January 13, 2016 •
See You at the National Grassroots Conference in Orlando!
What grassroots activities are you involved in? Did you know that reporting your grassroots activities in one state or municipality doesn’t mean that you are required to do so in another? Failure to report if it is required could cause […]
Take the opportunity to sit down during the 2016 PAC Grassroots Conference and come have lunch on us! State and Federal Communications is hosting a luncheon on Wednesday, January 27th where you can discuss government compliance and more.
All attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a Fitbit Surge for attending. Seats are limited and are going fast, so check out our video for luncheon details and R.S.V.P. here!
See you in Orlando!
January 13, 2016 •
San Mateo County Implements Online Campaign Finance Reporting
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, along with the county chief elections officer, has implemented an electronic filing system for campaign finance reporting. The electronic filing system is now available. Candidates and committees can file disclosures online, and the […]
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, along with the county chief elections officer, has implemented an electronic filing system for campaign finance reporting. The electronic filing system is now available.
Candidates and committees can file disclosures online, and the disclosures will be posted immediately on the county elections website, www.shapethefuture.org.
Photo of the San Mateo County Government Center by Coolcaesar on Wikimedia Commons.
January 13, 2016 •
Campaign Finance Changes Recommended in Oregon
A task force on campaign finance reform has recommended changes to the Oregon Constitution which would allow limits to be placed on political contributions. The task force urged the Legislature to make the changes by approving a constitutional amendment allowing […]
A task force on campaign finance reform has recommended changes to the Oregon Constitution which would allow limits to be placed on political contributions. The task force urged the Legislature to make the changes by approving a constitutional amendment allowing limits to be enacted by either the Legislature or a ballot measure.
Currently, Oregon is one of only six states with no campaign spending limits. The Legislature will consider the recommendation at the beginning of this year’s legislative session, which kicks off on February 1.
January 13, 2016 •
San Francisco Ethics Commission Meets to Begin Implementing Proposition C
The San Francisco Ethics Commission will meet January 13, 2016, to discuss the implementation of Proposition C, the November 2015 ballot measure imposing registration and reporting requirements on expenditure lobbyists. The measure takes effect February 1, 2016. The Ethics Commission […]
The San Francisco Ethics Commission will meet January 13, 2016, to discuss the implementation of Proposition C, the November 2015 ballot measure imposing registration and reporting requirements on expenditure lobbyists. The measure takes effect February 1, 2016.
The Ethics Commission welcomes public input on the promulgation of regulations related to the registration threshold, how to account for staff time spent on expenditure lobbying, registration fee exemptions for nonprofit organizations, and other related topics. The meeting is at noon in City Hall.
January 13, 2016 •
San Francisco Ethics Commission to Consider Closing Pay-to-Play Loophole
A 2014 Superior Court decision is being reviewed by the San Francisco Ethics Commission. Critics of the decision argue it created a loophole wherein money a candidate raised via a general purpose committee can be used to elect or defeat […]
A 2014 Superior Court decision is being reviewed by the San Francisco Ethics Commission. Critics of the decision argue it created a loophole wherein money a candidate raised via a general purpose committee can be used to elect or defeat candidates for other offices.
Further, the decision allows candidates and officeholders to skirt contribution limits and raise money from sources that would otherwise be prohibited.
The San Francisco Ethics Commission is being urged to consider regulations that would prevent candidates from circumventing the rules.
January 13, 2016 •
CA Lawmaker Wants to Legalize Ballot Selfies
California state Assemblyman Marc Levine has proposed a bill to allow “ballot selfies.” Under current state law, such pictures are illegal. Levine believes allowing voters to post pictures of their ballots on social media will boost voter turnout. California voter […]
California state Assemblyman Marc Levine has proposed a bill to allow “ballot selfies.” Under current state law, such pictures are illegal.
Levine believes allowing voters to post pictures of their ballots on social media will boost voter turnout. California voter turnout hit a record low in 2014 and many state lawmakers are attempting to bolster it with legislation this session.
Levine’s bill is being considered in committee.
Photo of Assemblyman Marc Levine courtesy of the California State Assembly on Wikimedia Commons.
January 13, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying California: “Police Union Consultant May Still Be Lobbying for POA” by Jonah Owen Lamb for San Francisco Examiner West Virginia: “Proposed Changes to State Ethics Act Divide Lawmakers” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette Campaign Finance “Undisclosed Dollars Dominate […]
Lobbying
California: “Police Union Consultant May Still Be Lobbying for POA” by Jonah Owen Lamb for San Francisco Examiner
West Virginia: “Proposed Changes to State Ethics Act Divide Lawmakers” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette
Campaign Finance
“Undisclosed Dollars Dominate Campaign Spending” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico
New Mexico: “Winter Plans New Office Unit on Campaign Finance” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
Wisconsin: “Elections Board Says Parties Must Report Corporate Donations” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Ethics
Florida: “Public Corruption Bill Hits Snag amid Senators’ Furor” by Ryan Ray for SaintPetersBlog.com
Massachusetts: “Dispute Over State Senator’s Dirty Laundry Raises Questions” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe
New York: “Cuomo Won’t Face Federal Charges Over Moreland Ethics Panel” by Benjamin Weiser for New York Times
Pennsylvania: “Former Allentown Finance Director Gary Strathearn Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge of Mail and Wire Fraud” by Emily Opilo and Peter Hall for Allentown Morning Call
Pennsylvania: “Struggling Philadelphia Inquirer Is Donated to Nonprofit in Groundbreaking Deal” by Fred Barbash for Washington Post
January 12, 2016 •
Philadelphia Ethics Board Announces New Contribution Limits
The city Ethics Board released new contribution limits for city candidates on January 11. Candidates for city offices may accept up to $3,000 in a calendar year from an individual contributor, an increase from the previous limit of $2,900. Groups […]
The city Ethics Board released new contribution limits for city candidates on January 11.
Candidates for city offices may accept up to $3,000 in a calendar year from an individual contributor, an increase from the previous limit of $2,900. Groups and businesses may contribute up to $11,900 to a candidate per year, an increase of $400.
Contribution limits are adjusted every four years based on the consumer price index.
January 12, 2016 •
Special Election Expected Following Death of South Carolina State Senator
South Carolina Sen. Billy O’Dell died of a heart attack at the age of 77. The fiscally liberal Republican was due to file for reelection in March 2016 for an eighth term in office. Pending senate notification, the South Carolina […]
South Carolina Sen. Billy O’Dell died of a heart attack at the age of 77. The fiscally liberal Republican was due to file for reelection in March 2016 for an eighth term in office.
Pending senate notification, the South Carolina Election Commission will set a special election date. There is expected to be a March 22 primary, followed by an April 5 runoff, if necessary, and a May 17 general election. The special election would usually be held on May 10 but state offices will be closed in celebration of Confederate Memorial Day.
Photo of Sen. Billy O’Dell courtesy of the South Carolina Senate website.
January 12, 2016 •
AZ Secretary of State Proposes Campaign Finance Law Revisions
On January 8, the Arizona Secretary of State’s office proposed changes to the state’s campaign finance law in order to make it simpler and easier to understand. Changes include revisions of the definitions of committee and election cycle and elimination […]
On January 8, the Arizona Secretary of State’s office proposed changes to the state’s campaign finance law in order to make it simpler and easier to understand. Changes include revisions of the definitions of committee and election cycle and elimination of the “paid for” disclosures in campaign messages on social media, according to The Arizona Republic.
“We are keeping almost every existing policy, but we have rewritten it in a simpler manner. We have reorganized it to the place where you would expect to find it. And we have created the statutes like the way you would read a book,” said Director of Election Services Eric Spencer, according to KJZZ.org. The office has drafted legislation to be considered by the Legislature this year.
January 12, 2016 •
California Special Election Slated for April 5, 2016
Gov. Jerry Brown has called a special election for April 5, 2016, to fill a vacancy in the 31st District. Rep. Henry Perea vacated his seat in December of 2015. Perea’s term was expiring in December 2016. Therefore, the candidate […]
Gov. Jerry Brown has called a special election for April 5, 2016, to fill a vacancy in the 31st District. Rep. Henry Perea vacated his seat in December of 2015.
Perea’s term was expiring in December 2016. Therefore, the candidate elected in the special election will serve the remainder of Perea’s term while running for re-election in the regularly scheduled general election on November 8, 2016.
January 12, 2016 •
New Compliance Unit Created in New Mexico
Following questions about campaign spending practices and the conviction of former Secretary of State Diana Duran for misuse of campaign contributions, a new unit is being created to better enforce and explain the state’s campaign finance laws to legislators and […]
Following questions about campaign spending practices and the conviction of former Secretary of State Diana Duran for misuse of campaign contributions, a new unit is being created to better enforce and explain the state’s campaign finance laws to legislators and other candidates. Current Secretary of State Brad Winter is creating the Education, Ethics, and Compliance Unit to more closely monitor campaign spending and to answer any questions legislators might have.
Previously, only two staffers covered the campaign filings of over 100 legislators, candidates, and other state and county officials. Additional staffers are being brought in, with each monitoring around 20 legislators.
Winter also released a new lobbyist training guide, and offered webinars to be held prior to the Legislature’s next session, which begins on January 19.
January 12, 2016 •
Boston Mayor Wants Lobbying Law for City
Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh has announced he wants a lobbying ordinance for the city and he wants it modeled on the state’s lobbying law. According to the Boston Globe, Walsh will propose regulations requiring lobbyists to disclose their clients, […]
Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh has announced he wants a lobbying ordinance for the city and he wants it modeled on the state’s lobbying law.
According to the Boston Globe, Walsh will propose regulations requiring lobbyists to disclose their clients, their compensation, and their activities involving development, city contracts, and permits. His proposal was first outlined to Globe columnist Yvonne Abraham. Walsh will propose his lobbying regulation as a home rule petition, which must eventually be approved by the state Legislature.
Secretary of State William Galvin said he would prefer a statewide law requiring lobbyists to disclose their activities in every municipality, according to the Globe.
January 12, 2016 •
New Campaign Finance Rules in Montana
On January 8, new Montana campaign finance rules requiring increased disclosure from candidates and committees were officially published and became effective. Political Practices Commissioner Jonathan Motl had formally filed the new administrative rules on November 24 with the secretary of […]
On January 8, new Montana campaign finance rules requiring increased disclosure from candidates and committees were officially published and became effective. Political Practices Commissioner Jonathan Motl had formally filed the new administrative rules on November 24 with the secretary of state. However, Motl waited to publish and make the rules effective until a poll was taken of the state’s lawmakers to determine whether they found the rules consistent with campaign finance legislation they passed last year. After lawmakers approved of the rule changes late last year, the rules were then finalized for publication. The official notice of the adoption of the rules include both changes to the original proposed rules, made in August of last year, and 190 public comments the commissioner’s office studied and considered in making final adjustments to those proposals.
Other changes in the new rules include electronic filing of reports to be made immediately available to the public online. “If all we have left after Citizens United is transparency, reporting and disclosure, then I think society’s got an obligation to make that transparency real. These regulations take us significantly down that path,” said Motl, according to the Washington Times.
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.