June 8, 2017 •
Missouri Governor Calls Second Special Legislative Session
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens has called a special legislative session to consider new abortion regulations. The extraordinary session is slated to begin Monday, June 12, just one week after the Legislature adjourned its first extraordinary session. Lawmakers will consider stricter […]
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens has called a special legislative session to consider new abortion regulations.
The extraordinary session is slated to begin Monday, June 12, just one week after the Legislature adjourned its first extraordinary session.
Lawmakers will consider stricter regulations on abortion clinics as well as attempt to nullify a St. Louis ordinance banning employers and landlords from discriminating against women who have had an abortion.
June 8, 2017 •
Federal Judge Strikes Down Kentucky Ethics Laws
In a 35-page order, a federal judge dismantled some of the toughest ethics laws in the country. U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman struck down Kentucky’s prohibitions on lawmakers accepting gifts from lobbyists and lobbyists making contributions to candidates for the […]
In a 35-page order, a federal judge dismantled some of the toughest ethics laws in the country. U.S. District Judge William Bertelsman struck down Kentucky’s prohibitions on lawmakers accepting gifts from lobbyists and lobbyists making contributions to candidates for the state legislature.
Judge Bertelsman ruled the gift prohibition’s “anything of value” standard is too vague for an ordinary person to know what conduct is prohibited. Furthermore, the judge stated lobbying is a vital part of the political process and restricting what lobbyists can do in their interactions with a legislator is a violation of their freedom of association.
Republican state Sen. John Schickel, who filed the lawsuit, called the ruling a victory for freedom of speech.
The judge also took aim at caucus campaign committees, ruling the statutory definition restricting the committees to Republican or Democratic is unconstitutional. Former Libertarian House candidate David Watson challenged the law, saying third party candidates cannot compete with the amount of money generated by caucus campaign committees.
The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission and the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance are still reviewing the order and are considering an appeal.
June 8, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying Kentucky: “Judge Tosses Ethics Rules for Kentucky Lobbyists, Lawmakers” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report Campaign Finance Maryland: “Montgomery County Candidates Line Up for Taxpayer-Funded Contributions” by Bill Turque for Washington Post Missouri: “What […]
Lobbying
Kentucky: “Judge Tosses Ethics Rules for Kentucky Lobbyists, Lawmakers” by Adam Beam (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report
Campaign Finance
Maryland: “Montgomery County Candidates Line Up for Taxpayer-Funded Contributions” by Bill Turque for Washington Post
Missouri: “What You Need to Know about Missouri’s Evolving Campaign Finance Laws” by Travis Zimpfer for Missouri Times
Tennessee: “Record $465,000 Fine Issued Against Jeremy Durham for ‘Egregious’ Campaign Finance Violations” by Dave Boucher and Joel Ebert for The Tennessean
Ethics
“How Donald Trump Shifted Kids-Cancer Charity Money into His Business” by Dan Alexander for Forbes
“Lobbyists, Industry Lawyers Were Granted Ethics Waivers to Work in Trump Administration” by Eric Lipton and Danielle Ivory for New York Times
“Top Intelligence Official Told Associates Trump Asked Him If He Could Intervene with Comey on FBI Russia Probe” by Adam Entous for Washington Post
“Inside the Heaving, Jostling Capitol Media Mob: ‘We are one tripped senator away’ from disaster.” by Elise Viebeck and Ben Terris for Washington Post
Kentucky: “In Appeal, Gov. Matt Bevin Argues He Paid Fair Price for Anchorage Mansion” by Tom Loftus for Louisville Courier-Journal
New Mexico: “‘Enforcement Gap’ Persists in NM Ethics Laws” by Laura Paskus for NM Political Report
South Carolina: “Senate Approves New South Carolina Ethics Commission Members” by Maya Prabhu for Charleston Post and Courier
June 7, 2017 •
Texas Governor Calls July Special Session
Gov. Greg Abbott called a special session of the Texas Legislature on Tuesday in an effort to push through a bill package necessary to keep some state agencies from closing. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick intentionally kept the legislation, known as […]
Gov. Greg Abbott called a special session of the Texas Legislature on Tuesday in an effort to push through a bill package necessary to keep some state agencies from closing.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick intentionally kept the legislation, known as a sunset bill, from passing in order to force a special session to discuss other items that did not pass during the regular session of the Legislature.
Gov. Abbott announced a 20-item agenda for the session but stated no other legislation would be looked at until the sunset bill is passed in full. Some other items listed on the agenda include school finance reform and mail-in ballot fraud.
The special session is scheduled to convene July 18, 2017.
June 7, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying Texas: “City Officials Question Oversight of Visit Austin” by Shonda Novak for Austin American-Statesman Utah: “Utah Bars Fighting the State’s Strict New DUI Law with Fundraising and Petition Drive” by Kathy Stephenson for Salt Lake Tribune Campaign Finance “Amid […]
Lobbying
Texas: “City Officials Question Oversight of Visit Austin” by Shonda Novak for Austin American-Statesman
Utah: “Utah Bars Fighting the State’s Strict New DUI Law with Fundraising and Petition Drive” by Kathy Stephenson for Salt Lake Tribune
Campaign Finance
“Amid Trump’s Unpopularity, Democrats Face Criticism for Not Investing More in Special Elections” by Mike DeBonis and David Weigel for Washington Post
Florida: “Someone Raised $200K from Miami Beach Bigwigs, But No One Will Say Why” by Nicholas Nehamas and Joey Flechas for Miami Herald
South Carolina: “South Carolina Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant’s New Campaign Account Under State Ethics Review” by Andy Shain for The State
Ethics
“Top Intelligence Official Told Associates Trump Asked Him If He Could Intervene with Comey on FBI Russia Probe” by Adam Entous for Washington Post
“Comey Told Sessions: Don’t leave me alone with Trump” by Michael Schmidt and Matt Apuzzo for New York Times
“Trump Organization to Go Budget Friendly With ‘American Idea’ Hotel Chain” by Steve Eder and Ben Protess for New York Times
“Intelligence Contractor Is Charged in First Leak Case Under Trump” by Charlie Savage for New York Times
Florida: “City Councilman Tried to Sell His Vote to Fill Council Seat for $15,000, Witnesses Testify” by Brett Kelman, Jesse Marx, ands Rosalie Murphy (Palm Beach Desert Sun) for USA Today
Redistricting
“US Supreme Court Affirms NC Legislative Districts as Racial Gerrymanders” by Anne Blythe for Raleigh News and Observer
June 6, 2017 •
Manitoba Election Law Amendments Receive Royal Assent
On June 1, the 2nd Session of The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, which began on November 21, 2016, adjourned until October 4, 2017. Bill 26, the Election Financing Amendment Act received Royal Assent on June 1. The new law increases […]
On June 1, the 2nd Session of The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, which began on November 21, 2016, adjourned until October 4, 2017.
Bill 26, the Election Financing Amendment Act received Royal Assent on June 1. The new law increases the annual contribution limit for individuals from $3,000 to $5,000, and is indexed for inflation. Other changes to the law include limiting cash contributions to $25 or less, allowing self-employed persons to volunteer services for which they normally charge without the services being considered a contribution, and expanding the definition of “election communication” as applied to third parties to include communications about issues associated with a political party or a candidate. The law takes effect on September 1.
Lawmakers plan to adjourn the Assembly again on November 3, and then reconvene on November 15, with a final scheduled adjournment of the 2nd Session to be on December 1.
June 6, 2017 •
Nevada Legislature Adjourns
The 79th session of the Nevada Legislature adjourned just after midnight local time on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. A package of budget bills was passed, resolving a stalemate many thought would not be resolved by the end of the regular […]
The 79th session of the Nevada Legislature adjourned just after midnight local time on Tuesday, June 6, 2017.
A package of budget bills was passed, resolving a stalemate many thought would not be resolved by the end of the regular session.
Legislators also pushed through a clean energy bill and one requiring additional oversight of drivers for ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft.
June 6, 2017 •
Supreme Court Rules North Carolina Districts Racially Gerrymandered; Remedial Special Election Vacated
On June 5, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that 28 state House and Senate Districts in North Carolina were racially gerrymandered, while also vacating the lower court’s order for a special election in 2017 for one-year […]
On June 5, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that 28 state House and Senate Districts in North Carolina were racially gerrymandered, while also vacating the lower court’s order for a special election in 2017 for one-year terms to address the issue.
The court ruled that the special election remedy was not properly analyzed by the lower court. The matter has been returned to the lower court, which could call another special election or order new districts in time for the regular cycle of elections in 2018.
The Supreme Court’s decision comes just two weeks after the court found two of the state’s U.S. Congressional districts to also be racially gerrymandered.
June 6, 2017 •
Mississippi Completes Special Session
Lawmakers finished a special session in one day, adjourning late Monday, June 5, 2017. The Legislature passed funding bills for the attorney general’s office, infrastructure projects, and the Department of Transportation. Gov. Phil Bryant was forced to call the special […]
Lawmakers finished a special session in one day, adjourning late Monday, June 5, 2017.
The Legislature passed funding bills for the attorney general’s office, infrastructure projects, and the Department of Transportation.
Gov. Phil Bryant was forced to call the special session to resolve budget issues prior to July 1, the beginning of a new fiscal year.
June 6, 2017 •
Florida Governor Calls Lawmakers into Special Session
Gov. Rick Scott has called the Legislature into a special session to finalize the state budget. The session is scheduled for June 7 to June 9, 2017. Gov. Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who were at odds throughout the […]
Gov. Rick Scott has called the Legislature into a special session to finalize the state budget. The session is scheduled for June 7 to June 9, 2017.
Gov. Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who were at odds throughout the 2017 session, struck a deal on the budget and a controversial education bill, providing an increase in spending for charter schools.
Absent from the governor’s call is the issue of medical marijuana sales, despite overwhelming citizen approval of a 2016 ballot measure. A two-thirds vote by lawmakers, however, could expand the focus of the special session.
June 6, 2017 •
See us in person!
Attending any of these events in June? Make sure you say hi to the State and Federal Communications Team! June 7 GAIN: DC Decorum, Crafting Communications, Washington, D.C. June 7 NCSL Symposium for Legislative Leaders Reception, Washington, D.C. June 11-13 WistiaFest 2017, Boston, […]
Attending any of these events in June? Make sure you say hi to the State and Federal Communications Team!
June 7 GAIN: DC Decorum, Crafting Communications, Washington, D.C.
June 7 NCSL Symposium for Legislative Leaders Reception, Washington, D.C.
June 11-13 WistiaFest 2017, Boston, MA
June 13 Public Affairs Council Digital Media and Advocacy Summit, Washington, D.C.
June 19 The Advocacy Group Summer Reception, Washington, D.C.
June 19-22 BIO International Conference, San Diego, CA
June 21 Ohio Summer Social, Washington, D.C.
June 23-26 U.S. Conference of Mayors, Miami Beach, FL
Q. We file our federal LD-2 quarterly lobbying reports under the IRC definitions. Does the IRC 5 percent de minimus rule apply to capturing reportable expenditures on our quarterly LD-2 disclosure? A. In short, yes, but with a caveat. If your […]
Q. We file our federal LD-2 quarterly lobbying reports under the IRC definitions. Does the IRC 5 percent de minimus rule apply to capturing reportable expenditures on our quarterly LD-2 disclosure?
A. In short, yes, but with a caveat. If your organization has opted to compile lobbying expenditures using Method B or Method C, the 5 percent de minimus rule applies. As a frame of reference, the IRC allows taxpayers an exception for including the time of individuals who spend less than 5 percent of their time engaged in lobbying activities as defined by the IRS…
Click here to read this and all Ask The Experts articles
Click here for subscription information
Here is your chance to “Ask the Experts” at State and Federal Communications, Inc. Send your questions to experts@stateandfed.com.
We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or email with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers and information. Our replies are not legal advice, rather analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.
June 6, 2017 •
May Photo Scrapbook
Check out some photos from staff anniversaries we celebrated in April and May! And don’t forget to check out our staff tributes to Nola Werren, celebrating 20 years with State and Federal Communications!
Check out some photos from staff anniversaries we celebrated in April and May! And don’t forget to check out our staff tributes to Nola Werren, celebrating 20 years with State and Federal Communications!
June 6, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Campaign Finance District of Columbia: “Council Member Todd Gets Minor Fine for Many Campaign Finance Infractions” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post Maine: “Ethics Commission Staff Calls for Probe of Casino Referendum Campaign” by Kevin Miller for Portland Press Herald […]
Campaign Finance
District of Columbia: “Council Member Todd Gets Minor Fine for Many Campaign Finance Infractions” by Aaron Davis for Washington Post
Maine: “Ethics Commission Staff Calls for Probe of Casino Referendum Campaign” by Kevin Miller for Portland Press Herald
New Jersey: “2 Birdsall Execs Get Jail Time in $1M Pay-to-Play Scheme” by S.P. Sullivan (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger
Ethics
“How G.O.P. Leaders Came to View Climate Change as Fake Science” by Coral Davenport and Eric Lipton for New York Times
Michigan: “Ex-Detroit Principal Uses Robin Hood Defense at Corruption Sentencing” by Gus Burns for MLive.com
Tennessee: “Tennessee Watchdogs Owed More Than $1 Million in Unpaid Fines” by Joel Ebert and Dave Boucher for The Tennessean
Wisconsin: “Critics Deride Secrecy, Limits on Investigations by State Ethics Commission as It Nears 1-Year Mark” by Mark Sommerhauser for Wisconsin State Journal
Lobbying
Pennsylvania: “A Philly Teacher’s Stunts Draw Interest from The Board of Ethics” by Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Inquirer
South Carolina: “Firms Named in SC Corruption Probe Have Hundreds of Millions at Stake” by Jamie Self and Avery Wilks for The State
West Virginia: “DHHR Head Owns Part of Health Care Lobbying Firm, Documents Show” by Jake Zucherman for Charleston Gazette
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.
