City Council discovered its lobbying regulations have no enforcement mechanism several months ago, but it has yet to agree on whether violations should be treated as civil or criminal matters. The discovery began following a controversial vote on a request […]
City Council discovered its lobbying regulations have no enforcement mechanism several months ago, but it has yet to agree on whether violations should be treated as civil or criminal matters.
The discovery began following a controversial vote on a request to pay out $1.2 million to a developer for stormwater culverts on a city owned property. The developer’s lobbyists, a former city staffer and a lawyer at the law firm Burch & Cracchiolo, were not registered according to city records.
While the former city staffer’s attorney accused the city of losing or misfiling his registrations, the city contends the documents produced by Burch & Cracchiolo were falsely created and backdated because they use the law firm’s current letterhead, not the letterhead the firm used in 2015.
When the matter was referred to the city prosecutor, he discovered the current ordinance does not explicitly say failure to file proper lobbying documents is unlawful and does not specify the penalty for failing to register. The city prosecutor previously assumed noncompliance could result in a misdemeanor charge.
Any changes to current lobbying regulations will impact the work of more than 300 registered lobbyists in the city.
Photo of Phoenix City Hall by Kevin Dooley
A measure to increase penalties for violations of Pennsylvania lobbying laws made it out of committee this week. House Bill 1175 increases the amount a lobbyist may be fined from $2,000 to $4,000, and establishes a graduating scale of daily […]
A measure to increase penalties for violations of Pennsylvania lobbying laws made it out of committee this week.
House Bill 1175 increases the amount a lobbyist may be fined from $2,000 to $4,000, and establishes a graduating scale of daily fines for failure to register or report.
If passed, the per day fine will be $50 for the first 10 days, $100 for days 11 through 20, and $200 for each day thereafter.
The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.
May 11, 2017 •
Tennessee General Assembly Adjourns 2017 Session
The 2017 session of the 110th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned on Wednesday, May 10. Hesitant to make a last-minute decision on such a significant matter, lawmakers postponed a bill to increase campaign contribution limits for legislators. Legislation did pass requiring […]
The 2017 session of the 110th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned on Wednesday, May 10.
Hesitant to make a last-minute decision on such a significant matter, lawmakers postponed a bill to increase campaign contribution limits for legislators. Legislation did pass requiring lawmakers to report contributions or funding from private sources for trips and other items.
The General Assembly will reconvene at noon on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.
May 11, 2017 •
Colorado Legislature Adjourns First Regular Session
The first regular session of the 71st Colorado General Assembly adjourned Wednesday, May 10. Prior to adjournment, lawmakers passed an omnibus spending bill to save Colorado hospitals millions of dollars and reduce Medicaid spending while increasing funding for highway projects […]
The first regular session of the 71st Colorado General Assembly adjourned Wednesday, May 10.
Prior to adjournment, lawmakers passed an omnibus spending bill to save Colorado hospitals millions of dollars and reduce Medicaid spending while increasing funding for highway projects and offering a personal property tax credit to businesses. Due to partisan disagreement, however, legislators failed to reauthorize the Colorado Energy Office, effectively dismantling the agency July 1.
The second regular session will convene on January 10, 2018.
May 11, 2017 •
Thursday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying California: “Foes into Friends: Lobbyists make amends to lawmakers with ‘make-up money’” by Laurel Rosenhall for CALmatters.org Illinois: “Ethics Board Rejects Watchdog Recommendation That City Officials Report Lobbying” by Hal Dardick for Chicago Tribune Campaign Finance Tennessee: “Bill to […]
Lobbying
California: “Foes into Friends: Lobbyists make amends to lawmakers with ‘make-up money’” by Laurel Rosenhall for CALmatters.org
Illinois: “Ethics Board Rejects Watchdog Recommendation That City Officials Report Lobbying” by Hal Dardick for Chicago Tribune
Campaign Finance
Tennessee: “Bill to Increase Campaign Finance Audits Heads to Governor” by Joel Ebert for The Tennessean
Ethics
“CNN Exclusive: Grand jury subpoenas issued in FBI’s Russia investigation” by Evan Perez, Shimon Prokupecz, and Pamela Brown for CNN
New Hampshire: “Lawmaker Behind Misogynistic Forum: ‘I’ve never hated women’” by Kathleen Ronayne (Associated Press) for U.S. News & World Report
New Jersey: “$25,000 Could Be Yours for Reporting N.J. Corruption” by Owen Proctor for Bergen Record
Pennsylvania: “Philly DA Williams Faces More Federal Corruption Charges” by Jeremy Roebuck for Philadelphia Inquirer
West Virginia: “W. Va. Reporter Arrested for ‘Yelling Questions’ at HHS Secretary” by Doug Stanglin for USA Today
Legislative Issues
“Why the IRS Puts White-Nationalist Groups in the Same Category as Orchestras, Planetariums and Zoos” by Max Ehrenfreund for Washington Post
After last year’s budget bill temporarily increased the executive agency lobbyist registration fee, lawmakers have made the change permanent. House Bill 80 of the 2016 legislative session increased the fee to $500, effective July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2018, […]
After last year’s budget bill temporarily increased the executive agency lobbyist registration fee, lawmakers have made the change permanent.
House Bill 80 of the 2016 legislative session increased the fee to $500, effective July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2018, despite the state statute only mandating a fee of $125.
House Bill 387, signed during this year’s legislative session, amends the statute to match the budget bill’s increase. This change is effective July 1, 2017.
May 10, 2017 •
Wednesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Campaign Finance “Crowdpac Helps Candidates Test the Waters” by Eric Garcia for Roll Call Ethics “F.B.I. Director James Comey Is Fired by Trump” by Michael Shear and Matt Apuzzo for New York Times “Sally Yates Tells Senators She Warned Trump […]
Campaign Finance
“Crowdpac Helps Candidates Test the Waters” by Eric Garcia for Roll Call
Ethics
“F.B.I. Director James Comey Is Fired by Trump” by Michael Shear and Matt Apuzzo for New York Times
“Sally Yates Tells Senators She Warned Trump About Michael Flynn” by Matt Apuzzo and Emmarie Huetteman for New York Times
Michigan: “4th Macomb County Official Cuts Deal in Rizzo Corruption Scandal” by Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press
New York: “Rikers Tumult Rises: Prison official accused of spying on investigator” by William Rashbaum and Michael Schwirtz for New York Times
Pennsylvania: “Court Voids Ex-House Speaker Bill DeWeese’s $116K Restitution for Corruption Convictions” by Matt Miller for PennLive.com
Elections
“Who Has Trump’s Ear? Often Rich, White, Republican Men.” by Andrew Restuccia and Aiden Quigley for Politico
Washington: “Seattle Mayor Ed Murray Won’t Seek Second Term: ‘It tears me to pieces to step away’” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times
Lobbying
Arizona: “Months After It Was Exposed, Phoenix Hasn’t Fixed Toothless Lobbying Law” by Dustin Gardiner and Rob O’Dell for Arizona Republic
Maine: “Lobbyist for Proposed Maine Casino Says Client Was Not Who He Thought It Was” by Scott Thistle for Portland Press Herald
Redistricting
Maryland: “Hogan Vetoes Redistricting Bill, Calling Maryland Democrats’ Measure ‘Phony’” by Luke Broadwater for Baltimore Sun
May 9, 2017 •
West Virginia Disclosure Laws Effective in July
Lawmakers passed two measures dealing with ethics and transparency during the regular legislative session that wrapped up in April. House Bill 2319 will become effective July 5, requiring candidate committees for members of the Legislature to make additional disclosures of […]
Lawmakers passed two measures dealing with ethics and transparency during the regular legislative session that wrapped up in April.
House Bill 2319 will become effective July 5, requiring candidate committees for members of the Legislature to make additional disclosures of contributions and fundraising events while the Legislature is in session.
House Bill 2001 will become law July 7, requiring companies contracting with state agencies on contracts over $100,000 to make disclosures listing interested parties to the contract.
Bills that were not approved during the legislative session do not carry over.
May 9, 2017 •
Ask the Experts – Contributions by Out-of-State PACs
Q. Can a PAC from one state make contributions to candidates and ballot measures in a different state? A. Yes, an out-of-state PAC may make contributions in a different state, but it must be aware of the state laws governing […]
Q. Can a PAC from one state make contributions to candidates and ballot measures in a different state?
A. Yes, an out-of-state PAC may make contributions in a different state, but it must be aware of the state laws governing such a practice.
In most states, the out-of-state PAC will be subject to the same rules governing an in-state PAC, although there may be parameters. For example:
- In North Carolina, the out-of-state PAC must have a certified assistant treasurer who is a resident of North Carolina.
- In New Jersey, the Election Law Enforcement Commission will determine if the out-of-state PAC has a significant percentage of activity within the state to require registration and reporting.
- In Nevada, the out-of-state PAC must appoint a registered agent from Nevada.
- In New York, out-of-state committees must designate a depository, which must be a banking organization authorized to do business in New York.
In other jurisdictions, an out-of-state PAC must create an in-state PAC before it can contribute. For instance…Click here to read this and all Ask the Experts articles in full
We have not listed PAC rules for all the states, only examples of some states.
If you have a question on a state not listed here, please contact us directly
at 330-761-9960.
May 9, 2017 •
Florida Adjourns Legislative Session
The Florida Legislature adjourned the 2017 regular session on Monday, May 8, 2017. Lawmakers extended the session an extra day after failing to reach an agreement on the state budget, despite Republican majorities in both houses. The $82.4 billion budget […]
The Florida Legislature adjourned the 2017 regular session on Monday, May 8, 2017.
Lawmakers extended the session an extra day after failing to reach an agreement on the state budget, despite Republican majorities in both houses.
The $82.4 billion budget was $1.1 billion less than Gov. Rick Scott’s proposal, leaving open the possibility of at least a partial veto.
A special session also remains possible to deal with implementing the medical marijuana amendment passed by voters last year.
Parts of a campaign finance law approved by Missouri voters in November have been ruled unconstitutional. U.S. District Court Senior Judge Ortrie Smith issued a ruling Friday finding corporations and labor organizations must be permitted to make contributions to campaign […]
Parts of a campaign finance law approved by Missouri voters in November have been ruled unconstitutional.
U.S. District Court Senior Judge Ortrie Smith issued a ruling Friday finding corporations and labor organizations must be permitted to make contributions to campaign committees only supporting or opposing ballot measures, and political action committees must be able to receive contributions from other political action committees.
The court also ruled the ban on contributions to PACs by heavily regulated entities unconstitutional.
Finally, the ruling permanently enjoins the Missouri Ethics Commission from interpreting certain campaign finance provisions in any manner inconsistent with previously issued advisory opinions. Contribution limits will continue to apply only to contributions to candidates unless a contribution to a continuing committee or PAC is restricted or designated for a specific candidate.
The court stayed any injunctive relief ordered for 45 days to allow the state to review the ruling and to allow for an opportunity to appeal.
May 9, 2017 •
Tuesday’s Government Relations and Ethics News
Lobbying “Trump’s Trade Pick Clears Hurdle, Despite Past Foreign Lobbying” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today Campaign Finance Connecticut: “GOP Seeks to Gut Public Campaign Funding in Conn.” by Neil Vigdor for Connecticut Post New Mexico: “Toulouse Oliver Proposes New […]
Lobbying
“Trump’s Trade Pick Clears Hurdle, Despite Past Foreign Lobbying” by Fredreka Schouten for USA Today
Campaign Finance
Connecticut: “GOP Seeks to Gut Public Campaign Funding in Conn.” by Neil Vigdor for Connecticut Post
New Mexico: “Toulouse Oliver Proposes New Campaign Spending Rules” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
Ethics
“Sally Yates Tells Senators She Warned Trump About Michael Flynn” by Matt Apuzzo and Emmarie Huetteman for New York Times
“Trump Looms as Kushner Companies Courts Investors in China” by Keith Bradsher, Ailin Tang, and Jesse Drucker for New York Times
California: “California Politicians Stole Their Money. Will That Make Them Care About Democracy?” by Alexei Koseff for Sacramento Bee
Florida: “When That Feisty Neighbor Becomes the President” by Michael LaForgia and Steve Eder for New York Times
Illinois: “Ex-Top Aide to Dorothy Brown Indicted on Charges She Lied to Grand Jury” by Jason Meisner for Chicago Tribune
New York: “Murky Definitions for Government Entities Undermines Transparency” by Rachel Silberstein for Gotham Gazette
May 8, 2017 •
Contribution Limits in New Brunswick Lowered to $3,000
On May 5, the third session of the 58th Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, Canada adjourned, passing legislation lowering the political contribution limit to $3,000 from $6,000. Additionally, the Local Governance Act and the Community Planning Act were enacted, replacing […]
On May 5, the third session of the 58th Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, Canada adjourned, passing legislation lowering the political contribution limit to $3,000 from $6,000.
Additionally, the Local Governance Act and the Community Planning Act were enacted, replacing the Municipalities Act and an older Community Planning Act.
The Legislative Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, October 24, 2017.
May 8, 2017 •
US Spending Bill Has Campaign Finance Provisions
Among the amendments in the 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act that passed into law on May 5 are two provisions affecting campaign financing. House Resolution 244 explicitly prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from making new rules concerning the political speech or […]
Among the amendments in the 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act that passed into law on May 5 are two provisions affecting campaign financing.
House Resolution 244 explicitly prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from making new rules concerning the political speech or activity of 501(c)(4) organizations. The legislation also prohibits the Securities and Exchange Commission from finalizing, issuing, or implementing any rule, regulation, or order regarding the disclosure of political contributions, contributions to tax exempt organizations, or dues paid to trade associations.
The 708 page omnibus spending bill, passed by Congress on May 4 and signed by the president on May 5, funds the U.S. government through September 30.
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.
