Lobbying

“Where the Billions Spent on Lobbying Come From, in Maps” by Philip Bump for Washington Post

Texas: “Ethics Commission Seeks to Force Empower Texans to Turn over Records” by Tim Eaton for Austin American-Statesman

Campaign Finance

“State and Local Bills Try to Rein in Political Spending” by Tarini Parti for Politico

“Jeb Bush’s Smooth Money Machine” by Anna Palmer and Tarini Parti for Politico

California: “Tow Company Campaign Trickery Alleged” by Jeff McDonald for San Diego Union-Tribune

Ethics

Kentucky: “John Schaaf to Head Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission” by The Associated Press for Connecticut Post

Oklahoma: “State Ethics Commission to Investigate Sen. Rick Brinkley” by Nolan Clay for The Oklahoman

Oregon: “Kate Brown Signs First of Her Ethics Bills, Calling for Public Records Audit” by Denis Theriault for Portland Oregonian

Pennsylvania: “Some Critical That Officials Caught in Sting Keep State Pensions” by Craig McCoy and Angela Couloumbis for Philadelphia Inquirer

Utah: “Ex-A.G. Mark Shurtleff Defers Evidence Hearing; Prosecutors Amend Charges” by Dennis Romboy for Deseret News

Elections

“Donald Trump Runs for President (This Time for Real, He Says)” by Alexander Burns for New York Times

Premier Stephen McNeil has announced by-elections will take place on July 14, 2015.

The by-elections will fill vacancies in the House of Assembly for the electoral districts of Dartmouth South, Cape Breton Centre, and Sydney-Whitney Pier.

The Cape Breton Centre and Sydney-Whitney Pier seats are open due to retirements while the Dartmouth South is vacant due to the death of Allan Rowe in March.

Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, the acting director of the American Samoa Election Office, is resigning in order to become a territorial senator. Fruean was selected by traditional leaders of the Pago Pago Village Council to fill the seat vacated by Mauga Asuaga, according to Radio New Zealand. Asuaga became the secretary of Samoan Affairs in April.

Lobbying

“Lobbyists Were Quick to Donate to Both Baker, Coakley” by The Associated Press for WCVB

“Lobbyists Spend $5.8 Million at 2015 Montana Legislature” by Alison Noon (Associated Press) for Montana Standard

“Education Reforms Spur N.Y. Lobbying ‘Arms Race’” by Jon Campbell (Gannett Newspapers) for USA Today

Campaign Finance

“Republican Operative Sentenced to 2 Years in Landmark Election Case” by Matt Zapotosky and Matea Gold for Washington Post

“This Web Site Allows Political Donors to Give Money Based on How Lawmakers Vote. Just Don’t Call It Bribery.” by Steven Overly for Washington Post

“$2M Rauner Donor’s Company Does Business with State, Has Exceeded $50K Limit Past 4 Years” by Bernard Schoenburg for State Journal-Register

“Christie’s PAC Picks Up His NBA Finals Ticket” by Maddie Hanna for Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethics

“Oklahoma Ethics Commission Considers Changes to Financial Disclosure Rule” by Barbara Hoberock for Tulsa World

“Fifth Former LCB Official Accused of Violating State Ethics Laws” by Kari Andren for Pittsbugh Tribune-Review

“Ethics Commissioners: Lawmakers went backward in 2015” by Jim Malewitz for Texas Tribune

“Lawmakers’ Watchdog Asks for Money” by Jerry Cornfield for Tacoma News Tribune

Elections

“Jeb Bush Announces Presidential Bid: ‘We will take command of our future once again’” by Ed O’Keefe for Washington Post

The Legislature adjourned a one-day special session after meeting for more than 15 hours on Friday, June 12, 2015.

After taking several votes to pass the environment and agriculture bill, lawmakers completed the nearly $42 billion budget Gov. Mark Dayton has pledged to sign.

Photo of the Minnesota State Capitol by Jonathunder on Wikimedia Commons.

The Kansas Legislature adjourned Friday, June 12, 2015.

The 113-day session was the longest in state history after lawmakers struggled to fix a deficit in the budget.

A typical session only lasts 90 days and each additional day costs taxpayers an estimated $40,000.

Lobbying

“Robert Reich: Lobbyists are snuffing our democracy, one legal bribe at a time” by Robert Reich for Salon

Campaign Finance

“Corporations Open Up About Political Spending” by Eduardo Porter for New York Times

“Legislation Puts More Enforcement in Campaign Finance Reporting Laws” by Mary Snell for Decatur Daily

California: “Ethics Troubles Could Mount for Ex-Candidate Who Missed Fine Payment” by David Zahniser for Los Angeles Times

Hawaii: “Contractor Campaign Contributions Raise Concerns of Corruption” by Nick Grube for Honolulu Civil Beat

Ethics

California: “FPPC Names New Enforcement Chief, General Counsel” by Christopher Cadelago for Sacramento Bee

Massachusetts: “Gambling Panel Chairman Facing Ethics Investigation” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe

New York: “Court Orders Disgraced Lopez to Pay $330,000 Fine” by Casey Seiler for Albany Times Union

Pennsylvania: “Elections Chief Sues to Stop Ethics Probe” by Chris Brennan for Philadelphia Inquirer

Rhode Island: “Ex-RI House Speaker Fox Gets 3 Years in Prison” by Katie Mulvaney for Providence Journal

Elections

“In 2008, Clinton Couldn’t Buy Iowans’ Love. So She Bought Them Snow Shovels” by David Fahrenthold for Washington Post

The Alaska State Legislature adjourned its second special session on Thursday, June 11, 2015.

It took both houses nearly two months to reach an agreement on budget terms, pushing negotiations to within three weeks of a potential government shutdown set to start July 1.

The $5 billion budget preserves scheduled pay raises for public employees while reducing state agency spending by $400 million to help close the deficit.

State and Federal Communications, Inc. is pleased to announce it has become an inaugural partner with AGRP (Association of Government Relations Professionals) for the “Know the States” Educational Series focused on state government relations. As the exclusive sponsor of the series, the company will work in collaboration with AGRP in selection of speakers, content, and help moderate the events.

State and Federal Communications, the premier experts in government relationship compliance, has a long standing relationship of collaboration with AGRP. Many of the company’s staff members as well as President and CEO, Elizabeth Bartz, are members of AGRP.

This series is dedicated to best practices in state government relations. These courses will go beyond the basics to highlight the need-to-know knowledge for state and local lobbyists as well as national associations and firms looking to work in this area. The program will consist of webinars and an in-person event focused solely on state affairs.

According to Bartz, “We are working with Robert Hay, executive director of AGRP, to create a great program to educate its members on the goings on in the states and to make sure there are no assumptions as to using federal law when in the states.”

The 2015 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature adjourned sine die on June 11, 2015.

Upon transmittal of a bill, Gov. Bobby Jindal will have 20 days to sign or veto the legislation.

Photo of the Louisiana State Capitol by Bluepoint951 on Wikimedia Commons.

National:

Eyeing 2016, G.O.P Embraces Digital Strategies, but Doubts Persist
New York Times – Ashley Parker | Published: 6/10/2015

With the 2016 campaign already underway, Republicans are eager to show they have learned the lessons of past election cycles and are placing a premium on hiring top people to handle digital strategy and tactics. This type of work – often described in political circles as digital, data, and analytics – encompasses many areas, from building email systems for small-dollar fundraising to generating buzz on social media to analyzing data to help direct ads at specific groups of voters. But their immediate problem is slightly more low-tech: the basics of supply and demand. “Shopping around for a digital data firm was already difficult, and when you’re one of 20 possible candidates in a party that has yet to establish its own expertise in this area, it’s even harder,” said Sasha Issenberg, the author of “The Victory lab: The Secret Science of Winning Campaigns.”

Federal:

Kevin McCarthy’s Flair for Fundraising Fuels His Swift Rise to Power in House
Los Angeles Times – Noah Bierman and Evan Halper | Published: 6/5/2015

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the new House majority leader, commands a multimillion-dollar political operation featuring lavish meals, opulent getaways with lobbyists, and privately chartered aircraft. In the two years leading up to last fall’s election, McCarthy, through his re-election campaign and leadership PAC, spent $140,000 on steakhouses alone. He paid $426,000 to companies that charter private jets, covering 46 trips. And he raised at least $10.5 million for his own and party political committees. That spending and fundraising have fueled one of the fastest rises to power in congressional history.

Senator Would Limit Lobbyist Money That Fueled Liberal Allies
Center for Public Integrity – Carrie Levine and Michael Beckel | Published: 6/4/2015

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet introduced the Lobbying and Campaign Finance Reform Act, a bill that would, among other things, change the way registered lobbyists can support campaigns and also tweak the requirements for who must register as a lobbyist. This latter change would be accomplished by nixing the 20 percent rule, which says that only people who spend more than 20 percent of their time on lobbying activities must register as lobbyists. This has allowed many lobbyists to avoid registration, which can obscure lobbying activity from the public. The bill would also ban registered lobbyists from bundling campaign contributions and keep members of Congress from asking lobbyists for financial support while Congress is in session. Bennet introduced the same bill in 2014, but it never got out of committee.

Shaun McCutcheon Blew Up Campaign-Finance Law and Became a GOP Hero. Then He Set His Sights on Paris Hilton.
Washingtonian Magazine – Luke Mullins | Published: 6/7/2015

A few years ago, Scott McCutcheon was running his own engineering firm near Birmingham, Alabama, and leading a fairly anonymous life. He had, however, begun writing checks to benefit Republican candidates across the country. Before long, his ambitions for a more conservative America collided with the complex world of campaign finance, including the law that capped how much money an individual can donate. The Supreme Court in McCutcheon v. FEC ruled the limits were unconstitutional restrictions on free speech. McCutcheon now travels the country telling his story and has been on television programs such as Meet the Press. And his victory has gotten him invited to a lot of parties, hobnobbing with Republican politicians, as well as celebrities like Paris Hilton.

Two FEC Officials Implore Agency to Curb 2016 Election Abuse
USA Today – Fredreka Schouten | Published: 6/8/2015

FEC Chairperson Ann Ravel and Commissioner Ellen Weintraub are filing a formal petition, urging their own agency to write rules to clamp down on political spending and unmask the anonymous money in elections. FEC petitions of this kind typically are made by outsiders – organizations or individuals trying to spur the nation’s election regulators take up some matter. Ravel said no sitting commissioner has ever filed such a petition in the agency’s 40-year history. The six-member commission is locked in partisan gridlock, however, often deadlocking on major cases. The action will not force the FEC to start writing rules, but such petitions typically trigger an opportunity for public comment.

Why So Many Women Are Raising Money for Hillary Clinton
Washington Post – Matea Gold | Published: 6/7/2015

Energized by the prospect of helping Hillary Clinton make history, many women are activating their personal networks for the first time to pool contributions for her presidential campaign, helping Clinton tap into new sources of cash as she assembles what is expected to be a more-than-$1­ billion operation. Their efforts come ahead of the public launch of a formal program by the campaign to organize female fundraisers. Analea Patterson, a lawyer in Sacramento, said she decided to take on the project after her eight-year-old daughter asked her why there has never been a female president. “I didn’t have a good answer – I have two daughters, and I want them to grow up in a world where they don’t see barriers for women,” said Patterson.

From the States and Municipalities:

Alabama – Legislation Puts More Enforcement in Campaign Finance Reporting Laws
Decatur Daily – Mary Sell | Published: 6/9/2015

Senate Bill 241, which was sent to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley for his signature, amends current law to clarify when campaign contributions are received and expenditures are made. Under the legislation, a donation must be reported either within 10 days after a check is received or at the time of deposit, whichever is earlier. Expenditures are made the day they are authorized. The bill also gives the state Ethics Commission the power to interpret and enforce campaign finance laws, issue advisory opinions, issue penalties for inaccurate reports, and hear appeals of penalties levied by the secretary of state or local probate office.

California – Businesses with Stake in California Politics Utilize Capitol Grounds
Sacramento Bee – Jeremy White | Published: 6/7/2015

Advocacy outside the Capitol building is part of the daily rhythm of California politics. On any given day, interest groups organize rallies on the steps or lawn to promote or condemn bills, often with legislators urging participants on. By contrast, corporate-sponsored events are often free of any explicit legislative focus. But the vents do offer increased visibility and exposure to policymakers and their staff. Any such occasion serves a dual purpose, said political consultant Steven Maviglio. “It’s always the carrot-and-stick approach: the lobbyists do the heavy lifting inside the building, and the soft and cuddly stuff is on the outside,” Maviglio said.

Hawaii – Contractor Campaign Contributions Raise Concerns of Corruption
Honolulu Civil Beat – Nick Grube | Published: 6/10/2015

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Hawaii law that bans government contractors from donating to candidates. But the state cannot block individuals from contributing to campaigns, even if they own a company that has ongoing contracts with state and local governments. The same rule applies to top executives, employees, and family members of government contractors. Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission Executive Director Kristin Izumi-Nitao said such contributions are lawful as long as they are within legal limits and the money does not come directly from the company’s treasury, such as through a reimbursement or end-of-year bonus. “That’s why you see a lot of these business owners giving from their own pocket,” Izumi-Nitao said.

Hawaii – Ethics Director Survives Political Challenge
Honolulu Civil Beat – Ian Lind | Published: 6/10/2015

The Hawaii Ethics Commission took no action against Les Kondo, the panel’s executive director, after completing an evaluation of his job performance stemming from recent criticism that his office has overstepped its bounds in enforcing ethics rules. After three-and-a-half hours behind closed doors in executive session, the commission emerged to announce it had completed its evaluation and that further reviews would be conducted in the future as situations arise.

Massachusetts – Baker, State GOP’s Use of Federal Funds Questioned
Boston Globe – Frank Phillips | Published: 5/8/2015

Since Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker took office in January, his campaign committee has used the state Republican Party’s staff and its headquarters to solicit, collect, and organize donations at events to bulk up his depleted political account, according to several party officials and others involved in the fundraising for the governor. This is despite a 1998 Massachusetts law banning the use of federal funds for state political activities. Watchdogs say the practice of using federal funds is contrary to the statute’s purpose of ensuring only money raised and disclosed according to state laws is used to influence state elections.

New York – Carl Heastie’s Campaign Spending Blurs Line between Political and Personal
New York Times – Russ Buettner | Published: 6/8/2015

New York Assemblyperson Carl Heastie’s campaign spending received little attention during his first 14 years in office. But in February, he became speaker, one of the most powerful positions in state government. Heastie pledged to enact ethics reform, but a review of his campaign disclosure records suggests he has frequently used political donations to burnish his lifestyle. In addition to keeping his car in good repair, his campaign money has been used to cover expensive restaurant and nightclub bills, evenings in a karaoke bar with his staff, and tickets to football games. State law prohibits the use of campaign funds for personal purposes. A Heastie spokesperson said the speaker had always followed the applicable laws and all of the spending in question was for legitimate political purposes.

Pennsylvania – Fourth Defendant in Sting Case Pleads Guilty
Philadelphia Inquirer – Angela Couloumbis and Craig McCoy | Published: 6/8/2015

Pennsylvania Rep. Michelle Brownlee pleaded guilty to accepting money from an undercover informant who videotaped the conversations in a bribery-related probe. Brownlee, of Philadelphia, became the fourth official to admit to taking money or gifts in return for official acts in the investigation. She pleaded guilty to a conflict-of-interest charge, was sentenced to 18 months of probation, and agreed to resign her House seat. Brownlee admitted to accepting $2,000 wrapped in a napkin while providing the informant posing as a lobbyist special access to her office.

Rhode Island – Ex-RI House Speaker Fox Gets 3 Years in Prison
Providence Journal – Katie Mulvaney | Published: 6/11/2015

Former Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox was sentenced to three years in federal prison on charges of bribery, wire fraud, and filing a false tax return. The judge also ordered him to pay $109,000 in restitution. Fox was accused of taking $52,000 bribe to help grant a liquor license to Shark Sushi Bar and Grill while he a member of the Providence Board of Licenses. He was also accused of using campaign funds to pay for personal expenses such as his mortgage, car loan payments, and American Express payments for purchases at stores such as Tiffany’s and Urban Outfitters.

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.

On June 10, the Colorado Secretary of State posted notice of the permanent adoption of amendments to campaign finance rules. The rules concerning campaign and political finance have been recodified to improve the administration and enforcement of state campaign finance law.

Specifically, the rule revisions clarify and simplify the rules, remove language duplicative of statute, and ensure consistency with department rulemaking standards. The rules were considered at a rulemaking hearing on May 21. All amendments will become effective 20 days after they are published in the Colorado Register.

In our spare time this year, my husband and I said we would chair the Greek Festival at Annunciation Church in Akron this September. This requires a lot of workshops rolling phyllo filled with cheese, spinach, and custard. I have always sent the interns to the church to help out. They learn a lot about volunteering and the volunteers learn a lot about them. Now mind you the volunteers are usually more…mature folks from the church and relish the fact we have so many young people assisting.

Costa Janos–On Monday June 6^th, the interns went to Annunciation Greek Orthodox church to help out with the preparation for the Greek festival in September. Monday’s workshop was to assist the volunteers as they assembled the spinach filled hors d’oeuvres called spanakopita. My specific jobs were to melt the butter, bring the ladies what they needed (filo, spinach, butter, or empty trays), and package the spanakopita. The day seemed to go by very quickly as there was never a moment where we were not moving. The interns worked non-stop to help make the process go quickly and smoothly. At the end of the day, I feel as if this workshop was a success and I cannot wait to go back to the church for the next workshop.

David Trujillo—Spanakopita is a delicious, easy to make, Greek appetizer that is ubiquitously found in Greek homes, Greek restaurants, and Greek cultural festivals. In my experience, in the almost industrialized process of mass production of this tasty Mediterranean treat, I found the aspects of community and togetherness. While the production of 6,000 or so pieces of spanakopita is fast paced, one finds opportunities to exchange pleasantries with some of the friendliest strangers one could ever meet. One finds the people of the Greek Orthodox Church to be extremely pleasant to talk to. One finds themselves enjoying their anecdotes, their takes on different topics on life, even their instructions on how to roll a buttered spinach pie. Mass production of spanakopita brings with it more rewards than simply the knowledge of how to make spanakopita.

Sophia Avouris–My experience at the Annunciation’s Spanakopita Workshop was very fun. Despite the fact we were all working almost constantly, I found myself laughing a lot.  I felt it helped all of us to bond together working outside of the office.  I think bonding experience is important, because it is nice when the friends you make in a work setting are not confined to work, but are friends in other areas.  I really like the internship program here gives us the ability to do community service, as I believe becoming involved at a younger age makes you more likely to be involved as you get older.

Niko Frazier–Spanakopita, where do I begin? We went to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church yesterday and helped make spanakopita, a first for me. I grew up working at the festival and my church’s kitchen, but always with meats. I’ve missed out. I started out the day scooping the spinach filling onto sheets, eight rows of five. After about one hour, I got tired so I decided to go out and start rolling. The rolling was so relaxing and fun. I finished two trays and about six cups of coffee before I was reassigned to packing the frozen rolls into aluminum trays then into the boxes. I cannot wait for the festival so I can finally eat the fruit of my labors.

Elizabeth Scozzaro— On Monday Team Intern helped at the Spanakopita Workshop all day. I did not know what was in store for us because I did not realize there was a 6,000 spanakopita requirement! I began the day being a runner for butter, spinach, and anything else the rollers needed. The rollers were the women who rolled the spinach in the phyllo dough. Eventually, the rollers got behind and I jumped in to help. It was fun to learn how to make one of my favorite foods in the world! Everybody there was kind to us and took much interest in our lives at school and at State and Federal Communications.

Lobbying

Rhode Island: “RI’s Biggest Spending Special Interest Groups at the Statehouse” by Stephen Beale for GoLocalProv.com

Campaign Finance

“The IRS Chief’s Mistake about ‘Dark Money’” by Miriam Galston for Washington Post

Ethics

Florida: “Ethics Panel: Carroll misreported income” by Brandon Larrabee (News Service of Florida) for Tallahassee Democrat

Florida: “Ex-Congressman’s Top Aide to plead Guilty to Breaking Election Law” by Jay Weaver for Miami Herald

Hawaii: “Ethics Director Survives Political Challenge” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat

Elections

“Eyeing 2016, G.O.P Embraces Digital Strategies, but Doubts Persist” by Ashley Parker for New York Times

“How Jeb Bush’s Campaign Ran off Course before It Even Began” by Ed O’Keefe and Robert Costa for Washington Post

Legislative Issues

“Sen. Johnny Isakson Discloses He Has Parkinson’s Disease” by Mike DeBonis for Washington Post

Maine: “Closed Door: Legislators conducting public business in private despite state’s open meeting law” by John Christie (Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting) for Pine Tree Watchdog