November 29, 2017 •
Idaho Working Group Approves Potential Changes to Campaign Finance Laws
A bipartisan working group of lawmakers unanimously approved a proposed bill amending the state’s campaign finance laws. Among the changes, the proposal would require year-round, monthly campaign finance reporting, prohibit PACs from accepting more than $1,000 from groups not registered […]
A bipartisan working group of lawmakers unanimously approved a proposed bill amending the state’s campaign finance laws.
Among the changes, the proposal would require year-round, monthly campaign finance reporting, prohibit PACs from accepting more than $1,000 from groups not registered and disclose the source of their funds, and increase potential fines from $250 to up to $25,000. Additionally, use of the internet and social media would be included in the definition of electioneering communications.
The bill will be introduced during the 2018 legislative session.
The group declined to take up the issue of raising the lobbyist registration fee, not wanting to jeopardize the bill’s success. Member’s stated raising the fee is a legitimate concern and should be examined during the session.
The current $10 per client fee has not increased since 1974, when the lobbying statute first became law.
November 29, 2017 •
Special Election Set in Florida for Open House Seat
Gov. Rick Scott has set a special election for an opening in the state House of Representatives. A primary election for House District 39 will be held on February 20, 2018, with a general election on May 1. Rep. Neil […]
Gov. Rick Scott has set a special election for an opening in the state House of Representatives.
A primary election for House District 39 will be held on February 20, 2018, with a general election on May 1.
Rep. Neil Combee resigned the position after being appointed Florida’s State Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.
With the legislature’s 2018 session scheduled through March 9, the seat will remain empty for the duration of the session.
Photo of former Rep. Neil Combee
November 29, 2017 •
Special Election Set in Florida for Open House Seat
Gov. Rick Scott has set a special election for an opening in the state House of Representatives. A primary election for House District 39 will be held on February 20, 2018, with a general election on May 1. Rep. Neil […]
Gov. Rick Scott has set a special election for an opening in the state House of Representatives.
A primary election for House District 39 will be held on February 20, 2018, with a general election on May 1.
Rep. Neil Combee resigned the position after being appointed Florida’s State Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.
With the legislature’s 2018 session scheduled through March 9, the seat will remain empty for the duration of the session.
Photo of former Rep. Neil Combee
November 29, 2017 •
California Assemblyman Resigns
State Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra resigned amid sexual harassment allegations. Bocanegra initially stated he would resign in September and not seek reelection when allegations first surfaced. However, his resignation was accelerated after additional sexual harassment allegations emerged. Gov. Jerry Brown has […]
State Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.
Bocanegra initially stated he would resign in September and not seek reelection when allegations first surfaced. However, his resignation was accelerated after additional sexual harassment allegations emerged.
Gov. Jerry Brown has two weeks from Bocanegra’s resignation to declare a special election to fill the vacancy in Assembly District 39.
November 29, 2017 •
California Assemblyman Resigns
State Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra resigned amid sexual harassment allegations. Bocanegra initially stated he would resign in September and not seek reelection when allegations first surfaced. However, his resignation was accelerated after additional sexual harassment allegations emerged. Gov. Jerry Brown has […]
State Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.
Bocanegra initially stated he would resign in September and not seek reelection when allegations first surfaced. However, his resignation was accelerated after additional sexual harassment allegations emerged.
Gov. Jerry Brown has two weeks from Bocanegra’s resignation to declare a special election to fill the vacancy in Assembly District 39.
November 29, 2017 •
Fort Wayne City Council Approves Pay-to-Play Ordinance
The Fort Wayne City Council approved a pay-to-play ordinance on November 28. The ordinance will prohibit contractors who have donated more than $2,000 a year to an elected official’s campaign from bidding on city projects. The restriction includes natural or […]
The Fort Wayne City Council approved a pay-to-play ordinance on November 28. The ordinance will prohibit contractors who have donated more than $2,000 a year to an elected official’s campaign from bidding on city projects.
The restriction includes natural or legal persons with a 7.5 percent or more interest in the bidding entity and extends to a bidder’s spouse and any children living in the same household.
Mayor Tom Henry has 10 days to sign or veto the legislation.
If approved, the ordinance will become effective on January 1, 2018.
November 29, 2017 •
Fort Wayne City Council Approves Pay-to-Play Ordinance
The Fort Wayne City Council approved a pay-to-play ordinance on November 28. The ordinance will prohibit contractors who have donated more than $2,000 a year to an elected official’s campaign from bidding on city projects. The restriction includes natural or […]
The Fort Wayne City Council approved a pay-to-play ordinance on November 28. The ordinance will prohibit contractors who have donated more than $2,000 a year to an elected official’s campaign from bidding on city projects.
The restriction includes natural or legal persons with a 7.5 percent or more interest in the bidding entity and extends to a bidder’s spouse and any children living in the same household.
Mayor Tom Henry has 10 days to sign or veto the legislation.
If approved, the ordinance will become effective on January 1, 2018.
November 29, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Ethics Top Trump Staffers Failed to File Financial Reports on Their Way Out the Door by Anita Kumar and Ben Wieder for Sacramento Bee Alabama: A Woman Approached The Post with Dramatic – and False – Tale About Roy Moore. […]
Ethics
Top Trump Staffers Failed to File Financial Reports on Their Way Out the Door by Anita Kumar and Ben Wieder for Sacramento Bee
Alabama: A Woman Approached The Post with Dramatic – and False – Tale About Roy Moore. She Appears to Be Part of Undercover Sting Operation. by Shawn Boburg, Aaron Davis, and Alice Crites for Washington Post
California: Adelanto Councilman’s Bribery Case Latest in Long History of City Corruption by Joe Nelson for San Bernardino Sun
District of Columbia: D.C. Deputy Mayor Used Employees for Babysitting, Inspector General Finds by Peter Jamison for Washington Post
Florida: Florida Paid Millions Settling Harassment Cases by Gary Fineout (Associated Press) for Wichita Eagle
Missouri: Effort to Change How Missouri Elects Local Lawmakers Faces Challenges, Experts Say by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
New York: Capital Region Ethics Boards Defunct, or Work in Secret by Lauren Stanforth for Albany Times Union
South Dakota: Ex-Lawmaker Accused of Harassment by Lobbyist: ‘She can go to hell’ by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Lobbying
Foreign Lobbying Law Open to Exploitation by Megan Wilson for The Hill
Idaho: Idaho Hasn’t Changed Its $10 Lobbyist Registration Fee Since 1974… by Betsy Russell for Spokane Spokesman-Review
Elections
Gerrymandering Opponents Turn to Ballot Initiatives to Redraw Lines by Reid Wilson for The Hill
November 28, 2017 •
New Mexico Secretary of State to Offer Sexual Harassment Training for Lobbyists
Sec. of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced a plan to offer lobbyists the option to voluntarily sign up for and receive sexual harassment training prior to each legislative session. Lobbyist registration forms will be amended to include a checkbox confirming […]
Sec. of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced a plan to offer lobbyists the option to voluntarily sign up for and receive sexual harassment training prior to each legislative session.
Lobbyist registration forms will be amended to include a checkbox confirming a lobbyist has received the provided sexual harassment training.
Dates and logistics for the training have yet to be announced.
November 28, 2017 •
Special Election Called for Arkansas Senate District 16
Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16. The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer […]
Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16.
The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer on November 16, 2017.
The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.
November 28, 2017 •
Special Election Called for Arkansas Senate District 16
Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16. The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer […]
Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16.
The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer on November 16, 2017.
The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.
November 28, 2017 •
Special Election Announced for Open Connecticut House Seat
Gov. Dannel Malloy announced a special election for Assembly District 15 will take place on January 9, 2018. Rep. David Baram resigned the seat following his election as a probate court judge earlier this month. Assembly District 15 consists of […]
Gov. Dannel Malloy announced a special election for Assembly District 15 will take place on January 9, 2018.
Rep. David Baram resigned the seat following his election as a probate court judge earlier this month.
Assembly District 15 consists of Bloomfield and parts of Windsor.
November 28, 2017 •
Special Election Announced for Open Connecticut House Seat
Gov. Dannel Malloy announced a special election for Assembly District 15 will take place on January 9, 2018. Rep. David Baram resigned the seat following his election as a probate court judge earlier this month. Assembly District 15 consists of […]
Gov. Dannel Malloy announced a special election for Assembly District 15 will take place on January 9, 2018.
Rep. David Baram resigned the seat following his election as a probate court judge earlier this month.
Assembly District 15 consists of Bloomfield and parts of Windsor.
November 28, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying New Mexico: “Toulouse Oliver Calls for Sexual Harassment Training for NM Lobbyists” by Laura Paskus for New Mexico Political Report Campaign Finance Connecticut: “Campaign Finance Laws Changed in New Budget” by Ken Dixon for Connecticut Post Louisiana: “Corruption Figure’s […]
Lobbying
New Mexico: “Toulouse Oliver Calls for Sexual Harassment Training for NM Lobbyists” by Laura Paskus for New Mexico Political Report
Campaign Finance
Connecticut: “Campaign Finance Laws Changed in New Budget” by Ken Dixon for Connecticut Post
Louisiana: “Corruption Figure’s Donations to Cantrell Campaign Questioned” by David Hammer for WWL
Pennsylvania: “U.S. Rep. Bob Brady’s Emails Searched as FBI Probe Nears Critical Point” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer
Ethics
“A Split from Trump Indicates That Flynn Is Moving to Cooperate with Mueller” by Michael Schmidt, Matt Apuzzo, and Maggie Haberman for New York Times
“Congress Returns to Intense Pressure to End Secrecy Over Sex Harassment” by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times
“Congressman on Tape Tells Woman He Would Report Her to Capitol Police Because She Could Expose His Secret Sex Life” by Mike DeBonis and Elise Viebeck for Washington Post
Massachusetts: “Ethics Commission Investigating Altered State Police Report” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe
Minnesota: “2 Minnesota Lawmakers Accused of Sexual Harassment Step Down” by Maggie Astor for New York Times
Elections
“In Tax Debate, Gift to Religious Right Could Be Bargaining Chip” by Kenneth Vogel and Laurie Goodstein for New York Times
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.