Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election for September 16, to fill the House District 34B seat vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was killed in June along with her husband in a targeted attack. Hortman, who was among the most influential Minnesota elected officials in the past decade, served as House Speaker from 2019 to 2024.

Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for August 26, to fill the Iowa Senate District 1 vacancy caused by the death of Republican Sen. Rocky De Witt. The election will determine whether Republicans regain their two-thirds majority in the chamber. Republican Christopher Prosch will run against Democrat Catelin Drey and the winner will serve out the remainder of De Witt’s term, which ends January 2027.

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Campaign Finance

New York: “Mayor Adams’ Lawsuit Over $3.4M Campaign Funds Withheld Tossed — but Here’s Why It Could Help His Re-Election Bid” by Craig McCarthy (New York Post) for Yahoo News

Ethics

National: “Texts, Emails Bolster Whistleblower Account of DOJ Defying Court Order” by Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Bondi Fires 20 Justice Dept. Employees Involved in Trump Prosecutions” by Perry Stein and Amy Wang (Washington Post) for MSN

Missouri: “After Scathing Report, Missouri Governor Fills Vacancies on Ethics Watchdog” by Kacen Bayless (Kansas City Star) for MSN

Oklahoma: “Ethics Commission Votes on Cases Involving Gamefowl Commission, Rep. Ajay Pittman, Shelley Zumwalt” by Bennett Brinkman for NonDoc

Oregon: “An Oregon Lawmaker Pushed to Fix His Road with Wildfire Recovery Money. He Says It’s His Job” by Hillary Borrud (Portland Oregonian) for MSN

Lobbying

California: “OpenAI Accuses Nonprofit of Musk Ties, Lobbying Violations, in California Complaint” by Chase DiFeliciantonio and Christine Mui (Politico) for MSN

Redistricting

Texas: “How Republicans’ Texas Gerrymandering Plan Could Backfire and Help Dems” by Nicholas Wu, Andrew Howard, and Jessica Piper (Politico) for MSN

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. called for a special session beginning August 1st. The session will consider three critical legislative proposals aimed at restoring fiscal discipline, promoting fairness, and strengthening public confidence in government. The bills will be focused on health insurance, legislator pay and pension, and required leave of absence for government employees seeking office.

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National/Federal

Trump Appointees Have Ties to Companies That Stand to Benefit from Privatizing Weather Forecasts

MSN – Michael Biesecker and Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) | Published: 7/9/2025

Deadly flooding in Texas has drawn a spotlight to budget cuts and staff reductions at the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, two agencies that provide the public with free climate and weather data that can be crucial during natural disasters. What has drawn less attention is how the downsizing appears to be part of an effort to privatize the work of such agencies. In several instances, the companies poised to step into the void have ties to people tapped by President Trump to run weather-related agencies.

Gabbard’s Team Has Sought Spy Agency Data to Enforce Trump’s Agenda

MSN – Ellen Nakashima, Warren Strobel, and Aaron Schaffer (Washington Post) | Published: 7/8/2025

A special team created by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has expressed a desire to gain access to emails and chat logs of the largest U.S. spy agencies with the aim of using artificial intelligence tools to ferret out what the administration deems as efforts to undermine its agenda, according to several people familiar with the matter. The mission of the Director’s Initiative Group is to enforce President Trump’s executive orders to end “weaponization” of the federal government, declassify documents, and halt diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, according to Gabbard’s office.

X CEO Linda Yaccarino Resigns After Two Years at the Helm of Elon Musk’s Social Media Platform

MSN – Matt O’Brien (Associated Press) | Published: 7/9/2025

X Chief Executive Officer Linda Yaccarino said she is stepping down after two bumpy years running Elon Musk’s social media platform. Since Musk’s takeover, a number of companies had pulled back on ad spending over concerns that his thinning of content restrictions was enabling hateful and toxic speech to flourish. Most recently, an update to Grok, the chatbot developed by Musk’s company xAI, led to a flood of antisemitic commentary from the chatbot that included praise of Adolf Hitler.

Supreme Court Allows Trump to Launch Mass Layoff and Restructuring Plans

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 7/8/2025

The Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to launch plans for mass firings and reorganizations at 19 federal agencies and departments while litigation continues. The justices lifted a lower-court order that temporarily blocked plans to lay off thousands of federal workers, including at the State Department and the Social Security Administration, because the administration did not first consult with Congress.

California Awaits Disaster Relief as GOP Offers Full Support of Texas

MSN – Maeve Reston and Marianna Sotomayor (Washington Post) | Published: 7/9/2025

For months, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has pressed the GOP-led Congress to free up $40 billion in federal relief for swaths of Los Angeles consumed by devastating wildfires. President Trump and other Republicans have so far withheld the funds, with many arguing Newsom and other Democrats in the blue state have mishandled the fires and should be forced to rescind liberal policies in exchange for aid. But now deadly floods have struck ruby-red Texas and Trump and others promising unfettered and prompt federal support. The contrast underscores the extent to which the Trump administration treats blue and red states differently.

Former FBI, CIA Directors Under Investigation, DOJ Indicates in Statement

MSN – Perry Stein and Ellen Nakashima (Washington Post) | Published: 7/9/2025

The Justice Department acknowledged it had opened criminal probes into former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan, two frequent targets of President Trump who played roles in the investigation into his 2016 campaign’s ties to Russia. CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred Brennan to the FBI to be criminally investigated for allegedly lying to Congress, according to a person familiar with the matter. The scope and nature of the investigation into Comey is unclear.

Lobbyists Revel in Trump Bonanza but Ask How Long It Can Last

MSN – Josh Dawsey, Rebecca Ballhaus, and Maggie Severns (Wall Street Journal) | Published: 7/9/2025

It is boom time on K Street for the influence industry, according to interviews with more than a dozen Republican lobbyists. The top 10 lobbying firms in Washington took in about $123 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared with about $80 million in the same time frame of both Joe Biden’s presidency and Trump’s first term. Lobbyists with close ties to Trump are having a particularly lucrative year and expanding their offices, with some firms even turning down clients because they already have too many.

Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Unloaded Trump Media Stock the Day Before Tariff Announcement

MSN – Suhail Bhat (USA Today) | Published: 7/10/2025

Dan Scavino had months to sell off up to $5 million worth of Trump Media stock after he joined President Trump’s administration as a deputy chief of staff. But Scavino picked April 1, the day before the president announced sweeping tariffs, to make the sale. Trump Media stock fell 11 percent after the announcement. There is no evidence that Savino had knowledge of the tariffs beforehand. But experts say when trades are placed in proximity to a major news event from the White House, they raise ethical questions as well as concerns of wrongdoing.

Federal Judge Places New Block on Trump’s Ban on Birthright Citizenship

MSN – David Nakamura (Washington Post) | Published: 7/10/2025

A federal judge in New Hampshire placed a new nationwide block on President Trump’s efforts to end birthright citizenship, a decision that came two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court opened a path for the administration to begin enforcing the order. During a court hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante said he would issue the temporary injunction after agreeing to a request from civil rights groups to certify a class-action lawsuit against the administration on behalf of U.S.-born children or future children whose automatic citizenship could be jeopardized by the president’s executive order, lawyers for the plaintiffs said.

The Supreme Court and Congress Cede Powers to Trump and the Presidency

MSN – Naftali Bendavid (Washington Post) | Published: 7/4/2025

In a striking dynamic of the Trump era, analysts say, the judicial and legislative branches have been steadily transferring many of their powers to the executive – or at least acquiescing in the transfers. That has shaken up a system that depends on the three branches of government jostling sharply as each jealously guards its own prerogatives, many critics contend. But the country has become so divided, some scholars say, that leaders of the three branches are often more loyal to their parties than to their institutions.

Trump Administration’s Push to Deport Student Activists Goes on Trial

MSN – Joanna Slater and Justine McDaniel (Washington Post) | Published: 7/7/2025

The Trump administration’s attempts to deport international students and scholars involved in pro-Palestinian advocacy are unconstitutional, lawyers argued during the opening of one of the first federal trials challenging the president’s broad immigration policies. Instead of challenging individual detentions, the plaintiffs in the trial have taken a broader approach. Their case focuses on stopping what they have termed the “ideological deportation policy” of the  administration, which they say includes revoking visas and extends to arrests and deportations.

Trump Administration Asserted Sweeping Power in Seeking to Bypass TikTok Ban

MSN – Charlie Savage (New York Times) | Published: 7/4/2025

Attorney General Pam Bondi told tech companies that they could lawfully violate a statute barring American companies from supporting TikTok based on a sweeping claim that President Trump has the constitutional power to set aside laws, documents show. The letters portrayed Trump as having nullified the legal effects of a statute that Congress passed by large bipartisan majorities in 2024 and the Supreme Court unanimously upheld.

ActBlue Brings in Nearly $400 Million More for Democrats Amid Trump’s Pressure on the Fundraising Platform

MSN – Fredreka Schouten (CNN) | Published: 7/7/2025

President Trump’s demand for an investigation into ActBlue worried some Democrats who argue his order was not about allegations of campaign finance violations but an attempt to stifle liberal campaigns. So far, ActBlue remains a Democratic juggernaut. The platform brought in more than $393 million during the second quarter of this year, nearly on par with the $400 million it processed in the first quarter. The platform remains integral to Democratic campaigns trying to capitalize on progressive anger at Trump’s second-term agenda, even as some Democrats adopt ActBlue alternatives.

Roughly 140 EPA Staffers Who Signed ‘Dissent’ Letter Are Put on Leave

MSN – Hannah Natanson and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) | Published: 7/3/2025

The Trump administration has placed on leave roughly 140 staffers at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who signed a letter of dissent protesting the agency’s current direction and policies. Nearly 300 EPA workers had signed the letter sent to Administrator Lee Zeldin, which said President Trump’s changes to the agency “undermine the EPA mission of protecting human health and the environment.” More than 170 of the signatories chose to be named, and some began receiving notifications they had been placed on leave.

IRS Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates from the Pulpit

Salt Lake Tribune – David Fahrenthold (New York Times) | Published: 7/7/2025

The Internal Revenue Service said churches and other houses of worship should be allowed to endorse political candidates to their congregations, carving out an exemption in a decades-old ban on political activity by tax-exempt nonprofits. The agency made that statement in a court filing intended to settle a lawsuit filed by two Texas churches and an association of Christian broadcasters.

Military Veteran Gets a Life Sentence for Plotting an FBI Attack After His Jan. 6 Arrest

Yahoo News – Michael Kunzelman (Associated Press) | Published: 7/2/2025

A military veteran was sentenced to life in prison for plotting to attack an FBI office and assassinate law enforcement officers in retaliation for his arrest on charges he was part of the mob that stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Edward Kelley was one of the first rioters to breach the Capitol. Nearly two years later, Kelley made plans with another man to attack the FBI office in Knoxville, Tennessee. Kelley argued that his pardon was broad enough to cover his conduct in the Tennessee case, but the judge disagreed.

From the States and Municipalities

California – ‘Ghost’ Candidates, Pay-to-Play Accusations: Grossmont school board critics say messages suggest ‘wildly unethical’ campaign efforts

MSN – Kristen Taketa (San Diego Union-Tribune) | Published: 7/5/2025

Grossmont Union High School District teachers, parents, and community members are raising concerns about records they say suggest some board trustees and their allies manipulated last year’s board election, including a pay-to-play transaction and an effort to run fake spoiler candidates to pull votes away from their political rivals. Trustees’ text messages and emails revealed the plotting by an inner circle of select board trustees and their allies who were often instructed by Jerry Hobbs, an ousted former teacher who briefly became the district’s chief of staff before leaving with a six-figure settlement amid a dispute with trustees.

California – City Official Got Paid by Architecture Firm While Approving Its Projects

San Francisco Standard – Gabe Greschler | Published: 7/3/2025

A San Francisco planning commissioner supported the development of at least two projects in the city by an architecture firm from which she also receives income. Kathrin Moore, who was appointed to the commission in 2006 and currently serves as the body’s vice president, has reported earning between $10,000 and $100,000 each year since 2012 from the global firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. San Francisco prohibits city officials from making decisions that involve entities from which an individual has received more than $500 in the past year. The state has similar regulations.

Georgia – Georgia Appeals Court Upholds Ruling Saying Election Officials Must Certify Results

MSN – Kate Brumback (Associated Press) | Published: 7/7/2025

A Georgia appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that said county election officials in the state must vote to certify results according to deadlines set in law. Certification became a political flashpoint when Donald Trump tried to overturn his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 general election. Republicans in several swing states refused to certify results during primary elections last year, and some sued to try to keep from being forced to sign off on election results.

Idaho – Idaho Lawmaker Worked to Legalize This Drug. He Was Among the First to Sell It

MSN – Sarah Cutler (Idaho Statesman) | Published: 7/7/2025

In the final days of this year’s legislative session, Idaho lawmakers passed a bill to allow pharmacies to sell ivermectin over the counter. Soon after, a pharmacy owned by the bill’s sponsor began selling the drug. Rep. Jordan Redman, who owns Medicine Man Prairie Pharmacy, disclosed – as required – that as a pharmacy owner, he had a conflict-of-interest in sponsoring and voting on the legislation. But after lawmakers make these declarations, they are still free to vote on the bills in question unless they volunteer to abstain.

Illinois – Ex-Ald. Carrie Austin Too Sick to Stand Trial on Corruption Charges, Federal Judge Rules

WTTW – Heather Cherone | Published: 7/9/2025

Former Chicago Ald. Carrie Austin is too sick to stand trial on charges she took bribes in the form of home improvements including new kitchen cabinets and granite countertops from a developer and lied to federal agents, a federal judge ruled. Prosecutors argued Austin was healthy enough to stand trial and agreed to ensure she had access to additional supplies of oxygen, access to medication during the day, and breaks when needed during a trial. Austin’s attorneys argued a trial could prove fatal for the former city council member.

Illinois – Illinois Senate President Don Harmon Appeals Potential $9.8 Million Fine for Improperly Accepting Campaign Cash

Yahoo News – Dan Petrella (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 7/7/2025

A lawyer for Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s political operation says state election authorities reached an “absurd” conclusion earlier this year in issuing nearly $10 million in penalties against Harmon’s campaign fund after determining he violated fundraising limits. Attorney Michael Kasper also laid out what amounted to a legal justification for Harmon’s unsuccessful attempt in the closing hours of this spring’s legislative session to pass a measure that could have negated the case and the $9.8 million potential penalty.

Kentucky – Probable Cause Rep. Daniel Grossberg Violated KY Ethics Code, Commission Finds

MSN – Alex Acquisto (Lexington Herald-Leader) | Published: 7/9/2025

The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission found probable cause that Rep. Daniel Grossberg violated the state ethics code on three different counts, including when he invited a young woman to his legislative office, asked her sexually intimate questions, and offered her alcohol. There also exists probable cause that Grossberg violated the Code of Ethics when he made “intimidating statements (and) actions toward a private business.”

Louisiana – Longest Serving Louisiana Ethics Board Member Says Lawmakers Want the Board Dismantled

Yahoo News – Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) | Published: 7/3/2025

La Koshia Roberts, the immediate past chairperson of the Louisiana Board of Ethics, said Gov. Jef Landry and state lawmakers are tearing down government ethics enforcement with the massive overhaul of ethics and campaign finance laws they enacted in June. At the urging of Landry, lawmakers passed sweeping changes to ethics and campaign finance laws that loosen dozens of existing restrictions on public servants and create new ways for people accused of government misconduct to push back on charges they face for allegedly breaking the law.

Maryland – Lobbyists Increase Donations to Maryland Politicians by 75% Since Last Election

MSN – Sam Janesch (Baltimore Sun) | Published: 7/7/2025

Lobbyists seeking to influence Maryland officials donated about $2.6 million to the campaigns of those officials since the last statewide election in 2022, a nearly 75 percent increase compared to the same period during the previous four-year term, according to an analysis by The Baltimore Sun. Companies with a stake in decisions made by state lawmakers have spent millions of dollars every year on lobbying. Critics say the spending reflects the complex, and generally spreading, web of money involved in Maryland policymaking.

Missouri – How Missouri’s Ethical Watchdog Was ‘Quietly Dismantled,’ According to New Report

MSN – Kacen Bayless (Kansas City Star) | Published: 7/8/2025

Dozens of complaints of misconduct have been effectively dismissed over the past two years as the Missouri Ethics Commission remains hobbled by vacancies. A new report from Progress MO, a progressive advocacy group, argues that failures by Gov. Mike Kehoe and his predecessor to fill those vacancies have “quietly dismantled” the commission, leaving it unable to investigate complaints, issue fines, or hold meetings. “The consequence is a system vulnerable to corruption, where big donors influence decisions and there is no oversight for those in power,” the report’s executive summary said.

Nevada – LVCVA Fires Executive, Alleging Conflict of Interest, Appoints New Chief Sports Officer

MSN – Mick Akers (Las Vegas Review-Journal) | Published: 7/9/2025

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority fired an executive in charge of sports deals over conflict-of-interest concerns related to the hiring of her ex-husband for a contracted position. The authority appointed Brian Yost to the new role of chief sports officer to replace Lisa Motley. She was fired after the hiring of sports marketing firm Position Sports for services tied to the 2027 College Football Playoff national championship game.

New York – NY Public Campaign Program Fuels Spending for Political Consultants

Albany Times Union – Emilie Munson | Published: 7/6/2025

New York’s new public campaign finance program has triggered big business for political strategists, fundraisers, accountants, and advertisers. Legislative candidates in New York spent more money last year than in any election in the past 25 years, except one when accounting for inflation, and much of that money flowed to the legion of professionals who orchestrate campaigns behind the scenes.

New York – Eric Adams’ Chances of Getting Public Campaign Matching Funds Just Got Worse

MSN – Greg Smith (The City) | Published: 7/9/2025

The New York City’s campaign finance watchdog has greatly expanded its investigation into Mayor Eric Adams’ fundraising, targeting alleged illegal straw donations arranged by an agent of the Uzbekistan government and demanding records related to several fundraisers Adams failed to disclose. The Campaign Finance Board has repeatedly denied Adams’ requests for public matching funds as he runs for re-election, charging that credible evidence of illegal donations render him ineligible for generous matching funds paid for by taxpayers. In response, Adams has sued the board.

Ohio – Ohio Lawmaker Proposes Ban on Free Sports Tickets for Legislators

MSN – Frances McGowan (Cleveland Plain Dealer) | Published: 7/8/2025

An Ohio lawmaker wants to ban state legislators from accepting free or discounted tickets to professional sporting events, pointing to ethical concerns raised by the state’s $600 million commitment to a new Cleveland Browns stadium. Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan said the legislation would close a loophole that allows lobbyists and team officials to offer lawmakers perks to high-profile games. The bill would require state lawmakers to pay fair market value for any tickets to professional sporting events, regardless of who offers them.

Oregon – Powerful Oregon Union May Have Skirted Lobbying Laws, Republican Lawmakers Allege

MSN – Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) | Published: 7/9/2025

In a complaint filed with the Government Ethics Commission, some lawmakers contend the Oregon chapter of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) provided false information on letters they delivered to lawmakers supporting a bill they lobbied for this year. The union represents thousands of workers who could have benefited from provisions in the bill. The complaint said SEIU violated state lobbying rules by providing information to legislators that misrepresented individuals’ support.

Oregon – Portland’s Campaign Finance Program Met Expectations in Unusual 2024 Election, Report Finds

Oregon Public Broadcasting – Alex Zielinski | Published: 7/8/2025

Faced with a new election system, limited cash, and questionable politicking, Portland’s campaign finance program appeared to met expectations during the November 2024 election cycle, according to an analysis by the city’s independent elections commission. The commission found the Small Donor Election program, paired with massive changes to the city’s form of government, created a clear path for candidates to win races with small donor contributions.

Pennsylvania – CEO of Pa.’s Largest Cyber School Made $700K on the Side from Its Bank

MSN – Oliver Morrison (PennLive.com) | Published: 7/9/2025

The leader of Pennsylvania’s largest cyber charter school earned more than $700,000 from his side job as a bank director from 2016 through 2024. The bank, Orrstown, was the school’s primary financial institution during that time and now holds more than $230 million in deposits from Commonwealth Charter Academy. Acting as chief executive for the charter school while getting income from its bank raises conflict-of-interest questions for Tom Longenecker, ethics experts said.

Rhode Island – How an Amendment, a Lobbyist and a Phone Call Led to Big Drama Over a New Self-Storage Law

USA Today – Patrick Anderson (Providence Journal) | Published: 7/7/2025

Nothing seems to slow the growth of self-storage units across Rhode Island, and at the state Legislature, the industry also appears unstoppable. In the most improbable sequence of this year’s General Assembly legislative session finale, industry critics passed a rare amendment to a self-storage bill against the wishes of General Assembly leadership, only to have that win snatched from them minutes later.

A special election for State Representative District 20 has been scheduled for August 5. The seat was previously held by Stell Parker Selby who resigned on June 24 after missing the 2025 session for health reasons. Selby had served as a state representative since 2022.

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Gov. Ivey has called for a special election in House District 13 to replace former Rep. Matt Woods. Woods resigned his seat when he was elected to the Alabama Senate. The special primary election is set for September 30, with a runoff scheduled for October 28. The special general election is set for January 13, 2026.

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Campaign Finance

Oregon: “Portland’s Campaign Finance Program Met Expectations in Unusual 2024 Election, Report Finds” by Alex Zielinski for Oregon Public Broadcasting

Ethics

National: “Trump Appointees Have Ties to Companies That Stand to Benefit from Privatizing Weather Forecasts” by Michael Biesecker and Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) for MSN

National: “Gabbard’s Team Has Sought Spy Agency Data to Enforce Trump’s Agenda” by Ellen Nakashima, Warren Strobel, and Aaron Schaffer (Washington Post) for MSN

Illinois: “Ex-Ald. Carrie Austin Too Sick to Stand Trial on Corruption Charges, Federal Judge Rules” by Heather Cherone for WTTW

National: “X CEO Linda Yaccarino Resigns After Two Years at the Helm of Elon Musk’s Social Media Platform” by Matt O’Brien (Associated Press) for MSN

Nevada: “LVCVA Fires Executive, Alleging Conflict of Interest, Appoints New Chief Sports Officer” by Mick Akers (Las Vegas Review-Journal) for MSN

Legislative Issues

Rhode Island: “How an Amendment, a Lobbyist and a Phone Call Led to Big Drama Over a New Self-Storage Law” by Patrick Anderson (Providence Journal) for USA Today

Lobbying

Oregon: “Powerful Oregon Union May Have Skirted Lobbying Laws, Republican Lawmakers Allege” by Carlos Fuentes (Portland Oregonian) for MSN

Campaign Finance

Illinois: “Illinois Senate President Don Harmon Appeals Potential $9.8 Million Fine for Improperly Accepting Campaign Cash” by Dan Petrella (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

Elections

California: “‘Ghost’ Candidates, Pay-to-Play Accusations: Grossmont school board critics say messages suggest ‘wildly unethical’ campaign efforts” by Kristen Taketa (San Diego Union-Tribune) for MSN

Georgia: “Georgia Appeals Court Upholds Ruling Saying Election Officials Must Certify Results” by Kate Brumback (Associated Press) for MSN

National: “IRS Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates from the Pulpit” by David Fahrenthold (New York Times) for Salt Lake Tribune

Ethics

National: “Roughly 140 EPA Staffers Who Signed ‘Dissent’ Letter Are Put on Leave” by Hannah Natanson and Meryl Kornfield (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Military Veteran Gets a Life Sentence for Plotting an FBI Attack After His Jan. 6 Arrest” by Michael Kunzelman (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

Kentucky: “For KY Lawmakers, Sexual Harassment Isn’t ‘Ethical Misconduct.’ That Could Change” by Alex Acquisto (Lexington Herald-Leader) for MSN

Missouri: “How Missouri’s Ethical Watchdog Was ‘Quietly Dismantled,’ According to New Report” by Kacen Bayless (Kansas City Star) for MSN

On August 11, a by-election will be held in the electoral division of Arthabaska, in the Centre-du-Québec region, for a seat in the province’s National Assembly of Quebec. MNA Éric Lefebvre had 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.

Under a decree issued by the Government of Québec on July 8, the Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Jean-François Blanchet, will oversee the organization of the election. Advance polling for voting will begin on August 3.

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Here is your chance to “Ask the Experts” at State and Federal Communications, Inc. Send your questions to experts@stateandfed.com. (Of course, we have always been available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or email us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies are not legal advice, but rather our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.

Q.   Our company is a federal registrant, and we’ve been working with an executive branch employee who is currently on paid administrative leave after accepting a “deferred resignation” offer from the Trump administration. She is now focused on starting a new consulting business and has no involvement with her former office or any decision-making responsibilities. We would like to offer her a complimentary ticket valued at $500 to a conference covering topics relevant to her new work. Since she is no longer active in her government role, can we provide her the ticket without violating federal gift rules?

A. Not necessarily. While the individual is no longer actively engaged with her former office, employees under a “deferred resignation” arrangement are still considered federal employees and remain subject to federal ethics rules—including those governing gifts—as well as conflict of interest statutes, among others. Several agencies, guided by the Office of Government Ethics, have addressed similar situations and emphasized the continued application of these rules during such leave. Therefore, offering a complimentary ticket would only be permissible if it clearly falls under a specific exception to the gift rules.

For further guidance on gift restrictions for both executive and legislative branch employees, please refer to our online resource: the Federal Lobbying Compliance Law section.

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Campaign Finance

Maryland: “Lobbyists Increase Donations to Maryland Politicians by 75% Since Last Election” by Sam Janesch (Baltimore Sun) for MSN

National: “ActBlue Brings in Nearly $400 Million More for Democrats Amid Trump’s Pressure on the Fundraising Platform” by Fredreka Schouten (CNN) for MSN

New York: “NY Public Campaign Program Fuels Spending for Political Consultants” by Emilie Munson for Albany Times Union

Ethics

National: “The Supreme Court and Congress Cede Powers to Trump and the Presidency” by Naftali Bendavid (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump Administration’s Push to Deport Student Activists Goes on Trial” by Joanna Slater and Justine McDaniel (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Trump Administration Asserted Sweeping Power in Seeking to Bypass TikTok Ban” by Charlie Savage (New York Times) for MSN

Idaho: “Idaho Lawmaker Worked to Legalize This Drug. He Was Among the First to Sell It” by Sarah Cutler (Idaho Statesman) for MSN

Louisiana: “Longest Serving Louisiana Ethics Board Member Says Lawmakers Want the Board Dismantled” by Julie O’Donoghue (Louisiana Illuminator) for Yahoo News

Gov. Mike Dunleavy called for special session to address education reform and the creation of a cabinet-level state Department of Agriculture. Both topics were left unfinished at the end of the regular session earlier this year. The special session will begin August 2 and is scheduled to last for 30 days. This affects lobbyist reporting. A monthly legislative lobbyist activity report will now be due September 30.

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Looking for something cool to do this month? How about participating in Global Forgiveness Day on July 7th? I can’t believe that I am just finding out now about this observance!
Global Forgiveness Day (formerly National Forgiveness Day) has an interesting timeline that led up to its founding. Noting that the concept of forgiveness had been (and still is) prevalent in many religions around the globe, its idea and principles began to peak the interest of scientists around 1962, who began to study forgiveness and its impact on human well-being. “What they found was that forgiveness was a process. Multiple researchers developed models of forgiveness … that would allow people to improve their ability to forgive. Later studies even attempted to understand the relationship between forgiveness and justice …” GLOBAL FORGIVENESS DAY – July 7, 2025 – National Today
An example of forgiveness came in 1962 when a Japanese fighter pilot asked for and was granted forgiveness by the townspeople of Brookings, Oregon, for bombing the west coast of the United States over Oregon during World War II. Fast forward to the 20th century, and the late Pope John Paul II publicly forgave the man who tried to assassinate him. “The Christian Embassy of Christ’s Ambassadors (CECA) founded National Forgiveness Day in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada … As this day gained prominence throughout the world, it was renamed Global Forgiveness Day.” GLOBAL FORGIVENESS DAY – July 7, 2025 – National Today
On July 7th, take some time to think about someone who may have wronged you in the past and make a conscious effort to forgive them! Don’t forget to also include yourself and offer yourself some forgiveness as well! For more information on Global Forgiveness Day, visit the website featured in this blog.

Gamble