July 5, 2017 •
Maine Legislature Recesses
The Maine 2017 regular session recessed on July 3, 2017. The Legislature failed to pass a budget on June 30, 2017, forcing Gov. Paul LePage to declare a state of civil emergency in the absence of a biennial budget. The […]
The Maine 2017 regular session recessed on July 3, 2017.
The Legislature failed to pass a budget on June 30, 2017, forcing Gov. Paul LePage to declare a state of civil emergency in the absence of a biennial budget. The Legislature worked late on July 3, 2017, to pass the $7.1 billion budget.
LePage signed the budget the following morning and ended the civil emergency.
July 5, 2017 •
Delaware Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
Despite working into the early hours of Saturday morning, the Delaware Legislature adjourned the 2017 regular session on July 1, 2017, without passing a 2018 budget. In order to address the Legislature’s failure, Gov. John Carney called a special session […]
Despite working into the early hours of Saturday morning, the Delaware Legislature adjourned the 2017 regular session on July 1, 2017, without passing a 2018 budget.
In order to address the Legislature’s failure, Gov. John Carney called a special session for July 2, 2017.
The special session adjourned on July 2, 2017, and Carney signed a $4.1 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2018.
July 5, 2017 •
New York Special Session Adjourns
The New York Legislature’s two-day special session adjourned sine die on June 29, 2017. Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the special session to enact legislation extending mayoral control over the city of New York’s school district. The legislation extends city control […]
The New York Legislature’s two-day special session adjourned sine die on June 29, 2017.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the special session to enact legislation extending mayoral control over the city of New York’s school district. The legislation extends city control over the city district for two years.
Barring another special session, the Legislature is set to return in January 2018.
July 5, 2017 •
Maine Bans Certain Gifts to Health Care Practitioners
In an attempt to prevent doctors from overprescribing opioids, the Maine Legislature recently passed a bill prohibiting manufacturers or wholesalers, or an agent of either, from offering gifts to health care practitioners. A “gift,” as it pertains to the Maine […]
In an attempt to prevent doctors from overprescribing opioids, the Maine Legislature recently passed a bill prohibiting manufacturers or wholesalers, or an agent of either, from offering gifts to health care practitioners.
A “gift,” as it pertains to the Maine Pharmacy Act, will not include samples of prescription drugs to be given to patients for free, items with a total value of less than $50 over a calendar year, payments to sponsors of educational programs, honoraria and payments of expenses incurred at an educational conference or meeting, compensation for research, publications or educational materials, and salaries or other benefits paid to employees.
The bill will become effective 90 days from the end of session.
What do the National Conference of State Legislatures, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and the Council of State Governments have in common? They all have national conferences where you can meet with meet with public officials, sponsor activities, host receptions, […]
What do the National Conference of State Legislatures, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and the Council of State Governments have in common?
They all have national conferences where you can meet with meet with public officials, sponsor activities, host receptions, and distribute promotional items. But, these opportunities require your due diligence to ensure you remain compliant with all applicable gift and lobbying laws.
Our new tip sheet “Ethics Implications for Expenditures at National Conferences” will help you determine what you can – and cannot – do at these conferences so you can always say, “I comply.”
Get your FREE copy today!
July 5, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Campaign Finance Use of Campaign Money for Lawmakers’ Security Requested by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA Alabama: Civil Penalties Now in Place for Late or Inaccurate Campaign Reports by Mike Cason for AL.com California: California Democrats Out to Reverse Another […]
Campaign Finance
Use of Campaign Money for Lawmakers’ Security Requested by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg BNA
Alabama: Civil Penalties Now in Place for Late or Inaccurate Campaign Reports by Mike Cason for AL.com
California: California Democrats Out to Reverse Another Election Rule to Help One of Their Own by Taryn Luna for Sacramento Bee
District of Columbia: “Publicly Financed Campaigns in D.C. Would Reduce Influence of Big Donors, Advocates Testify” by Rachel Chason for Washington Post
Texas: “Texas Supreme Court Rejects Tea Party Challenge to Campaign Finance Laws” by Jim Malewitz for Texas Tribune
Elections
“Trump’s Voter-Fraud Commission Wants to Know Voting History, Party ID and Address of Every Voter in the U.S.” by Christopher Ingraham for Washington Post
“GOP Investigation Sought Connection Between Clinton’s Emails and Russia: Report” by Alicia Cohn and Max Greenwood for The Hill
Ethics
Ethics Issue ‘Nonsense,’ Said Official Who Cleared Trump Hotel by Ben Brody for Bloomberg.com
Connecticut: Bridgeport Struggles to Fill Boards, Commissions by Brian Lockhart for Connecticut Post
Florida: “Lauren’s Kids Funnels $3.1 Million to Politically Connected Public Relations Firm” by Francisco Alverado for Florida Bulldog
Massachusetts: “Lawmakers Asked to Hit Up Lobbyists, Companies to Fund National Confab” by Jim O’Sullivan for Boston Globe
Montana: Legislature Is Rife with Conflicts of Interest – and They’re Legal by Jayme Fraser for Helena Independent Record
Lobbying
Florida: Berger’s History with Lobbyist Doesn’t Bar Her from Voting on Development, Ethics Panel Says by Skyler Swisher for South Florida Sun Sentinel
Maryland: Baltimore County Council Votes Along Party Lines on Ethics, Work Session Bills by Alison Knezevich for Baltimore Sun
Vermont: Dollars Tell Only Part of Story of Pot Legalization Advocacy by Elizabeth Hewitt for VTDigger.org
June 30, 2017 •
NYCU Video Digest – June 30, 2017
All the state government and ethics news you might have missed in this weeks video digest!
All the state government and ethics news you might have missed in this weeks video digest!
June 30, 2017 •
News You Can Use Digest – June 30, 2017
Federal: Former Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort Files as Foreign Agent for Ukraine Work Washington Post – Tom Hamburger and Rosalind Helderman | Published: 6/27/2017 Paul Manafort, who was forced out as President Trump’s campaign chairperson last summer after infighting […]
Federal:
Former Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort Files as Foreign Agent for Ukraine Work
Washington Post – Tom Hamburger and Rosalind Helderman | Published: 6/27/2017
Paul Manafort, who was forced out as President Trump’s campaign chairperson last summer after infighting and criticism about his business dealings with pro-Russian interests, disclosed his consulting firm had received more than $17 million over two years from a Ukrainian political party with links to the Kremlin. The filing serves as a retroactive admission that Manafort performed work in the U.S. on behalf of a foreign power, Ukraine’s Party of Regions, without disclosing it at the time, as required by law. The disclosure hints at the vast fortunes available to top American political consultants plying their trade in other countries.
Jack Abramoff Registers as a Foreign Agent
The Hill – Megan Wilson | Published: 6/23/2017
Jack Abramoff is a registered lobbyist again. Abramoff retroactively registered after he attempted to set up a meeting between then-President-elect Donald Trump and the president of the Republic of Congo. The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires people to register with the Justice Department if they do any consulting, lobbying, or public relations work for a foreign government. They must register within 10 days of agreeing to act as a foreign agent and provide updates every six months. The scandal surrounding Abramoff led to the overhaul of federal lobbying laws in 2007 and 20 convictions or guilty pleas, including from former U.S. Rep. Bob Ney.
Lawmakers Want Trump’s Tax Returns, but Won’t Release Their Own
Roll Call – Stephanie Akin | Published: 6/26/2017
Roll Call sent a request to all U.S. senators and representatives to release their tax returns. Only 37 responded, and of those, six provided the documents. Roll Call also reviewed public documents and media reports to determine lawmakers’ positions on the release of President Trump’s tax returns. At least 237 lawmakers have called on the president to produce his returns. The reluctance among members of Congress to release their own returns prevents voters from learning more about members’ personal financial decisions that could affect how they vote.
President Trump Angrily Lashes Out at ‘Morning Joe’ Hosts on Twitter
Washington Post – Jenna Johnson | Published: 6/29/2017
President Trump faced a swift and bipartisan backlash after he assailed the television host Mika Brzezinski in unusually personal and vulgar terms, the latest of a string of escalating attacks by the president on the national news media. Trump has fumed for weeks about his coverage on “Morning Joe,” where Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough have been increasingly blistering in their commentary about the Trump administration. They have openly questioned Trump’s mental state, comments that particularly upset the president, according to a senior administration official.
From the States and Municipalities:
Arkansas – Arkansas Panel Advises Limit to Pot Lobbyists’ Pay
Arkansas Online – Brian Fanney | Published: 6/24/2017
An applicant for a license to operate a medical-marijuana facility cannot hire a lobbyist on a contingency basis, the Arkansas Ethics Commission said in an advisory opinion. Attorney Brandon Lacy represents a business that wants licenses from the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission to grow or sell medical marijuana. He asked two questions: Can a lobbyist agree to be compensated with a percentage of a medical marijuana business’s revenue if it successfully gains a license? Can a lobbyist be compensated with ownership in the business regardless of whether it is licensed?
Connecticut – Ethics Commissioner Charged in Prostitute Mixup
Connecticut Post – Daniel Tepfer | Published: 6/27/2017
An ethics commissioner in Connecticut has been charged with patronizing a prostitute after he was pepper-sprayed during what police say was a mix-up with the wrong woman. Police said Noel Kayo, an ethics commissioner in Bridgeport, had arranged to meet a woman at a hotel in Stratford. Police say another woman was waiting at the hotel at the same time for payment for photographs for which she previously posed. Police say the woman got into Kayo’s car, demanding her money while he argued for his services. The woman and her boyfriend both used pepper spray on Kayo, who denies the prostitution charge, saying he was a victim of attempted robbery. He said he will not resign.
District of Columbia – ‘It’s the End of Small Talk in Washington’
Politico Magazine – Daniel Lippman and John Harris | Published: 6/30/2017
If Donald Trump’s arrival in the White House has torn at the social fabric across the country, it has interrupted the rhythms and culture of daily life nowhere as much as the city where he now lives. Like many politicians, he ran against Washington, but far more than any president in memory, that outsider rhetoric has translated into outsider governance, a disdain for the capital that seems to translate into genuine disconnection from its existing networks. For Trump’s supporters, this amounts to a promise kept, a disruption of America’s permanent governing class. But it also risks impeding his agenda by cutting him off from some of the levers that can help a new president govern, or at least navigate the unwritten rules and networks of the capital to get things done.
Florida – Using Ethics Loophole, Sen. Lauren Book Votes to Give Her Nonprofit $1.5 Million
FloridaBulldog.org – Francisco Alvarado | Published: 6/22/2017
Florida Sen. Lauren Book voted to approve a state appropriations bill that included $1.5 million for Lauren’s Kids, the nonprofit she founded and leads as its $135,000-a-year chief executive officer. A loophole in the Florida Senate’s ethics rules allowed Book to cast her vote despite her apparent conflict-of-interest. The same loophole also meant she did not have to disclose her conflict publicly. Lauren’s Kids, whose chairperson is prominent lobbyist Ron Book, the senator’s father, has in a just few years become one of the Legislature’s most favored private charities. Since 2012, Lauren’s Kids has bagged more than $10 million in taxpayer-funded grants.
Georgia – Judge Tosses Commissioner Tommy Hunter’s Legal Challenge to Ethics Punishment
Gwinnett Daily Post – Curt Yeomans | Published: 6/28/2017
The ongoing saga involving Gwinnett County Commissioner Tommy Hunter and his comments on Facebook took a new turn when a judge threw out his legal challenge to the ethics board that recommended his reprimand. Superior Court Judge Melodie Snell Conner’s ruling was a blow to the Hunter camp’s assertion that the ethics complaint filed against him by Atlanta resident Nancie Turner and, indeed, the county’s entire ethics process was unconstitutional. Hunter’s social media comments included calling U.S. Rep. John Lewis a “racist pig” and referring to Democrats as “Demonrats” and “Libtards,” and quickly led to protests at commission meetings.
Illinois – Emanuel Hints at Ethics Law Rewrite After Lobbying Violations Found in His Emails
Chicago Tribune – Bill Ruthhart | Published: 6/28/2017
Mayor Rahm Emanuel accused the Chicago Board of Ethics of turning “average citizens” into lobbyists in its haste to bolster its image as a strong watchdog. Emanuel weighed in on the controversy after the board found that his close friend and campaign donor Jim Abrams, as well as the husband of Ald. Sophia King, were lobbying the mayor through his private emails but failed to register as lobbyists. “We cannot collapse a lobbyist and a citizen, and that’s what’s happened,” said Emanuel, who did not say whether he would seek to change the law himself. “What has happened here, in the interest of reform, we have lost our perspective.”
New Mexico – State Ethics Panel Is a Work in Progress
Albuquerque Journal – Dan Boyd | Published: 6/21/2017
New Mexico lawmakers approved the creation of an independent ethics commission during this year’s legislative session, but there is still much unsettled about how the body would function, even if it is approved by voters next year. That is because what lawmakers approved during the was essentially the framework for an ethics commission, with the assumption specific powers and procedures would be set at a later date. The approach has raised concern among some advocacy groups, who are pushing lawmakers to start talking details in interim legislative committee hearings this summer and fall.
Pennsylvania – Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams Pleads Guilty in His Federal Corruption Trial
Philadelphia Inquirer – Jeremy Roebuck | Published: 6/29/2017
Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams pleaded guilty to a corruption charge, resigned from office, and was sent immediately to jail. Williams pleaded guilty to a single count of accepting a bribe from a businessperson in exchange for legal favors. The move came after weeks of damaging testimony against Williams at his federal trial. He was also charged with fraudulently using thousands of dollars from his campaign fund for personal expenses, misusing city vehicles, and misappropriating money intended to fund his mother’s nursing home care. Before he was indicted, Williams was fined $62,000 by the city ethics board, its largest fine ever, for accepting improper gifts.
Vermont – Feds Looking into Jane Sanders Over Real Estate Deal
Burlington Free Press – Wilson Ring (Associated Press) | Published: 6/26/2017
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and his wife, Jane Sanders, have hired prominent defense attorneys amid an FBI investigation into a loan she obtained to expand Burlington College while she was its president. A complaint accuses Jane Sanders of distorting donor levels in a 2010 loan application for $10 million to purchase 33 acres of land for the institution. Prosecutors might also be looking into allegations that Sen. Sanders’ office inappropriately urged the bank to approve the loan.
Washington – Lawsuit Challenges Seattle Campaign-Contribution Vouchers
Minneapolis Star Tribune – Gene Johnson (Associated Press) | Published: 6/28/2017
The Pacific Legal Foundation is suing Seattle over its new “democracy voucher” program for publicly funded political campaigns, which was passed by voters in 2015 and is being used for the first time in this year’s city council races. Under the program, Seattle’s voters decided to tax themselves $3 million a year in exchange for four $25 vouchers they can sign over to candidates. Supporters say it is a novel way to counter the effect of big money in politics and to help lesser-known candidates communicate their views. But the lawsuit says it forces people to pay taxes to support candidates they do not necessarily agree with in violation of their free-speech rights.
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.
June 29, 2017 •
San Jose, CA Council Adopts Weekly Lobbyist Reporting Ordinance; Rejects Gift Limit Increase
On June 27, the San Jose City Council voted unanimously to reject an ordinance changing San Jose’s gift ordinance to increase the gift limit from $50 to $470. The council approved the measure in its first vote last week, but […]
On June 27, the San Jose City Council voted unanimously to reject an ordinance changing San Jose’s gift ordinance to increase the gift limit from $50 to $470.
The council approved the measure in its first vote last week, but reversed course after urging from Mayor Sam Liccardo and the public to reject the ordinance.
The $50 gift limit will remain in place; however, the council will consider raising the gift limit to $250 in August.
The council also voted to approve an ordinance to amend lobbying reporting requirements. Effective July 27, 2017, lobbyists will be required to file a report with the city clerk each week they engage in lobbying activity in the city.
Although the ordinance becomes effective 30 days after adoption, fines for failure to file weekly lobbyist reports will be suspended as a grace period until July 1, 2018.
June 29, 2017 •
South Dakota Rep. Don Haggar Resigns
On June 27, Rep. Don Haggar, a Republican lawmaker from Sioux Falls, resigned effective immediately from his District 10 position to become the director for the state’s chapter of Americans For Prosperity. Americans for Prosperity is the conservative advocacy group […]
On June 27, Rep. Don Haggar, a Republican lawmaker from Sioux Falls, resigned effective immediately from his District 10 position to become the director for the state’s chapter of Americans For Prosperity.
Americans for Prosperity is the conservative advocacy group founded by the Koch brothers.
Haggar’s resignation comes days before a new state law takes effect that would require Haggar to wait two years before becoming a lobbyist. The current wait time is one year.
The vacancy will be filled by gubernatorial appointment.
June 29, 2017 •
West Virginia Legislature Adjourns
On June 26, the West Virginia Legislature adjourned its special session sine die. Lawmakers approved a budget after months of debate to resolve a $500 million shortfall in the 2018 fiscal year budget. The state budget cuts funding for higher […]
On June 26, the West Virginia Legislature adjourned its special session sine die. Lawmakers approved a budget after months of debate to resolve a $500 million shortfall in the 2018 fiscal year budget.
The state budget cuts funding for higher education and the Department of Health and Human Resources but avoids a government shutdown that would have occurred July 1 if the budget had not been in place.
Gov. Jim Justice allowed the budget bill to become law without his signature.
June 29, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying “Former Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort Files as Foreign Agent for Ukraine Work” by Tom Hamburger and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post “Jack Abramoff Registers as a Foreign Agent” by Megan Wilson for Roll Call District of Columbia: “Councilmember […]
Lobbying
“Former Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort Files as Foreign Agent for Ukraine Work” by Tom Hamburger and Rosalind Helderman for Washington Post
“Jack Abramoff Registers as a Foreign Agent” by Megan Wilson for Roll Call
District of Columbia: “Councilmember Moves to Expand Definition of ‘Lobbying’” by Rachel Sadon for Dcist
Illinois: “IG: Ethics Board’s definition of lobbyist is ‘broadest’ in U.S.” by Fran Spielman for Chicago Sun-Times
Campaign Finance
Washington: “Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program Target of Lawsuit” by Travis Pittman for KING
Ethics
“Trump Attorney Jay Sekulow’s Family Has Been Paid Millions from Charities They Control” by Aaron Davis and Shawn Boburg for Washington Post
“A Time Magazine with Trump on the Cover Hangs in His Golf Clubs. It’s Fake” by David Fahrenthold for Washington Post
“How Donald Trump Misunderstood the F.B.I.” by Tim Weiner for New York Times
Connecticut: “Ethics Commissioner Charged in Prostitute Mixup” by Daniel Tepfer for Connecticut Post
June 28, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying “Trump Appointee Is a Saudi Government Lobbyist” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity Ethics “‘Give Me a Chance,’ Trump Associate-Turned-Housing-Official Says” by Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times “E.P.A. Official Pressured Scientist on Congressional Testimony, Emails Show” […]
Lobbying
“Trump Appointee Is a Saudi Government Lobbyist” by Carrie Levine for Center for Public Integrity
Ethics
“‘Give Me a Chance,’ Trump Associate-Turned-Housing-Official Says” by Yamiche Alcindor for New York Times
“E.P.A. Official Pressured Scientist on Congressional Testimony, Emails Show” by Coral Davenport for New York Times
“FBI Has Questioned Trump Campaign Adviser Carter Page at Length in Russia Probe” by Devlin Barrett for Washington Post
Florida: “For Those Suspected of Corruption Elsewhere, South Florida Still a Magnet” by Kyra Gurney for Miami Herald
Michigan: “Marijuana Licensing Board Members Must Disclose Their Finances – but What Will Be Public?” by Paul Egan for Detroit Free Press
New York: “Yankee Stadium Charity Is Called into Question” by Micah Hauser for New York Times
Vermont: “Feds Looking into Jane Sanders Over Real Estate Deal” by Wilson Ring (Associated Press) for Burlington Free Press
Elections
“‘It’s the End of Small Talk in Washington’” by Daniel Lippman and John Harris for Politico Magazine
June 27, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying Arkansas: “Arkansas Panel Advises Limit to Pot Lobbyists’ Pay” by Brian Fanney for Arkansas Online Canada: “Commissioner’s Report Indicates Much More Lobbying Last Year” by Derek Abma for Hill Times Campaign Finance Arizona: “Corporation Commissioner Continues Bid for APS […]
Lobbying
Arkansas: “Arkansas Panel Advises Limit to Pot Lobbyists’ Pay” by Brian Fanney for Arkansas Online
Canada: “Commissioner’s Report Indicates Much More Lobbying Last Year” by Derek Abma for Hill Times
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “Corporation Commissioner Continues Bid for APS Financial Records” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Arizona Daily Star
Ethics
“Lawmakers Want Trump’s Tax Returns, but Won’t Release Their Own” by Stephanie Akin for Roll Call
“Kushner Firm’s $285 Million Deutsche Bank Loan Came Just Before Election Day” by Michael Kranish for Washington Post
Alabama: “Former Alabama Legislator Oliver Robinson Charged in Bribery Scheme; Enters Federal Plea Deal” by Kent Faulk for AL.com
Connecticut: “Newton Lands Job Helping Fellow Ex-Offenders” by Brian Lockhart for Connecticut Post
Florida: “Federal Authorities Launch Probe into City of Tallahassee” by Gary Fineout (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report
West Virginia: “WV Senate Leader Sent Invites to Coalition’s Event During Special Session” by Jake Zuckerman for Charleston Gazette
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