data from their database for employers and lobbyists back to March 18.

Any forms filed online since March 18 will need to be refiled.

This includes all March 1 to March 31 forms due on Monday, April 15.

Because of the loss of data, the Legislative Ethics Commission is granting an extension through April 30 to re-file any previously filed reports that were lost.

If you file online after Monday, April 15, the system automatically issues a late notice on your screen.

The commission indicates filers can ignore the notice.

Paper filers do not need to take any action.

Although the portal is back up and working, the commission recommends waiting until Monday, April 15 or after to re-file reports.

Additional information is available at https://klec.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx.

National/Federal

Woman Sentenced to Month in Prison Over Theft of Ashley Biden’s Diary

DNyuz – Adam Goldman (New York Times) | Published: 4/9/2024

A federal judge sentenced Aimee Harris to a month in prison for her role in a brazen scheme to steal the diary of President Biden’s daughter and sell it to a right-wing group in the hope of disrupting the 2020 election. In August 2022, Aimee Harris pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport the stolen diary to New York, where she met with employees of Project Veritas and sold it for $40,000 just weeks before the election.

How the No Labels 2024 Presidential Campaign Failed to Launch

MSN – Ken Thomas and Kristina Peterson (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 4/4/2024

No Labels, the centrist group which has sought to field a third-party presidential bid, is abandoning efforts to create a “unity ticket” aiming to win the White House. Even as the group cited polling showing public dissatisfaction with President Biden and Donald Trump and support for a generic third-party candidate, No Labels could not convince any prominent leaders to mount a challenge that aimed to become the first substantial third-party effort since independent Ross Perot’s showing in the 1992 election.

Judge Cannon Shoots Down Trump’s Presidential Records Act Claim

MSN – Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein (Washington Post) | Published: 4/4/2024

U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon rejected Donald Trump’s bid to have his charges of mishandling classified documents dismissed on the grounds that a federal records law protected him from prosecution. The judge also defended her handling of the issue from special counsel Jack Smith, which had surprised legal experts and rankled prosecutors. Cannon’s decision comes two days after Smith criticized the rationale behind the judge’s demand for prospective jury instructions that seemed to largely adopt Trump’s interpretation of the law.

Super PACs Keep Testing the Limits of Campaign Finance Law

MSN – Jessica Piper (Politico) | Published: 4/8/2024

Super PACs keep pushing the boundaries of campaign finance law this cycle. They are using novel financial arrangements, like taking “bridge funding” in the form of loans from major donors or receiving ad revenue from a candidate’s podcast. They are also continuing to take advantage of long-standing loopholes in anti-coordination guidelines. Outside spending continues to increase dramatically.

Special Counsel Urges Supreme Court to Reject Trump’s Immunity Claim

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 4/8/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith urged the U.S. Supreme Court to reject Donald Trump’s “novel and sweeping” claim that he is immune from criminal prosecution on charges of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The ruling will determine whether and how quickly Trump faces trial. The justices’ decision to take up Trump’s claim, rather than let stand an appeals court decision that he can be prosecuted, has drawn criticism for delaying the trial, which initially was scheduled to begin in early March.

House Subpoena Lawsuit Risks Change to Oversight Power

MSN – Ryan Tarinelli (Roll Call) | Published: 4/8/2024

The House Judiciary Committee teed up a high-stakes legal clash with the Justice Department in a lawsuit that could influence congressional oversight authority far beyond the GOP’s impeachment investigation into President Biden, legal experts say. The committee’s lawsuit against two Justice Department attorneys asks a federal court to compel the officials to testify about the criminal case against Hunter Biden.

Trump’s The Likely GOP Nominee. He Can Serve Even If Convicted of a Crime.

MSN – David Nakamura (Washington Post) | Published: 4/11/2024

Donald Trump is facing felony charges in four separate criminal indictments in three states and the District of Columbia, with a guilty verdict in any of the cases possibly meaning a prison sentence. The circumstances have raised an often-asked question: Could Trump, or anyone else, be convicted of a felony and serve as commander in chief, possibly from prison? The short answer, legal experts said, is yes – because the U.S. Constitution does not forbid it.

Content Creators Ask Meta to Reverse Politics Limits on Instagram, Threads

MSN – Taylor Lorenz (Washington Post) | Published: 4/10/2024

Hundreds of political and news content creators signed an open letter to Meta asking the company to reverse its decision to limit the reach of accounts posting “political content” on Threads and Instagram. Meta announced in February it no longer would recommend content about politics and social issues on the two social media platforms, which have tens of millions of users in the U.S. Independent journalists and content creators say they have struggled to reach their audiences since the change was rolled out. They say the limits have significantly affected creators who are Black, female, and LGBTQ.

US Judicial Panel Proposes Greater Amicus Brief Financial Disclosures

Reuters – Nate Raymond | Published: 4/10/2024

A federal judicial panel called for greater transparency requirements for outside groups that file amicus briefs in cases by mandating they disclose when much of their revenue comes from a party involved in the lawsuit or its attorneys. The U.S. Judicial Conference’s Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules endorsed the proposal following calls by Democratic lawmakers and others for changes to shed a light on the extent to which litigants secretly fund efforts to influence cases’ outcomes through amicus, or friend-of-the-court, briefs.

Watchdog Groups Say Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ‘Brazenly Violated’ Federal Election Campaign Act

Yahoo News – Hogan Gore (Austin American-Statesman) | Published: 4/9/2024

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is facing a formal complaint over more than $630,000 sent from the company that syndicates his podcast to a super PAC supporting his reelection bid. The Campaign Legal Center and End Citizens United allege Cruz violated the Federal Election Campaign Act after iHeartMedia made deposits to The Truth and Courage PAC, which then reported the payments as “other federal receipts” rather than campaign contributions. The complaint says iHeartMedia’s donations qualify as “soft money” solicited or directed from Cruz.

Thousands of Alleged Lobbying Violations Languish at Justice Department

Yahoo News – Taylor Giorno (The Hill) | Published: 4/4/2024

Federal lobbyists must file new registrations within 45 days, quarterly disclosures detailing specific lobbying activities and how much they were paid, and semiannual political contribution reports. When a lobbyist or firm fails to comply, the secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House notify them and make referrals to the U.S. attorney’s office when they fail to provide a proper response. The Government Accountability Office found thousands of reports of lobbying and political donation violations remain unresolved years after they were referred.

As Kushner’s Investment Firm Steps Out, the Potential Conflicts Are Growing

Yahoo News – Eric Lipton, Jonathan Swain, and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 4/9/2024

Jared Kushner’s investment fund is not especially large by global finance standards. But as he gets it fully up and running, each step is bringing with it ethical issues that would only grow if his father-in-law, Donald Trump, should win another term as president. Kushner’s $3 billion fund is financed almost entirely from overseas investors with whom he worked when he served as a senior adviser in the Trump White House.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Alabama Ethics Commissioner Resigns, Decision Comes as Senate Considers Ethics Law Change

MSN – Darryl Burke (WHNT) | Published: 4/10/2024

Stan McDonald resigned his seat on the Alabama Ethics Commission. The decision comes as the Senate considers a bill that would overhaul the existing state ethics code. According to campaign finance records, McDonald made contributions to at least one political campaign after being appointed to the commission in 2019. Members of the Ethics Commission are not allowed to make political donations.

Arizona – ‘Catastrophic,’ ‘a Shock’: Arizona’s Abortion Ruling Threatens to Upend 2024 Races

MSN – Maegan Vazquez and Mariana Alfaro (Washington Post) | Published: 4/10/2024

The Arizona Supreme Court revived a near-total ban on abortion, invoking an 1864 law that forbids the procedure except to save a mother’s life and punishes providers with prison time. The decision supersedes the state’s previous rule, which permitted abortions up to 15 weeks. While several states have enacted abortion restrictions, protecting access to reproductive care has been a winning issue for Democratic candidates. As a battleground state, there is a lot on the line in Arizona’s looming elections.

Arizona – Arizona Politicians’ Fundraising to Be Public Under Bill Inspired by Republic Reporting

Yahoo News – Stacey Barchinger (Arizona Republic) | Published: 4/8/2024

Arizonans will be able to see the political fundraising and spending of the state’s most powerful elected officials much sooner and more often under a measure signed into law recently. The law requires statewide officeholders, like the governor, attorney general, and others to report their finances to the public four times a year. They must do so during each of the three years between their elections.

California – How Long Before California’s Campaign Finance Website Is Replaced?

CalMatters – Sameea Kamal | Published: 4/3/2024

Cal-Access, the antiquated web portal to track California’s campaign money and lobbying, probably will not be replaced before December 2026. Secretary of State Shirley Weber’s office is currently evaluating bids and expects to have a primary vendor by this summer. An independent review estimates the project could take 27 months.

California – Every Vote Counts. Just Ask These Two Candidates Tied with Exactly 30,249 Votes Each

CalMatters – Yue Stalla Yu | Published: 4/4/2024

Whoever did not vote in a U.S. House primary in California may have helped make history. Tied for second in the March 5 election, with exactly 30,249 votes each, state Assemblyperson Evan Low and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian are both advancing to the November general election, joining top vote-getter Sam Liccardo, a former mayor of San Jose. The stage is set for a competitive three-way November runoff, the first since California adopted its new primary system in 2012.

Colorado – Colorado GOP Ousts Reporter from Event, Claiming ‘Unfair’ Coverage

MSN – Anumita Kaur (Washington Post) | Published: 4/9/2024

The Colorado Republican Party expelled journalist Sandra Fish from its recent event in Pueblo after she was told the party chairperson finds her reporting “very unfair.” A sheriff’s deputy escorted the longtime reporter out, drawing backlash from lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and fellow journalists who criticized the move as an affront to democracy.

District of Columbia – Justice Official Clark Violated Ethics in Aiding Trump, D.C. Bar Panel Finds

MSN – Keith Alexander (Washington Post) | Published: 4/3/2024

A District of Columbia Bar committee ruled former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark violated at least one rule of ethics and should face professional sanctions for trying to use the department’s influence to help reverse Donald Trump’s 2020 election defeat. The discipline could include revocation of his law license, blocking him from practicing law in the nation’s capital.

Florida – Miami City Attorney Helped Steer $10M Meant for Citywide Projects to Carollo’s District

MSN – Tess Riski, Joey Flechas, and Sarah Blaskey (Miami Herald) | Published: 4/11/2024

When a developer came to the Miami City Commission with a deal to build a luxury high-rise on city-owned land, commissioners approved the project. As part of the agreement, the developer promised to give the city $10 million for park improvements and other public benefits across Miami. But the city attorney’s office and other officials quietly reshaped the deal to shift those funds to a single district. Behind-the-scenes revisions to the contract meant the money would be given to Commissioner Joe Carollo’s district, where the high-rise site is located.

Florida – Sarasota City Attorney to Prepare a Potential Ordinance to Track Political Lobbying

Yahoo News – Christian Casale (Sarasota Herald Tribune) | Published: 4/4/2024

Sarasota leaders will explore an ordinance to regulate lobbying in City Hall after several ethics issues have come up. City Commissioner Erik Arroyo said he envisioned a registration requirement for anyone paid to lobby the city and a requirement they disclose their clients. The information would be kept in a digital, publicly accessible database.

Georgia – Judge Rejects Trump’s First Amendment Challenge to Indictment in Georgia Election Case

MSN – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 4/4/2024

The judge overseeing the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and others rejected arguments by the former president that the indictment seeks to criminalize speech protected by the First Amendment. Trump’s attorneys argued that all the charges against him involved political speech that is protected even if the speech ends up being false.

Georgia – Former City of Atlanta Executive, Jim Beard, Enters Plea Deal in Federal Court

WXIA – Meleah Lyden | Published: 4/9/2024

A former chief financial officer in Atlanta pleaded guilty in federal court to taking money from the city and using tax deductions he was not eligible for. Jim Beard admitted using city money for personal expenses, including two custom-built machine guns he had ordered using his professional email address. He also took tax deductions of $12,000, which were based on false submissions.

Kansas – Kansas Newspaper Publisher Sues Over Police Raid, Claiming Retaliation

MSN – Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) | Published: 4/4/2024

The publisher of a Kansas newspaper that was raided by police in August is now suing officials involved in the move, accusing them of retaliating against the paper and violating its First Amendment rights. The unprecedented raid on the Marion County Record’s newsroom and the home of its editor and publisher, Eric Meyer, alarmed press and free-speech advocates across the country. Meyer alleges in the lawsuit that the stress of the raid led to the sudden death of his mother, who lived with him and co-owned the paper.

Maryland – Maryland Town Apologizes, Offers Amends to Settle Voting Rights Lawsuit

MSN – Joe Heim (Washington Post) | Published: 4/4/2024

The small town of Federalsburg on Maryland’s Eastern Shore settled a federal voting rights lawsuit by agreeing to apologize for its history of racism, committing to actions that acknowledge Black contributions to the town, and promote reconciliation. The town also will pay $260,000 in legal fees by 2030 to the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, which brought the lawsuit. Last year, following changes to the voting system overseen by a judge, the 200-year-old town with a population that is 43 percent Black elected its first Black representative.

Maryland – Baltimore County Official Helped Investigate Former Employee Who Lodged Complaints About Her

MSN – Lia Russell (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 4/10/2024

An official being considered for Baltimore County’s highest appointed position helped police investigate a former employee who accused her and County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. of ethics violations. D’Andrea Walker, whom Olszewski nominated to become county administrative officer, was the acting director of the county Department of Public Works and Transportation when she provided security footage and information to a detective who was investigating Michael Beichler, her former Solid Waste Management bureau chief, at the request of Olszewski’s aide, according to a police report and emails.

Maryland – Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Received Money from 9 Donors Who Exceeded $6K Limit

MSN – Emily Opilo (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 4/11/2024

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has received campaign contributions above the maximum from at least nine donors this election cycle, violating state campaign finance law. Most of the problem donations, which amount to an extra $29,250, are the result of multiple contributions, some made in early 2023, before the mayoral campaign was underway, combined with others made more recently. Maryland operates on a four-year campaign cycle, and individual donors are allowed to give only $6,000 during that span.

Michigan – Judge Shows Mercy to Ex-Romulus Mayor Who Spent Campaign Money on Yacht Club, Wedding

Yahoo News – Tresa Baldas (Detroit Free Press) | Published: 4/4/2024

Former Romulus Mayor LeRoy Burcroff used campaign funds to help pay for his daughter’s wedding, his yacht club dues, and a Florida vacation with friends but he is not going to prison for any of it, despite his guilty plea. Instead, a federal judge gave Burcroff three years’ probation and four months’ home confinement, sparing him a prison sentence the government sought.

New Jersey – Top NJ Legislators Failed to Disclose Campaign Spending. They Still Haven’t Fixed Reports

MSN – Ashley Balcerzak (Bergen Record) | Published: 4/3/2024

New Jersey’s most powerful legislators, Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, have not filed amended reports nearly a month after media stories said they failed to properly disclose certain campaign spending. Critics of a controversial campaign finance overhaul said they wanted to examine provisions of the law, mainly a change that slashes the amount of time the Election Law Enforcement Commission has to investigate potential campaign finance violations from 10 years down to two years.

New York – Senate Democrats Renew Push for Changes to Matching Funds Program

Albany Times Union – Joshua Solomon | Published: 4/4/2024

State Senate Democrats are renewing their push to raise the threshold of campaign contributions a candidate needs to be eligible for New York’s new matching funds program. Sen. James Skoufis introduced an amended version of the legislation Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed in December. This time, lawmakers excluded what was widely viewed as the most controversial element of their proposal: allowing the first $250 of any contribution to be eligible for matching funds.

New York – Conservative Hoaxers to Pay Up to $1.25M Under Agreement with New York Over 2020 Robocall Scheme

MSN – Anthony Izaguirre (Associated Press) | Published: 4/9/2024

Two conservative political operatives who orchestrated a robocall campaign to dissuade Black people from voting in the 2020 election have agreed to pay up to $1.25 million under a settlement with New York Attorney General Letitia James. The operatives, Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, were accused of making robocalls to phone numbers in predominately Black neighborhoods in Ohio, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois that told people they could be subjected to arrest, debt collection, and forced vaccination if they voted by mail.

New York – Ex-Trump Company Executive Weisselberg Sentenced to 5 Months in Jail

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 4/10/2024

A longtime executive at Donald Trump’s company was sentenced to five months in jail after pleading guilty to lying under oath in the New York attorney general’s civil investigation into business practices at the Trump Organization and at the trial that resulted from it. Allen Weisselberg, who worked for the Trump family for a half-century before retiring recently, is expected to serve his sentence at Rikers Island.

New York – NYC Council Bill Would Ban Political Consultants, Fundraisers from Lobbying Former Clients

MSN – Michael Gartland (New York Daily News) | Published: 4/11/2024

Legislation introduced in the New York City Council would ban campaign fundraisers and consultants from lobbying their former bosses for two years after those politicians take office. Two of the most notable people who could be impacted by the new bill are Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime compliance attorney, Vito Pitta, and the top fundraiser for his 2021 campaign, Brianna Suggs, whose home was raided as part of a federal probe into the campaign’s ties to Turkey.

New York – Trump Fails to Delay N.Y. Criminal Trial for a Third Time This Week

MSN – Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 4/10/2024

Donald Trump’s attorneys failed to persuade an appeals court judge to delay the former president’s New York criminal trial by saying the presiding judge was not qualified to oversee the proceedings. The appeals court judge, Ellen Gesmer, denied Trump’s request shortly after it was argued at an emergency session. It was Trump’s third attempt to delay his trial on charges of falsifying business documents to help cover up an affair that allegedly happened a decade before the 2016 election.

Ohio – FirstEnergy Made Secret $1 Million Payment for ‘Husted Campaign’ in 2017, Documents Show

MSN – Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 4/10/2024

FirstEnergy, at the onset of what would become one of Ohio’s biggest public corruption schemes, gave a $1 million contribution to a nonprofit backing now-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who was running for governor at the time, new records show. The donation was made in 2017 to Freedom Frontier, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that can accept unlimited funds from corporations without disclosing the source. FirstEnergy’s internal records classify the payment as for the “Husted campaign.”

Ohio – Ex-PUCO Chairman Sam Randazzo Accused in FirstEnergy Bribery Scheme Has Died

MSN – Laura Bischoff and Jessie Balmert (Cincinnati Enquirer) | Published: 4/10/2024

Former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairperson Sam Randazzo, who was facing criminal charges over a bribery scandal, has died by suspected suicide. Randazzo was recently accused of accepting $4.3 million from FirstEnergy to help the utility with a $1 billion bailout for two nuclear plants and regulation that would have cost the company money. He was also accused of embezzling from his clients.

Ohio – The Ohio Law That Could Keep Joe Biden Off the Ballot Has Been in Place for Years. Why Wasn’t It an Issue Until Now?

MSN – Andrew Tobias and Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 4/8/2024

Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden all have appeared on Ohio’s November ballots despite their parties nominating them after an obscure deadline in state law But that same deadline could prevent President Biden from qualifying for Ohio’s November ballot this year, a development that might have wide-reaching ramifications for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and other Ohio Democrats unless a court or Republican lawmakers agree to intervene, a top lawyer for GOP Secretary of State Frank LaRose warned.

Oklahoma – Campaign Finance Task Force Takes Aim at Outside Spending

Oklahoma Watch – Keaton Ross | Published: 4/4/2024

Politically active nonprofits allowed to spend unlimited amounts to sway Oklahoma voters should face greater scrutiny, a gubernatorial task force declared in its final report. The Oklahoma Ethics Commission could propose rules based on the report’s recommendations, which would take effect at the end of the legislative session in which they were considered unless the Legislature or governor objects.

Oregon – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek to Seek Guidance from Ethics Commission Around First Lady’s Role

MSN – Dianne Lugo (Salem Statesman Journal) | Published: 4/3/2024

Gov. Tina Kotek said she is sending questions seeking clarification on what is appropriate for the role of the first spouse to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, which is reviewing a complaint against the governor related to questions about her wife’s role in her administration. It has been reported that three of the governor’s top aides have resigned over First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson’s involvement in the administration.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Supreme Court Liberal Won’t Run Again, Shaking Up Race for Control

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 4/21/2024

The longest-serving member of the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s liberal majority announced she would not run for reelection next spring, shaking up a consequential race in a swing state and improving the odds that conservatives can retake the control they lost last year. Justice Ann Walsh Bradley’s unexpected retirement sets the stage for an intense race for control of the court two years after candidates, political parties, and interest groups spent more than $50 million in the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history.

Campaign Finance

Ohio: “FirstEnergy Made Secret $1 Million Payment for ‘Husted Campaign’ in 2017, Documents Show” by Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Elections

Arizona: “‘Catastrophic,’ ‘a Shock’: Arizona’s Abortion Ruling Threatens to Upend 2024 Races” by Maegan Vazquez and Mariana Alfaro (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Woman Sentenced to Month in Prison Over Theft of Ashley Biden’s Diary” by Adam Goldman (New York Times) for DNyuz

New York: “Conservative Hoaxers to Pay Up to $1.25M Under Agreement with New York Over 2020 Robocall Scheme” by Anthony Izaguirre (Associated Press) for MSN

Ohio: “The Ohio Law That Could Keep Joe Biden Off the Ballot Has Been in Place for Years. Why Wasn’t It an Issue Until Now?” by Andrew Tobias and Jeremy Pelzer (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Ethics

National: “After Months, Judge Cannon Agrees to Shield Trump Witness Names” by Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) for MSN

Maryland: “Baltimore County Official Helped Investigate Former Employee Who Lodged Complaints About Her” by Lia Russell (Baltimore Sun) for MSN

National: “As Kushner’s Investment Firm Steps Out, the Potential Conflicts Are Growing” by Eric Lipton, Jonathan Swain, and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) for Yahoo News

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Arizona Politicians’ Fundraising to Be Public Under Bill Inspired by Republic Reporting” by Stacey Barchinger (Arizona Republic) for Yahoo News

National: “Ted Cruz Faces Campaign Finance Complaint Over Podcast Deal” by Matthew Choi (Texas Tribune) for MSN

Ethics

Colorado: “Colorado GOP Ousts Reporter from Event, Claiming ‘Unfair’ Coverage” by Anumita Kaur (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Special Counsel Urges Supreme Court to Reject Trump’s Immunity Claim” by Ann Marimow (Washington Post) for MSN

Georgia: “Former City of Atlanta Executive, Jim Beard, Enters Plea Deal in Federal Court” by Meleah Lyden for WXIA

New York: “Appeals Court Rejects Donald Trump’s Latest Attempt to Delay April 15 Hush Money Criminal Trial” by Jennifer Pelz and Michael Sisak (Associated Press) for Seattle Times

Ohio: “Sam Randazzo, Former Top Utility Regulator Accused of Taking $4.3 Million Bribe, Found Dead” by Jake Zuckerman (Cleveland Plain Dealer) for MSN

Legislative Issues

National: “House Subpoena Lawsuit Risks Change to Oversight Power” by Ryan Tarinelli (Roll Call) for MSN

Maryland’s 90-day legislative session ended on April 8.

The top items on the agenda that passed were the state budget; an economic relief act for the workers and businesses that relied on the Port of Baltimore; and several bills regarding public safety, affordability, economic competitiveness, and public service.

The state’s budget is notable as the governor signed an executive order extending the legislative session 10 days in order to give legislators time to finish it.

However, lawmakers did not need the extra time and managed to adjourn the day the session was previously planned to end.

Q: I want to sell my company’s product to a state or local government entity. Do I need to register as a lobbyist?

A: Jurisdictions approach the issue of procurement lobbying differently and registration requirements can vary widely from one jurisdiction to the next.

Some jurisdictions completely exempt procurement activities from their definition of lobbying. For example, in Maine, registration is not required for procurement-related activities because those activities are not considered lobbying. On the other hand, jurisdictions like Idaho require registration for procurement-related activities, subject only to the state’s general registration threshold.

To complicate matters further, some jurisdictions set different registration thresholds for procurement lobbying activities than they do for other lobbying activities. In Florida, for example, employees engaged in procurement activities on behalf of their employer are required to register as executive branch lobbyists if they lobby to procure a contract with a value of more than $20,000.

Additionally, even if a state’s law doesn’t cover a particular procurement activity, local entities and municipalities may have more stringent registration requirements that do reach your contemplated activities. Certain hospital systems and school districts in Florida, for example, require representatives of companies hoping to do business with them to register as lobbyists prior to meeting with them to discuss potential procurement opportunities.

Though sales teams often function separately from government affairs teams, if your company is selling to a governmental entity, you should carefully consider whether any lobbying laws will apply to your procurement efforts.

More information about procurement lobbying requirements can easily be found on our website in the Registration section of the Procurement Lobbying Compliance Guidebook.

Campaign Finance

California: “How Long Before California’s Campaign Finance Website Is Replaced?” by Sameea Kamal for CalMatters

National: “Super PACs Keep Testing the Limits of Campaign Finance Law” by Jessica Piper (Politico) for MSN

Michigan: “Judge Shows Mercy to Ex-Romulus Mayor Who Spent Campaign Money on Yacht Club, Wedding” by Tresa Baldas (Detroit Free Press) for Yahoo News

Oklahoma: “Campaign Finance Task Force Takes Aim at Outside Spending” by Keaton Ross for Oklahoma Watch

Elections

Georgia: “Judge Rejects Trump’s First Amendment Challenge to Indictment in Georgia Election Case” by Kate Brumback (Associated Press) for MSN

Maryland: “Maryland Town Apologizes, Offers Amends to Settle Voting Rights Lawsuit” by Joe Heim (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

California: “Scandal Shadows Andrew Do’s Final Year on the O.C Board of Supervisors” by Christopher Goffard (Los Angeles Times) for MSN

Kansas: “Kansas Newspaper Publisher Sues Over Police Raid, Claiming Retaliation” by Praveena Somasundaram (Washington Post) for MSN

The Georgia Legislature passed a bill to require registration and disclosure for agents of foreign principals.

Senate Bill 368 defines foreign principal broadly to include a foreign government, political party, and a partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other combination of persons organized under the laws of or having its principal place of business in a foreign country.

The registration requires extensive disclosure including the registrant’s nationality, nature of business, compensation, expenditures, and details regarding activity performed on behalf of the foreign principal. The registration must be updated every six months.

U.S. subsidiaries of foreign principals are not explicitly exempt from additional disclosures.

Agents of foreign principals must also disclose their identity to government agencies and the General Assembly each time they appear on behalf of a foreign principal.

The bill also prohibits foreign nationals from making campaign contributions to a candidate, campaign committee, independent committee, or political action committee.

Senate Bill 368 has not yet been signed by the governor.

If signed, the bill becomes effective July 1.

Campaign Finance

New Jersey: “Top NJ Legislators Failed to Disclose Campaign Spending. They Still Haven’t Fixed Reports” by Ashley Balcerzak (Bergen Record) for MSN

New York: “Senate Democrats Renew Push for Changes to Matching Funds Program” by Joshua Solomon for Albany Times Union

Elections

National: “How the No Labels 2024 Presidential Campaign Failed to Launch” by Ken Thomas and Kristina Peterson (Wall Street Journal) for MSN

Ethics

Washington DC: “Justice Official Clark Violated Ethics in Aiding Trump, D.C. Bar Panel Finds” by Keith Alexander (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Judge Cannon Shoots Down Trump’s Presidential Records Act Claim” by Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein (Washington Post) for MSN

Oregon: “Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek to Seek Guidance from Ethics Commission Around First Lady’s Role” by Dianne Lugo (Salem Statesman Journal) for MSN

Lobbying

National: “Thousands of Alleged Lobbying Violations Languish at Justice Department” by Taylor Giorno (The Hill) for Yahoo News

Florida: “Sarasota City Attorney to Prepare a Potential Ordinance to Track Political Lobbying” by Christian Casale (Sarasota Herald Tribune) for Yahoo News

National/Federal

From Pizzagate to the 2020 Election: Forcing liars to pay or apologize

Las Vegas Sun – Elizabeth Williamson (New York Times) | Published: 4/2/2024

Michael Gottlieb, a partner at the firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher and a former associate counsel in the Obama White House, is at the forefront of a small but growing cadre of lawyers deploying defamation, one of the oldest areas of the law, as a weapon against a tide of political disinformation. Gottlieb has worked with Protect Democracy, a nonpartisan group that pushes for laws and policies to counter what it sees as authoritarian threats. Before the Trump era and the explosion of social media, though, such cases were virtually nonexistent.

Appeals Court Sides with Judge Who Threatened Peter Navarro with Contempt

MSN – Rachel Weiner (Washington Post) | Published: 4/1/2024

A federal appeals court rejected arguments from former Trump adviser Peter Navarro, one of a series of legal losses that has the economist facing sanction for defying court orders even as he serves a four-month prison sentence for ignoring similar demands from Congress. A judge threatened him with contempt if he did not hand over more records from his years in the Trump administration. On appeal, Navarro argued the Justice Department had no authority to enforce the Presidential Records Act. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed that claim.

How Corporate PAC Money Could End Up in the Personal Coffers of Sens. JD Vance and Markwayne Mullin

MSN – Brian Metzger (Business Insider) | Published: 3/28/2024

U.S. Sens. JD Vance and Markwayne Mullin have spent the last year using campaign cash to pay themselves back for hefty loans they sunk into their 2022 races. At the same time, they have been taking tens of thousands of dollars in corporate PAC money, some of which may be ending up directly in the senators’ bank accounts. The murky reality of both Vance’s and Mullin’s finances can be attributed in part to the work of Sen. Ted Cruz.

FEC Fines Mike Braun Senate Committee $159k for Campaign Finance Violation

MSN – Kayla Dwyer (Indianapolis Star) | Published: 3/29/2024

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun’s campaign owes $159,000 for violating campaign finance rules during the 2018 election, among the largest fines in the FEC’s history, ending a multi-year saga with the campaign and Braun’s former treasurer. Since 1980, only about 50 cases have warranted larger fines, but the penalty represents a small percentage of the approximately $11.5 million in campaign loans that were misreported.

Trump Special Counsel Fires Back at Cannon Order That Could Disrupt Case

MSN – Perry Stein and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) | Published: 4/3/2024

Special counsel Jack Smith warned the judge overseeing Donald Trump’s classified documents case she is pursuing a legal premise that “is wrong” and said he would probably appeal to a higher court if she would rule a federal records law can protect the former president from prosecution. Smith’s office pushed back against an unusual instruction from U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon, one that veteran national security lawyers and former judgers have said badly misinterprets the Presidential Records Act and laws related to classified documents.

Trump Media Stock Plunges as 2023 Truth Social Loss Put at $58 Million

MSN – Drew Harwell (Washington Post) | Published: 4/1/2024

Donald Trump’s social media company lost more than $58 million last year, sending its stock plunging more than 21 percent only days after a highflying public debut set the company’s value at more than $8 billion. The new figures throw into stark relief the gap between Trump Media’s highly hyped investor-driven valuation on the public stock market and the reality of its business performance. They also raise questions about the possibility that Trump could use the company as a financial lifeline. Trump cannot sell his shares or use them as collateral for a loan for six months because of a provision in the company’s merger agreement.

To Comply with Court, Federal Agency Lets White People Claim Social Disadvantage

MSN – Julian Mark (Washington Post) | Published: 4/3/2024

A federal judge ordered the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to open its doors to entrepreneurs from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, ruling its presumption that minorities are inherently disadvantaged violated the Constitution’s equal protection clause. The MBDA directed its business centers to forgo racial considerations when vetting applicants. Instead, candidates must sign a form, attesting their disadvantage to certify they are “minority business enterprises.” It is the latest sign the government is untethering its definition of social disadvantage from broad racial and ethnic classifications.

Freedom Caucuses Push for Conservative State Laws, but Getting Attention Is Their Big Success

Yahoo News – Elaine Povich (Stateline) | Published: 4/2/2024

The State Freedom Caucus Network aims to push the Republican Party further to the right on issues such as immigration, voting access, and transgender restrictions. It is an outgrowth of the group in the U.S. House. The state chapters are proposing conservative legislation and slowing measures they do not like, even bills that were once considered routine and noncontroversial. Some Republicans say members of the Freedom Caucus gum up the legislative works and are more interested in publicity and grandstanding than conservative policymaking.

From the States and Municipalities

Alabama – Alabama House Approves Legislation Overhauling State Ethics Code

Alabama Reflector – Alander Rocha | Published: 4/3/2024

The Alabama House approved a bill that would repeal the current ethics laws for public officials and employees, replace the code with tougher punishments for violations, and weaken the powers of the state Ethics Commission. House Bill 227 would raise the gift ban limit to public officials and employees to $100 per occasion and $500 per year. The legislation now goes to the Senate.

Arizona – UA President Robbins OK’d Effort to Erase Millions in Fines Against Fraudulent Online University

Yahoo News – Hannah Dreyfus and Helen Rummel (Arizona Republic) | Published: 3/27/2024

Lobbyist Richard Smotkin was ostensibly hired by the University of Arizona Foundation to help build the university’s relationship with Morocco. But behind the scenes, Smotkin worked to persuade the California attorney general to erase millions of dollars in fines against a fraudulent online school acquired by the university, documents show. While Smotkin has extensive connections in Morocco, he had another important relationship: a yearslong bond with California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

California – Former L.A. Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan Found Guilty in Sprawling City Hall Corruption Case

MSN – David Zahniser and Dakota Smith (Los Angeles Times) | Published: 3/27/2024

A jury found Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan secured bribes for himself and for former city Councilperson Jose Huizar as part of a sprawling “pay-to-play” scheme. Chan was f0und guilty on all 12 counts of corruption in a case focused on financial benefits provided by real estate developers with projects in Huizar’s district. During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Chan as a crucial intermediary between Huizar, who wielded huge power over downtown development projects, and Chinese real estate developers.

Colorado – Colorado Appeals Court Upholds Fine, Requirement for ‘Dark Money’ Group to Disclose Spending

Colorado Politics – Michael Karlik | Published: 3/28/2024

Colorado’s second-highest court agreed that a group that spent $4 million backing conservative causes on the ballot in 2020 is required to disclose its contributions and spending and pay a $40,000 fine for failing to register as an advocacy group. A trial judge previously believed Unite for Colorado, which spent roughly $17 million during 2020, was not subject to the registration and disclosure requirement because its $4 million spent across multiple ballot initiatives was not substantial enough when broken down issue-by-issue.

Florida – Federal Court Upholds DeSantis-Backed Congressional Map

Yahoo News – Gary Fineout (Associated Press) | Published: 3/27/2024

A panel of federal judges upheld Florida’s congressional map, turning away a challenge that alleged it was discriminatory against Black voters after the district held by former U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat, was dismantled. The decision is a victory for Republicans and Gov. Ron DeSantis, who muscled the map through Florida’s GOP-controlled Legislature. The congressional map his administration crafted ultimately resulted in Republicans gaining four seats, helping the GOP flip the House during the 2022 midterm elections.

Florida – With Abortion Ballot Question, a ‘Path to Relevance’ for Democrats in Florida?

Yahoo News – Patricia Mazzei (New York Times) | Published: 4/2/2024

Florida, once the biggest battleground in presidential politics, has become less important as its election results have trended repeatedly toward the political right. Few consider it a true swing state anymore. But three rulings from the Florida Supreme Court on abortion and marijuana may inject new life into Democratic campaigns before the general election on November 6.

Florida – Can Elected Officials Do Business with Their City? Here’s What Ethics Commission Say

Yahoo News – Tess Riski (Miami Herald) | Published: 4/3/2024

Elected officials in Miami-Dade County can run businesses that interact with their city’s government if the scope of work is clerical in nature and does not involve advocacy, according to a draft opinion from the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust. The county ethics code prohibits public officials from receiving compensation from third parties, directly or indirectly, if the compensation is related to matters where the third parties are seeking a benefit from the city.

Georgia – Georgia Lawmakers Approve New Election Rules That Could Impact 2024 Presidential Contest

Yahoo News – Sudhin Thanawala and Jeff Amy (Associated Press) | Published: 3/29/2024

Georgia lawmakers approved new rules for challenging voters and qualifying for the state’s presidential ballot that could impact the 2024 presidential race in the battleground state. The bill would grant access to Georgia’s ballot to any political party that has qualified for the presidential ballot in at least 20 states or territories. The change could be a boost to independent candidates. It also spells out what constitutes “probable cause” for upholding challenges to voter eligibility.

Iowa – Republican Candidate’s Wife Sentenced to Prison for Voter Fraud

MSN – Kim Bellware (Washington Post) | Published: 4/3/2024

An Iowa woman who sought to boost her husband’s unsuccessful congressional bid in 2020 through a voter fraud scheme was sentenced by a federal judge to four months in prison in a rare case of fraudulent voting. Kim Taylor was convicted on 52 counts including fraudulent voting and providing false information in registering and voting. During the 2020 primary and general elections, federal prosecutors said, Taylor filled out voter registrations and absentee ballots for members of the Vietnamese community under the guise of offering translation help.

Kansas – Does Wichita Mayor’s Trip Abroad Fall Under City’s Ethics Policy? Here’s What We Found Out

Yahoo News – Chance Swaim (Wichita Eagle) | Published: 4/1/2024

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu’s trip to Switzerland – paid for by the Swiss government – falls in a gray area of a city council ethics policy that sought to limit gifts to elected and appointed city officials. The travel costs, which include flights, hotel stays, and dinners, are expected to far exceed the $150 gift limit council members can accept from a single source during a calendar year. But Wu says the all-expenses-paid trip is not a gift.

Kentucky – Louisville Mayor’s Wife Repeatedly Turned to City Worker for Social Media Help, Texts Show

Yahoo News – Eleanor McCrary and Josh Wood (Louisville Courier Journal) | Published: 4/2/2024

Text messages show a Communications Department staffer was frequently called upon by Rachel Greenberg, wife of Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, to assist her with her Instagram account by creating and providing content and offering advice. The texts also show Rachel Greenberg, described by the administration as a volunteer, instructed the staffer to edit posts on the mayor’s Instagram account. Two sources said the mayor’s wife had a Metro Hall office, a government email address, and gave orders to staffers. Experts said that arrangement might violate the city’s ethics rules.

Minnesota – ‘Book Senator Hoffman to speak’: DFL state senator’s consulting firm raises ethical questions

Yahoo News – Ryan Faircloth (Minneapolis Star Tribune) | Published: 4/3/2024

Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman prominently touted his political status on his personal consulting firm’s website as recently as a week ago, prompting government ethics experts to question whether he was promoting his official position for personal gain. The homepage of the website for Hoffman Strategic Advisors featured a posed photograph of the senator inside the state Capitol. Hoffman said he always considers himself a senator and had not thought about the optics of promoting his position on his personal website.

Missouri – Recall of Columbia First Ward Councilperson Nick Knoth Passes

KOMU – Hunter Walterman | Published: 4/2/2024

Columbia City Councilperson Nick Knoth was recalled over his lobbying work outside the council. Knoth was elected for a three-year term in April 2023 and took a job as a lobbyist for a trade association for real estate agents later that year. In October, a group of voters launched a campaign to recall Knoth, arguing his position amounted to a conflict-of-interest.

Nebraska – Nebraska Lawmakers Vote Against Trump-Fueled Push to Change Electoral Vote System

MSN – Patrick Svitek and Michael Scherer (Washington Post) | Published: 4/4/2024

Donald Trump’s push to get the Nebraska Legislature to change the way it awards electoral votes faced a major setback when lawmakers voted to prevent the change from being attached to an unrelated bill. Nebraska is one of only two states that divide electoral votes among statewide and congressional district winners. But Gov. Jim Pillen and Trump endorsed a proposal to return the state to a winner-take-all system.

New Jersey – New Jersey’s Unique Ballot Design Struck Down by Judge

MSN – Azi Paybarah (Washington Post) | Published: 3/29/2024

New Jersey’s unique way of displaying county-endorsed candidates on the ballot was struck down by a federal judge after a lawsuit by U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, who is running for Senate, and two other Democrats running for Congress, who called the design unfair and unconstitutional. The state’s ballot design process is unlike any other in the nation, and it allows parties to place their endorsed candidates in a specific portion of the ballot known as “the line.”

New York – Meet NYC’s New Campaign Finance Watchdog, Arriving Amid Probe into Mayor Adams’ Campaign

Gothamist – Brigid Bergin | Published: 3/27/2024

The New York City Campaign Finance Board took a reputational hit last year when then-Executive Director Beth Rotman was asked to resign over allegations of mismanagement. As the agency’s new leader, Paul S. Ryan is now responsible for charting the board’s path forward amid concerns over its oversight of campaigns, especially that of Mayor Eric Adams. “I’ve long considered this to be a model agency administering model laws for the country at a time when democracy in many places is really in crisis …,” Ryan said.

New York – Trump Ramps Up Attacks on Judges, Sparking Concerns as Criminal Trial Nears

MSN – Marianne LeVine, Clara Ence Morse, and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) | Published: 4/1/2024

Donald Trump is ramping up efforts to disparage judges overseeing his criminal and civil cases, reprising a long-standing strategy and prompting growing concerns from legal experts. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s approach, part of an election-year attempt to portray the judicial system as weaponized against him, was evident in a slew of attacks. Trump’s personal attacks against the daughter of the New York judge overseeing a hush money case prompted the judge to expand an existing gag order to include his family and the district attorney’s family.

New York – How a California Billionaire Known for Auto Loans Provided Trump’s Bond

MSN – Michael Kranish and Jonathan O’Connell (Washington Post) | Published: 4/2/2024

Donald Trump struggled to post a bond for more than $450 million to keep authorities from seizing his properties, billionaire Don Hankey and his wife started discussing a solution: Hankey’s business could cover it. But when a court reduced the bond to $175 million and Trump said he had the cash to post it himself, the matter seemed moot. Then the Trump team revived the talks and asked Hankey if he would back the new amount. Hankey agreed.

New York – Lobbyist Dating Carl Heastie Cleared to Return to Assembly – and Ethics Attorney Quits

New York Focus – Chris Bragg | Published: 3/26/2024

The lobbyist dating New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has been cleared to return to work at the Assembly. A spokesperson for the Greater New York Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust said after being barred on the advice of its former ethics lawyer, legislative and communications director Rebecca Lamorte can resume lobbying the Assembly, including Heastie’s staff, but not the speaker himself. After Lamorte was cleared to return, the former ethics attorney quit.

New York – Ex-NYPD Deputy Inspector Sentenced in Mayor Adams Campaign Straw Donor Scheme

Yahoo News – Molly Crane-Newman (New York Daily News) | Published: 4/2/2024

Dwayne Montgomery, a former New York Police Department deputy inspector who was friendly with Mayor Eric Adams, was sentenced to community service for his ringleader role in a straw donor scheme that gamed the system to boost Adams’ 2021 City Hall run and curry political favors. The cash funneled to Adams’ campaign in others’ names triggered a major injection of cash from the Campaign Finance Board that matches donations of up to $250 by eight-to-one, allowing the scheme’s architects to subvert caps on how much they could give.

North Carolina – Court Rejects Claim Challenging North Carolina Map for Diluting Black Vote

MSN – Rachel Weiner and Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff (Washington Post) | Published: 3/28/2024

A federal appellate court rejected an emergency challenge to North Carolina’s Republican-drawn legislative map, all but ensuring elections will go forward this year under contested lines drawn up in 2023 that Democrats and voting rights advocates say were created to weaken Black representation. That means 2024 elections will go forward with a map experts say will help Republicans retain a supermajority in the state Legislature. The new maps are also expected to give Republicans at least three more seats in Congress.

Ohio – The Randazzler: Court records detail chummy relationship between Sam Randazzo, FirstEnergy

Yahoo News – Jessie Balmert (Cincinnati Enquirer) | Published: 4/1/2024

Former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairperson Sam Randazzo had a close, chummy relationship with ex-executives of FirstEnergy and its allies. For example, Randazzo texted an image of himself dressed as a superhero and surrounded by terms like “Randazzler” to some of the executives. But Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost alleges Randazzo’s sophomoric communication with FirstEnergy leaders extended beyond memes to a “pay-to-play” scheme at ratepayers’ expense.

Oklahoma – Gov. Stitt Task Force Calls for Changing Campaign Donation Limits

Yahoo News – Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) | Published: 4/2/2024

A task force created by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is calling for no limits on how much money state politicians can accept from individuals in campaign donations. The Governor’s Task Force on Campaign Finance and Election Threats said a change is needed to combat the impact of “dark money” groups. A candidate currently can accept $3,300 from an individual per election. Fewer than a dozen states have no limits on individual donations.

Oklahoma – Oklahoma Official with White Nationalist Ties Is Ousted in Recall Vote

Yahoo News – Brandy Zadrozny, Nnamdi Egwuonwu, and Micki Fahner (NBC News) | Published: 4/3/2024

Voters in Enid, Oklahoma, removed city Councilperson Judd Blevins over his ties to white nationalist groups. He faced the recall vote after local activists learned he had marched alongside neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 and led an Oklahoma chapter of the white nationalist group Identity Evropa. Blevins will be replaced by Cheryl Patterson, a former teacher who campaigned on a return to “normalcy” for this small city, which was divided by the furor over Blevins.

Oregon – Gov. Tina Kotek Signs Historic Campaign Finance Bill

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 4/3/2024

Gov. Tina Kotek signed into law a bill that will limit the amount of money that individuals and groups can contribute to campaigns starting in 2027. The law is historic for Oregon, which has seen increasingly large sums of money poured into campaigns. The bill cleared the Legislature with overwhelming support. Good government groups, labor unions, and business groups, negotiated the details of the legislation.

South Carolina – South Carolina Latest State to Use Congressional Map Deemed Illegal

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 3/28/2024

In a scenario that has played out in three states in recent years, a federal court ruled time had run out to draw a new congressional district in South Carolina and the state would have to proceed this fall with an existing election map the court had previously deemed illegal. The ruling echoes redistricting cases in other Southern states where courts found congressional maps violated the voting rights of Black voters and other people of color but allowed them to be used anyway, at least temporarily.

Texas – Texas Appeals Court Overturns Crystal Mason’s Conviction, 5-Year Sentence for Illegal Voting

MSN – Karen Brooks Harper (Texas Tribune) | Published: 3/28/2024

A Texas appeals court overturned the illegal voting conviction of Crystal Mason, who was given a five-year prison sentence for casting a provisional ballot in the 2016 election while on supervised release for federal tax evasion. The court said there was no evidence Mason knew she was ineligible to vote when she cast her ballot, which is a condition that must be met to convict her of illegal voting. The case thrust Mason, who is Black, into the political fray amid a Republican-led crackdown on voter fraud, partly fueled by baseless claims of rampant illegal voting.

Texas – Texas Could Require Social Media Influencers to Disclose Paid Political Posts

MSN – Robert Downen (Texas Tribune) | Published: 3/28/2024

The Texas Ethics Commission gave initial approval to a proposal that would require social media users to disclose if they are being paid to share or create political advertisements. The action comes just months after it was reported that a secretive and politically connected company called Influenceable LLC paid internet influencers to defend state Attorney General Ken Paxton ahead of his impeachment trial. The proposed rule could be finalized at the commission’s next meeting in June.

Virginia – A Skill Game Company Gave a Va. Senator a $1.9K Trip. No One Will Explain It

Virginia Mercury – Graham Moomaw | Published: 4/1/2024

In 2022, Virginia Sen. Bryce Reeves disclosed a campaign finance report that skill game company Pace-O-Matic paid for a trip he took worth $1,900. Pace-O-Matic was hosting hundreds of guests in Wyoming at Cheyenne Frontier Days. But the campaign finance report gave no indication where Reeves went on the dime of a company that has lobbied the General Assembly for permission to put slot machine lookalikes in convenience stores and truck stops. Under the current rule, lawmakers cannot accept more than $108 in gifts from any single lobbying interest per calendar year, but there are several exceptions to that limit.

Washington – Washington State Legislative Maps Survive Supreme Court Appeal in Latest Battle Over Latino Voting Rights

Courthouse News Service – Kelsey Reichmann | Published: 4/2/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to block the use of Washington state’s new legislative district maps that give Latino voters greater representation. A Republican lawmaker and two voters asked the justices to allow the state’s 2024 election to move forward under a map that was found to have violated a section of the Voting Rights Act that prohibits race discrimination. A lower court judge recently enacted a remedial map after claims of Latino vote dilution, but the Republicans say the new map is more discriminatory than the first.

Wisconsin – Wisconsin Becomes Latest State to Ban Private Funding of Elections

MSN – Patrick Marley (Washington Post) | Published: 4/2/2024

Wisconsin voters opted to ban private funding for election administration, joining more than two dozen states that have ended or limited the practice after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife spent $350 million to help local governments run elections during the coronavirus pandemic. They also approved a second proposal that limits who can perform election-related duties. Both measures were initiated by Republican state legislators.

Wisconsin – What Are Wisconsin’s Biggest Lobbying Law Violation Settlements Since 2016?

PBS Wisconsin – Hina Suzuki (The Badger Project) | Published: 3/26/2024

Wisconsin has strict lobbying laws – so strict that lobbyists are not allowed to give anything of monetary value to the politicians and government officials they lobby. If a lobbyist breaks the rules, the Wisconsin Ethics Commission will negotiate a settlement with the lobbyist or lobbying organization in lieu of civil litigation. Money received from settlements goes to the Common School Fund, the primary, and often only, funding source for school libraries in the state. The Badger Project obtained a list of the largest lobbying fines since 2016.

Community Open House — More like Community Welcoming Us

The housewarming is always hard to plan. Do we have everything in place? Are we ready to welcome the neighborhood?

March 25th was our community open house — five months after we officially moved into our new space. It took time to spread our 17,000 square feet of office materials into 29,000 square feet. We are probably the only company not downsizing in Akron, Ohio. We were busy until the last minute, putting artwork up on the walls, rearranging chairs around the place, and bringing out our red/white/blue tablecloths!!!

And, you know what… the community showed up! Between 2 pm and 7 pm, we had 200 people in our offices enjoying our delicious food from Waterloo Restaurant, taking tours of the office, looking at our great artwork, and just conversing with the staff.

It was a great time. After it was over, I received a text from Bill Considine, former president of Akron Children’s Hospital, and the most respected man in Akron.

“Congratulations on your open house and 30-year celebration!! Becky and I thoroughly enjoyed touring your new space, talking with members of your team, and joining people and friends from the community that joined in the celebration. You can take great pride in the organization you’ve developed.

~Onward. Bill C”

Now that is a big deal. Along with the fabulous proclamation received from Dr. Todd Diacon, president of Kent State University. FLASHES FOREVER.

The important part about the open house is everyone enjoyed themselves, ate plenty of food, and left with a swing in their step.

Thank you to everyone who has helped move us over the mountain and have faith in the work we do for your company.

I might not be so quick to decline office parties in the future. It is a great way to meet your neighbors.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz

Campaign Finance

New York: “Ex-NYPD Deputy Inspector Sentenced in Mayor Adams Campaign Straw Donor Scheme” by Molly Crane-Newman (New York Daily News) for Yahoo News

Oklahoma: “Gov. Stitt Task Force Calls for Changing Campaign Donation Limits” by Nolan Clay (Oklahoman) for Yahoo News

Elections

Florida: “With Abortion Ballot Question, a ‘Path to Relevance’ for Democrats in Florida?” by Patricia Mazzei (New York Times) for Yahoo News

Ethics

Alabama: “Alabama House Approves Legislation Overhauling State Ethics Code” by Alander Rocha for Alabama Reflector

National: “Trump Special Counsel Fires Back at Cannon Order That Could Disrupt Case” by Perry Stein and Devlin Barrett (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “To Comply with Court, Federal Agency Lets White People Claim Social Disadvantage” by Julian Mark (Washington Post) for MSN

Minnesota: “‘Book Senator Hoffman to speak’: DFL state senator’s consulting firm raises ethical questions” by Ryan Faircloth (Minneapolis Star Tribune) for Yahoo News

New York: “How a California Billionaire Known for Auto Loans Provided Trump’s Bond” by Michael Kranish and Jonathan O’Connell (Washington Post) for MSN

Legislative Issues

National: “Freedom Caucuses Push for Conservative State Laws, but Getting Attention Is Their Big Success” by Elaine Povich (Stateline) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

Missouri: “Recall of Columbia First Ward Councilperson Nick Knoth Passes” by Hunter Walterman for KOMU