January 11, 2017 •
Supreme Court Issues Stay on Special Elections in North Carolina
Yesterday, the U.S Supreme Court issued a temporary stay on a lower court order to hold special elections in November 2017 for North Carolina General Assembly seats in unconstitutionally gerrymandered districts. The temporary stay of the lower court’s decision will […]
Yesterday, the U.S Supreme Court issued a temporary stay on a lower court order to hold special elections in November 2017 for North Carolina General Assembly seats in unconstitutionally gerrymandered districts.
The temporary stay of the lower court’s decision will remain in place until the justices decide whether to consider a previously filed appeal from state officials. If the Supreme Court hears the case and overturns the ruling, the special elections would be canceled and current districts restored for the 2018 election.
January 11, 2017 •
Iowa Special Election House District 89
Gov. Terry Branstad called a special election for House District 89. Democrat Jim Lykam resigned after winning the Senate District 45 seat previously held by Sen. Joe Seng, who passed away on September 16, 2016. The special election for House […]
Gov. Terry Branstad called a special election for House District 89.
Democrat Jim Lykam resigned after winning the Senate District 45 seat previously held by Sen. Joe Seng, who passed away on September 16, 2016.
The special election for House District 89 will be held on January 31, 2017.
January 11, 2017 •
Wednesday Government Relations News Roundup
Lobbying Colorado: “Denver Council Approves Gift-Report Rules That Require More Frequency, Better Access” by Jon Murray for Denver Post Campaign Finance “Betsy DeVos, Trump’s Education Pick, Plays Hardball with Her Wealth” by Noam Scheiber for New York Times Alaska: “Group […]
Lobbying
Colorado: “Denver Council Approves Gift-Report Rules That Require More Frequency, Better Access” by Jon Murray for Denver Post
Campaign Finance
“Betsy DeVos, Trump’s Education Pick, Plays Hardball with Her Wealth” by Noam Scheiber for New York Times
Alaska: “Group Appeals Lawsuit Challenging Alaska Campaign Finance Laws” by Alex DeMarban for Alaska Dispatch News
California: “How This Former Aspiring Screenwriter Became One of California’s Campaign Finance Experts After Losing His Day Job” by Christine Mai-Duc for Los Angeles Times
Pennsylvania: “D.A. Candidate Donates $250,000 to Own Campaign, Triggering ‘Millionaire’s Provision’” by Jared Brey for Philadelphia Magazine
Ethics
“Trump’s Son-in-Law, Jared Kushner, to Join White House as Senior Adviser; No Formal Role for Ivanka Trump” by John Wagner and Ashley Parker for Washington Post
“House GOP Quietly Shields Lawmakers Records from Ethics Probes” by Eric Pianin (Fiscal Times) for Yahoo! Finance
Florida: “Opa-locka Politician Pleads Guilty to Bribery, as FBI Continues Corruption Probe” by Jay Weaver for Miami Herald
South Carolina: “Merrill Indictment Casts Pall Over Opening of SC Legislature” by Avery Wilks for The State
South Dakota: “Krebs Offers Package to Replace SD Ethics Initiative Under Fire” by James Nord (Associated Press) for Sioux City Journal
Tennessee: “To Combat Sexual Harassment, Tennessee Lawmakers Required to Watch 15-Minute Video” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean
Vermont: “Hopes High for State Ethics Panel” by Neal Goswami for Rutland Herald
January 10, 2017 •
Greitens Issues Executive Order Banning Lobbyist Gifts to Executive Branch Employees
Almost immediately upon being sworn in as Missouri governor, Eric Greitens issued an executive order banning lobbyist gifts to executive branch employees. The order also establishes a revolving door provision, prohibiting gubernatorial staff from lobbying his office after leaving their […]
Almost immediately upon being sworn in as Missouri governor, Eric Greitens issued an executive order banning lobbyist gifts to executive branch employees.
The order also establishes a revolving door provision, prohibiting gubernatorial staff from lobbying his office after leaving their positions.
At the Capitol, Republican lawmakers held a meeting yesterday to endorse a bill to expand the executive order by banning most lobbyist gifts to legislators. The actions are part of an effort to reform state ethics laws and curb government corruption.
January 10, 2017 •
Tuesday Government Relations News Roundup
Lobbying “Trump Insiders Head for Big K Street Paydays” by Isaac Arnsdorf and Kenneth Vogel for Politico Indiana: “Tighter Rules Still Not Strict Enough for Some Lawmakers” by Maureen Hayden for Batesville Herald-Tribune Massachusetts: “City Hall Promised Lobbying Reform. Nothing […]
Lobbying
“Trump Insiders Head for Big K Street Paydays” by Isaac Arnsdorf and Kenneth Vogel for Politico
Indiana: “Tighter Rules Still Not Strict Enough for Some Lawmakers” by Maureen Hayden for Batesville Herald-Tribune
Massachusetts: “City Hall Promised Lobbying Reform. Nothing Happened.” by Mark Arsenault and Andrew Ryan for Boston Globe
Missouri: “Greitens Takes Over as Missouri Governor, Targets Lobbyists” by Summer Ballentine and David Lieb (Associated Press) for Yahoo! News
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “Cashier’s Checks, $3,000 in Cash, a Consultant and a Pastor” by Dustin Gardner and Rob O’Dell for Arizona Republic
Maryland: “Democrat Tapped for State House Charged with Illegal Donations, Won’t Be Sworn In” by Fenit Nirappil for Washington Post
Pennsylvania: “Calls Turn Developers into Donors for Peduto” by Rich Lord for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ethics
“Russian Hackers Find Ready Bullhorns in the Media” by Max Fisher for New York Times
“Ethics Official Warns Against Confirmations Before Reviews Are Complete” by Ed O’Keefe and Sean Sullivan for Washington Post
“Jared Kushner, a Trump In-Law and Adviser, Chases a Chinese Deal” by Susanne Craig, Jo Becker, and Jess Drucker for New York Times
North Carolina: “Ethics Commission – Set to Become Elections Board – Secures Lawyers in Roy Cooper Lawsuit” by Colin Campbell for Raleigh News & Observer
January 9, 2017 •
Political Contributions Compliance Laws for Government Relations Professionals
Political Contributions Compliance Laws for Government Relations Professionals, provides reference information on what political contribution activities are allowed, and not allowed, under various laws at every government level. This online database has information for every jurisdiction with precise listings and […]
Political Contributions Compliance Laws for Government Relations Professionals, provides reference information on what political contribution activities are allowed, and not allowed, under various laws at every government level.
This online database has information for every jurisdiction with precise listings and summaries of each state law, contribution limits and specific prohibitions, with full descriptions of registration and reporting requirements.
Learn more about all of the Online Publications for Government Relations Professionals from State and Federal Communications, or try a free demo today to see all the ways this online publication can help you in your political contribution compliance efforts.
January 9, 2017 •
Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Stays in Office Pending Determination by Court
The Montana First Judicial District Court issued an order to let Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathon Motl stay in office until a case to extend his appointment is heard, reserving the ending date issue for determination by the Court. A […]
The Montana First Judicial District Court issued an order to let Commissioner of Political Practices Jonathon Motl stay in office until a case to extend his appointment is heard, reserving the ending date issue for determination by the Court.
A lawsuit filed last month asserts Motl, who was confirmed by the Senate in 2013, should be allowed to complete a full six-year term of service extending his appointment until June 2019. Montana Senate Republicans, who have repeatedly accused Motl of bias against them in his decisions, have introduced a resolution seeking to intervene in the case to “vigorously defend and protect in all court proceedings the legal integrity of (the) Senate’s constitutional confirmation authority.”
If the resolution passes, the Senate will assert that Motl’s term ended on January 1, 2017. A hearing is expected on the issue in early 2017.
January 9, 2017 •
North Carolina Panel Postpones Board of Elections Disbandment
Last week, a panel of three judges granted Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for the state to temporarily refrain from overhauling the elections board until his active lawsuit is resolved. Cooper proposed the constitutional separation of powers are overlooked in a […]
Last week, a panel of three judges granted Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for the state to temporarily refrain from overhauling the elections board until his active lawsuit is resolved.
Cooper proposed the constitutional separation of powers are overlooked in a new General Assembly law.
If Cooper fails to win the suit, and the law is not overturned, the five-member state Board of Elections will be reorganized into a team of eight under the state Ethics Commission.
January 9, 2017 •
Walker Calls Wisconsin Legislature Into Special Session
Gov. Scott Walker called the Wisconsin Legislature into special session on Thursday, January 5. The Legislature is currently in regular session; a special session operates under different rules to speed up the legislative process. Citing a public health crisis, Walker […]
Gov. Scott Walker called the Wisconsin Legislature into special session on Thursday, January 5. The Legislature is currently in regular session; a special session operates under different rules to speed up the legislative process.
Citing a public health crisis, Walker called the special session so lawmakers would consider a package of heroin and opioid abuse bills. The Senate will consider the bills after they are introduced and move through committee.
Walker also issued executive orders directing state agencies to follow the recommendations of his opioid abuse task force and directing the Department of Health Services to apply for federal funding to help in its response efforts.
Photo of Gov. Scott Walker courtesy of Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons.
January 9, 2017 •
Monday Government Relations News Roundup
Lobbying “Trump’s Twitter Feed Traumatizes Washington” by Eli Stoklos and Josh Dawsey for Politico Florida: “Taxpayers Will Keep Paying for Lobbyists in Tallahassee, Despite House Speaker, Who Calls It a ‘Disgrace’” by Steve Bousquet and Michael Auslen for Tampa Bay […]
Lobbying
“Trump’s Twitter Feed Traumatizes Washington” by Eli Stoklos and Josh Dawsey for Politico
Florida: “Taxpayers Will Keep Paying for Lobbyists in Tallahassee, Despite House Speaker, Who Calls It a ‘Disgrace’” by Steve Bousquet and Michael Auslen for Tampa Bay Times
New York: “Now a Lobbyist, Democratic Power Broker Faces Restrictions in New York Job” by Samar Khurshid for Gotham Gazette
Campaign Finance
“Libertarian Challenge to Contribution Limits Advances” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA
Florida: “Investigation: Florida elections loophole empowers special interests” by Lucas Daprile for TCPalm.com
Washington: “Seattle Voters Will Soon Get $100 in ‘Democracy Vouchers’ to Donate to Candidates” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times
Ethics
California: “City Council Embraces Transparency Provisions Pushed by New Mayor Steinberg” by Anita Chabria for Sacramento Bee
Maryland: “Federal Bribery Charges Filed over Prince George’s County Liquor Licenses” by Lynh Bui, Ann Marimow, and Arelis Hernandez for The Washington Post
Legislative Issues
“House Votes to Fine Members Up to $2,500 If They Take Videos in Chamber” by Erin Kelly for USA Today
South Carolina: “Grand Jury Indicts Rep. Chris Corley on Domestic Violence, Gun Charges” by Maya Prabhu for Charleston Post and Courier
January 6, 2017 •
NYCU Video Digest – January 6, 2017
See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!
See what’s happening in government relations this week in our News You Can Use Video Digest. Enjoy!
January 6, 2017 •
Canadian Compliance Laws for Government Relations Professionals
Canadian Compliance Laws for Government Relations ProfessionalsTM, is for U.S.-based companies conducting or considering doing business in Canada; the United States’ largest trading partner. It is critical to know the compliance rules and regulations for lobbying, making campaign contributions, and […]
Canadian Compliance Laws for Government Relations ProfessionalsTM, is for U.S.-based companies conducting or considering doing business in Canada; the United States’ largest trading partner.
It is critical to know the compliance rules and regulations for lobbying, making campaign contributions, and procurement lobbying in Canada.
The Canadian governments, federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal, have unique lobbying and political activities laws and regulations that can be unlike those in the U.S., and this publication details listings and summaries of each applicable law with full descriptions of registration and reporting requirements.
Learn more about all of the Online Publications for Government Relations Professionals from State and Federal Communications, or try a free demo today to see all the ways this online publication can help you in your Canadian lobbying efforts.
January 6, 2017 •
Special Election Needed in Missouri House District 50
Caleb Jones (R) will leave the state House District 50 seat vacant when he joins Governor-elect Eric Greitens (R) as the new Deputy Chief of Staff starting January 9. Ashland Republican Party State Committeewoman Sara Walsh (R) announced her candidacy […]
Caleb Jones (R) will leave the state House District 50 seat vacant when he joins Governor-elect Eric Greitens (R) as the new Deputy Chief of Staff starting January 9.
Ashland Republican Party State Committeewoman Sara Walsh (R) announced her candidacy for the position this week. Until the special election to replace Jones, an office in the capitol dedicated to constituent services for members of his district will remain active.
January 6, 2017 •
Six Candidates Compete for Montana Congressional Seat
Six candidates are pursuing Montana’s seat in the House of Representatives after President-elect Trump recruited the current holder, Ryan Zinke (R), to be the interior secretary. Three of the candidates are Republicans and three are Democrats. A special election will […]
Six candidates are pursuing Montana’s seat in the House of Representatives after President-elect Trump recruited the current holder, Ryan Zinke (R), to be the interior secretary.
Three of the candidates are Republicans and three are Democrats. A special election will be scheduled as early as 85 days following Zinke’s official promotion.
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.