May 24, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying Iowa: “Ethics Complaint Against Iowa Gun Owners Leader Dismissed” by Brianne Pfannenstiel for Des Moines Register Rhode Island: “Ethics Board: Former Senate President Paiva Weed must wait to lobby General Assembly” by Christine Dunn for Providence Journal Virginia: “A […]
Lobbying
Iowa: “Ethics Complaint Against Iowa Gun Owners Leader Dismissed” by Brianne Pfannenstiel for Des Moines Register
Rhode Island: “Ethics Board: Former Senate President Paiva Weed must wait to lobby General Assembly” by Christine Dunn for Providence Journal
Virginia: “A ‘Personal Friend’ Exemption on Gifts to Virginia’s Elected Officials Leaves Open an Unlimited Loophole” by Bill Bartel for The Virginian-Pilot
Campaign Finance
Maine: “Maine Developer Will Face Jail Time, Fines for Illegal Political Donations” by Edward Murphy for Portland Press Herald
North Carolina: “Former NC Legislator, Fletcher Hartsell, Gets Probation in State’s Campaign Finance Case” by Anne Blythe for Raleigh News & Observer
Ethics
“Kushner Keeps Most of His Real Estate but Offers Few Clues About Potential White House Conflicts” by Amy Brittain and Jonathan O’Connell for Washington Post
Michigan: “Feds: Bag man delivered bribes to Macomb officials” by Robert Snell for Detroit News
New York: “Whose Job Is It to Investigate Legislature’s ‘Lulu’ System?” by Rachel Silberstein for Gotham Gazette
Elections
“Former C.I.A. Chief Reveals Mounting Concern Over Trump Campaign and Russia” by Matt Apuzzo for New York Times
“Trump Asked Intelligence Chiefs to Push Back against FBI Collusion Probe after Comey Revealed Its Existence” by Adam Entous and Ellen Nakashima for Washington Post
May 23, 2017 •
Florida Special Election Set for House District 116
Gov. Rick Scott has issued an executive order setting a special election for House District 116. Rep. Jose Felix Diaz is leaving his post to run for the Senate District 40 seat vacated following Frank Artiles’ resignation. The primary and […]
Gov. Rick Scott has issued an executive order setting a special election for House District 116.
Rep. Jose Felix Diaz is leaving his post to run for the Senate District 40 seat vacated following Frank Artiles’ resignation.
The primary and general elections will be held the same day as the Senate races. The primary will be on July 25 and the general to follow on September 26.
May 23, 2017 •
Nebraska Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die today, May 23, 2017. Much of the session consisted of battles over the state budget and a plan to cut taxes. Gov. Pete Ricketts’ plan to cut income and property tax stalled in the […]
The Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die today, May 23, 2017. Much of the session consisted of battles over the state budget and a plan to cut taxes.
Gov. Pete Ricketts’ plan to cut income and property tax stalled in the legislature, but he plans to continue garnering support in hopes of passing a package next year.
The session was also marred by the resignation of Sen. Bill Kintner after retweeting offensive comments and using a state-issued computer to engage in cybersex.
On May 22, the United States Supreme Court affirmed a lower court’s finding of summary judgement upholding the constitutionality of the Federal Election Campaign Act’s regulation of the use of so-called soft money. In Republican Party of Louisiana v. FEC, […]
On May 22, the United States Supreme Court affirmed a lower court’s finding of summary judgement upholding the constitutionality of the Federal Election Campaign Act’s regulation of the use of so-called soft money.
In Republican Party of Louisiana v. FEC, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia rejected a challenge to federal campaign finance provisions requiring state and local political parties to abide by federal regulations concerning certain political activities such as get-out-the-vote and voter registration drives and the resulting reporting requirements.
In response to an appeal from the plaintiffs, the Supreme Court affirmed the District Court’s decision.
May 23, 2017 •
Special Election Called for South Carolina House District 31
There will be a special election held on September 26 to fill the seat for state House District 31. Rep. Harold Mitchell recently vacated the seat after serving 13 years in the South Carolina Legislature. He was granted medical leave […]
There will be a special election held on September 26 to fill the seat for state House District 31.
Rep. Harold Mitchell recently vacated the seat after serving 13 years in the South Carolina Legislature. He was granted medical leave in April but decided to resign shortly thereafter for health reasons.
A primary election, if necessary, will be held July 25, with the possibility of runoffs on August 8.
May 23, 2017 •
Minnesota Adjourns and Immediately Begins Special Session
The 2017 Minnesota regular legislative session adjourned late on Monday, May 22, 2017. The legislators failed to pass a $46 billion spending package. As a result, the Legislature immediately entered into a special session at 12:01 a.m., on May 23, […]
The 2017 Minnesota regular legislative session adjourned late on Monday, May 22, 2017.
The legislators failed to pass a $46 billion spending package. As a result, the Legislature immediately entered into a special session at 12:01 a.m., on May 23, 2017.
The special session is expected to end on May 24, 2017.
May 23, 2017 •
South Carolina Special Legislative Session to Begin Today
South Carolina lawmakers scheduled a three-day special legislative session before adjourning the regular session on May 11. The special session is expected to begin today. Because state law requires it, House Speaker Jay Lucas will gavel it in but then […]
South Carolina lawmakers scheduled a three-day special legislative session before adjourning the regular session on May 11. The special session is expected to begin today.
Because state law requires it, House Speaker Jay Lucas will gavel it in but then likely adjourn an empty chamber.
He encouraged House members not to return for the session because there is no budget compromise to consider. He plans to call House members back when the budget panel, consisting of members from both chambers of the Legislature, has taken the time to complete its work and reach an agreement.
The 46 members of the Senate are expected to be present for the special session, as Senate President Pro Tem Hugh Leatherman has not indicated anything to the contrary.
May 23, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying “White House Moves to Block Ethics Inquiry into Ex-Lobbyists on Payroll” by Eric Lipton for New York Times California: “California Is About to Go Nuts Thanks to Some Fourth-Graders from Merced” by Robert Rodriguez for Fresno Bee Campaign Finance […]
Lobbying
“White House Moves to Block Ethics Inquiry into Ex-Lobbyists on Payroll” by Eric Lipton for New York Times
California: “California Is About to Go Nuts Thanks to Some Fourth-Graders from Merced” by Robert Rodriguez for Fresno Bee
Campaign Finance
“Michael Flynn Invokes 5th Amendment, Citing ‘Public Frenzy’” by The Associated Press for Portland Oregonian
“Supreme Court Affirms Ban on ‘Soft Money’ in Campaigns” by Kate Ackley for Roll Call
“Bullock Vetoes Bill to Raise Allowable Campaign Contributions” by Holly Michels for Billings Gazette
Ethics
Arkansas: “Panel: Dallas Cowboys owner violated Arkansas ethics law” by John Lyon (Arkansas News Bureau) for Arkansas Online
New Jersey: “Frelinghuysen Hit with Ethics Complaint Over Outing of Activist to Her Employer” by Justin Zaremba (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger
South Carolina: “How South Carolina Lawmakers Are Re-examining Their Rule Book after Statehouse Probe Indictments” by Andy Shain for Charleston Post and Courier
Redistricting
North Carolina: “Supreme Court Ruling Wipes Out Republican-Drawn House Districts in N.C.” by Richard Wolff for USA Today
Missouri lawmakers will return to work today as the General Assembly convenes a special legislative session. Following the May 12 adjournment of the regular session, Gov. Eric Greitens hinted a special session was imminent and called for the session just […]
Missouri lawmakers will return to work today as the General Assembly convenes a special legislative session.
Following the May 12 adjournment of the regular session, Gov. Eric Greitens hinted a special session was imminent and called for the session just two weeks later. The special session will focus on bringing jobs and an economic boost to the state.
Lawmakers will consider legislation to attract a steel plant and an aluminum smelter to locate there in exchange for lower utility rates.
The session has no target end date and is expected to cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars per week.
Gov. Bill Walker ordered Alaska legislators into a special session just minutes after the regular session adjourned. Lawmakers have been unable to agree on how to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit. Majority House Democrats proposed a state income […]
Gov. Bill Walker ordered Alaska legislators into a special session just minutes after the regular session adjourned.
Lawmakers have been unable to agree on how to resolve the state’s annual $2.7 billion deficit. Majority House Democrats proposed a state income tax as well as cuts to oil and gas subsidies, while Republicans in the Senate Majority favored budget cuts and spending from the Permanent Fund’s investment earnings.
Alaska’s fiscal year begins July 1, giving lawmakers just over a month to make a deal.
May 22, 2017 •
Montana Governor Vetoes Campaign Finance Bill
On Friday, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed a bill to increase the maximum allowable contributions from individuals and political action committees and place the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices under the jurisdiction of the state attorney general. Senate […]
On Friday, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed a bill to increase the maximum allowable contributions from individuals and political action committees and place the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices under the jurisdiction of the state attorney general.
Senate Bill 368 would also have prohibited the Commissioner of Political Practices from filing criminal cases against candidates and transitioned complaints to the court of the defendant’s residence.
In his veto, Gov. Bullock stated the bill would undermine the effectiveness of the office and the up to 300% increase to some contribution limits was beyond what was acceptable to Montanans.
Gov. Bullock went on to say Senate Bill 368 would undo the progress the Office of the Commissioner of Political Practices and the 2015 Montana Disclose Act have made over the last two years.
May 22, 2017 •
Alabama Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The Legislature adjourned sine die late Friday, May 19, 2017. Bills to block removal of Confederate monuments and allow certified midwives to deliver babies in the home both passed. Lawmakers failed to pass the prison bill and Gov. Kay Ivey […]
The Legislature adjourned sine die late Friday, May 19, 2017.
Bills to block removal of Confederate monuments and allow certified midwives to deliver babies in the home both passed.
Lawmakers failed to pass the prison bill and Gov. Kay Ivey is expected to revisit the issue in a special session.
May 22, 2017 •
Special Election Called for Michigan’s 109th House District
On May 9, 2017, Michigan Rep. John Kivela took his own life. Gov. Rick Snyder has called a special election to fill the vacancy for the 109th District. The special primary election will be held on August 8, 2017, with […]
On May 9, 2017, Michigan Rep. John Kivela took his own life. Gov. Rick Snyder has called a special election to fill the vacancy for the 109th District.
The special primary election will be held on August 8, 2017, with the special general election being held on November 7, 2017.
The winner of the of the special election will serve the remainder of Kivela’s two-year term.
May 22, 2017 •
Monday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying Maine: “Democrats Block Bill to Punish Lying at Maine State House” by Christopher Cousins for Bangor Daily News New Mexico: “Loophole and Vague Laws Create Ambiguity in Lobbyist Reporting” by Sandra Fish for New Mexico In Depth Ethics “Work […]
Lobbying
Maine: “Democrats Block Bill to Punish Lying at Maine State House” by Christopher Cousins for Bangor Daily News
New Mexico: “Loophole and Vague Laws Create Ambiguity in Lobbyist Reporting” by Sandra Fish for New Mexico In Depth
Ethics
“Work and Politics: What Rights Do Employees Have?” by Charisse Jones and Michael Izzo for USA Today
“F.B.I. Once Warned G.O.P. Congressman That Russian Spies Were Recruiting Him” by Matt Apuzzo, Adam Goldman, and Mark Mazzetti for New York Times
“Russia Probe Reaches Current White House Official, People Familiar with the Case Say” by Devlin Barrett and Matt Zapotosky for Washington Post
“Trump Told Russians That Firing ‘Nut Job’ Comey Eased Pressure from Investigation” by Matt Apuzzo, Maggie Haberman, and Matthew Rosenberg for New York Times
California: “Former Admiral Sentenced to 18 Months in ‘Fat Leonard’ Case” by Craig Whitlock for Washington Post
Pennsylvania: “Township Supervisor Ordered to Pay $107,120 for Illegally Purchasing Surplus Items” by John Beauge for PennLive.com
Nevada: “Laxalt Defends Actions in Taped Conversation; Dems Not Convinced” by Seth Richardson for Reno Gazette-Journal
Elections
“For Voting Rights Advocates, Court Decision Is ‘Temporary Victory’” by Michael Wines for New York Times
Campaign Finance
Connecticut: “Preliminary Ruling: Ganim Ineligible for Public Financing” by Mark Pazniokas for Connecticut Mirror
Illinois: “Ken Griffin Gives Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Campaign Record $20 Million” by Rick Pearson for Chicago Tribune
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