Proposition C, a measure requiring registration fees and monthly reports from expenditure lobbyists, was approved by voters in San Francisco. The measure creates a new category of lobbyists, termed expenditure lobbyists, defined as organizations who employ lobbyists to influence city officials.

The measure imposes a registration threshold of $2,500 or more in a calendar month spent soliciting, requesting, or urging other persons to communicate directly with a city official. Expenditure lobbyists must pay a $500 fee to register with the city.

The measure takes effect February 1, 2016.

State and Federal Communications, Inc. is the proud keynote speaker sponsor for the Washington Area State Relations Group (WASRG) Luncheon Symposium. WASRG is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving government relations professionals.

On Thursday, November 5, Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report, will give his input about the political scene from a state and federal perspective. Gonzales has appeared on “NBC’s Meet the Press” and “NBC Nightly News.” The symposium will be held at Morton’s The Steakhouse from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Initiative 122, a ballot measure proposing to raise property taxes in Seattle to create a publicly financed elections program, has passed. The “Honest Elections Seattle” measure imposes a $30 million tax levy over a 10 year period, granting citizens four $25 “democracy vouchers” to use towards the campaigns of city candidates.

Initiative 122 also bans contributions from corporations with medium-sized and large city contracts as well as corporations who lobby city officials. Contribution limits are lowered under the measure, from $700 per election cycle to $500.

The initiative becomes effective upon enactment by the city council.

Lobbying

“Bush, Clinton Benefit from Lobbying Gray Area” by Isaac Arnsdorf for Politico

Campaign Finance

“Small Donors Are Clicking More with Democrats than Republicans” by Eric Lichtblau and Nick Corasaniti for New York Times

Ethics

New York: “Report: JCOPE should be smaller, more transparent” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

“How Andrew Cuomo’s Flashy Bid to Clean up Albany Backfired” by Chris Smith for New York Magazine

Elections

“Neuropolitics, Where Campaigns Try to Read Your Mind” by Kevin Randall for New York Times

“Steve Deace and the Power of Conservative Media” by Jackie Calmes for New York Times Magazine

“How the Rising Death Rate among Middle-Aged Whites Helps Explain Our Political Reality” by Janell Ross for Washington Post

California: “Measure Slashing Drug Prices May Go to California Voters Next Fall” by Tracy Seipel for San Jose Mercury News

Legislative Issues

“Paul Ryan Lands at Center of a Rivalry for the Soul of the G.O.P.” by Carl Hulse for New York Times

Gov. Nathan Deal has set a special election for December 1, 2015 to fill a vacancy in the state senate. Sen. Ross Tolleson resigned his District 20 seat late last week, citing health issues. Six candidates, all Republicans, have already announced their intentions to run for the position.

If necessary, a runoff election will be held on December 29, 2015.

Enjoy these fun photos from recent events:

Ohio Gov. John Kasich set a special election for June 7, 2016, to fill the seat of former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner. A primary will be held March 15, the same day as the state’s presidential primary.

Interested individuals have until Dec. 16 to file candidacy petitions with the Butler County Board of Elections.

Campaign Finance

“Larry Lessig Ends Presidential Campaign, Citing Unfair Debate Rules” by David Weigel for Washington Post

Arizona: “Elections Panel Moves to Uncover Political ‘Dark Money’” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star

New Jersey: “Analysis: Outside money may flood 2017 election” by Dustin Racioppi for Bergen Record

New Mexico: “Flurry of Campaign Finance Cases after Duran Indictment Renews Call for Ethics Commission” by Justin Horwath for Santa Fe New Mexican

Oregon: “Activists Angle for Oregon Campaign Finance Measures” by Taylor Anderson for Bend Bulletin

Ethics

New York: “In Two Corruption Cases, the Culture of Albany Will Go on Trial” by William Rashbaum and Susanne Craig for New York Times

North Carolina: “McCrory Brokered Meeting on Contract for Friend and Campaign Donor” by Joseph Neff, Craig Jarvis, and Ames Alexander for Raleigh News & Observer

Elections

“How Donald Trump Leverages America’s Fault Lines” by Lynn Vavreck for New York Times

Redistricting

Maryland: “D.C. Law Student Takes Case against Md. Gerrymandering to Supreme Court” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post

Here is our November/December calendar. If you are attending any of the coming events, please stop by and say hello!

November 10   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

November 12   AGRP Annual Meeting, Washington, DC

November 16-17   Professional Women in Advocacy, Washington, DC

November 21-24   SGAC Leaders’ Policy Conference, Washington, DC

November 23   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

December 6-9   COGEL Conference, Boston, Massachusetts

December 8-11   NCSL Capitol Forum, Washington, DC

December 11   Advocacy Leaders Network – Creating a Mobile Advocacy Toolkit,
Washington, DC

December 14   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

Q. Are there any rules that pertain to making contributions in the weeks leading up to an election?

A. With local elections in 2015 and the upcoming 2016 elections, it is wise to know what the rules are when making contributions in the days and weeks leading up to an election.  Usually, there is a monetary threshold that must be exceeded, and typically there is a short turnaround time to disclose the contribution, usually within 24 hours. In some instances, there is an outright ban on contributions.

In California, contributions of $1,000 or more per candidate made by a major donor during the 90-day period before an election must be disclosed within 24 hours of making the contribution.  Contributions to ballot measure committees and political party committees are also included within this reporting requirement.  The candidate and the ballot measure committee must be on the ballot at the election for which the 90-day period applies.  California’s 90-day pre-election period is the longest in the country.  If numerous special elections are being held, the 90-day periods may overlap.

In Washington, a contribution of $1,000 or more per candidate made by a registered lobbyist during the 21 days before an election must be disclosed within 24 hours of making the contribution.  This includes contributions to candidates and ballot measures appearing on the ballot at the election for which the 21-day period applies, as well as contributions to political party committees and PACs.  The Washington Public Disclosure Commission has a link on its home page that allows for the electronic filing of this report.

In Florida, opposed candidates must return contributions received less than five days prior to an election.

In Tennessee, a PAC is prohibited from making a contribution to a candidate for state office after the 10th day before an election until the day of the election.

These are just a few examples.  As we always advise, verify the rules in your state before making political contributions.

You can directly submit questions for this feature, and we will select those most appropriate and answer them here. Send your questions to: experts@stateandfed.com.

(We are always available to answer questions from clients that are specific to your needs, and we encourage you to continue to call or e-mail us with questions about your particular company or organization. As always, we will confidentially and directly provide answers or information you need.) Our replies to your questions are not legal advice. Instead, these replies represent our analysis of laws, rules, and regulations.

State and Federal Communications started its 16th United Way campaign this week. This is a great opportunity for everyone on staff to help those less fortunate. And, I will say I pride myself on achieving 100 percent participation most years—even though we missed that mark for the current campaign.

I bring this up because many people in government relations are chosen by their own management to supervise United Way campaigns. This is all about sharing so please let me know what works for you.

How does that happen? One hundred percent participation is hard to achieve. Well, as our staff is donating to help those less fortunate, I donate back to them. I save up all those fabulous American Express Membership Rewards and use them for gift cards as premiums to the staff. I am not sure if anyone else receives emails from Regal Cinemas, but I am also able to purchase discount movie tickets for the team.

Here is our program:

1. Once we reach 100 percent participation all employees will receive three (3) Flee @ 3 days in 2016. We are asking for a minimum pledge of $2.50 per paycheck.
2. If any one person increases his or her pledge from the current campaign, he or she will each receive movie tickets plus the opportunity to wear jeans for a month. [Our outside accounting firm said this was a big incentive for its staff.]
3. Fair Share + is something we picked up from the Red Cross and that is a $1 extra donation per paycheck. Everyone who pledges Fair Share + will have the costs of Imagination Library paid for by State and Federal Communications, three vouchers to the great summer lunches at the John S. Knight Center, and qualification to our Charitable Service Program, which allows employees to use 24 hours of time to assist a charitable organization. Many of the staff are on board in the region and this always helps those organizations who would otherwise flounder without time and treasure.
4. We also provide incentives for those who reach United Way Leadership Levels.
   • Crystal pledges ($500-$999)—receive a $150 gift card plus four (4) movie tickets;
   • Bronze pledges ($1,000-$1,499)—receive a $200 gift card plus six (6) movie tickets;
   • Copper pledges ($1,500-$2,499)—receive a $250 gift card and eight (8) movie tickets; and
   • Silver pledges ($2,500-$5,000)—receive a $300 gift card and 10 movie tickets.

We will have a Trifecta drawing for everyone who pledges Fair Share +, at one of the above Leadership Levels, and commits to participating and blogging in our Charitable Service Program. Stay tuned to see what those prizes will be … and, we will do everything possible to utilize all of those American Express Membership Rewards points.

Here is what I think the best thing about our commitment to United Way is—State and Federal Communications matches dollar for dollar every pledge made. That match stays local to help United Way, making our campaign one of the top 50 campaigns in Summit County.

So what do you do to help those less fortunate in your community? Let’s share our stories and make this a great way to help our regions.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz
President and CEO
@elizabethbartz

On October 30, 2015, the Arizona Legislature adjourned its special session after lawmakers agreed on educational funding for the state. Gov. Doug Ducey immediately signed the legislation into law, which also creates a special election on May 17, 2016, to enact constitutional changes required by the funding reforms. “Educators will finally have the resources they have been asking for, and our students will have greater opportunities to succeed,” Ducey said in a press release.

Lobbying

“Top Lobbyists 2015: Hired Guns” by Staff  for The Hill

“Top Lobbyists 2015: Corporate” by Staff for The Hill

Campaign Finance

“F.E.C. Panel Delays a Decision on Spending in ’16 Races” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times

New York: “Albany Plan Would Expand Conflict-of-Interest Policies” by Jesse McKinley for New York Times

Ethics

New Mexico: “Attorney General Says Public Corruption Law Needs Teeth” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal

Oregon: “John Kitzhaber Offered Fiancée Help Securing Foundation Support” by Les Zaitz for Portland Oregon

Wisconsin: “Senate Republicans Take Cautious Tack on GAB, Campaign Finance Bills” by Mark Sommorhauser for Madison.com

Elections

“Winning Isn’t Everything” by Jason Zengerle for Politico Magazine

Florida: “Miami Beach Candidate Sued after Publishing Opponent’s Social Security Number” by Joey Flechas for Miami Herald

The European Commission (EC) in Brussels has recently announced its intention to implement a US-style reform to force lawyers who lobby to register their clients.

The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) has argued this new requirement is a violation of the confidentiality rules of the European Bar Association. The CCBE believes the reform would also violate national bar requirements of the European Union (EU) member states.

Brussels is considered the hub of European policymaking and home to EC headquarters. Lobbying efforts are directed towards the EC to influence legislation. Lobbyists who wish to meet with EC commissioners, cabinet members, and directors-general must register and disclose clients in the Transparency Register.