September 21, 2017 •
Georgia Special Election Called for House District 4
A special election for House District 4 will be held on November 7, 2017. Rep. Bruce Broadrick resigned the Dalton area seat last week citing health concerns. Election officials noted the quick turnaround was intended to save taxpayers money, with […]
A special election for House District 4 will be held on November 7, 2017. Rep. Bruce Broadrick resigned the Dalton area seat last week citing health concerns.
Election officials noted the quick turnaround was intended to save taxpayers money, with several other House and Senate special elections already scheduled for the same day.
A runoff, if necessary, will take place on December 5.
September 21, 2017 •
San Antonio Ethics and Campaign Finance Revisions Move to Council for Approval
Recommendations by the city’s Ethics Review Board are on their way to be reviewed by the full City Council after the Council’s Governance Committee, chaired by Mayor Ron Nirenberg, reviewed the proposed changes Wednesday. Mayor Nirenberg stated the recommendations are […]
Recommendations by the city’s Ethics Review Board are on their way to be reviewed by the full City Council after the Council’s Governance Committee, chaired by Mayor Ron Nirenberg, reviewed the proposed changes Wednesday.
Mayor Nirenberg stated the recommendations are a good launching pad for more comprehensive ethics reforms in the future.
The campaign finance and ethics code recommendations include changes to the process of handling and identifying ethics violations, and tighter rules regarding campaign contributions from contractors and sub-contractors seeking city contracts as well as zoning applicants and their lobbyists.
City Council is expected to review the reform package in the coming months.
Photo of San Antonio City Hall by RYAN LOYD / TPR NEWS
September 21, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance “Trump Using Campaign, RNC Funds to Pay Legal Bills from Russia Probe: Sources” by Karen Freifeld and Ginger Gibson for Reuters Connecticut: “Counterattack at GOP Effort to Repeal Public Financing” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror Maryland: “Council […]
Campaign Finance
“Trump Using Campaign, RNC Funds to Pay Legal Bills from Russia Probe: Sources” by Karen Freifeld and Ginger Gibson for Reuters
Connecticut: “Counterattack at GOP Effort to Repeal Public Financing” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror
Maryland: “Council Candidate Wants to Tie Disaster Relief to Campaign Contributions” by Andrew Metcalf for Bethesda Magazine
Michigan: “Snyder Approves Unlimited Super PAC Cash” by Michael Gerstein for Detroit News
Lobbying
Florida: “Lacking Support, Lobbying Ordinance Gets No Hearing in Hernando” by Barbara Behrendt for Tampa Bay Times
New York: “JCOPE Commissioners Again Rule Civil Liberties Group Must Disclose Donors” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Oregon: “Portland Lawmaker Cleared of Allegation He Ranked Female Lobbyists on Looks” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian
Ethics
“Mueller Seeks White House Documents Related to Trump’s Actions as President” by Michael Schmidt for New York Times
“Price’s Private-Jet Travel Breaks Precedent” by Dan Diamond and Rachana Pradhan for Politico
“For Trump Aides Caught in Russia Probe, Legal Bills and Paranoia” by Shannon Pettypiece for Bloomberg.com
Washington: “Seattle City Council Picks Tim Burgess to Replace Bruce Harrell as Temporary Mayor” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times
September 20, 2017 •
Rhode Island Legislature Meeting in Rare Fall Session
Rhode Island lawmakers returned this week to work through legislation abandoned by the General Assembly’s abrupt recess in June amid a budget dispute. The General Assembly is considering a handful of bills including legislation requiring paid time off for workers […]
Rhode Island lawmakers returned this week to work through legislation abandoned by the General Assembly’s abrupt recess in June amid a budget dispute.
The General Assembly is considering a handful of bills including legislation requiring paid time off for workers who call in sick. There is no recess date planned.
The Legislature is scheduled for final adjournment on January 2, 2018.
September 20, 2017 •
Michigan Governor Signs Campaign Finance Bills into Law
Gov. Rick Snyder signed two campaign finance bills accounting for the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United into law on September 20, 2017. Senate Bill 335 excludes an independent expenditure from the definition of a contribution and defines independent […]
Gov. Rick Snyder signed two campaign finance bills accounting for the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United into law on September 20, 2017.
Senate Bill 335 excludes an independent expenditure from the definition of a contribution and defines independent expenditure committees.
Senate Bill 336 incorporate violations established in Senate Bill 335 into the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The bills are effective immediately.
September 20, 2017 •
Two Campaign Finance Bills Pass Michigan Legislature
The Michigan Legislature passed two campaign finance bills accounting for the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United from 2010. Senate Bill 355 excludes an independent expenditure from the definition of a contribution and defines independent expenditure committees. Senate Bill […]
The Michigan Legislature passed two campaign finance bills accounting for the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United from 2010.
Senate Bill 355 excludes an independent expenditure from the definition of a contribution and defines independent expenditure committees.
Senate Bill 336 incorporates violations established in Senate Bill 335 into the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Opponents of the bills argue it would allow candidates to raise unlimited contributions for independent expenditure committees, often referred to as super PACs.
Gov. Rick Snyder has 14 days upon receipt of the enrolled bills to sign or veto them.
September 20, 2017 •
Lobbyist Leaves Firm to Take Seat in Oregon Legislature
Gov. Kate Brown administered the oath of office to the now-former lobbyist for powerful public employee unions SEIU Local 503 and AFSCME Council 75, among other left-leaning groups. Andrea Salinas was appointed by the commissioners of Multnomah and Clackamas Counties […]
Gov. Kate Brown administered the oath of office to the now-former lobbyist for powerful public employee unions SEIU Local 503 and AFSCME Council 75, among other left-leaning groups.
Andrea Salinas was appointed by the commissioners of Multnomah and Clackamas Counties to fill the vacancy.
Rep. Salinas is unsure what she will do work for outside the Legislature since she had to resign her lobbying position.
September 20, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Lobbying Maryland: “Maryland Lobbyist Charged in Bribery Scandal Linked to Prince George’s County Liquor Board” by Scott MacFarlane for WRC Campaign Finance Canada: “Taxpayers Would Give Millions to Political Parties in NDP Plan” by Lindsay Kines and Amy Smart for […]
Lobbying
Maryland: “Maryland Lobbyist Charged in Bribery Scandal Linked to Prince George’s County Liquor Board” by Scott MacFarlane for WRC
Campaign Finance
Canada: “Taxpayers Would Give Millions to Political Parties in NDP Plan” by Lindsay Kines and Amy Smart for Times Colonist
California: “California Passes Bill to Track ‘Dark Money’ in Political Ads and Campaigns” by Jason Shueh for StateScoop
Kentucky: “Former Beshear Official Admits He Solicited Contributions from Fellow State Workers” by Sheldon Shafer for Louisville Courier-Journal
Ethics
“With a Picked Lock and a Threatened Indictment, Mueller’s Inquiry Sets a Tone” by Sharon LaFraniere, Matt Apuzzo, and Adam Goldman for New York Times
“Exclusive: US government wiretapped former Trump campaign chairman” by Evan Perez, Shimon Prokupecz, and Pamela Brown for CNN
Florida: “FPL Says Claim That Senator Used Lobbyist to Get Power Restored Is ‘Absurd’” by Mary Ellen Klas for Miami Herald
Indiana: “Ethics Panel Forever Bans State Government Employee Who Hired Aunt, Sister, Stepdaughter” by Brian Slodysko (Associated Press) for Indianapolis Star
Kentucky: “Millions Go to Board Members of Lexington’s Farmland Conservation Program” by Beth Musgrave for Lexington Herald-Leader
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Senator’s Medical Marijuana Moonlighting Role” by Steve Esack for Allentown Morning Call
Elections
“Democrats Mount Effort to Recruit Women as State Attorneys General” by Jonathan Martin for New York Times
“Facebook’s Openness on Russia Questioned by Congressional Investigators” by Carol Leonnig, Elizabeth Dwoskin, and Craig Timberg for Washington Post
September 19, 2017 •
Seattle City Council Selects City’s Third Mayor in Less Than a Week
The Seattle City Council has chosen Councilman Tim Burgess to replace Council President Bruce Harrell as temporary mayor of the city to serve the next 71 days till a newly elected mayor is set to take charge. Harrell became mayor […]
The Seattle City Council has chosen Councilman Tim Burgess to replace Council President Bruce Harrell as temporary mayor of the city to serve the next 71 days till a newly elected mayor is set to take charge.
Harrell became mayor after additional allegations of sexual abuse came out against Ed Murray.
The city charter allowed Harrell to vacate the position after five days if he did not wish to continue to serve as mayor.
The November mayoral election results will be certified November 28.
September 19, 2017 •
Special Election Announced for Open Pennsylvania House Seat
House Speaker Mike Turzai announced a special election will be held for House District 133 on December 5, 2017. Rep. Dan McNeill, who was in his third term, passed away on September 8, creating the vacancy. Each political party will […]
House Speaker Mike Turzai announced a special election will be held for House District 133 on December 5, 2017.
Rep. Dan McNeill, who was in his third term, passed away on September 8, creating the vacancy.
Each political party will designate their respective candidate to appear on the ballot.
District 133 includes parts of Allentown and Bethlehem, as well as several townships.
September 19, 2017 •
Utah Special Session Called
The Utah Legislature will meet in a special legislative session Wednesday September 20, 2017, to consider a proposed $11.4 million settlement to be paid to the state by a contractor responsible for faulty renovations to one of the state’s highways. […]
The Utah Legislature will meet in a special legislative session Wednesday September 20, 2017, to consider a proposed $11.4 million settlement to be paid to the state by a contractor responsible for faulty renovations to one of the state’s highways.
The settlement agreement requires the contractor to pay for long term repairs to the highway and includes a provision requiring the governor and Legislature to approve settlements over $1 million for state agencies moving forward.
Gov. Gary Herbert also called the session in order to set aside money to curb crime in Salt Lake City’s Rio Grande neighborhood. The special session is set to convene at 2 p.m.
September 19, 2017 •
British Columbia Campaign Finance Bills Bans Corporation Contributions
On September 18, British Columbia’s Attorney General David Eby submitted a new campaign bill in the Legislative Assembly that would prohibit corporation and union contributions and limit contributions from individuals to $1,200 a year. The Election Amendment Act, 2017, would […]
On September 18, British Columbia’s Attorney General David Eby submitted a new campaign bill in the Legislative Assembly that would prohibit corporation and union contributions and limit contributions from individuals to $1,200 a year.
The Election Amendment Act, 2017, would also ban out-of-province donations, place a cap on contributions to third-party election advertisers, reduce campaign spending limits for candidates and political parties, provide some public funding for political parties, create new fines and penalties, and require public reporting and set donation limits for specified fundraising functions.
The bill defines “specified fundraising function” to mean a fundraising function attended by a member of the Executive Council, a parliamentary secretary, or a leader of a major political party, and that is held to raise funds for a major political party, a candidate who is a representative of a major political party, a leadership contestant for a major political party, or a constituency association that is the local organization for a major political party.
September 19, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government and Ethics News Roundup
Campaign Finance California: “Why Didn’t School Board President Ref Rodriguez Just Write Himself a Big Check?” by David Zahniser, Anna Phillips, and Howard Blume for Los Angeles Times Santa Fe: “Reform Laws Spurred by Treasurer Scandals Full of Loopholes” by […]
Campaign Finance
California: “Why Didn’t School Board President Ref Rodriguez Just Write Himself a Big Check?” by David Zahniser, Anna Phillips, and Howard Blume for Los Angeles Times
Santa Fe: “Reform Laws Spurred by Treasurer Scandals Full of Loopholes” by Andrew Oxford for Santa Fe New Mexican
New York: “Board of Elections Probes Ties Between Senate Democrats, Union Super PAC” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Ethics
“Request Denied: States try to block access to public records” by Andrew DeMillo and Ryan Foley (Associated Press) for San Jose Mercury News
“Trump Declines to Release List of His Mar-a-Lago Visitors” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
“Congress Struggles to Figure Out Which Russia Investigation Trumps the Others” by Erin Kelly for USA Today
California: “OC Ethics Commission Can Now Meet After Third Member is Appointed” by Nick Gerda for Voice of OC
Oregon: “Nepotism Runs Rampant in Oregon Legislature. Here’s How” by Gordon Friedman for Portland Oregonian
Pennsylvania: “Streetlight Executive Sentenced in City Hall Pay-to-Play Case” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call
September 18, 2017 •
Maine Special Election Called for House District 56
Gov. Paul LePage called a special election for House District 56. The seat’s holder, Rep. Gina Mason, passed away unexpectedly on September 5, 2017. The special election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2017.
Gov. Paul LePage called a special election for House District 56.
The seat’s holder, Rep. Gina Mason, passed away unexpectedly on September 5, 2017.
The special election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2017.
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