November 8, 2017 •
Maine Voters Expand Access to Medicaid
Maine voters approved a ballot measure to expand access to Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Maine is the first state to settle the issue by referendum as Republican Gov. Paul LePage vetoed expanding Medicaid access five times. Additionally, voters […]
Maine voters approved a ballot measure to expand access to Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Maine is the first state to settle the issue by referendum as Republican Gov. Paul LePage vetoed expanding Medicaid access five times.
Additionally, voters approved ballot measures relating to infrastructure bonds and pension funding and rejected a ballot measure allowing casino or slots in York County.
November 8, 2017 •
Maine Voters Expand Access to Medicaid
Maine voters approved a ballot measure to expand access to Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Maine is the first state to settle the issue by referendum as Republican Gov. Paul LePage vetoed expanding Medicaid access five times. Additionally, voters […]
Maine voters approved a ballot measure to expand access to Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Maine is the first state to settle the issue by referendum as Republican Gov. Paul LePage vetoed expanding Medicaid access five times.
Additionally, voters approved ballot measures relating to infrastructure bonds and pension funding and rejected a ballot measure allowing casino or slots in York County.
November 8, 2017 •
Texans Approve Ballot Measure to Loosen Lending Regulations
On Tuesday, Texans voted to loosen some home lending regulations in place since the foreclosure crisis. By a two-thirds margin, the ballot measure expanding who can make a home equity loan and allowing homeowners to convert home equity loans into […]
On Tuesday, Texans voted to loosen some home lending regulations in place since the foreclosure crisis.
By a two-thirds margin, the ballot measure expanding who can make a home equity loan and allowing homeowners to convert home equity loans into conventional mortgage loans was approved.
The measure was widely opposed by fair housing advocates and supported by lenders and the real estate industry. This is the second time in the last five years Texans have voted in favor of more relaxed lending laws.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, voters overwhelmingly approved a $1.05 billion bond package focused on repairing the city’s infrastructure and recreational amenities.
November 8, 2017 •
Texans Approve Ballot Measure to Loosen Lending Regulations
On Tuesday, Texans voted to loosen some home lending regulations in place since the foreclosure crisis. By a two-thirds margin, the ballot measure expanding who can make a home equity loan and allowing homeowners to convert home equity loans into […]
On Tuesday, Texans voted to loosen some home lending regulations in place since the foreclosure crisis.
By a two-thirds margin, the ballot measure expanding who can make a home equity loan and allowing homeowners to convert home equity loans into conventional mortgage loans was approved.
The measure was widely opposed by fair housing advocates and supported by lenders and the real estate industry. This is the second time in the last five years Texans have voted in favor of more relaxed lending laws.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, voters overwhelmingly approved a $1.05 billion bond package focused on repairing the city’s infrastructure and recreational amenities.
November 8, 2017 •
New York’s Constitutional Convention Fails and Democrats Win NYC and Buffalo
New York voters rejected a ballot question calling for a constitutional convention. If passed, a constitutional convention would have been set for 2019 and would have allowed a total review of the New York Constitution. The question is automatically added […]
New York voters rejected a ballot question calling for a constitutional convention. If passed, a constitutional convention would have been set for 2019 and would have allowed a total review of the New York Constitution. The question is automatically added to the ballot every 20 years.
On the other hand, voters approved a proposal revoking the pension of a public official convicted of a felony and another proposal creating a forest preserve land bank for qualifying local projects.
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio won a second term as Mayor. De Blasio’s victory marks the first time in 32 years a Democratic mayor was re-elected in New York City.
Additionally, Democrat Byron Brown won his fourth term as Mayor of Buffalo.
November 8, 2017 •
Democrats Fare Well in Virginia Elections
Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam will be Virginia’s next governor after defeating former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie. In what was expected to be a close race, Lt. Gov. Northam won by nearly nine points, the largest margin of […]
Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam will be Virginia’s next governor after defeating former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie.
In what was expected to be a close race, Lt. Gov. Northam won by nearly nine points, the largest margin of victory in decades for a Virginia governor.
By winning over a large number of suburban voters, who typically lean Republican, the resounding win is seen by many as a rebuke of President Trump.
Northam will be joined by fellow Democrats Justin Fairfax and Mark Herring, who easily won races for lieutenant governor and attorney general.
November 8, 2017 •
Charlotte Elects New Mayor
Vi Lyles defeated Kenny Smith to become Charlotte’s next mayor. Lyles captured 59 percent of the vote with 100 percent of precincts reporting. Lyles will become the first African-American woman to become mayor of Charlotte.
Vi Lyles defeated Kenny Smith to become Charlotte’s next mayor.
Lyles captured 59 percent of the vote with 100 percent of precincts reporting.
Lyles will become the first African-American woman to become mayor of Charlotte.
November 8, 2017 •
Seattle Elects New Mayor
Jenny Durkan is expected to defeat Cary Moon and become Seattle’s next mayor. With 39 percent of the vote tallied, Durkan captured 61 percent of the vote Tuesday night. Durkan is a former U.S. Attorney General and Seattle’s first female […]
Jenny Durkan is expected to defeat Cary Moon and become Seattle’s next mayor.
With 39 percent of the vote tallied, Durkan captured 61 percent of the vote Tuesday night.
Durkan is a former U.S. Attorney General and Seattle’s first female mayor since the 1920s.
Photo of Jenny Durkan By Dennis Bratland via Wikimedia Commons
November 8, 2017 •
Democrat Phil Murphy is New Jersey’s Next Governor
Democrat Phil Murphy was elected as New Jersey’s 56th governor. Murphy, a former Goldman Sachs executive and U.S. Ambassador to Germany, may impact Congress if he appoints a replacement for U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez. Menendez is currently on trial for […]
Democrat Phil Murphy was elected as New Jersey’s 56th governor.
Murphy, a former Goldman Sachs executive and U.S. Ambassador to Germany, may impact Congress if he appoints a replacement for U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez.
Menendez is currently on trial for corruption charges and the jury began deliberations on November 6, 2017. If convicted, Menendez will face pressure to step down allowing a Democrat, opposed to exiting Republican Gov. Chris Christie, to appoint a replacement.
Murphy is set to take office on January 16, 2018.
November 8, 2017 •
FINRA CAB Pay-to-Play Rules Effective December 6
On December 6, capital acquisition brokers (CAB) will become covered by the same pay-to-play rules the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) imposes upon broker-dealers, placement agents, and covered associates. Earlier this year, on August 20, FINRA implemented Rule 2030, a […]
On December 6, capital acquisition brokers (CAB) will become covered by the same pay-to-play rules the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) imposes upon broker-dealers, placement agents, and covered associates.
Earlier this year, on August 20, FINRA implemented Rule 2030, a new pay-to-play rule for broker-dealers, placement agents, and covered associates acting on behalf of certain regulated investment advisors or soliciting a government entity to invest in certain pooled investment vehicles. FINRA Rule 4580, which took effect the same day, mandates certain record-keeping requirements concerning any related contributions.
Starting in December, a firm meeting the statutory definition of a CAB and electing to be governed by the FINRA rule set would be subject to FINRA’s new pay-to-play rules. Specifically, FINRA’s CAB Rule 203 (Engaging in Distribution and Solicitation Activities with Government Entities) and CAB Rule 458 (Books and Records Requirements for Government Distribution and Solicitation Activities) require CABs be subject to FINRA’s pay-to-play Rules 2030 and 4580.
The new rules are meant to deter CABs from engaging in pay-to-play practices, according to FINRA Regulatory Notice 17-37.
November 8, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Elections New Jersey: “Phil Murphy Is Elected Governor of New Jersey, in a Lift for Democrats” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times Virginia: “Democrat Ralph Northam Defeats Ed Gillespie in Race for Virginia Governor Closely Watched by National Parties” […]
Elections
New Jersey: “Phil Murphy Is Elected Governor of New Jersey, in a Lift for Democrats” by Nick Corasaniti for New York Times
Virginia: “Democrat Ralph Northam Defeats Ed Gillespie in Race for Virginia Governor Closely Watched by National Parties” by Gregory Schneider, Laura Vozzella, and Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post
Lobbying
“‘Open Sesame:’ Lobbyists cheer warmer welcome in Trump White House” by Ginger Gibson for Reuters
Campaign Finance
Missouri: “Former Missouri Senator Looks to High Court in Fight Over Campaign Fines” by Kurt Erickson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
New Jersey: “Newark Mayor Accused of Violating Campaign Finance Rules” by Karen Yi for Newark Star Ledger
Ethics
“Rick Gates, Once the Man ‘in the Corner,’ Is Now a Central Figure in Mueller Investigation” by Michael Kranish and Tom Hamburger for Washington Post
“Woman Who Flipped Off Trump’s Motorcade Gets Fired” by Cydney Henderson (Arizona Republic) for USA Today
“Trump Adviser Sent Email Describing ‘Private Conversation’ with Russian Official” by Rosalind Helderman, Matt Zapotosky, and Karoun Demirjian for Washington Post
Washington: “175 Women Demand Change to Culture, Sexual Harassment Policies at the Legislature” by Walker Ornstein and Austin Jenkins for Tacoma News Tribune
November 7, 2017 •
Florida Governor Calls Special Election
Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order calling for a special election to replace state Sen. Jeff Clemens. A special primary will be held on January 30, 2018, with a special general election to follow on April 10. Clemens resigned […]
Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order calling for a special election to replace state Sen. Jeff Clemens.
A special primary will be held on January 30, 2018, with a special general election to follow on April 10. Clemens resigned his Senate District 31 seat on October 27 after reports stated he had an extramarital affair with a lobbyist.
The winner of the election will serve the remainder of Clemens’s term, running through election day in 2020.
November 7, 2017 •
Maine Special Session Adjourns Sine Die
The first special session of Maine’s 128th Legislature adjourned sine die on November 6, 2017. The House sustained Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill allowing and regulating the retail sale of recreational marijuana. Additionally, the bill to bring ranked-choice […]
The first special session of Maine’s 128th Legislature adjourned sine die on November 6, 2017. The House sustained Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill allowing and regulating the retail sale of recreational marijuana.
Additionally, the bill to bring ranked-choice voting law into constitutional compliance became law without the governor’s signature. Maine voters passed a ballot initiative approving ranked-choice voting in the November 2016 elections.
Ranked-choice voting ensures the winning candidate in a multicandidate race receives the majority vote because voters rank candidates in order of preference. If a candidate does not receive 50 percent of first-choice votes, then the lowest scoring candidate is eliminated and votes are retabulated.
The bill to bring ranked-choice voting into constitutional compliance delays the new system until 2021 and automatically repeals the law unless voters ratify a constitutional amendment authorizing the Legislature to determine the method the state Legislature and Governor are elected by December 1, 2021.
November 7, 2017 •
Hawaii Special Session Scheduled
The Hawaii Senate is scheduled to convene a two-day special legislative session on Tuesday, November 14, to confirm 4 judicial appointments. Choosing from a list of candidates selected by the Judicial Selection Committee, Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald appointed Jessi […]
The Hawaii Senate is scheduled to convene a two-day special legislative session on Tuesday, November 14, to confirm 4 judicial appointments.
Choosing from a list of candidates selected by the Judicial Selection Committee, Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald appointed Jessi Hall to the First District Family Court Judge and Gov. Ige appointed Paul Wong, Matthew Viola, and Rowena Somerville to the First Circuit Court.
Each Circuit Court judge will serve a 10-year term while the Family Court appointment has a six-year term.
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