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

On December 14, a provincial by-election will be held for the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta (MLA) seat representing the Calgary-Lougheed electoral division.

MLA Dave Rodney resigned from the Legislative Assembly earlier this fall to create a vacancy for Jason Kenney, the new United Conservative Party leader.

Kenney, in turn, is now currently running for that MLA seat. Advance voting at the polls begins on December 6.

 
We are kicking off the holiday season with our Stock(ing) the Sleigh project for the Akron community.  This year we are collecting socks for the homeless. Our sock drive begins today and ends on Monday, December 18. All donations will benefit the Haven of Rest, which serves hundreds of homeless people in the Akron area.

Also, we are gathering snacks for the children in the Akron Public Schools with United Way’s Holiday Snack Pack Drive! It starts today and runs until Monday, December 11. You can be a champion for a hungry child in the Akron Public Schools by bringing in snack items – you can find the list of snacks here.

On November 21, the first sitting day of the 5th Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, all members of the legislature were sworn in, followed by formal confirmations of the appointments of the new speaker, premier, and Executive Council.

On November 17, the Nunavut Leadership Forum, which consists of all MLAs, had acclaimed Joe Enook, MLA for Tununiq, as speaker and elected Paul Quassa, MLA for Aggu, as premier. On the same day, the following MLAs were elected to the Executive Council: David Akeeagok, Pat Angnakak, Jeannie Ehaloak, David Joanasie, Lorne Kusugak, Joe Savikataaq and Elisapee Sheutiapik.

The premier has the prerogative to assign ministerial portfolios.

Alaska’s fourth special session adjourned on November 21 after reaching the 30-day limit set by the state’s constitution.

Since November 10, lawmakers were in a technical session after the Senate attempted to adjourn the special session after passing a criminal justice reform bill. In Alaska one body cannot adjourn without the other.

No committee hearings are held in a technical session, and no formal legislative business is done.

House Speaker Mike Turzai announced a special election will be held for Pennsylvania’s 35th House District on January 23, 2018.

Rep. Marc Gergely resigned the seat on November 6 after pleading guilty to corruption charges for his role in an illegal gambling machine ring.

Democrats and Republicans will each select a nominee to appear on the ballot.

House Speaker Mike Turzai announced a special election will be held for Pennsylvania’s 35th House District on January 23, 2018.

Rep. Marc Gergely resigned the seat on November 6 after pleading guilty to corruption charges for his role in an illegal gambling machine ring.

Democrats and Republicans will each select a nominee to appear on the ballot.

The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned an eight-week special session on Friday, November 17, after the Senate gave final approval on legislation to balance the state’s budget.

Just hours after the session ended, Gov. Mary Fallin line-item vetoed most of the budget bill’s provisions citing a failure to address the requests she made in calling the session and the lack of a long-term solution to re-occurring budget deficits. Provisions temporarily preserving funding for crucial health and human services were retained as the state continues to seek a solution.

The vetoed bill would have used cash reserves and made deep cuts to funding across all state agencies to close the $215 million hole in the state budget.

Gov. Fallin said she intends to call a second special session of the Legislature to come up with long-term funding solutions.

The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned an eight-week special session on Friday, November 17, after the Senate gave final approval on legislation to balance the state’s budget.

Just hours after the session ended, Gov. Mary Fallin line-item vetoed most of the budget bill’s provisions citing a failure to address the requests she made in calling the session and the lack of a long-term solution to re-occurring budget deficits. Provisions temporarily preserving funding for crucial health and human services were retained as the state continues to seek a solution.

The vetoed bill would have used cash reserves and made deep cuts to funding across all state agencies to close the $215 million hole in the state budget.

Gov. Fallin said she intends to call a second special session of the Legislature to come up with long-term funding solutions.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on May 22, 2018, to fill the state Senate District 29 seat vacated by Eddie Joe Williams.

The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.

Williams vacated the seat to become a representative to the Southern States Energy Board.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on May 22, 2018, to fill the state Senate District 29 seat vacated by Eddie Joe Williams.

The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.

Williams vacated the seat to become a representative to the Southern States Energy Board.

Elections

Virginia: As Va. sets to certify election results, expert says ‘something really went wrong’ by Max Smith for WTOP

Ethics

Trump White House ethics lawyer exits by Josh Gerstein for Politico

Conyers steps aside as ranking Democrat on Judiciary Committee amid ethics probe of sexual harassment claims by Paul Kane for The Washington Post

New York: Reformers say ethics measures gain traction in Albany by Joe Mahoney for Press Republican

Florida: Walton commissioner cleared of 2 ethics complaints by Deborah Wheeler for Panama City News Herald

Lobbying

Is Robert Mueller draining the swamp? Lobbyists appear spooked by Russia probe by Matt Zapotosky and Tom Hamburger for Chicago Tribune

Colorado: Some Colorado Lobbyists Aren’t “Necessarily” Required To Report Who Pays Them by Sandra Fish for KUNC

South Carolina: Transportation, local control, rental standards top lobbying agenda by Brittany Ruess and Megan Favigano for Columbia Daily Tribune

Elections

Virginia: As Va. sets to certify election results, expert says ‘something really went wrong’ by Max Smith for WTOP

Ethics

Trump White House ethics lawyer exits by Josh Gerstein for Politico

Conyers steps aside as ranking Democrat on Judiciary Committee amid ethics probe of sexual harassment claims by Paul Kane for The Washington Post

New York: Reformers say ethics measures gain traction in Albany by Joe Mahoney for Press Republican

Florida: Walton commissioner cleared of 2 ethics complaints by Deborah Wheeler for Panama City News Herald

Lobbying

Is Robert Mueller draining the swamp? Lobbyists appear spooked by Russia probe by Matt Zapotosky and Tom Hamburger for Chicago Tribune

Colorado: Some Colorado Lobbyists Aren’t “Necessarily” Required To Report Who Pays Them by Sandra Fish for KUNC

South Carolina: Transportation, local control, rental standards top lobbying agenda by Brittany Ruess and Megan Favigano for Columbia Daily Tribune

From all of us at State and Federal Communications, we hope you and your family has a great Thanksgiving. Our offices will be closed on Thanksgiving day and the following Friday as we give thanks.

Speaking of, we’re very thankful for all of you this holiday and look forward to many more years of providing you the unparalleled political compliance information you’ve come to expect! Happy Thanksgiving!