January 13, 2016 •
New Jersey Legislative Session Adjourns
The state Legislature adjourned on Monday, January 11. Among the business handled the last day of the session was an amendment to the state constitution to change how redistricting is handled. Due to criticism and a lack of support, the […]
The state Legislature adjourned on Monday, January 11.
Among the business handled the last day of the session was an amendment to the state constitution to change how redistricting is handled. Due to criticism and a lack of support, the measure was pulled, with state Sen. Nicholas Scutari, who had sponsored the bill, promising the measure would be studied further and reintroduced in next legislative session.
The Legislature passed bills allowing counties to impose a hotel tax, to expand the state’s DNA database, and to require nonprofit hospitals to pay “community service assessments” to the counties in which they are located.
Bills concerning required sick leave for employees and required licensing and insurance for ride-share service drivers, like those who work for Uber or Lyft, expired at the end of the session.
January 13, 2016 •
Ethics Bills Pass Missouri House Committee
Four ethics bills have passed out of the House Government Oversight and Accountability Committee and now move to consideration by the entire House. These bills include banning statewide elected officials or legislators from working as political consultants while in office, […]
Four ethics bills have passed out of the House Government Oversight and Accountability Committee and now move to consideration by the entire House.
These bills include banning statewide elected officials or legislators from working as political consultants while in office, creating a “cooling off” period of at least a full legislative session before elected officials or officials in jobs subject to Senate confirmation may work as lobbyists, requiring public officials to file semiannual reports detailing their personal finances, and reporting any out-of-state travel for official business when paid for by a third party.
Rep. Gina Mitten questioned the effectiveness of the revolving door bill during the committee hearing, asking if the cooling off period was long enough. She advocated having the measure cover legislative staff, requiring elected officials who leave office early to be prohibited from acting as lobbyists until the end of the term, and making the measure become effective as quickly as possible.
Hearings for bills regulating how to handle surplus campaign funds once an official leaves office and the banning of gifts from lobbyists have been delayed due to issues with the drafting of the bills. The committee will take those bills up next week.
Photo of the Missouri Capitol courtesy of RebelAt on Wikimedia Commons.
January 13, 2016 •
Kauai County to Consider New Lobbyist Regulations
On January 13, the Kauai County Council will begin looking at legislation regulating lobbyists. Currently, Kauai County is the only county in the state without a lobbying ordinance. The new ordinance will require lobbyists to register annually with the county […]
On January 13, the Kauai County Council will begin looking at legislation regulating lobbyists. Currently, Kauai County is the only county in the state without a lobbying ordinance.
The new ordinance will require lobbyists to register annually with the county clerk and to report annually lobbying expenditures and what the expenditures were for. Any lobbyist providing testimony at a public hearing will also be required to disclose his or her status as a lobbyists before testifying; this disclosure will have to be made each time a lobbyist testifies.
The bill will also ban all gift-giving by lobbyists. Councilman Gary Hooser, who introduced the bill, said this provision may be amended in later drafts to exclude gifts of aloha, which are items such as cookies, cheese platters, or flower leis.
The Seal of Kauai County courtesy of Collection of Chris on Wikimedia Commons.
January 13, 2016 •
See You at the National Grassroots Conference in Orlando!
What grassroots activities are you involved in? Did you know that reporting your grassroots activities in one state or municipality doesn’t mean that you are required to do so in another? Failure to report if it is required could cause […]
Take the opportunity to sit down during the 2016 PAC Grassroots Conference and come have lunch on us! State and Federal Communications is hosting a luncheon on Wednesday, January 27th where you can discuss government compliance and more.
All attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a Fitbit Surge for attending. Seats are limited and are going fast, so check out our video for luncheon details and R.S.V.P. here!
See you in Orlando!
January 13, 2016 •
San Mateo County Implements Online Campaign Finance Reporting
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, along with the county chief elections officer, has implemented an electronic filing system for campaign finance reporting. The electronic filing system is now available. Candidates and committees can file disclosures online, and the […]
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, along with the county chief elections officer, has implemented an electronic filing system for campaign finance reporting. The electronic filing system is now available.
Candidates and committees can file disclosures online, and the disclosures will be posted immediately on the county elections website, www.shapethefuture.org.
Photo of the San Mateo County Government Center by Coolcaesar on Wikimedia Commons.
January 13, 2016 •
Campaign Finance Changes Recommended in Oregon
A task force on campaign finance reform has recommended changes to the Oregon Constitution which would allow limits to be placed on political contributions. The task force urged the Legislature to make the changes by approving a constitutional amendment allowing […]
A task force on campaign finance reform has recommended changes to the Oregon Constitution which would allow limits to be placed on political contributions. The task force urged the Legislature to make the changes by approving a constitutional amendment allowing limits to be enacted by either the Legislature or a ballot measure.
Currently, Oregon is one of only six states with no campaign spending limits. The Legislature will consider the recommendation at the beginning of this year’s legislative session, which kicks off on February 1.
January 13, 2016 •
San Francisco Ethics Commission Meets to Begin Implementing Proposition C
The San Francisco Ethics Commission will meet January 13, 2016, to discuss the implementation of Proposition C, the November 2015 ballot measure imposing registration and reporting requirements on expenditure lobbyists. The measure takes effect February 1, 2016. The Ethics Commission […]
The San Francisco Ethics Commission will meet January 13, 2016, to discuss the implementation of Proposition C, the November 2015 ballot measure imposing registration and reporting requirements on expenditure lobbyists. The measure takes effect February 1, 2016.
The Ethics Commission welcomes public input on the promulgation of regulations related to the registration threshold, how to account for staff time spent on expenditure lobbying, registration fee exemptions for nonprofit organizations, and other related topics. The meeting is at noon in City Hall.
January 13, 2016 •
San Francisco Ethics Commission to Consider Closing Pay-to-Play Loophole
A 2014 Superior Court decision is being reviewed by the San Francisco Ethics Commission. Critics of the decision argue it created a loophole wherein money a candidate raised via a general purpose committee can be used to elect or defeat […]
A 2014 Superior Court decision is being reviewed by the San Francisco Ethics Commission. Critics of the decision argue it created a loophole wherein money a candidate raised via a general purpose committee can be used to elect or defeat candidates for other offices.
Further, the decision allows candidates and officeholders to skirt contribution limits and raise money from sources that would otherwise be prohibited.
The San Francisco Ethics Commission is being urged to consider regulations that would prevent candidates from circumventing the rules.
January 13, 2016 •
CA Lawmaker Wants to Legalize Ballot Selfies
California state Assemblyman Marc Levine has proposed a bill to allow “ballot selfies.” Under current state law, such pictures are illegal. Levine believes allowing voters to post pictures of their ballots on social media will boost voter turnout. California voter […]
California state Assemblyman Marc Levine has proposed a bill to allow “ballot selfies.” Under current state law, such pictures are illegal.
Levine believes allowing voters to post pictures of their ballots on social media will boost voter turnout. California voter turnout hit a record low in 2014 and many state lawmakers are attempting to bolster it with legislation this session.
Levine’s bill is being considered in committee.
Photo of Assemblyman Marc Levine courtesy of the California State Assembly on Wikimedia Commons.
January 13, 2016 •
Wednesday Government Relations News
Lobbying California: “Police Union Consultant May Still Be Lobbying for POA” by Jonah Owen Lamb for San Francisco Examiner West Virginia: “Proposed Changes to State Ethics Act Divide Lawmakers” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette Campaign Finance “Undisclosed Dollars Dominate […]
Lobbying
California: “Police Union Consultant May Still Be Lobbying for POA” by Jonah Owen Lamb for San Francisco Examiner
West Virginia: “Proposed Changes to State Ethics Act Divide Lawmakers” by Phil Kabler for Charleston Gazette
Campaign Finance
“Undisclosed Dollars Dominate Campaign Spending” by Kenneth Vogel for Politico
New Mexico: “Winter Plans New Office Unit on Campaign Finance” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
Wisconsin: “Elections Board Says Parties Must Report Corporate Donations” by Patrick Marley for Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Ethics
Florida: “Public Corruption Bill Hits Snag amid Senators’ Furor” by Ryan Ray for SaintPetersBlog.com
Massachusetts: “Dispute Over State Senator’s Dirty Laundry Raises Questions” by Andrea Estes for Boston Globe
New York: “Cuomo Won’t Face Federal Charges Over Moreland Ethics Panel” by Benjamin Weiser for New York Times
Pennsylvania: “Former Allentown Finance Director Gary Strathearn Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge of Mail and Wire Fraud” by Emily Opilo and Peter Hall for Allentown Morning Call
Pennsylvania: “Struggling Philadelphia Inquirer Is Donated to Nonprofit in Groundbreaking Deal” by Fred Barbash for Washington Post
January 12, 2016 •
Philadelphia Ethics Board Announces New Contribution Limits
The city Ethics Board released new contribution limits for city candidates on January 11. Candidates for city offices may accept up to $3,000 in a calendar year from an individual contributor, an increase from the previous limit of $2,900. Groups […]
The city Ethics Board released new contribution limits for city candidates on January 11.
Candidates for city offices may accept up to $3,000 in a calendar year from an individual contributor, an increase from the previous limit of $2,900. Groups and businesses may contribute up to $11,900 to a candidate per year, an increase of $400.
Contribution limits are adjusted every four years based on the consumer price index.
January 12, 2016 •
Special Election Expected Following Death of South Carolina State Senator
South Carolina Sen. Billy O’Dell died of a heart attack at the age of 77. The fiscally liberal Republican was due to file for reelection in March 2016 for an eighth term in office. Pending senate notification, the South Carolina […]
South Carolina Sen. Billy O’Dell died of a heart attack at the age of 77. The fiscally liberal Republican was due to file for reelection in March 2016 for an eighth term in office.
Pending senate notification, the South Carolina Election Commission will set a special election date. There is expected to be a March 22 primary, followed by an April 5 runoff, if necessary, and a May 17 general election. The special election would usually be held on May 10 but state offices will be closed in celebration of Confederate Memorial Day.
Photo of Sen. Billy O’Dell courtesy of the South Carolina Senate website.
January 12, 2016 •
AZ Secretary of State Proposes Campaign Finance Law Revisions
On January 8, the Arizona Secretary of State’s office proposed changes to the state’s campaign finance law in order to make it simpler and easier to understand. Changes include revisions of the definitions of committee and election cycle and elimination […]
On January 8, the Arizona Secretary of State’s office proposed changes to the state’s campaign finance law in order to make it simpler and easier to understand. Changes include revisions of the definitions of committee and election cycle and elimination of the “paid for” disclosures in campaign messages on social media, according to The Arizona Republic.
“We are keeping almost every existing policy, but we have rewritten it in a simpler manner. We have reorganized it to the place where you would expect to find it. And we have created the statutes like the way you would read a book,” said Director of Election Services Eric Spencer, according to KJZZ.org. The office has drafted legislation to be considered by the Legislature this year.
January 12, 2016 •
California Special Election Slated for April 5, 2016
Gov. Jerry Brown has called a special election for April 5, 2016, to fill a vacancy in the 31st District. Rep. Henry Perea vacated his seat in December of 2015. Perea’s term was expiring in December 2016. Therefore, the candidate […]
Gov. Jerry Brown has called a special election for April 5, 2016, to fill a vacancy in the 31st District. Rep. Henry Perea vacated his seat in December of 2015.
Perea’s term was expiring in December 2016. Therefore, the candidate elected in the special election will serve the remainder of Perea’s term while running for re-election in the regularly scheduled general election on November 8, 2016.
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