After decades in office, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic has announced he is resigning his position.

In a letter to the citizens of Akron, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and wished only the best for the community’s future.

Plusquellic’s resignation is effective at midnight on May 31.

The Florida Legislature will return for a special session from June 1 to June 20, 2015. Among the topics on the agenda is the state budget, a major point of contention between the two chambers.

The House recently adjourned the regular session early, citing an insurmountable disagreement with the Senate over expanding Medicaid.

A compromise must be reached prior to July 1, the beginning of the state’s fiscal year.

State and Federal Communications’ Client Specialist Nola Werren was a presenter at the State Legislative Leaders Foundation DC Dialogue: A Conversation about Ethics and Campaigns on May 7, in Washington, D.C.

Werren discussed “The View from the Legal Perspective: What are the Rules?” with Robert Bauer of Perkins-Coie LLP, former White House Counsel to President Obama.

Congratulations, Nola!

A precept for a special election for New Hampshire state representative from Rockingham County District No. 20 was approved on May 6 by Governor Margaret Hassan.

The primary election will be held on July 7, 2015 followed by a special general election on August 25, 2015. If only one individual from each party files as a candidate there will not be a primary election and the special election will be held on July 7, 2015.

Federal:

Campaign Coverage via Snapchat Could Shake Up the 2016 Elections
New York Times – Jonathan Mahler | Published: 5/3/2015

Snapchat, America’s fastest-growing smartphone application, hired Peter Hamby, a political reporter for CNN, to lead its nascent news division. Snapchat has said little about its plans, but with well over 100 million users, a huge swath of whom are in the U.S. and between the ages of 18 and 31, its potential to shake up the next election is considerable. “There is no harder riddle to solve in politics than reaching young Americans who are very interested in the future of their country but don’t engage with traditional news,” said Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior adviser to President Barack Obama. “Snapchat may have just made it a whole lot easier to solve this riddle.”

F.E.C. Can’t Curb 2016 Election Abuse, Commission Chief Says
New York Times – Eric Lichtblau | Published: 5/2/2015

FEC Chairperson Ann Revel has given up on trying to stop abuses in the 2016 elections and will focus on transparency. “People think the FEC is dysfunctional – it’s worse than dysfunctional,” said Ravel. There are six members on the FEC, and any decision requires that at least four vote in favor. By law, however, there can be only three people from each political party in the group. While the requirement was meant to encourage nonpartisan action, it has recently caused a deadlock in decision-making. Ravel said the party divisions have made it nearly impossible for members to agree on new measures to enforce spending rules, and instead she plans to simply make the spending information public.

Hillary Clinton Embraces a ‘Super PAC,’ Trying to Erode a Republican Edge
New York Times – Maggie Haberman and Nicholas Confessore | Published: 5/6/2015

Hillary Clinton, who has emphasized campaign finance reform in the early stage of her latest White House bid, has apparently already decided the modest approach alone will not be enough. Clinton will be pushing the boundaries of campaign finance law further than any Democratic presidential contender ever has by directly asking donors to give to a friendly super PAC that can raise unlimited amounts of money from donors. Candidates avoided such activity in the 2012 race, adhering to a law that says they cannot coordinate directly with the groups. But the increasingly permissive nature of the FEC is leading the candidates to take ever bolder approaches.

From the States and Municipalities:

Florida – Politicians Send Millions to Charity of Lobbyist’s Daughter
Miami Herald – Francisco Alvarado (BrowardBulldog.org) | Published: 5/6/2015

Lauren’s Kids, a non-profit whose mission is to raise awareness about child sexual abuse, has become one the Florida Legislature’s favorite charities, collecting nearly $7 million in taxpayer funds. It was founded Lauren Book, the daughter of Tallahassee lobbyist Ron Book. Critics say Ron Book’s political clout gives Lauren’s Kids an unfair advantage over hundreds of applicants vying for state discretionary funds. Lauren Book said her non-profit is on the same playing field as others seeking state funds.

Georgia – For Ga. Board, Common Cause’s ‘Different Path’ Leads to Protest
WABE – Jonathan Shapiro | Published: 5/5/2015

Common Cause ousted two members from the Georgia chapter’s board. Two more board members resigned in protest. Nationally, Common Cause has long been nonpartisan in name but left-leaning in practice. The state chapter, however, for years had more independence. Common Cause Georgia’s board, balanced among Republicans, Democrats, and independents, worked with the group’s mission of “holding power accountable” but did not endorse everything the national organization did.

Minnesota – Gov. Mark Dayton Vows to Veto GOP Campaign Cash Changes
St. Paul Pioneer Press – Rachel Stassen-Berger | Published: 5/4/2015

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton said he would veto a budget bill if it includes several provisions he and Democratic lawmakers see as undermining the disclosure of special interest spending to influence elections. The state government finance omnibus bill, which the Republican-controlled House passed in late April, would effectively end campaign spending limits for statewide candidates and in legislative races. It would remove limits on the number of total donations that could be received by lobbyists and PACs, and end public subsidies for campaigns. It also would cut state funding for the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board in the next two years. The move would reduce the board’s budget by about 10 percent.

Minnesota – Minnesota House Floor Can Be a Theater of The Absurd
Minneapolis Star Tribune – Patrick Coolican | Published: 5/5/2015

The chaotic Minnesota House stands in stark contrast to the staid Senate, with its strict dress code and a rule prohibiting eye contact between senators during floor debates. Sen. Dick Cohen was elected to the House in 1976 before moving to the upper chamber. “When I was in the House, I would come over to the Senate floor and I thought I was walking into a church, it was so quiet,” said Cohen. “Now I walk onto the House floor, I think I’m walking into a circus.”

New Jersey – Key Christie Ally Pleads Guilty to Role in Bridgegate, Two Others Indicted
Washington Post – Rosalind Helderman and Robert Costa | Published: 5/1/2015

A judge unsealed indictments against two people close to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, outlining a conspiracy made with a third confidant to exact political vengeance against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich. Bill Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Bridget Anne Kelly, a former deputy chief of staff to Christie, were charged with nine counts, including conspiracy to commit fraud by “knowingly converting and intentionally misapplying property of an organization receiving federal benefits.” David Wildstein, who as an official at the Port Authority had ordered the closure of two of George Washington Bridge’s toll lanes to snarl traffic in Fort Lee, said he did so to punish Sokolich, who declined to endorse Christie’s re-election bid.

New York – Big Names in New York Real Estate Figure into Skelos and Silver Cases
New York Times – Charles Bagli | Published: 5/6/2015

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son are facing charges of fraud, extortion, and solicitation of bribes. Taken together with the charges filed earlier this year against former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, the two cases provide a glimpse into the seamier side of politics, power, and real estate in New York. Real estate executives have long said they contribute heavily to state and New York City legislators’ election campaigns in the hopes of gaining access to those who make policy in a state where tenants hold considerable voting power. But the criminal cases describe behavior that goes beyond mere campaign donations and lobbying and involve some of the biggest names in real estate.

New York – Dean Skelos, New York Senate Leader, and Son Are Arrested on Corruption Charges
New York Times – William Rashbaum, Thomas Kaplan, and Susanne Craig | Published: 5/4/2015

New York Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son, Adam, were arrested on charges of conspiracy, extortion, wire fraud, and bribe solicitation. The accusations stem from a federal investigation focused on Adam Skelos’ business dealings, including payments to him by an environmental company, AbTech Industries. The senator was accused of taking official actions to benefit AbTech and a prominent real estate firm, Glenwood Management, a politically influential developer that had financial ties to AbTech. Dean Skelos agreed to do so, according to the complaint, as long as the companies paid his son. In one taped conversation, Adam Skelos acknowledged he got the job with AbTech even though he “literally knew nothing about water or, you know, any of that stuff.”

Tennessee – Out-of-State Groups Seek Influence in Tennessee
The Tennessean – Tom Humphrey (Knoxville News Sentinel) | Published: 5/4/2015

Outside interests are trying to influence public policy in Tennessee, engaged on such controversial issues as Gov. Bill Haslam’s Insure Tennessee proposal and gun laws, all the way down to less-noticed matters such as experimental drugs and state subsidies to parents of children with specified disabilities. These groups set up shop in Tennessee fairly recently and started building a grassroots network of residents, although much of their funding still comes from outside the state.

Texas – Antagonist-in-Chief Stickland Faces His Foes
Texas Tribune – Morgan Smith | Published: 5/3/2015

A legislative ethics panel said it planned to investigate “possible irregularities” in the registering of supporters and opponents of bills at committee hearings after allegations that Texas Rep. Jonathan Strickland had falsely filled out registration forms, a violation of House rules. Colleagues say Stickland’s tactics – tying up floor debates with questions and delaying legislation with parliamentary maneuvers – are doing nothing more than holding up the House’s business while rubbing Democrats and Republicans alike the wrong way.

Vermont – House Oks Bill Limiting Lobbyist Contributions during Session
VTDigger.org – Erin Mansfield | Published: 5/6/2015

The Vermont House agreed to prohibit lobbyists from contributing to leadership PACs until after the Legislature adjourns at the end of each state biennium. The restriction was added as an amendment to Senate Bill 93, a bill expanding lobbyist disclosure requirements. The bill would require lobbyists to make monthly expenditure reports while the Legislature is in session. Lobbyists also would have to file reports within 48 hours of running mass media campaigns and disclose themselves as funders in a conspicuous place within each advertisement.

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.

The first regular session of the seventieth Colorado General Assembly adjourned sine die on Wednesday, May 6. Legislators sent roughly 50 bills to the Governor before adjourning hours shy of the midnight deadline.

Measures passed include a tax increment financing bill giving counties, school boards, and special districts more say in how cities waive future tax dollars for urban renewal projects, a bill increasing the pay of the governor, other state executive officers, lawmakers, and county officials effective in 2019, and a bill to reduce standardized testing in Colorado public schools.

Photo of the Colorado State Capitol by Greg O’Beirne on Wikimedia Commons.

The Legislative Ethics Board voted to allow Washington state legislators to accept free tickets to the U.S. Open golf tournament taking place this summer in Pierce County at Chambers Bay Golf Course. The face value of tickets is $110, which exceeds the state’s gift limit of $50.

However, members of the board reasoned legislators in attendance would not be mere spectators and would be conducting official business while at the golf tournament because they are slated to tour the golf course to learn about developments to the site.

The board conceded that lawmakers would have time to enjoy the hospitality tent and watch some of the tournament even though they would be attending on official legislative business.

Campaign Finance

“Cash Flows in Year of SuperPAC 2.0” by Tarini Parti for Politico

“F.E.C. Data Shows Campaign Fines Hit Record Low in 2014” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times

“Hillary Clinton’s Big-Money Dilemma” by Glenn Thrush and Anna Palmer for Politico

Ethics

California: “Transparency Gets Win as Funds OK’d to Digitize Financial Disclosure by Public Officials” by Alexandra Bjerg for California Forward Reporting

Florida: “Broward Politicians Want Looser Ethics Code” by Brittany Wallman for South Florida Sun Sentinel

Georgia: “For Ga. Board, Common Cause’s ‘Different Path’ Leads to Protest” by Jonathan Shapiro for WABE

Hawaii: “Still No Love for Public Interest Bills at Hawaii Legislature” by Ian Lind for Honolulu Civil Beat

New York: “Congratulations, New York, You’re #1 in Corruption” by Alan Greenblatt for Politico

New York: “Effort to Strip Pensions from Corrupt New York Officials Stalls” by Thomas Kaplan for New York Times

Washington: “Bothell Mayor Exonerated in Ethics Investigation” by Lynn Thompson for Seattle Times

Legislative Issues

Minnesota: “Minnesota House Floor Can Be a Theater of The Absurd” by Patrick Coolican for Minneapolis Star Tribune

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed House Bill 1002 into law on Monday, May 4. The ethics bill makes changes in the laws governing legislative ethics, lobbyist and legislative liaison reporting, and executive agency ethics.

Some changes include expanding disclosure requirements on legislators’ statements of economic interests, requiring both houses of the Legislature to adopt a code of ethics, requiring lobbyists to report the name of any legislator who is a close relative, limiting the circumstances in which post-employment restrictions on employees of the executive branch may be waived, and changing post-employment restrictions for state officers, employees, and special state appointees.

All provisions are effective July 1, 2015.

On Monday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed bipartisan legislation designed to expand the state’s pay-to-play rules by requiring the state to disclose fees paid to outside investment managers. The decision was made while Christie’s administration faces a new investigation into New Jersey pension fees paid to financial firms contributing to Republican groups.

Christie argues the bill’s disclosure requirements would have had a chilling effect on the state’s ability to attract investment managers. Others criticize the governor’s decision and maintain he vetoed the bill because it would have complicated his ability to raise presidential campaign money from firms currently managing billions of dollars in the state’s public pension system.

Christie “removed the provisions that would prevent pay-to-play between state investors and national political organizations connected to state political figures, including the governor himself, and the changes he made to the disclosure requirements are far too weak” said state Sen. Sheila Turner, the Democrat who sponsored the bill.

Photo of Governor Christie by Bob Jagendorf on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying

Connecticut: “Malloy Urged Protection for Pharmaceutical Firms in Trade Pact” by Ana Radelat for CT Mirror

Tennessee: “ALEC’s Influence in the Tennessee Legislature” by Richard Locker for Knoxville News Sentinel

Texas: “Senate Tightens Up Reporting Requirements for Lobbyists” by Terrence Stutz for Dallas Morning News

Campaign Finance

Minnesota: “Gov. Mark Dayton Vows to Veto GOP Campaign Cash Changes” by Rachel Stassen-Berger for St. Paul Pioneer Press

New York: “Albany Shivers after Bharara Flips a Major Donor” by Jimmy Vielkind for Capital New York

Ethics

New Jersey: “With Bridge Case Charges, a Cloud Descends on Christie’s White House Hopes” by Michael Barbaro for New York Times

New Jersey: “Forget Bridgegate. New Jersey’s Actually the Most Ethical State.” by Nicholas Kusnetz for Washington Post

Pennsylvania: “Loopholes in Pennsylvania’s Ethics Act Allow Family Hires” by Andrew Staub (PA Independent) for Watchdog.org

Elections

“Mike Huckabee Joins Republican Presidential Race” by Trip Gabriel for New York Times

“Campaign Coverage via Snapchat Could Shake Up the 2016 Elections” by Jonathan Mahler for New York Times

Gov. Scott Walker has called a special election for July 21, 2015, to fill the Senate District 33 seat of Paul Farrow (R), who plans to resign on July 17.

Farrow is resigning to focus on his new position as county executive of Waukesha County.

Rep. Chris Kapenga (R) and Brian Dorow, an associate dean at Waukesha County Technical College, have announced plans to run in the Republican primary on June 23.

State and Federal Communications is excited to be a sponsor of the Women in Government Relations (WGR) Spring Reception: Celebrating 40 Years of Advancing and Empowering Women on May 6 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Connect with our compliance experts Nola Werren, Rebecca South, and Gamble Hayden at this premiere event.

We are always looking for ways to support the work of WGR, such as sponsoring the Friday Forecast and the WGR Empowerment Network.

Lobbying

Tennessee: “Out-of-State Groups Seek Influence in Tennessee” by Tom Humphrey (Knoxville News Sentinel) for The Tennessean

Campaign Finance

“Hollywood Bundlers Are Losing the Spotlight” by Todd Purdum for Politico

“F.E.C. Can’t Curb 2016 Election Abuse, Commission Chief Says” by Eric Lichtblau for New York Times

California: “L.A. Port Police Chief Indicted in Alleged Fraud Scheme” by Matt Hamilton for Los Angeles Times

Connecticut: “Wolcott Man Gets Prison in Chris Donovan Campaign Case” by Nicholas Rondinone for Hartford Courant

New Jersey: “Chris Christie Vetoes Anti-Corruption Law to Limit Wall Street Campaign Cash” by David Sirota and Andrew Perez for International Business Times

New Jersey: “State of Corruption: N.J.’s most infamous political scandals” by Jonathan Salant (NJ Advance Media) for Newark Star-Ledger

New Jersey: “Key Christie Ally Pleads Guilty to Role in Bridgegate, Two Others Indicted” by Rosalind Helderman and Robert Costa for Washington Post

New York: “Dean Skelos, New York Senate Leader, and Son Are Arrested on Corruption Charges” by William Rashbaum, Thomas Kaplan, and Susanne Craig for New York Times

Elections

“Ben Carson Says He’ll Seek 2016 G.O.P. Nomination” by Trip Gabriel for New York Times

“Carly Fiorina Announces 2016 Presidential Bid” by Amy Chozik for New York Times

Legislative Issues

“Antagonist-in-Chief Stickland Faces His Foes” by Morgan Smith for Texas Tribune