For two years, Nate Adams has been a member of our Research Department as a research assistant. An interest in politics and a desire to learn more about the behind-the-scenes work lawmakers do brought him to State and Federal Communications, Inc.

“I’ve always been interested in politics, pretty much since high school. I got my B.A. in political science, and it’s always been a goal of mine to run for political office. I wanted to kind of get a good background and idea and understanding of what it really could be involved in running for office,” he explained.

Nate was particularly interested in learning more about the types of laws that we cover: lobbying, procurement lobbying, and especially campaign finance.

As a research assistant, Nate’s responsibilities include making sure our information on jurisdictions is up to date, the correct documents are in place, and links on our website are working correctly. Research assistants also keep tabs on legislation we cover that affects lobbying, campaign finance or procurement lobbying in different states and at the federal level.

During our busy periods, in January and July, as our research managers assist with compliance needs, research assistants take on some of their responsibilities. This includes tasks like looking up key dates and sharing research updates through blog posts.

While research assistants often don’t directly interact with clients, their work supports our research managers and compliance department in meeting our clients’ needs.

“Most of it is indirectly through keeping the website up to date. We often get a lot of ‘Ask the Expert’ questions. It’s important that when clients do have an ‘Ask the Expert’ question, that the website is up to date, so the research manager who is answering the question can go to that part of the website and point to the answer, rather than have to dig through the website,” he explained.

In addition to this workload, Nate brings a strong knowledge and background in politics, as well as an appreciation for history and good communication skills to the role and Research Department.

The State and Federal Communications, Inc. team is full of experts you can trust. Learn more about what we can do for you at https://stateandfed.com/services/.

City Council voted 8-1 to establish an ethics commission over two years after voters approved the idea by ballot question in 2022. City Council will adopt a code of ethics created by the commission, and the code will be updated every three years. The commission will have the power to issue advisory opinions and decisions on violations of the code of ethics.

On March 18, Manitoba will hold a by-election for the provincial constituency of Transcona. Advance voting will begin on March 8.

The vacancy in Transcona was created by the passing of the late Nello Altomare, former member of the legislative assembly for Transcona, on Jan. 14, according to the government’s press release.

The election was called on February 18, which started the campaign period.

Elections

Ohio: “Vivek Ramaswamy Launches Campaign for Ohio Governor” by Patrick Svitek and Dylan Wells (Washington Post) for MSN

Ethics

California: “In Huntington Beach, Politics on a Plaque” by Orlando Mayorquin (New York Times) for Seattle Times

California: “California Agrees to Drop Parts of Social Media Law Challenged by Elon Musk’s X” by Tyler Katzenberger (Politico) for Yahoo News

Connecticut: “New Head of IT at CT Election Enforcement Agency Raises Conflict of Interest Concerns” by Joshua Eaton for CT Insider

National: “Trump, Schmoozing Saudis, Plays Two Roles: President and mogul” by Natalie Allison, Abigail Hausohner, and Cat Zakrzewski (Washington Post) for MSN

National: “Firings of Some Federal Workers Should Be Halted, Watchdog Recommends” by Justine McDaniel (Washington Post) for MSN

Maine: “Portland Establishes Ethics Commission More Than 2 Years After Voters Approved It” by Grace Benninghoff (Portland Press Herald) for Yahoo News

Lobbying

New Mexico: “Lobbyist Transparency Bill Clears First Hurdle” by Marjorie Childress for New Mexico In Depth

The 2025 session of the Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on February 22, and lawmakers managed to pass several budget bills. These include funding for material health, disaster relief, and school nutrition. Gov. Glenn Youngkin is expected to call a special session on April 2 for lawmakers to discuss federal jobs and funding in the wake of President Trump’s sweeping executive orders. This does affect lobbying reporting. The lobbyist gift notification to public officials is due March 15.

Campaign Finance

National: “FEC Clears Ted Cruz of Wrongdoing Over Podcast Syndicator’s Donations to Super PAC” by Jasper Scherer (Texas Tribune) for Yahoo News

Idaho: “Idaho Legislators Address ‘Monetization of Politics’ in New Campaign Finance Bills” by Mia Maldonado (Idaho Capital Sun) for Yahoo News

Kentucky: “Questions Spur Further Investigation of London Mayor’s Improper Contributions to Beshear Campaign” by Tom Loftus (Kentucky Lantern) for Yahoo News

Maine: “Should Unenrolled Candidates Be Able to Take Twice as Much from Contributors? These Lawmakers Think So.” by Libby Palanza for Maine Wire

Ethics

National: “AP Sues 3 Trump Administration Officials, Citing Freedom of Speech” by David Bauder (Associated Press) for Yahoo News

National: “As Trump Pursues His Policies, Democratic States Block His Path” by Maeve Reston, Reis Thebault, Janna Slater, and Shayna Jacobs (Washington Post) for MSN

New York: “Judge Appoints Outside Lawyer to Argue Against Dropping Adams Charges” by Shayna Jacobs and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) for MSN

Oregon: “Questions Over Oregon Politician’s Pay Lead Defense Department to Terminate Agency Funding” by Les Zaitz (Malheur Enterprise) for Portland Oregonian

Sometime before August 21, a by-election will be held for the seat of District 15 Brackley-Hunter River in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island.

This by-election will be called because of the resignation of  Premier Dennis King, who resigned on February 21.

King has indicated he no longer wished to remain in politics.

The Election Act states the by-election Writ of Election must be issued within six months from the date the members seat is vacated.

Campaign Finance

National: “Trump Wants More Power Over Agencies. Experts Worry About Campaign Finance Regulators” by Ashley Lopez for NPR

Ethics

National: “Experts Say Trump Comes Close to the Red Line of Openly Defying Judges” by Justin Jouvenal, Leo Sands, and Ann Marimow (Washington Post) for MSN

Mississippi: “Mississippi City Stuns Newspaper with Restraining Order Over Editorial” by Ann Branigin (Washington Post) for MSN

New York: “Hochul Announces Guardrails Around Eric Adams” by Nick Reisman and Joe Anuta (Politico) for MSN

Legislative Issues

National: “Trump Loyalist Kash Patel Becomes Director of FBI, Which He Vows to Remake” by Jeremy Robuck and Mark Berman (Washington Post) for MSN

Lobbying

Florida: “In Trump’s DC, K Street Clamors for Florida-Linked Lobbyists” by Kimberly Leonard (Politico) for MSN

Michigan: “Michigan House Passes Plan to Close ‘Revolving Door’ of Lawmakers, Lobbyists” by Arpan Lobo (Detroit Free Press) for MSN

Pennsylvania: “Johnny Doc’s Bribery Conviction Just Cost His Former Union Local 98 Another $25,000 in Ethics Fines” by Chris Palmer (Philadelphia Inquirer) for MSN

National/Federal

With Congress Pliant, an Emboldened Trump Pushes His Business Interests

DNyuz – Eric Lipton and Maggie Haberman (New York Times) | Published: 2/17/2025

Donald Trump re-entered the White House with a massively expanded portfolio of business interests, some of which require government approval or regulation, others of which are publicly traded, and still others involving foreign deals. Presidents are not subject to the conflict-of-interest laws that regulate the rest of the government, but his recent actions underscore how emboldened Trump feels in his second term. It demonstrates his confidence that the lines dividing various Trump interests, and his desire to reward friends and punish perceived enemies, will not trigger congressional oversight in a political ecosystem he helped change.

With Truth Social, Trump Has Official Mouthpiece and a Channel for Revenue

DNyuz – Sharon LaFraniere and Matthew Goldstein (New York Times) | Published: 2/19/2025

Anyone who wants to keep up with President Trump’s views knows to go to his Truth Social account. There, one finds his reasoning on a panoply of issues, including tariffs on Canada and Mexico, relations with Russia, American ownership of the Gaza Strip, and a budget bill now before Congress. In some ways, it is akin to how Trump turned Twitter, now called X, into his megaphone in his first term, when administration officials declared his posts to be official White House communications. But Trump is the biggest shareholder in the company that owns Truth Social and stands to benefit directly if his posts drive traffic to the site.

Acting Archivist, Inspector General for National Archives Forced Out

MSN – Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) | Published: 2/16/2025

The acting archivist of the United States and several senior staff members at the National Archives and Records Administration have resigned, marking the latest departures at a typically nonpolitical agency that has been the target of President Trump’s ire since its attempts to recover presidential documents from his Florida home. The departures came after Trump officials made it clear they wanted to remove the agency’s leadership team and install loyalists.

U.S. Plan to Award $400M Vehicle Contract Removes Reference to Musk’s Tesla

MSN – Leo Sands (Washington Post) | Published: 2/13/2025

The State Department planned to spend $400 million over the next five years on a contract to build armored electric vehicles with Telsa, whose chief executive, Elon Musk, has been advising President Trump on how to slim federal spending, according to government documents. After media outlets reported on the possible contract, the document was updated to omit any reference to Tesla, changing the “Armored Tesla” contract instead to “Armored Electric Vehicles,” although the contract’s value remained the same.

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Allow Him to Fire Independent Agency Leader

MSN – Ann Marimow (Washington Post) | Published: 2/16/2025

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to clear the way for the president to fire the leader of an independent agency that investigates whistleblower reports filed by government workers, he first time Trump has appealed to the justices for help in his efforts to remake and seize greater control of the federal bureaucracy. Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel, said his termination was illegal because it violated a law that shields leaders of independent agencies from removal by the president, “except in cases of neglect of duty, malfeasance or inefficiency.”

Who’s Running DOGE? The White House Says It’s Not Elon Musk.

MSN – Faiz Siddiqui and Natalie Allison (Washington Post) | Published: 2/18/2025

Elon Musk has embarked on a tear through Washington in his first month as the most influential adviser to President Trump. The White House, though, says Musk has “no actual or formal authority” over government decisions, despite the display of influence by the world’s richest person. Musk, according to the Trump administration, is neither a Department of Government Efficiency employee, nor the official in charge of the group. That assertion came in a filing as part of a lawsuit by 14 states alleging Musk’s actions are unconstitutional.

State Dept. Orders Cancellation of News Subscriptions Around the World

MSN – Jeremy Barr and John Hudson (Washington Post) | Published: 2/18/2025

The State Department ordered the cancellation of all news subscriptions deemed “non-mission critical.” The move aligns with the Trump administration’s crackdown on media companies that count the U.S. government as paying customers. Embassy security teams rely on news coverage to prepare for diplomatic travel in conflict zones. Cancellation of subscriptions, including to local news outlets, could hinder their assessment of threats, a State Department official said.

Judge Stops Trump Ouster of Merit Systems Protection Board Chair

MSN – Olivia George (Washington Post) | Published: 2/18/2025

A federal judge ordered the reinstatement, at least temporarily, of the chairperson of the federal board that hears appeals of disciplinary actions against federal employees, ruling the Trump administration had not articulated adequate grounds for her removal. The administration fired Cathy Harris as chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board with a one-sentence email. The messages provided no reason for the ouster. The next day, Harris sued, claiming her termination violated federal law.

After Ceding Power of the Purse, GOP Lawmakers Beg Trump Team for Funds

MSN – Liz Goodwin (Washington Post) | Published: 2/19/2025

Republican senators find themselves in an unusual position by having to ask Trump administration officials to release funds they themselves appropriated. Senators have in recent days made the case to Cabinet secretaries and other officials to let money flow back into their states. They are trying to finagle exceptions to President Trump’s sweeping executive orders or cuts that freeze hundreds of billions of dollars, including money for farmers and infrastructure projects. That push comes as the administration has also sought to fire a wide swath of federal employees, some of whom live in red states.

Mass Resignation Marks a New Kind of Defiance in the Second Trump Era

MSN – Naftali Bendavid (Washington Post) | Published: 2/15/2025

The resignation of seven U.S. Justice Department officials after refusing to drop charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, an ally of President Trump, marks the first significant defiance of Trump by federal officials. The action could create a precedent for further acts of resistance if Trump orders other government officials to do things they find inappropriate or believe would violate their legal responsibilities.

Federal Lobbying Set New Record in 2024

OpenSecrets – Indy Scholtens | Published: 2/11/2025

Business associations, corporations, labor unions, and other organizations are spending more than ever to influence policy decisions at the federal level. In 2024, lobbying spending reached a record-breaking $4.4 billion. The $150 million increase in lobbying continues an upward trend that began in 2016. The health sector remained the largest spender, with a total of $743.9 million in lobbying expenditures in 2024. It is the only sector that spent more than $700 million on federal lobbying last year.

Trump Signs Order to Claim Power Over Independent Agencies

Politico – Megan Messerly and Bob King | Published: 2/18/2025

President Trump signed a sweeping executive order bringing independent agencies under the control of the White House, an action that would greatly expand his power but is likely to attract significant legal challenges. It represents Trump’s latest attempt to consolidate power beyond boundaries other presidents have observed and to test the so-called unitary executive theory, which states the president has the sole authority over the executive branch.

Venting at Democrats and Fearing Trump, Liberal Donors Pull Back Cash

Seattle Times – Lisa Lerer, Reid Epstein, and Theodore Schleifer (New York Times) | Published: 2/16/2025

The demoralization and fear gripping blue America in the early weeks of the Trump administration have left liberal groups and their allies struggling for cash, hurting their ability to effectively combat the right-wing transformation of the federal government. The small-dollar online spigot that powered opposition to the first Trump administration has slowed to a trickle as shaken liberal voters withhold their donations.

Senior Justice Department Ethics Official Resigns Over Sidelining by Trump Appointees, Source Says

Yahoo News – Sarah Lynch (Reuters) | Published: 2/19/2025

The Justice Department’s senior ethics official resigned after President Trump’s administration pulled him off his duties and assigned him to a new sanctuary-cities working group, a person familiar with the matter said. The official, Bradley Weinsheimer, decided to accept the government’s deferred resignation offer rather than accept the reassignment, the latest in a string of nonpolitical career Justice Department officials who have resisted efforts they say politicize investigations.

From the States and Municipalities

Arizona – Legislative Immunity Is a Privilege in Most States. A Speeding Ticket Could Change That in Arizona

MSN – Eric Sandoval (Associated Press) | Published: 2/15/2025

The Arizona Constitution shields state lawmakers from any civil process and arrest for anything but treason, felony, and breach of peace during legislative sessions and the 15 days before. Legislative immunity exists in most states and allows lawmakers to brush aside lawsuits and low-level infractions. In Arizona, the perk does not have unanimous support in the Legislature. Rep. Quang Nguyen introduced a resolution to end immunity for traffic violations. If passed, it would become a ballot measure.

California – Who’s Paying for California Politicians’ Travel? After CalMatters’ Report, Audit Proposes a Legal Fix

MSN – Alexei Koseff (CalMatters) | Published: 2/14/2025

A California Fair Political Practices Commission audit recommends simplifying disclosure requirements to cover more interest groups that take lawmakers to policy conferences and on international study tours, a change that can only be made by those very same legislators. The audit followed CalMatters’ revelations that a 2015 law requiring such trip organizers to annually disclose their major donors had been used only twice in seven years despite interest groups paying for millions of dollars in travel for lawmakers during that time.

California – OC Developer Fined by State Officials for Dark Money Campaign in Santa Ana

Voice of OC – Hosam Elattar | Published: 2/13/2025

Ryan Ogulnick, an Orange County developer, is facing a $87,000 fine from the California Fair Political Practices Commission for an alleged political money laundering scheme in Santa Ana. The commission found he illegally hid the source of over $300,000 that was spent on mailers in the 2018 city council elections. At least one commissioner is calling on the county’s district attorney to investigate.

Colorado – Democratic State Senator Abruptly Resigns from Colorado Legislature Amid Ethics Investigation

Colorado Sun – Jesse Paul | Published: 2/18/2025

State Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis abruptly announced her resignation from the Colorado Legislature amid an ethics investigation into her alleged yearslong mistreatment of her Capitol staffers. Her resignation comes after she was reelected to a second four-year term in the Senate in November. A Democratic vacancy committee will be convened to select her replacement, who will serve until at least the 2026 election.

Colorado – Denver Approves New Rules for Taxpayer-Funded Campaign Matching Dollars in City Elections

The Leader-Telegram – Elliott Wenzler (Denver Post) | Published: 2/19/2025

Denver’s Fair Elections Fund, which is intended to help more candidates for mayor and other city offices compete financially, will have new stipulations after the city council approved changes to its rules. The changes will ban anonymous donations, require “neutral debates” for participating candidates, pave the way for campaign finance investigations, and prohibit the use of public money on certain things like alcohol.

District of Columbia – D.C. U.S. Attorney Probing Democrats Over Alleged Threats, Documents Show

MSN – Spencer Hsu (Washington Post) | Published: 2/19/2025

The top federal prosecutor in the District of Columbia escalated his scrutiny of what he characterized as potential threats directed at Elon Musk and government workers, demanding information from a Democratic member of Congress who criticized Musk and telling his office he planned to prosecute anyone targeting public officials. Legal analysts called interim U.S. attorney Ed Martin’s direct inquiries to lawmakers highly irregular and his discussion of investigative targets troubling.

Florida – Space Coast Rocket Founder Robert Burns Ordered to Pay $24,500 in Campaign Finance Case

Yahoo News – Tyler Vazquez (Florida Today) | Published: 2/14/2025

Political consultant and Space Coast Rocket founder was ordered by a state judge to pay $24,500 in fines related to an election fraud case. Judge Lawrence Stevenson said Burns engaged in a “pattern of nonreporting contributions received, and expenditures made, while they were actively campaigning for and against multiple candidates.” According to a court filing, the Florida Elections Commission sent 84 letters regarding the failure to file reports that Burns ignored, resulting in the charges.

Illinois – Former Mayors Johnson and Lightfoot Accused of Impeding Inspector General’s Investigations

WBEZ – Fran Spielman | Published: 2/13/2025

Mayor Brandon Johnson and his predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, were accused of impeding the work of Chicago’s inspector general by withholding documents, selectively enforcing subpoenas, and demanding to have the Law Department sit in on interviews that “risk embarrassment” to the mayor. The roadblocks outlined by Inspector General Deborah Witzburg include picking and choosing which subpoenas to comply with and withholding or unreasonably delaying the release of sensitive documents, such as emails and text messages.

Illinois – After Madigan’s Conviction, Lawmakers Ask: Has Illinois done enough to root out corruption?

WTTW – Angel Vicky | Published: 2/12/2025

Like the prosecutors in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial presenting evidence, Republicans and ethics advocates are seizing on Madigan’s conviction as proof that Illinois needs reform. Republicans who are suing to undo a legislative district map they say Democrats gerrymandered to their advantage, argue redistricting is another area left untouched to Illinois’ ethical detriment.

Illinois – ‘You Can Raise Me Five Grand’: New details emerge in bribery case against state Sen. Emil Jones III

Yahoo News – Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) | Published: 2/19/2025

Illinois Sen. Emil Jones was dining at a Chicago steakhouse with an influential red light camera company executive when the executive expressed concern about Jones’ pending bill requiring a study on the automated traffic systems. The executive, Omar Maani of SafeSpeed, then asked Jones a point-blank question: how much do you want? “You can raise me five grand. That’d be good,” Jones allegedly told Maani. That conversation and other key details were revealed for the first time as Jones’ trial date on bribery charges approaches.

Kansas – Kansas House Committee Advances Election-Reform Bill That’s More Than a Name Change

Yahoo News – Tim Carpenter (Kansas Reflector) | Published: 2/13/2025

The House Elections Committee approved campaign finance reforms arising from disputes about Kansas’ definition of a PAC, coordination among PACs and candidates, and contributions given by a person in the name of another. The Governmental Ethics Commission, which would be renamed the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission in the bill, has engaged in political and legal battles with attorneys representing activists who bristled at vague language in state election statutes and challenged constitutionality of the commission’s interpretation of laws.

Kentucky – A Police Report, Lawsuits and Ethics Complaints: Pressures mount against councilwoman

Louisville Courier-Journal – Eleanor McCrary | Published: 2/17/2025

Louisville Metro Councilperson Donna Purvis is being accused of harassment after following an elderly constituent back to her apartment building in September after a heated verbal altercation at City Hall. It is the latest in a string of legal and ethics fights involving Purvis. In the six years she has been in office, Purvis has been sued for defamation by her former legislative assistant, racked up $20,000 in fines for campaign finance violations, and received multiple ethics complaints, some of which are ongoing.

Maine – Maine Lawmaker Accused of Forging Signatures on Campaign Finance Forms

Yahoo News – Rachel Ohm (Portland Press Herald) | Published: 2/13/2025

A grand jury indicted Maine Rep. Randall Hall on charges he forged signatures and made a false statement on campaign finance forms last year. According to the indictment, Hall forged signatures on 10 qualifying contribution affirmation forms, which are the forms that must be filled out by donors who give qualifying contributions to a candidate for state office so they can get clean elections funding from the state.

Michigan – Top Lawmaker Wants to Close Michigan ‘Revolving Door’ to Lobbyist Jobs

Bridge Michigan – Simon Schuster | Published: 2/18/2025

After years of failed attempts to slow the “revolving door” between Michigan policymakers and the professionals paid to influence them, a new proposal to block government leaders from immediately becoming lobbyists is gaining steam in the state Legislature. Bipartisan legislation would create a two-year waiting period before lawmakers who leave office can register as paid lobbyists to influence their former colleagues.

Minnesota – Senate GOP Files New Ethics Complaints Against Nicole Mitchell, State Senator Facing Felony Burglary Charges

Pioneer Press – Alex Derosier | Published: 2/18/2025

Minnesota Senate Republicans are leaning into their push to force state Sen. Nicole Mitchell from office after she was hit with another felony charge tied to her alleged break-in at her stepmother’s home last year. Republicans argued Mitchell had a conflict-of-interest when she voted to block a motion that would have opened her to an expulsion vote. They also filed an updated ethics complaint.

Mississippi – MS Campaign Finance Enforcement Lacks ‘Teeth,’ Hindering Accountability

Yahoo News – Charlie Drape and Grant McLaughlin (Clarion Ledger) | Published: 2/17/2025

Even if the state wanted to bring charges against federally indicted-Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba for failing to submit several campaign finance reports, it likely would not, due to Mississippi’s confusing campaign finance laws. The state attorney general’s office said the law is difficult to enforce because there are several state agencies involved before the attorney general can see a case. If that even happens, the punitive measures are minor at best, said Michelle Williams, the attorney general’s chief of staff.

New York – NY Ethics Panel Ruled Constitutional in Split Decision in Cuomo Case

Albany Times Union – Brendan Lyons | Published: 2/18/2025

New York’s top court upheld the constitutionality of the state’s new ethics commission. The decision revives the authority of the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, which was created in 2022 to succeed the oft-criticized Joint Commission on Public Ethics that was disbanded. A state Supreme Court justice, as well as an appellate court in Albany, had ruled the new commission was formed in violation of the state constitution’s separation of powers doctrine.

New York – Acting Deputy AG Emil Bove Defends Move to Drop Eric Adams Case

MSN – Shayna Jacobs and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) | Published: 2/19/2025

Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove defended his controversial decision to end the corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams, describing the choice to a federal judge as “a standard exercise of prosecutorial discretion.” Bove’s directive sparked days of open conflict within the department, drove eight veteran department attorneys to resign, and prompted the unusual proceeding in a Manhattan federal courtroom.

New York – Mass Resignations from Eric Adams’ Administration Spark Chaos in NYC Government

Yahoo News – Sally Goldenberg, Nick Reisman, Janaki Chada, and Joe Anuta (Politico) | Published: 2/17/2025

Four deputy mayors have signaled their intent to resign over concerns about New York City Mayor Eric Adams; conduct. The deputy mayors voiced worry that Adams is essentially doing the bidding of President Trump, who remains unpopular in the city. The Department of Justice ordered federal corruption charges against Adams dropped, in a case that appeared to be tied to the mayor’s cooperation on deporting migrants.

South Dakota – Felonies for Silent Supervisors a Sticking Point as Anti-Corruption Bills Clear SD Senate

Yahoo News – John Hult (South Dakota Searchlight) | Published: 2/18/2025

A package of four anti-corruption bills passed the South Dakota Senate and were sent to the House. The bills were sparked by recent criminal investigations into state employee misbehavior. The governor and attorney general agree on the language in three of the bills, but the question of felonies for state employee supervisors has confounded attempts for consensus on the fourth.

South Dakota – SD Governor Signs Bill Closing Loan Loophole in Campaign Finance Law

Yahoo News – South Dakota Searchlight staff | Published: 2/18/2025

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden signed a bill into law that would close a campaign finance loophole. The new law says any loan to a campaign, when combined with contributions from the same source, cannot exceed contribution limits in state law.

Tennessee – Campaign Contribution Limits Could Be Lifted for Political Parties, Caucus PACs

Yahoo News – Sam Stockard (Tennessee Lookout) | Published: 2/18/2025

Smarting from a barrage of dark money that took out two state Senate incumbents in 2024, Tennessee lawmakers are set to consider eliminating campaign contribution limits for political parties and party caucuses. Senate Bill 229 aims to create more equity after out-of-state PACs spent heavily to defeat incumbent Sens. Frank Niceley and Jon Lundberg last August. The Lundberg election remains under investigation by the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.

Texas – Critics of Texas House Leadership Spent Big in This Year’s Speaker’s Race. They Fought Years for That Chance.

MSN – Kate McGee (Texas Tribune) | Published: 2/13/2025

Over the past year, outside groups spent heavily on campaigns for their Texas House speaker of choice, turning a race that is usually waged  behind closed doors into a public spectacle that has raised allegations among its members of foul play. State Rep. Dustin Burrows, the candidate most closely associated with prior House leadership, ultimately won. But the result came only after a deluge of spending made possible by a pair of lawsuits 14 years apart filed by close associates or allies of a chief Burrows’ adversary: oil billionaire Tim Dunn.

Utah – A Lonely Holdout Where Republicans Still Resist Trump: Utah

Las Vegas Sun – Kellen Browning (New York Times) | Published: 2/18/2025

As President Trump pursues his right-wing agenda at breakneck speed, with Democrats in retreat and “Never Trump” conservatives making themselves scarce, one of the 50 states has remained a redoubt of a kinder, gentler, and more civil kind of Republicanism – Utah. One big reason is that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who make up a vast, and once reliably conservative, segment of the Utah population, have been drifting away from the GOP.

Virginia – Bills to Ban Personal Use of Campaign Funds Clear Virginia Legislature

MSN – Laura Vozella (Washington Post) | Published: 2/19/2025

The Virginia House and Senate voted unanimously to tighten the state’s notoriously loose campaign-finance laws by banning the personal use of campaign funds, something already banned in 48 states and in federal contests. Bills to prohibit using campaign coffers as personal piggy banks have been filed in Richmond every year since 2014 but never made it out of the General Assembly until now.

Virginia – How Trump’s Assault on Bureaucracy Could Rock Virginia Elections

MSN – Ally Mutnick (Politico) | Published: 2/12/2025

Virginia’s off-year races are often a bellwether for the national mood a year before the midterms. But they are poised to take on even more significance this November because so many government employees and contractors who live in Northern Virginia are experiencing firsthand the impact of the Trump administration’s attempt to shrink the federal bureaucracy. For Democrats, who have the thinnest of grips on the House of Delegates and are eagerly seeking to reclaim the governor’s mansion, it may be an opening.

Ethics

National: “Trump Signs Order to Claim Power Over Independent Agencies” by Megan Messerly and Bob King (Politico) for Yahoo News

National: “Senior Justice Department Ethics Official Resigns Over Sidelining by Trump Appointees, Source Says” by Sarah Lynch (Reuters) for Yahoo News

National: “Who’s Running DOGE? The White House Says It’s Not Elon Musk.” by Faiz Siddiqui and Natalie Allison (Washington Post) for MSN

Illinois: “‘You Can Raise Me Five Grand’: New details emerge in bribery case against state Sen. Emil Jones III” by Jason Meisner (Chicago Tribune) for Yahoo News

New York: “Acting Deputy AG Emil Bove Defends Move to Drop Eric Adams Case” by Shayna Jacobs and Jeremy Roebuck (Washington Post) for MSN

South Dakota: “Felonies for Silent Supervisors a Sticking Point as Anti-Corruption Bills Clear SD Senate” by John Hult (South Dakota Searchlight) for Yahoo News

Legislative Issues

Minnesota: “Senate GOP Files New Ethics Complaints Against Nicole Mitchell, State Senator Facing Felony Burglary Charges” by Alex Derosier for Pioneer Press

Lobbying

National: “Federal Lobbying Set New Record in 2024” by Indy Scholtens for OpenSecrets

The Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance (BECF) announced updated campaign contribution limits for 2025-2026. Contributions from individuals increased from $4,900 to $5,300 for statewide candidates and from $1,800 to $1,900 to legislative, other state, and local office candidates. The limit from PACs increased from $14,400 to $15,400 for statewide and House candidates. PAC limits increased from $28,800 to $30,800 for Senate candidates and from $9,400 to $10,100 for other state and local office candidates.

Campaign Finance

National: “Venting at Democrats and Fearing Trump, Liberal Donors Pull Back Cash” by Lisa Lerer, Reid Epstein, and Theodore Schleifer (New York Times) for Seattle Times

Tennessee: “Campaign Contribution Limits Could Be Lifted for Political Parties, Caucus PACs” by Sam Stockard (Tennessee Lookout) for Yahoo News

Ethics

National: “Acting Archivist, Inspector General for National Archives Forced Out” by Maegan Vazquez (Washington Post) for MSN

Kentucky: “A Police Report, Lawsuits and Ethics Complaints: Pressures mount against councilwoman” by Eleanor McCrary for Louisville Courier-Journal

New York: “Mass Resignations from Eric Adams’ Administration Spark Chaos in NYC Government” by Sally Goldenberg, Nick Reisman, Janaki Chada, and Joe Anuta (Politico) for Yahoo News

New York: “NY Ethics Panel Ruled Constitutional in Split Decision in Cuomo Case” by Brendan Lyons for Albany Times Union

Utah: “A Lonely Holdout Where Republicans Still Resist Trump: Utah” by Kellen Browning (New York Times) for DNyuz

Legislative Issues

Colorado: “Democratic State Senator Abruptly Resigns from Colorado Legislature Amid Ethics Investigation” by Jesse Paul for Colorado Sun

On July 15, there will be a special election for the Ward 8 seat of the Council of the District of Columbia.

Trayon White, who was re-elected to the seat in 2024, was expelled from the council by a unanimous vote of his co-councilmembers earlier this month. The reason for the expulsion stems from pending federal corruption charges against White, who ran and was elected while facing these charges.

White, who has served in the council position since 2016, could choose to run again because he has not been found guilty of the charges against him.

Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson published the 2025 annual limit for lobbyist gifts to public officials. The change for 2025 was 3.4%, making the newly adjusted cumulative gift limit $127.16 for 2025. No public official and no member of the immediate family of a public official may accept from any lobbyist or principal any gifts with a cumulative value greater than $127.16 during the 2025 calendar year.