July 12, 2016 •
Meet the Interns! 2016 – Chris Jackson
Chris Jackson is a student at the University of Akron studying communication systems. His hobbies include fitness, playing and making video games, and music. This internship symbolizes a new beginning for Chris, a gateway to success and the beginning of […]
Chris Jackson is a student at the University of Akron studying communication systems. His hobbies include fitness, playing and making video games, and music.
This internship symbolizes a new beginning for Chris, a gateway to success and the beginning of a new path. He is pursuing it with vigor! His future plans include building and owning an arcade and learning a new language.
Chris considers himself to be a creative person who is full of life and values humor, strength, creativity, wisdom, and respect and love for others and self. This summer, his plan is to learn how to read music and play piano.
Something his brother told him has stuck with him: “If not? Why not. Whatever it takes.”
Here is another favorite quote: “Cowards die many times before their deaths” -Julius Caesar
July 12, 2016 •
Minnesota Governor Reappoints Campaign Finance Board Members
Gov. Mark Dayton has reappointed Emma Greenman and Peggy Leppik to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. Both women have previously served as members of the board, but due to the appointment and confirmation process in Minnesota, both were […]
Gov. Mark Dayton has reappointed Emma Greenman and Peggy Leppik to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
Both women have previously served as members of the board, but due to the appointment and confirmation process in Minnesota, both were required to step down from their positions when they were not confirmed by the Senate before the end of the 2016 legislative session.
After the governor’s appointment, board members are allowed to serve pending confirmation by the Legislature, so Dayton has effectively restored both to their positions, and the confirmation process will begin again during the next regular session of the Legislature.
July 12, 2016 •
Hawaii State Ethics Commission Selects New Executive Director
Dan Gluck is the new executive director of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. Gluck served as legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii before being unanimously selected by the commission. He replaces Les Kondo, who was appointed […]
Dan Gluck is the new executive director of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. Gluck served as legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii before being unanimously selected by the commission. He replaces Les Kondo, who was appointed by the state Legislature to serve as state auditor.
July 12, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Lobbying “In Brussels and London, Lobbyists Retool for Brexit Unknowns” by Quentin Ariès and Kalina Oroschakoff for Politico Pennsylvania: “Consulting Business Owned by Mike Fleck Fined $11,850 by State” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call Campaign Finance Colorado: “Political […]
Lobbying
“In Brussels and London, Lobbyists Retool for Brexit Unknowns” by Quentin Ariès and Kalina Oroschakoff for Politico
Pennsylvania: “Consulting Business Owned by Mike Fleck Fined $11,850 by State” by Emily Opilo for Allentown Morning Call
Campaign Finance
Colorado: “Political Consultant Files Legal Challenge to Stop Denver Campaign Finance Reform Proposal” by Jon Murray for Denver Post
Maine: “Top Legislators’ PACs Reap Thousands from Key Donors” by Colin Woodard for Portland Press Herald
Montana: “Review of Montana’s Political Party Committees Underway, Some Will Be Reclassified” by Troy Carter for Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Washington: “Supporters of Campaign Finance Measure Submit Signatures” by Rachel La Corte (Associated Press) for Yakima Herald
Ethics
California: “Beaumont, Stunned by Years of Alleged Corruption, Has Been ‘Turned Upside Down’” by Paloma Esquivel for Los Angeles Times
New Mexico: “Former Sen. Phil Griego to Face Trial on Nine Corruption Charges” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
Virginia: “Crime Commission Attorney Named New Director of Va. Ethics Council” by Graham Moomaw for Richmond Times-Dispatch
Elections
“Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton Struggle to Be Unifying Voice for Nation” by Patrick Healy for New York Times
July 11, 2016 •
New Executive Director Announced for Virginia’s Ethics Council
The Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council has a new executive director. The General Assembly has appointed Stewart Petoe, an attorney from the state’s crime commission, to fill the position left vacant since May. Chris Piper, Petoe’s successor, […]
The Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council has a new executive director.
The General Assembly has appointed Stewart Petoe, an attorney from the state’s crime commission, to fill the position left vacant since May. Chris Piper, Petoe’s successor, left after Republican leadership stated they would not confirm Piper because he is not an attorney.
The Council issues advisory opinions and informal guidance on ethics issues and is in charge of collecting financial disclosures from public officials and lobbyists.
July 11, 2016 •
Minnesota Special Session Unlikely Until After Primary Election
A special session is now unlikely until after the primary elections, due to lawmakers’ increasingly busy schedules. Lawmakers have sought a special session to pass tax and bonding bills since adjourning the regular session in May, but Gov. Mark Dayton […]
A special session is now unlikely until after the primary elections, due to lawmakers’ increasingly busy schedules.
Lawmakers have sought a special session to pass tax and bonding bills since adjourning the regular session in May, but Gov. Mark Dayton required agreement on several issues before he was willing to call the session.
To date, Dayton and lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement on those issues.
July 11, 2016 •
Washington Voters Likely to Decide on Campaign Finance Reforms
Backers of Washington’s Initiative 1464 have submitted more than the required 326,000 signatures to appear on the November ballot. If voters approve the measure, the initiative will require new campaign finance disclosures, limit contributions by lobbyists and government contractors, and […]
Backers of Washington’s Initiative 1464 have submitted more than the required 326,000 signatures to appear on the November ballot.
If voters approve the measure, the initiative will require new campaign finance disclosures, limit contributions by lobbyists and government contractors, and impose a three-year waiting period on lobbying by former public officials and senior staff. I-1464 also seeks to create a publicly funded voucher system for contributions.
The Office of the Secretary of State must still validate the signatures before I-1464 will officially be added to the ballot.
Photo of the Washington State Capitol by Nikopoley on Wikimedia Commons.
July 11, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying Missouri: “Andy Blunt Came to Washington – Was It Lobbying?” by Chuck Raasch for St. Louis Post-Dispatch Rhode Island: “Providence Landlords Face Pressure to Register as Lobbyists” by Dan McGowan for WPRI Ethics “US Rep. Corrine Brown Indicted After […]
Lobbying
Missouri: “Andy Blunt Came to Washington – Was It Lobbying?” by Chuck Raasch for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Rhode Island: “Providence Landlords Face Pressure to Register as Lobbyists” by Dan McGowan for WPRI
Ethics
“US Rep. Corrine Brown Indicted After Fraud Investigation” by Jason Dearen and Curt Anderson (Associated Press) for ABC News
Alabama: “Mike Hubbard Sentenced to Four Years in Prison” by Kim Chandler (Associated Press) for Tuscaloosa News
Florida: “Court OKs Rivera Ethics Fine – But Will State House Speaker Impose It?” by Patricia Mazzei for Miami Herald
Hawaii: “Councilman Calls for Audit Amid Honolulu Ethics Commission Chaos” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat
Kentucky: “Ethics Complaint Challenges Bevin Executive Order” by Joseph Gerth for Louisville Courier-Journal
New York: “Fight Over Emails Yields New Details on Role of Outside ‘Agents’ for de Blasio” by J. David Goodman for New York Times
Texas: “Ken Paxton’s ‘Family Friends’ Help Foot Legal Bill, Disclosure Shows” by Jim Malewitz for Texas Tribune
Utah: “Are Utah Taxpayers Footing Bill for Land-Transfer Lawyers’ Lavish Travel?” by Brian Maffly for Salt Lake Tribune
Washington: “Ethics Panel Approves $10K Fine for Seattle Transportation Chief” by Daniel Beekman for Seattle Times
Elections
“Would Donald Trump Quit if He Wins the Election? He Doesn’t Rule It Out” by Jason Horowitz for New York Times
July 8, 2016 •
Illinois Lawmakers Wrap Up Spring Business with Short-term Budget Deal
After failing to pass a budget before the end of its spring session in May, the 98th Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its business on Thursday, June 30. While concerns over the state budget were not completely alleviated, lawmakers were […]
After failing to pass a budget before the end of its spring session in May, the 98th Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its business on Thursday, June 30.
While concerns over the state budget were not completely alleviated, lawmakers were able to pass a short-term budget deal to keep basic services running.
Gov. Bruce Rauner believes further compromise and budget reform could occur in the 60 days following the November election when legislators will be more comfortable tackling tougher issues.
July 8, 2016 •
Former Alabama House Speaker Sentenced
On July 8, 2016, former House Speaker Mike Hubbard was sentenced to four years in prison following his conviction on 12 felony ethics charges. Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker denied prosecutors’ request for Hubbard to pay $1.6 million in […]
On July 8, 2016, former House Speaker Mike Hubbard was sentenced to four years in prison following his conviction on 12 felony ethics charges.
Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker denied prosecutors’ request for Hubbard to pay $1.6 million in restitution and fines. Instead, Hubbard is ordered to pay $210,000 in fines.
July 8, 2016 •
Ann Arbor, MI Voters to Decide on Election Cycle Change
This November, voters will decide whether term limits for the mayor and City Council members should be increased from two to four years. Election cycles would remain staggered, but the proposed amendment to the city charter would eliminate elections in […]
This November, voters will decide whether term limits for the mayor and City Council members should be increased from two to four years.
Election cycles would remain staggered, but the proposed amendment to the city charter would eliminate elections in odd years, which have typically had low turnout.
Opponents of the amendment argue longer terms will decease officials’ accountability to voters, while those in favor hope for higher city election participation as a result of the new terms.
Photo of downtown Ann Arbor by Andrew Horne on Wikimedia Commons.
July 8, 2016 •
Special Session in Alaska Impacts Campaign Fundraising
Alaskan lawmakers have been busy strategizing how to continue campaign fundraising ahead of the July 11 special session. State statute bans lawmakers from soliciting or accepting contributions in the capital city or any municipality where the Legislature is convened. Despite […]
Alaskan lawmakers have been busy strategizing how to continue campaign fundraising ahead of the July 11 special session.
State statute bans lawmakers from soliciting or accepting contributions in the capital city or any municipality where the Legislature is convened.
Despite calls by some lawmakers to hold the session in Anchorage due to a lodging shortage in Juneau, the formal legislative session will remain in Juneau allowing political fundraising to continue in Anchorage.
Photo of the chamber of the Alaska House of Representatives by L’Aquatique on Wikimedia Commons.
July 8, 2016 •
City of Côte Saint-Luc Opposes Proposed Quebec Lobbying Reforms
The City Council of Côte Saint-Luc passed a formal resolution stating opposition to proposed changes to Quebec’s Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Act. The council opposes the measure that would require nonprofit groups to register as lobbyists. The resolution is being […]
The City Council of Côte Saint-Luc passed a formal resolution stating opposition to proposed changes to Quebec’s Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Act.
The council opposes the measure that would require nonprofit groups to register as lobbyists. The resolution is being sent to the Quebec Lobbyists Commissioner and the Minister of Quebec Intergovernmental Affairs.
July 8, 2016 •
San Jose, CA Amends Campaign Finance Ordinance
San Jose City Council approved an ordinance amending the definition of “committee” to increase the qualifying threshold for the receipt of contributions from $1,000 to $2,000 to be consistent with the Political Reform Act. The ordinance will go into effect […]
San Jose City Council approved an ordinance amending the definition of “committee” to increase the qualifying threshold for the receipt of contributions from $1,000 to $2,000 to be consistent with the Political Reform Act. The ordinance will go into effect July 28, 2016.
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