Lobbying

Alaska: “As Clock Ticked Toward Session, Alaska Lawmakers Turned to Lobbyists for Cash” by Nathaniel Herz for Alaska Dispatch News

New Mexico: “Loophole Cuts Lobbyist Spending Reporting” by Sandra Fish for New Mexico In Depth

Ethics

“After Ethics Review, Senate Postpones Committee Vote for Betsy DeVos” by Danielle Douglas-Gabriel for Washington Post

“We Rely on the Government for Lots of Data. What Happens to That in the Era of ‘Alternative Facts’?” by Mark Berman for Washington Post

“Liberal Watchdog Group Sues Trump, Alleging He Violated Constitutional Ban” by David Fahrenthold and Jonathan O’Connell for Washington Post

Pennsylvania: “Ex-Mayor Reed Admits Carelessness, Not Criminality, in Pleading Guilty to Stealing City Artifacts” by Matt Miller for Harrisburg Patriot-News

Rhode Island: “Gallison to Admit Stealing from a Friend, the Poor and a Disabled Client” by Tom Mooney for Providence Journal

Redistricting

“Supreme Court Won’t Review Texas Voter Law Found to Discriminate Against Minorities” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post

A special election will be held on February 7, 2017, to fill the House of Delegates District 71 vacancy.

The seat became available after Del. Jennifer McClellan won a special election earlier in the month for Senate District 9. District 71 includes downtown Richmond, the city’s north side, and a portion of Henrico County.

After McClellan won the special election, Richmond School Board member Jeff Bourne announced his candidacy to replace her.

Attorney General TJ Donovan and Sec. of State Jim Condos announced the creation of a joint Committee on Campaign Finance Education, Compliance, and Reform.

The committee’s goal is to encourage a greater level of knowledge to facilitate compliance and to seek out areas where Vermont’s current law could be improved. A series of public forums will be held to seek input from citizens of the state, including elected officials, PACs, and parties.

This input will assist the committee toward creating more robust campaign finance rules.

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee has introduced legislation requiring ethical guidelines be followed by states before those states be allowed to administer certain federal funds.

House Bill 0554, The Make State Government More Open, Honest, and Transparent Act, suspends the authority of a state to administer funds under federal block grant programs if the state does not enact certain conflict of interest protections. These include banning state contractors from making state financial contributions, prohibiting state legislators from requiring their staff make political contributions, and requiring state legislators to annually disclose their own financial interests.

“My legislation is simple: it raises the bar for states to be more open and transparent with their constituents so that we can begin to restore public trust in government,” Kildee said in his press release.

Lobbying

“Companies Drafting Emergency Plans for Trump Tweets” by Megan Wilson and Melanie Zanona for The Hill

Ethics

“Intercepted Russian Communications Part of Inquiry into Trump Associates” by Michael Schmidt, Matthew Rosenberg, Adam Goldman, and Matt Apuzzo for The New York Times

California: “Former L.A. Coliseum Executive at the Center of Corruption Scandal Sentenced to 3 Years of Probation” by Melissa Gerber for Los Angeles Times

California: “Short-Staffed SF Ethics Panel’s Backlog of Cases Growing” by Emily Green for San Francisco Chronicle

Maryland: “Hogan Proposes Maryland Government Ethics Reforms” by Pamela Wood for The Baltimore Sun

Rhode Island: “Ex-R.I. Rep. Palumbo Charged with Embezzling; 2nd Ex-Lawmaker Arrested in a Week” by Katie Mulvaney for Providence Journal

Legislative Issues

Maryland: “Hogan Seeks Background Checks for Appointed Lawmakers” by Pamela Wood and Erin Cox for The Baltimore Sun

Campaign Finance

“With Morale in Tatters, Federal Election Commission Eyes Changes” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Public Integrity

“‘Soft Money’ Era Not Back Yet as Few Companies Contribute” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA

Pennsylvania: “In First Act, New Pa. Treasurer Cracks Down on Pay-to-Play Fees” by Craig McCoy and Mark Fazlollah for Philadelphia Inquirer

Elections

“From Headline to Photograph, a Fake News Masterpiece” by Scott Shane for The New York Times

Gov. Larry Hogan introduced several legislative acts to state lawmakers on January 19, 2017, including the Public Integrity Act, the Liquor Board Reform Act, and the Legislative Transparency Act. The bills are seen as a reaction to conspiracy and bribery scandals lawmakers were involved with in 2016.

If approved, the Public Integrity Act would keep lawmakers from using legislation to help their own businesses, and also prohibit legislators, appointees, and other staff from working as a lobbyist within a year of exiting their posts. The Liquor Board Reform Act would require state senators to make the committee nominations. And, under the Legislative Transparency Act, the House and Senate would have to stream their sessions live via video. Currently, the sessions are live, but just in audio format.

See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!

The Denver City Council was expected to accept ethics changes on January 17, but postponed the vote until February 21.

New gift rules proposed by Councilman Kevin Flynn will impose a $300 limit per year on what officials and employees may accept. Councilmembers voiced concerns about what gifts qualify.

To eliminate the confusion, officials are going to address their questions face-to-face before the official vote a month from now.

A bill introduced in the Rhode Island House earlier this month would prohibit lobbyists from making any political contribution to any member of the General Assembly in any year during the period from January 1 through July 1, unless the Legislature has adjourned its business for the year prior to July 1 of the session year.

House Bill 5036, introduced by Representatives John Lombardi and Raymond A. Hull, amends Rhode Island Revised Statute §22-10, a part of the lobbying law repealed and replaced on January 1, 2017, with the Rhode Island Lobbying Reform Act. The Act repealed the lobbying laws in Title 22 and Title 42 of the state’s statutes and enacted a new consolidated code section covering both the legislative and executive branches of government.

The bill is currently in the House Judiciary committee and would take effect upon its passage.

National:

There Are Huge Holes in How the U.S. States Investigate Politicians’ Conflicts of Interest
Washington Post – John Wihbey, Mike Beaudet, and Pedro Miguel Cruz | Published: 1/11/2017

Ethics and disclosure issues have been in the headlines lately as Donald Trump’s choices for Cabinet positions face Senate scrutiny. But what about state and local officials’ conflicts-of-interest? Researchers looked at what states require on their personal financial disclosure forms. Public officials and candidates for office must file these forms annually with ethics commissions or agencies in 47 states. The investigation found state requirements vary widely. When the forms were scored on fixed criteria, the researchers found that about 80 percent of states required little transparency, and few require enough to inform the public.

Federal:

After Trump Rebuke, Federal Ethics Chief Called to Testify Before House Lawmakers
Washington Post – Lisa Rein, Tom Hamburger, and Mike DeBonis | Published: 1/13/2017

A letter from U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, chairperson of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, to Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Director Walter Shaub Jr. was viewed by many as a veiled threat to the OGE’s budget unless Shaub changes his rhetoric and approach. Shaub has questioned Donald Trump’s commitment to confront his potential conflicts-of-interest. In his letter, Chaffetz accused Shaub of “blurring the line between public relations and official ethics guidance,” and asked him to appear before lawmakers in a closed-door, transcribed interview. Ethics lawyers from both parties said the OGE plays an important role, and dismantling it or reducing its authority would be a blow to avoiding conflicts in a new administration and enforcing basic standards of ethics and transparency.

‘Kompromat’ and the Danger of Doubt and Confusion in a Democracy
New York Times – Amanda Taub | Published: 1/15/2017

Since the emergence of an unverified, salacious claims about Donald Trump, Americans have debated the ramifications of the arrival of “kompromat” as a feature of U.S. politics. The debates have often framed this practice as little more than a political form of blackmail, and one particular to Russia. In fact, kompromat is more than an individual piece of damaging information; it is a broader attempt to manufacture public cynicism and confusion in ways that target not just one individual but an entire society. And although this practice tends to be associated with Russia – the word kompromat is a portmanteau of the Russian words for “compromising” and “information” – it is a common feature of authoritarian and semi-authoritarian nations around the world.

The Trump Lobbying Purge That Wasn’t
Politico – Maggie Severns and Isaac Arnsdorf | Published: 1/18/2017

Despite Donald Trump’s efforts to keep lobbyists out of his administration, they have continued to offer policy advice, recommend job candidates, and contribute money to his transition team. And while they are barred from donating to the inaugural festivities, lobbyists have been collecting checks on Trump’s behalf. The loopholes in Trump’s restrictions are so widespread that many lobbyists said they have concluded his ethics rules are not really meant to change how business is done in Washington.

Trump’s Administration Will Regulate Trump’s Businesses, Raising Prospect of Conflicts
Washington Post – Rosalind Helderman, Drew Harwell, and Tom Hamburger | Published: 1/15/2017

When Donald Trump takes office, he will assume control of a federal bureaucracy with enormous power to bolster nearly every corner of his real estate, licensing, and merchandising empire, and enhance his personal fortune. Trump announced steps he and his lawyers said would provide adequate safeguards to separate his business from government. He said he will shift assets into a trust that will be managed by his sons. Providing few specifics, he promised no new foreign deals and said the company would adopt new internal systems to scrutinize potentially problematic domestic transactions. But Trump and his lawyers did not address how his administration will approach the range of regulatory actions and other decisions that could directly touch the business.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – State Watchdog Agency Investigating after Times Report on Political Donations
Los Angeles Times – Emily Alpert Reyes and David Zahniser | Published: 1/12/2017

The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has launched an investigation into political contributions connected to the developer of a Harbor Gateway apartment project. The FPPC opened its probe after receiving a letter from a Los Angeles Times reader, who pointed to the newspaper’s investigation into donors with ties to Samuel Leung, developer of the Sea Breeze project. The Times reported that donors linked directly or indirectly to Leung gave more than $600,000 to support 11 Los Angeles-area politicians as Sea Breeze was being reviewed at City Hall. Several people who are listed as campaign contributors said they could not remember making those donations or denied doing so. Campaign finance experts said those responses raised questions about whether someone else had provided the money, a practice that would violate the law.

Colorado – Colorado Ethics Commission Puts Denver, Aurora and Other Cities on Notice in Turf Battle Over Gift Rules
Denver Post – Jon Murray | Published: 1/14/2017

The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission said it will consider hearing complaints against officials and employees if the panel finds their local ethics codes to be less restrictive than Amendment 41, which set a $50 gift limit (now $59) and banned even free drinks from lobbyists. That posture could affect Denver and more than 70 other home-rule cities and towns that were established by charters and have local ethics rules they view as sufficient to opt out of Amendment 41. Many of those lack similarly firm catch-all gift bans and set higher maximum values on allowed meals, event tickets and other things considered gifts – or do not set dollar limits at all.

Massachusetts – Could Lobbying Rules Have Saved Boston from Ill-Fated Grand Prix?
Boston Globe – Andrew Ryan | Published: 1/18/2017

After a year of no action and revelations about well-connected lobbyists pushing the Boston Grand Prix project forward, lobbying reform in the city is advancing. A member of Mayor Martin Walsh’s staff described the plan during a hearing of the city council committee hearing. For the first time, it would require lobbyists working to register and disclose where their payments come from, among other provisions. Failing to register could lead to daily fines.

Missouri – House Passes HB 60 to Limit Lobbyist Gifts
Missouri Times – Benjamin Peters | Published: 1/17/2017

The Missouri House passed a bill that sets a limit on lobbyist gifts to elected officials. House Bill 60 was approved by a vote of 149 to five. There are exceptions in the legislation. Lobbyists would be able to provide paid dinners to the entire General Assembly, providing they give a 72-hour notice and the meal is in Missouri. The bill now moves to the state Senate.

New Mexico – Leadership Shift Sparks Hope for Supporters of Campaign Finance Reform
New Mexio In Depth – Sandra Fish | Published: 1/15/2017

Critics say some provisions of New Mexico’s campaign finance law are unconstitutional and therefore unenforceable. Inconsistencies and loopholes in the statute make following the trail of money in politics difficult. And the law fails to acknowledge the recent rise of money flowing into campaigns from independent groups. But following years of attempting to update the campaign finance law, 2017 could be the year for reform, with a new secretary of state and new legislative leaders.

New Mexico – Will Independent Ethics Oversight Catch On in 2017?
New Mexico In Depth – Trip Jennings | Published: 1/16/2017

New Mexico lawmakers over the last decade have balked at creating an independent ethics commission even as a parade of elected and appointed public officials stood accused of corruption and, in some cases, were convicted of crimes. Viki Harrison, executive director of Common Cause New Mexico and a perennial supporter of ethics legislation, came up with an analogy: “Groundhog Day,” a movie in which the main character is forced to repeat the same day over and over again. Harrison hopes the 2017 legislative session will break the cycle, and on the surface the odds in Santa Fe appear favorable.

North Dakota – How a Mother-in-Law Inspired a Bill to Protect Drivers
Washington Post – Cleve Wootson Jr. | Published: 1/17/2017

Proposed legislation in North Dakota would protect some drivers from the legal consequences of running over a pedestrian protester. Rep. Keith Kempenich said his bill is a response to demonstrators blocking a highway as part of a protest over the proposed North Dakota Access pipeline. It is part of a slew of legislative measures that Republican lawmakers have written to combat the protests they say have disrupted life in and around the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. “This bill puts the onus on somebody who’s made a conscious decision to put themselves in harm’s way; you can protest all you want, but you can’t protest up on a roadway – it’s dangerous for everybody,” said Kempenich.

Pennsylvania – DA Williams Fined $62,0000 for Ethics Violations
Philadelphia Inquirer – Claudia Vargas | Published: 1/17/2017

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams must pay $62,000 in fines for failing to disclose gifts and source of income, according to a settlement approved by the city’s Board of Ethics. The penalty is the largest imposed by the board in its 10-year history. The agreement also requires Williams to pay another $2,840, the value of the prohibited gifts he accepted. In August, Williams amended his statements of financial interests for 2010 to 2015, listing $160,050 in previously unreported gifts, including home repairs, airfare, and lodgings for vacations, cash, and gift cards, and Philadelphia Eagles sideline passes.

Tennessee – House Lawmakers Must Disclose Political Junkets
The Tennessean – Joel Ebert | Published: 1/12/2017

The Tennessee House adopted a new ethics rule that requires lawmakers to disclose any expense-paid travel out of the state that is valued at more than $100. The Legislature has long posted the costs of state-paid travel on its website, but trips paid for by private parties did not have to be publicly disclosed. The change follows reports by The Tennessean about a five-day “”act finding” mission to Europe paid by a Republican donor about what he calls the dangers of radical Islam, and two trips for lawmakers paid for by school voucher advocates. Those trips did not have to be reported because they were not paid for by lobbyists.

Virginia – Lengthy New Ethics Bill Targets Redskin Tickets Loophole
The Daily Press – Travis Fain | Published: 1/16/2017

The General Assembly will tinker with Virginia’s ethics laws for the fourth year in a row, zeroing in, among other things, on a loophole that lets officials accept free football tickets. The bills also include a long list of other tweaks, many meant to simplify the implementation of reforms that lawmakers first passed in 2014 as a response to former Gov. Bob McDonnell’s gift scandal. One change would exempt meals provided by non-profits at conferences from the state’s $100 gift limit. Another would clarify that legitimate birthday gifts from personal friends do not violate the cap, even if that friend is a lobbyist.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

Lobbying

“The Trump Lobbying Purge That Wasn’t” by Maggie Severns and Isaac Arnsdorf for Politico

Colorado: “Denver City Council Committee Stalls Vote Again on Ethics Changes” by Jon Murray for Denver Post

Massachusetts: “Could Lobbying Rules Have Saved Boston from Ill-Fated Grand Prix?” by Andrew Ryan for Boston Globe

Missouri: “House Passes HB 60 to Limit Lobbyist Gifts” by Benjamin Peters for Missouri Times

South Dakota: “Senators Reluctantly Allow Lobbyists to Stay” by Dana Ferguson for Sioux Falls Argus Leader

Campaign Finance

“SEC Settles with 10 Public Fund Money Managers Over Pay-to-Play Violations” by Hazel Bradford for Pensions & Investments

Ethics

South Carolina: “Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster Paying Off Ethics Penalties Before Becoming Governor” by Andy Shain for Charleston Post & Courier

Texas: “State Rep. Dawnna Dukes Indicted by Grand Jury” by Alex Samuels for Texas Tribune

Elections

Kansas: “Kobach Seeks Authority for Bifurcated Elections; Downplays Issue of Missing Registrations” by Peter Hancock for Lawrence Journal World

Legislative Issues

“How a Mother-in-Law Inspired a Bill to Protect Drivers” by Cleve Wootson Jr. for Washington Post

Ethics reform legislation passed the Missouri House Tuesday afternoon with wide bipartisan support.

House Bill 60 would prohibit lobbyists and lobbyist principals from making expenditures for state public officials or for their staff, spouses, or dependent children.

An exception would remain for event expenditures if all members of the Legislature or all statewide officials are invited in writing. For clarity, the bill would subsequently remove any unnecessary lobbyist reporting requirements.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

According to a memorandum from the Alabama House Bill Clerk, lobbyists and state agency representatives will be issued identification badges.

After registering with the Ethics Commission, a lobbyist or state agency representative must sign up with the Alabama House to receive the new badges.

Badges may be acquired by calling House Bill Clerk Dildred Bass at (334) 242-7616, or in-person at Bass’s office located in the Alabama State House, Office of the Clerk, Room 504-B.

The Senate Committee on Legislative Procedure decided to table consideration of a proposed new rule to ban lobbyists from the chamber and adjacent hallways during working hours.

The measure came up for a vote yesterday and the committee voted unanimously to let the lobbyists stay. Lawmakers could decide to reconsider adoption of the proposal any time during the legislative session.