December 7, 2016 •
Wednesday News Roundup
Lobbying California: “EBay Faces Fines from State Ethics Watchdog after Failing to Disclose Sacramento Lobbying on Time” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times Campaign Finance Maine: “Proposal Would Require PACs to Disclose Major Donors” by Steve Mistler for Maine […]
Lobbying
California: “EBay Faces Fines from State Ethics Watchdog after Failing to Disclose Sacramento Lobbying on Time” by Patrick McGreevy for Los Angeles Times
Campaign Finance
Maine: “Proposal Would Require PACs to Disclose Major Donors” by Steve Mistler for Maine Public Radio
Wisconsin: “After Conviction, Schmitt May Not Seek Re-election” by Adam Rodewall for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ethics
“Trump Sold All Shares in Companies in June, Spokesman Says” by Drew Harwell and Rosalind Helderman for The Washington Post
California: “L.A. Ethics Commission Investigating LAPD’s Watchdog Over Handling of Special Inmate’s Jail Log” by Kate Mather for Los Angeles Times
Florida: “Broward Corruption Cop Sets Up Fight with Cities Over Ethics Reforms” by Brittany Wallman for South Florida Sun Sentinel
Minnesota: “10 U Officials Had Free Access to MSFA Suites at Vikings Stadium” by Rochelle Olson for Minneapolis Star Tribune
Elections
Colorado: “Amendment 71 Made It Harder to Get Initiatives on the Ballot – What Happens Now?” by Brian Eason for The Denver Post
Redistricting
“Justices Wrestle with Role of Race in Redistricting” by Adam Liptak for The New York Times
December 6, 2016 •
See Us in Person!
Here is our December calendar. If you are attending any of these events, please say hello! December 6-9 NCSL Capitol Forum, Washington, DC December 6 SGAC Holiday Reception, Washington DC December 7 Ohio Holiday Reception, Washington, DC December 7 […]
Here is our December calendar. If you are attending any of these events, please say hello!
December 6-9 NCSL Capitol Forum, Washington, DC
December 6 SGAC Holiday Reception, Washington DC
December 7 Ohio Holiday Reception, Washington, DC
December 7 WGR Holiday Party, Washington, DC
December 8 DDC Advocacy Holiday Party, Washington, DC
December 11-14 COGEL Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana
December 6, 2016 •
It is Going to Be a New Era in Compliance
One of the most important facets of any professional in the government relations field is knowing what you can, and cannot do, regarding Political Contributions, Lobbying, and Procurement Lobbying. Making a compliance mistake can be costly, in reputation, negative media […]
One of the most important facets of any professional in the government relations field is knowing what you can, and cannot do, regarding Political Contributions, Lobbying, and Procurement Lobbying. Making a compliance mistake can be costly, in reputation, negative media exposure, and fines.
The laws and regulations in our field are continually changing. And due to the recent presidential and other elections, we expect many more changes to come in 2017.
We are ready for all of this at State and Federal Communications. We are ready to help you!
That is why we have re-branded our 2017 website guides as the Online Compliance Publications for Government Relations Professionals. These four online publications are:
- Political Contributions Compliance Laws for Government Relations ProfessionalsTM
- Lobbying Compliance Laws for Government Relations ProfessionalsTM
- Procurement Lobbying Compliance Laws for Government Relations ProfessionalsTM
- Canadian Compliance Laws for Government Relations ProfessionalsTM
Note the emphasis from each title, first on ‘what’ compliance area the online publication is intended to serve, and second on our focused audience, ‘Government Relations Professionals.’
These unique online publications are considered invaluable to government relations professionals. They make it easy to decipher and understand compliance regulations, and to accurately report activities to government entities as needed. They are optimized to easily use and search on any device – computer, laptop, tablet, or smart phone – and updated continually so government relations professionals can comply in a timely and accurate manner.
This is an annual subscription-based service, where you can purchase one, two, three, or four online publications, whatever you need, with special bundled pricing available. They provide accurate, comprehensive, and timely information on thousands of compliance rules, regulations, and statutes across the states, the U.S. federal government, more than 600 municipalities, and Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial governments.
In the weeks ahead, we will send our new 2017 brochure of services, so look for it in the mail. You can also read and download a PDF of the new brochure by visiting a special landing page on our website, at: marketing.stateandfed.com. Note, for 2017 we have updated subscription rates (first time in four years), so for subscribers looking to renew and capture 2016 pricing, consider making the payment by the end of this year.
For the many clients who have used our publications through the years, we thank you for your loyalty, and for the new clients that come onboard in 2017, we look forward to serving you.
There is no other company like State and Federal Communications.
Thank you.
President and CEO
@elizabethbartz
December 6, 2016 •
Special Session a Reality for Minnesota?
After months of taunting the public, a special session may happen in late December. Recently, four Minnesota legislative caucus leaders met with Gov. Mark Dayton and tentatively agreed to a special session. The primary purpose of the session will address […]
After months of taunting the public, a special session may happen in late December.
Recently, four Minnesota legislative caucus leaders met with Gov. Mark Dayton and tentatively agreed to a special session. The primary purpose of the session will address Minnesota’s 59 percent increase on its individual health insurance market premiums.
Along with insurance premiums, the special session will address both a vetoed tax bill and a failed bonding bill from the 2016 regular session. While the official date has yet to be announced, the special session will likely occur around December 20, 2016.
December 6, 2016 •
Tuesday Lobbying and Campaign Finance News Update
Campaign Finance “FEC Asks Congress for Authority to Battle Shady PACs” by Kenneth P. Doyle for Bloomberg.com New York: “Council Bill Could Make Campaign Fraud Easier in New York, Critics Say” by William Neuman for The New York Times Wyoming: […]
Campaign Finance
“FEC Asks Congress for Authority to Battle Shady PACs” by Kenneth P. Doyle for Bloomberg.com
New York: “Council Bill Could Make Campaign Fraud Easier in New York, Critics Say” by William Neuman for The New York Times
Wyoming: “Wyo. Campaign Finance Law Often Goes Unenforced” by Matt Murphy (Wyoming Tribune Eagle) for Wyoming Business Report
Ethics
“Business Since Birth: Trump’s children and the tangle that awaits” by Matt Flegenheimer, Rachel Abrams, Barry Meier, and Hiroko Tabuchi for The New York Times
“Trump Adviser Has Pushed Clinton Conspiracy Theories” by Mattew Rosenberg for The New York Times
Florida: “Turning Code Violations into Payoffs, the Opa-locka Way” by Michael Sallah and Jay Weaver for Miami Herald
Michigan: “Politician Can Evade Questions, But Not Indictment in Rizzo Scandal” by Tresa Baldas for Detroit Free Press
New Mexico: “Ethics-Related Legislation Heads to Session” by Deborah Baker for Albuquerque Journal
Elections
North Carolina: “North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) Concedes Closely Contested Governor’s Race” by Amber Phillips for The Washington Post
December 5, 2016 •
Gov. McCrory Concedes North Carolina Governor’s Race
Nearly a month after Election Day, Gov. Pat McCrory conceded the governor’s race today in a video message posted to YouTube, making Democrat Roy Cooper the next governor of North Carolina. Following weeks of recounts and challenges alleging voter fraud, […]
Nearly a month after Election Day, Gov. Pat McCrory conceded the governor’s race today in a video message posted to YouTube, making Democrat Roy Cooper the next governor of North Carolina.
Following weeks of recounts and challenges alleging voter fraud, McCrory’s concession was made as early results from Durham County’s recount showed no change from initial results.
December 5, 2016 •
Washington’s Session Freeze on Contributions Begins December 10
The regular legislative session is fast approaching and is set to convene January 9, 2017. With 30 days before the official start date, December 10, 2016, will mark the date legislators and state executive officeholders may not solicit or accept […]
The regular legislative session is fast approaching and is set to convene January 9, 2017. With 30 days before the official start date, December 10, 2016, will mark the date legislators and state executive officeholders may not solicit or accept campaign contributions until the session adjourns.
Candidates may accept contributions that were made on December 9 or earlier, including contributions that were mailed and bear a December 9 postmark.
December 5, 2016 •
Ethics Oversight on Agenda for 2017 New Mexico Session
New Mexico State Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto revealed a draft of the Public Accountability Act (PAA) at a recent legislative meeting. If passed, the PAA would create a 12-member Public Accountability Board with the purpose of investigating and ruling on complaints […]
New Mexico State Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto revealed a draft of the Public Accountability Act (PAA) at a recent legislative meeting. If passed, the PAA would create a 12-member Public Accountability Board with the purpose of investigating and ruling on complaints against public officials, employees, candidates, lobbyists and government contractors.
Additionally, the PAA would give the board enforcement authority over civil violations and would impact local government. Republican state Rep. Jim Dines stated he will propose a constitutional amendment to create a nine-member ethics commission to oversee the Legislature, contractors, and lobbyists.
Both pieces of legislation are intended for the 2017 legislative session and bills may be pre-filed on December 15, 2016.
December 5, 2016 •
Portland City Council to Consider Campaign Finance Ordinance
On December 7, Portland City Council will consider the proposed Open and Accountable Elections package to create a public campaign finance matching system, increase penalties for willful violations of election laws, and improve contribution reporting requirements. The ordinance would put […]
On December 7, Portland City Council will consider the proposed Open and Accountable Elections package to create a public campaign finance matching system, increase penalties for willful violations of election laws, and improve contribution reporting requirements.
The ordinance would put the Office of Neighborhood Involvement in charge of enforcement. The proposal originally sought to place the task of enforcement on the Auditor’s Office, which administers elections; however, Auditor Mary Hull Caballero challenged the idea as a violation of the city’s charter.
December 5, 2016 •
Akron Councilman Indicted on Conflict of Interest Charges
The Summit County grand jury indicted Akron Councilman Bob Hoch on three first-degree misdemeanor charges. Hoch was accused more than a year ago of violating Ohio conflict of interest laws by voting on legislation and speaking on issues benefitting his […]
The Summit County grand jury indicted Akron Councilman Bob Hoch on three first-degree misdemeanor charges. Hoch was accused more than a year ago of violating Ohio conflict of interest laws by voting on legislation and speaking on issues benefitting his sons, who are Akron firefighters.
The three counts pertain to actions taken in 2012, as well as an ongoing alleged conflict between 2014 and 2015.
Hoch previously denied a conflict of interest existed, as did City Council President Marilyn Keith. If convicted, Hoch could face up to 18 months in jail and lose his council seat.
December 5, 2016 •
Special Session Called for North Carolina
Gov. Pat McCrory announced December 13 as the date for a special session to address Hurricane Matthew relief. The state will need to provide matching funds and funding for what federal relief won’t cover. The special session is also expected […]
Gov. Pat McCrory announced December 13 as the date for a special session to address Hurricane Matthew relief.
The state will need to provide matching funds and funding for what federal relief won’t cover.
The special session is also expected to address relief needed for the recent wildfires in the western part of the state.
December 5, 2016 •
Monday News Roundup
Lobbying Florida: “Corcoran Offers Lobbyist ‘Training’ to Adjust to New Legislative Limitations” by Allison Nielson for Sunshine State News West Virginia: “Ethics Panel Puts Question about WV House Speaker’s Job on Hold” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette Campaign Finance […]
Lobbying
Florida: “Corcoran Offers Lobbyist ‘Training’ to Adjust to New Legislative Limitations” by Allison Nielson for Sunshine State News
West Virginia: “Ethics Panel Puts Question about WV House Speaker’s Job on Hold” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette
Campaign Finance
Canada: “Ontario Overhauls Campaign Finance Rules with Sweeping Reforms” by Adrian Morrow for Toronto Globe and Mail
Arizona: “Burns Responds to APS Settlement Offer: No thanks” by Rachel Leingang for Arizona Capitol Times
Missouri: “Politicians Fatten Coffers before Missouri’s New Campaign-Donation Limits Kick In” by Jo Mannies for St. Louis Public Radio
New York: “Anthony Weiner Fined $65,000 for Campaign Finance Violations” by J. David Goodman for The New York Times
Ethics
“Trump’s Complex Stock Portfolio Could Create Yet More Conflicts” by Rosalind Helderman and Drew Harwell for The Washington Post
South Dakota: “Hearing Set on Move to Repeal New Anti-Corruption Measure” by Bob Mercer for Rapid City Journal
Elections
“‘Rigged’ or Not, Election Positions Trump to Shape Rules on How You Vote” by Michael Wines for The New York Times
The lawsuit filed in state court to block the government ethics overhaul recently approved by voters will have its first hearing December 8th. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of Initiated Measure 22 which became effective last week restricting campaign contributions […]
The lawsuit filed in state court to block the government ethics overhaul recently approved by voters will have its first hearing December 8th. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of Initiated Measure 22 which became effective last week restricting campaign contributions and gifts from lobbyists.
The group of 24 Republican lawmakers bringing the suit are seeking an injunction to block the law, and South Dakotans for Integrity, the ballot question committee that supported Initiated Measure 22, has filed a motion to intervene.
December 2, 2016 •
Special Election Likely for California’s 34th Congressional District
Gov. Jerry Brown has selected 34th Congressional District Rep. Xavier Becerra to be the next attorney general of California. The attorney general position became available when Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in the November election. State law […]
Gov. Jerry Brown has selected 34th Congressional District Rep. Xavier Becerra to be the next attorney general of California.
The attorney general position became available when Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in the November election.
State law requires the governor to arrange a special election date within two weeks of Becerra leaving his congressional post.
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.