The Ethics Commission has launched a new online tool to track financial activity for the November 3, 2015, election.

These interactive campaign finance dashboards will provide visual summaries of the contributions and expenditures of candidate and ballot measure committees, lobbyists, contributors, and third parties. It will also provide information on expenditure ceilings and any public funds dispersed through the city’s public financing program.

The dashboards can be found here. The data utilized by the dashboards can be downloaded from the Ethics Commission website or the SF OpenData website.

President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz has been featured in the milestone section of Crain’s Cleveland Business – Akron News.

Her dedication and hard work for the past 22 years has established State and Federal Communications, Inc. as the Compliance Standard in government affairs as it relates to state and federal laws and regulations.

You’ll find the feature article here.

Federal:

After Allegations That It Lobbied with Federal Money to Block Competition, Lockheed Martin Agrees to Pay Almost $5 Million
Washington Post – Lisa Rein | Published: 8/24/2015

The managers of one of the nation’s premiere federal laboratories in New Mexico agreed to pay nearly $4.8 million to settle allegations of improperly attempting to influence members of Congress and others to extend the lab’s $2.4 billion management contract. Over five years starting in 2009, top executives for Lockheed Martin, who were being paid by the federal government to run Sandia National Laboratories, ran a fierce campaign to lobby members of Congress and senior administration officials for a seven-year extension of their contract, according to the settlement the Justice Department. It is not surprising that a politically connected defense contractor would lobby hard to keep a lucrative slice of federal business. But this case went further. It was taxpayers, not Lockheed’s corporate lobbying arm, who paid for the lobbying.

Meet the Liberals Who Love Trump
Politico – Ben Wofford | Published: 8/26/2015

The left is generally no fan of Donald Trump, but there is a contingent of liberals who take a different view. One is Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig, arguably the country’s leading proponent of campaign finance reform, who said Trump has done so much to jazz up an otherwise eye-glazing issue that he would consider running on the same ticket as a third-party candidate. As pundits search for the source of Trump’s resilient appeal, reformers say they have long known the answer: the constant emphasis on how his wealth immunizes him from insider influence. “He’s made the same points the reformers have made: that this is a ‘pay-to-play’ system, that people put their money in and expect to get results,” said former FEC Chairperson Trevor Potter.

The Net Worth of Presidential Candidates
USA Today – Thomas Frohlich, Michael Sauter, and Sam Stebbins (24/7 Wall St.) | Published: 8/26/2015

Presidential candidates can expect very little privacy in their personal life, and with their finances. While candidates are not required to make their tax returns public, the practice has become common since the 1970s. Based on tax returns and other financial disclosures, the current candidates’ assets range from Scott Walker, who is worth as little as $36,000, to Donald Trump, who has an estimated net worth of $2.9 billion. The net worth of a presidential candidate does not necessarily determine the financial strength of the campaign. Some candidates’ campaign funds are far greater than their net worth, while others are far lower.

What the ‘Deez Nuts’ Candidacy Says about the State of US Democracy
Christian Science Monitor – Sara Aridi | Published: 8/20/2015

The presidential candidate Deez Nuts was surging in a recent poll, albeit unscientific, in North Carolina. Deez Nuts was also the number one trending topic on Twitter. In registering with the FEC, Deez Nuts listed an address in rural Wallingford, Iowa. Mark Olson said Deez Nuts was his son Brady, who is a sophomore in high school. Tom Jensen, the director of Public Policy Polling, said he added Deez Nuts to statewide survey three weeks ago because “the name makes people laugh, and it’s a long presidential election.” But Jensen also drew a serious conclusion from the Deez Nuts surge. “I would say Mr. Nuts is the most ludicrous and unqualified third-party candidate you could have, but he’s still polling at seven, eight, nine percent,” Jensen said. “Right now the voters don’t like either of the people leading in the two main parties, and that creates an appetite for a third-party candidate.”

Would More Lobbying Improve America?
Politico – Kevin Hartnett | Published: 8/24/2015

Tom Holyoke, a political scientist at Fresno State University, has been studying the internal dynamics of lobbying for years and has come to believe the country would be better off if lobbyists did more effective work for their clients. The problem, he writes in a new book, is not that corporations do not get enough representation – it is that lobbyists are crafty, and do not work for their clients as much as they claim. Instead, they tell their clients what they want to hear, while chiefly acting to stay tight with their contacts in Congress. “It becomes more important to lobbyists to maintain these relationships than to accurately represent the wishes and concerns of people they’re supposed to be representing,” said Holyoke.

From the States and Municipalities:

California – L.A. Wants More Details about Business Groups That Donate to City Campaigns
Los Angeles Times – Emily Alpert Reyes | Published: 8/27/2015

Members of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission said they wanted staffers to come up with ways to require corporations, limited liability companies, and other “non-individual” campaign donors to publicly disclose more information about who controls them. The concern, said commission President Jessica Levinson, is that “it is really difficult to follow the money.” The push for more information comes after The Los Angeles Times reported on how challenging it is to track who is behind contributions made by such groups. The newspaper found several instances in which different companies with the same chief executive, address, or both donated to a candidate, but publicly available records left it unclear whether the companies were commonly owned.

Colorado – Colorado Energy Companies Spend Top Dollar on Lobbyists; What Do They Get in Return?
Colorado Springs Gazette – Megan Schrader | Published: 8/24/2015

Stat laws in Colorado has restricted the amount of entertaining lobbyists can do. Amendment 41, a 2006 ballot initiative, strictly banned lobbyists from spending anything on lawmakers. For everyone else who is not a registered lobbyist, the limit is currently $59 per-person, per-year, with a handful of exceptions. “In Colorado the legislative process is a very clean, ethical process,” said former House Speaker Chuck Berry. But Berry said the role of lobbyists has changed dramatically since he was in office from 1985 to 1998. He said term limits have led to void of institutional knowledge and makes both lobbyists and bureaucrats more powerful.

Illinois – Ex-Redflex Exec Pleads Guilty to Helping Orchestrate $2M Bribery Scheme
Chicago Tribune – Jason Meisner and David Kidwell | Published: 8/20/2015

Karen Finley, the former chief executive of a red-light camera company, pleaded guilty in a scheme that funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to secure contracts in Chicago worth $124 million. Finley pleaded guilty to similar charges in a federal case in Ohio. In the Chicago case, Finley acknowledged she arranged for cash and benefits to go to a city transportation official, John Bills, and his friend; the benefits included golf trip and hiring the official’s friend as a Redflex contractor. Bills, who retired in 2012, has pleaded not guilty to extortion, bribery, and other charges.

Maine – Group Turns over Donor List from Gay Marriage Fight in Maine
St. Louis Post-Dispatch – David Sharp (Associated Press) | Published: 8/24/2015

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) filed details of its financial activities related to a 2009 effort to repeal Maine’s same-sex marriage law following a lengthy legal battle. Jonathan Wayne, executive director of the Maine ethics commission, said the list had been filed at the agency’s website and NOM indicated it will not further fight the matter through the courts. The commission had ruled NOM violated the state’s campaign finance law and ordered the conservative group to pay a $50,250 penalty and release its donors. Although NOM paid the penalty, it continued to resist disclosure. But NOM lost that fight when the Supreme Judicial Court ordered it to hand over the list of donors.

Missouri – Missouri Lags behind Neighbors on Ethics Laws
Springfield News-Leader – John Swedien | Published: 8/23/2015

Missouri has no limits on campaign donations, no restrictions on the gifts legislators can accept from lobbyists, and no rule preventing lawmakers from immediately becoming lobbyists after leaving office. This stands in contrast to Missouri’s eight neighboring states; all limit at least one of those activities. Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Tennessee restrict all three. Illinois, Iowa and Kansas each limit two of the activities, and Nebraska caps lobbyists’ gifts.

Ohio – Former Ohio Deputy Treasurer Extradited from Pakistan to Serve 15 Years for Bribery, Money Laundering
Cleveland Plain Dealer – Jane Morice (Northeast Ohio Media Group) | Published: 8/26/2015

Former Ohio Deputy Treasurer Amer Ahmad has been extradited from Pakistan to serve a 15-year prison sentence for a kickback scheme. He pleaded guilty in 2013 to bribery and conspiracy charges, though he fled to Pakistan to avoid punishment. Ahmad admitted he funneled business to Douglas Hampton, a securities broker, in exchange for bribes. Ahmad was able to conceal the bribery payments by passing them through accounts of a landscaping business he owned. Over the two-year period, Hampton paid Ahmad more than $500,000. In return, Hampton received about $3.2 million in commissions for more than 350 securities trades on behalf of the treasurer’s office.

Oregon – Mystery Money: Oregon lets officials keep income details in shadows
Portland Oregon – Denis Theriault | Published: 8/22/2015

Voters might have known years sooner how much Cylvia Hayes was paid to push a private agenda while she was Oregon’s first lady if John Kitzhaber had been governor of California or 16 other states. Ethics filings in those states require officials to disclose where they and those in their households get their money, and roughly how much. But Kitzhaber had no obligation to report Hayes’ income from private clean-energy clients, income she accepted while also advising the state on energy issues. Oregon’s rules for income disclosure have not changed much since 1974. The rules allow officials from the statehouse down to local school boards hold back key information.

Tennessee – Lawmakers Spent 30K of Campaign Funds on Pro Sports Tickets
The Tennessean – Dave Boucher | Published: 8/22/2015

A recent analysis of state campaign finance records show at least seven Tennessee lawmakers collectively spent more than $30,000 in campaign money on tickets to professional sporting events since 2003. Although state law bans the use of campaign funds for tickets to sporting events, concerts, or other similar activities, there is an exemption that allows essentially all ticket purchases to go unchecked. Buying such tickets with campaign funds is largely banned for federal candidates, but the campaign finance laws in Tennessee and a slew of other states either allow or do not clearly ban such purchases.

Texas – Pool Proposes Changes to Rules for Lobbyists
Austin Monitor – Jo Clifton | Published: 8/26/2015

The Austin City Council is weighing reforms to the city’s lobbying law. The law currently requires lobbyists to register and disclose who their clients are. But the code is murky in its definition of who must register, and those who register do not always comply with all the reporting requirements. Under the proposed reforms, the registration fee would increase to $350; lobbyists for nonprofits would only have to pay $50 a year. The city auditor would be charged with reviewing lobbying registration for compliance, and violators could face individual fines for failing to register or disclose information. A person could be barred from lobbying after multiple violations.

Utah – It’s American Legion Versus Lobbyists in Fight for Space at Capitol
Salt Lake Tribune – Lee Davidson | Published: 8/24/2015

The American Legion has enjoyed free office space in the basement of the Utah Capitol since World War I. But the Capitol Preservation Board voted recently to try to get the organization to move so it can rent more space to lobbyists. The clash arose when the Capitol Hill Association of lobbyists sought to expand its current 1,800 square feet of space, located across the hall from the American Legion. Jodi Hart, the association’s president, told the board her group “has run out of space” for its current 35-member lobbying groups, who pay $4,500 per organization to join, and about $1,000 per person in annual dues, and has a waiting list of six organizations that want to join. The association proposed expanding into storage space next to its suite to add a few more conference rooms.

State and Federal Communications produces a weekly summary of national news, offering more than 60 articles per week focused on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance.

City Councilman Joe Cimperman is being investigated by the Ohio Ethics Commission about his involvement in city contracts awarded to LAND Studio, a design firm where his wife works.

Records indicate Cimperman has sponsored and voted in favor of ordinances awarding city contracts to LAND Studio, as well as sponsoring resolutions supporting applications by the firm for state grant money to buy land for the Lake Link Trail project.

Under state law, it is a fourth-degree felony if an official uses his or her authority or influence to obtain a contract in which the official, a family member, or a business associate has an interest.

Cimperman has stated he either abstained from votes related to LAND Studio or only voted on such legislation following clearance by the city law department.

Photo of Joe Cimperman courtesy of theciviccommons on Wikimedia Commons.

A special election has been scheduled for November 3, 2015, for the House District 19 seat. The seat was left vacant when state Rep. William Noon passed away from cancer.

His widow, Jean Noon, an organic sheep farmer, was chosen by Democratic caucus to run in the special election.

The Republican caucus chose Matthew Harrington, a police officer, as their candidate.

Photo of Rep. William Noon courtesy of the Maine House of Representatives website.

A special election to fill the seat for House District 3A has been scheduled for December 8, 2015.

Gov. Mark Dayton ordered the special election when the seat was left vacant by the death of state Rep. David Dill.

Candidates may file to run through August 31. If needed, a special primary will be held on September 29.

Photo of Rep. David Dill courtesy of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Elizabeth Bartz, president and CEO of State and Federal Communications is excited to stand with the Akron community in celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Akron Urban League. The Urban League held its 90th Anniversary Gala event on Friday, August 21, 2015. Our company was proud to be a Gold Sponsor.

Bartz took to the stage to help with the event’s live auction. She serves as a member of the Urban League’s Board of Directors as well as on the 90th Anniversary Gala Committee.

Campaign Finance

“Meet the Liberals Who Love Trump” by Ben Wofford for Politico

New York: “State Elections Watchdog Files Lawsuit against ‘LLC Loophole’” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Ethics

“Prosecutors Rebuke Menendez Over Request to Dismiss His Corruption Case” by Alexander Burns for New York Times

“The Net Worth of Presidential Candidates” by Thomas Frohlich, Michael Sauter, and Sam Stebbins (24/7 Wall St.) for USA Today

Missouri: “Missouri Lags behind Neighbors on Ethics Laws” by John Swedien for Springfield News-Leader

New York: “Reform Groups Have High Hopes for Ethics Review Panel” by Karen DeWitt for WXXI

Ohio: “Cleveland Councilman Joe Cimperman under Ethics Investigation Related to Contracts with Wife’s Employer” by Leila Atassi (Northeast Ohio Media Group) for Cleveland Plain Dealer

Virginia: “Legislators’ Names Appear in Hacked Ashley Madison Data” by Markus Schmidt and John Ramsey for Richmond Times-Dispatch

Elections

“Maybe This Time Really Is Different” by Norm Ornstein for The Atlantic

Lobbying

“If Congress Keeps Cutting Its Staff, Who Is Writing Your Laws? You Won’t Like The Answer.” by Anthony Madonna and Ian Ostrander for Washington Post

Colorado: “Colorado Energy Companies Spend Top Dollar on Lobbyists; What Do They Get in Return?” by Megan Schrader for Colorado Springs Gazette

Texas: “Austin Officials Considering Overhaul of Lobbyist Rules” by Lilly Rockwell for Austin American-Statesman

Utah: “It’s American Legion Versus Lobbyists in Fight for Space at Capitol” by Lee Davidson for Salt Lake Tribune

Campaign Finance

“U.S. Court Rejects Republican Challenge to SEC Pay-to-Play Rule” by Sarah Lynch for Reuters

Ohio: “House Legislator Ron Gerberry Resigns after Guilty Plea” by The Associated Press for Columbus Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Ethics Board Fines Oh, Cites Illegal Contribution” by Tricia Nadolny for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

New Jersey: “Trenton City Council Members Chester and Muschal Fight Each Other in Council Chambers” by Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman for The Trentonian

Pennsylvania: “Kane Ordered to Stand Trial on All Charges” by Craig McCoy and Angela Couloumbis for Philadelphia Inquirer

Wisconsin: “Bill to Exempt Political Crimes from John Doe Investigations Clears Assembly Committee” by Jessie Opoien for Capital Times

Elections

“Family Issues Weigh Heaviest on Biden as He Considers a 2016 Campaign” by Dan Balz for Washington Post

Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed Senate Bill 248, increasing the transparency of political spending. The bill requires political committees making independent expenditures of $1,000 or more file a report within five business of the expenditure.

If the expenditure is made during the 60-day period before an election, the report must be filed within two business days.

The bill, now Public Act 99-0437, goes into effect on January 1, 2016.

Lobbying

“After Allegations That It Lobbied with Federal Money to Block Competition, Lockheed Martin Agrees to Pay Almost $5 Million” by Lisa Rein for Washington Post

“Would More Lobbying Improve America?” by Kevin Hartnett for Politico

Kansas: “Transparency Group: Kansas earns a ‘C’ on lobbying disclosure laws” by Jonathan Shorman for Topeka Capital-Journal

Missouri: “Aide, Not Local Lawmaker, Near the Top in Lobbyist Gifts in Springfield Area” by John Swedien for Springfield News-Leader

Campaign Finance

Arizona: “Secretary of State Reagan Challenges Clean Elections Commission” by Howard Fischer (Capitol Media Services) for Verde Independent

Maine: “Group Turns over Donor List from Gay Marriage Fight in Maine” by David Sharp (Associated Press) for St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Pennsylvania: “Sources: D.A. Seth Williams’ spending under federal probe” by Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Inquirer

Tennessee: “Lawmakers Spent 30K of Campaign Funds on Pro Sports Tickets” by Dave Boucher for The Tennessean

Ethics

California: “Compton Officials Deny Improperly Inflating Pay; D.A. Investigation Ongoing” by Marisa Gerber and Angel Jennings for Los Angeles Times

Oregon: “Mystery Money: Oregon lets officials keep income details in shadows” by Denis Theriault for Portland Oregonian

Beginning September 17, 2015, a new lobbying law takes effect in the San Joaquin County. Passed by the Board of Supervisors on August 18, the ordinance requires lobbyists, lobbying firms, and lobbyist’s employers to register when lobbying the board.

The ordinance defines a lobbyist as “any individual who is employed, contracts, or otherwise receives compensation of $500 or more in any calendar month” to lobby the board. The definition excludes news organizations, elected officials, and agents of tax-exempt organizations. Registration with the clerk of the board is required 10 days after becoming engaged as a lobbyist. There is an initial registration fee of $75. The annual registration renewal is $50.

The clerk’s office is presently in the process of implementing the new ordinance and creating a registration form.

In September, the Los Angeles, California’s Ethics Commission will be soliciting public comment on the Municipal Lobbying Ordinance. Meetings for interested persons will be held at City Hall at 11:30 a.m. on September 9 and 2:00 p.m. on September 17. The commission is requesting interested persons to sign up for the meetings by email at ethics.policy@lacity.org by September 4.

A special session of the legislature adjourned Friday, August 21, 2015, without an agreement on a new congressional district map. Florida’s supreme court ruled the current map unconstitutional, forcing lawmakers to return to Tallahassee earlier this month.

The failure to reach an agreement likely means the new map will be drawn by the courts. Gov. Rick Scott could force the legislature back into session before a court hearing on Tuesday, August 25, but he has stated he would not do so.